Ever since I was a child, I wanted to be a writer. When I was in the second grade, I wrote my first poem about a moth. Luckily, I received encouragement from my teacher. During my teen years, I wrote skits that my church teen group performed during special holidays.
It wasn’t until 1980, that I took a course on writing for children and teenagers. I became serious about a career as an author. Soon after that, I began to write stories, articles, poems, and devotionals, which appeared in a variety of Christian publications. Later, I had 5 books of puppet/ventriloquist scripts published. *These books are currently available by contacting me. (wanda@wandabrunstetter.com)
My first novel was released by Barbour Publishing’s book club, Heartsong Presents, in Dec. 1997. I have now written nearly fifty books, with over 4 million books in print. Many of the novels I’ve written are Amish-themed.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Life for Kelly McGregor is a daily drudge of driving her overbearing father’s mules along Pennsylvania’s Lehigh Canal. She dreams of one day owning an art gallery where her own drawings and paintings are on display. But these dreams don’t include marriage. . .not after seeing what her father has done to her mother. How then can Mike Cooper, a general store owner, make her realize he is different than her father and wants to support her artistic talent? Will Kelly learn that dreams can walk hand in hand with a love created by God?
Learn more about Wanda and her books on her Website.
MY REVIEW:
Kelly’s Chance is a departure from the Amish novels I have come to expect from Wanda Brunstetter. I enjoyed learning about the hard life on the canals, something I had never known about. We truly do learn something new every day. The story was easy to read with interesting characters. The primary theme of trusting and depending upon God was well woven throughout the story without being preachy. Overall a good romance with a happy ever after ending.
When Jenna’s cowboy returns to their small hometown in Texas, she discovers that the memories of the past aren’t so easy to shake after all
Popular author Sharon Gillenwater releases a new novel, Jenna’s Cowboy, set in the beautiful part of West Texas where she grew up as the debut novel in The Callahans of Texas series.
Readers meet Jenna Callahan, who has a young son and is working hard at her father’s ranch. She’s content with her life. But she never expected to see Nate Langley back in town—the first guy she ever noticed, the very same one her father sent away all those years ago. And she never thought the attraction they felt would be as strong as ever.
Jenna’s cowboy has some healing of his own to do, though, after two tours of duty in the armed forces. With the help of good friends, strong faith, and a loving family, he hopes to put the horrors of the past behind him—and become the man Jenna deserves.
With an emphasis on simple acts of love, Jenna’s Cowboy gives romance readers what they want most: a love story with a Texas touch. This contemporary novel will appeal to fans of Debbie Macomber and Lisa Wingate.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Sharon Gillenwater was born and raised in west Texas, and loves to write about her native state. The author of ten novels, she is a member of ACFW and Romance Writers of America. When she’s not writing, she and her husband enjoy spending time with their son, daughter-in-law, and adorable grandson. She lives in Port Angeles, Washington.
MY REVIEW:
Have I mentioned that I like books with cowboys in them? I was excited to find yet another one on my blog review list this month, a contemporary one set in Texas this time. I am glad that I had the opportunity to read Jenna’s Cowboy and recommend it to others.
Jenna and Nate were special friends as teens but never revealed their secret feelings to each other before going their separate ways after graduation. The book begins with Nate back home after his military service ends with injuries. Jenna has also returned to her family’s ranch with her young son after a disastrous marriage. They soon find that their feelings for each other are as strong as ever but both have issues to overcome before feeling free to pursue those feelings. Jenna’s Cowboy is a sweet and tender love story that beautifully illustrates Nate and Jenna’s developing relationship.
The author’s description of farm and ranch life in west Texas made me feel as if I were there. There are enough similarities to farm life in Tennessee that I know her descriptions are accurate. I learned a lot about PTSD through Nate’s struggles with it and wonder how many of our young men suffer similar trauma each day after returning from the war. Jenna’s Cowboy deals with some serious subjects but the difficulties are eased by the joyful moments and humor scattered throughout.
This book was provided by Revell for my review.
Available January 2010 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.
Winner of the
2008 Christian Writers Guild Operation First Novel Contest!
Christy Williams finally has her life on track. She’s putting her past behind her and working hard to build a career as an antiquarian book buyer. But things begin to unravel when a stolen Hemingway first edition is found in her possession, framing her for a crime she didn’t commit. With no one to turn to, she yearns for her estranged younger sister, May, whom she abandoned after their parents’ untimely deaths. Soon, Christy’s fleeing from her shattered dreams, her ex-boyfriend, and God. Could May’s Triple Cross Ranch be the safe haven she’s searching for? Will the sisters realize that each possesses what the other desperately needs before it’s too late?
