chill out, josey!

About the book:

Chill Out, Josey!

Russia? Not again. Josey's finally living the good life - she's got the man, the (almost-perfect) wedding, the two-story Cape-Cod house of her dreams. That is until her man drags her back to Moscow! Josey knows she has the guts to follow her own dreams across the world, but she's not so sure she can play the perfect wife while her husband chases after his. Josey's set on having the perfect life…even in a world without hot water, decent take-out and size-two leather fashion. But can she find the courage to tell her man the secret that will change their lives forever?

About the author:

I can't help be amazed at the gifts God has delighted me with - a wonderful husband, four amazing children, and the opportunity to write for Him. I've been writing as long as I can remember - I won my first book writing contest in first grade! Over the years, writing has become, for me, a way to praise God and see Him at work in my life. Although I have a degree in Mass Communications from the University of MN, my real writing experience started when I penned the The Warren Report - a bi-monthly newsletter that detailed our ministry highlights. Living in Russia meant I never lacked for great material - and those experiences naturally spilled out first into devotionals and magazine articles and finally into my first published story, "Measure of a Man," in the Tyndale/HeartQuest, Chance Encounters of the Heart anthology. I grew up in Wayzata, a suburb of Minneapolis, and became an avid camper from an early age. My favorite fir-lined spot is the north shore of Minnesota - it's where I met my husband, honeymooned and dreamed of living. The north woods easily became the foundation for my first series, The Deep Haven series. Based on a little tourist town along the shores of Lake Superior. I have to admit - I'm terribly jealous of Mona, the heroine of my first full-length book, Happily Ever After, a Christy Award Finalist published in 2004 with Tyndale/Heartquest. Our family moved home from the mission field in June 2004 -- and now we live in the beautiful town I'd always dreamed of! God has amazed me anew with His provision, and blessings -- and allowed me a season when I can write full time for Him.

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Trish's Take

Susan May Warren's Chill Out, Josey! is the second book about Josey Berglund Anderson and Chase Anderson. I didn't read the first book, but I caught on to the story quickly ~ it isn't necessary to read the first book in this series to understand the characters, dynamics and basic storyline.

Chill Out, Josey! is a self-proclaimed "romance" published by Steeple Hill Books. I've not read any books published by this group before, but it appears that Christian romance is their forte'. If you've read my review blog for any time at all, you'll know I'm not a romance book reader ~ Christian or not.

I found this book funny, cute and an easy read. I sat down with a cup of coffee and sped through the story ~ and I have to admit, while I did roll my eyes more than a few times at Josey and Chase's unbelievable inability to communicate with each other, I didn't throw the book down half way through. The first-person narrative (of Josey) was entertaining ~ I found myself chuckling frequently.

So, if you enjoy the Christian romance genre, and you're looking for something cute, funny, light and easy to read, Chill Out, Josey! may fit the bill. It didn't convert me to a romance novel reader, but it did entertain me enough that I will recommend it.

You can visit Susan's website ~ http://www.susanmaywarren.com/ ~ or her blog ~ http://susanmaywarren.typepad.com/scribbles/ . She has a newsletter you can sign up to receive.

Susan is hosting a contest at http://www.susanmaywarren.com/joseycontest.html ~ just enter your funniest/craziest/most embarrassing pregnancy story for a chance to win a Chill Out, Mom Spa Basket! (see the contest page for details)