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Book Review & Tour Giveaway: Then Came You by Rachel D. Russell

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Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for Then Came You by Rachel D. Russell presented by Susan May Warren, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: Then Came You
Series: Deep Haven Collection #4
Author: Rachel D. Russell presented by Susan May Warren
Genre: Contemporary Christian Romance
Publisher: Sunrise Publishing, 330 pp.
Release Date: July 6, 2021

He doesn’t need any trouble. She can’t seem to escape it.

Detective Daniel “Boone” Buckam is more than burned out. After fourteen stellar years on the job, one bad judgment call—and, fine, a whole lot of cynicism—has forced him into a mandatory vacation in Deep Haven. If he can get his head on straight, there’s a job as Police Chief waiting for him back in his Minneapolis suburb. And then, he meets Vivien.

Actress Vivien Calhoun isn’t really a drama queen. Sure, she gets swept up in the emotions of life—but please, she’s an actress. Or, um, was until a stalker made her flee the bright lights of Broadway. Now, she’s passionate about directing her local theater production. But when she accidentally ropes an uptight police detective on vacation into her cast, she can’t help but wonder if he might be the leading man she’s always longed for.

Boone can’t help but like Vivien. He might even have a type—vivacious and bubbly, with a penchant for attracting danger. He can smell trouble even if she can’t, and is pretty sure her stalker has hunted her all the way to Deep Haven. He’ll have to stay by her side—even if it means being in her silly play—to keep her safe. But Vivien is more than he expected as she helps him discover a part of him he’s locked away…the part that said he could never love again.

It’s summertime in Deep Haven, and the fun is heating up in this laugh-out-loud, charming story.

PURCHASE LINKS*: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | IndieBound | Christianbook | BookBub

ALSO AVAILABLE


About the Authors

SMW & Rachel Russell

Susan May Warren is the USA Today best-selling novelist of 80 books. With more than 1.5 million books in print, she is beloved by reviewers and readers around the world. Visit Susan at www.susanmaywarren.com.

CONNECT WITH SUSAN: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

Rachel D. Russell is a member of Oregon Christian Writers and My Book Therapy’s Novel Academy, and is a regular contributor to the Learn How to Write a Novel blog. The mother of two teenagers, she often interrogates her husband on his own military and law enforcement experience to craft believable heroes in uniform. The rest of her time is spent cantering her horse down the Oregon trails. Visit Rachel at www.racheldrussell.com.

CONNECT WITH RACHEL: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

Merging the creative energies of best-selling authors Susan May Warren and Lindsay Harrel, Sunrise Publishing is the matchmaker for established authors who want to build on their current success for future growth and aspiring authors looking to break out, build an audience, and hone their writing skills.

CONNECT WITH SUNRISE: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Email


My Review

Then Came You
by Rachel D. Russell, Susan May Warren
Book 4 in the Deep Haven Collection
Rating: 4.5/5

Even though I have a large stack of books I need to review, I could not pass up the chance to read what came next in Deep Haven. I have not read the PJ Sugar series yet (although I just purchased the set on sale) so I will now need to go back and read them to discover more about Boone, but I did not think it was necessary to have read that series to understand Boone’s past. The author does a great job of giving you his background and exploring his hurt and insecurities.

From the beginning of the book, the author draws you in and hooks the reader with her first line:
Vivien Calhoun needed a man within the next five minutes.
Who doesn’t need to read more to find out why? I couldn’t stop reading lol.

