‘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.

‘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.