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Heart's Relief: Annabelle of Anchony Series
In a country riven by rebellion, Annabelle of Anchony will soon find unlooked-for hope, heavenly assistance ... and great sorrow. A world away from her island exile, Annabelle has found her loving family and home in Aboly, capital city of Anchony, at the royal palace. But all is still not well in Anchony, for the rebel Demolites hold Prince Phillipus of Sethel. All unknowing, the royal family of Sethel is on the way to Anchony, expecting to witness a marriage, only to discover that their prince is missing.
Annabelle and her family must reckon with the consequences of years of Demolite plotting, betrayal, and violence against Anchonians of all classes. Will justice win out? Or will cruelty, greed, and lawlessness overcome Annabelle and all of Anchony? Richly imagined, this exciting new entry in the Annabelle of Anchony series will inspire and move readers of all ages.
Available at shopmercy.org
Annabelle and her family must reckon with the consequences of years of Demolite plotting, betrayal, and violence against Anchonians of all classes. Will justice win out? Or will cruelty, greed, and lawlessness overcome Annabelle and all of Anchony? Richly imagined, this exciting new entry in the Annabelle of Anchony series will inspire and move readers of all ages.
Available at shopmercy.org
- GenresCatholic
448 pages, Paperback
Published July 30, 2020
10 people want to read
About the author
Ruth Apollonia
6 books17 followersA cradle Catholic born and raised in central Missouri, Ruth Apollonia attended the University of Missouri-Columbia and obtained a Master of Occupational Therapy in 2008. That same year, she ventured south on her clinical and eventually accepted a position at that same not-for-profit hospital, where she continues to be employed as an occupational therapist.
Annabelle’s tale first came to life when Ruth was a college student—writing when she had the time for her own enjoyment. As the story developed, Ruth recognized its potential at leading others to Christ and, after working on it for about five years, pursued publishing.
With little knowledge of the publishing world, Ruth used a vanity press to bring Annabelle of Anchony: Burdens of the Mind to readers in 2012, and in 2013 it was awarded the Catholic Arts and Letters Award by the Catholic Writers Guild.
Through the same vanity press, Ruth went on to publish the next two books in the series along with a children’s book: Annabelle of Anchony: Heart’s Relief (2013), Annabelle of Anchony: Kingdom’s Call (2014), and Angie and the Anger Lion (2016), respectively. God had other plans for Ruth’s choice in that publishing company, however, for in 2017 the vanity press closed, making all of her works no longer available.
Disheartened, but not hopeless, Ruth contemplated how she was to resurrect Annabelle’s tale with serious thought—yet hesitancy—of independently self-publishing. But, armed with more knowledge of the publishing world, Ruth recognized the benefits of using an established, traditional publisher. Wanting Annabelle’s story to reach as many as possible and knowing that would only happen with a traditional publisher, she approached a Catholic publisher known to publish fiction, and was rejected.
Writing to evangelize, Ruth trusted her books’ fates to the Father and the intercession of Our Lady and her Immaculate Heart (to whom, along with her family, she had dedicated her first book). Then, while networking at the Catholic Writers Guild/Catholic Marketing Network’s joint conference in 2017, she learned Marian Press was searching for young adult novels and was asked for a review copy of Annabelle of Anchony: Burdens of the Mind. A year later, Ruth signed the agreement with Marian Press to re-publish the books in the series and to publish book four for the first time.
Ruth Apollonia’s evangelization efforts are not limited to the pen: In the past, she has been a small group leader for Confirmation classes in the Jefferson City Diocese, has been a PSR (Parish School of Religion) teacher for 9th graders, and is currently the RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) director at her local parish in the Springfield-Cape Girardeau Diocese in southern Missouri.
Besides preparing for RCIA classes and re-editing her previously published books, Ruth Apollonia continues to work on book five in the series as well as other fiction stories.
Annabelle’s tale first came to life when Ruth was a college student—writing when she had the time for her own enjoyment. As the story developed, Ruth recognized its potential at leading others to Christ and, after working on it for about five years, pursued publishing.
With little knowledge of the publishing world, Ruth used a vanity press to bring Annabelle of Anchony: Burdens of the Mind to readers in 2012, and in 2013 it was awarded the Catholic Arts and Letters Award by the Catholic Writers Guild.
