Anessia’s Quest follows the life of a woman born into dysfunction and neglect. The story takes you on her journey. A journey that begins with abandonment, abuse, and physical injury. Pagne (Pain) believes she is all alone, thrown away, but soon discovers that she is protected and guided by her guardian angel.  A powerful relationship develops between this lost child and her loving protector that manifests as a unique method of communication.

Pagne encounters other broken people that become her family, friends and community. Her grace and compassion alter their destructive paths. She moves through her life unaware of the impact she creates, her purpose on Earth.

Her life is filled with tears, laughter, joy and heartbreak. She faces challenges that include ultimate betrayal, loss and shame. Challenges that are only bearable due to her trust and faith in heaven’s love and value for her.  Love that is reinforced by her angel. She discovers the events that led to her mother’s indifference and neglect, and must decide how much grace she can extend to a woman she has hated for most of her life. The ultimate test of forgiveness.

When she faces her death, Pagne discovers the true value and power of forgiveness and love. She is shown how her life created ripples that spread into waves of glorious influence. She was not an accident, she was placed on Earth with divine intent.

Anessia’s Quest Sample Chapters – PDF DOWNLOAD

PURCHASED COPY IS SIGNED BY AUTHOR

$8.95 plus tax/shipping

 

 

WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT ANESSIA’S QUEST

December 19, 2011 – Review by tweezlereads.blogspot.com

WOW! I am at a loss for how to review this book. For me, this novel was an emotional roller coaster ride. I had so many feelings – strong feelings that surfaced as I read. The characters were amazing and so very, very real. The main character, Champagne, or Pagne as her mother referred to her, lived such a sad start in life of abuse and neglect. I had become so very attached to her character and everything in me wanted to save her. She was such an amazing child that grew up into an even more amazing person.

This story of neglect, abuse, loss, redemption, faith, and healing is marketed to the Christian audience, but honestly, I see it being enjoyed by everyone who loves a heart-touching story. It carries a real and personal quality to it that totally captivates the reader and is impossible to put down. (Note: Make sure to keep tissues handy)

Karen Arnpriester penned a truly amazing story and I can’t wait to read more by this author! She is on my watch list, as I expect to see many more great books written by her.

November 19, 2011 – Review by DOROTHEA

This book will take you through a roller-coaster ride of emotions as we follow Champagne (Pagne) on the journey of her life. We follow her from her birth to her alcoholic mother all the way through her life. She will face many hardships, but along the way she will find faith in God and learn to trust in her guardian angel. Eventually, her faith will become so strong that she will touch the lives of many people and help them along their own spiritual paths.

Anyone who has ever been around a dysfunctional family will be able to relate to this book. Some of the events will pull at your heartstrings and have you grabbing for that box of tissues. The author did a great job of expressing emotions in her characters in such a way that you will fall in love with most of them.

** Note **
I received this book free from the Partners In Crime and the Author in exchange for an honest review. I received no chocolate or any other compensation in exchange for my review.

Dorothea – 5 Stars    alaskanbookie.blogspot.com

 

November 13, 2011 – Review by KRYSTAL LARSON

The best part of this book is the way the author manages to evoke deliberate emotions in the reader.  This can be a tear-jerker if the reader is particularly prone to empathy.  Champagne is a wonderful character; unfortunately, she is born to an alcoholic mother.  Her life is tough right from the get-go.  The reader will likely make an immediate connection with this character.  She calls herself “Pagne.” 

Pagne does have one advantage, she is protected by Chantal, who is sort of like her guardian angel.  Pagne is shuffled through monotonous foster homes-some better than others.  The reader will feel particularly bad for Chantal during this time.  The amazing quality Pagne really has is her ability to distribute her compassionate nature to others even while she is suffering herself.  

Overall, the reader will enjoy the focus on Pagne.  She is exceedingly easy to like and love.  The secondary characters are not dwelled too much upon, many are not the type the reader would like.  Chantal is an intriguing character, her purpose in the novel turns out to be a large one.  This book is recommended to adult readers.

Krystal Larson – 4 Stars    livetoread-krystal.blogspot.com

 

November 11, 2011 – Review by TERRI FOREHAND

My Review: This is one of the best books I have read in some time. It is a realistic view of what it is to go through trials and continue believing in God, how doubts, pain, suffering, and loss become part of who you are as a person, and how each of us is designed and loved by our Creator. I was so engrossed in the book, I read it in two sittings. It is an emotional journey where the reader loves the character from the beginning and keeps turning the page to see where life takes her. As a writer, even if you are not fond of “Christian Fiction” ( it is my favorite by the way.) you can learn so much from this first novel by this author. It shows great character development, good plotting, a good use of setting, and the best use of emotional draws I have read recently. The reader cannot help but be drawn into the story and to experience the feelings of these well crafted characters. Here is more about the book from a more objective view point than mine, for me I give it 5 stars. Wonderful job of writing.
Terri Forehand - 5 Stars    terri-forehand.blogspot.com 
 
