I liked the story set in the past better than the one in the present. The one in present day didn't interest me much. The romance between Tenley and Jonas didn't seem as genuine to me. Tenley was almost a little too eccentric for me. The only way I related to her was the writing aspect and her doubts about her writing ability. I enjoyed Birdie and Eli's story - how they loved each other, yet because of their families, they weren't allowed to let it go anywhere. I also liked how Birdie wanted to be a writer despite all the obstacles in her way relevant to the time period she lived in. I really liked how Eli supported and encouraged her from the beginning.

Pride causes a multitude of sins. It is the root of the selfishness and the glossy varnish covering our fears and insecurities. Some families hand down its follies and consequences shrouded in secrecy like unwanted inheritance.

Birdie and Eli and Tenley and Jonas, more than a century apart maneuver through such pride and its ever-reaching arms which threaten careers, relationships and lives.

Rachel Hauck delves into complex issues and personalities to pen another stunning inspirational tale.

I received a complimentary copy of the book. This review is my own opinion.

Rachel Hauck has to be one of my favorite contemporary romance authors. I haven't read The Wedding Chapel or The Wedding Shop yet but did read The Wedding Dress and enjoyed the split timeline of the story. She handles the split timeline really well and this book just shows how she masterfully ties together every detail from each timeline to deliver a stunning story.

The writing is fluid and easy to read. There is much humor in this book, more so than I remember from her previous books. At times, I laughed out loud at the thoughts and conversations. The chapters are titled by the characters' names, which brings a cozier, more first-person narrative-esque feel to this third person narration.

The characters are AWESOME. Of course, we must start with the hero of the story, Jonas. He is every woman's dream....faithful, loyal to his family, loving, responsible, intuitive, creative, a follower of Christ who walks the walk. Yes, he's flawed - he has his hang-ups, his past hurts - but he's willing to be vulnerable for a chance at love.
Tenley, the heroine, takes awhile to warm up to. She starts out as a self-absorbed writer with a truckload of emotional baggage. The story chronicles her journey into finding her purpose and who she really is.
Then there are Birdie and Elijah from the past who add such depth and flavor to the storyline. Their story kept me quite anxious....because I was never sure if they'd end up together or not. Birdie is a strong, educated, independent woman at the turn of the century who is an heiress to a fortune in NY. Elijah is an English earl - the honor-bound, God-fearing, loyal, tender type - with more family debt than he can pay back. Theirs is a story riddled with heartache but also with triumph and love.
The secondary characters, like Tenley's mom Blanche, Tenley's dad and his memories, and Jonas' entire clan, are also wonderful and memorable.

The component of faith, prayer, and communion with God is strong and steady throughout the book. Tenley's conversion experience is not as dramatic as some of Ms. Hauck's other characters' in her previous books (I still get goosebumps when I recall Prince Stephen's experience in How to Catch a Prince) but the quiet and steady way she comes to the Lord is beautiful.

I am thankful for the ARC from Thomas Nelson via NetGalley. I was not required to write a favorable review. All comments and opinions are solely my own.

Rachel Hauck creates a vivid dual storyline as she presents the lives and loves of Tenley and Birdie. The characters and time periods are rich and the storyline captivating as both Tenley and Birdie struggle as writers. Modern day Tenley lives under the pressure of her famous writer father and great grandfather and leaves to help her estranged mother. There she begins to learn of the story of Birdie from The Gilded Age. Rachel does a great job presenting the story from multiple perspectives giving the reader an immersed understanding of the characters. The story is beautiful and enjoyable with twists and emotions.

Two storylines one the present and one in the past, but both take place in the same home I loved the obvious similarities between the two storylines. There are writers in each storyline and one is having a hard time getting the second book written while the other is having a hard time getting her first published. As most readers can agree on, we love a book about books!

I love a dual narrative and I loved how obvious the stories were intersecting. Tenley Roth was great as she went back to reunite with her estranged mom and while nursing her back to health tried to repair the relationship. And Birdie Shehorn was fierce! She was trying to do things that at the time were not allowed for women and trying to push the envelope as to what was expected for her by her parents. I always love a dual narrative, but I absolutely love it when I don't prefer one story to the other, it is nice to love them both so much. So there was pure love for the plot, but below I divulge something that made this book go down a few notches for me.

