👨👩👧 "Finding His Family" (2021) 👨👩👧 - Takeover + Review (Giveaway)
Welcome to the Takeover Tour for Finding His Family by Christina Miller, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!
ABOUT THE BOOK
Author: Christina Miller
Publisher: Love Inspired
Release Date: June 1, 2021
Genre: Christian Contemporary Romance
Can he be the man she needs him to be?
Now that he’s found them, he can’t let them go.MY REVIEW
Thank you in advance to the author, Christina Miller, for providing a complimentary review copy through JustRead Publicity Tours. A positive review was not required or requested. All words are my own.
As a fan of the Love Inspired series (as well as the Love Inspired Suspense), I enjoy most of the stories put out by the authors – whether I am familiar with them, or they’re like Miller – “new-to-me”. Finding His Family was no exception.
For those battling Parkinson’s or those who know someone, this book could be a bit triggering. But, I also hope those readers can see some inspiration and light. Miller also mentions FMLA (Family Medical Leave Act) time off. And, this is something I’m all too familiar with.
Right off the adorable cover had me wondering what happened to this couple that they had to hide their marriage and why they’d separate.
I instantly adored Georgia and thought she was the cutest little bug! On the other hand, I really (and very strongly) despised Rosemary’s father. And, it won’t be until about halfway to about three-quarters into the story that readers will find out what this cranky old man’s problem is. A bright spot? Grannie Eugenia. Oh, this old gal had me laughing at times. And, there were times I wanted to see her take on “the judge”.
Abe’s low self-esteem can be off-putting at times, especially given his other successes. However, his humbleness and his eagerness to help others is commendable.
I also disliked JD the banker who started the story off on a sour note.
Abe and Rosemary are married, though they don’t have much of a marriage. She’s really his wife in name only. And, I was wondering why they hadn’t gotten a divorce yet given the situation, especially since the judge (Rosemary’s father HATES Abe).
Rosemary is only in town to help her father until her aunt can arrive, and she only has a few weeks left on her FMLA leave. But, his participation in the RSB classes is essential to helping him. The reader also figures out the source of Abe and Rosemary’s separation as well.
Abe doesn’t know about Georgia. In fact, Rosemary has gone out of her way to keep Abe from knowing his daughter. But, she has her reasons for keeping Georgia a secret.
Seeing that the gym is struggling, and having
experience where she works, Rosemary doesn’t hesitate to step in and help Abe
build his gym to its fullest potential. However, her father warns her against
getting too close to Abe.
But, Georgia doesn’t know what’s going on – she instantly warms up to Abe and likes him. It’s like she knows there is something about him. How do little kids know these things, and if we did – how do we lose them as adults?
Moving on …
While the judge HATES Abe, Rosemary’s mother defends him, and grannie is insisting on matchmaking.
But, Rosemary is clear – she has to guard herself and Georgia.
That proves difficult as Georgia spends more time with Abe and he with her. Still, Rosemary is acting out of caution.
It isn’t until Abe, or rather Rosemary goes on radio to promote that gym that listeners meet adorable Georgia who becomes a slight “hit”. It becomes clear though – Abe wants to be a part of Georgia’s life and the little girl needs a daddy. At one point she even asks him to be her daddy. Again, how do little kids do this?
I love how Miller transitioned into using social media for the gym as well as promoting MacKenize to the social media manager while helping her with her Etsy business.
And, despite Abe’s accomplishments and Bronze Star for his military service – he still seems the hesitancy in Rosemary’s eyes. The “I’m ashamed of you” feeling.
As Abe and Rosemary work together to build the gym into a success, Rosemary uncovers a secret with her mother. And, one of her own secrets is revealed.
Just as Abe thinks they’re making progress; a tragedy occurs and he wonders if Rosemary will ever tell the truth.
Miller tackled several great aspects in this story – Parkinson’s and the well-known Rock Steady Boxing program, and did quite well with it.
Miller’s pacing of the novel kept me interested from the first page to the last. It didn’t linger in any one place for too long, if ever. And, it was very informative as well.
Not every character is perfect, and it’s a good thing they aren’t. However, one issue that was kind of a pain was Rosemary’s refusal to acknowledge her own responsibility as to the state of their marriage. And, I felt she had a role in their separation that was equal to, if not greater than Abe’s.
Another moderate issue was regarding Rosemary’s return to work from FMLA leave due to a situation at her workplace. While the FMLA gives employers some leeway to check in with employees who are on leave, it doesn’t allow them to pressure employees or try to talk them out of exercising their rights. When Tessa (Rosemary’s boss) calls her to ask – that was slightly crossing a line.
Because of her position, Rosemary feels that it is HER responsibility to fill in if needed (coercion). But, not while on FMLA leave. FMLA allows employers to check in with employees on FMLA leave periodically, to find out the status and plans for returning to work. However, requests must be reasonable, considering all of the facts (including the condition). Checking in too often or asking for too much detail could cross the line into coercion.
At this point in the book, it sounded a bit like Rosemary wasn’t being given too much of a choice. It was inferred, to me, that Rosemary would’ve been leaving her mom without help for a time. What would Rosemary’s mother’s doctor state about that?
As my mother had an FMLA for intermittent leave (as needed) for her own medical condition, we came to know this law quite well.
That part was extremely realistic and made the book a very interesting read to see what Rosemary was going to do.
Since this is distributed by Love Inspired, an “inspirational” line from Harlequin, expect certain Christian and faith-themed references. There will be a few prayers, references to God, and stories of redemption. In this book they do play a slight part in the plot of the story, particularly John 11:25 with regard to resurrection. The story of Lazarus is also mentioned.
This is a standalone read, and it was (for me), a day read. I couldn’t put it down. I was sailing right through the book at times, eager to see where the characters were going.
I highly recommend this for fans of Christian romance and Christian fiction. I loved this book and cannot wait to see what Miller does next.
Real Life Note –>
Rock Steady Boxing, the first boxing program of its kind in the country, was founded in 2006 by former Marion County (Indiana) Prosecutor, Scott C. Newman, who is living with Parkinson’s. For more information about the Rock Steady Boxing program to fight back against Parkinson’s, please visit: https://rocksteadyboxing.org/
RATING:
5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Goodreads
5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Bookbub
5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Personal Rating (see rating
explanation in this blog: https://readingexcursions.blogspot.com/2020/01/rating-system-2020-changes.html)
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
TOUR GIVEAWAY
(1) winner will receive a print copy of Finding His Family and a $10 Amazon gift card!
Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight June 9, 2021 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on June 16, 2021. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.
Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.
Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!
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