Monday, April 16, 2012

Need You Now by Beth Wiseman

Final-Final-Cover-2.13.122-197x300When big-city life threatens the safety of one of their children, Brad and Darlene Henderson move with their three teenagers from Houston to the tiny town of Round Top, Texas.

Adjusting to small-town life is difficult for the kids, especially fifteen-year-old Grace who is coping in a dangerous way.

Married life hasn't always been bliss, but their strong faith has carried them through the difficult times. When Darlene takes a job outside the home for the first time in their marriage, the domestic tension rises.

While working with special needs children at her new job, the widowed father of one of Darlene's students starts paying more attention to her than is appropriate. Problem is, she feels like someone is listening to her for the first time in a long time.

If Darlene ever needed God . . . it's now.

Experience a family's triumphant defeat over lies, betrayal, and loss while still clinging to the One who matters most.

Headshot2resized-199x300When a personal crisis tested and strengthened her faith, award-winning journalist Beth Wiseman was advised by her agent to consider writing a Christian novel, particularly an Amish one. Encouraged by her agent’s urging, she began exploring the Amish lifestyle and soon developed a great appreciation for the more peaceful way of life. In 2008 Wiseman wrote her debut novel, Plain Perfect, featuring the Amish lifestyle within the context of a fictional love story. It was a bestseller, as have been all of the full-length novels and novellas she has written since.

While Need You Now is Wiseman’s first non-Amish novel, she is confident it will not be the last. She is already making plans to write a second contemporary novel in the near future. Like Need You Now, it will also be set in small-town Texas, a familiar background she thoroughly loves exploring and writing about.

Wiseman’s previous releases have held spots on the CBA (Christian Booksellers Association) and the ECPA (Evangelical Christian Publishers Association) bestseller lists. In 2010, she received the INSPY Award for Amish Fiction (chosen by blog reviewers). In 2011, she received the Carol Award and was the Inspirational Readers Choice winner for her book Plain Paradise. Her novel Seek Me with All Your Heart was the 2011 Women of Faith Book of the Year. In addition, Wiseman has been a Retailers Choice Finalist, a Booksellers Best Finalist and a National Readers Choice Finalist. Prior to becoming a novelist she received many honors for her work as a journalist, including a prestigious First Place News Writing Award from the Texas Press Association.

Today, she and her husband are empty nest parents of two grown sons, enjoying the country lifestyle and living happily with two dogs, two cats, two pot-bellied pigs, two chickens and a single pygmy goat in a small community in South Central Texas. When Beth isn’t writing, she enjoys cooking, reading, traveling, and watching good movies. Her favorite pastimes, however, are painting (her paintings can be veiwed on her Fans of Beth Wiseman Facebook page) and spending time with friends and family.

Heidi Says . . . Need You Now is the first book that I have read by Beth Wiseman, but it definitely won’t be the last!  I was drawn into this book in the first chapter, and could barely put it down ‘til I got to the end! 

I really felt a connection with Darlene – I think because she’s just so real.  Her struggles were things that I could relate to – trying to find a close “in real life” friend, worrying about her kids, managing a household, and trying to carve out a place in the world for herself (find her niche).

Beth’s writing style made the book very simple to read, yet worth every second I spent in it.  She touched on some very sensitive issues, yet did so with grace and professionalism.  I’d highly recommend Need You Now.

I received an extra copy of this book that I’d love to share with one of you!  If Need You Now sounds like a book that you’d enjoy reading, please just leave me a comment and tell me why.  I’ll select a random winner from all the comments on Friday, the 20th, at noon. 

NOTE: I received a copy of this book for free, in exchange for posting about it on my blog.  I was not obligated to write a positive review.

37 comments:

Kwyatt said...

Nice review. I really enjoyed this book as well. Beth
Wiseman writes fearlessly with the stresses and struggles that are an
inevitable part of a marriage and raising children--yet offers hope in the face
of those challenges. She doesn't shy away from letting the characters in this
book face some problems and difficult questions. I think many readers will be
able to relate to this book, and be comforted by the fact that they are not the
only ones who struggle.

Quiltlvr63 said...

love Beths books,, very nice review done on this book would love to read it and pass it on for more to enjoy.. Thanks  have a Great day  

Terrilea said...

I love to read and I always love to hear other people's test in having faith in GOD. I would love to win this book! Terrilea@yahoo.com

Baranski1987 said...

What a wonderful review. Need a good book
that helps me realize I am not the only one with
strugles and difficulities in life.
I would love to win a copy of Need You Now.  It sounds like such a wonderful book with the
daily strugles and problems in everyday life.
Cheryl B

Baranski1987@gmail.com

Mary Ellen Ashenfelder said...

What a nice review of Beth's latest work.Looks very interesting. Love books that draw you in and let you "feel" the story. Please accept my entry for this giveaway.Would love to receive this book. Thank you.

joan bolen said...

