Welcome! I'm so glad you are here because I have three great book reviews for you today from two fabulous authors, Jodie Wolfe and Kristen Hogrefe Parnell. Plus, interviews with both! This second episode in this series of Book Reviews and Author Q&A's promises to be as informative and fun as Episode 1. Read on and get the inside scoop on some wonderful Christian Fiction Authors and their stories.
Before we begin, I want to express my gratitude to all our Veterans, past, present, and future. From my own family, I have a father-in-law, two brothers, a son, uncles, cousins, and friends who have served or are serving. Any man or woman who puts their life on the line for freedom's sake and to protect our country and its ideals deserves to be honored. May God bless our Veterans and their families who serve beside them. I am so thankful for their service and sacrifices. ❤️🇺🇸💙
Also—Happy 57th Anniversary to my Mother and Father-in-Law! They have treated me like a daughter since I married their son 35 years ago. They are a loving and godly influence in my life, and I am so thankful for them.
Book Reviews and Author Q&A's
Review of Abigail’s Pursuit by Jodie Wolfe
Set in Shippensburg, Pennsylvania, in 1864, Abigail’s Pursuit is a story of tragedy, determination, love, and forgiveness. When death and debt invade her young life and leave her alone to fight for survival, Abigail Stewart refuses to give in or give up. She works from before dawn to past dusk with tears and sweat co-mingling, but won’t admit defeat, even if she must accept help from her worst enemy or feed a company of them. This strong woman faces myriad emotions and struggles to save the family farm and herself despite the unwanted pursuit of a man and his mother who seem anything but trustworthy. This story speaks of desperation, bitterness, unforgiveness, and the power of Love to offer hope, to heal the broken, and to forgive the unforgivable.
Daniel Thompson has a debt to pay, and he’ll use the sweat of his brow and the strength of his back to do it, even if the one he owes hates his guts. Daniel’s story begins with the consequences of past mistakes. These mistakes are like what many young men make with their big dreams, bravado, and the belief they are invincible. In Daniel’s story, we see the aftermath of those poor choices and the difficulty of rebuilding a life that has come crashing down. However, in Daniel’s case, his humility and trust in the Lord are the path to redemption, forgiveness, and love.
This is a beautiful tale of God taking broken lives and making them better than new. While we mourn the losses and pain of these characters, revel in their strength and determination, and cry through their humble prayers, this story is a lesson in hope, mercy, and grace. I highly recommend Abigail’s Pursuit and look forward to more stories set in Shippensburg, Pennsylvania, by Author Jodie Wolfe.
Book Reviews and Author Q&A's
Author Q&A: Author Jodie Wolfe
Sandy: What does your writing and research schedule look like?
Jodie: Research all depends on what book I’m writing. This first book in my Shippensburg series required a bit more research than normal for two reasons. I’ve never written anything set in the Civil War era before. Because the setting is in a town I’m very familiar with, it was important for me to get all the details right. I was blessed to be in contact with a local historian who was a great asset for this project.
Sandy: Tell us something about yourself that is non-writing related.
Jodie: I love winter and snow and am always hoping and praying for more throughout the winter season. I also enjoy walking in the beauty of God’s Creation.
Sandy: Why did you decide to write for the Christian fiction market?
Jodie: I’ve always been drawn to Christian fiction, so it was a natural segway to write for that market.
Sandy: When did you start your writing career?
Jodie: That one is harder to narrow down. I had some poems published in Sunday School take home papers when I was in high school. I spent almost 10 years as a columnist in a homeschooling magazine before it went out of print. As for writing fiction, I started writing novels as a pre-teen.
Sandy: Where is your favorite place to write?
Jodie: I don’t know about my favorite, but I typically write in my office with my story board right behind my computer screen, so I have easy access to seeing my characters and the area where they live.
Sandy: What do you like to read?
