THE VILLAGES - The reason for writing are as varied as writers themselves. Some write for fortune, some crave fame, some just have stories in them that need to come out.

CJ Tanner has her own reasons for writing.

"I don't write to make money, I write to impact lives," Tanner said.

Tanner, a Village of Glenbrook resident and the agent for the commercial real estate side of Properties of The Villages, has just released her new book, "Lost and Found," a Christian historical romance.

"It is set in the Napa Valley in 1924," Tanner said. "Elisabeth Wallace returns to Napa from St. Louis after becoming one of the first women to receive a veterinary degree."

Tanner continued, "The theme of the book is things lost and found - a lost letter is found at a crucial moment, which changes relationships. There's a mystery to be solved, and Elisabeth has to rely on her faith. It's an inspirational and spiritual book."

This is Tanner's second published book. Her first book was "The Power House." According to Tanner's Web Site, "The book begins with Pastor Joe, an asthmatic who experiences the hand of God early in life, and who gives of himself to others each day in his ministry."

Sharp-eyed readers will notice a familiar landmark on the front cover of "The Power House" - Church on the square in The Villages.

While "Lost and Found" is Tanner's second published book, she began her writing career long ago.

"I wrote my first book at age 12," Tanner said. "It was about the daily life of teenage kids, sort of a romance. I wrote it for me and my friends because we'd just about read everything in the library."

She credits her mother for installing in her a love of books and reading.

"My mother especially encouraged all of us to read. She told us we could go anywhere and learn anything without leaving our chains," Tanner said.

After graduating from the University of Arkansas, Tanner embarked on a 35-year career in marketing. She found her determination, work ethic and the certainty of her faith to be assets.

"I've been up against some stiff competition (for accounts), and when I got the sale, the people would toll me that they felt as if they could trust me," Tanner said. She also has been active in supporting The Village Hospice House.

Tanner now has another book in the works.

"The next book is going to be called "Side by Side." It's about a teenage couple trying to escape from Communist Romania," Tanner said.

When asked how she would do the research for that novel, Tanner replied, "A lot of people in this community are excellent sources."

One of the biggest rewards for Tanner is hearing how her work has touched the lives of her readers.

"I have had phone calls, personal testimony how my writing has changed their lives ,or the lived of their children," she said. "That's the greatest feedback a writer can get."

One comment stays with her.

"I had a speaking engagement at a church in Leesburg," Tanner said. "There were some gentlemen living in a shelter who were there. Afterward, I gave them a copy of my book. One of the men told the person organizing the speech, "This lady wrote my life." Out of everyone in the congregation, I had decided to tuck into his book a card with a prayer on it I'd carried for years. My reward for writing is that change of heart.

Donna Riley-Lein is a reporter for the Daily Sun. She can be reached at 352-753-1119, etc. 9255 or donna.rileylein@thevillagesmedia.com.