Best Christian Fantasy
Heather and Picket are extraordinary rabbits with ordinary lives until calamitous events overtake them, spilling them into a cauldron of misadventures. A captivating story with sword-bearing rabbits, daring quests, and moments of poignant beauty, The Green Ember is a tale that will delight and inspire young readers to courage and creativity. I don't usually tell people that there is a book they absolutely-must-no-questions-HAVE-TO-without-a-doubt read. --Sarah Mackenzie, Author of Teaching From Rest, Host of The Read-Aloud Revival Podcast.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I was surprised to find something that reminded me, powerfully, of Edith Nesbit, CS Lewis and George MacDonald - while being something completely different at the same time. But, this, like Lewis, somehow lets us forget that Heather and Picket are animals and instead we relate to the heroes in these interesting characters. I have waited weeks to write this review because I want so badly to communicate the profound value of this humble and tender little story. Heather and Picket are unwitting participants in an adventure that transforms them into the very best versions of themselves - in the old fashioned way. Smith is the creative force behind Story Warren - a website dedicated to being the horns of Rohan in our lives as we seek stories of truth, goodness and beauty that point our children to the Maker. Stories which inform the moral imagination and continue to speak to the reader long after the book has been returned to the shelf. I think that it is fair to say that the intensity progresses as follows: Narnia. The Green Ember/The Black Star of Kingston. The Hobbit/The Wingfeather Saga. The Lord of the Rings."
"Smith's debut novel stands in stark contrast to most contemporary middle school fiction. Their journey begins as their parents are visited by mysterious strangers, and their father hints that the family history may be tinged with intrigue, betrayal, and great pain. Within the first few pages, Smith launches the reader along with Heather and Picket on a fast-paced flight away from their home and headlong toward something momentous. Along the way they meet wonderful characters like the unexpectedly capable Smalls whose own path may be more dangerous than theirs. There is the dark and mysterious Helmer whose mastery of the arts of war draw Picket out from the prison of crippling self-indulgence and sets him on a trajectory of great danger and self-sacrifice. Despite living in a blighted world surrounded by foes and treachery, Heather, Picket, and their new friends hold firmly to that hope."
"Compelling and wonderful book."
"Your Allies in Imagination. Story Warren exists to serve you as you foster holy imagination in the children you love."
"It is a story of right versus wrong where you find yourself rooting for the good guys and being surprised at the sides some of the other characters appear to be on, versus their true stance."
Terror and chaos slowly spread not only through the plane but also worldwide as unusual events continue to unfold. Captain Rayford Steele fights to quell hysteria while facing personal tragedy―his wife and son are among the missing. Meanwhile, crack journalist Cameron “Buck” Williams, on the trail of a global financial conspiracy, finds a more ominous story unfolding as storm clouds of good and evil gather.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"It is one very long book file that includes all 12 titles of the series from Left Behind through Glorious Appearing. It says the title is lendable, but it can't be broken into parts, so whoever you lend it to will have to read all 12 books in 14 days."
"Great Series!"
"The novel series was an enjoyable way to see one's interpretation of the Bible's prophetic end times."
"Can't wait to finish reading the entire series!"
"Great read, engaging, thrilling, a plot line that teaches while entertaining throughout the series."
"I enjoyed this collection but there were times when I was ready to just be finished as there were events and characters that just didn't seem to fit and were just put into place to fill pages."
"Whilst the story line is fascinating and lends a whole new perspective on eschatology, some parts of the development between the characters is too fast moving to be credible."
"We're studying Revelations in Bible study and I have found that Left Behind is incredibly written!"
