Character Meet & Greet | The Christiansen Family

It's time for a Character Meet & Greet, and I'm excited to welcome Susan May Warren to i blog 4 books so she can introduce you to the Christiansen family!

Welcome, Susan! Please tell us about the Christiansens.

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They’re a family like you might find next door. Or in your church. Or maybe they’re like your family. Parents trying to figure out the delicate steps of guiding adult children into responsibility, hoping to leave a legacy. When I crafted the Christiansen family, I Iooked close to home, at our family, and the family of our friends. At their challenges, and joys, and their hopes to raise children who embodied the values they were raised with. 

Then I created a family I’d like to get to know, to hang out with, and to watch. To fall in love with.  I hope you do, too. 

Here’s a glimpse of the pack ...

John Christiansen is the owner of Evergreen Outfitters and Cabin Rentals (aka Evergreen Resort). John is a former football player, and has spent his entire life running the resort, which has been in the family for three generations. It’s a hideaway in the woods, located on beautiful Evergreen lake, with canoeing, fishing, hiking and lots of quiet breezes perfect for reading. (I know I’d like to visit!)

Ingrid Christiansen has spent her life raising her six kids, building a life in Deep Haven and being John’s right hand gal at the resort. She is the backbone of this series, with her hopes and dreams written in to a letter to each of her children at the beginning of each story. Ingrid is the mother we all wish we could have.

Darek Christiansen is the oldest son, a former HotShot (wildland firefighter)—and that job fits his personality, too. “Dare”—as his siblings call him—was the family daredevil, the leader of the pack. His greatest dream was to become a Fire Boss, until he got his hometown girlfriend pregnant, came home and married her. Sadly, as we meet Darek, his wife has been killed in a tragic accident, leaving behind their five year old son, Theo (Tiger). He’s just trying to be the best father he can be as he takes over the family resort.

Eden Christiansen is the family organizer and cheerleader. She has dreams of being a journalist, but for now works in the Obits department of the Minneapolis Star/Tribune. Eden appointed herself long ago as Owen—her brother’s—keeper, and as he makes his way into professional hockey, she’s by his side to cheer him on.

Grace Christiansen is the family chef. She currently works at Pierre’s pizza, and makes a mean spinach pizza—but her dreams are to enter the Culinary Institute in Minneapolis. Out of all the Christiansen’s, Grace is the peacemaker.

Casper Christiansen is the family scamp. An archeology major at the University of Duluth, he spend more time hunting for treasure—especially on sunken wrecks. More than anything, he wants to find something rare and invaluble, but for now, he’s got Darek’s motorcycle, and drifts in and out of school and the resort, trying to find his place.

Owen Christiansen’s entire life is hockey—he’s been playing since he was four, and recently signed with the Minnesota Wild hockey team. Owen is young, brash, head-strong and has an amazing future ahead of him if he can manage not get into trouble.

Amelia Christiansen can’t wait to leave the small town of Deep Haven and become a big-named National Geographic photographer. She won’t go anywhere without a camera—or her iPhone—and if her family would stop treating her like a baby and realize she is just as capable as they are, then they’d all get along a lot better.








I hope you’ll take a chance on the Christiansens, their joys and trials as they walk into this next season with their children.  It’s a series where faith and family meet real life.

Think you'd like to get to know the Christiansen family better? Read Darek's story in Take a Chance on Me, available now from Tyndale House.