"It Had to Be You" Blog Tour

About the book: A Christensen Family Novel.

Eden Christiansen never imagined her role as her younger brother Owen's cheerleader would keep her on the sidelines of her own life. Sure, it feels good to be needed, but looking after the reckless NHL rookie leaves little time for Eden to focus on her own career. She dreamed of making a name for herself as a reporter but is stuck writing obits---and starting to fear she doesn't have the chops to land a major story. If only someone would step up to mentor Owen . . . but she knows better than to expect help from team veteran and bad-boy enforcer Jace Jacobsen.

Jace has built his career on the infamous reputation of his aggressive behavior---on and off the ice. Now at a crossroads about his future in hockey, that reputation has him trapped. And the guilt-trip he's getting from Eden Christiansen isn't making things any easier. But when Owen's carelessness leads to a career-threatening injury and Eden stumbles upon a story that could be her big break, she and Jace are thrown together . . . and begin to wonder if they belong on the same team after all.

Learn more and purchase a copy at Susan's website.

 

 

About the Author: Susan May Warren is the bestselling, RITA Award-winning author of more than forty novels whose compelling plots and unforgettable characters have won acclaim with readers and reviewers alike. She served with her husband and four children as a missionary in Russia for eight years before she and her family returned home to the States. She now writes full-time as her husband runs a lodge on Lake Superior in northern Minnesota, where many of her books are set. She and her family enjoy hiking, canoeing, and being involved in their local church. Several of her critically acclaimed novels have been ECPA and CBA bestsellers, were chosen as Top Picks by Romantic Times, and have won the RWA's Inspirational Reader's Choice contest and the American Christian Fiction Writers Book of the Year award. Five of her books have been Christy Award finalists. In addition to her writing, Susan loves to teach and speak at women's events about God's amazing grace in our lives. She also runs a writing community for authors. Visit MyBookTherapy.com to learn more.

Learn more about Susan at: http://www.susanmaywarren.com

 

 

 

My Take:

 

I’m not a hockey fan, but any time a book incorporates sports in some way, it’s usually a good thing.

 

That was definitely true for It Had to Be You. The hockey life seemed to be realistic, which added another level to the novel overall.

 

As for the romance between Eden and Jace, the two spend a lot of time misunderstanding each other and, therefore, not liking each other. I found myself wanting them to get together more quickly. I enjoyed the romance overall, but I would have enjoyed it a lot more if the circumstances surrounding their romance was filled with something other than misunderstandings and assumptions.

 

The spiritual aspect of this novel comes across clearly and, true to Susan May Warren fashion, is seamlessly woven throughout. There is a lot of spiritual talk and thinking, but it is realistic and has so much depth. There are some pretty heavy circumstances that come into play in this novel, and at times I had to put the book down and walk away for a bit or skim over a section so that I didn’t get too wrapped up in the emotion of a fiction novel. (I read for entertainment, not heart wrenching emotion). But I will say that many characters in this book experience tremendous growth over the course of the novel, and that is always a plus.

 

The Christiansen family is such a fun and engaging family to read about, and the setting of Deep Haven, Minnesota, is so enjoyable. This novel gets into the differences of growing up with many siblings versus being an only child. I’ll not get on my only child soapbox here again – I will just say that most of the family dynamics that were related in this novel seemed realistic.

 

The only thing I didn’t like about the setting of the novel this time was the descriptions of snow and such. The Midwest has had such a snowy winter this year (my area broke the all-time snow accumulation record this winter) that I have just about had it with the snow and cold. It was not as enjoyable this time reading about the snow. Usually it doesn’t bother me, but this year I have had enough! I am ready for warm weather! Of course, this won’t affect my overall opinion of the book. I’m sure if I read it again during the summer months, I would enjoy the snowy descriptions once more! 

 

If you’ve enjoyed other Deep Haven novels by Susan May Warren, then you will enjoy this one as well.

 

I will give It Had to Be You … 3 BookWorms.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Read what other reviewers are saying here: http://litfusegroup.com/author/swarren

 

 

 

Susan May Warren is celebrating the release of her newest Christiansen Family novel, It Had To Be You, with a $100 Visa cash card giveaway and offering readers a free book club kit.

  One winner will receive:

• $100 Visa cash card
• Take a Chance on Me and It Had to Be You by Susan May Warren

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on March 29th. Winner will be announced April 1st on Susan's blog. Also, visit her website to learn more about the It Had To Be You backstory and Susan's free book club kit.

Don't miss a moment of the fun; enter today and be sure to stop by Susan's blog on April 1st to see if you won.

 

 

 

 

 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Tyndale Publishers through Litfuse Publicity. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this is accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."