Through the same vanity press, Ruth went on to publish the next two books in the series along with a children’s book: Annabelle of Anchony: Heart’s Relief (2013), Annabelle of Anchony: Kingdom’s Call (2014), and Angie and the Anger Lion (2016), respectively. God had other plans for Ruth’s choice in that publishing company, however, for in 2017 the vanity press closed, making all of her works no longer available.
Disheartened, but not hopeless, Ruth contemplated how she was to resurrect Annabelle’s tale with serious thought—yet hesitancy—of independently self-publishing. But, armed with more knowledge of the publishing world, Ruth recognized the benefits of using an established, traditional publisher. Wanting Annabelle’s story to reach as many as possible and knowing that would only happen with a traditional publisher, she approached a Catholic publisher known to publish fiction, and was rejected.
Writing to evangelize, Ruth trusted her books’ fates to the Father and the intercession of Our Lady and her Immaculate Heart (to whom, along with her family, she had dedicated her first book). Then, while networking at the Catholic Writers Guild/Catholic Marketing Network’s joint conference in 2017, she learned Marian Press was searching for young adult novels and was asked for a review copy of Annabelle of Anchony: Burdens of the Mind. A year later, Ruth signed the agreement with Marian Press to re-publish the books in the series and to publish book four for the first time.
Ruth Apollonia’s evangelization efforts are not limited to the pen: In the past, she has been a small group leader for Confirmation classes in the Jefferson City Diocese, has been a PSR (Parish School of Religion) teacher for 9th graders, and is currently the RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) director at her local parish in the Springfield-Cape Girardeau Diocese in southern Missouri.
Besides preparing for RCIA classes and re-editing her previously published books, Ruth Apollonia continues to work on book five in the series as well as other fiction stories.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
February 24, 2024
Annabelle has returned to her family. But their happy reunion is cut short by the Demolite rebellion. Will she and her newfound family survive a kingdom in peril?
June 5, 2024
3.5✨
I don't know why I didn't Like Heart's Relief as much as I liked the first book. The first book (I think it's called Burdens of the Mind) was absolutely AMAZING!
It was just really slow in my opinion. Don't get me wrong, I liked it--there were some parts that I really liked.
**SpOiLeRs! SpOiLeRs! Beware of the rest of my review because it contains SpOiLeRs!**
I would like to talk about the parts that I liked (and other parts) but those parts are SpOiLeRs so you have to go away. I'm sorry.
I thought I told you to leave. Didn't I? Or did I forget? Well just in case I forgot, GO AWAY!!!
Wait, wait, wait! You say you've read Heart's Relief already? Well then, go on and read the rest!
Nicholaus, Peter, Samus, and Clare's family reunion had me squealing! I love reunions!
Why can't Clare talk normally? Was she never taught? I need to know! Someone please tell me!
I wish Nicholaus and Annabelle's wedding was more descriptive? Included? I'm not sure what word I'm looking for. I just wish it weren't just like, "They said their vows and then stayed for Mass." Yes, I know, I know that's not what it was word of word but I'm close enough.
Poor baby Emma! She lost her mother and her brother all at once! I do think it's very sweet that Emma's mom (I don't remember her name) told Annabelle that Emma was hers now, right before she died. Annabelle and Nicholaus will be great parents.
I don't know why I didn't Like Heart's Relief as much as I liked the first book. The first book (I think it's called Burdens of the Mind) was absolutely AMAZING!
It was just really slow in my opinion. Don't get me wrong, I liked it--there were some parts that I really liked.
**SpOiLeRs! SpOiLeRs! Beware of the rest of my review because it contains SpOiLeRs!**
I would like to talk about the parts that I liked (and other parts) but those parts are SpOiLeRs so you have to go away. I'm sorry.
I thought I told you to leave. Didn't I? Or did I forget? Well just in case I forgot, GO AWAY!!!
Wait, wait, wait! You say you've read Heart's Relief already? Well then, go on and read the rest!
Nicholaus, Peter, Samus, and Clare's family reunion had me squealing! I love reunions!
Why can't Clare talk normally? Was she never taught? I need to know! Someone please tell me!
