Character Meet & Greet | Darek Christiansen

It's time for a Character Meet & Greet, and I'm excited to welcome Darek Christiansen to i blog 4 books! Darek runs the Evergreen Resort in Deep Haven, Minneosta, and his story is featured in Take a Chance on Me by Susan May Warren.

Darek, thanks so much for stopping by! I know you're a busy guy, so we'll make this brief. Could you tell my friends a little about yourself and your story?

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Hello, yeah. Hi. So, I’m Darek Christiansen, and Susie told me I had to show up and introduce
myself. So here I am. Listen, it’s no mystery that I don’t want to be here. I really need to be getting home to Tiger, my five year old son. But apparently the resort needs a little public relations, so here I am.

I run the Evergreen Resort—a handful of cabins and an outfitting service for campers and canoeists located on a lake in the north shore of Minnesota. It’s a family operation— my parents inherited it from my grandparents. I never really wanted to take it over, but I had to do something to give my son a stable life after I lost my wife in a terrible car accident.

Unfortunately, the man who killed her lives in our town. Okay, he was actually my best friend, but that seems so long ago, it’s hard to imagine that Jensen and were ever anything but enemies.

Okay, so yes, I struggle with forgiveness. And the guilt that I never really wanted this life—I was going to be a HotShot, a fire manager, fighting wildland fires. But life doesn’t give you what you want—it gives you what you deserve.

Which means I’m not going to end up with the cute new Assistant County Prosecutor who just arrived in town. Even if she did buy me in the town fundraiser/bachelor auction. Because what she doesn’t know is that I’m the last man she should hang out with.

But deep inside, I’m hoping she’ll take a chance on me. Because what I really want (and don’t tell anyone) is to start over. To build a new life. I am just not sure how to get there.

I hope you’ll go on the journey with me in Susan May Warren’s newest novel about me, and my family, and life on a resort in the north shore of Minnesota.

Think you'd like to get to know Darek better? Read more of his story in Take a Chance on Me, available now from Tyndale House.

Win a “Date Night” Prize Pack from Deborah Raney and RSVP for her 5/30 Facebook Party!

Deborah is celebrating with a fun "Date Night" Giveaway (win a $200 Visa Cash Card!) and an Author Chat Party on Facebook! {5/30}

One winner will receive:

• A $200 Visa Cash Card (Use that to catch up with a loved one – your spouse, friend, sister, mom…whomever!)
• The Face of the Earth by Deborah Raney

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on May 29th. Winner will be announced at the "The Face of the Earth" Facebook Author Chat Party on May 30th. Connect with Deborah for an evening of book chat, trivia, laughter, and more! Deborah will also be sharing a sneak peek of her next book and giving away books and fun gift certificates throughout the evening.

So grab your copy of The Face of the Earth and join Deborah on the evening of May 30th for a chance to connect and make some new friends. (If you haven't read the book, don't let that stop you from coming!)

Don't miss a moment of the fun; RSVP today. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 30th!

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

"It's Monday! What Are You Reading?" is a weekly meme hosted by Book Journey where we share what we're reading and our goals for the week.

What I Read Last Week ...

Last week was Bout of Books, so I read a ton! I finished SIX books! You can see what I read here. Really great week of reading. The Face of the Earth and The Cowboy Lawman were probably my favorites, although everything was at least 4 stars!

What I'm Reading Now ...

What I Hope to Read This Week ...

I know after reading so much last week, I'll probably slow down a bit this week. So keeping to realistic goals (ha!), I'm hoping to read one of these this week. And hopefully finish at least one of the books above.

That's what I'm hoping to read this week. What are you reading?

Bout of Books 7.0 | Wrap-Up

Bout of Books Read-A-Thon 7.0
May 13-19, 2013

Bout of Books has come to an end! My goal was to read 2000 pages this week. I didn't quite make the goal--life got in the way!--but I'm still pleased with what I read. I finished one book, started and finished five others, and began two more. Pretty good all the way around! Here's my final list of what I read this week ...


The Face of the Earth by Deborah Raney (325 pages)
The Cowboy Lawman by Brenda Minton (224 pages)
Defending the Duchess by Rachelle McCalla (224 pages)
A Muslim's Heart by Edward J. Hoskins (80 pages)
That Certain Summer by Irene Hannon (304 pages)
Clouds by Robin Jones Gunn (288 pages)
The Healer's Apprentice by Melanie Dickerson (11 pages) The Heiress's Homecoming by Regina Scott (30 pages)

Grand Total - 1484 pages!!!

Want to participate in the next Bout of Books?
Mark your calendar for August 19-25 and watch for announcements here.

Bout of Books 7.0 | Day 7 Update

Bout of Books Read-A-Thon 7.0

May 13-19, 2013

Here's what I read on Day 7! 
(You can also follow my progress on Twitter or Goodreads.)

My Goal

To read 2000 pages.

Day 7
 

That Certain Summer by Irene Hannon (72 pages - Finished!)
Clouds by Robin Jones Gunn (288 pages - Finished!) 
The Heiress's Homecoming by Regina Scott (30 pages)

Total Pages Read Today: 390
Total Pages Read This Week: 1484

Captivate Us

link to song

your face is beautiful

and your eyes are like the stars

your gentle hands have healing

there inside the scars

your loving arms they draw me near

and your smile it brings me peace

draw me closer oh my Lord

draw me closer Lord to thee

captivate us Lord Jesus

set our eyes on you

devastate us with your presence

falling down

rushing river draw us nearer

holy fountain consume us with you

captivate us Lord Jesus with you

your voice is powerful

and your words are radiant bright

in your breath and shadow

i will come close and abide

you whisper love and life divine

and your fellowship is free

draw me closer oh my Lord

draw me closer Lord to thee

captivate us Lord Jesus

set our eyes on you

devastate us with your presence

falling down

and rushing river, draw us nearer

holy fountain consume us with you

captivate us Lord Jesus with you

and let everything be lost in the shadows

of the light of your face

let every chain be broken from me

as i'm bound in your grace

for your yoke is easy

your burden is light

you're full of wisdom, power, and might

and every eye will see you

captivate us Lord Jesus

set our eyes on you

devastate us with your presence

falling down

and rushing river, draw us nearer

holy fountain consume us with you

captivate us Lord Jesus with you

Lyrics by Meghan Baird, Jonathan Baird, Stephen Altrogge
© 2011 Sovereign Grace Worship (ASCAP)/Sovereign Grace Praise (BMI).

Bout of Books 7.0 | Day 6 Update

Bout of Books Read-A-Thon 7.0

May 13-19, 2013
 

Here's what I read on Day 6!(You can also follow my progress on Twitter or Goodreads.)

My Goal

To read 2000 pages.

Day 6
 

That Certain Summer by Irene Hannon (70 pages)

Total Pages Read Today: 70
Total Pages Read This Week: 1094

Well ... my day took a bit of a detour as we spent ALL DAY shopping for—and buying!—a car. I read just a little this morning and am now exhausted! I am really enjoying That Certain Summer, though!