L.B. Anne's Blog

For at least four years, readers have been asking for a space where they could connect with other people who love the Sheena Meyer series as much as they do...

A reflection on writing, healing, and faith after cancer—and why this year is about sustainability, recovery, and meaningful storytelling.

A reflection on writing, healing, and faith after cancer—and why this year is about sustainability, recovery, and meaningful storytelling.

Right now, I’m in the final two weeks of treatment. The kind of treatment that drains you to the bone, rearranges your energy, and makes ordinary things like standing up feel like climbing a mountain...

The Other Side of Nothing is contemporary young adult fiction—something new for me—but don’t worry, it’s still Christian fiction at its core. Faith is woven through the story, just like in everything I write. But this time...

In seconds, my writer brain kicked in. I could write that. A sick teen girl? Done. A best friend trying to help her live life to the fullest

Valentine’s Day is often about grand gestures, chocolates, and romance novels filled with swoon-worthy moments. But if you’ve followed my work, you know I don’t write romance. So when readers ask, “Do you have any teen love books?” my answer is usually, “Well… not exactly.”

But I do have stories that touch on love—the kind of love that is deep, meaningful, and full of hope. If you’re looking for a heartfelt teen read this Valentine’s Day, Never Really Gone and What the Good Girl Knew might be just what you need.

Never Really Gone

Gabby and Micah’s story is one of loss, healing, and the kind of love that never truly leaves us. Their connection transcends the physical world, reminding us that love, in its purest form, remains with us even when those we love are gone. (Ages 13-16)

“Why did you come to us in mirrors?” I asked. “I’m just a reflection of what’s on the inside of you,” he said. “Gabby, you’re in control of your life. You can beat anorexia.”

Micah is a presence in Gabby’s life when she needs him most, guiding her toward strength and self-acceptance. And even in the heartbreaking moments of letting go, love speaks louder than words:

“I didn’t get to say I love you,” I whispered. “You think I didn’t know that?” Micah’s voice surrounded me. “Every day, with every breath. I love you.”

This is a story for those who believe that love doesn’t fade—it transforms, leaving an imprint on our hearts forever.

What the Good Girl Knew

Storm and Raine’s story is about trust, taking chances, and finding light in unexpected places. Raine isn’t the guy with perfect lines or predictable moves. He’s the one who shows up, who listens, who creates moments that matter. (Ages 13-16)

“I like how you stood up to that jerk.” Raine gently brushed a strand of hair behind my ear. " Storm, I care about you."

And when Storm needs an escape, he offers her more than just a getaway—he gives her an experience she’ll never forget:

Raine held his hand out. “Welcome to your prom.”

A private, beautifully lit garden, music, and a night created just for her—because he sees her. Because she matters.

A Different Kind of Valentine’s Day Read

Both Never Really Gone and What the Good Girl Knew aren’t traditional romance stories, but they are about love. Love that strengthens. Love that remains. Love that fights for joy even in the hardest moments.

This Valentine’s Day, if you’re looking for a story that’s more than just hearts and flowers, I invite you to read these books.

Never Really Gone and What the Good Girl Knew are available now! Grab a copy and immerse yourself in stories of love, loss, and hope.

Happy New Year! It’s that time of year again—my Annual January Book Stack Giveaway! if you planned to start the new year reading more books, or expanding your library, here ya go!

Why do I do this in January? Beats me. I just do. :)

Here’s what’s included in this year’s book stack:

Everyone has a secret. Mine is a little different because it involves academics. My teachers think I’m uninterested in school. That’s only half true. I admit, school is BORING! I doodle through my lessons because I know everything they’re teaching.

But the truth is—and it’s also my secret—I’m a bonafide genius.

Don’t tell my mom because she doesn’t know yet. The problem is, even twelve-year-old geniuses have bullies to deal with. My friends and I are not just bullied but classified as “nerd zone” and ignored.

