We’re still celebrating the Readers Appreciation Giveaway!!! 10 of your fave authors, 10 books, 1 $100 Amazon Gift Card, lots of great conversations. So much FUN! Today, we get to hear from another author that I only discovered recently (and am now trying to catch up!!), Jennifer Rodewald.
Dear readers,
Here’s what blows me away: People seem to like what I write. Honestly, I usually think most people think I’m nuts. But you have showered me with encouragement in the form of emails, PMs (not PMS!), and touching reviews. There have been notes that have made me tear up, beautiful reviews that have come in just hours after I’ve said to God that I’m too thin on this writing thing and just can’t do it, and I gain fresh strength.
Thank you doesn’t seem sufficient, but it is what I have. So, truly, thank you. Over and over again.
~jen
One of the books that someone will win in the Readers Appreciation Giveaway is Jennifer’s latest novel The Carpenter’s Daughter.
One word can change a life.
Sarah Sharpe has grown up as a carpenter’s daughter, knowing only the rough and work-heavy world of her father’s blue-collar profession. Abandoned by her mother as a baby, she’s lived twenty-one years content to drive nails at her dad’s side. Following her father into the world of construction was a natural path, and she took it without a second thought. But a harsh comment about her “butch” appearance sends her on a search for identity.
Enter handsome and easygoing Jesse Chapman, the roofer she meets on her first foray into volunteer work for Homes For Hope. In every way, the quirky man is her opposite—confident, a people kind of guy, and most importantly, happy. His likable qualities continue to draw her in, and for some reason he keeps coming back to her. But they can’t be more than friends—he’s made that crystal clear. Except for a handful of times…and the confusion is driving her crazy.
Sarah’s quest for self-definition becomes more tangled than she ever imagined, and she discovers that the journey will take her deeper than clothes and makeup. Filling the void in her heart becomes an obsession she cannot escape. How far is she willing to go to discover who she really is?
Jennifer Rodewald is passionate about the Word of God and the powerful vehicle of story. The draw to fiction has tugged hard on her heart since childhood, and when she began pursuing writing she set on stories that reveal the grace of God.
Aiming to live with boundless enthusiasm, her creed is vision, pursuit, and excellence. Blessed with a robust curiosity, she loves to research. Whether she’s investigating the history of a given area, the biography of a Christian icon, or how nature declares the glory of God, her daily goal is to learn something new.
After growing up in Denver, Jen moved to Nebraska to attend college where she met and married a Husker. She now lives and writes in a lovely speck of a town where she watches with amazement while her children grow up way too fast, gardens, laughs at her horses and chickens, and marvels at God’s mighty hand in everyday life. Four kids and her own personal superman make her home in southwestern Nebraska delightfully chaotic. Connect with Jennifer on her website, Facebook, and Twitter.
(Jennifer is traveling today but will be checking in as she can! Let’s give her lots to catch up on when she gets to where she’s going! lol)
Thank you! I’m looking forward to reading The Carpenter’s Daughter!
Thank you, Annie! I hope Sarah’s story blesses you!
I bought it and can’t wait to read it.
it’s SO good!! One of my faves this year!
Awww. ..so honored Carrie! Thank you, and thanks for having me today. 🙂
Awww. ..thank you Carrie! So honored, and thanks for having me today. 🙂
Thank you, Angela! Enjoy!
I’m adding your book to my wishlist and can’t wait to read it. The girl on the cover reminds me of me….a tomgirl.
The Carpenter’s Daughter sounds awesome! 🙂
it is one of my faves this year! An amazing book!
I hope so! Sarah’s story really sank into me. I am praying it does the same for others! 😉
Thanks for sharing, Jennifer and Carrie! This sounds like a good read.
it’s excellent!
Thank you for stopping in, Sarah! Carrie is so generous to host this! We are grateful for her! 🙂
awww <3 I'm grateful for all y'all!
Another new to me author! I’m really looking forward to this book!
i can’t wait to hear what you think of it!
So many out there, isn’t there Emilee! I do hope you enjoy it. 🙂
okay I soooo want to read this book.
oh you absolutely need to! It’s amazing!
*blush* and *grin* thank you both, Stephanie and Carrie. 🙂
This book. OH, this book!!! Jennifer, you’re truly gifted when it comes to story. And even more so when it comes to sharing how God sees us through His eyes. And just as much when writing about the hard things. And I could go on and on and on (and on), because you’re just that gifted. <3
Love you!
all my yeses <3
Ahhh, Mikal…. you are so gifted with encouragement. I am blessed to know you! Thank you, my lovely friend. 🙂
i agree – Mikal totally has the gift of encouragement!!!
Hi Jennifer! I’m so excited to read your book. It’s sitting on my Kindle, and I MUST get to it! I’ve heard so many good things about it, and it sounds fascinating. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and talents. I’m “meeting” so many fun authors on this giveaway. It’s been great. . . except my TBR pile keeps getting bigger and bigger, but on the bright side–at least I’m not sitting around with nothing to read!
Hi Carrie! I hope you’re having a marvelous day!