Once, in a cottage above the cliffs on the Dark Sea of Darkness, there lived three children and their trusty dog Nugget. “A wildly imaginative, wonderfully irreverent epic that shines with wit and wisdom–and features excellent instructions on how to cope with Thwaps, Fangs, and the occasional Toothy Cow.”. – Allan Heinberg , writer/co-executive producer of ABC’s Grey's Anatomy, and co-creator of Marvel Comics Young Avengers. Andrew is such a gifted storyteller; this book will be a treasure to both children and adults.”. – James Bryan Smith , author of Room of Marvels ; Rich Mullins: An Arrow Pointing to Heaven , and Embracing the Love of God ; co-author of Devotional Classics with Richard J. Andrew Peterson, a natural storyteller in the oral tradition, has nailed the voice needed to translate a rip-roaring fantasy tale to the written page.”. – Donita K. Paul , author of DragonSpell, DragonKnight, DragonQuest, and DragonFire.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"The Wingfeather Saga has become a family favorite, right up there with Narnia and Lord of the Rings."
"It would be great to read to your elementary age child."
"This book is the gateway to an intense and delightful reading adventure--worth every penny!"
"A witty and (frankly) hysterical Narnia-esque tale of the highest quality."
"I highly, highly recommend this--and not just for kids and parents, but anyone who is a fan of the fantasy genre."
"I preread this before allowing my 3rd graders to read it."
"It starts off boring but if you stay with it it is amazing."
"This series has been our first "big book" read Aloud."
Best Christian Fantasy
Heather and Picket are extraordinary rabbits with ordinary lives until calamitous events overtake them, spilling them into a cauldron of misadventures. A captivating story with sword-bearing rabbits, daring quests, and moments of poignant beauty, The Green Ember is a tale that will delight and inspire young readers to courage and creativity. --Sarah Mackenzie, Author of Teaching From Rest, Host of The Read-Aloud Revival Podcast. S. D. Smith lives with his wife and their four kids in Grandview, West Virginia.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I was surprised to find something that reminded me, powerfully, of Edith Nesbit, CS Lewis and George MacDonald - while being something completely different at the same time. But, this, like Lewis, somehow lets us forget that Heather and Picket are animals and instead we relate to the heroes in these interesting characters. I have waited weeks to write this review because I want so badly to communicate the profound value of this humble and tender little story. Heather and Picket are unwitting participants in an adventure that transforms them into the very best versions of themselves - in the old fashioned way. Smith is the creative force behind Story Warren - a website dedicated to being the horns of Rohan in our lives as we seek stories of truth, goodness and beauty that point our children to the Maker. Stories which inform the moral imagination and continue to speak to the reader long after the book has been returned to the shelf. I think that it is fair to say that the intensity progresses as follows: Narnia. The Green Ember/The Black Star of Kingston. The Hobbit/The Wingfeather Saga. The Lord of the Rings."
"Smith's debut novel stands in stark contrast to most contemporary middle school fiction. Their journey begins as their parents are visited by mysterious strangers, and their father hints that the family history may be tinged with intrigue, betrayal, and great pain. Within the first few pages, Smith launches the reader along with Heather and Picket on a fast-paced flight away from their home and headlong toward something momentous. Along the way they meet wonderful characters like the unexpectedly capable Smalls whose own path may be more dangerous than theirs. There is the dark and mysterious Helmer whose mastery of the arts of war draw Picket out from the prison of crippling self-indulgence and sets him on a trajectory of great danger and self-sacrifice. Despite living in a blighted world surrounded by foes and treachery, Heather, Picket, and their new friends hold firmly to that hope."
"It's full of intrigue, adventure, action, mystery, surprise and struggle, but with a good mixture of humor and playfulness. The characters (the good guys) depict personal growth, sacrifice, humility, loyalty, trust, wisdom and dedication. You'll easily recognize and identify with the characters, the strong, the weak, the frustrated and the struggling."
