Wednesday, July 30, 2025

An Uncharted Dream Tour by Celebrate Lit

About the Book

Book: An Uncharted Dream

Author: Abbey Downey

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release Date: July 1, 2025

An explorer in search of answers, a determined protector, and an expedition that could cost them everything…

Leonora Thornton always envisioned following in her father’s footsteps—exploring the world and chasing adventure. But after his tragic death, she can’t get past the debilitating fear…until she meets an explorer who promises to take her on his expedition to the very place where her father died.

Marcus Turner knows a con man when he sees one, and after years of hiding his family’s shameful financial situation, he won’t let anyone he cares about be swindled again. Especially not Leonora, his longtime best friend and the woman he secretly loves. Joining the expedition, Marcus embarks on a mission to protect Leonora from the swindler, no matter the cost.

When betrayal leaves them stranded far from their destination, Leonora and Marcus must determine if they can rely on God—or each other.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Abbey Downey started writing inspirational romance stories during naptime when her kids were babies and found she couldn’t stop. She previously published two books with Love Inspired Historical under the pen name Mollie Campbell. She also works with Spark Flash Fiction producing a quarterly digital magazine that contains love stories under 1000 words.

A life-long Midwestern girl, Abbey lives in central Indiana with her husband, two kids, and one rather enthusiastic beagle. She loves watching her kids play sports and fixing up a 1900 farmhouse with her husband.

More from Abbey

Have you ever doubted God’s faithfulness toward you? That He could take a tough circumstance and make anything good come out of it?

As with all my books, An Uncharted Dream is filled with romance and fascinating real history. I had the best time writing the love story between lifelong friends Marcus and Leonora. And the research into archeology, exploration, and surveying in the early 1900s was so interesting. You can get a peek into that in my author’s note.

However, I also wrote An Uncharted Dream while struggling with the kind of doubts I mentioned above in my own life. I was fighting to understand how God’s loving plan for me could include so much heartache that quite honestly still seems to have no end in sight. I know I’m not alone. Many of us grapple with questions like this every day and it’s so tough.

Leonora also faces these questions. Just when there might be a chance for romance with her best friend and her dream of going on an archeological expedition is within her grasp, she faces an obstacle that makes her doubt God’s goodness in her life. Like us, she has to come to grips with the reality that following Christ doesn’t mean things automatically go smoothly. Even for His faithful followers, God doesn’t always work out a difficult situation with a tidy happy ending. Often, we’re left to learn to lean on Him as we go straight through the worst of that situation, instead.

It’s not easy, I know that just as well as many of you. And while I don’t know why it has to be that way, I can tell you that God’s faithfulness is constant. He doesn’t love us any less when He lets us remain in a struggle. This story is just that—a work of fiction. But I hope you’ll go through this journey with Marcus and Leonora and be encouraged. I hope you’ll see the unwavering truth of God’s Word and His character. And I hope you’ll be uplifted by the moments of joy and success these characters find in their hardship and see those same kinds of blessings in your life.

Happy reading!

MY REVIEW

I really enjoyed this book that not only gives us a look at exploration but a second chance romance. Leonora has always dreamed of following in her dad’s footsteps to explore and has waited for the right time. Could the mysterious Mr. Fleming by the answer to her prayers? I wasn’t very impressed with his demeanor and suspected him of not being truthful. Leonora gets excited when she finds Mr. Fleming willing to take her and a few others on an adventure that will be life changing.

Marcus has had deep feelings for Leonora for such a long time. I like that he is cautious and protective when it comes to matters of the heart. He doesn’t trust Mr. Fleming at all and tries to warn Leonora about him. When a short trip is offered Marcus decides he needs to go in order to watch over Leonora. Can Marcus discover what Mr. Fleming is up to?

I love the way the author slowly brings Marcus and Leonora closer together. They slowly begin to see their relationship as more than friends. What a joy it was to witness a sweet romance guided by faith. However Leonora has kept a secret from Marcus that may cause trust issues. Letters keep coming to Leonora that gives her suspicion about her father’s death. With this new relationship building will Leonora trust Marcus enough to share this information with him?