On a positive note, I’m going to change all that with a message that will put us in front of the world. So listen up. There’s a lot more to us than the color of our skin, disabilities, looks, or anything else you try to judge us on.

But will the message get to the one person who needs to hear it most?

My mom says I’m too smart for my own good. We are sure going to find out!

Stanley, my little bro, wants to build a robot. Suddenly, I’m his robotics engineer. 

My buddy Miguel is all aboard the let’s-build-a-robot train too. He recruited me for the school robotics crew, and we’re crafting a bot named Jericho. Soon, we will set out to conquer the Robotics World Championship. But first, we’ve got some local tournaments to win.

But things take a creepy twist when the school bully starts being friendly when no one’s around, and then I find someone is spying on me and leaving bizarre notes on my doorstep. Don’t tell my mom, because she will freak out and hire security to take me everywhere.

And just when I think things couldn’t get weirder, our robot, Jericho, gets swiped by some wannabe kid-supervillain who is dead set on sabotaging our journey to victory. Facing top-notch robotics teams, this is like a sci-fi movie with laughs, minus the aliens. 

Who knew robots could be this much trouble?

It's June’s first day at Huey House, and as if losing her home wasn’t enough, she also can’t bring her cherished viola inside. Before the accident last year, her dad saved tip money for a year to buy her viola, and she’s not about to give it up now.

Tyrell has been at Huey House for three years and gives June a glimpse of the good things about living there: friendship, hot meals, and a classical musician next door.

Can he and June work together to oppose the government, or will families be forced out of Huey House before they are ready?

When Aviva Davis and Holly Martin meet at the holiday pageant tryouts for their local senior’s center, they think they must be seeing double. While they both knew they were adopted, they had no idea they had a biological sibling, let alone an identical twin! The similarities are only skin deep, though, because while Aviva has a big personality and even bigger Broadway plans, Holly is more the quiet dreamer type who longs to become a famous author like her grandfather. One thing the girls do have in common is their curiosity about how the other celebrates the holidays. What better way to discover the magic of the holidays than to experience them firsthand? The girls secretly trade lives, planning to stage a dramatic reveal to their families. Two virtual strangers swapping homes, holidays, and age-old traditions–what could possibly go wrong? Find out in this sweet as a sugarplum and satisfying as a latke middle grade novel by Marissa Meyer, #1 New York Times-bestselling author of The Lunar Chronicles, and Joanne Levy, award-winning author of Sorry for Your Loss and several other books for tweens.

Eleven-year-old Roswell Johnson is obsessed with conspiracies about extraterrestrial life, an interest he inherited from his late father, who aptly named Roswell after the infamous UFO crash in Roswell, New Mexico.  

When Roswell is accidentally abducted by aliens, his biggest dream comes true—he learns that aliens are real! But when he discovers Earth is in grave danger, he must join forces with a team of quirky extraterrestrials, including two bickering Grays, a humorless Cyborg, a germophobic Mantis, an overly confident Furgarian, and an over achieving Pleiadean to save his planet from a tyrannical invasion. But can Roswell restore his own faith in humanity and Earth in time to save the world? 

On the day they are born, every Swift child is brought before the sacred Family Dictionary. They are given a name, and a definition. A definition it is assumed they will grow up to match.

Meet Shenanigan Swift: Little sister. Risk-taker. Mischief-maker.

Shenanigan is getting ready for the big Swift Family Reunion and plotting her next great scheme: hunting for Grand-Uncle Vile’s long-lost treasure. She’s excited to finally meet her arriving relatives—until one of them gives Arch-Aunt Schadenfreude a deadly shove down the stairs.

So what if everyone thinks she’ll never be more than a troublemaker, just because of her name? Shenanigan knows she can become whatever she wants, even a detective. And she’s determined to follow the twisty clues and catch the killer.

Deliciously suspenseful and delightfully clever, The Swifts is a remarkable debut that is both brilliantly contemporary and instantly classic. A celebration of words and individuality, it's packed with games, wordplay, and lots and lots of mischief as Shenanigan sets out to save her family and define herself in a world where definitions are so important.