As maybe not all of you know, Rachel Hauck is a christian fiction author and some of hers I have loved and some I haven't as much and I know going into each read that her books may have a christian element and most time they work well into the story. BUT this one for me I was enjoying until the last end and parts of how it ended I didn't love. I was fine with the character stating that he was refraining from sex due to his beliefs but the things he said after just felt preachy to me and went beyond what I think should happen in some christian fiction stories, totally personal thoughts here.

All in all, I will read Rachel Hauck because she does a good plot, but I will continue to keep in mind her christian fiction slant and will hope that she can get them to easily weave into the story.

The Writing Desk, by Rachel Hauck, opens by introducing us to Tenley Roth, a modern-day author. Tenley’s first novel was a blockbuster hit. However, now she is struggling to meet a deadline for her second novel.

We are then introduced to Elizabeth “Birdie” Shehorn, a young lady of the early 1900s who desperately wants to be an author.

Ms. Hauck has deftly interwoven two different eras into one compelling story. As we travel back in time, our eyes are opened to the difficulties women, and in this case a young woman, had in being able to choose their avocation and suitor. Birdie’s mother was ruthless in her desire for Birdie to make a suitable marriage and would stop at almost nothing to achieve her goals for Birdie. Juxtaposed against Birdie’s life was Tenley’s. A modern day young woman. Tenley was able to make her own choices for her life. However, her fears held her hostage.

The secondary characters are well written and suitably fleshed out, causing you to either love or hate them as you get to know them for whom they are. Some of the situations of the key individuals are heart-wrenching. However, Ms. Hauck, without it seeming gratuitous, offers hope and encouragement through their faith, be it new or long-standing.

There are some adult situations, but they are not salacious. Nonetheless, I would caution parents to read the book first before allowing their teens to read it.

I received this book from NetGalley. However, I was under no obligation to post a review.
(I also posted to FB, B & N and CBD.)

I was first introduced to Rachel Hauck with her book The Wedding Dress, which I really enjoyed.

Reading books about anything bookish whether it is writer's, readers, bookshop owners, you name it and you've got my attention.

The Writing Desk is a dual narrative about writers and writer's block (amongest other things as well). In present day we have Tenley Roth with a serious case of writer's block, the fact that she is on a tight deadline isn't helping her find her mojo. Thinking this new found desk (along with a red robe and slippers) will help her, she ultimately gets more than she bargained for.

Birdie Shehorn is a writer who does not suffer from writers block but she is born during a time when a women's first priority is to do what their parents and then husband says, to marry for social status and financial gain, forget about love.

I will just be blunt here and say that I loved this book. Both time periods were equally entertaining and intriguing. It was not predictable and left me guessing right to the end. The characters were developed with depth, they were flawed and authentic, where one relies on her faith to get her through situations that appear hopeless the other discovers what it means to cast your cares on Him. For Christian fiction it wasn't overly preachy but contained the right balance that I love.

The Writing Desk is a wonderful story of forgiveness, love, endurance and discovering where to place your faith. With a unique plot that was written with humor and feeling, definitely one I highly recommend.

The Writing Desk by Rachel Hauck weaves together the lives of two women, a century apart. Tenley Roth is facing major writer’s block as she attempts to write a second novel after a highly successfully debut novel. A century earlier, Birdie Shehorn attempts to become an author in the midst of the Gilded Age. These stories seems worlds apart, but Rachel Hauck skillfully tells each tale from their point of view until their worlds collide irrevocably. I have long been a fan of Rachel Hauck’s fiction. But when I began this book, I was concerned that I would not like this book set in two time periods and told concurrently. I was in for a great surprise and I think this might be my favorite book by this author so far. I highly recommend this book. It is beautifully told and the stories are woven together seamlessly by a very talented author. I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

This is my first Rachel Hauck book but it won't be my last. It's an inventive story with a little romance making for an enjoyable read. I would recommend this one for fans of Karen Kingsbury or any Christian fiction.

Rachel's Back Talk:

5 - award winning covers

This is probably one of my favorite books! I know -- I say that a lot ;) Maybe it's because I felt a personal connection with the main characters who also happen to be writers. Or maybe it's because I've actually met Rachel Hauck and she is one of my favorite authors. I love, love, love her writing and the way her stories completely capture me. This one was no exception.

