The Garden Key
“Hi, my name is Madeleine and I’m a lust-o-holic.”
Madeleine Marie Winger sits in church one sunny AugustSunday morning in Chino Hills, California, while her brain isheld hostage. Her thoughts detained by visions of her "Adonis," aluscious dark-haired, green-eyed musician who she has yet to even speak asingle word to during the year she has had a crush on him.
THE GARDEN KEY unlocks the inspirational story of Goth-girlMaddy, a senior at BiolaUniversity, and thetrials and temptations she endures with her mad-crush mystery musician man.
This tale of lust, redemption and really good cheeseburgers followsthe couple as they cultivate their relationship and passionately pursue purity.Will they resist their sensuous urges and stave off the ever disappointingcliché of jumping into the sack on the first date, like both had done in theirprevious lives?
Along side her ongoing battle with her lust-filled thoughts,Maddy struggles with her fear of the future, misgivings about her excessively curvaceousbody, and the frustrations of living with her promiscuous dorm roommate at the prestigiousChristian university they attend, who has had more partners than a championsquare dancer, including a tryst with the fiancé of their hyper-righteousnext-dorm neighbor. And then there isMaddy’s mother, the mega-moody plastic surgery obsessed bleach blonde whopersistently criticizes Maddy for her dyed-black hair and gothic appearance.
This one-of-a-kind work of fiction is a laugh-out-loud andtouchingly tender adventure into the lives of single people as they navigatetheir way through relationships, attempting to balance the Word of God and themodern dating scene, as they discover the very real power their faith must playin their lives.
Book Trailer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FGs6YtKXfSEThe Story Behind This Book
I have two golden retrievers and a big backyard, so cleaning up after them is a lengthy process. So I spend that time in prayer. The story for THE GARDEN KEY, the full novel actually, was given to me during my weekly “Doody Duty.” It made perfect sense at the time. I was studying the Song of Solomon with my husband, Tim, and the book is rooted in Songs 4:12 – “A garden locked is my sister, my bride, a rock garden locked, a spring sealed up.” The book is a fictitious look at pursuing purity in a relationship, and living out an obedient life in Christ in the midst of temptation and pressure from outside, as well as inside influences.
Praise and Reviews
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
"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.
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
-- Amy Stevens, Managing Partner, Marketing Edge Ventures
-- 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