The tension mounts as the expedition starts to turn dangerous. I started to take notice that something was very wrong about this trip. Why does Leonora give in to Mr. Fleming’s demands? With a stop in Mexico, the explorers take time to discover the land and its culture. The author gives details of how certain tools are used which fascinated me. I liked when they took shelter at a church where God’s presence could be felt.

Don’t miss this exciting adventure where trust becomes important as Leonora and Marcus face trials and secrets. Greed and power are prevalent in several characters that show how the enemy likes chaos and deceit. God is definitely in this story as we see how our main characters rely on their faith as unexpected situations lock their future.”It is hard to have faith that God cares enough about each of us to redeem things that don’t work out how we expect. But it doesn’t change the truth that He does.” The story is a great lesson in trusting God in all situations.

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.

Blog Stops

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, July 25

Inspired by Fiction, July 26

Simple Harvest Reads, July 26 (Guest Review from Donna)

Book Looks by Lisa, July 27

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, July 28

lakesidelivingsite, July 29

Mary Hake, July 29

Texas Book-aholic, July 30

Leslie’s Library Escape, July 31

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, August 1

Blossoms and Blessings, August 1

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, August 2

Cover Lover Book Review, August 3

For Him and My Family, August 4

Holly’s Book Corner, August 4

Bizwings Book Blog, August 5

Paula’s Pad of Inspiration, August 5

Books You Can Feel Good About, August 6

Lily’s Corner, August 7

Pause for Tales, August 7

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Abbey is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf54258

Monday, July 28, 2025

Waitin’ On Paige Tour By Celebrate Lit

About the Book

Book: Waitin’ On Paige (Romance in Valiant Book Four)

Author: Mary Pat Johns

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Release Date: July 8, 2025

All he wants is to reclaim her love…

Tavo Morales has returned to Valiant, Texas, to stir the embers of a relationship with the woman he has never stopped loving, but hidden reefs from his past threaten to destroy his future. Paige Munoz wants her new event planning business to be a success and won’t let anything stand in her way. But the path she’s on to make her dreams come true proves dangerous. Is the love Tavo and Paige once shared strong enough to survive his secrets and her stubbornness?

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Mary Pat Johns’ writing career began once she retired from teaching speech and writing. She has written devotions for an online publication, had short stories published by Chicken Soup for the Soul, and wrote a column for the Victoria Advocate, a local newspaper.

Countin’ On Jesse, her first novel debuted in 2023, and books 2 & 3 of the Valiant series, Lovin’ On Red and Glitter and the Grouch released in 2024. God put it in her heart to tell stories of brave veterans and their reintegration into civilian life after suffering the traumas of war.

She writes Christian romance because when we see life through the hope of Christ’s sacrifice, we find that happily ever after is God’s idea.

More from Mary Pat

The ending of a series is always bittersweet. I will miss the characters, but I remind myself they are in a good place. Kind of like my grown children. They have their own lives to live, and I’m not as “hands-on” as I was during their formative years. If you weren’t around for the beginning of this series, no worries. Each book tells its own story. In the meantime, stay tuned. I have other stories to write. That said, I probably won’t wander too far from Valiant—the strong, safe place where it all began.

MY REVIEW

The story is a nice look at second chances. The characters are good with a few flaws. I like how the author illustrates forgiveness, trust and faith as our main characters try to reconnect. There are several other secondary characters that add to the story. The setting in a small Texas town brings the story to life. I did wonder why a big time Hollywood celebrity wanted to put roots down in this little town. This adds a bit of intrigue to the already fun story.

The relationship between Paige and Tavo is paced well and explores their past. Will they be able to reconnect or will the past keep them apart? Good story with a beautiful faith element that makes this an easy to like book. Even though this book is in a series I found it easy to follow .

