The Surrendering Time series is an entertaining yet reflective adventure to the Adirondack Mountains. Each book takes an element of time (past, present, future) and explores through flawed and humorous characters what a surrender journey looks like.
In ENGAGED, Trish Maxwell’s back in Speculator Falls with egg on her face and a lot of apologies to make. She left the mountain town for her dream job in New York City, only to come back unemployed. With no prospects, she works at her family’s department store and makes amends as she finds a new passion creating window displays for Adirondack businesses. She works hard and tries to convince the people of Speculator Falls she’s changed for the better.
As Trish pitches in with community events, she meets paramedic Wayne Peterson, the one man who doesn’t seem to judge her. She even makes friends with Jenna Regan, who helps Trish when people demand to know what’s next in Trish’s life. Living in New York City has been her goal, but the more she’s around Wayne and the Adirondack area, the more she’s drawn to revising her plans. Just when Trish thinks the plan for her life’s coming together, a second chance comes her way that could give her every career goal she’s ever wanted, but threaten to tear her and Wayne apart. Can Trish surrender fears about her future and discover God’s plan for her?
my point of view:
I was so thrilled to win this book as a package from Inspy Romance, and it is my first time reading a Julie Arduini book! I see there were two previous books to this series, but honestly, I completely enjoyed this story not having read the others – although now I want to get them too, ha! The setting is a favorite of mine – Upstate New York! I grew up vacationing in the Catskill Mountains, so this was like a trip down memory lane for me!
Trish is definitely a work in progress (aren’t we all?) having had a very self-centered and selfish attitude about herself, she has to come to terms with the reality of growing up. I adored her friends and parents, and the seniors at the center! They all manage to come together and show Trish what’s really important in life, with God always at the center! Wayne is a wonderful guy, who has flaws of his own he needs to work on, but the journey is well worth the results! This lovely story is full of humor and love, romance, friendship, and faith, I couldn’t ask for anything more and I highly recommend it!.
I love Punta Cana
Oh, nice, Wioletta! Thank you for sharing!
I’ve heard that is lovely!
My vacation spot is anywhere I can see the leaves change in Autumn. Since there are a number of locations in our beautiful country, my destinations are almost endless!
I am with you, Susan! love the changing of the leaves!!
Susan,
If you haven’t been to Upstate NY in late September/October, so many travel in autumn they are called leaf peepers! The Adirondacks and Finger Lakes region are extra beautiful.
Paula,
Thank you so much for the lovely review. I enjoyed writing those books for all the reasons you mentioned. I am now writing a series based on sextuplets living in the Finger Lakes region.
Until then, I did an Easter surprise for readers and Match Made in Heaven is a Christian romance novella now available in eBook. I think readers will like this sweet story.
Have a blessed Easter and thank you again!
Oh wow, how exciting! Sextuplets sounds challenging – on a lot of levels, lol! Thank you!
Sounds like a great read! My favorite vacation spot is the Arkansas Ozarks.
Ooo, sounds lovely, Candace!
My favorite vacation spot is in the mountains, and I’m not picky about which ones as long as there are lots of trees.
We have so much in common, Lisa!
My parents called in Caseville mi truly an escape for me
How lovely, Autumn! Thank you for sharing!
Thank you for a lovely review!
Vacation spot…I have two:
Far away is Aruba
Close by is Carmel by the Sea
I love ocean!
The ocean is always so soothing, Natalya, definitely a favorite place!
I have never had a vacation. But when I was growing up my Grandma use to take my sister and me on a picnic at Paris Landing Park. We played all day and my grandma had all kinds of food and drinks for us. It was all day long. She took us about 4/5 times a summer. My grandbabies are 1 & 2 years old. I only want to have some fun vacation with my grandbabies like I had with my Grandma. I loved her so much and looked forward to spending time with her every summer!
What wonderful memories, Dorothy!
Oh, wow, I have more than one favorite place to vacation! I like going to St Augustine, Amelia Island, Americus, GA, Savannah, GA, to name just a few! This book sounds really good, too!!
Hi, Trudy! Those are some of my favorite places too!!