The Wedding Letters by Jason F. Wright

The Wedding Letters

By Jason F. Wright

Shadow Mountain, 2011

Reviewed by Heather Moore

Author Jason F. Wright takes novel-writing to a new level. You may know him best for his poignant story, Christmas Jars, in which he started a movement of people collecting loose change during the year and anonymously donating their “Christmas Jar” collection on Christmas.

Or you might know Wright from the NY Times bestselling novel, The Wednesday Letters, in which he gave out his cell phone number so that readers could share their stories about the lost art letter writing.

But you’ll soon know Wright for his newest release, The Wedding Letters, a sequel that focuses on Noah, the son of Malcom and Rain (from The Wednesday Letters). The family has grown and gone in their own directions, but they come together when major events affect the future of the Inn. Noah brings his girlfriend, Rachel, to the Inn to meet his parents, and she is introduced to the Wedding Letter tradition. Leafing through the Wedding Letter album, she discovers advice that’s varied and sometimes unexpected from those who attended Malcom and Rain’s wedding many years before.

When Noah and Rachel announce their own engagement, The Wedding Letter tradition is started, to not only include wedding guests but anyone who knows Noah and Rachel. But when Rachel discovers a secret in her past the threatens to destroy her relationship with those she loves, a single letter has the power to reunite her with all that she holds dear, if only she can open her heart again.

This story reminded me of the boxes I have filled with letters and all kinds of cards gathering dust in my basement. Letters have a way of reminding us of the past and reconnecting us with what’s important. I have The Wedding Letters to thank for this much-needed reminder. The Wedding Letters is a heartfelt story, filled with classic Wright insights, and timely messages that define the truth of human nature and the healing power of love.

To purchase your copy, visit Amazon.

The Seventeen Second Miracle

Review by Heather Moore

The Seventeen Second Miracle is a book I’ve already recommended to many people. As with all Jason Wright novels, I walked away having learned something and more determined to be a better person. If you doubt that small acts of service have a lasting effect on a person’s life, you need to read this book.

Just today, I was at a movie theater and in the bathroom I found an over-sized gaudy ring that is popular among teens—worth maybe $5.00. I thought about leaving it on the counter, with the chance that someone might come looking for it. But then I thought about what Rex Conner (or his son, Cole) might have done. I took the extra time, even though it meant missing more of my movie, and delivered it to the manager of the theater. Perhaps it will sit in lost and found forever, or perhaps it will be recovered by a grateful teenager. But taking the extra time, be it 17 seconds or several minutes, to do something that might make a difference to someone else, helps me become a more compassionate person.

In The Seventeen Second Miracle, Rex Connor leaves behind a legacy—a legacy that began when he made the worst mistake of his life—one that forever changed him. His son, Cole, is determined to continue sharing the life lessons he learned from his father by holding Discussions with groups of high school teenagers.

Each year, the local high school principle selects teens to become part of the Discussion group. This year, only three are selected, but it proves to be the most impactful group yet as they struggle to face the realities of life and make the right choices despite significant roadblocks.

The Seventeen Second Miracle is one of those books that make you think about all aspects of your life. Its insightfulness touches the heart and delivers a message that is simple, yet profound. A message that is universal and essential in order for us to co-exist in harmony and has the power to literally change lives.

The Cross Gardener by Jason F. Wright

The Cross Gardener

By Jason F. Wright
Berkley Books, March 2010

Reviewed by Heather Moore

The Cross Gardener is wonderful book to add to your collection, especially if you’re a Jason F. Wright fan. Wright is the New York Times bestselling author of Christmas Jars, The Wednesday Letters, and Recovering Charles.

Wright skillfully paints John Bevan as a character with incredible depth. John’s life starts out tragically. Right from birth, death is an ever-present part of his life when his mother dies in a car accident that instigates her labor. At the age of four, John is adopted by a single man who runs an orchard. Only then does he learn what unconditional love is.

John’s journey in life applies to all of us as he faces the death of his wife. As a young widower, with a six-year-old daughter, John doesn’t know how to heal the gaping hole in his heart. His orchard business suffers, he isolates himself from his in-laws and friends, and no matter how much time passes he can’t seem to exist beyond the moment of his wife’s death.

John becomes obsessive about visiting his wife’s gravesite and the location where she was killed. During one of his daily visits, he encounters a strange man who calls himself the cross gardener. A friendship slowly forms between the two men until John learns to open up to the stranger. The cross gardener teaches John how to listen, how to lighten the burdens of his past, how to savor the world again, and how to add meaning back into his relationships.

The Cross Gardener is a book teeming with emotion, truth, and insightfulness into the human heart. A story of hope and healing that brightens the dark corners of despair, simultaneously offering the reader a gratifying journey.

To order The Cross Gardener visit HERE.

Christmas Jars Reunion by Jason F. Wright

Christmas Jars Reunion

By Jason F. Wright
Shadow Mountain, October 2009

Reviewed by Heather Moore

If you haven’t read Christmas Jars, the New York Times bestselling book by Jason F. Wright, you’ve missed out on a classic Christmas story that will change how you view the season of giving. Its sequel, aptly titled Christmas Jars Reunion is reminiscent of the first.

Across the country, a phenomenon has begun to unfold. Since the release of Christmas Jars, hundreds of readers have contacted author Jason Wright and shared their Christmas Jar stories, and thousands of Christmas Jars have been given away across the country. Individuals and families are setting out an empty Mason jar to be filled with spare change throughout the year. Then anonymously, the family gives away the jar around Christmas time to a person in need.

In Christmas Jars Reunion, the story that began in Christmas Jars continues. Yet, this story stands on its own, bringing the reader once again into Hope’s Jensen’s remarkable life. The author includes a quote from a Christmas Jar recipient at the beginning of each chapter. One reads, “I’ve often wondered how a person repays kindness. I know now . . . with a Christmas Jar. As if a year full of blessings wasn’t already enough, God blessed me again tonight. And tomorrow? A new jar begins. –Patricia” (CJR, 60).

But even Hope Jensen needs to learn what the spirit of selfless giving is truly about. When Clark Maxwell re-enters her life, she must decide if she can allow him into her heart once again, and discover that loving someone might just be worth the risk.

Hope sets the lofty goal of distributing 1,001 Christmas Jars in honor of Chuck, deceased owner of Chuck’s diner. But in the process, the importance of the original Christmas Jar is lost.

It will take a stranger, a young girl, and an interview of a lifetime to bring back the true meaning that the Christmas Jar was intended for. Christmas Jars Reunion is a story that will inspire you to look closer at your life and remind you of the significance of selfless giving.

To read personal experiences or share your Christmas Jar story, visit here.

Other books by Jason F. Wright: Penny's Christmas Jar Miracle, The Wednesday Letters and Recovering Charles.

Recovering Charles by Jason F. Wright

Recovering Charles

By Jason F. Wright
#1 New York Times Bestselling Author
Shadow Mountain, September 2008

Reviewed by Heather Moore


“Every life has a second verse” is the theme reiterated throughout Jason Wright’s latest novel, Recovering Charles.

When Luke Millward, a Pulitzer winning photographer, receives a phone call from New Orleans, his routine life is turned upside down. On the heels of Hurricane Katrina, Luke is told that his father has gone missing.

Estranged from his father for many years, Luke decides to make the journey and join in the search. But the search for his father turns out to be a discovery of the soul—both past the present for Luke.

Throughout the story, we learn about Luke’s mother who became addicted to prescription pain medication and his father who faithfully stayed by her side until her tragic death. We also catch a glimpse of Luke’s father and his descent into depression and alcoholism following his wife’s death. Luke moves on with his life after graduation, but he never forgets his upbringing.

This novel was a wonderful, compelling read. The writing style is fresh and even poetic in some places. The characters are vibrant and engaging—I was caught up in the plight of the main character as he was swept into the devastation of Hurricane Katrina and started to put together bits of his past together as he tried to find his father. Readers will be reminded of the devastation that occurred in Louisiana and will see it firsthand again through Luke’s eyes.

Recovering Charles is a great story that is universal in appeal—for anyone who believes in a second verse.


Book is available for purchase here.

The Wednesday Letters by Jason F. Wright

You know those novels that are about miracles? Not magic, but realistic miracles that happen every day around the world? The kind of miracle where someone needs a second chance in life and gets it?

The Wednesday Letters by Jason F. Wright is that kind of miracle book.

During his entire married life, Jack wrote to his wife every Wednesday. Upon Jack's death, the family reads the letters. The letters take the family through a rollercoaster of dreams, expectations, family, love, secrets, betrayal and forgiveness.

I enjoyed this novel. It is an easy read that left me uplifted. If you enjoy it, you may also like Christmas Jars by the same author, For One More Day by Mitch Albom, and Letters for Emily by Camron Wright.

You can read the rest of my review at Deliciously Clean Reads.

Review by Emily

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