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This was again another great book in this series. I loved Casper and Raina. You need to read these books in order to enjoy them the best. All of the Christiansen children are wonderful. Raina has a child from a one night stand with Caspers brother. Does Casper love Raina enough to get over the fact of her having his brothers child? I received this book from book fun.org for a fair and honest opinion. ( )

Title: Always on My Mind
Author: Susan May Warren
Pages: 400
Year: 2014
Publisher: Tyndale
My rating is 5 out of 5 stars.
Note: I received a complimentary copy for an honest review of this book from www.bookfun.org
The Christianson family series tells about a growing family who runs a resort in upper Minnesota. The family’s offspring were raised as Christians though not all that happens in the novels is gold at first glance until some come to the end of themselves and look up to God. Each novel features one of the adult children though the whole clan is a part of the tale in one way or another. The family is far from perfect with plenty of humanity leaking out, causing rippling affects. Like real people who trust in the Lord with their whole being, He alone takes the leaking humanity and redeems it for His glory and the character’s blessing.
With the growing number of novels published and still being written, some people may want to know in what order the books fall, so I did some checking. The family story starts with Take a Chance on Me, followed by It Had to Be You, and then a novella titled, “Evergreen”. In 2015, the family tale begins again with Always on My Mind and coming soon The Wonder of You.
I was simply captivated by Always on My Mind from the first page to the very last. The adventure, mystery, faith and handling a tough subject like abuse was simply brilliant on the author’s part. The Christiansen family makes mistakes and they fight or misunderstand each other, but above all they deeply love each other. Here, Casper, the middle son is learning to hear God’s voice and not allow his temper to lead him into trouble as it has in the past. Raina, the woman he loves, is with a man who cares only for himself and knows nothing about how to love. Casper is attempting to live and show her the difference. Raina believes she isn’t worthy of anyone’s love including God’s because of her choices and their consequences.
As readers venture farther into the book, they will see how God’s love comes shining through all types of situations and various people. So pull up a chair and get lost in the pages of a fantastic tale! Then be ready for the soon to be available next installment of the Christianson family. ( )

Always in His Sight and Care...

With themes of being the light of God, hope despite bad choices, forgiving, and living large with God, Susan May Warren deftly pulled me into her fourth book of the Christiansen family. No matter I had not read any of the other three. Always on My Mind gives just enough back story just as the reader needs it to be able to enjoy this story on its own. I will, however, be searching out the other three, since my appetite has been so well-whetted for more complete adventures of this imperfect, Christian family.

As we meet Raina, she is emotionally hiding out from Casper, with whom she fell in love the summer before. Because of a fit of jealousy, Casper took off to the Honduras, searching for treasure. He returns to make things right with Raina, only to find her unwilling and unable to move beyond the past.

Casper's brother, Darek, is uncertain about Casper's return as well. Darek is struggling to keep the family lodge running and profitable. He needs Casper to be reliable this time. In the meantime, Darek puts all he has into the lodge...but will it cost him his son and new wife as well?

John, the patriarch, addresses Casper's need to discover treasure:"...there is no life bigger than the one lived, every day, in awe of God. God showing up in our lives to love us despite ourselves. That is a treasure we can find every single day." And again John says, "If what we call love doesn't take us beyond ourselves, require more of us than we ever dreamed, then it's not the unconditional, divine love God has for us. God's love is not cautious, not wise, not sensible,and not remotely conservative.In fact, loving another person the way God loves them is the greatest adventure we can have...the greatest treasure you can find."

Always on My Mind is more than a romance or even a family saga. It is a book that will stay on my mind, reminding me God always has us in His sights and care!

I received this book from bookfun.org in exchange for an honest review. ( )

Always on my Mind is the next in a series of stories about the Christiansen Family written by Susan May Warren. One of the great thing about these books is that you can read this book without having read the others – so start anywhere.

The book tells the story of Casper Christiansen and the woman he can’t forget. After being deeply hurt by Raina, Casper leaves Minnesota to go to an island in Honduras to search for hidden treasure. But as hard as he tries, Raina is always on his mind.

When he returns to the family in Minnesota, he finds it hard to stay away from her even as she continues to make bad decisions. But he loves her, so…

This is a story of love, family, forgiveness, and redemption – and treasures. As the author says on her blog (http://www.susanmaywarren.com/), “It’s a story of untangling life’s mysteries to discover the truth – and standing by the one person you can’t forget.”

Great book; can’t wait for the next one!

I received a free book from Tyndale House Publishers through The Book Club Network, Inc., in exchange for an unbiased review.