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Abingdon Press

Beyond “I Do”

November 9, 2015 by Suzie Waltner Leave a Comment

This September, when I was at the American Christian Fiction Writers’ Conference in Dallas, Texas, I noticed a certain name popped up a few times. At the first dinner, the keynote speaker happened to sit at my table (in the seat next to me). Bill Myers asked those of us around the table what we were working on, then we got on the topic of editors. His endorsement was for Deborah Raney. The next day, I sat in an all-day class led by authors Susan May Warren and Rachel Hauck. They mentioned a book by Deborah Raney. And, as it turns out, at the banquet and awards gala, Deborah Raney and her husband joined my table. At the time, I knew I had one of her books in my queue for review and after hearing her name so many times (as well as reading the previous book in this series), I looked forward to it.

another way home

Danae Brooks longs for nothing more than to be a mother, but such a simple thing for her sisters is turning out to be a heartbreaking challenge for the middle Whitman daughter. Her husband Dallas seems to become less and less interested in the fertility treatments and doctor’s visits, and Danae feels alone and miserable.

When she decides she’s had enough for a while, that it’s time to take a break and focus on something other than herself, she ends up volunteering at a women’s shelter. While there, she realizes what blessings she has in her life. Her husband loves her and she doesn’t fear him like the residents of the shelter do their exes, her supportive family surrounds her and lifts her up in prayer, and even though she hasn’t yet been given the deepest desires of her heart, she has a beautiful home and Dallas’s job gives her the freedom to not have to work.

One of the women from the shelter asks Danae to keep her young son over the Thanksgiving holiday. After discussing it with Dallas, she agrees. What they don’t expect is to keep the boy for longer. As the couple struggles with what God wants them to do—falling in love with Austin will make giving him back that much more painful—they grow closer to each other, their families, and the Lord.

While my preferred reading (and writing) is romance, it’s wonderful to see authors writing about life after the engagement and wedding. Everything doesn’t fall into place after a couple says their vows. There are challenges and choices to be made that can tear apart families or draw them closer together. And bringing the reader inside those critical moments is where Deborah Raney excels.

***Abingdon Press provided me with a complimentary copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest and fair review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Filed Under: Book Review Tagged With: Abingdon Press, abuse, Another Way Home, Chickory Inn, Christian Fiction, Deborah Raney, Family, infetility, Netgalley, women's shelter

Ready to Wear

August 18, 2015 by Suzie Waltner Leave a Comment

No one will ever accuse me of being a fashionista. My work wardrobe consists of items mainly from Kohl’s, not a Karen Walker design in sight and my weekend apparel is more Target than Tommy Hilfiger (and yes, I had to look those fashion designer names up).

In Be My Valentino, the second book in the Jessie Stanton series, Sandra D. Bricker, brings fashion to life.

be my valentino

Picking right up where On a Ring and a Prayer left off, Jack Stanton continues to wreak havoc on his ex-wife’s wife. Just when she got her feet under her, Jack makes an appearance and pulls the rug right back out from under her.

As Jessie struggles with making her business profitable, Jack’s appearance brings her under the scrutiny of the FBI.

While the new man in her life, Danny Callahan, tries to be someone she can count on, he takes a side job to ferret out a mole at a local awards show.

Can Jessie trust another man after Jack stomped all over her? Will her business survive an FBI raid? And most importantly, will Jessie Hart put her trust in the one person who will never leave or forsake her?

I appreciate that this series is following Jessie’s journey because it emulates life. Just when you think you have everything figured out, you are hit with one (or three) unexpected hardships are thrown in the path you believe you have finally figured out.

Through humorous situations and heart-wrenching news, Jessie makes her way through life, learning to stand on her own two feet. I can’t wait to see what life brings her way next.

***Abingdon Press provided me with a complimentary copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest and fair review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Filed Under: Book Review Tagged With: Abingdon Press, Awards shows, Clothing, detective, Entertainment, Fashion, Hollywood, Netgalley, PI, Romance, Sandra D. Bricker, Women's Fiction

Two Roads Home by Deborah Raney

June 4, 2015 by Suzie Waltner Leave a Comment

TwoRoadsHomecover

So, I know Deborah Raney has been around for years and is a popular author but I’ve never actually read one of her book. After reading this one, I’m not sure why it’s taken me this long to get on board. Well, it’s probably because there are so many books by great authors out there and I have this little pesky thing called a job. That said, this will not be the last book I read by Raney.

Corinne Pennington knows she has been blessed with the life she’s living. While her husband’s career requires him to travel often, it also has provided her with her beautiful home and allowed her to stay and home with their three daughters. Her husband is also friendly, outgoing, and handsome. When Jesse’s disgruntled co-worker accuses him of sexual harassment, Corrine and Jesse struggle with the changes that are set into motion for their marriage, their family and their dreams.

This is the second book in The Chicory Inn series, but readers will not be lost if they read these out of order. Each book is focused on one of the Whitman’s children and their struggles with life. The story is told from both Corinne’s and Jesse’s points of view with a few thrown in from Audrey Whitman (Corinne’s mother). I really enjoyed reading a story focused on what happens after the romance, dating, and wedding. Struggles occur after the wedding. Marriage is hard and takes communication, commitment, sometimes sacrifice, and lots of love.

***Abingdon Press provided me with a complimentary copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest and fair review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Filed Under: Book Review Tagged With: Abingdon Press, book review, Contemporary, Deborah Raney, Netgalley

On a Ring and a Prayer by Sandra D. Bricker

March 26, 2015 by Suzie Waltner Leave a Comment

ring and a prayer

Jessie Stanton’s life as she knows it is over. When her husband of over a decade cancels her credit cards, sells their house out from under her, and cancels the lease on her BMW, Jessie is left shell shocked and without a way to support the elaborate lifestyle she’s become accustomed to. Her best friend suggests she hire a private investigator to find her husband. Danny Callahan is a laid back, easy going, detective who enjoys surfing and working with his hands—worlds apart from his newest client. In order to support herself (and pay for Danny’s investigative services), Jessie is forced to sell the one asset she has left—the ring on her left hand. Through trials and several divine circumstances, Jessie finds a way to stand on her own two feet, to become a woman who rises above her circumstances. With Danny’s support and friendship, she grows in strength, wisdom, and pluckiness.

Bricker’s cast of characters is lovable (even those who are questionable at first redeem themselves after a while). Between Jessie’s love of designer fashion, Danny’s enjoyment of the simple things and helping others, Rigg’s unique lifestyle, Amber’s excitement and ambition, and Piper’s friendship, I was disappointed when I reached the end of the book. The good news? There will be two more books. Which is a good thing because there were still a few unresolved items at the end of A Ring and a Prayer.

Find your copy at your local bookstore or order online today.

***Abingdon Press (via Netgalley) provided me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest and fair review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Filed Under: Book Review Tagged With: Abingdon Press, chick lit, Christian Fiction, contemporary romance, Sandra D. Bricker

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