Ever since Solimar was a little girl, she has gone to the ouamel forest bordering her kingdom to observe the monarch butterflies during their migration, but always from a safe distance. Now, on the brink of her quinceañera and her official coronation, Solimar crosses the dangerous creek to sit among the butterflies. There, a mysterious event gives her a gift and a burden--the responsibility to protect the young and weak butterflies with her magical rebozo, or silk shawl.

Solimar is committed to fulfilling her role, and has a plan that might have worked. But when her father, the king, and her brother, the prince, leave on an expedition, a neighboring king overthrows the kingdom and holds everyone left in the village hostage. It takes all of Solimar's courage to escape and then embark on a dangerous journey to save her kingdom, but she's not alone. Her pet bird, Lázaro, the butterflies she protects, and a magical rag doll, Zarita, are with her. Then, at a precarious moment, she meets a river boy who knows the rapids.

Even with help, can Solimar save her family, the kingdom, and the future of the monarchs from a greedy king?

It's time for one last fantabulous challenge with Mr. Lemoncello-the world's most famous gamemaker! This time everything is on the line—literally! Mr. Lemoncello has invited thirteen lucky 13 year-olds—including his biggest fan, Kyle Keeley— to compete in the final games. The winner of these games will become the new owner of Mr. Lemoncello's ENTIRE GAME MAKING EMPIRE!!! But uh-oh--someone is trying to destroy Mr. Lemoncello empire and all it stands for: imagination, games, books . . . knowledge! Can Kyle Keeley stop them and make his dreams come true?

Get ready for a whirlwind adventure that takes us from the lions of the New York Public Library to the Choose Your Own Thrill-Venture Roller Coaster inside the brand-new Lemoncelloland amusement park, filled with codes and clues, adventure and mystery, and surprise cameos from across Chris Grabenstein's many series. So sit back, relax and prepare to have your imagination take flight...you are on your way to Lemoncelloland!

All Nestor Lopez wants is to live in one place for more than a few months and have dinner with his dad.

When he and his mother move to a new town to live with his grandmother after his dad’s latest deployment, Nestor plans to lay low. He definitely doesn’t want to anyone find out his deepest secret: that he can talk to animals.

But when the animals in his new town start disappearing, Nestor's grandmother becomes the prime suspect after she is spotted in the woods where they were last seen. As Nestor investigates the source of the disappearances, he learns that they are being seized by a tule vieja―a witch who can absorb an animal’s powers by biting it during a solar eclipse. And the next eclipse is just around the corner… Now it’s up to Nestor’s extraordinary ability and his new friends to catch the tule vieja―and save a place he might just call home.

The Young Adult Books Included:

An author signed copy of Heart of the Sea.

Sometimes you have to trust the one sent to destroy you in order to save the one you love.

Willing to do whatever it takes to save her sister, Nerissa Elliot commandeers the ship of notorious pirate, Cyrus Crow.

But Crow has a mission: kill Nerissa and earn his freedom from the Queen who's controlled him half his life. However, Nerissa harbors powers over the sea. Powers she can't control. Powers that threaten to consume her.

With nothing but a tenuous facade of an alliance and sparks between them, they set sail to face sirens, sea dragons, betrayal, and Nerissa's own uncontrollable ability. Can they find the strength to trust each other? Or will they destroy one another for the sake of their quests?

An Author signed copy of What the Good Girl Knew

Sixteen-year-old Storm Davis has always lived in the shadow of her severe asthma, never certain if she’ll see another day. Despite her reputation as the “sick girl” in her small Georgia town, she is determined to live each day to the fullest.

But when her senior year takes a dark turn after witnessing a shocking incident at the town carnival, Storm is faced with an impossible choice: speak up and risk becoming the most despised person in school or keep quiet and preserve her reputation. Torn between right and wrong, Storm’s world spirals further when she starts finding mysterious red envelopes containing secrets about her past—truths that could shatter everything she thought she knew.

