"I
just finished an amazing book...The Garden Key. I absolutely
loved it! I was sad that I was at the end. I got so wrapped
up in the book, it became real to me....like I was there. I am
recommending it to everyone. It is a must read for all women,
especially young women. It is about the importance of having God
in our relationships and His plan for purity.
I truly believe that this book should be in every household, in
the schools, and in youth groups. You are really going to get
young people thinking....which needs to be done in this country!
I love how you tell the story that [Maddy] was not the "perfect"
person, but it is possible to change your ways and live as God
wants us to. You are very talented that's for sure! Awesome
book! May God continue blessing you with your talents!" --
Kelli Heller, Celina, OH
***
"Just
wanted to let you know -- I started reading your book and I
really like it. I was just going to read one chapter and I read
8. I'm making myself put it down because I've got other stuff to
do and want to savor it and make it last. Your [main] character
is great. I told the Lord, "I like her spunk." I also like that
she has a "past' (yet to be fully revealed). The Lord has shown
me that He is still working on healing the damage in me from
past sexual relationships...I thought I was ok because it was so
long ago (I am 46), but I still have wounds and am not yet ready
to enter a relationship, but I feel it is getting closer and He
is prepaing me. Your book is part of His work in my life. so
thank you!" -- Anonymous
***
"Before I found your book, I had been praying for the Lord to
have mercy on young women who might make a wrong decision about
sexuality that would significantly affect their lives. The devil
has made such inroads in our culture/society in this area...but
the greater the darkness, the more the Light of Christ shines
forth as something different from the darkness. I especially
like that your Christian main characters are fun and interesting
and "cool." It is a breath of fresh air. I used to work in
campus ministry and still know people who do -- I will
definitely recommend your book. Get it in libraries, too -- I
will recommend it to my local library. Let the light shine in
the darkness, sister!" -- Megan, Michigan
"I feel like God is giving more of myself back...like spring
flowers sprouting where there was frozen earth only a few months
ago. Add me to your list of people who are already looking
forward to your next book. I really like how you have [Maddy]
pray in the book -- I really like when books have realistic
Christian characters who pray and use scriptures -- you have
done this really well, in a way that is not a turn off or too
'religious.'" -- M.M.
***
The Garden Key A PRECIOUS GIFT wrapped up in this DEBUT NOVEL
By Ellen C Maze, author Rabbit:
Chasing Beth Rider
(Recently, I read an
awesome book by first-time author Angela Dolbear. I have been
changed by it and want to share it with all of you. As a matter
of fact, I want to shout about it from the rooftops! )
The Garden Key, by Angela Dolbear, is a book that could
literally change the world. I can say with all honesty that if
every man and woman on the planet read this book and let its
words sink deep into their souls; when they opened their eyes
the following day, they would be transformed. Changed into
people who love. Really love. And in a real sense, The Garden
Key is about real love.
Told in first person, in a voice that I fell in love with
immediately, The Garden Key sweeps you into the protagonist’s
life; so much so, you feel like part of her story. You
experience her joy, her triumph, her failures and her desire for
redemption. And because the author walks so closely with God, it
is impossible to not be encouraged in your own faith as you
travel through novel-time with the main character.
Promos for The Garden Key entice the reader with comical,
tongue-in-cheek, real-life phrases, dialogue and emotions.
Honestly, I was convinced by one line from the web site which
said something about ‘lust and cheeseburgers.’ But rest assured,
the promises on the back cover can be trusted absolutely. As I
read this book, I did indeed laugh often, and I cried with joy
aplenty. I wept most when I reached the last page—do you know
why? Because the novel ended.
Selfishly, I wanted it to go on and on and never conclude. As a
matter of fact, I enjoyed this book so much (it was literally
un-put-down-able), that when I got to the last 30 pages, I
forced myself to stop reading. I would not pick it up for fear
of finishing it. For over a week, I peeked at it next to my
desk, carried it to my room to peek at it as I went to sleep—but
I would not read on. I was terrified to see the last page. I was
horrified that this wonderful, sweet, delightful, insightful and
encouraging book was about to be finished. I have never read a
book like this and I thank God that he led me to read it now. I
have no doubt in my mind that I will read it over again many
times.
And thankfully, the author hinted that she would write another.
Praise the Lord.
***
5 stars from Kristen
Woolstrum:
It's worth every penny. Just buy it and read it now.
Christian art (writing, music, etc.) tends to be very prescribed
and repetitive. Not this book. This is really something new and
enjoyable.
I'm in the book's audience age range, and I can tell you that it
is truly inspiring and helpful on issues of purity and sex when
you're trying to honor God. Why? Because it's REAL.
It's easy to tell someone what not to do. But it's hard to apply
what seems like a very difficult and strict principle to
everyday life. There aren't many examples to live by.
Realistically, how do you avoid temptation and still figure out
if you're with the right guy? Just read this book. It's an
awesome example of how to (realistically) live by the right
standards.
Madeleine (the protagonist) is not the overly sexualized "modern
woman," (because how many women actually live a Sex In the City
lifestyle?) nor is she the "I'm wearing an invisible chastity
belt" perfect Christian girl. She's a woman. A flesh-and-blood,
three dimensional, real and relatable girl. And that's what
makes this story precious. So many women's fiction novels strive
to conform to the same old formula. But this is a story. A real,
true, beautiful, original story that lets the reader enjoy all
the details and themes that life inherently weaves throughout
our lives.
And PS, I won't give away the ending, but I will tell you that
you'll cry. :-)
***
“Wow, it just took me two days
to complete the reading of The Garden Key and I have to tell
you, it was a page turner. I was sad when I read the last
sentence in the book, but it was such a great experience for me
to read the story. It helped me to not judge my sister for what
she does or did. It will hurt, but I feel like I have to forgive
her for her way of life… I must be willing to help her pick up
the pieces of her broken heart.” -- Anonymous
***
“Madeleine’s story is
uplifting, sad, funny and even anger can be found in the story.
In a way I felt like all those questions I had about purity and
how to abstain from pre-marital sex were answered in the book.
It made me more persistent to stay pure.” – Adele,
Vanderbijlpark, Republic of South Africa
***
"Just finished reading an awesome book about an awesome love
story!!!! I highly recommend the novel, "The Garden Key"!!! It's
about pure love staying pure until the marriage night." -- Susan
Adams, Austin TX
***
“The Garden Key is a book
that touches women -- regardless of age -- specifically about
the importance of Godly love and relationships. It has an
amazing way of telling a story that draws the reader into the
lives of the characters, and simultaneously causes us to examine
our own past and present relationships, and our own faith. This
book is a MUST READ for young women in particular, who need to
see that God does have a plan for them, and that His plan for
purity has a purpose. This book has the capability to change
decisions, hearts, and lives for those who read it.”
-- Amy Stevens, Managing Partner, Marketing Edge Ventures
***
"The Garden Key is an
influential story of love and commitment that I recommend all
teenagers read. It provokes thought into the readers' life and
experiences and as a teenager, I find this story easy to relate
to. The characters are accessible. The story is effortless to
connect with and readers will walk away with new insight into
their own lives."
-- Sarah Hembree, high school junior, Minneapolis, MN
***
"The Garden Key is a wonderful, heartwarming story. Maddy will
make you laugh and cry. I have to say, I thoroughly enjoyed this
novel. Definitely a page-turner. It's written with great insight
and empathy."
-- Marie Hembree, Woodland Park, CO
***
“The Garden Key is a must read for teens. They will enjoy this
compelling story about boy and girl relationships while gaining
more confidence.”
-- Jerri Conrado, Marketing Consultant, and mother of two
teenagers
***