Readers' comments - Jenna
Here's what some readers have commented (contact Jo-Anne by clicking here to give your feedback!):
‘Wow Jo-Anne! I have just finished reading "Jenna" in just one day, it was sooo good I just couldn't stop! It was such a pleasure to read about characters who are growing in their faith and all the challenges that can entail!’ Janet Camilleri, Qld
"I've just finished reading Jenna - loved it! I must admit I had a tear in my eye as I read the last page. ... I enjoyed seeing the story develop of Jenna learning to deal with self doubt and conflict and opposition. And to hear God’s thoughts at the end of each chapter – they were very insightful. If only I could hear ‘God’s chapter endings’ more often in the real world. It really is a good book." Colin, Sydney
"Jo-Anne - Thank you for 'Jenna' - what a wonderful book - such a gift to me! I will keep it on my book shelf to read again when I'm feeling a bit down & defeated - my own version of a Joan of Arc ornament. :)" Kerry, Sydney
"I loved reading 'Jenna'. As with your other books, found it hard to stop reading, so finished the book in three nights. Saw quite a bit of myself in the book, both good and bad. Also saw quite a bit of your journey. Another great book." Barry, NSW
"I just loved the book & can't wait for the next one to come out." Vicki, Central Coast NSW
"Just wanted to let you know that we just finished reading ‘Jenna’ together and we really enjoyed it. It was also quite challenging as i found myself constantly wondering how I would react/behave if in Jenna’s shoes. Great work, well done!" Brett, Tasmania
"I have just been given the opportunity to read your book ‘Jenna’ by a church/family friend. I have just completed my BTh, am a single girl and seeking God's will and way for me in ministry. Thank you for honestly approaching in your book many of the challenges and questions faced by women in Jenna's position. Thank you for writing this book." Sarah, NSW
"Last time I was in Koorong I bought a copy of ‘Jenna’. Just wonderful story telling - you have an amazing talent for the written word! Your stories always flow so well and I am compelled to read them in one or two sittings! I am very much looking forward to ‘Helena’s Legacy’." Pam, NSW
"Such an encouraging read, Jo-Anne!" Katy, NSW
‘Wow Jo-Anne! I have just finished reading "Jenna" in just one day, it was sooo good I just couldn't stop! It was such a pleasure to read about characters who are growing in their faith and all the challenges that can entail!’ Janet Camilleri, Qld
"I've just finished reading Jenna - loved it! I must admit I had a tear in my eye as I read the last page. ... I enjoyed seeing the story develop of Jenna learning to deal with self doubt and conflict and opposition. And to hear God’s thoughts at the end of each chapter – they were very insightful. If only I could hear ‘God’s chapter endings’ more often in the real world. It really is a good book." Colin, Sydney
"Jo-Anne - Thank you for 'Jenna' - what a wonderful book - such a gift to me! I will keep it on my book shelf to read again when I'm feeling a bit down & defeated - my own version of a Joan of Arc ornament. :)" Kerry, Sydney
"I loved reading 'Jenna'. As with your other books, found it hard to stop reading, so finished the book in three nights. Saw quite a bit of myself in the book, both good and bad. Also saw quite a bit of your journey. Another great book." Barry, NSW
"I just loved the book & can't wait for the next one to come out." Vicki, Central Coast NSW
"Just wanted to let you know that we just finished reading ‘Jenna’ together and we really enjoyed it. It was also quite challenging as i found myself constantly wondering how I would react/behave if in Jenna’s shoes. Great work, well done!" Brett, Tasmania
"I have just been given the opportunity to read your book ‘Jenna’ by a church/family friend. I have just completed my BTh, am a single girl and seeking God's will and way for me in ministry. Thank you for honestly approaching in your book many of the challenges and questions faced by women in Jenna's position. Thank you for writing this book." Sarah, NSW
"Last time I was in Koorong I bought a copy of ‘Jenna’. Just wonderful story telling - you have an amazing talent for the written word! Your stories always flow so well and I am compelled to read them in one or two sittings! I am very much looking forward to ‘Helena’s Legacy’." Pam, NSW
"Such an encouraging read, Jo-Anne!" Katy, NSW
Reviews - Jenna
From Omega Writers:
‘Jenna Ramsey always puts 100% effort into all she undertakes and when she says “Yes” to God’s call to begin training for ministry, it is no exception. She is not surprised by her family’s negative reaction to her decision but their attitude only serves to reinforce her determination to succeed. And succeed she does.