MY REVIEW:
The very first time I saw the cover of Thicker Than Blood I knew I wanted to read the book. As a self-taught graphic artist and an avid reader, the cover had an appeal that could not be denied. My congratulations to the designer of the cover- it is one of the best I’ve seen and reflects the book’s contents very well.
After I received a copy and the day I could finally read it arrived (I try to adhere to my blog review calendar), I was thrilled to find that Thicker Than Blood lived up to my expectations. This is a story with meat to it. The characters are well developed and interact naturally. Their daily lives, their struggles, their hopes and dreams unite to make each character three dimensional – people that could be friends, neighbors, or coworkers. Darlington’s depiction of Christy’s job as a book buyer and May’s life on the ranch are true to life and add depth to an already interesting tale. Difficult subjects such as addiction, physical abuse, shame, abortion, and dishonesty are handled skillfully.
Thicker Than Blood contains all the essential elements of a good novel including an easy to read style, a well paced plot with just the right tension, and natural dialogue. It also doesn’t hurt that there is plenty of action and suspense. A key element is the interaction of the characters, particularly Christy and May as they get to know each other after years apart. This is a book about separation and reconciliation, disgrace and redemption, but most of all the overwhelming grace and mercy of the Lord for those who turn to Him.
I recommend this new author with overwhelming enthusiasm and hope you will pick up a copy of Thicker Than Blood for yourself.
With careful attention to detail, emotion, and scene-setting, C.J. Darlington scores with her debut effort. Here is a special writer you won’t want to miss. —Jerry B. Jenkins, New York Times best selling author
If you love a good read filled with adventure and ultimately redemption, I encourage you to brew the tea, settle into your favorite chair and pick up the page turner that is C.J. Darlington’s imaginative new novel of a modern day sisterhood that triumphs over separation and the raw challenges of life to find the real endurance of both family ties and God’s amazing grace. —Rebecca St. James, Grammy award winning Christian singer and bestselling author With Thicker than Blood, C.J. Darlington proves she’s a novelist for the long-haul, a strong new voice in Christian fiction. This book speaks to the heart, from the heart, about the heart. Readers will not soon forget it. —Sibella Giorello, Christy award-winning author of The Rivers Run Dry & The Clouds Roll Away
Watch the book trailer:
About the Author:
C. J. began writing the story that would become Thicker than Blood (her first novel) when she was a fifteen-year-old homeschool student. She has been in the antiquarian bookselling business for over a decade, scouting for stores similar to the one described in the novelbefore cofounding her own online bookstore. Thicker than Blood was the winner of the 2008 Christian Writers Guild Operation First Novel.
C. J. co-founded the Christian entertainment Web site TitleTrakk.com with her sister, Tracy, and has been actively promoting Christian fiction through book reviews and author interviews. She makes her home in Pennsylvania with her family and their menagerie of dogs and cats. Visit her website www.cjdarlington.com for more info.
I have read a few other reviews about The Choice that have been critical of various aspects of the story – too many deaths, a villain who was exaggerated, etc. Personally, I thought the villain was believable. I have encountered people in my life who had similar attitudes and behavior. I agree that there was an abundance of tragedy in The Choice. Unfortunately, I have also known people who have experienced more than their share of grief. For some unexplained reason, life is just that way for some.
To me the whole point of the story is that through all the adverse events in Carrie’s life, her main concern was to take care of her younger brother and family. Each new tragedy seemed to increase her inner strength even as her hope failed and despair tried to take over. As she walked through the fires, Carrie’s gentle caring spirit touched the people around her. And with the help of one special man, Carrie was once again able to trust the Lord and find peace for herself and forgiveness for others.
I have read quite a few books in the “bonnet fiction” category over the past several years. There are several different authors in this widely popular genre and the Amish are presented from varying viewpoints. Most of the books have been pleasant reading and I have learned quite a bit about the Amish lifestyle through them. I personally enjoyed The Choice and would recommend it to others. The author has an easy to read writing style that kept my attention. This book has romance, suspense, humor, and an excellent spiritual theme. What more could I ask?
A complimentary copy of The Choice was provided by the Baker Publishing Group.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
A fresh fiction series that explores what happens when one young Amish woman must make the choice of a lifetime…
Lancaster County has always been her home–but where does her heart belong?
One moment Carrie Weaver was looking forward to running away with Lancaster Barnstormers pitcher Solomon Riehl–plans that included leaving the Amish community where they grew up. The next moment she was staring into a future as broken as her heart. Now, Carrie is faced with a choice. But will this opportunity be all she hoped? Or will this decision, this moment in time, change her life forever?
