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Blessed Are the Poor in Spirit
The first book in a new Christian fiction series based on The Beatitudes, Blessed Are the Poor in Spirit introduces a place of unexpected mercy for those who are willing to accept it ... welcome to Graypourt.
Cate Elliot is desperate. The current unraveling of her life has led her to sink even deeper into the anxiety and depression she has battled for as long as she can remember. She is a survivor of a family tragedy, abandoned by her husband and left to raise their 5-year-old autistic son by herself. One especially difficult day, a letter from her parents arrives inviting her home to the Iowa farm where she grew up. Exhausted and hopeless, the offer is too tempting to ignore. Just hours into their journey, car trouble leaves Cate and her young son stranded in an unfamiliar town where their journey takes an unexpected and unsettling turn.
What begins with regular Midwestern hospitality leads to the unthinkable when Cate is separated from her son and finds herself captive to the mysterious town of Graypourt. Led by the charismatic local priest, Father Matthew, Graypourt is advertised as a place of restoration and recovery with only one way out. Desperate to find her son, Cate must consent to trust strangers, open her heart to new relationships, and ultimately accept the transformative grace she needs to go home.
Through it all, Cate discovers just how far she will go to find true freedom.
Ashlie Hand's debut novel, Blessed Are the Poor in Spirit, delivers a timeless story of transformation through a place of unexpected mercy. The "Blessed" series explores the promise of The Beatitudes told through the stories of the people we meet between life and our final heavenly home.
Cate Elliot is desperate. The current unraveling of her life has led her to sink even deeper into the anxiety and depression she has battled for as long as she can remember. She is a survivor of a family tragedy, abandoned by her husband and left to raise their 5-year-old autistic son by herself. One especially difficult day, a letter from her parents arrives inviting her home to the Iowa farm where she grew up. Exhausted and hopeless, the offer is too tempting to ignore. Just hours into their journey, car trouble leaves Cate and her young son stranded in an unfamiliar town where their journey takes an unexpected and unsettling turn.
What begins with regular Midwestern hospitality leads to the unthinkable when Cate is separated from her son and finds herself captive to the mysterious town of Graypourt. Led by the charismatic local priest, Father Matthew, Graypourt is advertised as a place of restoration and recovery with only one way out. Desperate to find her son, Cate must consent to trust strangers, open her heart to new relationships, and ultimately accept the transformative grace she needs to go home.
Through it all, Cate discovers just how far she will go to find true freedom.
Ashlie Hand's debut novel, Blessed Are the Poor in Spirit, delivers a timeless story of transformation through a place of unexpected mercy. The "Blessed" series explores the promise of The Beatitudes told through the stories of the people we meet between life and our final heavenly home.
316 pages, Hardcover
Published May 30, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
October 30, 2025
A Powerful Tale of Grace, Healing, and Redemption
Ashlie Hand’s Blessed Are the Poor in Spirit is a deeply moving debut that beautifully intertwines faith, suspense, and emotional transformation. When Cate Elliot, an anxious, heartbroken mother, sets out to return home, a detour leads her to the mysterious town of Graypourt, a place where mercy comes in unexpected forms.
Separated from her young son, Cate must face her past, her pain, and her faith as she uncovers the truth behind Graypourt’s strange promise of restoration. Guided by a charismatic priest and surrounded by broken souls seeking healing, she embarks on a journey of surrender and spiritual rebirth.
Poignant, suspenseful, and filled with hope, this first book in The Blessed Series offers a powerful reminder that even in life’s darkest moments, grace still finds a way through.
Ashlie Hand’s Blessed Are the Poor in Spirit is a deeply moving debut that beautifully intertwines faith, suspense, and emotional transformation. When Cate Elliot, an anxious, heartbroken mother, sets out to return home, a detour leads her to the mysterious town of Graypourt, a place where mercy comes in unexpected forms.
Separated from her young son, Cate must face her past, her pain, and her faith as she uncovers the truth behind Graypourt’s strange promise of restoration. Guided by a charismatic priest and surrounded by broken souls seeking healing, she embarks on a journey of surrender and spiritual rebirth.
Poignant, suspenseful, and filled with hope, this first book in The Blessed Series offers a powerful reminder that even in life’s darkest moments, grace still finds a way through.
July 15, 2025
Christian Fiction, but not the Christian Fiction you know! It’s a compelling spiritual suspense with themes of betrayal, loss, desperation, and surrender. The characters are authentic with real experiences and emotions that anyone can relate to. I did not want to put it down! I was blown away by Ashlie’s writing and storytelling. Her details paint a beautiful picture and make you feel part of the story. This is a perfect book for a book club or study (I read it with my mom and sister and we were so excited to discuss after our reading sessions) This one is going to stay with me awhile. I cannot wait for book #2!
August 16, 2025
Proud of my friend for writing her first book! Ashlie did a nice job creating many well-developed characters and she impressed me with her descriptive language and vivid imagery throughout the book. The story contains several thought-provoking themes to get the reader thinking. I appreciated her dedication to exploring complex themes of faith and doubt, suffering, transformation, and grace. It’s pretty cool to personally know a published author!
October 19, 2025
LOVED this book, very hard to put down once you start!
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews