Paige Torn by Erynn Mangum

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Paige Torn
(TH1NK - May 1, 2013)

by
Erynn Mangum
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

A few things about her:

So, if we were having this conversation in person, we would probably be hanging out at Starbucks or one of the cute coffeehouses in town. I’m nuts about all things coffee, I’m crazy about all things pink and girly, and I love, love, love the Food Network! I’m married to my best friend and the most amazing guy ever, Jon. He is amiable toward coffee, does not like anything pink or girly and tolerates the Food Network. So, we make a good match! In July 2010, we became parents to one of the funniest, cutest, sweetest little guys in the whole world (and nope, we aren’t biased at all!), our Nater-Tot, who is legally known as Nathan. Most days, I’m cleaning up messes, making goofy faces, trying to fit some writing in, and just LOVING the life that God has given me!

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Everyone knows they can count on Paige Alder. But between volunteering at church, putting in overtime at work, and helping her best friend plan an anniversary party, she's lucky to grab a cheese stick for dinner. Paige can't even remember the last time she had a few minutes to relax or dig into God's Word. Then she meets laid-back Tyler, an attractive, Jesus-loving guy. Will he be able to help Paige get her priorities on track?

My thoughts:

How many of us Christians in our day to day busyness find ourselves too busy to make time for God? Sure we may be serving Him by serving others, but how can we show others who God is if we don't even take the time to get to know Him. Paige Alder - friend, co-worker, church volunteer - faces this dilemma in the first book of this new series by Erynn Mangum. With barely any time to herself between all the things she obligates herself to, her spiritual life is a little lacking. Enter Tyler, a swoon-worthy hero, who helps Paige see that saying "No" once in a while isn't a bad thing.

This book would make a great read for any Christian - not just the twenty-something target audience. We all need a fresh perspective from time to time and I think this book would make any reader take a closer look at their priorities when it comes to balancing time with God and day to day commitments. The give and take between Paige and Tyler really bring the message home in a way that is both insightful and humorous.

The only thing in this book that kind of rubbed me wrong is that I felt it was a little hard to believe in a church that passes out 2500 bulletins a week, that Paige would be the only person available to help. I realize that the point of the story was for Paige to over-obligate herself, but a church that big would have a whole lot more folks on staff and I'm sure volunteers as well. I go to a church of around 20 people and there is no one in my congregation that is called upon to do that many jobs.

I did enjoy this book immensely and am looking forward to see what happens in the next book, Paige Rewritten, which hits shelves in October.

My thanks to CFBA and TH1NK for generously providing a copy for review.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Paige Torn, go HERE.