Best Children's American Folk Tales & Myths
Heather and Picket are extraordinary rabbits with ordinary lives until calamitous events overtake them, spilling them into a cauldron of misadventures. A captivating story with sword-bearing rabbits, daring quests, and moments of poignant beauty, The Green Ember is a tale that will delight and inspire young readers to courage and creativity. I don't usually tell people that there is a book they absolutely-must-no-questions-HAVE-TO-without-a-doubt read. --Sarah Mackenzie, Author of Teaching From Rest, Host of The Read-Aloud Revival Podcast.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I was surprised to find something that reminded me, powerfully, of Edith Nesbit, CS Lewis and George MacDonald - while being something completely different at the same time. But, this, like Lewis, somehow lets us forget that Heather and Picket are animals and instead we relate to the heroes in these interesting characters. I have waited weeks to write this review because I want so badly to communicate the profound value of this humble and tender little story. Heather and Picket are unwitting participants in an adventure that transforms them into the very best versions of themselves - in the old fashioned way. Smith is the creative force behind Story Warren - a website dedicated to being the horns of Rohan in our lives as we seek stories of truth, goodness and beauty that point our children to the Maker. Stories which inform the moral imagination and continue to speak to the reader long after the book has been returned to the shelf. I think that it is fair to say that the intensity progresses as follows: Narnia. The Green Ember/The Black Star of Kingston. The Hobbit/The Wingfeather Saga. The Lord of the Rings."
"Smith's debut novel stands in stark contrast to most contemporary middle school fiction. Their journey begins as their parents are visited by mysterious strangers, and their father hints that the family history may be tinged with intrigue, betrayal, and great pain. Within the first few pages, Smith launches the reader along with Heather and Picket on a fast-paced flight away from their home and headlong toward something momentous. Along the way they meet wonderful characters like the unexpectedly capable Smalls whose own path may be more dangerous than theirs. There is the dark and mysterious Helmer whose mastery of the arts of war draw Picket out from the prison of crippling self-indulgence and sets him on a trajectory of great danger and self-sacrifice. Despite living in a blighted world surrounded by foes and treachery, Heather, Picket, and their new friends hold firmly to that hope."
"The world of the Green Ember is well thought out and you can really get a sense of the lore and history and legacy tied into this land and its families."
"Compelling and wonderful book."
Best Religious Science Fiction & Fantasy
Mass disappearances Political crisis Economic crisis Worldwide epidemics Environmental catastrophe Military apocalypse. “This is the most successful Christian-fiction series ever.” —Publishers Weekly. “Combines Tom Clancy–like suspense with touches of romance, high-tech flash, and biblical references.” —New York Times. Contains the following titles: #1: Left Behind. #2: Tribulation Force. #3: Nicolae. #4: Soul Harvest. #5: Apollyon. #6: Assassins. #7: The Indwelling. #8: The Mark. #9: Desecration. #10: The Remnant. #11: Armageddon. #12: Glorious Appearing.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"It is one very long book file that includes all 12 titles of the series from Left Behind through Glorious Appearing. It says the title is lendable, but it can't be broken into parts, so whoever you lend it to will have to read all 12 books in 14 days."
"Great Series!"
"The novel series was an enjoyable way to see one's interpretation of the Bible's prophetic end times."
"Can't wait to finish reading the entire series!"
"Great read, engaging, thrilling, a plot line that teaches while entertaining throughout the series."
"I enjoyed this collection but there were times when I was ready to just be finished as there were events and characters that just didn't seem to fit and were just put into place to fill pages."
"Whilst the story line is fascinating and lends a whole new perspective on eschatology, some parts of the development between the characters is too fast moving to be credible."
"I originally read the Left Behind series several years ago and haven't stopped thinking about it since."
Best Children's Animal Stories
And every time he got’emus... he'd fall upon his bottomus!” Calamity ensues when an elephant, a centipede, and a rhinoceros try finding a cure for Hippo’s colossal case of hiccups. "...It's hard to say what's better: the whimsical, rhyming text or the beautiful colored-pencil illustrations....with funny results.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"This book is so silly and adorable."
"My kids love it and if you add a bit of acting when reading it, our kids give us cute belly laughs."
"Cute story and the illustrations are great."
"This book is adorable and fun."
"Cute idea for a 3 yr old who lives in a city whose mascot Is the hippo."