Hi Winnie *waves* I’m having a frustrating day so far, thanks to my webhosting server. BUT I am choosing to have joy nonetheless. And the lady in the Chewbacca mask video helps 🙂 As do you!
Awww, I’m sorry, and you’re so sweet! Technology is wonderful–most of the time. To me, it’s baffling most of the time! I’m trying to decide if I should learn to Tweet so I can up my chances of winning this giveaway or if it will just give me more frustration and distractions. Eat some chocolate and think of the Chewie video. 🙂
You can always get a Twitter account just for giveaway purposes and sorta ease into it that way 😉
I’m trying to decide the same thing. To Tweet or Not to Tweet, that is the question of the day.
TWEET 😀
I’m struggling with you, Carrie, only mine is with patchy internet connections! Oh, and it’s snowing here. Just in case anyone was interested. 😉
LOL wow. It’s way too warm and rainy here. Wanna trade? 🙂
Snowing? It’s 84 at 6:19 pm here. Summer is setting in here in Mississippi.
You would not believe all we drove through to get home, Janet! Snow, rain, hail, more rain, tornado warnings, and when we got home we were in the middle of a flooding downpour. Quite a trip!
Oh my goodness!!!
Hi back, Winnie! My TBR pile is huge too! So many good books, so little time. I hope TCD speaks to you when you get to it! Thank you for taking a risk on a fairly new author. 🙂
I love “meeting” new authors! I typically prefer historical fiction, but every once in a while, a contemporary book will appeal to me, and this one does. Definitely filing this one away for later.
Thanks, Carrie, for introducing us to some new friends.
this is definitely one to keep at hand, Connie!
Funny that, Connie. I used to only read historical, and I thought that’s what I would write. God has a fun way of changing our vision, and for me, it was discovering that my voice is better suited to contemporary. Life is full of surprises! 🙂 I hope you enjoy Sarah’s story when you get to it.
Jen, Hope you’re enjoying the snow where you are, back home it’s just MORE wind. I want to tell you how much I enjoyed reading TCD. It is such a good example of what our girls and friends need to hear about how to “do” falling in love God’s way. The first love in our lives needs to be Jesus and romantic love after that is WAY better. Thanks for writing in a way that makes that point very clear to us all. Looking forward to your next book!
HI Karen! I want to raise my girls to chase after Jesus above all else, so I have that in mind when I write. Thank you for reading! 🙂 and, the snow was short lived, but fun while it lasted. We’re on our way back to the land of the wind.
I believe that we are more critical of ourselves than we should be. It is hard though to find the right balance between not being over critical and being humble. Blessings on you and your writing..
So often, that is very true, Jan. Thank you. 🙂
This sounds great! Thanks for a chance to win! 🙂
Thank you, Wenona!
Sounds like Sarah has quite a journey to go on!
She certainly does, Patty, and one that she took me through with her…and I hope never to forget it.
Thank you for sharing! Sounds like a great read! 🙂
it is a fabulous read!!
Hi Hannah, thank you! I hope you enjoy it.
Hi Jen! Nice to meet you.
I have a couple of your books (only read one so far) and now am adding this one to my wish list. I like the idea of a girl being a carpenter. I love the smell of fresh cut wood.
I look forward to reading more of your work.
Nice to meet you too, Andrea! 😉 My dad is a carpenter (he did not pass those skills on to me, but it wasn’t for lack of trying!), so I can relate to that love of fresh cut wood! Thank you for reading. ?
It’s always fun to discover new authors. The Carpenter’s Daughter sounds like a book I’d enjoy reading.
I love finding new authors too, Pam!
Hi Jennifer, I haven’t had the chance to read your book, but the reviews are outstanding! I know that as a mom we want to have strong young women raised with a faith that is just as fierce as they are. Thank you for creating a book that I know will inspire and enlighten me.
Bree, I love the way you said that–young women whose faith is as fierce as they are. YES! Thank you. 🙂
Another new to me author…need more reading hours in my day! 🙂
Me too, Racheal! Or for me, to read faster. 🙂
Congratulations on your success!
Thank you, Heidi–glory to God!
Totally have this book sitting on my shelf waiting to read!! Cannot wait! 😀
🙂 I’m anxious to hear what you think *biting nails*!
I ordered two copies of Carpenter’s Daughter from Amazon. They just came in the mail yesterday. I gave one to my sister and am reading the other. You are my favorite author EVER and I’m sharing your other two books with all my neighbor and church friends! I’d love to have you come to Omaha and do an author visit at Parables. Miss you dear friend! Congratulations on all your success.
Ahhh, my sweet friend. Thank you! Miss you too! An Omaha trip sounds wonderful! Maybe before our girls graduate?! 😉
Sounds like a great read. I have a dress very similar to the one on the cover.
How fun is that, Jill? I hope you have a chance to read about Sarah’s encounter with a dress. Not her norm. 😉
Jen, you’re a new author to me and I’m looking forward to reading your books. This book looks fun. Thank you for using the gift God has given you for His glory.
Hi Marilyn! Thank you for reading! 🙂
Yeah!!! I’m so glad Carrie, you got Jennifer on your blog today. I’ve yet to read any of her stuff, and won’t have found her without you. Can’t wait!