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, July 22

Simple Harvest Reads, July 23 (Author Interview)

For Him and My Family, July 23

Leslie’s Library Escape, July 24

Artistic Nobody, July 25 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, July 26

Guild Master, July 27 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, July 28

Fiction Book Lover, July 29 (Author Interview)

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, July 30

Jodie Wolfe – Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, July 31 (Author Interview)

Holly’s Book Corner, July 31

Cover Lover Book Review, August 1

A Reader’s Brain, August 2 (Author Interview)

Happily Managing a Household of Boys , August 3

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, August 4 (Author Interview)

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Mary Pat is giving away the grand prize of signed copies of the four book in the series!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf54255

Friday, July 25, 2025

The Reverend’s Second Chance Tour by Celebrate Lit

About the Book

Book: The Reverend’s Second Chance

Author: Lauralyn Keller

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release Date: July 15, 2025

A buried secret in Harmony Springs could cost a pastor and a teacher their careers—and their second chance at love.

Lydia Jefferson buried her dreams long before the death of her husband. Now she’s locked her heart to men for good. In Harmony Springs, she’s finally found freedom from the shameful failure and loss of her past—until her childhood sweetheart arrives to be the new pastor.

Samuel Allen never thought he’d love again, not after his fiancée walked out of his life. But when his first church assignment sends him to Harmony Springs, he finds himself face to face with the woman who disappeared from his life seven years before. Could this be a second chance at love? Unfortunately, she wants nothing to do with him.

When an orphaned child brings Lydia and Samuel together again, can they face the pain of their past and learn to trust each other enough to build a home?

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Lauralyn Keller loves to combine history and romance in stories that touch the heart. She lives in beautiful Colorado and is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers. When she’s not writing, she enjoys cooking, hiking, and reading.

More from Lauralyn

Baking is one of my favorite activities. I find it relaxing, and it’s so fun trying new recipes. You might have noticed that there are generally some kind of dish or treat in my stories that characters really like. For Lydia Jefferson in The Reverend’s Second Chance, that treat is a cookie called cinnamon jumbles. It plays a part in her love story with Samuel Allen, the new pastor for Harmony Springs.

I asked ChatGPT how to make the best cinnamon jumbles. Here’s what it came up with.

Cinnamon jumbles are such a cozy, nostalgic treat! They’re chewy cookies with the perfect balance of cinnamon sugar, and they’re pretty easy to make. Here’s a recipe that will give you soft, chewy cinnamon jumbles with a nice little crunch on the outside.

Best Cinnamon Jumbles Recipe

INGREDIENTS:

2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 tbsp ground cinnamon
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
1/4 cup granulated sugar (for rolling)
1 tbsp ground cinnamon (for rolling)

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.
Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, and 1 tablespoon of cinnamon. Set aside.
Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large mixing bowl, beat together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy (about 2-3 minutes). You can use a hand mixer or stand mixer for this step.
Add Wet Ingredients: Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until fully combined.
Add Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture. Mix just until combined. Don’t overmix—this will keep your cookies tender.
Roll the Dough: In a small bowl, combine 1/4 cup granulated sugar and 1 tablespoon cinnamon for rolling. Scoop out tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll them into balls. Then roll each ball in the cinnamon-sugar mixture until evenly coated.
Bake: Place the dough balls on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Flatten each ball slightly with the back of a spoon or your fingers. Bake for about 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are golden and the centers are set.
Cool: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Tips:

Softness: For softer cookies, don’t overbake them. The cookies will continue to cook a little as they cool on the baking sheet.
Storage: Store the cookies in an airtight container to keep them fresh. They should stay soft for about 3-4 days.

I (Lauralyn) hope you enjoy this cookie recipe. Maybe you can even make them and enjoy a few with a nice cup of coffee or tea while reading The Reverend’s Second Chance. Lydia would approve.

God bless,

Lauralyn

MY REVIEW

I really enjoy stories of second chances. It illustrates forgiveness and new beginnings. This story shares the journey of Lydia and Samuel as their past catches up with them. It was no accident that Samuel has come to be the preacher in the town where Lydia resides. Their past is rich in hurt, secrets and misunderstandings.

