‘Baby, It’s Cold Outside’ by Susan May Warren – Book Review

Susan May Warren’s latest release, ‘Baby, It’s Cold Outside,’ continues, as far as I am concerned, her streak of consistently entertaining and well-written novels. 

Here is the synopsis of this novel:

Five Strangers with broken hearts. One raging blizzard. Baby, it’s cold outside!

Dottie Morgan has no desire to share her home – or her heart – this Christmas. After all, her holiday spirit froze over when she lost her son in World War II. But when the blizzard of the decade descends on Frost, Minnesota, trapping Dottie in her home with four near strangers, she discovers that opening her door might also open her heart to a miracle…and a new reason to celebrate Christmas.

Here is the biography of this author:

Susan May Warren is the RITA Award-winning, best-selling author of more than thirty novels, many of which have won the Inspirational Readers Choice Award, the ACFW Book of the Year award, the Rita Award, and four books have been Christy finalists. Her novels have compelling plots and unforgettable characters that have won acclaim with readers and reviewers alike. Susan holds a BA in mass communications from the University of Minnesota. After serving as a missionary for eight years in Russia with her family, Susan returned home to a small town on Minnesota’s beautiful Lake Superior shore where she, her four children, and her husband are active in their local church. She now writes full-time and cheers on her two sons in football and her daughter in local theater productions (and desperately missing her college-age son!) 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 and canoeing.

Susan's larger than life characters and layered plots have won her acclaim with readers and reviewers alike. A seasoned women’s events and retreats speaker, she’s a popular writing teacher at conferences around the nation and the author of the beginning writer’s workbook From the Inside-Out: discover, create and publish the novel in you! She is also the founder of the My Book Therapy website, a story-crafting service that helps authors discover their voice.

This book is set in December, 1949, four years after the end of World War II, in Frost, Minnesota. A huge snow storm strands five people in the home of Dottie Morgan. Each person in the story is going through struggles pertaining to the War to end all wars.

This book is named after a duet that was big that season, ‘Baby, It’s Cold Outside,’ by Dinah Shore and Buddy Clark. In case you’re not familiar with this song, here’s a more contemporary version – Zooey Deschanel and Leon Redbone from the ‘Elf’ movie soundtrack. What a great song!

I’ve always loved Susan’s descriptive writing style. Here is war veteran Jake describing war veteran Violet:

Oh, she was beautiful. More than he’s guessed from Alex’s descriptions. Slim, but shapely enough in those brown pants and her dark green cardigan. He could imagine her in her WAAC uniform – no wonder Alex had chased her across Fort Meade. She had dark chocolate, slightly curly hair and green eyes that had the capacity to whisk his breath away, if it weren’t already lost. And those lips – heart shaped, red, and so expressive, even now as she caught her lower lip between her teeth. (p. 61)

Another highlight of Susan’s writing is how she glorifies God, and shows her readers that He is forgiving and loving, and that Jesus is our Savior – the Reason for the Season. Here is an exchange between Dottie and Violet:

         

Dottie held up a finger, her eyes sharp. “Don’t you talk to me of God and second chances. God took my son, and I deserved it. There are no chances left for me.”

Violet stilled. Dottie’s words landing in the back of throat, scraping it raw. She found her voice, kept it gentle. “Dottie, the point of Christmas is second chances for all mankind.”

“I don’t celebrate Christmas anymore.” She shook her head. “There’s nothing left in it for me.”

“Except, of course, Jesus.”

Dottie turned away. “You’ll find the thermometer in the bathroom cabinet.”

“We’re trapped here for a reason. What was it we prayed last night? ‘Come, Lord Jesus, be our guest’? Isn’t He here with us?”

Dottie stared out the window. “I hope not. He’s done enough already. He’s had His say in my life.”

