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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.

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)!

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!

*NOTE: This post contains affiliate links.

Can’t Buy Me Love
by Andrea Christenson
Book 2 in the Deep Haven Collection
Rating: 4/5
Release date: March 16, 2021
Purchase here.

Who doesn’t love a good Cinderella retelling? LOL. The romantic in me just loves the idea and I must say that Andrea Christenson does a good job of blending a contemporary love story in a classic fairytale complete with a “glass slipper”.

Spurred on by the tragic death of her mother, Ella Bradley is someone who wants to make a difference and has found a way to do that with the cleaning products she developed. She sets out to make a deal with the hotel conglomerate she owns a half-share in but is thwarted by a malfunctioning elevator. However, she finds the hour or so stuck with a handsome stranger a big plus until she finds out his true identity is not just Roger but Adrian Roger Vassos, the notorious but charming son of the man she plans to make a deal with. Meanwhile, Adrian’s lie may have long-lasting consequences if he wants to pursue a relationship with the beautiful and intelligent Ella Bradley, who he can’t seem to get out of his mind. His waterpark resort proposal must pass so he can prove to himself and his father that he is not a failure. When Ella discovers he plans on building that monstrosity of a waterpark in her own town of Deep Haven, she gets even more frustrated with the man. Misunderstandings and circumstances ensue and bring the two back together to do some community service in Deep Haven while Adrian and Ella try to convince each other that their own ideas are better. However, spending so much time with each leads to heartfelt conversations and realizations, which neither could confront before. Will misunderstandings continue to plague this would-be relationship? Can Adrian find his true purpose for being in Deep Haven? Can Ella escape the shame of her past and find a way to pursue her dreams?

Wow. I always love a good Deep Haven story. I was excited to receive an advanced copy of this new book. Although Andrea Christenson is a new author to me, I felt she did a good job of writing the beautiful love story with its fun quirks and antics. I found the spiritual parts not quite as emotional as Susan May Warren’s writing but they still held really good biblical truths that were relevant and genuine. I loved getting to know her new characters as they were introduced to the magic of Deep Haven. The misunderstandings that occurred with Ella and Adrian were hilarious as each just kept getting worse and worse. I enjoyed reading about the beauty of Deep Haven and the different activities available to tourists. (I wish I could go visit this beautiful place).

Highly recommend if you enjoy clean, Christian romance with humor and heart.

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.