Best Christian Poetry
A message of hope and gift of compassion for the bereaved, now available in Spanish. He wrote and illustrated such beloved books as THE NEXT PLACE, OLDER LOVE, BEGINNING, RAISING YOU ALONE, PAW PRINTS IN THE STARS, TODAY'S SPECIAL, DEAR ME,and more. He is the illustrator of Tom Hegg's classic CHRISTMAS TEA and PEEF books, Richard Jorgensen's READING WITH DAD, and Rick Kupchella's TELL ME WHAT WE DID TODAY, and is the author of GRANDPA HAS A GREAT BIG FACE, THE SEA OF SLEEP, BUGTOWN BOOGIE, and IT'S MONDAY, MRS. JOLLY BONES!
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I got this book for my 6 year old daughter when her aunt moved to hospice care, it is a beautiful book with lovely words that helped her a lot."
"When my aunt had cancer and was home with Hospice, a Hospice nurse gave this to her."
"I received this book when I was 7 years old when my father passed."
"This book is so comforting."
"Got it for my young grandchildren after my husband died unexpectedly."
"I read thisall the time."
"Great book for helping, not only children, but adults too, understand the concept of the otherside, eternal life, etc."
"I have since ordered 8 copies from Amazon so that I have an extra in my "gift" drawer and so that other friends have one apiece as a gift and a spare for when they would want to give someone such a special book or gift in rememberance of. someone close who has died."
Best Christian Romance
When an opportunistic land developer threatens to seize The Hideaway, Sara is forced to make a choice—stay in Sweet Bay and fight for the house and the people she’s grown to love or leave again and return to her successful but solitary life in New Orleans. “Two endearing heroines and their poignant storylines of love lost and found make this the perfect book for an afternoon on the back porch with a glass of sweet tea.” — Karen White , New York Times bestselling author. 'Denton’s first novel charms readers with her idyllic settings and wonderful cast of characters, making Sweet Bay and the Hideaway places readers will dream about. Her exquisitely lyrical writing and character-driven story is a must-read, especially for those who loved Beth Moore’s The Undoing of St. Sylvanus.” ( Library Journal -- Starred Review, DEBUT OF THE MONTH ).
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I enjoyed the parallel storylines in this book, and found these narratives to hit just the right balance of depth and lightness - illuminating the needs and desires of these two women, while revealing their quirks and - yes, even their playful sides, in a beautiful ode to the human experience."
"Nice story about finding the past and how the memories of a little girl and what she thought change when she returns to the place of her childhood."
"There is a feeling of regret that runs through the book but mostly it’s light."
"I still enjoyed the book very much."
"I generally am not a romanticist, but the reality of feelings introduced into the story, and time I spent in small towns won the day."
"I loved this book."
"The characters are well developed and the story allows the reader to amble through two time periods seamlessly."
"I loved how the author came full circle and satisfyingly gave us a complete ending."
Best Christian Westerns
Culver Daniels spent years cultivating a peaceful, orderly existence with his blacksmith shop and livery business. He could quickly grow accustomed to staring into eyes that held such mesmerizing flecks of amber light among their glossy depths. A few more steps back and forth and Culver decided the old woman was not only a fair dancer, but also the most irritating person he’d encountered in a long while. “You, Mr. Daniels,” she said in a soft, alluring voice that melted Culver’s insides and turned his brain to mush. “You’re even more beautiful than I dreamed, Miss Mirga,” Culver said, shocked to discover his tongue joined the rebellion his heart and feet had already staged against his good sense. After spending her formative years on a farm in Eastern Oregon, hopeless romantic Shanna Hatfield turns her rural experiences into sweet historical and contemporary romances filled with sarcasm, humor, and hunky heroes.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Culver did not want a wife necessarily, but when he sees Kezia Mirga, he realizes that she is everything he never realized that he wanted and missed having in his life."
"Shanna Hatfield's whimsical style shines in this well written page turning historical romance with delightful characters (gypsy, blacksmith, baby & Cat), believable conflicts and satisfying resolution."
"Shania Hatfield continues the 12 Days of Christmas with the whirlwind romance gypsy/circus performer Kezia and Culver, the local blacksmith of Noelle."