  
So. I was given this book to review by the author (through a mutual friend) and was excited. Not only would this book be new to me, it’s a debut novel. Reading and reviewing debut novels is awesome because it helps these authors rise to the top. It’s a fun adventure, that’s for sure! So, what did I think of Anessia’s Quest? I didn’t like. Nope. Not one bit. I know what you are thinking. “Seriously? You didn’t like it one bit?”. The answer, of course, is still the same. Nope. But, that’s ONLY because I LOVED LOVED LOVED it!!! Ha! Had ya’ll going for a minute didn’t I? Well, sorry, but I just had the urge to do that. This is a most awesome debut novel and I want to shout it out to all the readers. Now, on to my thoughts. What’s not to love about this awesome book? It’s a book that takes Pagne, a young woman born into a life of despair, to a mother who drinks and sells her body, and shouts her story of heart ache and pain. Reading Pagne’s story really moved me. I found myself often sitting there, with the book wide open, yet thinking about Pagne and how real she felt to me. I cried for her, I prayed for her, I loved her. Seeing what she went through and how she still persevered, was beyond words for me.
      Being a witness to this amazing young woman’s character as she came to know Jesus, was an incredible feeling. She was determined to find the end of her quest by finding a love worth finding: Jesus’ love. Amazing. Along the way of her quest, Karen Arnpriester takes us on a roller coaster, up and down, emotional journey like never before. A journey of finding that “the greatest of these is love” is the most powerful message of all.
      I highly recommend this novel to everyone out there with a highest of high 5 Book Rating. Whether you are a Christian fiction lover or no, you will fall in love with Anessia’s Quest. The ending will send you into a moment of awe, and you will reflect on the story for days after closing the last page. I know I still am, and I read the book more than a month ago! Fantastic job, Ms. Arnpriester and I can’t WAIT until her second novel releases, Raider’s Vendetta!

Reviews by Molly - 5 Books    www.reviewsbymolly.com

 

Get your box of tissues ready, sit in your favorite chair, swing, etc. and begin a journey that will stay with you long after you’ve finished the book. Karen Arnpriester has definitely been blessed with the gift of writing. She takes us on a journey that starts off with a quest being accepted. We are then taken into and follow the life of Champagne (Pagne) as she is born to a mother who is an alcoholic, prostitute. She keeps Pagne around for the money she gets from the state. We watch Pagne suffer so much and yet she is protected by an angel she names Chantal. We follow her through the foster system and one heartbreak after another. She brings hope and love to others as she continuously suffers one setback after another. I often wondered before she came to know Jesus how she kept going. However, I recognized something in her and understood from a personal point of view. Love does conquer all, there is hope in any situation. If you don’t believe me, then read the book. The characters could be anyone around you whether you know them or not. They are well defined. You get to know them and their hearts. Your heart breaks for them and rejoices with them. The situations are so realistic. They are situations you see or hear about each day. Some of them may be experiences you have dealt with yourself. For this reason the book stays with you. You will always see yourself in this book in some way. I look forward to reading more from this author. Her book most definitely blessed my heart and spirit.

Sandra Stiles - 5 Stars    www.goodreads.com

 

A novel of real-life trials and triumphs, “Anessia’s Quest” is an inspirational, well-written, magical story of God’s love.  Spanning over an entire lifetime, we get to know these characters so deeply.  We share their pain, joy, excitement, and shame… but their faith shines above it all.  I am captivated by Anessia’s strength and compassion.  Truly a book I didn’t want to put down…. And when I finally did, I found myself wanting more from this author.  Jana Adams – Amazon 5 Stars

This story is one of joy and sadness, triumph and tragedy, love and forgiveness.  I laughed, I cried, I found myself wanting the story to continue at its end… to know what lies beyond for Pagne as she continues turning pages in God’s unending story.  Truly inspiring, Pagne’s journey is an amazing reminder that we each have a destiny and role to play in God’s eternal plan.  Needless to say… I’m a fan!  Looking forward to the movie!!!  Pam Rich

This story grabbed me from the start. The characters were well developed and so incredibly real. You really get drawn into their lives. The storyline was creative, captivating and unpredictable, especially the ending! The book was an emotional rollercoaster and touched my heart in so many ways. I highly recommend it to everyone, regardless of your faith.  Barbara Strand – Amazon 5 Stars

This book was surprisingly refreshing for me, since my favorite type of reading is learning manuals or true stories. I read a lot but took time out to read Anessia’s Quest. It came with me on a vacation and I just could not stop reading it. I felt emotionally attached to the characters and was feeling their joys and their pains. I even thought about them later wondering how they were doing. The author has a real knack for keeping your attention. I hope there is more to come from this author, she is on to a great start! Two thumbs up!!!  Ava Peterson – Amazon 5 Stars

I really enjoyed Anessia’s Quest. The characters were well developed and the plot twists and turns made it interesting from the beginning to the end. Speaking of the end, it was a big surprise! The author was way outside the box and I’m still thinking about her perspective. I’m loaning my book to a friend tomorrow, I know she’ll enjoy it as much as I did.  Marilyn Mitchell – Amazon 5 Stars

I Loved this book! I did not want to put the book down. The author did a great job at catching my attention. I definitely laughed out loud with some of the funny moments in this book. Most of the characters in this book really touched my heart. To sum it all up it is a great heart warming, funny, and inspirational book. I hope to see more of Karen’s books in the future.  Crystal Quiro – Amazon 5 Stars

Anessia’s Quest is one of those books that you pick up and read for hours on end. There are many twists and turns that keep your attention throughout the book. I loved it!  Sharolyn Coldren – Amazon 5 Stars

Hard to put down. very unpredictable from start to finish. wonderful characters. Some parts really hit home, deep in the heart.  Mike Bartel – Amazon 5 Stars

It is a very powerful book that points out God is in our lives. It is a book of redemption. I could not put it down!!!  Trisha Timosh – Amazon 5 Stars

I read this book in two sittings. Up to eighty pages the first time, then took an entire morning to finish the rest. And I did need tissue. The story is an emotional ride, the characters are real to you – you care or you hate them or you have hope for them. The author is a natural story-teller.   Jennifer Locke – Amazon 5 Stars

 

Karen Slimick Arnpriester

“Never too old to instigate!”