Halstad House

A rambling white house. An unopened letter. A young woman in need of a miracle.

Halstad House offers more than lodgings and a good meal to boarders. In the aftermath of World War I, the boarding house gives Grace Halstad a way to drown her heartache in never-ending work. Seeds of bitterness have grown in her heart, but as much as she tries to shut Him out, the Lord is not giving up on her.

Torn between the past and the future, in the wake of shattered dreams, can Grace risk opening her heart again?

Reading Halstad House was like developing a friendship; each chapter unveiled the personalities and entertaining quirks of Grace, Allie, Esther, and Ethan a little more. Watching Grace wrestle with challenges brought this book alive in a realistic way. Here’s hoping that there’s a sequel out there, because I’d love to deepen my friendships with these characters.

Jennifer Church, teacher, missionary, and voracious reader

Christy Martenson

2019-10-03T11:27:31-07:00

Jennifer Church, teacher, missionary, and voracious reader

Reading Halstad House was like developing a friendship; each chapter unveiled the personalities and entertaining quirks.

https://christymartenson.com/testimonials/like-developing-a-friendship/

Christy has a unique voice and a true storyteller's gift. She brings the characters to life so well you really feel like they are real people that you have gotten to know.

I was left with a sweet melancholy satisfaction after reading Halstad House and think of Grace's story often during the day. Definitely worth the read!

Brenda Gates, author

Christy Martenson

2019-11-26T10:39:46-07:00

Brenda Gates, author

Christy has a unique voice and a true storyteller's gift.

https://christymartenson.com/testimonials/brings-the-characters-to-life/

I can't remember the last time a book caught and captured my soul! Through a delightful cast of characters who quickly became friends and a sweet, gentle grace that speaks of the love of the Father, Christy Martenson has woven an intricate journey of the heart into a story you won't soon forget. Pull up a chair and a cozy mug, and be prepared to laugh and cry your way from beginning to end.

Rachelle Rea Cobb, historical fiction author and editor

Christy Martenson

2019-09-10T19:24:33-07:00

Rachelle Rea Cobb, historical fiction author and editor

Christy Martenson has woven an intricate journey of the heart into a story you won't soon forget.

https://christymartenson.com/testimonials/a-delightful-cast-of-characters/

In a style reminiscent of Janette Oke’s books, Halstad House relates one family’s struggles and God’s faithfulness. The careful character development and vivid word pictures quickly drew me in and had me laughing, crying and cheering. I really hope there’s a sequel.

Karen Cleghorn, retired medical editor and avid reader

Christy Martenson

2019-10-18T15:24:19-07:00

Karen Cleghorn, retired medical editor and avid reader

The careful character development and vivid word pictures quickly drew me in and had me laughing, crying and cheering.

https://christymartenson.com/testimonials/one-familys-struggles-and-gods-faithfulness/

Christy Martenson has written a lovely historical fiction story located in northeastern Washington State. Set in the era right after World War I, Christy has captured the aura of the time. Like a memory, we are given snapshots from the language of the time to canning produce and showing the normal daily living.

Linda Jo Reed, author

Christy Martenson

2019-10-30T08:52:29-07:00

Linda Jo Reed, author

Set in the era right after World War I, Christy has captured the aura of the time in this historical fiction story.

https://christymartenson.com/testimonials/captured-the-aura-of-the-time/

Halstad House is the story of the interweaving of lives touched by the tragedy of war and individual circumstance. Set in rural Eastern Washington, Martenson's characters have a depth the reader will enjoy and an innocence all their own. Tinged with humor and grace, each page shows how unrealized dreams, hopes, and disappointments are re-spun into a vibrant fabric of life. A delight to read!

Rachelle Baumann, homeschool mom and avid reader

Christy Martenson

2019-11-15T14:56:03-07:00

Rachelle Baumann, homeschool mom and avid reader

Tinged with humor and grace, each page shows how unrealized dreams, hopes, and disappointments are re-spun into a vibrant fabric of life. A delight to read!

https://christymartenson.com/testimonials/tinged-with-humor-and-grace/

Christy Martenson

Featured Around the Web:

#HalstadHouse on Instagram

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It’s the 1920s in Washington and the Great War has left Grace Halstad struggling to piece together the brokenness of her shattered dreams. Halstad House follows Grace as she works tirelessly to create a home for her spirited daughter Allie while running a boarding house on her own. Not only must she face off against ornery “biddies,” a slimy cousin, and a cantankerous rooster, Grace has to conquer demons of her own in order to maintain hope. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ If you enjoy Janette Oke – central female protagonist, inspirational fiction, gentle love stories – you will really connect with @christymartenson second novel! Thanks for letting me read it early, Christy! #halstadhouse

A post shared by Emily Gardner (@emilyreadsbooks) on Nov 1, 2019 at 5:10am PDT

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I’ve been making a lot of visits to a place called Halstad House lately. I’d peek in through lace curtains fluttering at the windows to see gleaming wooden floors and a cookstove fresh with blacking. The kitchen smelled of apples and cinnamon. Steaming cups of tea sat on the table between Grace and her sister Esther who were laughing at some shared secret. I could almost taste the scrumptious-looking cinnamon rolls as Grace pulled them from the oven. Then the scene would change, and I’d watch Allie play with the cat named Geoffrey Chaucer and the dog named Uffda. Oh, the time she had with the ornery rooster named Fred (or Stew Meat, depending on who you ask)! Laughter followed everywhere Allie went. But it was Grace that touched my heart the most. Her insecurities. Her struggles. I saw myself in Grace. And as I immersed myself in her story, I learned right along with her. My friend Christy Martenson’s historical Christian fiction novel releases today. I think it’s time for another visit to Halstad House…

A post shared by Gretchen Louise (@gretlouise) on Nov 22, 2019 at 5:06pm PST

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“A rambling white house. An unopened letter. A young woman in need of a miracle.” I so enjoy supporting local creators when I discover them. We all loved the children’s book “Love, Mary Elizabeth” by @christymartenson as a read aloud. I was excited to have a chance to read her new Christian historical fiction novel! Set in northeast Washington after WWI the story follows young widow Grace Halstad as she and her daughter struggle to face many challenges while running their home as a boarding house. I enjoyed getting to know each character as this sweet uplifting story unfolds. Pre-order on Kindle available now! #readaloud #HalstadHouse #books

A post shared by Celeste Engell (@simplegiftsfarmhouse) on Oct 27, 2019 at 5:08pm PDT

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“A rambling white house. An unopened letter. A young woman in need of a miracle…” I was hooked at unopened letter! ✉️ “Halstad House” by @christymartenson is coming soon. And you’re not going to want to miss out on this poignant piece of historical fiction set in rural Washington state in the 1920s. 🏡 Kindle pre-order available now! #HalstadHouse #coverreveal

A post shared by Gretchen Louise (@gretlouise) on Oct 26, 2019 at 4:52pm PDT