This story jumps back and forth between two main characters. One is set in modern, today time and the other is set in the Gilded Age. Sometimes, I find this to be confusing and will connect to only one of the character's story. The Writing Desk was different and I completely fell in love with both Tenley and Birdie's stories.

Tenley is a girl just like you and me -- she is trying to decide what she wants to do with her life and she is afraid to break out of the mold she finds herself in. Then she takes a step in an unknown direction and finds herself because more of a person she really like and spending it with the people who she cares about. And then enter Jones. I love his character and the role he plays in Tenley's life! I also like how the reader gets to know Jones too and understand some of the motives behind his choices.

Birdie seems to be struggling like Tenley, however, because of the time she lives in, she doesn't have the same freedom as Tenley. It was interesting to read about some of the struggles that Birdie had to go through to be with the man she loved and also to be able to follow her dream!

Like I said, I loved this book! Go, read it. But be forewarned, I had to read it in two days just so I could find out what happens to Tenley and Birdie!

I received a free copy from the author. No review, positive or otherwise, was required — all opinions are my own.

The Writing Desk is about trust in yourself and mostly GOD - Amen?, forgiveness, resolving fear in your life, developing a deep and loving relationship with our LORD JESUS CHRIST. It is about strength in times of trouble and it teaches who you lean on during those times. When you need help or have a problem who do you go to My help comes from the LORD! ? Guess what happens? Well then you have another woman (Tenley) many years later who is a writer with writers block. She had a book published - now she needs another book to become published but she cannot come up with anything - but now that she is using this desk - this special desk that is at her Mothers house that she is at - helping to take care of her - Guess why that desk is so very special - so very very mind blowingly special. Guess why it is a semi-miracle that she is even there in the first place to get that desk? This book is a book of GOD's hands touching everyone and everything if you just trust in HIM. HE is always there - hearing every prayer faithful and true - isn't that right ya'll - get this book and feel the LORD just reaching down......

Rachel Hauck’s most recent novels have all featured a present-day romance and a historical romance, with something that connects the two.

No prizes for guessing what the connection is in The Writing Desk … In the present, Tenley Roth has just won a major writing award, but she’s convinced she’s only won because she’s the great-great-granddaughter of the author for whom the award is named. Not to mention that she’s just a hack who wrote a romance novel, and she’s exactly zero words into the manuscript that’s due in less than three months. And now she’s in Florida, caring for her estranged mother as Blanche recovers from chemo.

In 1902, Bridie Shehorn has recently graduated from Wellesley. Now Mama insists she marry and move into her rightful role as leader of the Four Hundred. Mama even has a groom picked out—Alphonse, who is from a good family, suitably rich, yet far too fond of the ladies. And he’s not Eli, the handsome Earl who is back in New York after serving in the Boer War.

I have to say that at the beginning, I was a lot more intrigued by Bridie’s story than by Tenley’s. Most of Tenley’s problems appeared self-inflicted. She’s got an almost-fiance she stays with for no known reason, and a bad case of writers block made worse by constant lying to her agent and editor. On the other hand, Bridie’s problems were mostly caused by a controlling Mama whose idea of good parenting was to do what was best for Mama with little or no regard for anyone else. Bridie least of all.

But I grew more and more interested in Tenley’s story as the novel progressed. She befriends Jonas, who has the large, close-knit family she always dreamed of, and begins to investigate his Christian faith. Yes, this is Christian romance, although the faith aspects are subtle to the point a reader might not even notice.

Bridie had her own subtle faith journey as well, although the focus of her story was more on her impending marriage, and her writing. Yes, Bridie was also a writer. I thought I’d picked up the connection between Tenley and Bridie early on (and the twist), but there was a lot more to the connection.

Recommended for those who enjoy dual-timeline stories.. Thanks to Zondervan and NetGalley for providing an ebook for review.

I never hesitate to pick up a Rachel Hauck book! Another great novel penned by Hauck!

Wonderful! It was different than I expected but the outcome was fantastic. Brilliant writing by Ms. Hauck.