"A woman with a wounded heart, a child, and the prospect of a new husband..... Kenzia, and Jem travel with a group of mail order brides to Noelle."
"Shanna never disappoints with her quirky sense of humor and wonderful stories."
"I enjoyed this book as much as the first."
"What a wonderful story between a blacksmith and a former circus performer."
"I always enjoy the humor that Shanna Hatfield writes into her stories and as always the hero and heroine were perfect for each other."
Best Christian Science Fiction
The companion volume, Piercing the Darkness , continues the story of the battle between spiritual forces. Set in the apparently innocent small town of Ashton, This Present Darkness follows an intrepid born-again Christian preacher and newspaper reporter as they unearth a New Age plot to take over the local community and eventually the entire world.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"This story seemed a little silly to me and I don't totally agree with his premeiss or beliefs, but that is why God is great!"
"My colleagues and I could always tell when a person got midway through the book because they typically ended up staying up all night because they couldn't put it down."
"I read this book when it first came out in the 80's."
"Thoroughly enjoyed it to the point of regularly staying up way too late reading it."
"I'm one to hurry up with the backstory, so it seemed just a tad slow in the beginning when I first read it; however, as with all tales, backstory is needed."
"it goes without saying that a book can be written with a specific worldview in mind."
"It took me two weeks to finish because I work all day but boy is this book worth a read! When I got close to the end, I didn't let anyone interrupt my reading, it was so engulfing, I couldn't take my eyes away. The very ending made me want to start at the front again to see what I just scanned over and really read it all."
"Remember that it is 30 years old - no computers, just typewriters in story; no cell phones etc."
Best Christian Historical Fiction
Back to the darkness, away from her husband’s pursuing love, terrified of the truth she no longer can deny: Her final healing must come from the One who loves her even more than Michael does…the One who will never let her go. A powerful retelling of the story of Gomer and Hosea, Redeeming Love is a life-changing story of God’s unconditional, redemptive, all-consuming love. "The timeless biblical themes...are beautifully portrayed and brought to life through her unforgettable characters." "My heart and soul were profoundly shaken as I realized anew the lessons portrayed through the stories of Hosea and Gomer, Michael and Angel.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"This book was recommended for our book club and we have not met to discuss it yet, but I think it will be a very interesting conversation."
"What a true portrait of our Lord's love."
"Throughout the story there are several flashbacks that help tell Angel's story so you can better understand her character."
"A very special lady in my life recommended I read this book."
"Wonderful story of a love that would not quit - beautifully describes the love that God has for His children."
"This book will have your heart exposed with emotions for the characters."
"The parallels between Michael's love for Angel and God's love for us were tremendous."
"This book grabs you from the first page, and keeps you till the very end."
Best Christian Mystery & Suspense
Mackenzie Allen Philips' youngest daughter, Missy, has been abducted during a family vacation and evidence that she may have been brutally murdered is found in an abandoned shack deep in the Oregon wilderness. "The Shack" cuts through the cliches of both religion and bad writing to reveal something compelling and beautiful about life's integral dance with the Divine. Through my tears and cheers, I have been indeed transformed by the tender mercy with which William Paul Young opened the veil that too often separated me from God and from myself. With every page, the complicated do's and don't that distort a relationship into a religion were washed away as I understood Father, Son and Holy Spirit for the first time in my life.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I didn't read this book when it first came out , I didn't have the interest."
"What I will say is it's an amazing book and if you have ever thought about reading about God and how it all works -- this book is for you."
"I don't normally review books but this one deserves my praise."
"I bought this book for a lady that I work for she reads many books a week."
"A beautiful story that I loved so much I bought one for my sister as a gift."
"I read this book at all my appointments."
"I thought the was going to be another smarmy story about a stereotypical God but what a pleasant surprise!"
"The Great Sadness is heart rending."
