Jeff Call's Blog
December 15, 2018
Mannings of Mormonville
As usual, I'm a little late to the party.
I just joined Goodreads as an author and I'm amazed by this great resource for authors and readers.
In 2002, I published my first novel, "Mormonville." I never thought of doing a sequel until readers started asking me to write more about Luke Manning and the other characters.
In 2004, I published the sequel, "Return to Mormonville." Once again, I thought the story was over. But over the years, I realized Luke had entered another life-altering phase of life — fatherhood — that needed to be explored.
A few weeks ago, after years of writing, I published the third installment of the "Mormonville" series. It's called "Mannings of Mormonville." It debuted 16 years after the first book, which is a long time. I'm hoping that those who have read the first two books will enjoy catching up on the latest on Luke, Hayley and their family.
"Mannings of Mormonville" picks up about 15 years after "Return to Mormonville." Luke Manning's conversion to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints against considerable odds has changed him forever. But he's confronting new challenges — financial struggles, stresses at home and the all-consuming fear that he might never measure up to being a respected journalist, a devout Latter-day Saint, and the ideal husband and father.
A new calling prompts Luke to research his family history for the first time and he makes stunning discoveries about his ancestors and his heritage. A monthlong, 8,000-mile cross-country Church history trip with his family could drive him crazy, but it also has the potential of healing generations-old wounds, strengthening family bonds and spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ in unforeseen, unconventional ways.
I wrote the third book in such a way that you don't have to read the first two to enjoy this one. For those who read "Mannings of Mormonville" first, I hope they'll want to read the first two books as prequels.
Thanks for taking time to read this and I welcome your questions and feedback.
Jeff
I just joined Goodreads as an author and I'm amazed by this great resource for authors and readers.
In 2002, I published my first novel, "Mormonville." I never thought of doing a sequel until readers started asking me to write more about Luke Manning and the other characters.
In 2004, I published the sequel, "Return to Mormonville." Once again, I thought the story was over. But over the years, I realized Luke had entered another life-altering phase of life — fatherhood — that needed to be explored.
A few weeks ago, after years of writing, I published the third installment of the "Mormonville" series. It's called "Mannings of Mormonville." It debuted 16 years after the first book, which is a long time. I'm hoping that those who have read the first two books will enjoy catching up on the latest on Luke, Hayley and their family.
"Mannings of Mormonville" picks up about 15 years after "Return to Mormonville." Luke Manning's conversion to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints against considerable odds has changed him forever. But he's confronting new challenges — financial struggles, stresses at home and the all-consuming fear that he might never measure up to being a respected journalist, a devout Latter-day Saint, and the ideal husband and father.
A new calling prompts Luke to research his family history for the first time and he makes stunning discoveries about his ancestors and his heritage. A monthlong, 8,000-mile cross-country Church history trip with his family could drive him crazy, but it also has the potential of healing generations-old wounds, strengthening family bonds and spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ in unforeseen, unconventional ways.
I wrote the third book in such a way that you don't have to read the first two to enjoy this one. For those who read "Mannings of Mormonville" first, I hope they'll want to read the first two books as prequels.
Thanks for taking time to read this and I welcome your questions and feedback.
Jeff
