MANOR - Well-known author and local resident Corinne Hewitt recently hosted a successful book launch at the Manor Public Library.
Jacob’s Secret is the fourth book in her Abbington Pickets series. Jacob of Abbington Pickets was the first novel, which was written and published in 2015. Jacob’s Place and Letters from Jacob followed.
The series is classified as Christian historical fiction and the characters and stories centre around a fictional town from 120 years ago, not unlike Cannington Manor. This book chronicles life from over a century ago and Jacob’s Secret reached No. 1 in the Hot New Releases in 20th Century Historical Romance, and No. 2 in Christian Mystery and Christian Historical Fiction on Amazon.
Despite being launched only a week ago, there have been wonderful book reviews on various websites.
The book launch at the Manor Public Library was well attended and Hewitt was extremely pleased with the turnout.
“This is my seventh publication and I have thoroughly enjoyed writing each and every one of them. The support from family and friends has been overwhelming and I am grateful. Being an author is far more rewarding than I could have imagined,” said Hewitt.
“I give God all the glory for my accomplishments. He has given me many gifts, answered countless prayers and blessed me far more than I deserve and for that I am truly grateful.”
On the evening of the launch, son Joshua made a live cameo appearance dressed as the Jacob Hudson character. His picture also graces the cover of all four books.
Hewitt grew up in the RM of Moose Mountain near Cowper Creek, located northeast of Carlyle. In the summer of 2021, she and her husband Kenny returned home from Alberta. Even though they live in Carlyle, they spent much of the summer at the farm where she enjoys gardening, baking bread and making homemade butter. She has taken a year off from quilting but eagerly plans to return to that pastime this winter.
One review on Amazon stated, “What a wonderful book. Get transported back in time and experience the love, trials and tribulations of the Hudson family in the small town of Abbington Pickets. I truly enjoyed the historical aspects, intrigue, characters and their captivating story, a must read.
Another read, “Historical fiction with romance and mystery all in one beautifully written book. I hope there is a book five in this series.”
And another said, “I hope there are many books to follow that I can share with everyone I know who loves a good story. Canadian writing doesn’t get any better than this.”
There is also a review from John-Michael Lander, author of Surface Tension and Cracked Surface.
“Although this is the fourth book in the Abbington Pickets Series, it is beautifully written and can stand on its own. Jacob returns home from serving in WW1, hoping to find his devoted wife, family, and community as they were when he left, but secrets are quietly getting in the way.
“Jacob’s Secret is a faith-based story for everyone and provides that truth always finds a path through the cacophonous noise within and outside each of us. H.C. Hewitt has a gift for creating a stunning background and developing complex characters that make you hang on to every word. I highly recommend this book and the series.”
The entire Abbington Picket Series of novels can be purchased online or directly from Hewitt herself. As for whether she plans on releasing another book, she grinned and promptly replied, “I already have ideas for another novel and am hopeful for my fifth book in the series to be published by the end of 2023.”