If you have time for only one Christian romance novel this summer, make The Writing Desk the one you choose! Oh. My. Word. I loved absolutely everything about this novel and couldn't put it down! Rachel Hauck is generally one of my favorites, but I can't begin to tell you how much this story has stuck with me even after several months after reading it. And generally, I read 4-5 books a month and don't remember one from another very well. Some of the details may be fading, but it's impression certainly isn't.

Rachel masterfully intertwines the stories of two strong, female writers who lived a century apart. Tenley recently wrote a novel that went to the best seller list. Now, she fighting writer's block while dealing with a broken heart and trying to repair a relationship with her mother. When she arrives at her mother's home to help care for her, she finds a beautiful old desk and claims it as her own in hopes it will give her the inspiration she needs to meet her deadline. Birdie is the only living child of wealthy parents in the gilded age. Her mother is manipulating her into marriage, but she has other hopes and dreams; specifically, to write. Just how far is her mother willing to go to convince or connive Birdie to bend her will?

First things, first. I loved the character names in this book. It truly added to the sense of who each character was. Next, I loved Tenley's sass and humor especially when in embarrassing situations. I loved the pace and the detail and the contemporary era pitted against the gilded age. Rachel Hauck just did such a fabulous job of making Birdie's life and times come to life so I felt like I was there with her experiencing the social pressures of the day. Finally, what's not to love about a novel that brings you to tears because you feel so connected with the character that you grieve for and with them?

While it is a romance, it is fairly light on the depictions of physical activities, but does have a few "suggestive" moments such as: If all else fails, marry for money, then seek the one you love. Take her as your mistress" or "Want to go inside? Work on that baby we've been talking about?"

Favorite Quote Tidbits:
"In the meantime, she needed a shower. If she skipped one more day she feared vermin might appear from the knot on top of her head. She was sure she heard the sounds of construction of there, the little varmints building a small city, houses, roads, schools for their offspring."

"Moving through the rhythm of the reel, taking one hand, then another, crossing over and back again, warming to the joy of dancing, her hand clasped in his."

It took me a couple of chapters to settle into this novel, but once I did, I was well and truly hooked. Both the historical and the contemporary stories held my attention equally (I would go so far as to say demanded my attention at times), and the way they eventually dovetailed together was immensely satisfying. Not only that, but the path was often delightfully—or heart-stoppingly—unexpected. Even when I knew what I hoped would happen, I wasn’t able to anticipate (or even imagine) how or when it would come about. And there were so many layers and threads to the story. What a glorious tapestry it ended up weaving!

In many ways, Tenley and Birdie were each other’s antitheses, which made for some great contrasts within the story. Tenley was both vulnerable and quirky—traits which endeared her to me and entertained at the same time—whereas Birdie was poised and forthright, knowing what she did and didn’t want from life. Tenley’s mother abandoned her and her father when she was much younger, and so part of her journey in this story is reconnecting with her mother while she looks after her during her chemo treatment. By contrast, Birdie’s mother holds a tight grip on her daughter’s life, determined to see her wed to a man who will help make her a leader in society, and so Birdie actually struggles to separate herself from her mother’s iron will.

Perhaps the most important contrast, however, is in their writing. Birdie wants nothing more than to tell stories and be published, but her manuscripts are rejected. Tenley feels as though her one novel, written as a way to process her feelings after her father’s death, has propelled her into the publishing world simply because her father and great-grandfather were both successful and much lauded authors. Now she has a looming deadline, reams of blank pages, and zero inspiration. Is writing really what she’s supposed to do with her life?

The one thing Tenley and Birdie do have in common is the writing desk, and I was totally unprepared for the way it would bring the two stories together. Masterful plotting! What's more, these two women eventually saw their hearts' desires fulfilled in ways that were unimaginable—even unlooked-for—at the beginning of the book, which somehow made it all the sweeter.

I haven’t even mentioned Jonas or Elijah yet, the two men who play important roles in Tenley’s and Birdie’s lives respectively. This is a definite two-for-the-price-of-one in the romance department, and both men were heart-stoppers in their own unassuming ways. Romance-loving hearts will be well sated.

