Thursday, October 5, 2017

The Secret Life of Sarah Hollenbeck By Bethany Turner





Becoming a Christian is the best and worst thing that has ever happened to Sarah Hollenbeck. Best because, well, that's obvious. Worst because, up to this point, she's made her very comfortable living as a well-known, bestselling author of steamy romance novels that would leave the members of her new church blushing. Now Sarah is trying to reconcile her past with the future she's chosen. She's still under contract with her publisher and on the hook with her enormous fan base for the kind of book she's not sure she can write anymore. She's beginning to think that the church might frown on her tithing on royalties from a "scandalous" book. And the fact that she's falling in love with her pastor doesn't make things any easier.

With a powerful voice, penetrating insight, and plenty of wit, Bethany Turner explodes onto the scene with a debut that isn't afraid to deal with the thorny realities of living the Christian life.

Pick up your cop here...
 
 
Bethany Turner has been writing since the second grade, when she won her first writing award for her essay explaining why, if she could have lunch with any person throughout history, she would choose John Stamos. Do-gooders all around her chose Reagan, Thatcher and Gorbachev, but it was Bethany's ode to Uncle Jesse which walked away with the prize. More than 25 years later, her writing is still infused with pop culture and off-the-beaten-track ideas.

Bethany is a born and bred Kentucky girl who relocated to Colorado in 2001, three years after meeting the love of her life in a chat room, back before anyone knew that wasn't always a good idea. Thankfully, it worked out in this case, and she and her husband are the proud parents of two boys. In 2014 Bethany walked away from her career as a bank vice president to step out in faith as a writer. Since then, God has not only opened doors in the publishing world, but has also called her to full-time ministry serving on a church staff. She is an innovative systems administrator for a rural church that is passionate about reaching the unchurched.

Bethany's debut novel for Revell is a romantic comedy which stays true to her pop culture roots, and will be published in October 2017. Her home on the web is www.seebethanywrite.com.

Bethany is proud to say that John Stamos regularly ignores her on social media, even to this very day. 

My Thoughts...
 
Ready for one of the best debut books this year?
I could not put this book down, it had me from the beginning.
This book had it all humor, romance, hope.  The characters were so real to me, Sarah was like one of my friends, I loved her story, and I think that you will to.
This is a 4.5 star book and I can not wait to read the next book that Turner writes. I am sure I'll be in for a  real treat.
The Mary Reader received this book from the publisher for review. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are our own.
 

19 comments:

  1. I love finding new authors. Can't wait to read het book.

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    1. Kenly, You are the WINNER! Congrats! E-mail me your mailing address please.

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  2. As I was reading the review, I thought that this book would be humorous and witty - a book that would interest me and then I read Mary's review at the bottom and she confirmed it. So, this will be on my to read list! Thanks Mary!

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  3. This one sounds really good. I want to read it.

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  4. Another new author to add to my ever growing pile. Sounds like a really good one. Thanks Mary

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  5. I'm going to ask my library to get a copy of this one for me. I bet others will like it as well.

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  6. I will tell my wife about this one, she likes to find new authors.

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  7. Mary, I was wondering about ordering this book, after your review post I know it's one that I want to buy.

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  8. sounds good !! Blessings DanaGirl

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  9. New authors writing funny happy books. I can't wait to read this one.

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  10. I'm very excited to read this new author's book. It sounds like she is going to be one that I add to my list of must reads.

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  11. This looks so good. The cover is cute too!

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  12. Sounds like a book not to missed. Thank you for your great review, Mary.

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  13. I've been wondering how this book was ever since spotting it on Amazon! Now I know it's as good as it sounds. Thanks for the review Mary!

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  14. I would love to read this one. Must check my local library.Nice review!

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