A tender story of love, forgiveness, and looking below the surface, The Choice uncovers the sweet simplicity of the Amish world–and shows that it’s never too late to find your way back to God.
ENDORSEMENTS:
“Fisher’s writing brings that Amish sense of peace into your own world. The Choice brings an entirely new perspective to the Amish way of life. You will love it!”
–Kristin Billerbeck, author of What a Girl Wants
“A story of endearing characters. . . . Fisher writes with a fresh mix of humor and depth, splashing raw emotion onto the pages. I guarantee your heart will be touched.”
–Ginger Kolbaba, founding editor of Kyria.com, former editor of Today’s Christian Woman, and author of Desperate Pastors’ Wives
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Suzanne Woods Fisher‘s interest in the Anabaptist cultures can be directly traced to her grandfather, W. D. Benedict, who was raised in the Dunkard Brethren Church in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Benedict eventually became publisher of Christianity Today magazine. Suzanne’s work has appeared in many magazines, including Today’s Christian Woman, Worldwide Challenge, ParentLife, Christian Parenting Today, and Marriage Partnership. She has contributed to several nonfiction books and is the author of Amish Peace and two novels. Fisher resides in Alamo, California.
Suzanne Woods Fisher has straddled the world between the Amish and the English all her life: Many of her relatives are of a strict religious sect like the Amish, known as the Dunkard Brethren Church. Because of Fisher’s ties to the Amish, she has made every effort to keep her storytelling authentic, showcasing the Amish’s strong communities, their simple life-style and their willingness to put each other first. She is also the author of the nonfiction collection of stories about the Amish that came out in October, Amish Peace.
“Available January 2010 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”
Jolene O’Neil has wind, prairie, and cattle in her blood, but circumstances have removed her far from the ranch life she enjoys. John Harris, a handsome Air Force captain, is determined to win her heart, but then there is the ever-present, enticing, urbanite Dexter DeLange . . .
Dexter was the most complex, handsome, and exciting man she had ever known, and she loved him with abandon. However, there were moments she was suspicious of his motives, and even a little scared of his obsession with her . . .
If Jolene follows her heart, will she find happiness, even if she never rides the range again?
From the stability of the family ranch to the glamour of the modeling world, Jolene struggles to find herself and to discover God’s plan for her life. With the prairies of South Dakota and Nebraska as background for this unusual story, Jolene O’Neil rides over the pages and into your heart with refreshing honesty and humor.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Joyce Wheeler grew up on the prairies of South Dakota, learning at an early age to appreciate the greatness of God’s creation. The transition from rancher’s daughter to rancher’s wife when she married Justin came easy, and they have continued to pass their ranching tradition down to their children and grandchildren.
Joyce’s interest in adventure and intrigue persuaded her to conjure up meaningful stories about ordinary people in difficult circumstances. She has walked, ridden, and drove over prairie trails and used those times to not only praise our Creator, but also weave stories that would reflect her appreciation of God’s world.
As an avid reader, Joyce traveled the world in her armchair with a cup of coffee in one hand and a book in the other, until her own unfulfilled desire to write a book began to unfold. At the urging of friends and family, Joyce took delight in developing characters of her own in and among the settings of a ranching lifestyle in which she is knowledgeable. The result was Joyce’s very first book, entitled My Lady.
In addition to being a wife, mother, and grandmother, Joyce has enjoyed being a homemaker, bookkeeper, and gardener. Her hobbies include activities like family gatherings, music, horseback riding, hiking and ranch work. Some of her fondest memories are skiing with her grandchildren and white water rafting on the Snake River. Her greatest joy, however, is the growing knowledge that God is a part of every aspect of our lives and serving Him is the most exciting adventure of all.
MY REVIEW:
I guess you could say that I have mixed feelings about My Lady. The narrative style is not my favorite type book to read. I prefer one with more character interaction and dialogue. I also felt that there was so much going on in this book that it really deserved much more space to develop. Jolene’s first husband John was pretty much a nonentity due to lack of character development. For this reason, it was difficult to sympathize with Jolene’s grief at his death. Dexter, on the other hand, was an annoyance to me and I could not understand Jolene’s attraction to him. Chauncey was a different story. I really liked him but would have liked more character development there also.
Jolene’s life was filled with tragedy and vulnerability. Even her strong faith in God seemed unable to help her overcome her tendency to make poor and hasty choices. As the story progressed, Jolene learned some valuable lessons about herself and God’s faithfulness.
My Lady was provided for review by Wine Press Publishing Group through Glass Road Public Relations.
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