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Friday, June 3, 2022

Book Review and Giveaway - Taming Julia by Jodie Wolfe -- On Tour with Celebrate Lit

 

Taming Julia

About the Book

Book: Taming Julia

Author: Jodie Wolfe

Genre: Christian fiction

Release date: November 2011

TamingJulia_w12704_750In 1875, Kansas bachelor Drew Montgomery’s sole desire is to serve God, but his congregation’s ultimatum that he marry or leave, forces him to advertise for a wife by proxy.

Jules Walker strides into Drew’s life wearing breeches and toting a gun and saddle–more cowboy than bride. After years on the trail, she’s not exactly wife material, but she longs for home and family, and will do anything to ensure Drew never discovers what she really is.

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Author

JodieCowboy2Jodie Wolfe creates novels where hope and quirky meet. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW), Faith, Hope & Love Christian Writers, and COMPEL Training. She’s been a semi-finalist and finalist in various writing contests. When not writing she enjoys spending time with her husband in Pennsylvania.

 

More from Jodie

I love mail-order bride stories, so I wondered what would happen if a pastor advertised for a genteel woman and the opposite showed up instead. I thought I could further complicate things by having the couple marry by proxy before she even arrives. Just that scenario alone made for a fun story to write.

 

My heroine, Jules Walker moved to Kansas from Texas to be a mail-order bride, even though she didn’t know what that was at the time. For most of her adult life, she’s helped her brother track outlaws in Texas as part of his job as a deputy US Marshal.

 

As part of the story, she has to come to terms with a traumatic event in her past. I won’t share more so I don’t spoil it for you, but I needed somewhere in Texas for this incident to take place. Because my husband’s aunt and uncle live in Texas, they were a wealth of resources when it came to accurately describing the area. One place in particular is called the Narrows and it’s situated close to them, but it’s on private property.

 

A couple years ago, I had the opportunity to travel and visit them. We received special permission to go on the private ranch and see the Narrows. It’s an unexpected area with sharp limestone rocks, and a deep cavern carved out by the Blanco River. Most times, it’s a sleepy waterway, but when the area has a flash flood, water rushes through the cavern and often to the top. When this happens, you can hear the water gushing from far away.

 

I so enjoyed being able to see the area first-hand. There are places where the water is shallow and others that are extremely deep pools. It has such a distinct beauty. At some point I hope to use this setting in another book.

 

That’s a small snapshot into how Taming Julia came to life. I hope you’ll enjoy the story of two unlikely people who are thrown together.


My Thoughts

 Taming Julia is a Christian Historical Fiction story that is written by Jodie Wolfe. I have read several of this author's books and have always loved all of them. One of the best things about this author is her ability to take you back in time. Her research is always historically accurate and you really feel like you are in 1875 and watching everything unfold. 

This is book one in the Burrton Springs Brides series. Somehow, I read them out of order (I read book two first). Now that I have read book one - the characters in book two make more sense. Drew Montgomery just wants to serve God. Wholeheartly without any distractions. However, his congregation has stated that he needs to get married, or he cannot serve as the Minister any more. He places a want ad for a bride to be married by proxy. 

Enter Jules Walker. Complete with pants, saddle and gun.  She was raised on the trail by her brother, and lacks the social graces that go along with being a lady. She does not know much about God or running a home. This starts the marriage off, well hysterically. 

This book was a good easy read. I laughed a lot. Drew had envisioned what he thought his wife would be like - and Jules is the most far thing from that. The characters are well written, the storyline is entertaining and intriguing. The author has done such a great job. 

Thank you to the author, publisher and Celebrate Lit for allowing me to read a copy of this book - all thoughts are my own. 

Blog Stops

A Baker’s Perspective, May 25 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 25

Texas Book-aholic, May 26

Simple Harvest Reads, May 27 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)

For Him and My Family, May 28

deb’s Book Review, May 29

For the Love of Literature, May 30 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, May 30

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, May 31

Locks, Hooks and Books, June 1

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, June 2

Connie’s History Classroom, June 3

Inklings and notions, June 4

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, June 5

Blossoms and Blessings, June 6 (Author Interview)

Vicarious Living, June 7

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Jodie is giving away the grand prize of an audio CD of 12 historical novels and novellas. Stories of chivalry, adventure and romance!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/1e36a/taming-julia-celebration-tour-giveaway

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