Best Christian Classics & Allegories
An impressive hardcover volume containing all seven books in the classic fantasy series The Chronicles of Narnia , graced by black-and-white chapter opening illustrations and featuring an essay by C. S. Lewis on writing. Journeys to the end of the world, fantastic creatures, and epic battles between good and evil -- what more could any reader ask for in one book? This edition also contains C. S. Lewis's essay "On Three Ways of Writing for Children," in which he explains precisely how the magic of Narnia and the realm of fantasy appeal not only to children but to discerning readers of all ages.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Also, the book description says "text only", which is strange, because this copy has tons of the original illustrations in full-color (I'll try to post pictures soon)."
"This is a beautiful paperback box set of the Narnia collection, that so many of us grew up with."
"The book does not advance correctly, especially from one chapter to the next."
"I bought the series for my grandson for his parents to read to him."
"They think, just because it's chronological order, it's the proper order. Lewis preferred them to be in the order he wrote them, so in order to read them in the intended order, you have to skip around the book."
"He begs to have more time before bed every night so we can keep reading."
"Do not bother with any other version of this box set.. this is the one you want."
"Beautiful set, numbered in order that the author preferred that the books be read."
Best African American Christian Fiction
Stephanie London thought she’d heard from God when she moved to Hope Springs, N.C. Bereft of hope, she travels home to St. Louis as a women’s ministry conference kicks off. As the state of her marriage hangs in the balance, Jillian is suddenly anxious about returning home. But at the end of her college sophomore year, she finds herself in circumstances she never imagined—with a heart that has strayed from God. “The author has a gift for bringing God’s love and light into even the darkest situation.” — Romantic Times (The Color of Hope). The situations might produce some anger, then some tears, but ultimately Tate shows the reader the power of friendship and how God's guidance is the only thing that can shine true light into the world.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I really enjoyed this authors other books and this one was similar."
"It surely caused me to evaluate the level of my pursuit.....and I realized no matter how long I'm still in hot pursuit of Christ!!!!"
"I was looking for a book to enjoy for me-time."
"As a married woman just returning from a marriage retreat it resonated with so many of the discussions from the retreat."
"What a beautiful, powerful, yet tender story with faith in the Lord God as the nucleus."
"Though I Stumble intersects real life with the truth of God's Word in real life."
"So many different dynamics and straight from the heart conversations that I was hard pressed to put it down."
"This was my first Kim Cash Tate book, I can't wait to read to rest of them."
Best Christian Fiction Collections & Anthologies
Bring Five Cowboys Home for the Holidays with New Stories from Best Selling Christian Romance Authors. The Cowboy's Christmas Wish by Kristen Ethridge. Sarah Murdoch knew bringing her daughter, Jamie, halfway across the country to Port Provident, Texas would cause more anxiety than feel-good Christmas memories. Can this big-city mom learn to embrace small-town simplicity and let a heart-scarred cowboy make a little girl’s Christmas wish come true? Memories + Mistletoe = Love by Danica Favorite. Mallory McPherson’s act of desperation in accepting a long-lost relative’s Christmas invitation brings up difficult memories she doesn’t expect.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"A woman who has run from a violent man meets a nice guy. She is afraid her former.lover will find her and hurt her and their children and anyone else who is around."
"Just the right amount of tension and sweet romances."
"I like each of these individual stories."
"Up on the Housetop is the only story in this set that I have read."
"Loved these stories, about second chances and opposites attracting."
"Archer and Emery are quite the pair."
"Up On the Housetop - This was a really sweet, clean romance."
"I've only read "Up on the Housetop" so far and I loved it."
Best Biblical Fiction
In this classic Christmas novella, best-selling author Max Lucado imagines the spiritual conflict that surrounded the coming of Christ. Journey back in time to the very throne of God ... and witness firsthand the glory, the wonder, and the battle that took place on the very first Christmas.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I like the way he brings scripture into the parts that are Biblical, and he explains that the rest is just what could have happened."
"I've always loved Christmas and reading the Bible story of Jesus' birth from the different gospels, but this gives you the story from the angels perspective."
"This is now one of my favorite Max Lucado books."
