The Widow of Saunders Creek by Tracey Bateman was a pleasant, light read - just in time for the summer season. The novel is completely constructed of contrasts, city folk vs. country, lost love vs. new love, the front lines of a war vs. the ones who stay behind and the world of the light of the Lord vs. the dark of demon spirits. It is ultimately a story of healing and rebirth, and readers who appreciate a story free from crude language and sexual situations that is faith affirming will be pleased. Lest I scare anyone away - I don't mean to say the novel is prudish - I just mean that a nice story can still be told without those other elements that sometimes seem hard to get away from in modern writing. The alternating narration between the main characters, Corrie and Eli was pleasing and effective. The violent twist employed for the climax of the story was a little bit of stretch maybe - the whole business of Ray's character was perhaps a little under-developed to support the ending. All in all, I enjoyed the read. It was an ARC I should note. ( )

“The Widow of Saunders Creek” by Tracey Bateman is the story of Corrie, the young widow of a soldier who was killed in Iraq. She comes home to the house left to her husband Jarrod by his grandmother. It needs a lot of remodeling, so she hires Jarrod’s cousin Eli to do the repairs. Eli and Jarrod had a close relationship, but Jarrod was always trying to best Eli in everything they did. When Corrie moves into the house strange things keep happening. Corrie thinks it’s her husband coming back to her as a spirit. Eli, however, is convinced that it’s the dark side. Eli’s and Jarrod’s families are descendants of Appalachian people who had the “gift”. The longer Eli works on the house, the more strange things happen. Because Corrie is angry at Jarrod for getting himself killed, she is afraid that Jarrod is angry with her. She has lost her faith. Eli, who is also a pastor, tries to make Corrie see that God is always with her and if she calls for him, she can overcome the spirit of darkness that has pervaded her home.

I never like reading about spirits and hauntings, but this book was different. I really liked the way Ms. Bateman treated the characters in the novel, bringing them to real life almost. I usually get goosebumps reading stories like this, but the characters of Corrie and Eli weren’t afraid, but were determined to rid the home of spirits. You’ll have to read the book to find out what happens.

The author, Tracey Bateman, lives in the Missouri Ozarks with her husband and family. With more than thirty novels in print, including Thirsty and Tandem, Tracey spends all her time telling tales, creating characters, and dreaming of other worlds. You can read more about Tracey Bateman on her website: http://www.traceybateman.com/

I received a free Kindle copy of this book for my honest review from the publisher. The opinions expressed here are my own.

You can find this review on my blog:
http://imhookedonbooks.wordpress.com/2012/09/03/the-widow-of-s…tracey-bateman
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In this book, Corrie loses her husband, Jarrod – a soldier – to a suicide bomber in Iraq. He dies a hero, but she is angry that he threw his life away so impulsively and left her behind to grieve. She stays with her wealthy mother – in Texas – for as long as she can stand it until she feels drawn to Jarrod's childhood home in Missouri. Jarrod was supposed to return home soon, and Corrie and he planned to live there and raise a family. Jarrod left the house to Corrie and this causes a stir among some of his family members.
Jarrod's cousin Eli is doing the remodeling. There is a history between Jarrod and Eli that nobody is aware of which feeds Eli's long time jealousy. Eli is a religious man. He preaches at the small town church and runs a camp for kids who have deployed parents. He feels an attraction to Corrie but doesn't want to push too quickly. He knows she isn't over the loss of her husband yet, and he has to work out his own issues of envying Jarrod.
Corrie moves into the house and slowly builds a bond with Eli. They become friends. She is overcome with grief, and feels the loss of Jarrod all over again. She believes she can sense his presence, and that her husband returned to the house when he died. Eli disagrees. He feels the house has been haunted for many years because parts of his family dabble in witchcraft and invited these things into the home. Corrie has to sort out her beliefs and what this supernatural presence really is. She has a budding affection for Eli. He supports and encourages her to move forward, to regain her talent as an artist, and to be a member of her new community. She feels guilty about it, and she has to work through all her doubts and misgivings to figure out if she can have a relationship with Eli.

I thought this was a very entertaining, well written story. I liked the characters. The range and depth of feelings Corrie went through were powerful. It is understandable that she would want to believe her husband was still there, that she wanted to hold on to him some how. I enjoyed Lola's part. She blows into town and sets her sights on the handyman – and Lola usually get what she wants – but he is no pushover. The presence in the house was spooky. If you believe in that sort of thing – which I do – it will hit a nerve. I happen to agree with Eli. Don't invite those things into your home. The way the story came together at the end with Eli in the barn will show you just what happens when you become friendly with an unholy entity.

I did receive this book for free in exchange for an honest review. If you are not averse to paying the kindle edition price, I would recommend reading it. ( )

I have always been fascinated by hauntings. Nothing gets me more intrigued than a good ghost story and that's just what I found within the pages of "The Widow of Saunders Creek" by Tracey Bateman.

Corrie Saunders just longs to have her husband back, and really doesn't know how to go on with her life without him in it. Jarrod was an army man, who didn't make it back home from the Iraqi war. So six months after his death Corrie decides to move into the family home her husband inherited in the hopes that somehow he will be able to come back to her. As she decides to renovate the house, Jarrod's cousin Eli, who happens to be a pastor decides to lend his assistance. Soon Corrie starts sensing a presence and wants to believe that it is Jarrod. While Eli has never believed that people can visit from the beyond, he does believe in evil spirits, and thinks that is what is making its presence known at the house.

Wow, labeled as a fiction/suspense I found this book really different from most christian suspense that I normally read. First of all we have Corrie who misses her husband, and I actually felt a bit of resentment from her, because her husband died and left her alone. She was very fortunate to have someone like Eli in her life. He was always there for whatever she needed, as I saw him becoming her best friend, I couldn't help but wonder if perhaps something more might develop. I couldn't help but wonder though if she would ever be able to let go of the past to embrace a future. There were several secondary characters that were quite interesting. The paranormal twist was really an added bonus for me, and I really thought the author did a great job of bringing it into perspective, while keeping a christian feel to the story. Overall a great read that weaves together a bit of romance along with a paranormal slant that made this book a page turner for me. I am never disappointed with anything that I read by Tracey Bateman and always look forward to where her imagination will take me next!

A complimentary copy of this book was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. ( )

Corrie is so hurt and wounded over her husband death. She doe not know now why she loss her husband. She spend her time at the Saunders Creek and she doe find a love but with who. Do she learn that their thing there but a demon that she need to get rid of.

Eli is there for some help on the house. Though he has feeling for Corrie. Doe he get his wish or not. You will need to read it to find out and make a decision for yourself. ( )