With the support of her fearless best friend and a curly-haired rebel boy, Storm sets off on a journey to uncover who she truly is before graduation day. But will she choose to embrace the truth—even if it changes everything—before time runs out?

What the Good Girl Knew is an addictive Christian fiction read perfect for readers ages 13-17 who love stories of courage, friendship, and self-discovery.

How to Enter

Entering the giveaway is simple! Just follow these steps:

Leave a comment on this blog post sharing which book in the stack you’re most excited to read.

Next:

Important Details

You may enter until February 12th.

Winner Announcement: February 15, 2025 (I’ll notify the winner via email and social media)

Eligibility: Open to U.S. Residents Only

I’m so excited to share this book stack with one lucky winner and kick off 2025 with a celebration of great stories!

Good luck, and happy reading!

LB

My grandkids call me Yaya. Sweet, right? Do they care that I’m the well-known (okay, maybe not that well-known) author L. B. Anne?

Absolutely not. To them, I’m just the person who always seems to have snacks and occasionally knows where they left their favorite blanket.

So, with Christmas approaching, what do they want? Oh, you know the drill: Legos, stuffed animals, anything Spider-Man, and everything Super Mario Brothers. The list is endless, chaotic, and exactly what you'd expect.

Am I getting them any of those? Absolutely not. That’s what their parents are for. Let them navigate the terrifying world of tiny Lego pieces and the inevitable plushie invasion.

As for me? I’m an author, a book enthusiast, and a literacy advocate. How could I not give books? It’s my thing!

This year, my bookish brilliance is going straight to work. My grandkids are homeschooled, so I’m hitting them with the good stuff:

The Triskety Spindles Dinosaur Adventures (because dinosaurs make everything cooler).

There are also a few video scenes from the book to read along with HERE!

The full Lolo and Winkle series (a.k.a. chaotic fun in every chapter).

And let’s not forget the Curly Girl Adventures series (because representation and great stories are important).

And Maybe even The Way to Storey (for my advanced little readers).

Holiday cheer? Oh, we’re doing it my way—one page-turner at a time. Books are the gift that keeps on giving. (Did I make that up? Should I trademark it? I feel like I made that up.)

Now, for the grandparents shipping books from out of town—worried the kids will rip open the package, sigh, and toss the book aside? Let me ease your concerns:

It makes for perfect Christmas Eve reading. Hand those kids a cozy blanket, a mug of hot cocoa, and let the holiday magic begin!

When the toys break (and they will), that book will still be there. Two days post-Christmas chaos, the book becomes the hero—unbreakable, unforgettable, and ready to entertain.

Give the parents a little tip. Suggest they add 30 minutes to an hour of reading into the daily routine. Trust me, it’s a win-win: more quiet time for the grown-ups and more imagination-fueling adventures for the kids.

So, to all the grandparents out there—forget the action figures and video game merch. Books are the gifts that last long after the wrapping paper hits the recycling bin. Go ahead and give the gift of imagination, adventure, and a little quiet time while the kids are lost in their stories. You’ll thank me later.

#Christmasgifts #bookgifts #grandparentgiftideas

In a world overflowing with middle grade and young adult stories, the Sheena Meyer series shines brightly, captivating young readers with its engaging narrative. This series brings to life themes of hope, friendship, the everyday challenges teens face, and the battle between good and evil.

Let’s explore the Sheena Meyer series and discover what makes it a beloved choice for its readers, especially as we prepare for the highly anticipated release of Book 8, Fate of the Gleam Keeper.

The Sheena Meyer Series

The Sheena Meyer series revolves around thirteen-year-old Sheena, who lives in Muskegon, Michigan, and is balancing the typical struggles of adolescence while uncovering her true identity as a gleamer. Gleamers have a special light within them giving them special gifts. . .from heaven.

Throughout the series, readers join Sheena on her mission to save other children from the dark force threatening the youth of the world. But Sheena isn’t facing this battle alone—she is aided by angels.