“I don’t think God is ever done speaking into our lives. Even when we don’t want to hear it. Even when our hearts are cold.” (pp. 151-152)

Later on in the book, Violet shares one more truth with Dottie:

         

“I know it seems easier to say God doesn’t love you when terrible things happen. But the truth is, God’s love isn’t measured by the good – or bad – things that happen to us. God loves us, period. He already loved us completely when He sent His Son into our dark, painful, sinful world. We were His enemies, Dottie, and He loved us, even then. I guarantee you are not His enemy now. So, the fact is, He still loves you, even though He took away Nelson. And he’s been trying to comfort you---” (p. 199)

There are several twists and turns throughout this wonderful book, and the ending is very satisfying (you’ll have to read it to find out the ending!).

I have reviewed several of Ms. Warren’s novels on my blog: 'Double Trouble' (you can read my review here), 'Licensed forTrouble' (you can read my review here) 'Sons of Thunder' (you can read my review here), ‘Nightingale’ (you can read my review here), and ‘My Foolish Heart’ (you can read my review here). There has not been one book that has not left me wanting to read more – and ‘Baby, It’s Cold Outside’ is no exception! It makes for a terrific holiday read. I would recommend it as a gift to those who follow Christ, and those who will after reading about His love and forgiveness in this book.

You can order this book here.

This book was published by Summerside Press. I am pleased to be part of the LitFuse book tour with these other bloggers.

‘My Foolish Heart: A Deep Haven Novel’ by Susan May Warren – Book Review

One of my favorite authors since I have been reviewing books is Susan May Warren. I have never been disappointed in any of the many novels of hers that I have read. Her latest, ‘My Foolish Heart’ can be added to that satisfaction pile!

Here is the synopsis of this novel:

When it comes to love, sometimes you have to be a little foolish. Unknown to her quaint town of Deep Haven, Isadora Presley spends her nights as Miss Foolish Heart, the star host of a syndicated talk radio show. Millions tune in to hear her advice on dating and falling in love, unaware that she’s never really done either. Issy’s ratings soar when it seems she’s falling in love on-air with a caller. A caller she doesn’t realize lives right next door.

Caleb Knight served a tour of duty in Iraq and paid a steep price. The last thing he wants is pity, so he hides his disability and moves to Deep Haven to land his dream job as the high school football coach. When his beautiful neighbor catches his eye, in a moment of desperation he seeks advice from My Foolish Heart, the show that airs before his favorite sports broadcast. 

Before he knows it, Caleb finds himself drawn to the host—and more confused than ever. Is his perfect love the woman on the radio . . . or the one next door?

Here is the biography of this author:

Susan May Warren is the RITA Award-winning, best-selling author of more than thirty novels, many of which have won the Inspirational Readers Choice Award, the ACFW Book of the Year award, the Rita Award, and four books have been Christy finalists. Her novels have compelling plots and unforgettable characters that have won acclaim with readers and reviewers alike. Susan holds a BA in mass communications from the University of Minnesota. After serving as a missionary for eight years in Russia with her family, Susan returned home to a small town on Minnesota’s beautiful Lake Superior shore where she, her four children, and her husband are active in their local church. She now writes full-time and cheers on her two sons in football and her daughter in local theater productions (and desperately missing her college-age son!) 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 and canoeing.

Susan's larger than life characters and layered plots have won her acclaim with readers and reviewers alike. A seasoned women’s events and retreats speaker, she’s a popular writing teacher at conferences around the nation and the author of the beginning writer’s workbook From the Inside-Out: Discover, Create and Publish the Novel in You! She is also the founder of the My Book Therapy website, a story-crafting service that helps authors discover their voice.

One of my favorite aspects of Susan’s writing is the deep faith exhibited by most of her characters. Even if they have questions about their faith, they usually come back to the Lord. Many of the books that are considered to be ‘Christian’ don’t get around to bringing up the subject until deep into the storyline, and then it is very thin or peripheral. That is not what I have found in Ms. Warren’s work. And I appreciate that! They are not overly preachy; but they all exalt and lift up the Lord!

Being a fellow Midwesterner who is closer to the Canadian border than the Mexican border, I could really relate to the lifestyle of these characters, which are in Northern Minnesota. I am also familiar with the intense rivalry that is prevalent up there. Here is a fun exchange between newcomer Caleb Knight and Pastor Dan:

        ….”I grew up in the church.”