When Vivien enlists Boone’s help and red mustang to rescue from her devious half-sister, she brings some life and zest back into Boone’s life as he starts his mandatory leave in Deep Haven to deal with his anger issues away from the police force. As a detective who is on the short list for the next chief, he is willing to do whatever his chief says to make sure he solidifies his chances. Boone doesn’t know who this vivacious lady is but when he observes the way her half-sister speaks to her, he decides to play along. He is in Deep Haven to relax, talk to a therapist and read the book his chief gave him. He does not need any distractions. After having his heart broken before, he fills his days with work and now, on vacation, doesn’t quite know what to do with himself. Vivien is only too willing to enlist his help with her summer theater production and eventually even casts Boone as the lead. Vivien, a former broadway star, is back in Deep Haven to prove she’s not a failure and encourage the theatrical aspirations of her fellow townsfolk. When Vivien’s past seems to have followed her to Deep Haven, can Boone help her solve the mystery and keep her safe? Will Boone’s dreams of making his father proud conflict with his dreams of having a life with Vivien?

I loved how the author made Vivien and Boone seem so different when in reality, they were very similar. I loved how the small town aspect came into play since everyone thought they were together from that parade onwards. Even though Boone was leaving, he began to find that still, small voice whispering wisdom to him. He felt he had found a place where he could breathe – where he could be himself.
Everything about you—the real you, goofy and sexy and flirty and fun, all of it—I like who you are.” And he liked who he was when he was with her.

He could not get her out of his head (and heart?).
He shook his head. Yep, he definitely had a type. Vivien. Bold and courageous and so full of life. She was adventure and zeal and added a brightness to his day. She turned a plain, ordinary day into something extraordinary.”

I highly recommend if you enjoy Christian romance with humor, heart and some mystery.

My thanks to the author and publisher for providing me with an ARC of the book. All opinions expressed here are entirely my own. No positive review was expected and no compensation received.


TOUR GIVEAWAY

(1) winner will receive a $15 Amazon gift card + 3 Then Came You ebooks (one ebook for the winner and two to give to friends)!

Then Came You JustRead Giveaway

Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight August 3, 2021 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on August 10, 2021. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

ENTER GIVEAWAY HERE


Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

JustRead Publicity Tours

*NOTE: This post contains affiliate links.

Book Review: Still the One by Susan May Warren & Rachel D. Russell

Still the One
By Susan May Warren and Rachel D. Russell
A Deep Haven Novel
Rating: 4/5
Release date: January 12, 2021
Preorder here: https://books2read.com/u/bzgapG

Welcome back to Deep Haven! Yes! I really enjoyed having the opportunity to jump back in and catch up with old friends. I laughed. I cried. I sighed. Lol. Though you do not need to read the other Deep Haven books, you really should! They are excellent entertainment and I highly recommend them.

Megan is a proud single mom of Josh and a successful wedding planner. She has dreams for expanding her business but just needs some more gigs for that down payment. When her childhood friend (dare I say crush) literally rescues her, sparks fly and it’s only the beginning. A divorced, former Army Ranger, Cole returns to Deep Haven because he must sell his grandfather’s house to pay for his grandfather’s skilled nursing facility before he can interview for a job as a Deputy US Marshal. When Megan finds herself needing his help assisting with wedding planning, Cole steps right up and gets the job done. After being burned in love before, can Megan and Cole find a way to trust each other and love again?

I think it might have been Jane Austen’s Persuasion that first introduced me to the concept of second chances. Who doesn’t love a comeback? Megan and Cole are not perfect. They are flawed but find hope in the Deep Haven community. I loved recognizing all the characters from Susan May Warren’s previous series. Both authors have a way with presenting authentic characters that need to deal with their past insecurities and trauma. Unfortunately, everyone can relate to feelings of inadequacy and unworthiness. The reliance on faith is clearly laid out in this book without feeling too preachy. It has a message of hope to move beyond your past that is beautiful.

I was pleasantly surprised at how similar Rachel D. Russell and Susan May Warren’s writing styles were. I felt this book did not pull on my heartstrings as much as Susan May Warren’s previous books but the book still has a lovely impact.

So excited to read more books from Deep Haven! Highly recommend this book if you enjoy small-town Christian romance.

My thanks to the publisher for providing me with an ARC of the book. All opinions expressed here are entirely my own. No positive review was expected and no compensation received.