I have read all beth's books. Would love to win this one. Your review was great.
Joan.bolen@gmail.com

Katelyn Whitley said...

I have been wanting this book for a long time! A lot of my friends have read it, and tell me how great it was! Unfortunately, they are all over hte computer and connot lend me a copy. I have read many books by Beth Wiseman, this one is one of the few I haven't. I'd really love to have it!

Kathy Crimble McDougal said...

Love to read Beth's books. I am sure this one will be great as well.
Kathy McDougal
callenmcdougal@wk .net

Sunflower0413 said...

I have never read one of Beth's books but I would really like to. I'm always looking for good Christian authors!! thanks...Evie F sunflower0413@msn.com

Carolyn Jefferson said...

I would like to read this book. It sounds so good and interesting.
I've read other books by Beth, found them very easy to read and couldn't put them down.
carolynj63@att.net

Judyjohn2004 said...

I would love to win a copy of "Need You Now".  Just reading about the struggles Darlene is facing reminds me of some of the things that happened in my past.  I would love to see how God works everything out!  Blessings!  judyjohn2004(at)yahoo(dot)com

Judy

Lelia said...

Thank you so much for the opportunity to win this book. I love to read and Beth is one of my favorite authors. I like to share books I love with family and friends. Having faced many struggles in my life and knowing God is the only thing that saw me through, I'm sure I can identify with the characters of this book. God bless you with a happy day. 

Katelyn Whitley said...

katelynmwhitley@yahoo.com

Dixie Barner said...

this book sounds  very interesting  as  i moved from the city to a small town recently  myself 

Diana Gardner said...

I love Christian fiction and have heard so much about this book.  It looks and sounds like a great one.  Thank you for sharing your extra copy.  I'd love to win. 

Sherlaine Britton said...

I think I would enjoy reading this book because I need a break from real life (single mom, working 2 jobs and taking care of 3 children) This sounds like it would be the perfect escape! :)

Anonymous said...

I would love to win a copy of your book .Thank -you ,Dana M Spille
jashbk@earthlink.net

Onorman said...

Can't wait to read Need You Now!

Hannah R. said...

This sounds like an interesting book. I would love to read it. I have read a few of Beth Wiseman's books, and they were great! I wouldn't mind reading this one.

Hannah R
hrollett@comcast.net

Debbie mosley said...

debbie mosley this book sunds so good.i think it is what i'm needing to read right now to get e through some rough times in my life now.

Hannah R. said...

I love her books, so I wouldn't mind trying this one.  She writes with such passion, and her books are so inspiring! 

Ramona Weems said...

I love these type of books. I read them then give to our Church Library!

Unknown said...

i got the 99 cent of part one Need you now i heard so much about it so i had to read that and from what i read of it i am already wanting to read the rest i love it so far so it woudl be neat to win this book and read right on smiles !!!

zoot2girl@yahoo.com

Shirley Blanchard said...

I have read all your books and loved each one, i cant wait to read this one

Mary Darlene Ellsworth said...

Just starting to read Beth Wiseman's books - starting with the Daughters of the Promise books. Awesome author! She writes with passion and authenticity. Thanks for the opportunity to enter the contest. 

Strawberriesof57 said...

love this author  I read her amish books would like to read  another type of book from her thank you

wilma said...

love beth books.... I am new to her books read my !st one last year

Frogz said...

I love how beths books relate to actual life trials and tribulations, and how life may not work out how we want it, but there is a reason as to why things happen. I love reading her books very much. A lot of her books I.can relate to in my own life and family. I do not have this book yet, and I hope I'm able to get it soon.

Kim Moity (kamoity@yahoo.com) said...

I love Beth's novels. Simple as that. :)

Vicki Lynch said...

Have you already drawn for this one? I would love to read her book cause I am a huge fan of Beth's and this book basically reminds me a bit of what happened in my life during my high school years. Thank you :)

Jane Reeves said...

I may be too late to enter but if not please enter me in the contest.  I have read all of Beth's books and have enjoyed each and every one.  I would love to read this one.
Jane Reeves

Pat Hines said...

I hope I am not too late to enter the contest for "Need You Now" by Beth Wiseman. I have read all of Beth's books and enjoyed every one.
Pat Hines - pshines@frontiernet.net

Asmac1 said...

I love Beth Wiseman's books but haven't read this "non-Amish" one.  Would love to win this one!

Hannah R. said...

I love reading her books. I would love to win a copy of this. Haven't gotten to read it yet, but I know she is a great author.

Hannah R.
hrollett@comcast.net

Anonymous said...

This book sounds wonderful and I love Beth's books. Thanks for the giveaway please enter my name in the hat. :)
Angelsofmyeye ( at) yahoo ( dot) com

Jen U. said...

I really liked this one, too, Heidi! Felt very different from your typical fiction.

Unknown said...

Thank. You. For the. Book cant wait to get it and start reading !!!

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