        “Where was that, Caleb?”…

“Little town on the border of Minnesota and Wisconsin called Preston. It’s a farming community. My father ran a hardware store.”

“So were you a Packers or Vikings fan?” Dan asked.

“It’s not whether you get knocked down; it’s whether you get up,” Caleb said, quoting Vince Lombardi, the Green Bay Packers’ legendary coach.

Dan shook his head. “Well, we’re going to have to keep it friendly when the Packers play the Vikings.” (p. 81)

Football plays a really important role in this novel, needless to say! Fortunately, I am a football fan, so that enhanced my enjoyment of this book. I loved the comparison Caleb makes between football and life:

         

“I’m serious. Life is football. It’s pushing ahead, and maybe you make yardage or maybe you don’t, but you get knocked down all the same. And right then, you have the choice to get back up. If you have enough people cheering for you, and enough heart, you push to your feet and get back in the huddle and go another round. Life is football.”

“Sometimes, though, players get hit so hard they’re slow to get up. And then they’re afraid of getting hit again. Afraid of really throwing themselves into the game.”

….”What do you tell these players, coach?”…

“I tell them to shake it off. And then I tell them to get out there and give it back. Don’t let them beat you. You’ll never feel good if you don’t play with all your heart.” (p. 200)  

Being a big strong football player, Caleb dealt with an issue that all of us can struggle with – pride. Pastor Dan imparts some Godly wisdom to his friend:

        “I have accepted grace--”

“But have you let Jesus wash your feet here? Or is your pride saying, ‘God, You’ve done enough. Don’t wash me’?”

Caleb drew in a breath. “It just seems weak. I can’t go through life constantly needing God.”

“Why not? That’s the point, I think. God says, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” Dan turned the heat down. “God is glorified not in your strengths and not in your gratefulness, but in your weaknesses and in your trust in His future grace. In your faith that God didn’t let you down in the past…and He’s not going to let you down in the future.” (p. 236)

I was touched by the heart of the author that was shared at the back of the book in ‘A Note from the Author’:

         

In every book I look for that profound moment from the Lord to show me how He wants to change me through the writing of it. That moment came when I wrote, God loved most foolishly. He came into the dark world to rescue people who might never love Him back. I stared at that line for so long I almost deleted it. It felt blasphemous. God is not foolish. But He is love. Big, overwhelming, incongruous love that looks foolish. A love that, even now, doesn’t seem wise. I mean, really, has He taken a look at the people He loves recently? What a mess they are! (And I’m not looking at anyone but myself when I say that!)

But see, that’s the amazing part. His love is perfect. Not messy. Not uneven. Consistent. Overwhelming. Freeing.

Life-changing.

And he offers it to us, no strings attached.

May you have a foolish heart for Christ, just as He has for you. (p. 357)

         

I have reviewed several of Ms. Warren’s novels on my blog: Double Trouble (you can read my review here), Licensed for Trouble (you can read my review here) Sons of Thunder (you can read my review here), and Nightingale (you can read my review here). Ms. Warren is a prolific and talented writer. She can write expertly and well in many different genres – historical fiction, comical suspense, etc… This book falls into the category of Romance, and she handles this genre very well also. She is one of the most talented writers that I have read, and I know that whenever a book from her computer crosses my path, I will be entertained and enlightened. It has happened again with ‘My Foolish Heart’!

You can read an excerpt from this novel here.

You can order this book here.

This book was published by Tyndale Fiction. I am pleased to be part of the LitFuse book tour with these other bloggers.

‘Licensed for Trouble: A PJ Sugar Novel’ by Susan May Warren – Book Review and Giveaway

I love it when a character captures my imagination and heart. That happened to me with apprentice private investigator PJ Sugar in Susan May Warren’s latest, ‘Licensed for Trouble.’

Here is the synopsis of this entertaining novel:

          “You, PJ Sugar, have inherited the Kellogg family fortune.”