YAY!!! That makes me so happy 🙂
I’m so glad too, Megan! Thanks for giving a new author a chance. 🙂
This book is already on my “to be read” list. It looks good!
I hope you’re blessed by it, Elizabeth!
Jennifer, I first heard of you on another blog post (Inspy Romance?) recently where you talked about your book “The Carpenter’s Daughter”. I haven’t read it, but I bet I could relate to Sarah, not so much in the carpenters path in life, but in growing up as a tomboy (still am). I spent summer-times as a kid fishing, camping, digging up worms, playing in the mud, climbing trees, etc!
I’m so glad that your readers encourage you just at the time you need it! Isn’t God so good to speak through people?
God is so faithful, Trixi! Yes, I’ve been on Inspy Romance, so maybe that’s where you first heard of The Carpenter’s Daughter. Tomboys and Prom Queens alike, I think, could probably relate to Sarah’s journey. I am learning with multiple daughters, each with their unique personalities, that no matter how well you “fit-in” we all feel, at some point or another, like we don’t. Or like we need more–to be more, to feel more. Sarah’s quest, I think, mirrors most of ours, even if the details don’t look the same.
Just subscribed to your blog! Looking forward to reading your books and blogs!
Yay!
You will be blessed by her!
The Carpenter’s Daughter is in my Kindle app just waiting to be read! Can’t wait to get to it! So many books, so little time!
Thank you for grabbing it, Julie! I hope you enjoy the journey when you can get to it! 🙂
“The Carpenter’s Daughter sounds like an amazing read. Definitely adding to my TBR list. Thanks for the giveaway.
Thank you for adding it to your list, Dianne!
There’s such a good “buzz” about this book. Can’t wait to read it!
now it’s my turn to return the favor, Rebecca – push this one up on your TBR list 😉
*grin* Thanks, Carrie! And buzz…yay for that, Rebecca! 🙂
Loved, loved, LOVED this interview!!!! Can’t wait to read your books!
Thank you, Becky! I hope you enjoy the stories! 🙂
So. Many. Good. Books. I need to read 24/7/365 to catch up!
Me too!!
LOVE Jen’s books and The Carpenter’s Daughter is an AWESOME read! Totally recommend this to be on the top of all TBR piles 🙂
yes! I agree!
Awww…thank you Becky. I’m still having a hard time moving beyond this story. Sarah really sank into me. I’m so glad she touched your heart too.
While not my usual genre’, but this book looks very interesting. I hope to win. Thanks for the giveaway and good luck everyone.
Good luck to you too, Debbie. 🙂
Cool Beans another new author for me to read.
I love that phrase, Kim! Use it all the time! 🙂
The Carpenter’s Daughter sounds very interesting to me. I have worked in several lumberyards in the past and love to work with wood. Thanks for this giveaway.
Oh goodness, Donna! You are the real deal. I hope Sarah’s story speaks to you. 🙂
My dad built an addition onto his old ranch house. So I guess you could say I’m a carpenter’s daughter, too.
🙂
Sounds really great!
Thank you, Nancy. 🙂
Looks like another great story in this line up! Looking forward to reading it!
Hope you enjoy it, Pam.
What a great story!!! Can’t wait to read it!
Thank you, Cara!
This sounds so good. You had me at Carpenter! I am a huge fan of HGTV so this is right up my alley! Can’t wait to read this one for sure!
Ohhh, me too, Justina. My fave is Chip and Joanna Gains (are they HGTV or DIY?) LOVE. I wish I had the skills to do it, but alas, I am project inept, even though I AM a carpenter’s daughter. So sad.
I have worked for a general contractor for 17 years an over 20 in building industry. I love to hear of people volunteering to help others build an repair homes like in your book Homes of Hope. I look forward to reading The Carpenters Daughter the cover is beautiful. I also know how hard it is to find yourself when you don’t know how an that is when I started looking to GOD for the answers an not to myself. Thank you for sharing your novel.
Such a beautiful testimony, Carla! And wow, you also are the real deal! Thank you for the compliment on the cover…the model is actually my baby sister! We had a lot of fun pulling it together! And…the male lead, Jesse, was inspired by a roofer who worked with Habitat for Humanity. My husband volunteered on a build and came home telling me about this guy who traveled around, doing such jobs as a volunteer. I just had to have a story for him!
Jennifer, I am so excited about reading the Carpenter’s Daughter, she’s waiting in line on my Kindle! Thanks for participating in Carrie’s awesome giveaway!
Thank you, Beth! It’s such an honor to be here. 🙂
This sounds like a good story. I’d love to read it.
Thank you, BJ! I’d love for you to read it. 😉
Your cover makes me want to read this book.
Yay!!! I’ve had mixed reviews on the cover, but I felt it was perfect for the story. Let me know what you think after you’ve read it!
I do want to read The Carpenter’s Daughter!
Oh good, I hope you do, Joan! 🙂
I remember while in campus my uniform was shorts pants, tshirts and baseball cap. I wore this all summer. When I would get dressed up no one recognized me.
Would definitely like to read how this character transformed and was it for the better.