Tangled Violets: A Novel of Redemption

Award-Winning Finalist in the Christian Inspirational Category of the 2022 American Fiction Awards "... an uplifting story of realistic struggle, a desperate drive for connection, and ultimately Christian redemption. ... Martin's strength in this story comes from a refusal to shy away from life's difficulties as Lizzie faces tough choices and desires. ... Readers eager for stories about connection and faith will find this engaging. Great for fans of Josie Riviera, Francine Rivers — BookLife Reviews "... a moving novel, crackling with sexual volatility and emotional intelligence. An engrossing emotional drama, both shocking and thoughtful...a provocative subplot handled without a hint of prurient sensationalism." — Kirkus Reviews Denise-Marie Martin's debut novel exposes the greatest longings of the human heart: to belong and be loved. Tangled Violets is the riveting story of an adoptee's search to find out who she is. Advanced degrees, professional success, and a string of failed marriages have done nothing to fill the void that has defined Lizzie Schmidt's life. Armed with mostly false information, she embarks on an improbable journey of self-discovery, searching for her biological family before the days of the internet or consumer genetic testing made such reunions commonplace. Tangled Violets is the shocking story of how far one woman is willing to go in search of love and acceptance-a journey that leads to joy, pain, lies, and absolute heartbreak. A tale of redemption and the healing power of forgiveness, this novel demonstrates that no matter what we have done or where we have been, no one is outside the mercy of God and the healing balm of his unconditional love. Warning: This book deals honestly with the devastation of incest and recovery—a topic rarely addressed in Christian fiction. Other Editorial Reviews Denise-Marie Martin's debut novel is beautifully written, and I could not put the book down. It's told from the point of view of an adopted child who grows up with many questions. As an adult, the story takes an unexpected and disturbing turn when she reaches out to find her birth parents. The characters are so real that I felt I was in the story with them. The writing is beautiful, rich in imagery, and the story is compelling. I highly recommend this incredible book! — ELLEN GABLE, award-winning author of ten novels, including Where Angels Pass "I love you, Lizzie, just like all my other grandkids. I make no difference between you and them," Granny said. Secrets just had a way of pushing their way out of Granny's mouth. That 'difference' lay silent and undisturbed between us like a sleeping dog with an uncertain pedigree." ... Until Lizzie Schmidt realizes what she's long thought to be true, that she isn't a member of the family she's been told is her own, she begins her search to find out who she really is in both body and soul. Lizzie's heartrending and very human desire to belong and be loved leads her down a laborious, sometimes staggering, road to self-discovery, forgiveness, and the mercy of God. A wonderful book! — KAYE PARK HINCKLEY, NYC Big Book Award Winner, author of Absence, Shooting at Heaven's Gate, and many others.