Most Popular Books by Melody Carlson

For the first time that she can remember, Maya Stark is beginning to feel like a “normal” teenager. Even with her mother in jail for drug possession and her pop-star father away on his comeback tour, Maya’s new life with her uncle Allen and cousin Kim is coming together. Summer vacation’s just beginning, and with a new job, a new boyfriend, and a new car (hybrid, of course), things are finally starting to look up. But that doesn’t mean life is about to get any easier. Maya’s still devoted to living Green, and her uncle offers her a Green column in his newspaper. With the opportunity to make a difference in the town’s attitude toward the environment, Maya wonders how this fits with her newfound commitment to Christ. And if she can really consider herself a Christian when her feelings toward a fellow youth group member are anything but loving…

Heather’s curiosity in Wicca brings new confidence and reassurance, but alienates her from others. Even so, this enchanting path seems harmless, even helpful. But when terrifying things begin to happen that Heather can’t explain, it becomes clear that she has less control over her world than ever before. The eleventh book in the TrueColors teen fiction series, this book discusses spiritual warfare, tragedy, anger, and more.

After years abroad, Garrison Brown returns home to Vancouver to build a new life. When his beloved grandmother passes away a few weeks before Christmas, Garrison goes to her house to sort out her belongings, including six cats who need new homes. While Garrison hopes to dispense with the task quickly, his grandmother''s instructions don''t allow for speed. She has left Garrison with some challenging requirements for the future homes of her furry friends--plus a sizeable monetary gift for the new owners. Garrison''s job is to match the cats with the right owners without disclosing the surprise gift. Along the way, he may just meet someone who can make him stay. Humorous and heartwarming, this latest Christmas story from bestselling author Melody Carlson is the perfect gift for pet lovers and anyone in whose heart Christmas holds a special place.

Beloved author shares a story of adventure that will take girls ages 9-12 across post-WWII America with an intrepid young heroine.

Ruth Wallace knows she can only hide the scars on her arms for so long. Cutting herself doesn’t make her problems disappear, but at least it helps her cope. Ruth needs to find some way, any way, to heal her scars—the ones she hides and the ones she can’t—before something terrible happens. The seventh book in the TrueColors teen fiction series, Blade Silver deals with cutting, guilt, psychology, and healing. Includes discussion questions.

Christmas should be celebrated with family. But for Vera Swanson, that''s not an option this year. Widowed and recently relocated, she is lonely in her condo-for-one--until little Fiona Albright knocks on her door needing help. With her mother seriously ill and her father out of town, Fiona enlists Vera''s help, and when she finds out her new neighbor is a quilter, she has a special request--a Christmas quilt for Mama. Vera will have to get a ragtag group of women together in order to fulfill the request. Between free-spirited artist Tasha, chatty empty nester Beverly, retired therapist Eleanor, and herself, Vera has hopes that Christmas for the Albright family will be merry, after all--and she may find herself a new family of friends along the way. Bestselling and award-winning author Melody Carlson invites you to cuddle up this holiday season with this cozy story of giving, forgiving, and a little bit of romance.

With creditors hounding her and all her available cash going to make payments on her debt, Kendall''s spendthrift lifestyle has finally caught up with her. To complicate matters, she''s pregnant and not sure who the father is. Kendall needs help, but her roommates are caught up in problems of their own. Megan is trying to manage her crazy boss and remain true to her Christian principles. Lelani is still trying to work up the nerve to go home to Maui for a visit with her parents and her young daughter. And after a gaffe on her first job, Anna is trying to regain credibility in the workplace without relying too heavily on Edmund. So when Lelani''s parents offer to host the girls in Hawaii, it sounds like the vacation everyone needs--and no one can afford. A huge garage sale is scheduled, but fraying tempers threaten the teamwork needed to pull it off. Will they finally turn to the One who can really help? When you''ve got your first apartment, a real job, and grown-up responsibilities, life can be tough--loaded with confusion, emotion, and secrets you can''t tell to anyone but God. In the 86 Bloomberg Place series, Melody Carlson has captured all the uncertainty and joy of being twenty-something in pitch-perfect detail--and their stories just might sound like someone you know.

Adelaide Smith is too busy for fairy tales. She''s been working hard to put herself through law school, and she''s determined to stay focused on her goals. Then she receives a letter notifying her that she is a direct descendant of King Maximillian Konig V, the ruler of a small European principality called Montovia. What? No. That''s the stuff of cheesy made-for-TV movies, not real life. Still, curiosity gets the best of her, leading to a Christmas break trip chock-full of surprises, including a charming village, an opulent palace, family mysteries, royal jealousies, a handsome young member of Parliament, and the chance at a real-life fairy tale romance. "Carlson puts a charming, Christmasy spin on a rags-to-royalty Cinderella story. Readers will cheer on Carlson''s spunky, earnest heroine."--Publishers Weekly "Carlson''s latest impeccably written inspirational romance is wholesome holiday fun for readers who like their romances dressed up with a bit of fairy-tale glitz and glam."--Booklist

Hope Bartolli has avoided Sisters for years-both her hometown of Sisters, Oregon, and her two sisters who live there. But when the thirty-two-year-old corporate lawyer returns home to attend her beloved grandmother''s funeral, she''s surprised to learn that she has inherited Nona''s old house, her little dog, Andy, and an unexpected friendship with Nona''s handsome attorney. If she had any hopes of burying the hatchet with her sisters, these ''gifts'' from Nona aren''t going to help. Hope wants more out of life-but is she willing to take the risks to get it? And can she trust her family to stand by her side?

