Search Results for: blog reconstructing natalie laura jensen walker

Miss Invisible – Laura Jensen Walker

Another book by my new favorite author, Laura Jensen Walker, is “Miss Invisible.” I related to this story on a lot of levels. Our main character is Freddie, a plus-sized woman who works decorating cakes at a bakery. Her boss, the super-slim, super-chic Anya, likes to keep her in the background while she herself deals with the customers. This is fine with Freddie—she knows she doesn’t have the flair with people Anya has. But suddenly, it would seem that things are going Freddie’s way. She meets Deborah, a self-described “big beautiful black woman,” while at church, and she loves the … Continue reading →

Daring Chloe – Laura Jensen Walker

“Daring Chloe” is the first book in a new series by award-winning author Laura Jensen Walker. The series is entitled “Getaway Girls” and is about a group of women who comprise a book club, and have decided to live out some of the adventures they read about. Chloe’s fiancé showed his true colors the night before their wedding. He sent her a text message in the middle of the night, telling her he couldn’t go through with the ceremony, and then he went backpacking out in the wilderness. Chloe can’t understand what went wrong, and she really can’t understand why … Continue reading →

Author Interview – Laura Jensen Walker on Her Other Books

Yesterday we began an interview with Laura Jensen Walker, author of the delightful and touching novel “Reconstructing Natalie.” If you missed yesterday’s installment, click here to get caught up. Laura, thanks for being here again. Can you tell us a bit about the award you received for the novel? I’m honored that “Reconstructing Natalie” was chosen as the first ever “Novel of the Year” by the Women of Faith (TM) organization in 2006. Women of Faith (TM) is a national Christian organization that offers weekend conferences around the country in sold-out stadiums of 20,000+ and features inspiring speakers, energizing music … Continue reading →

Author Interview – Laura Jensen Walker

I recently reviewed a poignant and touching book entitled “Reconstructing Natalie.” I’m delighted to bring you an interview with the author of that book, Laura Jensen Walker. Laura, your novel is the story of a young woman who undergoes a double mastectomy for breast cancer. You yourself are a breast cancer survivor. Was writing Natalie’s story difficult for you, or was it theraputic? Writing Natalie really wasn’t difficult because I’d already written a non-fiction book about my cancer experience a few years ago called ‘Thanks for the Mammogram! (Fighting Cancer with Faith, Hope & a Healthy Dose of Laughter)‘ so … Continue reading →

Reconstructing Natalie – Laura Jensen Walker

I didn’t feel well over the weekend and so I got a lot of reading done. Out of the six books I’ve read since last Friday night, “Reconstructing Natalie” was by far my favorite. Natalie is twenty-seven and unmarried, but she thinks that might be about to change – there’s a new man in her life and he seems to be perfect in every way. She’s got a good job working in her parents’ company, and she’s living practically rent-free in her parents’ guesthouse. She has good friends and she loves her life. But one day while trying on a … Continue reading →

Christina Applegate Has a Double Mastectomy

Yesterday, the headlines read something like “Christina Applegate says she is 100% clear of cancer.” I thought to myself “Wow that is a bit of a bold statement.” I mean, how can she be so sure? Today, the news broke that the “Samantha Who?” star had undergone a double mastectomy. For those that may not know, this means she had both her breasts surgically removed. The 36 year old actress had been diagnosed with breast cancer in one breast earlier this month, so why the surgery to remove both breasts, which some may see as radical? In her first interview … Continue reading →

The Hidden – Kathryn Mackel

You know, I never thought there was such a thing as a Christian supernatural thriller, but I found one. It’s called “The Hidden,” and it was written by Kathryn Mackel. Psychiatrist Susan Stone has been burying herself in work to try to overcome the grief surrounding her son’s death, but it’s not working. Memories of him flash through her mind and she fights them off, trying desperately not to remember what happened, what led up to those last moments. When the phone rings to tell her that her father has been in an accident, she leaves everything behind to go … Continue reading →

Media Week in Review – June 22nd – June 30th

After the Rains by Deborah Raney is book about a teenage missionary, a car accident, and redemption. The Confession is by well known Beverly Lewis and is about an Amish family, secrets, and shuning. “Firstborn” by Robin Lee Hatcher is a Christian novel about an unplanned pregnancy, lifelong secrets, and forgiveness. “Dragonflight” is a popular science fiction book by Anne McCaffrey. For picture books, consider Treasure Hunt by Allan Ahlberg, a charming book about what and who are really treasures in our lives. “Blueberries for Sal” is a classic and well-loved picture book about a little girl, her mother, and … Continue reading →

After the Rains – Deborah Raney

We first met Nate and Daria when I reviewed “Beneath a Southern Sky,” about a couple who goes to Columbia to serve as missionaries. In “After the Rains,” it’s now seventeen years later and their daughter, Natalie, is in high school. She’s feeling confused about her mother’s remarriage to Cole, and wishes she had a closer relationship to her father, Nate, who is still in Columbia. She’s confused about who she is and how she fits into her family, and when her stepsister is asked to Homecoming by the boy she’s been in love with forever, she’s even further confused. … Continue reading →

Coffee Rings – Yvonne Lehman

Christian novel “Coffee Rings” by Yvonne Lehman incorporated many of the elements I like in a good story. We have three main characters who were brought together by a tragedy years ago, and they each moved away to try to put the past behind them. However, they all eventually came back, knowing they couldn’t escape it forever. Annette is an attractive redhead who owns a sandwich shop situated in a charming Victorian home. She was widowed young and has been making a life for herself, but now she has a chance to love again, with handsome and distinguished Curt, who … Continue reading →