Julianne Kuykendall Rhodes, a Bethel community native, has self-published her first full-length novel, a Christmas fictional novel, The Christmas No One Expected, which is set in Canton.
“I would describe this book as a mix between a Lifetime movie and a Karen Kingsbury Christian fiction novel,” Rhodes said.
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.
Post a comment as
Report
Watch this discussion.
(0) comments
Welcome to the discussion.
Log In
Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism that is degrading to another person.
Be Proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
Share with Us. We'd love to hear eyewitness accounts, the history behind an article.