The novel follows 40-year-old Pastor Danny Bailey who moves from Sumter, South Carolina, to pastor a new church in the mountains in Canton, with his wife, Katie, and their 15-year-old daughter, Ashley.

After he makes the move to Canton, he begins to receive creepy, typewritten notes threatening his family. Who is the culprit behind the notes? No one knows. As Christmastime of 2019 unfolds, Bailey feels fear as he has never known — and comes to truly understand the power of forgiveness.

Many in Haywood County will recognize local landmarks throughout the novel including the Biltmore Estate, Looking Glass Falls and the Devil’s Courthouse. Also, many Bethel natives will recognize features in the novel’s “Lulu’s Café,” which is based on Bethel’s Juke Box Junction.

“I hope that readers will enjoy the Christmas-themed book and, most of all, I pray that God is glorified in the pages of this novel,” said Rhodes.

The Christmas No One Expected is dedicated in loving memory of her parents — Frederick Hugh Kuykendall and Barbara Lucile Lanning Kuykendall.

“I would also especially like to thank my sweet husband, Wayne, for all of his encouragement during my writing of this novel,” Rhodes said.

The Christmas No One Expected is available on Amazon.com in both the paperback version, $15, and the Kindle version, $7. The book is printed in large print so it is reader-friendly for most readers.

Rhodes will be on hand for a special Black Friday book signing Friday, Nov. 29 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Panacea Coffeehouse in Waynesville located at 66 Commerce St.

For information on obtaining a signed copy for $19 (book price plus shipping costs) mailed directly to you, email Rhodes at julianne8235@yahoo.com.