About the Book
Book: Taming Julia
Author: Jodie Wolfe
Genre: Christian fiction
Release date: November 2011
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.
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About the Author
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 REVIEW
This book is one I won’t soon forget because it reminds me to have a gentle spirit and not to judge. I love that this is a book about living during hard times and the different struggles people faced trying to make ends meet. I absolutely loved Jules the minute she came across my eyes as I read her name. She is spunky, down to earth, protective and very humble at times. I laughed when Drew first saw her. Jules in her britches and toting guns is not what he expected as she stood there standing in front of him with anticipation of being his wife.
The story explores how two people who are opposites strive to make their marriage work. Jules doesn’t know how to cook and the part about her making bread was so funny as it seemed to overtake the table. Drew I think felt bad for her and could tell she was trying so hard. All she wanted was to be a good wife and have her husband love her.
There is one character in the story that really frustrated me. Drew’s mother is rude, judgmental and prideful. She never had a kind word to say to or about Jules. She went out of her way to embarrass her and constantly made it known that Drew needs to get out the marriage. Will her heart ever be softened and accept Jules?
Sarah is a breath of fresh air as she welcomed Jules into the family. She was always there to help Jules and made her feel more confident at times. I loved how she never talked about Jules in a mean way and comforted her when she felt unwanted. Sarah had no problem letting her mother know how unkind she was to Jules and made it known that Jules was part of the family and should be treated with respect.
The hardest thing for Drew was to be still and wait on God. Drew wanted answers but didn’t feel like God was listening. He knew that his wife didn’t know God but he didn’t realize that he had a responsibility to lead her to Christ.
Jules was keeping a big secret from everyone which put many in danger. I liked how the author put Sarah and Jules in a situation that helped Jules confess her sin. I loved how the author illustrated that we are never alone and forgives us. I liked the ending as it brought a little excitement and showed that there is always time to give your life to God.
I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is 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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