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

"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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