Lydia loves her job as the town’s school teacher. She adores children and is trying to overcome the pain she has endured recently. I like how Lydia has such a sweet spirit around her. If only she can move on from the loss she has experienced.

Samuel never thought he would see Lydia again. He has always wondered why she disappeared all those years ago. Much to his surprise, Lydia is now living in the town where he is the new preacher. I enjoyed their brief encounter as you can feel the tension between them. The author does a good job of bringing Lydia’s bitterness to the surface.

This beautiful historical book has all the right tools to show how God heals brokenness and helps forgiveness take place. Second chances don’t always happen for some but if we allow God to soften our hearts we can find blessings and a future filled with His grace.

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.

Blog Stops

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, July 21

lakesidelivingsite, July 22

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, July 23

Guild Master, July 24 (Author Interview)

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, July 24

Texas Book-aholic, July 25

Simple Harvest Reads, July 26 (Guest Review from Marilyn)

Happily Managing a Household of Boys , July 27

For Him and My Family, July 28

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, July 29

Fiction Book Lover, July 30 (Author Interview)

Devoted To Hope, July 30

Vicky Sluiter, July 31

Cover Lover Book Review, August 1

Holly’s Book Corner, August 2

Pause for Tales, August 3

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Lauralyn is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf54254

Thursday, July 24, 2025

The Last Disciple: Gospel of John Tour by Celebrate Lit

About the Book

Book: The Last Disciple: Gospel of John (The Last Disciple Book Four)

Author: Kurt Brouwer

Genre: Christian Historical Fiction

Release date: February 10, 2025

Discover the Untold Story of the Last Disciple to Witness the Miracles of Christ

In a world shrouded in doubt and darkness, one man holds the key to the greatest story ever told.

The epic saga of the Last Disciple continues in this captivating new Christian historical novel from Kurt Brouwer. Witness the miracles of Jesus through the eyes of one who was there. John, a disciple of Christ, watched the Son of God sacrifice his life on the Cross and entered the empty tomb after Jesus rose from the grave.

Witness Jesus Through the Eyes of One Who Was with Him

Years after witnessing the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Apostle John seeks to faithfully write down the life-changing events he experienced firsthand.

Go back in time with John to old Jerusalem as he describes the fateful meeting between the Messiah and Nicodemus in which Christ uttered the most beloved passage in the Bible: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life.”

John sets down the true story of Christ, contending with those who seek to water down the gospel message. Accompanied by trusted allies like Emmaus and Avram, John travels from Ephesus to Laodicea, Hierapolis, and beyond, determined to ensure the world never forgets the sacrifice and love of the Son of God.

John reunites with his old friend and fellow disciple, Philip, who is gravely ill. In a desperate bid to save Philip’s life, John seeks out the help of Evangeline, a skilled herbalist and healer. After Philip recovers, a mob whipped up by a high priest of the goddess Cybele lays in wait to attack John and Philip.

Will violent enemies of the faith cut off the gospel message John carries?

Witness the miracles of Jesus through the eyes of the Beloved Disciple—and discover how one man’s courage can change the course of history.

If you’re struggling with doubt, searching for meaning, or hungry to deepen your faith, The Last Disciple: Gospel of John is the Christian novel you’ve been waiting for.

Don’t miss this gripping tale of courage, conviction, and the eternal power of the gospel!

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Kurt Brouwer is a Christian and a member of a vibrant Christian church on the Big Island of Hawaii. So, in addition to all the usual temptations writers face, Kurt has to fight off the lure of beautiful beaches, pounding surf, great weather, and lush golf courses. Can you imagine?

About nine years ago, Kurt did a study for his church on the Apostle John. If you’ve ever been obsessed by anything, you’ll understand what happened. Kurt couldn’t stop researching, digging, diving into the life of John and other first century Christians. Kurt read books by early church historians who wrote quite a bit more more about the disciples, but they often contradicted each other. Further, they never really delved into the daily lives and motivations, joys and sorrows of the first Christians.

