You won't find any steamy love scenes played out by bare-chested manor lords and lusty wenches in “Magnolia's Bloom,” a romance novel written by Peachtree City author Maria Candell. Instead, readers will discover relationships based on love, caring and Christian values.

Candell's first-published novel doesn't fit the typical romance formula. While it contains a lot of the same first-love emotions found in other books of its kind, the story line involves its characters in moral decision-making and everyday scenarios dealing with life's highs and lows.

The men and women portrayed in colorful detail by the author are young, attractive and devoted to Christ. “Magnolia's Bloom” belongs to a new genre of novels called Christian romance.

“There are some out on the market, but not a lot,” admitted Candell. The petite, dark-haired wife and mother of three children hopes to fill the void with a second completed novel entitled, “Just Beginning” and a third in the works called “Gather His Children.” She also has a series of children's books awaiting publication.

Candell describes her brand of romance as “wholesome.” “It's the kind of book I could give to my daughter to read,” she said. The characters are “people that are hurt, people who lost a loved one, or found a loved one... There are other little sub stories in it. Nothing that you would be uncomfortable reading,” Candell explained.

More importantly, Candell's books contain a message. “Usually one major character knows Christ and another character doesn't. By the end of the book, the second one has accepted Christ,” she said. Gospel references are also sprinkled throughout the chapters.

Candell's first book, written when her daughter Brittany was just a baby, was not a Christian-based romance, but more along the lines of a contemporary love story. “That book was not right,” the author said. “I completely redid it,” Candell said. The second story, which turned out to be “Magnolia's Bloom,” was written “for myself,” Candell said.

The book came together quickly and instead of going the traditional route of submitting the manuscript to a publishing house, or hiring an agent, a method Candell tried unsuccessfully with her first novel, she went directly to Vision Publishing Group in Griffin and paid to have 1,000 copies printed. So far, the book has enjoyed modest sales in Family Christian Book Stores throughout Georgia and Candell hopes it will be picked up by the chain for nationwide distribution.

“So far, I have not made money on the book, but it's become kind of like a ministry,” she said. “My mother sold quite a few to members of her Catholic Church in New York. One lady gave it to her sister and I've been told that the book is helping people... If I can use it as a ministry, I'll be happy,” Candell said.

Finding time to write is every author's challenge, but Candell said she is “constantly thinking about the characters” for her next story. “I think a lot when I'm driving to different places, and when my husband is driving, I'll bring my notes and work on them in the car,” she said. The actually writing is fitted in when she can find the time and often pieced together like “a patchwork quilt,” she said.

Candell's workplace is the front drawing room of her elegant Kedron home. A personal computer is concealed behind the doors of an antique-style armoire. Beside it is a small display of “Magnolia's Bloom.”

Candell has lived in Peachtree City for about five years. She and her husband Russell, who is her number one fan and marketer, have lived in California, Washington state and New Hampshire. Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., and raised on Long Island, Candell draws on her experiences living in a different sections of the country for local color in her books. “Magnolia's Bloom” is set in Seattle, Wash., and Savannah, Ga.

She was raised as a Roman Catholic, but had a spiritual transformation two years ago while attending a Christmas pageant at First Assembly of God in Griffin. “I had never been to another church in my life,” she said. During the Christmas show, Candell said, “I stayed on my knees the entire time; I didn't want to go home.” She explained that it was the presence of the Holy Spirit which delivered her to First Assembly of God. Since that life-changing moment, she and her family have been active participants in the Griffin congregation.

Candell's family includes her husband and children: Roseanne, 19, a second year student at Clayton State College; Russell, 17, a rising senior at McIntosh High School; and Brittany, 10, a rising fifth grader at Kedron Elementary.

“Magnolia's Bloom” is available at Family Christian Book Stores at metro-area malls, Sonrise Christian Store in Fayetteville, and Olive Branch in Peachtree City.

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