Jeannie Walker's Blog: JEANNIE WALKER-AWARD WINNING AUTHOR, page 5

Beautiful, heart-wrenching, and inspirational True Crime Story

Ellen C. Maze   Best-selling Author "Fighting the Devil" 
At first blush, "Fighting the Devil" isn't what it appears to be. Reading the cover synopsis, I expected a true-life who-dunnit/mystery thriller. What I got was so much more. "Fighting the Devil" is a beautiful, heart-wrenching, inspirational, and oftentimes harrowing memoir of the life of one of the bravest women I know: Jeannie Walker ~ Jeannie was faced with living with a tyrant, yet she manages to find forgiveness in her heart, and love--the kind of love God has--for a person who treated her lower than dirt.
Yes, you will learn the details of the true-life murder of Jeannie Walker's millionaire ex-husband, Jerry Eli Sternadel, but be prepared to be taken on an amazing life journey with a woman we'd all like to have for a sister.               Amazon        Barnes&Noble     Smashwords

Another true story by Jeannie Walker
Five Stars: Thomas, The Friendly Ghost

Jeannie Walker is a woman who has lived many lives and has inadvertently packed all of them into one incarnation. Read her killer true-crime novel, Fighting the Devil: A True Story of Consuming Passion, Deadly Poison, and Murder, and see how she survived horrific spousal abuse in the midst of a real mystery; read how she died and saw the other side before returning to life in I Saw the Light: A True Story of Love, Death, and Fulfillment; and now we learn of Thomas, an actual ghost who entered her life.
This is not a spooky, made-up tale of mayhem and poltergeist, rather, this is a woman telling us what happened and how it went down when a ghost appeared, entered her life and literally carried her into a new awareness of herself and the spiritual world.                                                   *****
About Ellen C. Maze  - Author of 22 novels     Ellen C. Maze on Amazon
Ellen is also Editor and Partner in a traditional publishing house called Little Roni Publishers.Ellen's subjects range from vampires to angels to demonic powers in dark places; her goal is to entertain the reader while sending a message of redemption apparent between the lines. Pitching faith and bloodlust into a battle to the death, or oftentimes, to the life, Ellen always finds a way to balance the two in a fascinating and intriguing way.

"Fighting the Devil" Amazing story to bring a killer to justice! One woman's unwavering faith in God

Jodi Ann Hanson- Writer

‘Fighting the Devil’ is the amazing true story of a woman's determination to bring a killer to justice. With her unwavering faith in God and the support of many family and friends Jeannie Walker pushes the authorities to bring two women to task for the murder.

Texas Millionaire Jerry Sternadel has died after a mysterious illness that tore the life from him in the most excruciating way. On his deathbed Sternadel insists he has been poisoned by his wife and bookkeeper. Medical staff and friends believe it is the delusional rantings of a very sick man until they receive a tip that the death was due to arsenic poisoning. After toxicology reports come back with 4,895 mcg of arsenic the tip is proven to be true, thus beginning a thirteen year quest to bring the guilty party to trial.
With the investigation stalled by District Attorneys claiming there was nothing but circumstantial evidence, which was not enough to charge the killer. With dauntless investigation by Jeannie, the police and her family; finally enough evidence was collected to lay charges on one of the guilty party but not the ringleader of the murder.
I have always been a reader of true crime and ‘Fighting the Devil’ is one of the good reads. The book is written with heartfelt emotion by a woman who is haunted by the loss of her ex-husband, the father of her two children. The book is definitely a hard read with details of the agonizing death of Jerry Sternadel by poison, not for the faint of heart. 
Jodi's Short Story  - The House at the End of the Street  Read her short story at: ChaptersandChats Suspense Magazine published my short story 'The House at the End of the Street' in their July issue.
The House at the End of the Street   by Jodi Ann Hanson
"I had sent the story to Suspense Magazine in the hope that it would be considered for publishing. The editor emailed back indicating the story was well written and I thought that was the end of it. So I was completely taken off guard when it was ran in the July issue."
The House at the End of the Street  
Excerpt: The house at the end of the street was the proverbial haunted house. The kind of house that kids in small towns created stories and rumors about. Stories of murders and ghosts and people gone missing. You know, you’ve told these stories, too, around campfires and especially at Halloween when the excitement of the season catches hold of you.Read more of Jodi's intriguing story at ChapersandChats.com

