S.Robinson

Joan Bannan/ The Treasure of Granzella Ranch

ISBN:  978-0-9627624-4-4 (sc) | ISBN: 978-0-9627624-5-1 (hc – Large Print) | ISBN: 978-0-9627624-6-8 (e) | List price: $9.99 Kindle, $25.05 Hard Cover, $15.95 Paperback | Page Count: 139 pages

Sometimes we find a treasure. Sometimes a treasure finds us.

About Joan Bannan:
Joan Bannan is a native Californian, who still lives in Northern California. She was born Joan Freiburghouse in Modesto. When she turned eighteen, she became Joan Mangini for the next twenty-four years. She changed her last name to Bannan—her grandmother’s maiden name when her first book was published in 1990. She thought her mother’s maiden name was too boring and that Freiburghouse would not fit on book covers.

Joan is a Christian. Her faith influences her writing, but she does not consider herself an evangelist nor does she feel called to explain her faith to her readers. However, her faith greatly influences her characters and the theme of each novel. She says, “I can’t help it. I believe the world that is not seen is the real world. I allow my characters to be aided by divine intervention that is considered coincidence in the visible world. Christian friends call this type of coincidence, ‘a God thing.’”

There are two frequently asked questions that Joan is asked: “Are your novels based on true stories?” and “How do you write?”

Her stories are based on true stories and true characters, but they are greatly embellished by her imagination. Many of her characters are inspired by combining the personalities of more than one person.

Joan’s writing inspiration comes from studying novel writing and storytelling and by continually reading great novels. Most recently she completed Ted Dekker’s Creative Way Course in Transformational Fiction. Often though, after her theme is clear and the plot is afoot, Joan finds she needs to enter a scene before she can imagine what needs to be there, what her characters will say to each other, and discover who else will show up. 
Visit Joan at her site, on Facebook or Twitter.

“Four generations of acquiring land and forging the Granzella Ranch olive oil business were in jeopardy. Could Sherre Granzella, an accomplished woman known professionally as “The Fixer,” choreograph a plan that would bring them through the next olive oil harvest and back to financial health?

It was comforting for Sherre to return to the family estate after professional victory and personal defeat.
After her failed marriage, Sherre finds solace when she moves into her Grandpa Bob’s one-hundred-year-old farmhouse. She feels securely surrounded by love. Her mother’s house is just up the hill. Her sister’s, family is only an olive orchard away.

In the California Gold Country, Sherre reinstates Sunday family dinners and reconnects with old friends, some of whom were in love with her before she left, and with whom she may have a second chance at love.
But, the consolation of Sherre’s homecoming is disrupted when she meets Darian, a man of questionable character, who is courting her recently widowed mother. “

My Review! 

Joan Bannans “The Treasure of Granzella Ranch,” is a fascinating tale of family,  friends and old loves. One mystery after another unfolds into adventure and suspense.  I remember family dinners, with all the cousins, uncles granny and me. They were the best times of my life. This story takes you to family dinners and teases you with hopes of treasure. I would suggest this book for birthday or Christmas gifts for the family.

A review by nature seems to denote some criticism, but I have none. I like the story and this book is full of treasures you can share with family.   The recipes at the end of the book sound delicious and I can’t wait to reinstate our own family dinners.