Book: Blessings in the Bargain

Author: Kari Trumbo

Genre: Christian Contemporary Romance

Release date: September 27, 2022

Despite a career in logistics, Courtney is unprepared to get lost at sea…

A fated trip to the docks with her closest pal Annie leads to disaster. Ship Captain Lex Ford agrees to take Courtney and two of her friends on what was to be a quick trip to test a new boat. A dangerous storm traps them against a reef, damaging communications and stranding them at sea.

Lex knew this was a bad idea…

He hated having people on his ship with him. Ever since his partner left, he doesn’t share his life with anything but the seagulls. So, when Courtney’s friend Rafe offers him a deal on a new boat, he’d rather ignore the offer.

His heart isn’t ready for how he feels about Courtney, and watching her brave the elements after the storm makes him want to protect her. But the last woman he loved just walked away. And what about their age gap? He’s far older than her. The Lord is good at turning bad situations for good, but can even He make this mess right?

This Breakers Head novel is Kari Trumbo’s final novel in the Independence Islands Series featuring five islands, six authors, and a boatload of happily-ever-afters.

The Independence Islands Series: beach reads aren’t just for summer anymore.

Click here to get your copy!

An Author’s Take Review

If you like contemporary Christian romance stories, check out Blessings in the Bargain by Kari Trumbo. This book is part of the Independence Island series. However, it also makes for a great standalone book, so don’t worry if you haven’t read the others in the series.

The story opens with talk of a harmless boat ride. Rafe Tedfield, a boat salesman, convinces Lex Ford, a boat captain, to take a short tour around the islands on a new boat he hopes Lex will buy. Begrudgingly, Lex agrees. The men are joined by Rafe’s pregnant wife, Anne, and her friend Courtney for the tour.

The brief excursion turned into a 3-hour tour. Truthfully, it conjured up memories of the old tv sitcom Gilligan’s Island with a similar outcome, but instead of being washed up onto some island, the boat gets stranded at sea. No power means no way to call for help.

The story gets interesting when Lex and Courtney form a connection. Both have experienced traumatic pasts spawned by unhealthy relationships. Lex is twice her age, which makes Courtney question her attraction; however, after several days together, age becomes less of an issue. They are just surprised that talking to each other is easy, especially since they don’t like people. The time together causes Lex and Courtney to reflect on their lives and wonder if they are ready to move past their pain.

Outside of the drama that goes along with being stranded at sea for days on end, my favorite parts of the book were the threads of God throughout the story. We are reminded several times that God can turn bad situations into good. A concept we need to hear more often. The author did a beautiful job of clearly demonstrating God’s blessings in a relatable way. There is nothing God can’t do.

Overall, I found the book to be an excellent read. I give Blessings in the Bargain 5 out of 5 stars.

Note: I reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, which I received through Celebrate Lit. I was not required to write a positive review, nor was I compensated for sharing my thoughts. I am disclosing this per FTC regulations.

About the Author

Kari Trumbo is the creator and co-author of the best-selling Christian Historical Romance series, Cutter’s Creek; selling over 200,000 copies. She has published over 45 titles in seven series. When she’s not writing, editing, plotting, or managing, she home schools her children and pretends to keep up with them. She loves reading, listening to contemporary Christian music, singing when no one’s listening, and curling up with a fluffy blanket when winter hits. She makes her home in central Minnesota with my husband of over twenty years, two daughters, two sons, one cat, and one hungry wood stove.