Before I Called You Mine
About
Lauren Bailey may be a romantic at heart, but after a decade of matchmaking schemes gone wrong, there's only one match she's committed to now--the one that will make her a mother. Lauren is a dedicated first-grade teacher in Idaho, and her love for children has led her to the path of international adoption. To satisfy her adoption agency's requirements, she gladly agreed to remain single for the foreseeable future; however, just as her long wait comes to an end, Lauren is blindsided by a complication she never saw coming: Joshua Avery.
Joshua may be a substitute teacher by day, but Lauren finds his passion for creating educational technology as fascinating as his antics in the classroom. Though she does her best to downplay the undeniable connection between them, his relentless pursuit of her heart puts her commitment to stay unattached to the test and causes her once-firm conviction to waver.
With an impossible decision looming, Lauren might very well find herself choosing between the two deepest desires of her heart . . . even if saying yes to one means letting go of the other.
"A Carol Award-winner, as well as a RITA and Inspy nominee for her inspirational romance novels, Deese is also an adoptive parent, which shapes her latest novel. . . . Deese's involving novel is full of genuine feeling and compelling challenges."--Booklist starred review
"Deese's latest novel will touch readers' hearts, moving them near to tears on one page even as they laugh out loud on the next. Those who enjoy inspirational fiction and imperfect characters striving to find their own path to happiness will find this difficult to put down."--Library Journal starred review
Endorsements
"Nicole Deese will crack your heart wide open with this funny, tender, and brilliant story about a woman who finds herself forced to choose between two great loves. I could not put it down."
Kara Isaac, RITA Award-winning author of Then There Was You
"Before I Called You Mine is Nicole's finest work yet. Thoroughly engaging with charming characters you'll want to call friends, an authentic emotional storyline that will touch every part of your heart, and, as expected, exquisite writing that will leave you captivated long after the book is finished."
Tammy L. Gray, RITA Award-winning author
"A story about tough sacrifices, impossible choices, and the love that makes it all worthwhile, Before I Called You Mine is a captivating adventure of the heart that will stay with you--and maybe even change you--long after the final page."
Bethany Turner, award-winning author of Wooing Cadie McCaffrey
"Beautiful, poignant, funny, and romantic--all wrapped into one heartwarming story. Deese knows how to spin a tale that makes you fall in love with the characters and feel like they're friends. Before I Called You Mine will stay with you long after the last page."
Christy Barritt, USA Today bestselling author
"With its unique right-love-wrong-timing premise, Before I Called You Mine is a novel that will keep readers ignoring their chores, reaching for their tissue boxes, and sighing with contentment. It's fresh, soul-stirring, and romantic--all the things we've come to love about a Nicole Deese story."
Connilyn Cossette, Christy and Carol Award-winning author
The Author
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© Rayla Kay Photography Nicole Deese
Nicole Deese is a Christy and Carol Award-winning and bestselling author. When she's not sorting out character arcs and story plots of her own, she can usually be found listening to an audiobook and multitasking at least four different chores at once. She's a...
Continue reading about Nicole Deese
Reviews
"A Carol Award-winner, as well as a RITA and Inspy nominee for her inspirational romance novels, Deese is also an adoptive parent, which shapes her latest novel. . . . Deese's involving novel is full of genuine feeling and compelling challenges."
Booklist starred review
"Deese's latest novel will touch readers' hearts, moving them near to tears on one page even as they laugh out loud on the next. Those who enjoy inspirational fiction and imperfect characters striving to find their own path to happiness will find this difficult to put down."
Library Journal starred review