"Fighting the Devil" is a Most Unusual True Crime Book

Paula Krapf "Fighting the Devil"This is one of the most unusual true crime books I've ever read - and I read a lot of true crime books.
The story starts out with a man poisoned by arsenic, and the prime suspects are his wife and her best friend... so far, nothing unique in the true crime genre. What sets this book apart is that the author - the poisoned man's ex-wife - begins a decades-long crusade to bring the killers to justice. As the years go by, her determination does not recede, even when the prospects for justice look grim. Buoyed by her strong faith and a desire to see the killers punished, the book details the agonizing process of trying to determine what happened, how and who did it.
True crime aficionados will not be disappointed, and what can I say about Jeannie Walker and her pursuit of justice?
I hate to call true crime "enjoyable" given the topic, but this is a compelling read that will have you turning the pages to find out what happens.
Paula's BlogPaula Krapf is a book-loving book publicist, COO of Author Marketing Experts, Inc. Former journalist, loves cats, chocolate, Kindle, rubber stamping, scrapbooking, politics, coffee. Experienced copy editor, writer and marketing professional. I'm a book publicist/social media maven by day and I also moonlight by volunteering for my synagogue, Temple B'nai Israel in Aurora

Strange events in true ghost story "Thomas, The Friendly Ghost"

 Barry Terenna - Author Barry's blog

"Thomas, The Friendly Ghost" by Jeannie Walker was as strangely easy to read as the strange events in the storyline. This is a lighthearted book for those that like a not so terrifying ghost story. An added benefit is that it can be read in one sitting. The book included whimsical photos and artwork that are the "evidence" of beings from a supernatural world. If you would like a simply written "true story" that traces the events in the author's life then this book is for you. The writing style did not conjure up the ghosts of Beatrix Potter or Ernest Hemingway but it will please those that want a simple read. If you believe in spirits then you will believe the stories; if not you will not be converted. However, despite the fact that I had rated the book Three Stars, no matter how much I try, my keyboard keeps on typing Four Stars. Thomas, are you there?
Amazon Book Link             Smashwords Book Link

                         ***** Barry Terenna is author of "Take the Silk Road Home"
Barry Terenna worked for many years at large corporations as a technical writer and information professional.  He has written enough policies, procedures and guidelines to fill several bookshelves but now has the luxury of creating his own worlds in works of fiction.  When he isn’t writing, he volunteers for various good causes and spends time with family and friends.
Barry has traveled extensively throughout the world. He was fortunate to live and work in Suzhou, China for two years and regularly returns there to visit friends.He is married and has three grown children, two dogs and a cat, dividing his time between Southampton, NY and San Francisco. Author of “Take the Silk Road Home”. 

Jeannie Walker's Journey for Justice is Excellent Five Star GoodRead

 Lynn Hobbs - AUTHOR
SIN, SECRETS, AND SALVATION



From the moment I began to read, I was caught up in the true crime story of millionaire Jerry Sternadel's murder...but it was so much more than that. The remarkable life of author Jeannie Walker, jumped out at me, page after page. Jerrys treatment to others was truly awful, and his treatment to his first wife, Jeannie Walker, was horrific.Through his life, his horrific death, the entire investigation, and trials; Jeannie Walkers Christian traits are a light to all. Her determination for justice speaks volumes, as does her ability to forgive his treatment of her.I highly recommend "Fighting The Devil" and rate it five stars! Excellent!

Book of the Month

Professor Owl's Book Corner
Making a difference word by word...

"The Rain Snake" July 2012
Book of the Month 
"The Rain Snake" Amazon Link
"The Rain Snake" by Jeannie Walker is a really great book.This is true story about a younger Jeannie and her family in the middle of a long drought in their home state of Oklahoma. It is a story of a community waiting for rain to arrive to save them from a distressing drought — that seems certain to force them off the land — and the simple faith of the people, that God will provide.  The story is about relationships, love, faith and trust, as Jeannie wants very much to help make it rain for her Dad.  Jeannie has faith in the legend her Dad had told her, and Jeannie’s Dad has faith in God that it will rain.The story continues as Jeannie and Rinty try to make it rain. Their love and friendship is so true and touching. It all begins as Jeannie gathers up every ounce of courage, with the love and help of Rinty, to pick up the snake and place it, belly up, on the fence. This is a great story for children as it teaches them that love, faith and trust will help miracles happen.Children will love reading this on their own and parents will enjoy reading this to their children as a bedtime story.Jeannie’s use of quotes at the beginning of each chapter is a genius touch. These quotes are so moving that they just fit beautifully into the book.This story is even more interesting, as it is in fact a true story and was reported in Life magazine. A copy of the original article is included at the end of the book and makes for fascinating reading.

