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Monday, August 6, 2012

You're talking about The Widow of Saunders Creek



(Don't click the try it before you buy it link, I can't get it to work but I love the ad so decided to keep it anyway)

A lot of writers refuse to read reviews. They have their reasons and I do understand. If a review is scathing, it can suck all the writing confidence right out of a girl. If it’s glowing, well, it can raise her opinion of herself from slug of the year to “Jane Austen who?”

To be honest, I take it by spells. I read voraciously during the first week of release or so, then I breathe a little and go back and read what’s on Amazon every now and then. Today I stayed in bed all day, not feeling well, and thought I’d browse over there. I was blown away by the reviews. And honestly, most of you whether on Amazon, Christianbook.com, or other blogsites, are hearing the song of my heart. I love the conversation, even the viewpoint of those who disagree with the fundamental theology of the book, which I will say is that “ghosts” are demons looking to mess with humanity.

So I thought I’d take today to give my thanks to those of you who not only read the book, but also take your valuable time and write a review. It matters.
Here are just a few: (in the spirit of fairness, I’ll include the ones that didn’t give me goosebumps too)

5 of 5 stars
I've reviewed another title by Tracey Bateman, and I have to say, she is definitely near the top of my favorite author's list. This book was just too good to put down, and I stayed up late, reading it in one setting. You won't want to miss this one, to be sure.

4 of 5 stars
I decided to review this novel because I love gothic novels and spooky old houses, and I wondered how a Christian author would integrate these themes into her writing while still giving the glory to Christ. I personally thought the author did a fine job. She consulted several former ghost-hunters who have now turned to Christianity and I thought she did a good job of depicting generational strongholds and demonic influences while still making the point that Christ is the Lord over all and that our authority comes from Christ. This book has been quite controversial in Christian circles, but I applaud the author's ability to directly address spiritual warfare without delving into some sort of vague mysticism or belittling the power of Christ.

Spiritual warfare aside, I think the author portrayed grief, disappointment, and recovery well. If you're looking for a different sort of read with quality characters that deals with spiritual warfare, I recommend this book.

5 of 5 stars
Most Christian fiction, especially romantic, novels shy away from the topic of ghosts, but in The Widow of Saunders Creek, Bateman explores the supernatural that just can't be explained. Hoping to connect to her husband's past, widow Corrie moves back to her husband's family farm in the Ozarks where she finds she is not alone in the house. Rumors of ghosts and strange occurrences in the house leave Corrie wondering if her war hero husband has come back to her. Will she find the answers she desperately needs or will she find herself involved in something she can't control?
Fans of Christian fiction will love this book. Its unique spin on a romance novel makes it one I will want to reread.

2 of 5 stars
If I need to sum up my initial thoughts on this book, I might have to say "strange". While I am fully aware that spiritual warfare exists and that mountain people may have some odd ways of thinking, I must say that I have never met anyone like Jerrod's extended family and people of Saunders Creek believing in ghosts and haunted houses. Even Eli, who is the strongest Christian in the book says in his mind that there is no evidence from the Bible or from reality.....Isn't the Bible and reality the same thing? Since those wonderings occur on page 15, it left me wondering about the theology of the whole story.

Overall, I did enjoy watching the friendship develop between Corrie and Eli but all the supernatural thinking sort of got in my way. This probably won't be a title I will add to our church library.

FROM TRACEY: I think the review got a little caught up in semantics, but I do highly respect the opinion of anyone willing to read my book and consider it for their church library! Even though Widow didn’t make the cut. ☺ I hope this reviewer will give me another chance with another title to make it into her church library. It would be an honor.

4 of 5 stars

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. Tracey Bateman developed the plot line and characters well, and both were very informative and realistic. Her themes of forgiveness, spiritual and emotional healing, and the danger of communicating with demons were clear and well presented. I would highly recommend this novel, and I cannot wait to read more of Tracey's novels. You can read the first chapter Here and check out the author's website here.

5 of 5 stars
WOW! That would be the best way to describe this book. To be completely honest, if it had been written by someone other than Tracey Bateman - or an author that I knew - I doubt I would have read the book simply based on the front and back covers of the book. You've got a preacher/contractor, a widow/artist, a demon posing as a dead war hero, and a witch. Strange combination for a Christian romance novel, but it worked. And the ending. (sigh) So sweet. I really hope this is going to be a series. I would love to see Eli and Corrie again.

FROM TRACEY: And there are many more. These were just a few, and my way of saying thank you for the conversation, for caring enough to write a review, write to me on facebook and email, and repost on twitter. You guys are the best. If you'd like to read the rest of the reviews or are intrigued enough to order the book, you can find them on amazon.com, chistianbooks.com, barnesandnoble.com and lots of other places.

1 comment:

Amy said...

Well, I for one, most certainly enjoyed it!

 
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