I wish Nicholaus and Annabelle's wedding was more descriptive? Included? I'm not sure what word I'm looking for. I just wish it weren't just like, "They said their vows and then stayed for Mass." Yes, I know, I know that's not what it was word of word but I'm close enough.
Poor baby Emma! She lost her mother and her brother all at once! I do think it's very sweet that Emma's mom (I don't remember her name) told Annabelle that Emma was hers now, right before she died. Annabelle and Nicholaus will be great parents.
August 1, 2024
4/5
I enjoyed Heart's Relief for the same reasons I enjoyed the first book. It's a great story with victories and losses, trials and tribulations, good vs evil, God's Will and Providence, Faith, family, and forgiveness. This book in particular has a theme of forgiveness shown through multiple characters in their own journey.
Overall, I thought this book was well done and did accomplish showing the power of forgiveness and the grace of conversion in the hearts and minds of certain characters.
There were some parts of the book, in the beginning and middle, where the pacing was slower and the plot didn't seem as much of a focus. It was focused mainly on the characters and their relationships and character development (which I liked, but I wondered where the story was going because it seemed like the plot had slowed down). As far as plot, pacing, and story, I think I enjoyed the first book a bit more. But, the story, plot, and pacing of this book did pick up within the last 200 pages or so. It felt similar to the stakes and story of the first book, which made me not want to put the book down!
I'm invested in these characters and story and I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series. This series is an excellent Catholic Medieval Fantasy story and I am so glad to have found it!
(As a side thought, it's great to be surprised by the existence of other kingdoms. I kept thinking it would be great to see a map of the fantasy world where Anchony exists.)
I enjoyed Heart's Relief for the same reasons I enjoyed the first book. It's a great story with victories and losses, trials and tribulations, good vs evil, God's Will and Providence, Faith, family, and forgiveness. This book in particular has a theme of forgiveness shown through multiple characters in their own journey.
Overall, I thought this book was well done and did accomplish showing the power of forgiveness and the grace of conversion in the hearts and minds of certain characters.
There were some parts of the book, in the beginning and middle, where the pacing was slower and the plot didn't seem as much of a focus. It was focused mainly on the characters and their relationships and character development (which I liked, but I wondered where the story was going because it seemed like the plot had slowed down). As far as plot, pacing, and story, I think I enjoyed the first book a bit more. But, the story, plot, and pacing of this book did pick up within the last 200 pages or so. It felt similar to the stakes and story of the first book, which made me not want to put the book down!
I'm invested in these characters and story and I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series. This series is an excellent Catholic Medieval Fantasy story and I am so glad to have found it!
(As a side thought, it's great to be surprised by the existence of other kingdoms. I kept thinking it would be great to see a map of the fantasy world where Anchony exists.)
January 29, 2023
Heart’s Relief is the second book in the Annabelle of Anchony series by Ruth Apollonio. What a joy to reconnect with the memorable characters from the first book. I also enjoyed getting to know Annabelle’s family as this new, intriguing adventure unfolded. While the story is thoroughly engaging, what truly sets this fantasy series apart is Apollonio’s poetic writing style. I was thoroughly swept away by the story as the skillfully written small scenes, like brush strokes of a painting, created a beautiful work of art.
January 5, 2024
I love this series! The story and the characters are so engaging. It is an inspiring, encouraging, motivating and uplifting story. So clean and truly good. Needed a bit more editing, but considering that it was initially self-published, it doesn't change my rating. I highly recommend it. Actually, I would challenge people to give it a chance and see if they don't become "hooked"!
January 27, 2024
This was the second of a three-part series involving Annabelle of Anchony. I read and loved the first book which was focused really on Annabelle, first, last and always. While this second book of the trilogy involved Annabelle, there were many more characters in this second book than in the first. Keeping track of them required some attention to detail, and it was necessary to distinguish the good guys from the bad guys!
There was a lot of action: kings and queens, princes and princesses, castles and ancient methods of fighting! Never a dull moment and I thought the book was a fast read.
I am looking forward to the third book of the trilogy!
There was a lot of action: kings and queens, princes and princesses, castles and ancient methods of fighting! Never a dull moment and I thought the book was a fast read.
I am looking forward to the third book of the trilogy!
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews