Most Popular Books by Melody Carlson

Who Do You Ask When You Don’t Have the Answers? What’s a girl to do when caught between a rock and a hard place? The “hard place” is losing the use of her beloved car, and the “rock” is her immovable dad. In order to regain driving privileges, Kim Peterson’s dad talks her into writing an advice column for teens in his newspaper. Kim reluctantly agrees and writes under a pen name. But as she reads letters from peers and friends, she becomes keenly aware of two things: (1) Some kids have it way worse than her, and (2) she does not have all the answers! Who can she turn to? Thursday, September 1 I’ve been saving for my own car, but my parents decided that I can only get a car if I keep a clean driving record. That means absolutely NO tickets—period—nada. And the policeman said he’d clocked me going 72 in a 55 mile zone. Oops. When Kim Peterson gets a speeding ticket, her dad offers her a way to retain her driving privileges. If she’ll write the anonymous teen advice column for his newspaper, she can still get a car. So Kim becomes “Jamie” of “Just Ask Jamie.” No big deal, she thinks. She answers letters about stuff that’s everyday and stuff that’s not: parents, piercings, dating, drugs, depression, and people who are just users. Nothing Kim can’t handle. But when a classmate is killed, the letters turn to questions about life, death, and what it all means. And Kim starts to wonder if she really does have all the answers—and if not, where to find them. The Christian faith of her adoptive family? The Buddhism of her Korean heritage? Who can she turn to—to just ask? 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! ”

What are the treasures in Benjamin's Box? Come along with Benjamin and see. Like all boys and girls, Benjamin is very, very curious. When Jesus comes to Jerusalem, Benjamin decides to follow him and find out who he really is. At first, Benjamin thinks Jesus is a teacher, then a king. At last, he learns the good news---news that every child (and grown-up!) will want to share. Can be used in conjunction with Resurrection Eggs from Family Life!

Answer Girl Has a Zillion Questions. And Zero Answers Kim Peterson, the Just Ask Jamie “answer girl” is about plum out of them. As if losing her mother to cancer wasn’t enough, the hits just keep coming. Now living with Kim and her father, her aunt and cousin bicker nonstop. Dating Matthew is about as unpredictable as can be. Her dad’s out of a job. Her prayers go unanswered. And her best friend Natalie loses her virginity to Benjamin O’Conner, Caitlin’s brother! And—p.s.—now she’s pregnant! When the world turns upside down, and Kim is about to fall apart, can she perhaps fall up? Straight into the arms of the One who loves her through the madness of life? Friday, June 7 I think I’m having a serious meltdown here. It’s like I’m unable to reason, I can’t think straight, and I can’t get my feelings under control. Even my prayers are pathetic, just hopeless cries for help, with no faith involved. I’m a mess. How much stress can a girl take? Kim Peterson’s mom has just died. Her visiting relatives bicker constantly. Her dad is lost in a fog of grief. Her boyfriend, Matthew, can’t decide what to do after graduation. And Kim’s best friend Nat just can’t seem to get over being dumped by Ben O’Conner, Caitlin’s younger brother. More than anything, Kim wishes her mom were here to tell her everything’s going to be okay. But that’s not going to happen. When Kim reaches the breaking point, her dad sends her off to her grandmother’s house in small-town Florida, where she’s able to slow down, feed the gators, and realize that she’s not indispensable...only God is! And instead of falling apart, she can fall up...into His arms. Reader’s guide included 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!” —Melody Carlson

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

It’s impossible to pass through life without experiencing some kind of hurt or loss. We all need healing at different points in our lives—and often the path to healing is paved in some form of forgiveness and grace. In Healing Waters, the first study in the new Faith and Fiction Bible study series , popular Christian fiction author Melody Carlson draws upon her novels in the Inn at Shining Waters trilogy to invite women on an exciting journey toward healing. Using the stories, themes, and characters of the novels as a backdrop, this eight-week study explores the need for forgiveness and mercy in our lives and the role that second chances and new beginnings play in healing our spirits and our relationships. Through careful study of Psalm 103 and other selected Scriptures, women will · gain new understanding and appreciation for God as the Lord who heals · recognize that God makes the journey with them, inviting them to experience divine love and mercy every step of the way. · walk the roads of forgiveness and grace, learning how to embrace these gifts for themselves and their relationships. · learn how to restore broken relationships and live in life-giving community.celebrate the God who loves second chances and who is devoted to transforming and blessing us with surprises and new beginnings. The Leader Guide provides leader helps and step-by-step session plan outlines for leading eight group sessions.

With absent parents, overdue rent, and no one to turn to, Adele is forced into the hard, cold world of homelessness. While striving to maintain the pretense of a “normal” life, Adele attempts to finish high school, all the while concealing her secret. But is she strong enough to keep up the act? Forgotten will propel teen readers into a world where promises are broken, life is not fair, and challenges seem unbearable, while still offering assurance that solid faith, loyal friends, and a persistent spirit will prevail.

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.

While staying with his uncle, an innkeeper in Bethlehem, Matthew helps prepare a place for the baby Jesus to be born.

An education back East? That's the last thing Miranda Williams wants, but since her stepfather had noted it in his will, her stepsister Delia is determined to see it through. But Miranda doesn't want to go East, and she certainly doesn't want to be subjected to more schooling. As Delia's wedding day approaches, Miranda is certain her only chance of salvation lies in finding a groom-fast! And at first she thinks all is going according to plan when Jackson O'Neil from a neighboring mine begins to pay her attention and sets her heart to fluttering. But Jackson has his own dreams, dreams of heading to Alaska and striking it rich in gold. With new friends, old bitterness, and an ocean of possibilities, how will Miranda find her way to a future of her own?

Traveling in Ireland with her journalist aunt and the charming Ryan, her aunt's godson, nineteen-year-old Maddie unearths the secret behind an Irish Republican Army bombing decades earlier, and the impact it has had on Ryan's and Aunt Sid's lives.

Home is the place to heal, right? At least, that's what Dillon Michaels is hoping as she leaves her disappointing career and nonstarter love life behind to help her grieving and aging grandfather on his small Oregon farm. The only problem? Her eccentric mother beat her there and has taken over Dillon's old room. After a few nights sleeping on a sagging sofa, Dillon is ready to give up, until she receives an unlikely gift--her grandfather's run-down vintage camp trailer, which she quickly resolves to restore with the help of Jordan Atwood, the handsome owner of the local hardware store. But just when things are finally beginning to run smoothly, Dillon's noncommittal ex-boyfriend shows up with roses . . . and a ring. Full of quirky characters, family drama, and sweet romance, The Happy Camper will have you scouring Craigslist for your own diamond-in-the-rough camper to restore and haunting your local hardware store for a handy guy to help your dreams come true.

Perfect for readers who want a heartwarming and hopeful Christmas story Five women from different walks of life have become close friends through their book club--enjoying one another's company even more than they enjoy the books. So when the leader of the book club unexpectedly passes away on the cusp of the Christmas season, the four remaining friends are stunned. They relied on Abby for inspiration and motivation. She was the glue that held them together, and they're sure that without her the group can't continue. When the group gathers "one last time" to open a bag Abby's husband gives them, they find Abby had made each of them an angel ornament for Christmas, crafted especially for each woman and accompanied by a sweet and personal note. Inspired by their beloved friend, together Cassidy, Louisa, Grace, and Belinda decide to commit themselves to becoming Christmas Angels to others in need. Each woman will use her life situation and talents to reach out and help others in her own unique way--little knowing that her own life and her relationships will be changed forever. Fan favorite Melody Carlson is back with another touching Christmas story sure to grip readers' hearts and perhaps inspire them to become Christmas Angels themselves.

A heartwarming novel covering important subjects such as racism and how to deal with the issues.

Teen girls are already devoted followers of Melody Carlson's fiction series. From the thousands of personal letters she's received, she knows they want more. They're looking for substance and spiritual guidance that can make a difference in their lives. Always offers readers a fresh way to encounter Jesus's words for their own personal inspiration and practical application. Carlson shares with her faithful young readers the life-changing message of Jesus, giving them something to lean on in the turbulent time of adolescence. This 90-day devotional will strengthen teens' faith and help them understand and love the words of the Savior.

As weeds take over Fruitville, three villagers insist that they are pretty flowers, while the others remind them that the Gardener wants them to get rid of the bad things in their lives in this story based on Jesus' parable of the wheat and the tares.

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.

In 1948, while her mother is off making yet another movie, fourteen-year-old Allison O'Brian makes her way from New York to Oregon to see the grandfather she has never met and to learn what she can about her supposedly dead father.

A woman required to marry within the next year in order to inherit her eccentric late aunt's sizeable estate finds greater rewards in helping a young, parentless girl than in another round of speed dating.

Twenty-five engaging stories, one for each day of Advent, teach about God's saving love and explore the meaning of Christmas. Families can join Amy, Miguel, Jonathan and their parents as they experience Christmas in a new light. From the CBA bestselling author of "Lost Lamb" and "King of the Stable."

When she receives the news in late 1944 that her baby's father was shot down in the South Pacific, Amelia Richards loses hope. Jobless and broke, she has nowhere to turn for help but her infant's paternal grandparents. The only problem is, they don't know that she--or their grandson--exists. When Amelia discovers that the family is wealthy and influential, dare she disclose the truth of her relationship with their son? Or could the celebration of the arrival of another unexpected baby nearly two thousand years ago be the answer to her dilemma? Beloved author Melody Carlson pens a story of love, hardship, and reconciliation that will leave readers filled with Christmas joy.

The daughter of a pastor justifies going to drinking parties as helping others, disregarding the feelings of real friends.

* * * 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.

High school art teacher Nicole Anderson is looking forward to a relaxing summer in Savannah, house-sitting and managing an art gallery for a family friend. The house is luxurious in a way that only old money could make it, and the gallery promises interesting days in a gorgeous setting. Yet it isn't long before her ideal summer turns into more than she bargained for: a snooty gallery employee who's determined to force her out, a displaced adolescent roosting in the attic, and two of Nicole's close childhood friends--who also happen to be brothers--vying for her attention. With a backdrop of a beautiful historical city, incredible architecture, and even an alleged ghost or two, combined with the opportunity for romance . . . anything can happen! Bestselling and award-winning author Melody Carlson invites readers to spend the summer surrounded by beauty and tantalizing possibilities for the future.

Madison Chase’s holiday break is drawing to a close and she’s eager to leave the gray Washington winter and join her Aunt Sid on a warm vacation to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. Maddie is pleasantly surprised when her good friend Ryan McIntire shows up to enjoy the trip with them, and she looks forward to spending time with him. But when Ryan runs into his high school crush, the beautiful Shelby Wagner, Maddie’s jealousy threatens to spoil their sun-drenched days. Unsure of her relationship with Ryan, Maddie distracts herself by befriending a local girl, Francesca Tarrago, who is both intelligent and hardworking but lives in deep poverty. As Maddie does what she can to help Francesca, she discovers a secret that Shelby has been keeping from all of them. Can Maddie put aside her conflicted feelings and love Shelby enough to help her? This third book in the Notes from a Spinning Planet series invites young women to the romantic beaches of Mexico to explore a love deeper than simple affection and the meaning of true sacrifice.

An intelligent but insecure fifteen-year-old aspiring musician, who sports off-beat clothes, spiked hair, and multiple piercings, questions the existence of God until she meets Him head-on in a graveyard.

Managing the Value Lodge in her hometown was not what Anna Gordon had in mind when she set out in the hospitality industry. But it's a safe choice for a woman whose childhood was anything but stable. Out of the blue, she gets a once-in-a-lifetime chance to reinvent herself by moving to New York City, where she hopes for a management position at a stylish new boutique hotel. The big city is full of surprises--not the least of which is Sean O'Neil. Her childhood crush has applied for the very same position! Sweet, romantic, and endlessly entertaining, this romp through the storied streets of New York City will enchant readers. Melody Carlson has created characters so charming that readers will long to meet them in the lobby of the stunning Rothsberg Hotel.

Tia Gets a Second Chance at Love When an Old Crush Suddenly Reappears Tia D'Amico is thrilled to move to San Francisco to help her aunt transform an old luxury yacht into an upscale floating restaurant. What's not to love? Sunset dinner cruises, upscale wedding receptions--the possibilities are endless and far more appetizing than staying in a monotonous job in her Podunk hometown. Besides, some of her best memories are tied to San Francisco--especially the memory of Leo Parker, her crush from a long-ago sailing camp. When the self same Leo Parker turns out to be the yacht's captain, Tia is floating on air. But will it all come crashing down around her when she discovers his heart belongs to someone else? Get ready for a romantic summer in San Francisco, where the future glistens brighter than the bay at sunset.

In the final installment in the 86 Bloomberg Place series, Melody Carlson follows the girls in a crazed competition for bridesmaids, wedding locations, and showers. Newly engaged Lelani has returned from Maui to Bloomberg Place and is trying to book her wedding date. Unfortunately, there are scheduling conflicts for that same weekend. For starters, Megan and Marcus have a family wedding commitment. Anna and Edmond have promised to attend his younger stepbrother's Bar Mitzvah and, to everyone's surprise, Kendall has just accepted her "Maui Man's" proposal of marriage and also wants to be wed on that first weekend in June. Wedding madness ensues at 86 Bloomberg Place, yet at the same time friendships are being forged that will last a lifetime.