5 Star True Crime an Inspirational Read

  Barry Finlay - Author  Kilimanjaro and Beyond (A Life-Changing Journey)


"Fighting the Devil"

I am a big fan of the detective novel.  I often read James Patterson, Jeffrey Deaver, Michael Connelly and others of the same genre and good always triumphs over evil. That’s just the way it is.  Right?  Well, Jeannie Walker dispels that notion and gives us a healthy dose of reality in her true crime novel, Fighting the Devil.
Jeannie tells her story of her fight for justice after her ex husband dies of arsenic poisoning, which has apparently been administered by his new wife and the secretary of his business.  Jeannie very capably describes in a journal-like manner everything she has gone through to give her late ex husband a voice.  She describes incredible resolve and determination in spite of the fact that her ex husband was much less than perfect in life.  And she describes how the justice system can let down those it is supposed to serve.
I was with Jeannie throughout the book, happy when her determination to find justice seemed to be paying off and disappointed when things turned against her, as they often did. Still she persevered!  You can’t help but feel empathy for this determined woman as she describes her journey.  And I think you will find yourself asking the same question I did when I finished reading the book.  Given the same circumstances, would I have what it takes to do the same thing that Jeannie Walker has done and continues to do?  I think very few would be able to answer “yes” to that question.  

"Fighting the Devil" brings the truth to light with courage and perseverance

Belva Staples  (author) The Kriterion Saga: The World Between 


"Fighting the Devil" A True Story of Consuming Passion, Deadly Poison, and Murder
I just finished the true crime story, Fighting the Devil, by Jeannie Walker. It is an upsetting story of how her ex-husband, Jerry Sternadel, was poisoned by his new wife and his bookkeeper. The two women stole large amounts of money from Mr. Sternadel. When he confronted them and gave them an opportunity to return the money before he went to the police, they conspired to kill him! They began by adding arsenic to a taco salad and continued on from there. Jerry Sternadel died an excruciating and drawn out death at the hands of these two women.
While Sternadel was not exactly a model husband to Jeannie, she believed that even a dog deserved better, so she set out to see her former husband's murderers brought to justice. Read about this woman's quest to bring the truth to light and the many obstacles in her way, including the justice system itself. I think you will find Jeannie Walker's courage and perseverance inspiring.

Gripping True Crime Story

Rich Weatherly 


The author of "Fighting the Devil" and several reviewers have shared the synopsis and overview of the book. I won't attempt to restate what has been so clearly presented. To be honest, this isn't a genre that I usually read. That said, once I started reading, I was hooked from the beginning. Jeannie's story is far more compelling than I anticipated. I finished it in two days. It was a book I couldn't put down!
Published Review"ForeWord Clarion Reviews: Readers who enjoy suspense, strong female leads, and crime drama, like Law and Order, will cling to every word of Fighting the Devil. Those with weak stomachs are warned that this book contains graphic descriptions of slow death by poison. Read this nail-biter with the lights blazing!"
The author and I both hale from north Texas and are approximately the same age so that connection drew me in at first. It is an amazing story of a how this couple who started from humble beginnings became amazingly successful through hard work and smart business practices. The author deserves much of the credit for that success, having supported, and encouraged her husband to pursue his dreams. Over time the relationship deteriorated. Jeannie and Jerry Sternadel separated and eventually divorced.
I mentioned earlier that I won't restate the synopsis. Suffice it to say, Jerry Sternadel died a terrifying death by arsenic poisoning. All evidence clearly pointed to his ex-wife Lou Ann and his bookkeeper, Debbie Baker.
Something I didn't expect in the story involves supernatural events which the author describes in great detail. She experiences a premonition that a brother-in-law will die a premature death and he does so, soon afterward. There are scenes where she appears to be forewarned of danger on a lonely dark road only to be confronted by the face of a devil. Other scenes describe a host of demonic creatures. There are even a couple of ghost stories.
After Jerry Sternadel died, the author's first actions were to protect the interests of her children and to give them the support they needed. As she learned more about the death of the father of her children, her sense of justice drove her to set the record straight. Jeannie Walker stopped at nothing when it came to helping her son and daughter through the tragedy. Her love is an open book.
It is hard for me to imagine living through so much tragic loss brought on by cold blooded murderers all because of greed. I felt much of the emotion experienced by the author and her family because the facts are presented so clearly. Jeannie's loyalty to family and her ex-husband helped her to build support from friends and the officials she worked with.Much of the book focuses on her conversations with witnesses, law enforcement officers, public officials and experts as she probed for evidence that would lead to a conviction of the guilty.
For me the story had a conversational tone with realistic and detailed dialog. It was like sitting in on a real conversation. From the onset, it is clear who the guilty parties are. Jerry Sternadel even pointed them out from his hospital bed, describing embezzlement and stating they were trying to kill him. As far as the prosecution was concerned, all the evidence was circumstantial. That's where Jeannie Walker's determination and persistence kicked in. She continued to dig for new evidence and when found pass the information to the appropriate officials. The trail was long and complex but she was relentless.
I have profound admiration for Jeannie Walker. One of the guilty parties went to prison; eventually. The one with the strongest motive and opportunity did not. To some extent, this is a story about justice denied. Something tells me that if more evidence is to be discovered, Jeannie Walker will find it.Amazon Kindle "Fighting the Devil"   Smashwords "Fighting the Devil"

