BACK COVERDespite her secular mindset, Rachel Marie’s cousin, Samantha Kidd, is drafted to join the Bangkok Christian School team to fill in for a semester teaching calculus and trigonometry. Recently divorced and seething with bitterness, she arrives with seven-year-old Paloma in tow, and struggles to meet the Thai cultural norm of soft-spoken tranquility. Not entirely sure she’s ready to … ready to embrace Christianity, Samantha soon begins to fall for Tommy Daggett, the school’s joke-loving choir director. Readers are pulled into a pulse-pounding adventure involving a battle of wits with kingpins in Thailand’s rampant sex industry.
David B. Smith is also the author of the companion teen series, Bucky Stone Adventures. He grew up in Bangkok and loves crafting stories with colorful characters and unpredictable plot twists. Jump into the adventure; plenty more tales are coming soon!
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I always enjoy David Smith’s writings. I know they will be Christ-centered and will contain many expressions of God’s love. And a Happy New You is no exception. David’s experience of growing up in Thailand threads its way throughout this book, and with the characters Rachel Marie, Tommy, and Samantha, you see many instances of God’s leading, care and protection, forgiveness and patience. It’s interesting, the story line is current, and I completely recommend for your reading enjoyment!
This book was a great reading. I enjoyed the idea having an adventure to Bangkok to become a math teacher to teach students and to fall in love with a perfect man. I recommend this book to anyone who loves to hear a great travel story and that love comes to everyone.
This is a three book series, although I skipped the first book, “Love in a Distant Land”. I absolutely enjoyed the second book, “And a Happy New You”. This was a easy to read novel and very well put together. It touches topics like drama, romance, faith, and the journey to Christianity. The book takes setting in Thailand in varies locations with vivid descriptions. It has some edgy twists that will not make you want to put your book down. I definitely look forward to reading the other two series of this book. A must read! 🙂
This is the second book in a trilogy about a Christian school in Bangkok. It builds on the story and characters developed in the first book, Love In a Distant Land. Would recommend you read that book first. Both books display an intimate knowledge of life in Thailand by an author who lived there as a boy and returns frequently. The plots are very true to life and display meaningful challenges that confront everyday Christians. I am now reading the third book in the trilogy. Once you start reading these books it is hard to lay them down!
The second book in the series, although not my typical go to read genre has captured my attention. It has a bit of everything from drama to moments of joy. I would definitely recommend it to many people and I would like to continue on with the third book in the series.
This book had great original characters who all intertwine nicely in this romantic, suspensful and Christian based story.
I really enjoyed Mr. Smith’s book, ” Love in a Distant Land.,” so I was delighted to see that another one of his books in this series has been published. “And a Happy New You” was a great read. Mr. Smith grew up in Thailand and eventually the major portion of the story takes place in the environs of a school in Bangkok. The author uses so many interesting graphic details that I felt like I was right there in the story, experiencing the sights, sounds, smells (even a bit of language) of Thailand. I think this setting and the descriptions add a richness to the book. It is easy to relate to Mr. Smith’s characters…ordinary folks, yet quirky, adventuresome, dedicated and courageous. This particular book has some very unexpected and suspenseful plot twists (like, whoa! didn’t see that coming!)…I couldn’t put it down! The story contains a spiritual thread without being “preachy.” It is not only an entertaining book but also inspiring and reflective. If you enjoy a clean romance story that still packs plenty of adventure and excitement, this is a great choice.
Great author encouraging the my youth to read his work. a great way to teach about the life of Jesus-Christ and shows how he can work in your life if you simply allow his will in your life and understand that he wants the best for you. i love the way the series is written and i am the proud owner of the first three books my wife and I enjoy the readings so much. We are Sad when we miss them. God bless You Professor Smith and your entire family and your wonderful grandchildren. A true inspiration of how you share Christ and plant a seed in young people with your readings.