Jodie: Not surprisingly my favorite thing to read is Christian historical romance. :)
Sandy: What was the inspiration for the Shippensburg, Pennsylvania series? (Time to Come Home Series)
Jodie: I’ve wanted to set a story in Shippensburg, PA for quite a while but until now, I didn’t feel it was in the Lord’s timing yet. I actually had started a story several years ago set in this town, but the Lord prompted me to write a few other books first. Then when I finally felt it was time to return to Shippensburg as a setting, I was given two journals set in 1864 and had daily entries of the weather, things that were going on around town, with the war, etc. so I knew I had to write a story set in this time period even though I had never done so before.
Sandy: While studying the Civil War’s effect on Shippensburg, PA, is there a historical fact that particularly intrigued you?
Jodie: With living in southcentral PA, I’m familiar with a bit of the effect of Civil War on the area. I was surprised to find out that the smoke from the burning of Chambersburg could be seen in Shippensburg. I also talked with residents who mentioned family members had passed down that the sound of the cannons from Gettysburg could be heard in Shippensburg.
Sandy: What was the most challenging aspect of writing Abigail’s Pursuit?
Jodie: This series is about prodigals which has been a challenging topic to write about.
Sandy: What are your favorite and least favorite character traits of Abigail and Daniel?
Jodie: I love Abigail’s tenacity with working and moving forward despite all she’s going through. But I’m saddened by her using her grief as a barrier, lashing out when help is right in front of her.
For Daniel, I love his faithfulness. Despite all the grief Abi throws his way, he still responds in a loving way. As for least favorite trait, I guess it would be how he often doubts himself and the decisions he’s made.
Sandy: Who is your favorite character in Abigail’s Pursuit and why?
Jodie: That’s like asking a mother which is your favorite child. :) I like Daniel and Abi. They both were fun to create and bring to life.
Book Reviews and Author Q&A's
Book Review of Take My Hand by Kristen Hogrefe Parnell
(Crossroads Suspense 1)
Take My Hand by Kristen Hogrefe Parnell is a fast-paced, edge-of-your-seat kind of story. This Christian Romantic Suspense did not disappoint. Trauma Therapist Kaley Colbert finds herself in the middle of a mess when she fills in for her boss and holds an emergency counseling session with someone who ends up dead. As the last one to speak with this murdered client, Kaley is in neck-deep trouble. But she doesn’t know it until it’s too late.
Thankfully, her ex-boyfriend Reef Mitchell isn’t ready to give up on Kaley and he holds out hope they can mend their relationship. But he may have to save her life first.
There are plenty of twists and turns in Take My Hand, which would make a great movie (in my humble opinion). From snow-covered mountains to gulf seas, you’ll find danger, mystery, and/or romance on every page. You won’t want to put this book down. Also, the spiritual lessons of faith and trust in this story are deep, meaningful, and worth learning for our own personal adventures.
I highly recommend, Take My Hand, and encourage you to follow this author and let her books take you from one adventure to another.
Book Review of Hold Your Breath by Kristen Hogrefe Parnell
(Crossroads Suspense 2)
Kristen Hogrefe Parnell does it again in this second book in the Crossroads Suspense series! This page-turner is definitely worth the read. This time, we travel from the Bahamas to the mountains of North Carolina and back again. Jayna Scott, a travel blogger, is a former model with a dark past. Bad choices have marked her life, but when the wrong choice leads to being controlled by some very dangerous people, Jayna has nowhere to turn until she meets Kaley Colbert and her friends. Jayna has a ton of baggage, past and present, but with friends like Kaley and private investigator Liam Bracken, can she find her way to a new life? And though Liam is a gringo, Jayna can’t help but be attracted to his “good guy” persona. But is he for real, or is Liam using her like everyone else from her past? Maybe if she can survive the current nightmare, she’ll discover whether he’s legit or not. And if he is . . . maybe his God is too.
Liam Bracken has enough experience in law enforcement to know when someone is in trouble. And, Jayna Scott is in big trouble, but is she the guilty party or an innocent victim? Liam’s attraction to Jayna comes on fast and furious, but he can’t let himself fall for a woman who isn’t available or who might be involved in criminal activity. Activity he’s been investigating.