PJ Sugar has no idea why she is the sole beneficiary of the town’s wealthiest widow, a woman she barely even knew. But the timing doesn’t be more perfect – PJ has clearly worn out her welcome at her sister Connie’s house. Even if there’s barely enough in the inheritance to pay the real estate taxes, at least it will be a roof over PJ’s head.

Unfortunately, the place has seen better days, and PJ is short on cash to make the necessary repairs. Rescue comes in the form of Max Smith, a mysterious handyman who is willing to trade his skills for PJ’s help in investigating his past.

But between trying to catch a bail jumper, working toward her PI license, and nurturing a budding romance with her boss, Jeremy Kane, PJ’s caseload is full. If she’s not careful, she’ll inherit more trouble than she knows what to do with.

Here is the biography of this author:

Susan May Warren is the RITA award-winning author of twenty-four novels with Tyndale, Barbour and Steeple Hill. A four-time Christy award finalist, a two-time RITA Finalist, she’s also a multi-winner of the Inspirational Readers Choice award, and the ACFW Book of the Year.
Susan's larger than life characters and layered plots have won her acclaim with readers and reviewers alike. A seasoned women’s events and retreats speaker, she’s a popular writing teacher at conferences around the nation and the author of the beginning writer’s workbook: From the Inside-Out: discover, create and publish the novel in you!. She is also the founder of www.MyBookTherapy.com, a story-crafting service that helps authors discover their voice.

Susan makes her home in northern Minnesota, where she is busy cheering on her two sons in football and her daughter in local theater productions (and desperately missing her college-age son!)

The character of PJ Sugar is adorable! Here is an interaction between her and her boss (and potential love interest), Jeremy Kane, regarding her attempts to make contact with her mother:

          “Have you heard from her yet?”

“No. I left a number of messages at her house and a few on her cell, although she barely knows how to turn it on. My mother has the technical acuity of a gecko. Still, she should be able to answer her phone. I might need to do a drive-by today.” (p. 20)

Here she is getting ready to head over to her newly inherited Kellogg estate, which she lovingly refers to as the mushroom house:

If a gal had inherited a house, it wouldn’t hurt to look around the place, would it?

PJ tapped her brakes as she drove up to the mushroom house on the hill, past the icy-laced stone walls. The house overlooked the glistening waters of Lake Minnetonka, and the afternoon sun poured over the rolling thatched roof, throwing thick fairy-tale shadows into the overgrown yard. The place could have been read aloud into existence straight from the storybook pages, the ones with witches and goblins and ogres prowling through dark forests. (p. 45)

Jeremy has his opinion on why PJ inherited the home, and why she is reluctant to live there:

“…I have a theory. You won’t even consider moving into the house…because you don’t think you belong. You’ve longed for this your entire life, yet when it’s offered to you, you see yourself as homeless, the girl who lives in her car, with only a ragged duffel bag to call her own. You might consider that there’s a reason God gave you this house.”

“You think this money pit is a gift from God?”

“I think God could have big plans for you with this house, if you have the courage to say yes. You have always dreamed of living in it – God often gives us our dreams to also show us something we didn’t even know we needed.” (p. 71)

Max Smith, the man who comes into PJ’s life looking for her to help him find his own life, explains amnesia is a manner understandable to his handyman self:

          “So you have no memory at all”?

 “Snatches – mostly sounds or smells that I know connect to something. But it’s like – well, it’s like a fuse is out. Something should be working, but there’s no connection. I can’t help but think if I can recognize something from my past, it might jump-start the entire system…” (pp. 112-113)

Later on, PJ reflects again on what Jeremy said about perhaps God giving the Kellogg home to her for a specific purpose. This is a terrific example of Susan’s amazing writing talent:

And why had God given her this house? The question did laps in her brain until she finally turned on her light. It bathed the stacks of books she’d unpacked – a dog-eared novel she’d been trying to finish, her journal, her Bible, perilously unread in recent weeks.

