Noel Branham's Blog

It’s that time of year! Get your popcorn out and get ready for some cringe-worthy good times involving finding out the real identity of father’s, moving back home to marry someone you went to high school with, and losing your big city job… You know Hallmark Christmas movies! Ok, much hate aside… Everyone enjoys a good Christmas movie. It just feels so predictable and over-done and that can be so comforting this time of year… we are creatures of habit after-all… and I don’t mean nuns. BUT since it is that time of year, let’s set the record straight. Do you know how The Simple Soul of Susan is different from a Hallmark movie? No? Here are five ways:

Susan’s dad is not actually Santa. There is no marriage involving a guy named Jeffery/Jeremy/Jack from High School. She isn’t trying to save her family business from an evil corporation that her love-interest owns. There is not the customary ‘accidental tripping’ onto a love-interest’s body. No kissing under a Christmas tree.

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news. But I promise you will love what IS in there. Thanks, as always! XOXOXO

You’ve heard it before… All romance novels give readers unrealistic expectations of relationships. Yep. They totally do. But I think most of the time, with life in general, we have unrealistic expectations not only of others but of ourselves. We live in a world where there is always something else to try, buy or satisfy our ever-evolving aspirations of happiness and fulfillment. So here are three things to remember while reading romance novels that will lead to having deep, meaningful, romantic, relationships in real life:

Happiness isn’t fulfilled expectations. When you expect your significant other (SO) to see you and romantically sweep you off your feet while pulling flowers from behind your back and force-feeding you chocolates… you may have some unrealistic expectations. Would it be nice? Sure! But there is always something more they could do to make you happy, feeling loved, satisfied, etc. It’s a bottomless pit of desire and implied anticipated actions. We have to realize that no matter how many things we want out of a relationship, we can never receive them all… because realistically, we could never live up to the things expected of us either. Romance is a two-way street.Happiness is the unexpected, fulfilled. Wait… how can you fulfill something that isn’t expected? You can’t. And that’s what makes it so great. Your SO fills your car up with gas, takes you out for a date for no particular reason, watches that Victorian-era PBS drama with you even though they can’t understand the accents… When we get rid of expectations for ourselves and others we are able to really enjoy the things and people we already have and anything else is simply adding to lovely life that we already possess.Happiness in relationships is what you make of it. Just not feeling the love anymore after five years together? Was it that you chose the wrong person? Was it something they did? Something you did? Love can be a feeling and an action. Your relationship doesn’t have to be defined by feelings. Feelings fade. They aren’t realistic. They change with time as people change with time because all people change. But actions… actions are what you choose to do on a regular basis. They are a daily intentional choice (made by you) to care for another person. You can control your actions, but not so much your feelings. Funny thing is often times your actions create feelings you never thought you could have.

If you are looking for a romance novel with a bit more realism to test out these principals, check out The Simple Soul of Susan. You can have the realistic expectation that you won’t be disappointed. 

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(Contains Spoilers for Christy!)

I read Christy (by Catherine Marshall)  in two days. Not only was it a beautifully written and timeless narrative of Appalachian culture it was also a most refreshing romance. The most surprising (and refreshing!) aspect of the story was  Christy falling in love while being unaware of it happening; she had never felt like this before. She thought she knew what love was from her relationship with the honorable David Grantland, but towards the end, she discovered that it wasn’t loved at all. Now I’ve heard the questions before: When did she fall in Love with Doctor Neil MacNeill? Did the Doctor really love her? How was the relationship with Neil relationship better than her and David’s? Here are some answers about how Christy and Doctor Neil’s relationship was true love:

Respect: Christy has many ideas regarding how to improve education in the impoverished mountains. But David doesn’t take her seriously:

“David smiled at me in a patronizing way. “It just wouldn’t work, Christy.” Dr. MacNeill held up a restraining hand. “Wait a moment before we judge. Christy, what would David do with the men? What kind of classes?”

David dismissed Christy’s ability to lead on many occasions, where the doctor is always supportive and encouraging, within the realm of reason. Neil recognizes that the same passion Christy has for the mountain people is the reason he is a doctor today. Someone looked at him and saw the possibility in him instead of poverty and now he is helping the people in his community. Neil respects Christy and appreciated her more than David could ever hope to.

Openness: At one point Christy is struggling with the death of a friend and she asks David for answers. He responds by saying that it’s best to not think about it. In contrast, Neil pushes Christy’s faith and beliefs, asking her why she believes what she does. Insisting that she not offer parroted responses for her faith but that she think for herself:

“Let it pour out, Christy. I don’t blame you. But this is the real you talking now, not some character you’re trying to be. You have fire in you, and I like fire in a woman.” -Neil

Another scene that so perfectly displays their  relational openness is a section where Neil gives Christy a ride back to the mission:

Doctor: “I’ve known a few girls in my life, Christy, but I don’t believe I’ve ever met one as stubborn and as know-it-all as you are.” Christy: “‘Thank you. I was just thinking the same nice thoughts about you.’ The doctor chuckled.”