Meet Samantha McGregor She seems like your average teen, but Samantha is unusually gifted. God gives her visions and dreams that offer unconventional glimpses into other people’s lives and problems. It’s a powerful gift with a lot of responsibility… Bad Connection: Book One Kayla Henderson lives on the edge. She likes to break the rules, considers partying an extracurricular activity, and can’t stand her parents. So, most people aren’t surprised when she goes missing. Like everyone else, Samantha McGregor assumes Kayla has run away. But then she has a vision where Kayla is tied up with duct tape over her mouth. Freaked by the image, Samantha wonders, Is Kayla alive or dead? Was the vision real or just a silly dream? Most important, can Kayla be found before it’s too late? Reaader''s Guide Included! Story Behind the Book “The secular world has become very interested in ‘supernatural’ gifts. Take, for example, shows like Joan of Arcadia , The Medium, Monk, and Dead Zone . Yet it’s God who gives every good and perfect gift. My guess is that we humans barely tap into the vast variety of gifts that He has to offer. Not only that, but our fast-paced, high-tech culture rarely relies on those good ‘old-fashioned’ character traits like insight, intuition, wisdom, and foresight. My hope is that this series will provide a fun way for teens to explore deeper levels of spirituality and creativity while inspiring them to a greater love for God.” — Melody Carlson

When Chelsea Martin''s future stepmother helps her transform from gawky and geeky into the hottest girl at her new school, Chelsea is pretty sure it''s the best thing that ever happened to her. But her hot new look has a downside. She''s attracting lots of guys who all have one thing in common: they''re jerks. And stealing the attention of all the guys in school doesn''t endear her to the girls either. Chelsea finally finds a true friend in Janelle Parker, and a non-jerk, Nicholas, catches her eye. Janelle keeps telling her to be herself, but Nicholas is the only guy around who doesn''t give her a second look. Can Chelsea and Janelle come up with a plan to get his attention? Or will Chelsea''s new image ruin everything? Teen favorite and bestselling author Melody Carlson helps girls uncover the real source of beauty in this true-to-life story of young love, friendship, and being yourself.

Celebrate your little one’s birth, baptism, dedication, or just say “I love you” with this adorable book of blessings featuring 41 delightful rhyming poems. Baby’s First Book of Blessings lets tiny ones know God’s blessings are all around them. From "Comfy Laps" to "Furry Friends," and "My Front Porch" to "Bathtub Bubbles," these charming rhymes will fill the hearts of little girls and boys with happiness: I count my eyes, One and two. God blesses me When I see you! Baby’s First Book of Blessings: Is a charming padded book of poems by bestselling author Melody Carlson Is a sweet reminder of God''s love for little ones ages 0-4 Makes the perfect gift for baby showers, baptisms, dedications, christenings, and birthdays for boys and girls Perfect companion product to Baby’s First Bible and Baby’s First Book of Prayers

Dealing with her grief over her mother''s recent death and major problems her family and friends are facing cause Kim so much stress she even finds it hard to pray, but things improve when she really starts to "let go and let God."

Katrina Yoder loves to sing, but her Amish parents view singing as vainglory and a sin. Katrina''s best friend, Bekka, is convinced Katrina should try out for American Star, a televised singing competition that Bekka has been secretly watching. Katrina resists the temptation until her father''s health worsens. He desperately needs a surgery the family cannot afford. Katrina decides she must go against her parents'' wishes to win the money needed to help her father. But how will she handle herself as an Amish teenager out in the world? Teen girls will be swept into the excitement as Katrina ventures out of her quiet Amish world to become a reality television star. Will she be successful? And will she be accepted back into her community when it''s over?

All Elise wants is to have her first kiss before she turns sixteen. Is that so bad? But when a friend''s poor advice and the powers of electronic technology combine, Elise heads down a dangerous road. She is accused of "sexting" and gets kicked out of school. But is she really the one to blame? This powerful and realistic story from beloved author Melody Carlson shows teen girls the impact of their choices when it comes to respecting themselves and their integrity. Honest and relevant, Never Been Kissed will make girls laugh, cry . . . and think.

