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The Katie Weldon Series by Robin Jones Gunn
Find a Christian Bookstore Near You Buy this Book from Christianbook.com Listen to Robin’s Peculiar Treasures Interview Listen to an Excerpt, Read by Robin! Katie Weldon catches more than just the bouquet at the wedding of her best friend, Christy Miller. She also snags a job offer that launches her into an adventure she never imagined. Katie eagerly accepts the job as resident assistant at Rancho Corona University only to find herself in a community of conflict. She thought this was where God wanted her, but how can God use her—love her—when everything is falling apart? Especially with her boyfriend, Rick. Katie turns to the women in her life for solace. In the safety of their love and encouragement she finally allows herself to spill her heart about her relationship with Rick. But even their advice can’t postpone the decision Katie must face, a decision that will define who she is and the woman she’s becoming. The first book in the Katie Weldon Series, Peculiar Treasures follows Katie as she struggles to believe that God can love her, faults and all. “As usual, Gunn is descriptive, interesting and will make the reader want to stay with the book until it is finished. The characters, dealing with life-altering decisions and issues of faith and relationships, are believable, particularly for younger readers. “Gunn has been writing about Katie and her friends for years, most notably in the popular Christy Miller series, and this is first in Gunn's Katie Weldon series. Katie's dilemmas may seem like the stuff of unabashedly light fiction, but they aren't without gravity and intrigue. Gunn is adept at denuding light fiction of its usual tics—mediocre prose, clichéd characters and predictable plots—and imbuing it with the hallmarks of literary fiction. The characters are multidimensional and ring true at nearly every turn. The dialogue that ensues is at once heartbreaking and utterly familiar to anyone who has ever been in Katie's shoes. Moreover, Katie's religious faith never feels sentimentalized or tacked on, but is integrated beautifully into the charming plot.”--Publishers Weekly
The Story Behind the Story: Six years ago when I finished writing I Promise, Christy and Todd had just walked down the aisle and my 14 years of writing about these characters had ended. The day I typed the last line I clearly sensed the Lord impressing on me that I had finished what He invited me to do when I started writing for teens. So I asked Him, “What’s next, Lord?” What followed was the Glenbrooke Series, the Sisterchicks Series, Gardenias for Breakfast, Finding Father Christmas and four non-fiction books. But no more teen novels. Every week I received requests from readers all over the world asking me to write more novels for teens. With every letter I asked the Lord, “May I, please?” The answer was always silence. Over the past six years I tried writing about Christy and Katie in Glenbrooke novels and Sisterchicks novels but it never fit quite right. I even approached two different writers about the possibility of them writing about these characters. Both times the projects didn’t develop. So I kept surrendering, stepping back and asking God, “What’s next?” The answer came in a unique way one afternoon last summer. I was stretched out on the couch for a little nap. In my heart I distinctly sensed the Lord saying, “I’m giving Katie back to you.” I opened my eyes and looked around to see who spoke because the words seemed so clear. Out loud I said, “Am I making this up or are you directing me?” Just then the music on my computer switched to a song I have long considered Christy and Todd’s. I felt a rising sense of excitement. God was doing a new thing. Can I just say that I think God and His timing are amazing? This story rolled off my heart and it was SO great being back with these characters! I really hope you like the story. I think you will.
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© Robin Jones Gunn, 2008, All Rights Reserved. Site design by PulsePoint Design |
