Sunday, March 7, 2010

My Lady by Joyce Wheeler

Author, Joyce Wheeler, creates characters courageous enough to face life’s problems head-on in a compelling story filled with romance, heartache, and new beginnings. My Lady follows the life of vibrant Jolene O’Neil as she reaps the whirlwind of life’s storms.

Air Force Captain John Harris whisks Jolene away to Europe, unaware that another is brooding about her return. Is it just an accident or murder that suddenly takes her husband’s life? Jolene struggles through her questions and grief back at a youth Bible camp in South Dakota, when a dark, compelling man from her past returns to haunt her again.

From a honeymoon in Hawaii to the terror-filled back roads in the Black Hills, Jolene finds herself running from a compromised past into a hope for her future. Can an unrepentant sinner familiar with God choose a course against His will and find salvation? It will take every ounce of Jolene’s faith and trust in God to take the needed steps that will connect the pieces.

As readers trace Jolene’s footsteps along the western prairies, they will discover an inspiring, often humorous, tale of love, faith, and courage.

This book was an enjoyable read, though things happened a little fast at times, and the heroine of the story had a lot of sad things happen to her. The author's intent seemed to be to show that no matter what we go through, God can bring us through it, and that all things do work together for good to those who love Him.

I did have a couple of issues with the book: a marriage between Christian and non-Christian, and too much flirtation between a married person and another.

The book is mostly romance, so readers of Christian romance novels will enjoy this.

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 Lady is available from Winepress Publishers.

Thanks to Winepress for the review copy.

1 comments:

Carmen said...

Growing up in a MN farm, I'd love to read about the author's SD ranch, though I must admit, I didn't know SD had ranches. Must be further West of where I've been in SD.

desertrose5173 at gmail dot com