The one slight criticism I have is that I think the cover, beautiful though it is, led me to expect a different kind of story—or at least, a different kind of heroine than either Tenley or Birdie turned out to be—and after much reflection, I think that may have been part of the reason why it took me a little while to settle in to the story. The woman on the cover is serene, and has an air of innocence or naïvety or simplicity—or something. That’s not this story. And that isn’t a bad thing!—but it’s not this story.

But it is a story well worth reading.

Tenley Roth’s first book was a runaway bestseller. Now that her second book is due, she’s locked in fear. Can she repeat her earlier success or is she a fraud who has run out of inspiration?

With pressure mounting from her publisher, Tenley is weighted with writer’s block. But when her estranged mother calls asking Tenley to help her through chemotherapy, she packs up for Florida where she meets handsome furniture designer Jonas Sullivan and discovers the story her heart’s been missing.

A century earlier, another woman wrote at the same desk with hopes and fears of her own. Born during the Gilded Age, Birdie Shehorn is the daughter of the old money Knickerbockers. Under the strict control of her mother, her every move is decided ahead of time, even whom she’ll marry. But Birdie has dreams she doesn’t know how to realize. She wants to tell stories, write novels, make an impact on the world. When she discovers her mother has taken extreme measures to manipulate her future, she must choose between submission and security or forging a brand new way all on her own.

Tenley and Birdie are from two very different worlds, but fate has bound them together in a way time cannot erase.

Tenley is struggling to write her next best seller. Actually she is struggling to write anything. So she packs up and goes to FL to take care of her mother. She has left her Christian roots behind and struggles with her choices.

Birdie is from the Gilded Age. It's appalling how she was treated and not given any choice in who she will marry. It was quite an eye opener.

Rachel never disappoints in her books and this time she didn't either. I highly recommend it.

I was given this book by the publisher for an honest review. I was not compensated in any way.

The Writing Desk

by Rachel Hauck

Thomas Nelson--FICTION

Zondervan
Christian

Pub Date 11 Jul 2017

I am reviewing a copy of The Writing Desk through Thomas Nelson Fiction-Zondervan and Netgalley:

Tenley Roth had a runaway best seller as her first book and now her second book is due and she finds herself afraid, worrying that everyone will think she is a fraud. As the pressure from her publisher mounts she finds herself stuck in writers block.

Roth's Great-Great Grandfather and her Father had both written their first books on the desk she now sat at. Her father was supposed to be their mentoring her but he had died unexpectedly at sixty-two.

Will Tenley be able to finish her new novel, and will she find out about herself and her great grandfather in the process?

Find out in The Writing Desk.

Five out of five stars!

Happy Reading!

Thanks to Netgalley for the ecopy of this book for my Kindle.
I have read several of Rachel Hauck's books, but this is my favorite one.
What an inspirational and uplifting book.

The Writing Desk by Rachel Hauck really captivated my attention. Very hard to put this fast paced page turner down!Featuring a dual time line, which I love in books the stories take place a century apart but actually have a connection. Two very strong women are trying to prove themselves in the writing world. Birdie,is from old money and was born during the Gilded Age. I just loved the rich and sumptuous descriptions here and the elegance. She uses the desk to pour out her thoughts and fears but she has a very controlling and manipulative mother who makes Birdie pay for her,(the mother's mistake). Coming out into society was all about you associated with and it must be high society. Her mother wants to force her to marry someone against her will to further her high society ranking not caring That her daughter has no feelings for this man.
Fast forward a century, After an amazing best seller, Tenley is expected to produce another best seller by the quickly approaching deadline. Her writer's block is not helped by the stress she feels. Her boyfriend is pressuring her to marry him and she's just not feeling it. She doesn't have a close relationship with Blanche,her mother who abandoned the family when Tenley was a young child. Being raised by her father caused her to feel neglected and abandoned by her mother. She is in a tug of war when her boyfriend asks her to go to Paris with him so he can work on his screen play at the same time her mother asks her to go to Florida to help her get through her chemotherapy. The pressure mounts from her publisher as her writer's block continues. She is using the same desk to write on that Birdie used and she find something amazing in the stuck middle drawer.
My take on this is don't settle in life. Go for what's important and that you know is right even if it involves waiting and never marry for any reason but real,true love. Money and material things are just things but true love will sustain you!
Amazing Book!
Pub Date 11 Jul 2017
Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson--FICTION for a review copy in exchange for my honest review.