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Poustinia #1
Poustinia
Alternate cover edition of ASIN B01DJHU8SO
Victoria discovers a unique experience when she books a rustic cabin—a poustinia—in the woodlands of the Monastery of St. Carmella. This heartwarming debut novel brings together individuals facing the ageless challenges of life while learning that it is only when we open ourselves to others that we discover inner harmony.
Victoria discovers a unique experience when she books a rustic cabin—a poustinia—in the woodlands of the Monastery of St. Carmella. This heartwarming debut novel brings together individuals facing the ageless challenges of life while learning that it is only when we open ourselves to others that we discover inner harmony.
- GenresInspirational
223 pages, ebook
First published March 27, 2016
134 people are currently reading
268 people want to read
About the author
Kathleen McKee
30 books71 followersKathleen McKee is a retired educator and registered dietitian who enjoys crafting stories that are uplifting and moving. Regardless of genre, she likes to include a touch of romance and mystery, with narratives that bring the characters to life.
Kathleen’s heart-warming stories and their settings are often inspired by experiences of people she has met or places she has lived. She likes to include women who are strong, generous, compassionate, and capable.
Kathleen currently lives in southeast Pennsylvania with her springer spaniel, Maggie. You’ll find her there, working on her next book. Visit her website at: https://kathleen-mckee.com/ and sign up for her newsletter at: http://eepurl.com/crzIUv
Follow her on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kmckee101.Au...
Kathleen’s heart-warming stories and their settings are often inspired by experiences of people she has met or places she has lived. She likes to include women who are strong, generous, compassionate, and capable.
Kathleen currently lives in southeast Pennsylvania with her springer spaniel, Maggie. You’ll find her there, working on her next book. Visit her website at: https://kathleen-mckee.com/ and sign up for her newsletter at: http://eepurl.com/crzIUv
Follow her on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kmckee101.Au...
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
June 6, 2022
Not what I expected
This is a mystery, but not murder or crime.
A nice monastery needs some help. They have cabins, a beautiful lake, and a vineyard.
As the sisters help others find their second chances, the people find original ways
to help the monastery revive and survive.
This location has potential for MANY stories. Each of the sisters and guests have a backstory, a climax, a transformation, and a future.
This is a mystery, but not murder or crime.
A nice monastery needs some help. They have cabins, a beautiful lake, and a vineyard.
As the sisters help others find their second chances, the people find original ways
to help the monastery revive and survive.
This location has potential for MANY stories. Each of the sisters and guests have a backstory, a climax, a transformation, and a future.
October 31, 2025
a refreshing story of hope
This a story of struggle that is also filled with help and hope. A place of retreat became a place of connection, faith, and renewal for several people visiting the religious community of St Carmelo and its poustinia - small one room cabins for retreat. I enjoyed every minute of this story!
This a story of struggle that is also filled with help and hope. A place of retreat became a place of connection, faith, and renewal for several people visiting the religious community of St Carmelo and its poustinia - small one room cabins for retreat. I enjoyed every minute of this story!
April 30, 2022
Refreshing encouraging transformations
This was a book about new beginnings and seeing yourself and others in a new perspective. Also it shows that things are not as we see on the outside. It gives a sense of hope and renewal for the future.
This was a book about new beginnings and seeing yourself and others in a new perspective. Also it shows that things are not as we see on the outside. It gives a sense of hope and renewal for the future.
September 28, 2023
Reflection
Sometimes in life we need to reflect on where we are and where we’re going. Are we on the right path? Do we need to make some changes? Life sometimes gets away from us and we need to find a place to reset and re-energize. The Poustina’s were that place for Victoria.
Sometimes in life we need to reflect on where we are and where we’re going. Are we on the right path? Do we need to make some changes? Life sometimes gets away from us and we need to find a place to reset and re-energize. The Poustina’s were that place for Victoria.
July 14, 2025
Moving story
This is a story of Vicki, who sees a brochure about some cabins at a monastery and decides to take a vacation there. It is also the story of the new friends she makes and how they help each other.
This is a story of Vicki, who sees a brochure about some cabins at a monastery and decides to take a vacation there. It is also the story of the new friends she makes and how they help each other.
October 19, 2025
Hope and transformation from tragedy
A wonderful story that shows what hope and wonder can come out of tragedy. I loved following the stories and growth of each character in the story. Thank you Kathleen. I enjoyed reading this book very much.
A wonderful story that shows what hope and wonder can come out of tragedy. I loved following the stories and growth of each character in the story. Thank you Kathleen. I enjoyed reading this book very much.
October 30, 2025
A really wonderful book.
It came just at the right time for a sit back cozy family read. When I had to put it down I couldn't wait to get back to reading. The story line flows and wraps you into each chapter. Would love to visit. I hope you read their stories and enjoy it as much as I did!!!
It came just at the right time for a sit back cozy family read. When I had to put it down I couldn't wait to get back to reading. The story line flows and wraps you into each chapter. Would love to visit. I hope you read their stories and enjoy it as much as I did!!!
October 8, 2025
book club read for the win
Book club read for the win. Grabbed this book as a First Read and definitely wasn’t disappointed. A story of life intermingling and finding our purpose m.
Book club read for the win. Grabbed this book as a First Read and definitely wasn’t disappointed. A story of life intermingling and finding our purpose m.
October 16, 2025
This is a really moving book. Hard to put down and very uplifting.
October 26, 2025
uplifting story
Really enjoyed this story of friendship and family. Feel good story that makes you feel warm inside. Characters are very relatable.