As in Take My Hand, this romantic suspense is fast-paced with enough twists and turns to make you dizzy. The lessons woven throughout this story on forgiveness, healing, and redemption are beautiful reminders of our loving and merciful Savior, Jesus Christ. I highly recommend Hold Your Breath and can’t wait to read the next book in the Crossroads Suspense series.
Book Reviews and Author Q&A's
Author Q&A: Author Kristen Hogrefe Parnell
Sandy: What inspires you to write Christian romantic suspense?
Kristen: I enjoy writing this genre because it is such an effective vehicle for showing how God can use the problems in our lives to draw us to Him. Plus, our own lives are full of suspense—just not usually to the degree we find in fiction!
Sandy: Your Crossroads Suspense series transports characters to the setting of Beech Mountain, North Carolina. Why did you choose this setting?
Kristen: Beech Mountain, North Carolina, is a setting near and dear to my heart. My husband taught me to ski there when we were dating, he proposed near there, and we are now making new memories there with our young son. This setting is stunning during any season, and so, I wanted to write a series that captured that beauty. Beech Mountain isn’t the only setting in the Crossroads Suspense series, but it features into every book. Characters not only face literal crossroads between Beech Mountain and another setting, but they also face spiritual crossroads as they fight for truth, justice—and their lives.
Sandy: What do you do when you're not writing?
Kristen: When I’m not writing, I’m seeing the world through my toddler’s eyes. My little boy is one of my greatest joys and blessings from God. I also design curriculum online, which has allowed me to be home and savor time with him. My husband and I also enjoy travel, and our son loves the beach, just like his parents.
Sandy: What have you researched that makes you think the FBI might be interested in you?
Kristen: For my work-in-progress, my online search queries might raise eyebrows. The villain demands a prisoner swap between a child and a felon, so I have searched for whether or not such a swap has happened. While prisoner exchanges do occur internationally, they aren’t something that takes place stateside. As a result, I’ve also been researching prison breaks. So yes, my search history looks questionable at the moment.
Sandy: Would you tell us about your latest release, Hold Your Breath?
Kristen: My latest release is Hold Your Breath, book two in my Crossroads Suspense series. While each book can stand alone, the characters in the series are interconnected through a young professional group at Crossroads Christian Church. They share in each other’s faith journeys, adventures—and danger.
Sandy: Tell us about your characters at the beginning of Hold Your Breath. What are their goals and values? Do they have unique skills or interests?
Kristen: At the beginning of the book, Jayna is outwardly a travel blogger wanting to bring awareness to the recovering communities of the Bahamas (post hurricane), but inwardly, she is a young woman desperate for love. Unfortunately, she once again seeks it in the wrong place, this time, with dangerous consequences.
Liam Bracken is a private investigator with a big heart that has been disappointed more than once. The last woman he liked chose his best friend over him, and now, he’s helping that same best friend plan a surprise engagement in Beech Mountain during his church group’s trip there. His Irish red hair earns him the nickname Ginger Ale from the mysterious Jayna who joined the group at the last minute. He is not only a surprisingly good cook, but he also has a keen intuition about people—and he can tell Jayna is not only running from, but terrified of, something.
Sandy: Would you share with us what you are working on now?
Kristen: My latest project—the one responsible for my questionable online search history—is Watch Your Back, book three in the series. It is scheduled to release April 2025, and I am so excited to share Avery and Ethan’s story with readers.
Did you enjoy those book reviews and author interviews as much as I enjoyed doing them??? I sure hope so! Make sure to give the authors some love in the comments and get your copies of those books as soon as you can!
Next time we plan to meet authors Tim Echenbrenner and Andrea Evans! Don't miss it! If you aren't subscribed, hit that button below and make sure you don't miss a thing—BLOG POSTS, UPDATES, AND NEWSLETTERS!
AND . . .
Did you know I had my 1st fictional story published this month? I was one of twelve authors who won a place in Spark Flash Fiction Magazine's Fall 2024 Contest Issue! I am so honored and thankful! Hit the button below to read the free online issue.
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