The stories are filled with friendships, trials, and self-discovery—all rooted in Christian beliefs. Some of the core themes include overcoming fear, the impact of choices, the significance of community, and the power of faith. For example, in Book 4, The Girl Who Became A Warrior, Sheena becomes who she was meant to be in order to fight for heaven.

Another standout element of the Sheena Meyer series is the strong family dynamic, where both Sheena’s friends and family play crucial roles in her life and throughout every adventure.

Filled with epic battle scenes, relatable characters, engaging plots, and profound moral lessons, the Sheena Meyer series provides readers with inspiring tales of faith, bravery, and the triumph of good over evil.

Christian Fiction for Teens

Why Christian fiction? Why not just call it fiction? Christian fiction is distinguished by its focus on faith-based themes and values, making it a significant alternative to the secular narratives often found in popular literature.

Many parents find comfort in their children reading stories that reflect their beliefs. These narratives can serve as gateways for discussions about moral choices and personal development.

To learn more about what Christian fiction truly means, check out L. B. Anne's post exploring middle grade and young adult Christian fiction.

The Anticipated Release of Book 8: Fate of the Gleam Keeper

Anticipation is at an all-time high for Fate of the Gleam Keeper.

The aftermath of book 7 sets a calmer tone for Fate of the Gleam Keeper, but that doesn't mean it's not full of the humor and adventure that readers enjoy. It is recommended that Sheena Meyer series fans reread book 7, May Your Vision Be True, and then go right into book 8. As you read it, remember that Fate of the Gleam Keeper is more of an introductory story, setting the stage for what's to come.

Description:

Sheena Meyer once believed babies cried at night because they were afraid of the dark. Now she knows that’s not it at all. They cry because of the absence of light. Light brings life, hope, and adventure. Darkness offers nothing other than isolation and emptiness. We all want more light. 

But there are those who absorb the light. They never see darkness. It flees from them. They are the Gleam Keepers.

Sheena had never heard of a Gleam Keeper and is surprised to find that there is one among them. Now she is in a race to find out who it is and how to protect them from the Murk. Following the instruction of the mysterious Eleanor, Sheena and her friends search the city with a list of clues for the only thing that can protect the Gleam Keeper.

But… They are wrong.

Join Sheena Meyer and her friends in this thrilling adventure as they uncover secrets that challenge everything they thought they knew. With the fate of the Gleam Keeper hanging in the balance, Sheena must make choices that determine what she truly believes. 

Not only is Fate of the Gleam Keeper available in November 2024, but books 9 and 10 are also in the works, promising more thrills and revelations in the coming year.

As the series unfolds, it paves the way for a special edition release in December 2024: Gleamers Chronicle: Winter Shadows, offering readers a unique perspective into the Sheena Meyer universe.

Reader Engagement and Community

The Sheena Meyer series has cultivated a vibrant community of readers, both young and adult. L. B. Anne extends her heartfelt gratitude to all who have been part of this journey. Fans have gone above and beyond, creating series-themed bookmarks, gleamer jewelry, and digital art—truly bringing the world of Sheena Meyer to life.

The photos shared by readers on social media have introduced the series to new audiences, while thoughtful reviews on Amazon have been instrumental in its success. Readers have even requested a Sheena Meyer tour in Michigan, something L. B. Anne is seriously considering.

Equally meaningful to L. B. Anne are the invitations from bookstores (for author events) and youth groups ("For the unique way she teaches about hope."), both across the U.S. and Europe. The support and creativity of the Sheena Meyer community continue to inspire her, and she is honored to share this journey with such passionate readers.

Closing Thoughts

In summary, the Sheena Meyer series offers a thrilling blend of entertainment and hope that resonate deeply with its audience.

Join the conversation and discover why the Sheena Meyer series is a cherished part of Christian fiction literature. If you have joined L. B. Anne's VIP Club, you'll be the first to know about release dates, special giveaways, and more.