Jo-Anne Berthelsen’s latest book Jenna sensitively and wisely confronts the bias, prejudice and the subtle and often not so subtle put-downs that are frequently part of life for women in ministry. Although the book is fiction it is easy to identify with Jenna’s pain as she fights to take her place first at Bible College and later in the Church.
Jenna is an must-read for any woman thinking of entering full-time ministry in 2011. It is a book for a time such as this.
A delightful extra was the personal message from God to Jenna at the end of each chapter. DS’
From 'The Presbyterian Pulse' October 2011
Given the existing controversy in most Christian circles over whether women should preach in authority to men, I wasn’t sure what to expect when I read on the back of this book from the author of the previously reviewed Laura, that the main character believed God was calling her to fulltime ministry training and then to fulltime preaching ministry. In fact, I thought Berthelsen was brave in tackling such a topic in an arena where such a subject can provoke emotions that are not always acted out as graciously as God would wish for his children. What I got, however, was a nicely written story about the fictitious Jenna Ramsey, a young Christian woman working as a teacher and starting out in a new relationship with her local church’s youth minister, who decides to change her life and go to theological college – against the advice of her family, her peers and even her fiancé. At every step of the way she is challenged by the question, “are theological studies and ministry truly something that women should undertake?”, but she demonstrates faith in hard times as she pursues her goal; especially when it means the end of her relationship. As the story progresses, we see how Jenna matures as she studies and how ultimately God’s plans for us may turn out differently – but so much better – than what we had intended. It’s an engaging book with some solid Biblical teachings strewn throughout; a good read for women of any age, but I would particularly commend it to 20 somethings.
Karen Thornton, Bookmark
‘Jenna Ramsey always puts 100% effort into all she undertakes and when she says “Yes” to God’s call to begin training for ministry, it is no exception. She is not surprised by her family’s negative reaction to her decision but their attitude only serves to reinforce her determination to succeed. And succeed she does.
Jo-Anne Berthelsen’s latest book Jenna sensitively and wisely confronts the bias, prejudice and the subtle and often not so subtle put-downs that are frequently part of life for women in ministry. Although the book is fiction it is easy to identify with Jenna’s pain as she fights to take her place first at Bible College and later in the Church.
Jenna is an must-read for any woman thinking of entering full-time ministry in 2011. It is a book for a time such as this.
A delightful extra was the personal message from God to Jenna at the end of each chapter. DS’
From 'The Presbyterian Pulse' October 2011
Given the existing controversy in most Christian circles over whether women should preach in authority to men, I wasn’t sure what to expect when I read on the back of this book from the author of the previously reviewed Laura, that the main character believed God was calling her to fulltime ministry training and then to fulltime preaching ministry. In fact, I thought Berthelsen was brave in tackling such a topic in an arena where such a subject can provoke emotions that are not always acted out as graciously as God would wish for his children. What I got, however, was a nicely written story about the fictitious Jenna Ramsey, a young Christian woman working as a teacher and starting out in a new relationship with her local church’s youth minister, who decides to change her life and go to theological college – against the advice of her family, her peers and even her fiancé. At every step of the way she is challenged by the question, “are theological studies and ministry truly something that women should undertake?”, but she demonstrates faith in hard times as she pursues her goal; especially when it means the end of her relationship. As the story progresses, we see how Jenna matures as she studies and how ultimately God’s plans for us may turn out differently – but so much better – than what we had intended. It’s an engaging book with some solid Biblical teachings strewn throughout; a good read for women of any age, but I would particularly commend it to 20 somethings.
Karen Thornton, Bookmark