Rebounds Abound: It’s been argued that Christy was just Neil’s rebound after his wife and child dying for typhoid three years previous. But I argue that Christy is Davids’s rebound after having his quarter-life crisis. His proposal was offered in the midst of his doubting his occupation of being a pastor, one that his mother pressured him into. Furthermore, the reason we don’t really know the Doctor is in love with Christy is that he fights it. He doesn’t want to be in ‘love’ again because he recognizes that he doesn’t really know what love is. This stems from his previous marriage being a relational disaster, mostly because of Margret’s very demanding and spoiled nature, a flew her mother admits to fueling. But towards the end of the book he realizes as he prays to God:

“I still don’t understand anything–except that somehow I know you are love. And that in my heart has been born so great a love for Christy as I did not know could exist on the earth. You, God, must be responsible.” -Neil, Praying at Christy’s Death Bed

By contrast, we see that David isn’t capable of loving Christy, and she knows it:

“Oh, David, what’s wrong? Why can’t you receive love? I’m afraid to admit it even to myself, but you don’t love me… You only want me in your arms, with my body against yours.” – Christy, To Herself

These are some of the most powerful instances I saw of Christy and Dr. MacNeill’s love being true and lasting. Let me know your thoughts!

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“This was an enchanting story of love, betrayal, and redemption! The author truly did a remarkable job showing the progression of the characters over time and hooking the reader with the real-life situations that I’m sure every reader can relate to. In this story are mini-tales of unrequited love, embarrassing relatives, school bullies, and friendships won and lost. The relatability and genuine honesty of Noel Branham’s book moved me and made me wish the story was never-ending. It’s a rare book that does that.

Susan Combs loves Calder Hurtz. Her best friend since a young girl, she has spent years loving him, all the while hoping her love would one day be returned. Calder is a flirt, constantly having a different girl over each night to do homework, and Susan has started to realize that her place in his life is not what it once was. Determined to move on and get past her love once and for all, she begins to branch out and make new friends. Embarking on a journey of self-discovery, Susan learns about how powerful love really is, and while she makes mistakes along the way, the treasure awaiting her at the end of it all is worth the great cost.

Susan was a very sweet character, easily endearing me to her from the very beginning. Her father was an invalid, and she was desperately trying to take care of him so that he could live at home rather than in an nursing facility. She was quiet, unassuming, and although she thought of a few people as her friends, her one true friend was the seemingly undeserving Calder Hurtz. I liked Calder for most of the book, although his apparent obliviousness towards Susan’s feelings became very frustrating. However, I knew boys like this in high school, and I found a lot of similarities between him and the popular boys I sat in class with. Flirts, all of them, and while not bad people, they caused so much unnecessary drama in their quest to be adored. As I read through the story, I had a feeling where it was going, but the book was very much like life – there were twists and turns and unexpected obstacles, and I very nearly thought it may not end well. Thankfully, the author wrapped it up quite nicely at the end, and I believed in the story she told.

Noel Branham is an amazing storyteller, not just for her general writing ability but also for her creative mind in thinking up so many stories within a story. She created a book that I feel a lot of people, men and women, should read if only to better understand that life does go on, and sometimes what is meant to be will eventually be.”

-Megan Loyd, Lady with a Quill

Megan writes many in-depth reviews, if you are looking for your next read I encourage you to check her out! Thanks for reading!

Megan Loyd Goodreads

Megan Loyd Website

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Texans are known for their incredible taste in food, whether it’s BBQ, Tex-Mex, or just plain Southern they know how to make your mouth happy. That said, there are some things that come across to Texans as just plain wrong when it comes to food:

Calling queso cheese dip. This is America people, use the language of native Texans: Queso. It’s Spanish for cheese, and English for the ‘Nectar of the heavens.’  The only time you will hear a Texan saying ‘cheese’ and ‘dip’ in the same sentence is if they have come out with a new kind of cheddar flavored tobacco. (Fun fact: If you add enough jalapenos, tomatoes, cilantro, and onions to your queso, it becomes a vegetable.)
Asking if it’s cilantro or parsley in the checkout line. Many Texans have noticed that the second they step out of their beloved state’s borders there is a lack of understanding about the differences between cilantro (Not pronounced SEE-LAWN-TROGH) and parsley. If it has hints of a soap-like fragrance and you have the sudden urge to throw it in queso, it’s cilantro. If you really want to make a Texan confused, refer to cilantro as ‘coriander leaves’, they will politely correct you with their southern charm.
Putting beans in your chili. There is nothing more perverse to a Texan than finding beans in chili. Why, you ask? Because why waste precious space in your chili with beans floating around when you could have more meat. If we wanted beans in our chili we would call it ‘Beans-with-meat-sauce”. Yum. Doesn’t that sound appetizing…?  :&

