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A Penny Black
Finding the love of your life may take longer than a lifetime
History professor Derek Foster is perfectly content with his career—and with being single. He’s willing to go to great lengths for his job, even if it means stealing a diary that’s been hidden in an old English cottage for centuries. Derek believes he’s found his ticket to tenure. But as he studies the diary, he instead finds himself inexplicably engrossed in the life of its author, a seventeenth-century woman named Abigail. The more Derek reads, the more he wishes a woman like Abigail were alive today.
Then Derek discovers a clue which suggests an incredible though she lived ages ago, Abigail never died. Is he delusional, simply reading his heart’s desires into the diary? Or can faith bring two people together who are continents, and even centuries, apart from each other?
Written through Derek’s perspective as a twenty-first century single Christian, A Penny Black explores the what if that special person lived not only in another place but in another time?
Kris Wampler is an attorney and freelance legal writer. He's also a former board member of the Charlotte Writers’ Club who has been active in the writing community for over a decade. A graduate of Wake Forest University School of Law and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Kris resides in South Carolina. A Penny Black is his debut novel.
History professor Derek Foster is perfectly content with his career—and with being single. He’s willing to go to great lengths for his job, even if it means stealing a diary that’s been hidden in an old English cottage for centuries. Derek believes he’s found his ticket to tenure. But as he studies the diary, he instead finds himself inexplicably engrossed in the life of its author, a seventeenth-century woman named Abigail. The more Derek reads, the more he wishes a woman like Abigail were alive today.
Then Derek discovers a clue which suggests an incredible though she lived ages ago, Abigail never died. Is he delusional, simply reading his heart’s desires into the diary? Or can faith bring two people together who are continents, and even centuries, apart from each other?
Written through Derek’s perspective as a twenty-first century single Christian, A Penny Black explores the what if that special person lived not only in another place but in another time?
Kris Wampler is an attorney and freelance legal writer. He's also a former board member of the Charlotte Writers’ Club who has been active in the writing community for over a decade. A graduate of Wake Forest University School of Law and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Kris resides in South Carolina. A Penny Black is his debut novel.
246 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 27, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
October 14, 2022
Intriguing premise
This was a fascinating story that pulled me in from the very beginning. I enjoyed watching Derek's personal growth as he became someone who would be worthy of a woman like Abigail. I would posit this is more a story of personal and faith development than a romance, but the conclusion was still satisfying.
Recommended to those who enjoy Christian fiction with a thread of romance and those who are intrigued by history and the idea of exploring the past.
This was a fascinating story that pulled me in from the very beginning. I enjoyed watching Derek's personal growth as he became someone who would be worthy of a woman like Abigail. I would posit this is more a story of personal and faith development than a romance, but the conclusion was still satisfying.
Recommended to those who enjoy Christian fiction with a thread of romance and those who are intrigued by history and the idea of exploring the past.
February 7, 2025
What a story! I haven't read anything quite like it before. Well-written and mesmerizing, especially past the 60% mark. I relate to the feelings of no one ever quite fitting me, being out of place in this world, etc. I think most would enjoy this story, but especially Christians. The Christian message or lifestyle could have been a little clearer, but it's something I'm glad I read, and it even brought me to tears...and told me to keep searching for the right person, even when it seems hopeless, for God is powerful.
February 24, 2023
Exceptional Writing!
I’ve definitely read a lot of good fiction books, But this is a top notch read!
Keeps you on your toes from the beginning of the story. I don’t want to share too much information but it’s just a unique perspective of God’s grace in our lives & how He is leading us as we allow & trust him! Get the book, totally recommend it, an easy, thrilling read, took me about 3 days because I couldn’t hardly put it down! Looking forward to maybe a sequel?
I’ve definitely read a lot of good fiction books, But this is a top notch read!
Keeps you on your toes from the beginning of the story. I don’t want to share too much information but it’s just a unique perspective of God’s grace in our lives & how He is leading us as we allow & trust him! Get the book, totally recommend it, an easy, thrilling read, took me about 3 days because I couldn’t hardly put it down! Looking forward to maybe a sequel?
January 13, 2023
Great way to start off my 2023 reading list!
I very much enjoyed reading this book. You get sucked into the story and the characters. And the happy ending was the icing on the cake!
Thank you Kris for a wonderful reading experience!
- Kimberly Miller
I very much enjoyed reading this book. You get sucked into the story and the characters. And the happy ending was the icing on the cake!
Thank you Kris for a wonderful reading experience!
- Kimberly Miller
December 7, 2025
Abigail and Derek’s story gives hope that true love based on faith and traditional values can still exist
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews