Deanna Sletten's One Wrong Turn
The subject of this week's blog post here at Budden Book Reviews relates to the upcoming release of One Wrong Turn by Deanna Lynn Sletten, scheduled to be published June 20, 2017.
It is with great pleasure that I present this title to you but, contrary to what you may expect, it's not because the author asked me to promote One Wrong Turn on my site. It's also not because I've read the book and enjoyed it. Rather it's because of my past experience with reading Sletten's titles. Let's just say that I know, beyond a shadow of doubt, that when I pick up One Wrong Turn and decide to read it, I'm going to love it!
As with other titles I've read which Sletten has written - such as Memories, Sara's Promise, Summer of the Loon, and Maggie's Turn - I am certain I will be transported to another world, to another set of circumstances which will draw me into the characters' lives so completely I will forget about everything, and everyone, in the world - except for my youngest granddaughter who has a way of making her presence known, regardless of what I may be doing.
I've been in touch with Sletten over the past few years; she's always been a ray of sunshine and a breath of fresh air to me. I've been cheering her on from the sidelines and there is no one more proud than me that she has attained best selling author status for her title, Maggie's Turn. I can definitely attest to the book being in a ball park of its own (of those books I've read) and I couldn't think of a title more deserving, a book which could appeal to people on multiple levels.
I could go on; I'm sure you've sensed that already but it's time for me to move along so you can learn more about One Wrong Turn and the woman behind the story.
The words “I’m her husband” roll off Clay Connors’s tongue, but with his estranged wife lying in a coma—and no assurance that she’ll awaken—he knows he’s perilously close to losing everything.
A singular, terrifying accident has left Jess Connors suspended between life and death. Now Clay is reunited with the family he hasn’t seen for two years, including the daughters he left behind.
Clay should have been there for his family. He never should have stayed away so long. The alcohol that took over his life destroyed everything but a shred of his self-preservation.
Sober and haunted, Clay revisits the memory of love, marriage, and how his life unraveled. He hopes that by trying to reconnect with the daughter who blames him and the daughter who barely knew him, he can find a light of hope in this darkest hour.
As his family faces its most grueling, emotional test yet, Clay must summon the courage to make right what was wrong—and find forgiveness from his harshest judge: himself.
To learn more about One Wrong Turn, to read the book or reviews, please click here to view its page on Amazon.
The Story Behind One Wrong Turn
You never know when your life is going to spin out of control. In my latest fiction novel, One Wrong Turn, that is exactly what happens to Clay and Jess.
Often I’m asked where the ideas for my novels come from. There is never a single answer for that. Ideas can come from the lyrics of a song, an overheard conversation, or a personal experience. That is how Clay and Jess’s story came to me - from personal experience. Though I was never in a near-death accident, it was a spin-out that made me question: what if? And a story was born.
It happened a few years ago when I was practically living in my van, driving my kids back and forth to school and activities. We live in Minnesota where the winters are long and snowy. It was close to spring and the roads were a mushy mess from wet snow that had fallen overnight.
As I drove home from dropping my kids off at school, I was careful not to go too fast because of the slush. Coming down a steep hill, a car pulled out right in front of me from a side road and, while trying to brake, my van’s tires caught up in the tracks of slush and began to lose control. After sliding back and forth, it finally spun and rammed backwards into the snowbank on the side of the road. A car that had been right behind me stopped and the woman ran over and asked if I was okay. “I thought for sure you were going to flip,” she said.
Luckily, I was fine and so was my van but, after I was towed out of the snow bank and returned home - after my nerves had calmed down - I began to think, what if? What would have happened if my van had flipped and I’d been hurt—or worse? Who would chauffeured my kids? How would my husband react? The writer in me let my imagination run wild and the story for One Wrong Turn was born.
No one ever knows what each day will bring, and writers never know when inspiration will hit. It comes at the oddest times, or during the strangest experiences. Most aren’t as dramatic as a car accident but, when the story hits you, it stays with you until it is finally put to paper.
Even though this accident had happened to me years ago, the idea of the story stayed with me until I finally wrote it this year. My accident became a full-fledged fictional story full of drama, romance, heartbreak, and redemption. I hope you will get a chance to read and enjoy the story born from my minor accident and extreme imagination.
Tweet this!
Real life #books which draw you in and won't let go @deannalsletten @BuddenReviews
https://tinyurl.com/yd9jhz2h #fiction #couples #love (Tweet this)
Finding the #strength to #forgive yourself. One Wrong Turn @deannalsletten @BuddenReviews https://tinyurl.com/yd9jhz2h #fiction #love (Tweet this)
Maggie's Turn and One Wrong Turn. True to life #fiction at its best.
@deannalsletten @BuddenReviews https://tinyurl.com/yd9jhz2h (Tweet this)
When pain and sorrow is all you know, is there any hope for #redemption? @deannalsletten @Budden Reviews https://tinyurl.com/yd9jhz2h (Tweet this)
Available now at Amazon
One wrong turn is available at Amazon for pre-order until June 20, 2017, when it will be published. Purchase your copy today so you will be one of the first people to have an opportunity to read what I'm positive will be a mesmerizing story. I know I'll be on that list and I hope to hear your thoughts about One Wrong Turn in the coming days and weeks.
Wait no longer. Click here to purchase your copy.
About the Author
Deanna Lynn Sletten writes women's fiction and romance novels. She began her writing career self-publishing novels in 2012 and has since published several novels. Her latest novel, One Wrong Turn, is her third book published by Lake Union Publishing. Deanna believes in fate, destiny, love at first sight, soul mates, second chances, and happily ever after, and her novels reflect that.
Deanna lives in a small town in northern Minnesota and is married and has two grown children. When not writing, she enjoys walking the wooded trails around her home with her beautiful Australian Shepherd or relaxing in the boat on the lake.
Where Can I Find Deanna Sletten Online?
A Personal Note from Norma Budden of Budden Book Reviews
I had not read about One Wrong Turn until preparing this author spotlight featuring Deanna Sletten. I tend to leave the blog posts as surprises until I'm ready to publish the words so you can read them. I received an added surprise this time.
During the writing frenzy called NaNoWriMo during November, 2016, I wrote a story titled, The Prayer, the first book of The Wish Trilogy. In this story, there is a comatose woman and a man who looks on as she lays in bed, waiting - even anticipating - the moment when she will open her eyes, this woman whom he had never known existed. He wanted her to wake - not only so he could look into her eyes, but for her little girl.
The Prayer was born from my imagination and has a lot of heart, emotion and drama within its pages. I just thought I'd extend an invitation in case you might like to learn more about The Prayer. If so, you can read more about the story at Amazon.
But I digress...
An Invitation to Share Your Thoughts
Do you have issues with forgiving yourself for past words or actions? If forgiving yourself comes easily to you, do you know someone who struggles in this area?
Do you know someone who berates him/herself for things beyond their control - things which can never be changed - in the process taking a downward spiral instead of trying to make positive changes in life? What advice would you have for such a person?