She picked it up, opened to her bookmark. 1 Peter 2. She scanned down to her last-remembered stopping place.

…for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light.

Oh, sure, her eyes would wander there, sitting in the middle of the fairly-tale house. “God often gives us our dreams to also show us something we didn’t even know we needed.” She still didn’t figure out what she might need, but it did feel as if God has suddenly turned His full wattage on her. Limelighted her in some fanfare of blessing.

Chosen. Royal.

Heiress.

She’d like to believe that, really she would. As she closed the Bible, she let that thought drift upward, then listened briefly for a reply.

Only the wind, knocking some branch against her window.

She turned off the light. “You can show others the goodness of God…for he called you out of the darkness…”

Darkness…

Dark… (pp. 127-128)

Jeremy and PJ had another conversation with spiritual significance. Jeremy begins:

“Remember how after Peter betrayed Jesus, he returned to fishing? He panicked…and despite all the change God had done in him, all he’d learned about Jesus, the Messiah, he went back to what he knew – the simple life of a fisherman. He only saw him as a fisherman.

“But he wasn’t supposed to be there, and Jesus went after him. He called him back from his past, forgave him, reminded him that He had a new life in him, and then empowered him to go to be that person.”

Jeremy hiked up the collar on her jacket. “You’ve been forgiven and renamed, PJ. Don’t slip into your default mode and start thinking of yourself as only trouble. You’re going to have to start thinking of yourself as someone else.” (p. 201)

PJ had the opportunity to do something I WILL do one day – skydive. PJ was reluctant at first - then she jumped:

And then she was flying. The wind battered her ears and sucked away her breath, cold and angry. But she drank it in, her arms out.

Flying. Like Supergirl.

She put her legs together, spread her arms, barely aware of Windchill [her tandem partner] over her, his own arms spread wide. She might have screamed, might have whooped, but the wind ate the sound as they hurtled toward the earth. She gulped in the freedom, the exhilaration sweet on her lips.

Flying.

And for the space of seven seconds, she forgot who she was, who she’d been. Forgot Boone and Jeremy and Max and why she’d hurtled herself from a plane….

Flying.

It scooped her up whole and filled her with a new breath, tingling in every pore. Tears whisked her eyes, and inside she heard a voice.

Princess. (p. 263)

In the Author’s Note at the end of the book, Susan explains that we can understand ourselves better when we look at the person of Jesus:

I think that Christians, despite the transforming power of God in our lives, can be trapped by who we were, the identities of our past. What does it look like to be adopted by God and then live today, with that new identity, in this world? It’s just not that easy.

And if we’re adopted by God, what does it mean to be coheirs with Christ?

If you’ll indulge me for a moment, I believe the answers are found through a journey of looking who Christ is, a look at His Sonship. Throughout the Gospels, Jesus points out that He and the Father have a unique relationship. The Son and the Father are in close communion, so much so that if you’ve seen Jesus, you’ve seen God. God empowered Christ to do miracles, to obey, to live sacrificially. More than that, because of their relationship, God’s love for us poured out through Jesus, so much so that our entire destiny was changed.

…When we become Christians, our adoption changes us fundamentally. We are given a new identity as children of the King, with all that entails – access to our Father, all the Kingdom powers on our side, God’s love’s transforming our lives so much that we could also impact our world. That is what it means to be a coheir; this is our earthly inheritance. (pp. 372-373)

That is indeed Good News!  

This is the second PJ Sugar novel I have read; the other one is ‘Double Trouble’ (you can read my review here). Book # 1 is 'Nothing But Trouble.' I found both books (# 2 and # 3 in the series) to be equally funny and uplifting! I am not sure what Susan’s plans are for future PJ Sugar Novels, but I will be first in line when the next one comes out! Susan is a wonderful writer who comes up with some pretty entertaining plot twists.

You can order this book here.

This book was provided by Tyndale House and the LitFuse Group for review and giveaway purposes.

I am happy to be participating in the blog tour of ‘Licensed for Trouble’ with these other bloggers in association with the LitFuse Group.