Kurt took all of his research and knowledge, all the insights and details he had acquired and turned it into a series of Christian historical novels based on research and Biblical knowledge.

The first four books in the series are now available:

The Last Disciple: Crisis in Jerusalem, The Last Disciple: Escape to Antioch, The Last Disciple: Exile in Ephesus, and The Last Disciple: Gospel of John.

You can also read more on why he started the series at his website.

More from Kurt

About 10 years ago, I read a piece on BibleGateway.com estimating that the Gospel of John came out fifty years or more after the Crucifixion of Christ! I couldn’t stop wondering what John did all those years? Why did it take so long to write the fourth gospel? Was it the world’s longest case of writer’s block?

In this new book, The Last Disciple: Gospel of John, we witness John struggling to put down on papyrus the life-changing events he experienced as he walked with Jesus. We go back in time and watch Christ uttering the most beloved verse in the Bible: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life.”

While we all know this verse as John 3:16, John himself would not have understood this designation at all. It’s obvious to us that it refers to the book of John, chapter three, verse sixteen.

But, in the course of research for this series, I found out that chapter and verse did not exist in the first century. In fact, the first published Bible that used this format for both the Old Testament and the New Testament was the Geneva Bible published after 1500 AD.

As you can tell, I’m having fun writing these books. Each day I try to faithfully depict the lives of the first Christians and to show their love for Jesus and faith in the gospel message.

MY REVIEW

I was immediately drawn to the story as we witness John baptizing others. It gave me chills as I remembered when I was baptized. What a thrill it must have been for those who were in presence of John. You can feel the excitement as each one is lifted from the water as a new person in Christ. This first scene sets the book up as we follow John on his journey.

I really enjoyed walking with John as he shares what he witnessed. The life of Jesus is illustrated beautifully through the eyes and words of John. There was a deep bond between these two and I loved how special it was. John witnesses miracles, learns knowledge and feels the unconditional love we all receive from Jesus.

The book is like going back in time as John walks beside Jesus. John at times is in awe of Jesus and knows that this time with him is precious. The first miracle Jesus did is one that some were in disbelief of. When we see a miracle do we thank Jesus or still have disbelief? Throughout the book John gives us a glance of what it may have been like to stand beside Jesus. What an honor it was to be chosen by Jesus to be a disciple. John soaks in the wisdom he is surrounded by and continues to honor Jesus as he continues his journey. The book is well written and allows us to understand Jesus better.

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, July 18

Inspired by Fiction, July 18

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, July 19

Bizwings Book Blog, July 20

Artistic Nobody, July 21 (Author Interview)

CeCe Reads and Sings, July 21

She Lives to Read, July 22

Fiction Book Lover, July 23 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, July 24

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, July 25

Simple Harvest Reads, July 26 (Author Interview)

Book Butterfly in Dreamland, July 27

Guild Master, July 28 (Author Interview)

Cover Lover Book Review, July 29

Mary Hake, July 30

Tell Tale Book Reviews, July 31 (Author Interview)

Giveaway

To celebrate his tour, Kurt is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card and a copy of the book!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf54252

Tuesday, July 22, 2025

Another Outer Banks Christmas Tour by Celebrate Lit

About the Book

Book: Another Outer Banks Christmas

Author: Christina Sinisi

Genre: Contemporary Christian Romance

Release Date: November, 2023

As the daughter of missionaries, Kerrie Alexander has lived on Hatteras—an island in the Outer Banks—longer than any other place she’s been. When her parents inform her the family is slotted to go overseas again, she balks. Her life on the island—her job, her friends, even the handsome hero in her Sunday School class—makes her want to put down roots. Butto do so, she’ll need to find a place to live, face being on her own separated from any close family—something she’s never done before.

Firefighter and EMT Wade Hampton can face pretty much any emergency, except his matchmaking grandpa threatening him with disinheritance if Wade doesn’t get married in just three months. Not that Wade objects to the idea of marriage, but how does a guy who has no problem running into burning buildings find the courage to ask a girl like Kerrie out for a date? She’s a role model for everything good, and he comes from a rough and broken home. Not to mention, Christmas is right around the corner!

