Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the Litfuse Publicity Group book blogger campaign. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
About the book: A Chapel Springs Romance
Jade returns home to Chapel Springs after years of protecting her fragile heart. Then along comes Daniel, making her long to dance again.
Creative and complicated, Jade McKinley felt like a weed in a rose garden growing up in Chapel Springs. When she left, she thought she'd never look back. But now, pregnant, alone, and broke, she has no other choice but to return.
The mayor of Chapel Springs, Daniel Dawson, has been an honorary member of the McKinley family for years. While his own home life was almost non-existent, Daniel fit right into the boisterous McKinley family. He's loved Jade for years, but she always saw him as a big brother. Now that she's back, his feelings are stronger than ever.
As Jade attempts to settle in, nothing feels right. God seems far away, she's hiding secrets from her family, and she's strangely attracted to the man who's always called her "squirt." Finding her way home may prove more difficult than she imagined.
Purchase a copy: http://ow.ly/uJ6OD
About the Author: Denise Hunter is an internationally published best-selling author. Her books have won The Holt Medallion Award, The Reader's Choice Award, The Foreword Book of the Year Award, and was a RITA finalist. In 1996, inspired by the death of her grandfather, Denise began her first book, writing while her children napped. Two years later it was published, and she's been writing ever since. Her husband says he inspires all of her romantic stories, but Denise insists a good imagination helps, too. When Denise isn't writing, she's busy raising three heroes-in-the-making with her husband.
Title: Dancing with Fireflies (A Chapel Springs Romance)
Author: Denise Hunter
Format: trade paperback with a Reading Group Guide
Genre: Christian, Romance, Contemporary Fiction
Published: Thomas Nelson / 2014 / ISBN: 978-1-4016-8702-1/ 352 pages / $15.99
Buy the Book: Amazon / Thomas Nelson
When I read the first book in the series--Barefoot Summer (review here), I fell in love with the McKinley family and their faith that God will get them through the tough times--even when they couldn't feel Him near. That theme is even more abundant in book #2 as Jade faces a surprising situation when she finally returns home after being gone for a year.
What I Liked: I have to say that I was actually giddy reading this book. Yes, you read it right--giddy. I was giggling like a little school girl in many places and clapping my hands as I cheered on the budding romance between Jade and Daniel. There were a few times that I wanted to smack them because they were not communicating with each other very well, but then I thought about my own life and how realistic their reactions really were in the story and decided to cut them a little slack. After all, moving from life-long friends to dating is a HUGE step!
I also liked the fact that Ms. Hunter did not shy away from the hard topics of date rape drugs, unplanned/unwanted pregnancies, homelessness, and single-parenting. While many stories do not have happy endings, I'm glad that everything worked out well for Jade and Daniel--according to God's purpose.
I also liked the fact that Ms. Hunter did not shy away from the hard topics of date rape drugs, unplanned/unwanted pregnancies, homelessness, and single-parenting. While many stories do not have happy endings, I'm glad that everything worked out well for Jade and Daniel--according to God's purpose.
What I Didn't Like: That I finished this book too quickly and have to wait until December 9, to read book #3-The Wishing Season. Otherwise, I really enjoyed reading Dancing with Fireflies!
Overall Impression: Rating: 5 out of 5
Let me know what you think! Happy Reading!!