"I read this story to a bunch of high school students and they all loved it."
"What a wonderful thing that God did for us."
"I give this book as a gift to anyone I can for Christmas."
"I loved it and would highly recommend it to anyone."
Best Amish & Mennonite Fiction
Detective Olivia Mast would rather run through gunfire than return to her former Amish community in Unity, Maine, where she killed her abusive husband in self-defense and witnessed her family’s murder. After an Amish man is murdered, the community will not pursue justice or answer questions from the police, so she begrudgingly dons her old prayer kapp and heads to Unity to investigate the murder undercover. The handsome and quirky cabinet maker begins to fall for Olivia once again, unaware that she carries a 9mm under her skirt as she must fake her way into rejoining the Amish community to gain the people’s trust. Whether you have ever read Amish detective stories before or not, I know you'll like this one and be totally engaged from start to finish. I enjoyed the author giving her readers an inside view of the Amish community, especially during dangerous and unpredictable times. The only disappointing thing for me about Undercover Amish was when the story ended--I already miss the main characters!" Not only did I find myself engrossed in the unraveling of a crime, but also in thelearning about a culture, within my own country, about which I was, admittedly, basically ignorant. Ashley weaves two opposite worlds together in a fast-paced story following Detective Olivia Mast. Olivia's journey forces her to face issues of identity, rise up to work challenges, and eventually she finds love. Ashley writes about a culture few of us know about, or perhaps it's more accurate to say we think we know about it, but popular media has gotten the details wrong. That fact alone fascinates me (she wrote all about it in Ashley's Amish Adventure), but wait until you read the mystery novel she's written about the community. I thought this would be such an easy area for criminals to target, especially since the Amish do not report crimes that happen to them. From there my imagination ran with it, and several of the characters in my books are based on Amish friends I met in Unity . I lived with three Amish families in Unity, Maine for a total of ten days. The main character of the book, Detective Olivia Mast, must go undercover to investigate a murder in her former Amish community. Most of my books I wrote in high school or in my early twenties but are undergoing rewriting and editing. I definitely did for my fantasy book Identity because I was 14 when I wrote it and knew nothing about characterization, so I just based her character on myself, except she is more sarcastic and funny. That is funny you mention that because a reviewer recently just said she thought the book should be made into a movie! I think Kristen Kreuk from the TV show Beauty and the Beast would be perfect for playing Olivia! The second thing is my brother in law is a police officer so I asked him a ton of questions to make sure the book was as realistic as possible. I mean, I'd go over my friend's house, and we would just read novels for hours and go to the library and get stacks of books for fun. The two books that really stand out in my memory that made me want to become a novelist was Inkheart by Cornelia Funke and Just Ella by Margaret Peterson Haddix. Also, seeing your book published on Amazon is a pretty great feeling, along with reading positive reviews. It was amazing to actually hear that someone thought I was a good writer from a total stranger and not just a family member! I LOVE reading all the nice reviews people have been leaving me, and I check them every day. I was also asked to visit an elementary school to talk to students about my author experiences and how I started so young, so I hope I inspired some of the kids!
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"However, the idea of the main character who was previously Amish, going back to solve crime(s), right wrongs, and reunite with her true love -well, I couldn't resist."
"The romance is quite predictable with the usual tension expected in a romance and honorable behavior as expected in an Amish romance."
"This book is a page turner and a story line that can not be predicted. Believe me, this book will have you sitting on the edge of your seat as you follow Olivia back to her old community and an old friend she cared for growing up and the twists and turns of a murder mystery."
"Atmosphere, mystery and non stop action compete with the compelling human interest in this book, as we get irretrievably drawn into the homecoming story of an ex-Amish cop coming back to her community in pursuit of a deadly, ruthless and seemingly random killer."
"Shows a story can be entertaining without ugly language or detailed sex scenes."
"I highly recommend to pick this up if you are interested in great storytelling."
"Looking forward to her next book."
"A well written Amish romance that takes us deeper into the Amish life than many other books."