 

Remeber, do not question a people who eat tacos for three meals a day. Also, if you love Texas, YA romances, and want to read more about the awesome eating habits of Texans, look no further: The Simple Soul of Susan

What people are saying:

“The writing from this first-time author was great and I can’t wait to see future works.” -Laura

“Days after reading this book the characters stayed with me, which sent me back for another read!” -Lee

“Noel Branham is an author to look out for.” -Susan

“This Author has the power to draw you in and keep your attention from A to Z.” -Nikki

 

Until next time y’all!

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Thanks to everyone who has been reading The Simple Soul of Susan (SSS) and reviewing! I get a lot of questions from reviewers and readers about the book and wanted to answer them here on the blog. Here are some of the most frequently asked ones:

“Is this really your first book? I’m having a hard time believing it!” Yes, it is! I wrote it when I was homesick for Texas. It helped me remember all the things I love about Texas and eased my homesickness a bit. One of the reasons I decided to follow through with publishing it was so that I could always take a bit of home with me wherever I ended up.
“Who published this? It is very well written and put together beautifully.” This is a self-published book. I had two incredible editors who made this a possibility. Julia Roller was my main editor and over the course of six months, she essentially helped me rewrite it twice… talk about passion and dedication! She is also an accomplished author and has some fantastic writings out, one of them being Mom Seeks God which I recommend checking out! Lee Ann A. was my copy-editor. Besides working for NASA before she became a stay-at-home-mom, she is a talented editor and book lover. Ask her about any of the classics and receive a better than New-York-Times explanation and review.  All of her children are equally brilliant and incredible writers. Her youngest daughter even assisted in editing the final revision of the book!
“Who designed the cover and interior?” Before I began writing I did digital marketing for a living. That said, I designed the cover and put together the interior. I’m a watercolor fanatic and to be honest I finished making the cover almost a year before I finished writing the book. The cover inspired me to tell the story behind it.
“Where is Walnut Springs?” I named Walnut Springs after my hometown of Seguin, Texas. Seguin is named after Alamo defender Juan Seguin and he is buried near the coliseum in town. The town’s name was originally Walnut Springs until the famed Alamo defender was dug up in Mexico and buried in town to honor his service.  I went with Walnut Springs solely because its easier for most people to pronounce, but in the book, there is a street named “Seguin Street” to honor its namesake. Remember the Alamo!
“How long did it take you to write this?” I started writing it on September 25, 2015, when the first snow fell in St. Louis, Missouri.  I was homesick and needed an escape from the cold weather and foreign culture. The first chapter written was Armadillos n’ Critters and the last whole chapter written was Graduation an’ Gumption. I filled in the rest in between. Now a little more than two years later, it is published.

Thanks for reading and share with me any questions you wanted to be answered in the comments below!

Order The Simple Soul of Susan here! 

Pride and Prejudice, Persuasion, Emma, Sense and Sensibility… These are all among books by Jane Austen that most people have read. The only book missing from this list is the quick and fascinating Northanger Abbey. Here are four reasons you NEED some NA in your life:

Henry Tilney: Of all the males in Austen’s works Henry Tilney is among my favorites. His sarcasm and cleverness are highlighted by the endearing banter he shares throughout the book.  Realistic and witty, he mocks polite society in an attempt to show them for what they really are: social climbing gold diggers. He finds Catherine’s kindhearted and optimistic view of the world refreshing and endearing… and able to tame his sometimes cynical heart.

Henry: “And are you altogther pleased with Bath?”

Catherine: “Yes–I like it very well.”

Henry: “Now I must give one smirk, and then we may be rational again.”

The Dance Banter: None of Austen’s works have such flirtatious and smile-inducing dance banter. By ‘dance banter’ I mean the conversation that is exchanged while they perform the steps to their dance. Henry invites Catherine to dance on multiple occasions and their most private conversations are a treat to listen in on.
The Mystery: What happened to Henry’s mother? Was she killed by Henry’s father? Was Northanger Abbey haunted for good reason? Very few of Austen’s works have such an open mystery lurking among the pages and yearning to be solved. It’s refreshing, and not what you would expect!
 Ordinary Girl = Heroine: One of the most refreshing pictures painted about the protagonist, Catherine, is that she is a heroine because she is ordinary. Being ordinary means finding happiness not in the glittering wealth and social occasions that women of society can afford, but instead in the love of another person and their love and respect in return. It’s the ordinary people in our lives that are our heroes at the end of the day.

So I encourage to go read Northanger Abbey. I hope you love it as much as Mr. Collins loves to bestow practiced complements on the ladies.