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Mammoth Secrets
Mammoth's new pastor is starting over. Using the pseudonym, Jake Gibb, he plans on staying far from his infamous father's shadow.
When Jake meets the misunderstood Lilah Dale--a woman in the midst of a divorce and with nothing to hide thanks to the local prayer chain--he is convicted in the choice he's made to hide his true identity.
With mutual deceptions marring their future, Jake and Lilah must form a careful relationship, and together learn that only the truth can set you free.
When Jake meets the misunderstood Lilah Dale--a woman in the midst of a divorce and with nothing to hide thanks to the local prayer chain--he is convicted in the choice he's made to hide his true identity.
With mutual deceptions marring their future, Jake and Lilah must form a careful relationship, and together learn that only the truth can set you free.
342 pages, Hardcover
First published February 27, 2015
3 people are currently reading
29 people want to read
About the author
Ashley Elizabeth Ludwig
9 books27 followersHello. I’m Ashley Ludwig — an inspirational romance writer, and mama of two amazing little girls.
I spend the majority of my time wrangling them (with the help of my amazing husband — whom everyone knows is a superhero in disguise!)
An Arizona native, love uprooted me about twelve years ago, and transplanted me alongside my husband in Southern California wine country.
I received my Bachelor of Arts from the University of Arizona, with a degree in Anthropology, and a minor in History & Humanities.
Though I never enjoyed going to school, I loved learning! I excelled in anthropology, though much of what I learned challenged the beliefs I grew up with. Studying Anthropology of Religion landed me in the corner of my freshman dorm room, on the phone with my mother — in tears. My belief system was being rocked to the core.
It was her soft spoken wisdom that sent me back to study more in depth. She told me that if my faith was strong, nothing would shake it. And the best way to firm up my own belief system was to learn more about others and what they believed so that I could talk to them with intelligence, armed with wisdom and the ability to think critically.
I rolled up my sleeves and embraced learning about Hopi Language and Culture, Humanities, Classical Anthropology and Archaeology, and Human Evolution. With her at my back, I raised my hand more than a time or two, and challenged others to look at the world, and what we were memorizing and regurgitating, with new eyes.
I tried my hand at Classics, but sad to say, I didn’t apply myself at the tough stuff. I fell for the wrong guy and took a semester off of school, and worked as a receptionist for a contract Environmental Company–that had archaeologists, biologists, and researchers on staff. That got my attention. You mean, people actually could WORK as archaeologists?
So, I grit my teeth and went back to school. I graduated with a degree in Anthropology and worked as an Archaeologist across the American southwest for several years. I studied under some amazing archaeologists and historians at SWCA Environmental company, before searching for greener, less dusty pastures.
Some of the more obscure jobs I’ve held include: pouring wine (for a living – and for fun!), constructing silk trees, working as a cook, server, and caterer for a small catering company. I built exhibits, working as an assistant Exhibits Preparator for the Tucson Children’s Museum, and briefly worked as a docent for the La Brea Tar Pits (even tried my hand at excavating a saber toothed tiger!). I spent a summer interning for Casting Director, Mali Finn, on the Warner Brother’s Lot and worked as a PA for a Nickelodeon Kid’s show, The Secret World of Alex Mack. When the dot.com craze began, I assisted a dear friend with starting her Web development company, as project manager and copy writer/editor.
I’ve turned my passion for research and attention to historical detail to my true love: writing inspirational and historical romances. Please look for the historical, inspirational romance — Both All or Nothing and my inspirational novella, By Another Name, are now available from White Rose Publishing, Powell’s, Amazon.com, Barnes & Nobel, IndieBooks.com, and other online retailers.
Please visit http://www.ashleyludwig.com for more information.
I spend the majority of my time wrangling them (with the help of my amazing husband — whom everyone knows is a superhero in disguise!)
An Arizona native, love uprooted me about twelve years ago, and transplanted me alongside my husband in Southern California wine country.
I received my Bachelor of Arts from the University of Arizona, with a degree in Anthropology, and a minor in History & Humanities.
Though I never enjoyed going to school, I loved learning! I excelled in anthropology, though much of what I learned challenged the beliefs I grew up with. Studying Anthropology of Religion landed me in the corner of my freshman dorm room, on the phone with my mother — in tears. My belief system was being rocked to the core.
It was her soft spoken wisdom that sent me back to study more in depth. She told me that if my faith was strong, nothing would shake it. And the best way to firm up my own belief system was to learn more about others and what they believed so that I could talk to them with intelligence, armed with wisdom and the ability to think critically.
I rolled up my sleeves and embraced learning about Hopi Language and Culture, Humanities, Classical Anthropology and Archaeology, and Human Evolution. With her at my back, I raised my hand more than a time or two, and challenged others to look at the world, and what we were memorizing and regurgitating, with new eyes.
I tried my hand at Classics, but sad to say, I didn’t apply myself at the tough stuff. I fell for the wrong guy and took a semester off of school, and worked as a receptionist for a contract Environmental Company–that had archaeologists, biologists, and researchers on staff. That got my attention. You mean, people actually could WORK as archaeologists?
So, I grit my teeth and went back to school. I graduated with a degree in Anthropology and worked as an Archaeologist across the American southwest for several years. I studied under some amazing archaeologists and historians at SWCA Environmental company, before searching for greener, less dusty pastures.
