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?

Christy Martenson has woven a tale rife with laughter and loveable characters. But Halstad House also brings tears to my eyes every time I read it.

Poignant. Sweet. Positively delightful. Halstad House is one of those books that invites you into the story and makes you feel like you're friends with the characters. Whether you're laughing at Allie's latest capers or empathizing with Grace's journey toward restoration, Halstad House is sure to touch your heart.

Gretchen Louise, blogger and avid reader

Christy Martenson

2019-11-20T22:10:39-07:00

Gretchen Louise, blogger and avid reader

Christy Martenson has woven a tale rife with laughter and loveable characters. But Halstad House also brings tears to my eyes every time I read it.

https://christymartenson.com/testimonials/a-tale-rife-with-laughter-and-loveable-characters/

While I knew I loved the story from the first pages, I didn't realize how much until I still found myself thinking of it days after I'd finished. Martenson has created timeless characters who steal into your heart and make it their home. Definitely made my top books of 2019 list.

Chautona Havig, author

Christy Martenson

2019-10-10T10:21:52-07:00

Chautona Havig, author

Martenson has created timeless characters who steal into your heart and make it their home.

https://christymartenson.com/testimonials/timeless-characters/

Halstad House is a sweet postwar story about a woman, her young daughter, and their life as they run their home as a boarding house. The relationships are fun to read about and the whole book has this sweet feel that's reminiscent of books from another era.

S.K. Bell

Christy Martenson

2019-10-17T09:15:57-07:00

S.K. Bell

The whole book has this sweet feel that's reminiscent of books from another era.

https://christymartenson.com/testimonials/this-sweet-feel-thats-reminiscent-of-books-from-another-era/

An enjoyable, easy-to-read book, yet it deals with thought-provoking challenges. I loved seeing the characters grow in their faith and the encouragement it gave to my own. I enjoyed this sweet, uplifting story.

Celeste Engell, avid reader

Christy Martenson

2019-10-21T20:59:20-07:00

Celeste Engell, avid reader

I loved seeing the characters grow in their faith and the encouragement it gave to my own.

https://christymartenson.com/testimonials/loved-seeing-the-characters-grow-in-their-faith/

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 recommend this book enough for children and adults, a heartwarming family story. Christy's writing is like a bird thrilling high in a Ponderosa Pine on a warm summer morning.

Carmen Peone, award-winning author

Christy Martenson

2019-11-25T14:38:17-07:00

Carmen Peone, award-winning author

Christy's writing is like a bird thrilling high in a Ponderosa Pine on a warm summer morning.

https://christymartenson.com/testimonials/a-heartwarming-family-story/

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