ANNABELLE: A GHOSTLY TEXAS TALE

by Chana Keefer, Scott Seeto (Illustrator)

A once-grand house, neglected and abused. A young family on the brink of meltdown. Rumors of a resident ghost? That's the least of their problems. When Jansen and Kate move from the West Coast to small town Texas, they hope a fresh start will help their shredded family heal. But adding huge renovation bills from their monstrous fixer-upper plus the unexpected hardships of being outsiders in a close-knit country town only pushes them closer to tragedy. In their darkest moments, light and hope come from a very surprising source. But is there enough magic left in the dilapidated Pedigo Manor to keep Jansen & Kate from making tragic mistakes? Five-time #1 Bestselling Author Chana Keefer delivers yet another gripping Allegorical Classic & #1 Amazon Hot New Release! Readers "Perfect read for a winter's night, cozy by the fireplace... and in the dark!" "What a powerful and anointed story. I'm crying happy tears." "These characters will live in my head and heart." A Ghostly Texas Tale combines the spellbinding mystery of Charlotte Bronte's Jane Eyre, the timeless, epic settings of gothic romance queen Victoria Holt, and the family-pleasing fantasy of C.S. Lewis's Chronicles of Narnia--with just a dash of Fixer Upper and Little House on the Prairie--for a heartwarming tale sure to please the young at heart of all ages. Annabelle is a hope-filled tale of redemption, restoration, and a fresh start, both for an historic Victorian home with a tragic past and the modern, dysfunctional family who fall under the mysterious Pedigo Manor's spell. "Kate opened her eyes to the night sky, to the menacing old house whose shadow hovered over her. Or was it extending a protective wing? All Kate knew was that the poison refused to be dammed any longer. She hardly noticed, in the midst of her sobs, when Winston edged close and curled up by her side. There, flanked by an orphan dog and a derelict house, Kate wept like there was no tomorrow." Contains a complete study guide for families or book clubs. Discussion topics Anger, Bullying, Pornography, Sexual Responsibility, Addiction, Shame, Temptation to Extra-marital Affairs, Despair, Post-Tramatic Stress Disorder, Teenage Depression, Supernatural Power of Prayer, Spiritual Mysteries, Abortion, Fear of Aging, Breakdown of Modern Nuclear Families, and Spiritual Warfare. "Annabelle tackles important family struggles, yet maintains an air of innocence throughout." "I found myself really drawn into the life of the mom who has reached her limit with a home reconstruction project and raising teenage kids almost on her own." "I could just picture this gorgeous house, kind of like the Haunted Mansion ride at Disneyland!" "Who is Annabelle? Is she the pretend imaginary friend of Lilly's? Is she a supernatural ghost? Or is she something altogether more? You won't figure that out until quite near the end, but oh, what an end!"

272 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 31, 2016

Reviews

[D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Annabelle

I love this story. It's one of those stories that will help you examine and overcome issues you maybe experiencing in life. This is the type of story I call a "Life Story", you know, one of those of stories we can all relate to in some way. Kids fighting, moving to a new city, renovating a home, husband working out of town, finding out where you fit in, getting that dreaded call from your kid's school, husband that is trying to understand, but is too far away to really get what you are going through. And a heart that is so vulnerable that you just may make the biggest mistake of your life.

That is when you normally need a little supernatural, divine intervention. And that divine intervention came in the form of someone who shined a light into the darkness of the Waldens' lives. Someone who refused to see them succumb to the heartache, pain and sorrow that had been their existence since a tragic event took place in their lives. Someone who was a prayer warrior that kept Kate and Cal from doing something so dangerous it would have killed everyone connected to them. That beautiful someone was so in love with Jesus that she would not leave until she got a chance to tell everyone about Him.

Annabelle is a beautiful story that came at the right time because I needed to read these words, “You didn’t reject Me,” the One wrapped around him assured. "You rejected the misuse of Me. I did the same." I had been having similar conversations with God about the misuse of Him. And I also needed to read these words, “She told me to be strong for my family—to pray for all of you like she did because prayer really does change things.” Prayer is the key and it will keep you pressing forward through the good and bad times.

What a powerful and anointed story. I enjoyed reading it and it has become one of my favorite stories. These characters will live in my head and heart for awhile. Thank you Chana Keefer for being obedient to Holy Spirit and writing this story. I want to cry happy tears.

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

"What could she call it? Was it light? Was it warmth? Was it liquid love?"

Chana has captured my heart once again with her creative and suspenseful expression of various wounds ​and mysterious healing. Her writing made me feel connected to each character's experience. It's an easy read, yet profound content.