Some of the more obscure jobs I’ve held include: pouring wine (for a living – and for fun!), constructing silk trees, working as a cook, server, and caterer for a small catering company. I built exhibits, working as an assistant Exhibits Preparator for the Tucson Children’s Museum, and briefly worked as a docent for the La Brea Tar Pits (even tried my hand at excavating a saber toothed tiger!). I spent a summer interning for Casting Director, Mali Finn, on the Warner Brother’s Lot and worked as a PA for a Nickelodeon Kid’s show, The Secret World of Alex Mack. When the dot.com craze began, I assisted a dear friend with starting her Web development company, as project manager and copy writer/editor.
I’ve turned my passion for research and attention to historical detail to my true love: writing inspirational and historical romances. Please look for the historical, inspirational romance — Both All or Nothing and my inspirational novella, By Another Name, are now available from White Rose Publishing, Powell’s, Amazon.com, Barnes & Nobel, IndieBooks.com, and other online retailers.
Please visit http://www.ashleyludwig.com for more information.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
March 2, 2015
More than a romance that has you wondering how these two will ever get together, this story has depth of interesting characters living real life. I love Ludwig's writing voice, her style is unique, never cliche. I was drawn into the charming small town nestled by clear mountain streams and lovely rolling hills and woods. What a lovely book. I didn't want it to end but I couldn't stop reading until late into the night. Recommended!
March 1, 2015
Ashley Ludwig's Mammoth Secrets is one of those books that is hard to put down until you're at the end. It's an inspirational story about overcoming our fears, learning to trust in others, and loving wholeheartedly. I would recommend Mammoth Secrets to anyone in the mood to read an uplifting story that will leave you smiling.
July 6, 2015
With deft writing and entertaining characterizations, Ashley Elizabeth Ludwig writes a first-rate small town novel.
I absolutely loved the writing in Mammoth Secrets. It pulls you in from page 1. But this is not a book to be speed-read. It needs to be savored slowly to gain the smells and sounds and the feel of being in this Ozark community. With vivid descriptions, you can completely imagine you are there in the diner or out at the local fishing hole watching as the characters interact before you.
With just enough intrigue to keep you turning the pages and masterfully drawn characters that just pop off the page fully formed, Mammoth Secrets is a must read!
I absolutely loved the writing in Mammoth Secrets. It pulls you in from page 1. But this is not a book to be speed-read. It needs to be savored slowly to gain the smells and sounds and the feel of being in this Ozark community. With vivid descriptions, you can completely imagine you are there in the diner or out at the local fishing hole watching as the characters interact before you.
With just enough intrigue to keep you turning the pages and masterfully drawn characters that just pop off the page fully formed, Mammoth Secrets is a must read!
March 1, 2015
This Christian romance with a little suspense is a book you don't wat to put down. Twin sisters raised by their grandparents and knowing nothing about their parents, have problems trusting. One runs away looking for happiness while the other stays home writing letters to soldiers searching for love not seeing what or whom is right there for her. This is a story of learning to trust and forgive, second chances, and letting go of the past. The characters are so real you feel you are part of the family. I love this author's style of writing. I highly recommend this book! I was given a copy for an honest review..
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 25, 2015
With a deft hand at characterization and a plot line with just enough suspense to leave you turning the pages, Ashley Ludwig has crafted a wonderful and emotion packed Christian romance. Jake and Lilah’s touched my heart because they are relatable. The scene-setting is top notch as well. I can’t wait for what’s next from this gifted author!
I was given a copy of this book in return for an honest review.
I was given a copy of this book in return for an honest review.
July 15, 2023
A little older story, a lot of threads to weave, a lot of heads to be in...lots of running away, finding home.
September 7, 2015
I really enjoyed this riveting tale set in the small Ozark mountain town of Mammoth. I loved reading about small-town life alongside the river where everyone knew everyone else and they all seemed to congregate in the local restaurant run by twins Lilah and Eden Dale.
Not-yet-divorced Lilah has come home after a disastrous marriage to help Eden with the family restaurant and their rapidly failing grandfather. A new pastor has just arrived in town and Lilah finds herself attracted to him despite her best efforts to avoid him. She is definitely not pastor’s wife material. There are secrets in the twin’s history that even they do not know but you can bet we will all know them before this book is done. New pastor Jake has a few secrets of his own.
“Mammoth Secrets” is a wonderful tale of family, friends, and love. It is also a story of redemption and finding one’s way again. Ashely Elizabeth Ludwig is a new author to me but I plan to see if I can find more of her books.
This book was provided for review by the Pelican Book Group.
Not-yet-divorced Lilah has come home after a disastrous marriage to help Eden with the family restaurant and their rapidly failing grandfather. A new pastor has just arrived in town and Lilah finds herself attracted to him despite her best efforts to avoid him. She is definitely not pastor’s wife material. There are secrets in the twin’s history that even they do not know but you can bet we will all know them before this book is done. New pastor Jake has a few secrets of his own.
“Mammoth Secrets” is a wonderful tale of family, friends, and love. It is also a story of redemption and finding one’s way again. Ashely Elizabeth Ludwig is a new author to me but I plan to see if I can find more of her books.
This book was provided for review by the Pelican Book Group.
May 21, 2015
Mammoth Secrets is such a tender tale of love, hope and redemption that warms the heart. At the same time, each page brings such a unique turn of a phrase that reading this story reminds me of an Easter egg hunt--just around each corner is a new treat. But the strength of Mammoth Secrets lies in its bones. Deep inside, precious themes of trust and faith lie waiting to be discovered. Ashley Ludwig has bravely taken the themes of lost love and divorce that many authors would steer clear of and woven them into a profound story that reminds us of how we should view our neighbors--through our Father's eyes and not our own. I would highly recommend Mammoth Secrets to anyone who loves inspirational romance--and to anyone who has struggled with reconciling faith and divorce. A brave and tender story, brilliantly woven.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews