A daddy's girl born on Father's Day, Gwen Alton lost faith in men when her father emotionally abandoned her. Despite her impending marriage, she has doubts.
      A spiritual orphan with trust issues, Gwen lets no one crack her shell of self-reliance. When the young photojournalist sets out on her family's pipedream of walking the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage through Spain, she has no real faith in the divine or supernatural. But along the Way, her deceased father haunts her and she meets a mysterious man with violet-blue eyes who bewilders her.
      Can she resolve issues with her father-figure fiancé? Will she choose the familiar, well-worn path of emotional rejection or blaze a new and exciting trail? Through a series of divine signs along the Way, Gwen takes the first steps on a life-long pilgrimage.

Praise for Christmas in Catalonia

Determined to walk the Way of Saint James, the spiritual walk that her grandparents and her parents had intended to do but never completed, Gwen, a photojournalist, takes a trip to Spain. Arthur Pendred is the CEO of a publishing empire and Gwen's brand new fiancé. Gwen's spiritual walk starts as soon as she boards the plane when she recalls her childhood and adulthood. She even begins to question if what she feels for Art is love . . . or what? She feels safe with him. But shouldn't she feel more, she wonders? Once in Spain, she joins a few other pilgrims and begins to follow quiet country lane, footpaths through cattle country, and some of Spain's oldest Benedictine monasteries. In other words, the twists and turns begin.

      I have read other books by Karen Hulene Bartell, and she didn't disappoint this time. Her characters jump off the pages. Her descriptions put you right there in the scene with her characters. And the twists and turns . . . well, you get the gist. I absolutely loved Christmas in Catalonia and I highly recommend it.
      ~ Ica Iova, award-winning author of the Resiliency series

If you like history, symbology, travel or relationship stories, this is the book for you. Karen starts this story with a bit of romance and it becomes one of surprises, mystery and history with more romance along the way. What a wonderful pilgrimage the reader takes with the characters as Gwen tries to find answers that will help her decide her future! And just when you think you have it figured out, Karen brings in another little twist. Don't miss this enjoyable, uplifting story!
      ~ Dianne Mueller, MSLIS

This book gave me plenty to think about as I almost immediately felt that Gwen and I were almost identical. The insights in myself helped me resolve some of my own family difficulties as well as my overall personal relationships. The author's use of literary classics such as The Wizard of Oz and Canterbury Tales gave more insight to the various characters as well as myself. The use of visions makes the story more exciting. The discussions on faith also gives a better understanding of my own as well. I also always enjoy reading about the settings of Karen's books as they help me feel that I really know the place especially since I have been to an area near the setting for two books so I know the locale has been researched.
      I read the book in less than a day, probably in less than 6 hours, as it drew me so much that I did not want to put the book down. This is just another of her great novels.
      ~ Mary Jo Carman

Books by
Karen Bartell

The Sacred Journey Series

           

The Sacred Messenger Series

  

Other Books by Karen Hulene Bartell

  

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Dr. Karen Hulene Bartell, author of Christmas in Cahokia: Song of the Owl, Holy Water: Rule of Capture, Angels from Ashes: Hour of the Wolf, Christmas in Catalonia, Sacred Gift, Belize Navidad, Sacred Choices, and others, is a best-selling author, motivational keynote speaker, IT technical editor, wife, and all-around pilgrim of life. She writes multicultural, offbeat love stories steeped in the supernatural that lift the spirit.
      Dr. Bartell lives in the Texas Hill Country with her husband Peter and her 'mews'—five rescued cats.