Local author publishes first novel, set in North Carolina mountains
Julianne Kuykendall Rhodes, originally a Canton, N.C., native who now splits her time between Darlington and Canton, has self-published her first full-length novel, a Christmas novel titled “The Christmas No One Expected” that is set largely in the mountains of North Carolina with a portion set in Sumter.
“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 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 2019 unfolds, Danny will feel fear as he has never known and come to truly understand the power of forgiveness.
Many mountain tourists will recognize landmarks throughout the novel including the Biltmore Estate, Looking Glass Falls and the Devil’s Courthouse.
“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, noting that the novel is dedicated in 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 added.
Wayne is from Darlington, she 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.
For information on obtaining a signed copy for $19 (book price plus packaging and shipping costs) mailed directly to you, e-mail Rhodes at julianne8235@yahoo.com.