Saturday, October 22 My life changed today. It’s as if I got up this morning as one person and will go to bed as someone else. Okay, maybe it’s not THAT drastic. But I’m so excited I’m not sure I’ll ever go to sleep tonight. Josh Miller asked me to marry him! First she “kissed dating goodbye.” Now, several years later, Caitlin O’Conner is getting married–to the guy she’s loved all along, Josh Miller! It’s her senior year of college, and she has seven months to plan her wedding...but according to Josh’s mom, that’s not enough time. Meanwhile, Caitlin’s roommate, Liz, has ditched her to move in with a boyfriend. Her new roommate and old friend, Jenny, is toying with anorexia again, and just when Caitlin needs her most, Beanie heads off to a New York City design school. On top of all this, an issue from Josh’ s past rocks Caitlin’s emotions. Can she handle it all? True to form, Caitlin is more concerned with following God than having the perfect wedding. But it is her big day. Can Caitlin have a lovely ceremony without spending a small fortune? Will she remember it’s the marriage–and not the wedding–that lasts forever? Story Behind the Book “My teenage years remain vivid in my mind. It was a turbulent time full of sharp contrasts– love and hate, pain and pleasure, trust and doubt. Then, just as I reached my peak of questioning, rebelling, and seeking, I found God. And I found Him in a really big way! My life turned completely around and has, thankfully, never turned back. Hopefully this story will touch and change hearts–speaking to teen girls right where they live, reminding readers that God is alive and well and ready to be intimately involved in their lives right now! Caitlin provides a very positive role model for girls. And her wedding is a great way to teach them about the things that really matter in life–their relationship with God and their willingness to be used by Him.”

Kate Burrows has a life many would envy-a good job at a design firm, a huge house, beautiful memories of the late husband who gave her everything, and two grown kids doing well for themselves. But it''s all begun to ring hollow as she wanders around a house that''s too big for her. So when she gets caught up in binge watching a show all about tiny homes, something clicks-something that soon has Kate embarking on a whole new life. Though some people call her crazy, she decides to quit her job and relocate to the small tourist town she and her husband always wanted to retire to, and to buy a tiny home of her own. The Lord seems to be paving the way, and she soon meets just the person she needs to help her get her dream going-and even growing! Hank Branson, architect and gentleman farmer, is quick to jump on board her dream to parcel some land off for tiny homes, and soon they have a community in the works. But is Kate in over her head? How can she possibly uproot her whole life and chase dreams long dormant? Can Hank and his beautiful farm be as perfect as they seem? And what about their competition-the gregarious, confident Glen who won''t take no for an answer? Kate may be moving into a tiny house...but it soon becomes clear she''s in for a big adventure.

* * * THE COMPLETE FIRST SEASON * * * For fans of Veronica Roth, James Dashner, and Brandon Sanderson. THE ''NATURALS COMPLETE SEASON ONE A small town full of secrets. A coming darkness. Teens with supernatural abilities. Think you know the story? Think again. As Summer ends, the students at Silverwood High are getting ready to go back to school and resume their normal, everyday lives. Too bad "normal" is no longer an option. When these teens get their very first tastes of what destiny has in store, will they embrace that destiny... or flee from it? Will they be selfless... or ruthless? Will they master their abilities... or will their abilities master them? This is their awakening, the first step of an epic journey. But it''s only the beginning of something bigger than they could ever imagine. The sleepy little town of Silverwood is about to wake up. MORE BY THE AUTHORS Aaron Patterson’s young adult fantasy titles: Airel Saga (Airel, Michael, Uriel) Melody Carlson’s young adult titles: Life at Kingston High Series & The Carter House Girls Series Robin Parrish’s young adult titles: Corridor (A MythWorks Novel) K.C. Neal’s young adult science fiction and fantasy titles: Pyxis Series (Pyxis, Alight), The Starlight Age Series This young adult serial by Aaron Patterson, Melody Carlson, Robin Parrish, and K.C. Neal is clean fiction for adult and teen & young adult readers. THE ''NATURALS is for readers who enjoy The Rho Agenda Series by Richard Phillips, The Host by Stephenie Meyer, Veronica Roth, James Dashner, Brandon Sanderson, superhero stories, teen & young adult action & adventure, teen & young adult romance, fantasy superhero, teen & young adult coming of age, fantasy coming of age.

After a time of heartache and loss, Simone Winthrop discovers a tantalizing letter from her French great-grandmother, which seems to suggest that she is heir to a family treasure. Ever practical, Simone assumes the claim is baseless, but her best friend encourages her to find out for sure. Despite her deep-rooted fear of flying, Simone boards a jet to travel to Paris at Christmastime to uncover the truth. During the long flight, Simone meets the charming Kyle Larsson, who''s on his way to France to become an apprentice clockmaker. Though they abruptly part ways, an unexpected rendezvous in the French Alps at Simone''s family''s clock factory may lead to the discovery of the family treasure . . . and so much more. For anyone who is wearying of staying home, Melody Carlson invites you to spend Christmas with her in the beautiful French Alps this year. So pull on your mittens, tie your scarf tight, and prepare yourself for a magical mountain holiday.