Really enjoyed this story of friendship and family. Feel good story that makes you feel warm inside. Characters are very relatable.
December 3, 2022
This is the book that introduced me to Kathleen McKee. It was wonderful to find the main character at similar crossroads in my life. This is a wonderful story on how people cross your path in life and the amazing things that can happen. I enjoy the history and surprises that unfold in this series.
If you enjoy this series, I hope that you then check out the other books by this author.
If you enjoy this series, I hope that you then check out the other books by this author.
May 27, 2016
Heart warming
A cabin in the woods for a getaway by the monastery and the nuns that run it and how the people's lives change spending the weekend...
A cabin in the woods for a getaway by the monastery and the nuns that run it and how the people's lives change spending the weekend...
November 25, 2025
This is a very different type of book than I usually read. There were no crimes committed and psychological riddles to figure out. It was just a nice story told in first person by Victoria, who is a mid-aged woman who works hard at her job and wants to enjoy a peaceful week in a poustinia - which turns out to be a bare-bones "cabin" in the woods at the Monastery of St. Carmella. The nuns there have about half-a dozen cabins they rent to earn money for upkeep of their monastery. The whole story follows Victoria as she meets various people staying in the cabins and living in the monastery. She makes friends and builds alliances with a number of nice people over a number of visits to the monastery. It's a "nice" book with a "nice" story. It was refreshing and even though it is not wildly eventful, it shows an interesting slice of life. Of course, Victoria's life is enriched and she grows as a person through her experiences over a period of nearly a year. It's a light, clean, relaxing story to read.
October 15, 2022
I enjoyed this book but something was lacking and I can't find just one thing. What I look for in a book is: good writing, good plot, & good characters. This book was lacking a little in all three areas but it was still a good book. I will read the next in the series (I like series books) and see how things go. I have read other books by Kathleen McKee and have enjoyed them very much so I know from past experiences that she is a good author!
January 26, 2018
God’s Wonders BEHOLD
I can’t begin to say how this inspirational book has filled me with so many feelings! With so many stories of sadness and need, it’s just telling of how the Lotd works His miracles! HE brought all these people together so they could meet and complete the meaning of family and what had torn them apart on His Son’s birthday!✝️🙏
I can’t begin to say how this inspirational book has filled me with so many feelings! With so many stories of sadness and need, it’s just telling of how the Lotd works His miracles! HE brought all these people together so they could meet and complete the meaning of family and what had torn them apart on His Son’s birthday!✝️🙏
May 23, 2022
Very Nice (and no, that’s not the kiss of death review!)
This book was good. As one who generally reads cozy mysteries, I actually enjoyed not having to wonder when the body would be discovered! I could just get to know the well-crafted characters as they lived their lives.
This book was good. As one who generally reads cozy mysteries, I actually enjoyed not having to wonder when the body would be discovered! I could just get to know the well-crafted characters as they lived their lives.
October 6, 2025
Amazing journey of refreshing discovery.
I applaud Kathleen McKee for her original and thought provoking journey . I laughed and cried and felt whole when I finished, as if I had been on the same journey as the characters. Thank you so much.
I applaud Kathleen McKee for her original and thought provoking journey . I laughed and cried and felt whole when I finished, as if I had been on the same journey as the characters. Thank you so much.
October 11, 2025
A heart warming story of finding one’s self
This book was endearing and full of peace and happiness. The monastery sounds amazingly beautiful and I love the idea of the poustinias. I like how the characters found their inner growth and embraced it.
This book was endearing and full of peace and happiness. The monastery sounds amazingly beautiful and I love the idea of the poustinias. I like how the characters found their inner growth and embraced it.
May 27, 2020
We never stop having to find ourselves. A quiet, relaxing get-a-way read. If you miss your cabin in the woods, you’ll like Poustinia.
November 8, 2025
Finding new friends
Loved this book. Will written. The characters were just like old friends. Some sad parts, but lots of joy. Recommend you read this.
Loved this book. Will written. The characters were just like old friends. Some sad parts, but lots of joy. Recommend you read this.
January 12, 2026
Heartwarming
A delightful story of growth and renewed life! Looking forward to the next book of hope and faithful created relationships
A delightful story of growth and renewed life! Looking forward to the next book of hope and faithful created relationships
November 2, 2025
This book sucked me in. I was totally invested!! I couldn’t wait to read the entire series!! Well done!
November 11, 2025
I enjoyed this lighter read by Kathleen McKee. While one might expect it to be "religious," given the retreat setting operated by nuns, it is more of a clean read. Themes include friendship, self-discovery, and service.
April 15, 2016
Most Enjoyable First Novel
I chose to rate this book 4****. It was a most enjoyable easy read. The rather simple plot was overly predictable, yet it held my attention because the characters are all so genuinely nice. Looking forward to more from this new author.
I chose to rate this book 4****. It was a most enjoyable easy read. The rather simple plot was overly predictable, yet it held my attention because the characters are all so genuinely nice. Looking forward to more from this new author.
May 11, 2016
I really enjoyed this book. It showed new beginnings and new hope and had no profa
nity or sexual content. The joy that comes from giving to others. I would highly recommend this book to others.
nity or sexual content. The joy that comes from giving to others. I would highly recommend this book to others.
Currently reading
December 5, 2016A delightful story! It keeps you reading until all hours of the night because you enter into the story with the characters. Loved it! Looking forward to the sequel.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews