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In Review: Life After

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I had the immense privilege of meeting Katie Ganshert at a the ACFW writers’ conference in 2015 (we may have just shook hands—I don’t quiet remember, however, she left an impression I promptly went home, ordered her YA book and followed her on all her social media accounts—love this lady). Her newest novel, Life After, is nothing short of amazing.

Life After tells the story Autumn Manning, the sole survivor of a train explosion. She struggles deeply with survivor’s guilt (so painful to read—I just wanted to reach out and hug her!) When her life crosses with one of the victim’s family, they must work together to overcome their grief and learn to live again.

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This book is so beautifully written. You will be brought to tears on one page and chuckling on the next. Life After has you feeling everything the characters feel. It is a novel that will stay with you long after you are finished. (And the only thing is, you have to wait until 4/18 to read—but trust me. Pre-order now, get the goodies below + this book is so well worth the wait!)

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More about Life After

book-life-afterIt could have been me.

Snow whirls around an elevated train platform in Chicago. A distracted woman boards the train, takes her seat, and moments later a fiery explosion rips through the frigid air, tearing the car apart in a horrific attack on the city’s transit system. One life is spared. Twenty-two are lost.

A year later, Autumn Manning can’t remember the day of the bombing and she is tormented by grief—by guilt. Twelve months of the question constantly echoing. Why? Why? Why? Searching for answers, she haunts the lives of the victims, unable to rest.

Paul Elliott lost his wife in the train bombing and wants to let the dead rest in peace, undisturbed and unable to cause more pain for his loved ones. He wants normalcy for his twelve year-old daughter and young son, to see them move beyond the heartbreak. But when the Elliotts and Autumn are unexpectedly forced together, he fears she’ll bring more wreckage in her wake.

In Life After, Katie Ganshert’s most complex and unforgettable novel yet, the stirring prose and authentic characters pose questions of truth, goodness, and ultimate purpose in this emotionally resonant tale.

Pre-order now: Paperback | Kindle

More about the author

IMG_0412Award-winning author, Katie Ganshert, graduated from the University of Wisconsin in Madison with a degree in education, and worked as a fifth grade teacher for several years before staying home to write full-time. She was born and raised in the Midwest, where she lives with her family. When she’s not busy penning novels or spending time with her people, she enjoys drinking coffee with friends, reading great literature, and eating copious amounts of dark chocolate.

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**NOTE: I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. A positive review was not required.

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christen e krumm | author | blogger | coffee addictI'm Christen. I'm a reader, writer, and I seriously love coffee.

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Christen Krumm

christenkrumm

Podcaster @themarginswriting | Author of It Happened at Christmas & a YA Murder Mystery releasing with HaperCollins Blink Summer 2027

Project Grinch character inspo (yes, I realize thi Project Grinch character inspo (yes, I realize this is Spider Man and Supergirl. Hush) 

Three months!!
Kicking my feet with glee! Who’s ready to go bac Kicking my feet with glee! Who’s ready to go back to Iverson?! Project Grinch incoming in three-ish months…
Want to read Project Grinch first? 

While I don’t have a lot to tell you about the storyline, the general idea is if the Grinch and Buddy the Elf were stuck on a roadtrip together at Christmas time (the Grinch is female in this story!) 

If you like YA fiction, rom-coms, and Christmas stories, you hopefully will enjoy Project Grinch. 

What do you say? Wanna help me out? Spaces are limited and you’ll be notified by August 17th of acceptance!
… it’s my favorite … it’s my favorite
Project Grinch commencing! I’m really excited Project Grinch commencing! 

I’m really excited to bring you this story — yes, I’ve been talking about it for years and this is the year it is finally happening!!
That was twelve years ago... and I almost listened That was twelve years ago... and I almost listened. 

I’m really glad I didn’t. To be honest, this person wasn’t wrong. At the time I wasn’t very good at writing. It was early on in my career. Hearing that I should give up was a punch to my gut and I had two choices. 