Native American beauty Sunny Westcott is not one to let her hair down. But her friend Aubrey manages to drag her to Pendleton, Oregon, and the pair arrives just as the hundredth annual Pendleton Round-Up begins. Sunny is surprised by how much she enjoys watching the rodeo, riding horseback, and getting to know Aubrey’s family—particularly a handsome cowboy named Cody. Pendleton is also home to the Umatilla reservation where Sunny’s ancestors once lived, and the trip gives her the chance to do some digging into her family’s history—a topic she knows next to nothing about. But will Sunny like what she finds? And how will skeletons from the past compete with the current drama unfolding in Cody’s own family?

In the final story of The Inn at Shining Waters, Anna Larson's granddaughter Sarah is beginning to find her independence. But her relationship with her parents sufferS as a result and she travels away from all that is familiar. While the solace of the river calls Sarah back, surprises await upon her return. Three generations of family heartbreak and disappointments converge at Shining Waters as Sarah finds God right in the center of it all.

University life isn't what Caitlin expected. Her roommate Liz is hostile to her faith -- tormenting her with raunchy music and sleazy boyfriends. Worst of all, suddenly Caitlin doesn't understand herself anymore. Why has she regressed to being the shy, insecure girl she was in junior high? She doesn't even fit in with her new Christian fellowship group! Caitlin tries not to envy Josh and her friends at Christian colleges, but suddenly all she has are questions and few answers. In the story of Caitlin O'Conner's soul, this frustrating year is the most significant one yet, as the homesick freshman eventually remembers there is one companion she can always trust.

The girls of the DG have found that through the club, both their friendships and their dating savvy have grown. But all that is about to be put to the test. Despite their promises of secrecy, word has somehow gotten out, and new girls want to join the club. The reaction in the DG is mixed, but with the Christmas Ball coming up, they need to pull together to organize their double dates. The trouble is, how can they get guys interested in a dance that's become increasingly unpopular? Cassidy, Devon, Abby, Bryn, and Emma are quickly becoming teen favorites as they navigate the crazy world of dating. As always, Melody Carlson subtly delivers great advice wrapped up tight in a package of fun and friendship.

Love Inspired Suspense brings you three new titles at a great value, available now! Enjoy these suspenseful romances of danger and faith. PERFECT ALIBI by Melody Carlson When her friend is murdered, Mallory Myers finds herself on the suspect list. Can she clear her name and stay alive with the help of the local fire chief? SUBMERGED Mountain Cove by Elizabeth Goddard When Cobie MacBride seeks answers about her father's disappearance, she quickly lands in danger. Can she let herself accept help from Adam Warren, the man she blames for her brother's death? CHRISTMAS IN HIDING by Cate Nolan With her cover blown, protected witness Callie Martin must go on the run with US Marshal Jackson Walker to stay one step ahead of a killer at Christmas.

The Sheriff, Hailey, Israel’s sister, and others all have their suspicions about what happened during the fire at the Silver Screen, but will anyone discover Issi’s part in it? And most troubling of all, does he even feel bad about the tragedy? Hailey, Avery, Marshall, and Issi have turned down a dark path that seems to lead to IGT, and there’s no going back. The façade of normal life in Silverwood is crumbling for everyone—not just for kids with supernatural abilities—and the consequences are becoming deadly.

The 'Naturals Season Two: Evolution -- Episodes 5-8 The danger deepens as Marshall, Avery, Hailey, and Israel explore their abilities and discover they're not the only ones keeping secrets. At the center of it all? IGT, the company that seems to have a hand in everything that happens in Silverwood. Can four high school kids uncover the truth, or will they end up pawns in IGT's mysterious scheme?

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…

Fifteen-year-old Maya Stark seems to have it all–fame, fortune, a Beverly Hills lifestyle, and an eighties pop star dad who’s making a comeback. But looks can be deceiving, and on the inside, Maya is miserable. Her parents are divorced, her dad is away on tour, and being biracial, she struggles with her identity. Then, to make matters worse, her mother has returned to using drugs and is quickly depleting their finances. In a plan to become emancipated from her messed-up mom, Maya takes a job on Rodeo Drive. Selling designer clothes compromises Maya’s earth-friendly “green girl” values, but she is desperate. Just when Maya thinks she’s got it all worked out, her life caves in. Her mom “embezzles” Maya’s savings and is later arrested on DUI and cocaine possession charges and is facing jail time. With nowhere to live, Maya is sent to spend the summer with her relatives. In the collision of two very different worlds, Maya must figure out where she fits in–or does she fit in at all?

A retelling in rhyme of the Bible story of Noah's ark.