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I have a copy of this book that I would love to send along to one winner! 

There are several ways to gain entry:

1) Leave a comment here on the blog, telling me what which Susan May Warren titles you’ve read, and what you think of them. If you haven’t read any, this is your chance to do that! Please make sure to leave your email address in this format – sample[at]gmail[dot]com.

2) Follow me on Twitter; I will more than likely follow you back!  If you are already a Twitter follower, that counts, too!  Please leave a new comment to that effect.

3) Follow me as a Google Friend on this blog; if you are already a Friend, that counts, too!  Please leave a new comment to that effect.

4) Become my Facebook friend.  Please leave a new comment to that effect.

5) Follow this blog as a NetWorked Blog Follower after you’ve become my Facebook friend.  Please leave a new comment to that effect.

So there are five chances to enter!  Please limit one entry per option.

This giveaway is for U.S. residents only.  The deadline for entry is Tuesday, September 7, 2010 at 11:59 p.m. EST.  A winner will be chosen via the Random Number Generator on Wednesday, September 8, 2010 and will be contacted via email.  The best to all of you!

‘Sons of Thunder: The Brothers in Arms Collection’ by Susan May Warren – Book Review

To date, I have only read one other book by Susan May Warren - ‘Double Trouble’ in her PJ Sugar series.  It was funny and heartfelt.  The latest release by Susan, ‘Sons of Thunder’ is an exciting and intriguing tome.  It could not be any more different than ‘Double Trouble;’ versatility is the mark of a gifted author! 

This story has three main characters: Sofia Frangos, and brothers Markos and Dino Stavros, all from Zante Island off the coast of Greece.  All three of them left their home to start a new life in the United States after a traumatic incident.  The time period is the early 1940s; during their time in the US, the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor in Hawaii (which occurred on December 7, 1941). 

Both brothers are in love with Sofia.  The question is: Which Son of Thunder will she choose?  The story takes us from the Greek islands to the jazz club of Chicago to the battlefields of World War II.

Mrs. Warren is very adept at keeping the plot moving and keeping the characters interesting.  She has paid a lot of attention to the details of that time period.  I always enjoy reading about others countries and other eras beside our own.  Susan has definitely brought the time and the places to light.  She brings actual events into the story – such as the Pearl Harbor attack – as well as weaving real people into the story – such as Al Capone and Bugs Moran. 

I also appreciate how Susan weaves God’s redemption into the story.  In her Author’s Note, she explains her interpretation of that specific era:

I think, in our world, we want answers immediately.  But the heroes from the Greatest Generation understood that sometimes deliverance doesn’t happen overnight.  Sometimes they had to fight for it, hold on to it, open their eyes to see it.  I wanted to paint a picture of deliverance – forgiveness, healing, redemption, and mercy – and give it room to work out in the lives of the characters…

I pray this story encourages you to see God’s hand, delivering you through forgiveness, healing you of your diseases, and showing you His great compassion.  (p. 8)

Here is an example of both Susan’s wonderful writing style and bringing God into the story – in the words of Markos:

“….Maybe we’re all supposed to be a little broken, a little afraid, a little overwhelmed by our own sweeping mistakes.  Otherwise, we might believe we can save ourselves instead of letting God deliver us.  Maybe being on our knees is the only way we can ever be used by God… Because without knowing what grace feels like, how will we ever really know how to give it away?” (p. 225)

I was engaged by these characters – which is a big component in the appeal of a novel – and hope Susan brings them back in some form in the future to continue their journey.

You can order this book here.

This book was provided to me by Summerside Press for review purposes in affiliation with the LitFuse Publicity Group. 

The Winner of Susan May Warren's 'Double Trouble' is....

The Random Number Generator has picked the winner for Susan May Warren's 'Double Trouble'!


That blessed person is......


Deborah M


Congratulations, Deborah!  


I have sent Deborah an email; the book will be going in the mail this week!


For those of you who want to order, you can do so here.