I could listen, and not write ever again.

OR

I could buckle down and get better. 

I chose to get better. I still don’t think I’ve “arrived” but I am a lot better than I was then. 

So this is me telling you — don’t ever stop dreaming, don’t ever stop learning, and don’t take bad advice. 

You got this. I’m cheering for you.
The story behind how the Murder Mystery came to be The story behind how the Murder Mystery came to be …
Seriously. Why couldn’t my brain come up with th Seriously. Why couldn’t my brain come up with this sooner?
Follow for books, writing, coffee, chickens, and a Follow for books, writing, coffee, chickens, and all the behind the scenes (cause I don’t gate keep)
Follow for book vibes, writing, and coffee love. Follow for book vibes, writing, and coffee love.
The M**der Mystery is turned in!! There is no more The M**der Mystery is turned in!! There is no more deadline chaos and it’s… weird. 

Never fear - we’re on to the next project! Stay tuned for all the little hints on which story I’m working on next!
Let’s talk about non negotiables for a good edit Let’s talk about non negotiables for a good editing session… 

What are yours?
🎄🎅 — here we go again! I’ve been talkin 🎄🎅 — here we go again!

I’ve been talking about this one for a minute and the time to get it done is now. ❤️ Do you know which story I’m working on next?
I’ve tried reading through my manuscript on my c I’ve tried reading through my manuscript on my computer… tried on my kindle (but reading a PDF on my kindle is stupid) nothing was working. So, we’re down to the last 100 pages (and consequently the ones with the most changes) so I relented and printed everything off so I can read a physical copy! 🎉 here we go. Let’s finishing this thing!
I’m looking forward to the @hooked_and_bookedeve I’m looking forward to the @hooked_and_bookedevents coming this weekend (July 18) at @marigoldsbookstore in Bartlesville, OK! This is a free event, but is ticketed, so make sure you get your tickets now before they are gone! 

I’ll have copies of It Happened at Christmas and Meet Me at the Christmas Cottage (as long as they are delivered in time!!) I have free Neely Spencer swag, and if you want to know the big secret I teased a couple weeks ago ... I’ll have information on that as well!! 

Are you planning on coming?
Meet me in five! Do we have anything in common? I’m going to be honest, I don’t know if fun fact number five is fun or just proves my commitment to winning…but it’s true and from then on I was known on campus as Goldie.
I’m super excited to be participating in @hooked I’m super excited to be participating in @hooked_and_bookedevents  at @marigoldsbookstore in a little over a week! 

I’ll have copies of It Happened at Christmas for sale, friendship bracelets to hand out, and maybe some more fun stuff ... you’ll just have to come say hi to find out!! 

(And I’ll have more information on that super secret thing that I can’t share online yet... come say “Hi!” and I’ll give you the inside scoop!!)
Annnnnd the @realmmakers book haul… there’s a Annnnnd the @realmmakers book haul… there’s a little more than 9…
Hi! I’m Christen and yep, I write in lots of gen Hi! I’m Christen and yep, I write in lots of genres. Currently I have a YA rom com out, an adult rom com, my YA murder mystery comes out with HarperCollins Blink next summer, I’m serially releasing a historical fantasy on Substack (it’s free!), and I’m working on a YA dystopian to be Kickstarted next year! 

You never know what the next story I’ll be working on is, but I promise we’ll have fun! Would love for you to follow along on this crazy adventure! 🫶🏼🫶🏼
Grab your copy of It Happen at Christmas today for Grab your copy of It Happen at Christmas today for all your Christmas in July reading! 🫶🏼
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Unless otherwise stated, all words and photos on this blog are my own. Sometimes I use affiliate links for products in posts as well as on my other social media sites. "We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites." Occasionally I receive books or products free of charge. This will be clearly noted and please know that when I am writing about something the words and opinions expressed are always my own. Thank you so much for reading.

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