LIFE IS STRANGER THAN FICTION

 Naomi Blackburn "FIGHTING THE DEVIL" Synopsis: Ms. Walker's book Fighting the Devil proves that sometimes life is stranger than fiction. Her book depicts the story of her ex-husband, Jerry Sternadel's arsenic poisoning by his wife and bookkeeper for financial gain.
Readers may be familiar with this case through its depiction of occurrences on Oxygen network's show, Snapped. Ms. Walker gives readers a picture of who Mr. Sternadel was from his young life to the time of his death, as well as a detailed account of the investigation and trial.
My rating: 4 Stars
My opinion: I read this book in one day and have to be honest with the readers of this review, sad to say, the only thing that kept going through my mind was "you live by the sword, you die by it." In most true crime novels that I have read, I have always had sympathy for the victim of the crime. I couldn't garner one inch of sympathy for this man. In the graphic depiction Ms. Walker wrote about, all I kept thinking was that this man could have had a line of people waiting to kill him. I don't know if that was her intentions to write that way or not, but that is def. the way it came across.  I thought it was odd because Ms. Walker saved a softer, almost more empathetic, description of her ex-husband for the epilogue.
One very mild criticism I would give to the author relates to her use of "religious" incidents which she described in the book. I felt that they did not "add" to the story and were unnecessary to the storyline. I thought that they came across as being very out of place.
Another light criticism that I felt came across in the book is that I would have liked to have seen it tightened up. Readers must understand that this isn't a professional author and I feel that her book demanding justice for her exhusband and that justice really was denied, again, imo, I think going back to his "choices and actions". As I was reading this, I kept thinking of the Russ Stager case, in which, his exwife, Jo Lynn Snow was instrumental in bringing Barbara Stager to justice.
Would I recommend? :  Yes, to true crime buffs..it was bizarre!
Ms. Walker's book Fighting the Devil proves that sometimes life is stranger than fiction. Her book depicts the story of her ex-husband, Jerry Sternadel's arsenic poisoning by his wife and bookkeeper for financial gain.
Readers may be familiar with this case through its depiction of occurances on Oxygen network's show, Snapped. Ms. Walker gives readers a picture of who Mr. Sternadel was from his young life to the time of his death, as well as a detailed account of the investigation and trial.
I read this book in one day and have to be honest with the readers of this review, sad to say, the only thing that kept going through my mind was "you live by the sword, you die by it." In most true crime novels that I have read, I have always had sympathy for the victim of the crime. I couldn't garner one inch of sympathy for this man. In the graphic depiction Ms. Walker wrote about, all I kept thinking was that this man could have had a line of people waiting to kill him. I don't know if that was her intentions to write that way or not, but that is def. the way it came across.
One very mild criticism I would give to the author relates to her use of "religious" incidents which she described in the book. I felt that they did not "add" to the story and were unnecessary to the storyline. I thought that they came across as being very out of place.
Another light criticism that I felt came across in the book is that I would have liked to have seen it tightened up. Readers must understand that this isn't a professional author and I feel that her book demanding justice for her exhusband and that justice really was denied, again, imo, I think going back to his "choices and actions". As I was reading this, I kept thinking of the Russ Stager case, in which, his exwife, Jo Lynn Snow was instrumental in bringing Barbara Stager to justice.
On a sidenote, I would like to comment to two GR members who gave this book one star and then flippantly alleged that the author had faked reviews. Before making allegations please check your facts. Had you have done your homework and broken down the reviews, as I did, you would have noted that less than 5 percent of the 4 or 5 star reviews of this book on Amazon would have fit into something that could even closely be considered "faked" reviews. In my blogging and reviewing role, I assess these "actions" of potentially faked Amazon reviews on authors' works on almost a daily basis. You clearly didn't. Just sayin'