'Double Trouble' by Susan May Warren - Book Review and Giveaway

Susan May Warren is a prolific and talented writer.  Her latest book, ‘Double Trouble,’ is the second novel chronicling the life of PJ Sugar.

PJ Sugar is a late-twenty-something lady who finds herself in the middle of all sorts of escapades.  In this novel, she has just returned to her hometown of Kellogg, Minnesota, and is trying her hand at being a private investigator.  She is working under the tutelage of Jeremy Kane, PI.  Jeremy is charmed and fascinated by PJ – as are most people with whom she comes into contact. 

As explained by Susan May Warren in the Author’s Note:

“The PJ Sugar series is all about discovering that God has great plans for even messy girls – like PJ, like me.  He likes them! He made them that way, and He doesn’t expect them to be perfect.” (p. 334)

Other characters in the novel are Detective Boone Buckam, her high school sweetheart, and PJ’s sister Connie, with whom she is living temporarily.  Their mother, Elizabeth, also lives there, along with Connie’s four year old son Davy, her new Russian husband, Sergei, and his parents Boris and Vera.     

PJ left her hometown about ten years prior to the events of this novel – shortly after her high school graduation.  Some events transpired that caused her to want to leave town.  It is not exactly clear what happened (as I interpret events). 

One of PJ’s first cases as a junior PI is to impersonate Dallas (aka Dally) Morrison, a young lady who will be testifying in a big trial in Chicago.  Jeremy is in charge of keeping her in hiding; PJ is to pretend to be Dally.  She lives in Dally’s home (and becomes good friends with Dally’s eighty-plus year old neighbor, Gabby), she works Dally’s job and she even plays catcher on Dally’s softball team. 

Gabby is a very Godly woman who gives PJ, who has her doubts about her place in this world and in God’s love for her, a lot of good advice:

“Sweetie, of course you’re going to make mistakes.  But don’t you know that God has a plan for each of them?  The truth is, every time you fail, it’s an opportunity for God to show you how much He loves you.  You go read Psalm 18, verse 19.  It says, ‘He rescued me because he delighted in me.’  Delighted.  That means He likes you.  He takes pleasure in you…. And every time you do something that just makes you want to scream in frustration, you have two options: to curl into a ball and hide or let God pick you up and dust you off and nudge you forward.  Let go of your fear of being judged, and draw with confidence to the throne of grace, because I promise you’ll find mercy.”  (pp. 248-249)

Despite missing a few details on what happened to PJ prior to the events of this novel, I still think 'Double Trouble' is a standalone novel; I had not read the first PJ Sugar novel, ‘Nothing but Trouble.’  However, this one was so much fun that I think I’d like to double back!  The third PJ Sugar novel, tentatively titled ‘Licensed for Trouble,’ will be out later this year.  It will be fun to follow the adventures of Miss Sugar – and see which gentleman she may end up with!

________________________________________________________

I would love to pass this book along to one of you!  It is gently read, and covered with clear contact paper – a great way to keep a paperback in brand-new condition!

There are several ways to gain entry:

1) Leave a comment here on the blog, telling me how much you’d love to read this fun tome!  Please make sure to leave your email address in this format – sample[at]gmail[dot]com.

2) Follow me on Twitter; I will more than likely follow you back!  If you are already a Twitter follower, that counts, too!  Please leave an additional comment to that effect.

3) Follow me as a Google Friend on this blog; if you are already a Friend, that counts, too!  Please leave an additional comment to that effect.

4) Become my Facebook friend.  Please leave a comment to that effect.

5) Follow this blog as a NetWorked Blog Follower after you’ve become my Facebook friend.  Please leave a comment to that effect.

So there are five chances to enter!  Please limit one entry per option.

This give away is for U.S. residents only.  The deadline for entry is Saturday, March 6, 2010 at 11:59 p.m. EST.  A winner will be chosen via the Random Number Generator on Sunday, March 7, 2010 and will be contacted via email.  The best to all of you!

This book was provided to me by Tyndale House Publishers in association with the LitFuse Publicity firm.  I am proud to be participating in the Double Trouble Blog Tour.