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

A member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Christina Sinisi writes stories about families, both the broken and blessed. Her works include a semi-finalist in the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award contest and the American Title IV Contest where she appeared in the top ten in the Romantic Times magazine. By day, she is a psychology professor and lives in the LowCountry of South Carolina with her husband and two children and loves a good cooking challenge.

More from Christina

Christmas in July!

Another Outer Banks Christmas is the third book in a series—but the second book hasn’t been published yet! Good thing I wrote this one as a stand-alone.

So…here’s the story behind the story.

In June 2019, I saw an email requesting Christmas novellas by the end of the month. I buckled down and wrote Christmas Confusion in three weeks. Then, excited about the story, I wrote a full-length novel for the second installment in my Charleston series, Sweet Summer. However, my publisher at the time, Anaiah Press, said they had a full slate for 2020 and no space for a novel.

Rather than not publish anything for a year, I looked around me for inspiration and found it at my sister’s vacation home on Hatteras Island in the Outer Banks, North Carolina. We first visited after Christmas in December 2019. Hurricane Dorian had devastated nearby Ocracoke Island in September. Shocked by the damage and the businesses still boarded up, some of which never reopened, I wanted to tell the story of the brave people who live there—thus, Christmas on Ocracoke was born.

Now, I always seem to fall in love with my characters and want to get to know them better—and their families. Hope of Hatteras (to be published later this year, date TBA) is the story of the hero of Ocracoke’s sister. Another Outer Banks Christmas is the story of the hero of Hatteras’ best friend.

As the daughter of missionaries Kerrie Alexander has lived on Hatteras—an island in the Outer Banks—longer than any other place she’s been. When her parents inform her the family is slotted to go overseas again, she balks. Her life on the island—her job, her friends, even the handsome hero in her Sunday School class—makes her want to put down roots. But to do so, she’ll need to find another place to live, face being on her own separated from any close family—something she’s never done before.

To finish out the story—why hasn’t Hatteras been published? My publisher closed its doors last November and I’m working on my way to being self-published. My book was supposed to be published a week before they closed. Life always has surprises in store, doesn’t it?

Thank the Lord we have a God who doesn’t change.

Another Outer Banks Christmas is a sweet romance that addresses the challenges our missionaries and their families face, plus, on the other side, the fact that we don’t have to be perfect to be loved—by God or other people.

Blessings, Christina

MY REVIEW

I love reading books about Christmas in July. After the summer heat it is nice to start thinking about cold weather, family time and celebrating Christmas. The story is centered around a sweet young couple who find romance with the help of a meddling grandfather. I liked how the author highlights missionary work and the importance of sharing Jesus with others.

I really liked Wade and his heart to help others. He works as a firefighter as well as an EMT. The hours are long and sometimes lonely. His relationship with his grandfather is priceless. Their bond is deep and Wade appreciates how his grandfather stepped up to raise him. As with all of us, we get growing pains and want to leave the nest. Wade may have moved out of his grandpa’s house but they are still close. Wait till you find out what his grandpa has decided about his will.

Kerrie is a sweet person who has moved a lot since her family are missionaries. She loves where she lives now and has made friendships there. Sometimes God has plans for us that we question. Kerrie is a little taken aback when she finds out what her parents have decided about their future. I liked how Kerrie grows spiritually as well as emotionally.

The story gives us a look at Wade’s past and illustrates how he has to learn to forgive. At first I wasn’t sure that Wade’s remarks to his father was kind. I know Wade is hurt but his words were a bit worldly. I also noticed that this reconciliation between father and son was not explored more and was quickly resolved.

I did like how the book shows how giving to the community at Christmas is so important. Grandpa is a handful at times and gives readers a few laughs. The relationship between Kerrie and Wade is nice but a little predictable. It is a nice story but for me lacked a little depth for some of the subjects illustrated in the story.

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.