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.

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WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT ANESSIA’S QUEST

October 31, 2012 – Review by Julie Beer

Karen,

I don’t know if there are words that can describe Anessia’s quest. This book truly brought me in and kept me there until the last page. I bought the book on a Saturday, I couldn’t put it down. I spent most of Saturday and into the wee hours of Sunday morning and most of Sunday reading this book. I had a put it down at times just long enough to stop the tears from flowing. This book touched me in many ways.

My grandmother was a foster mother for 34 years and 117 foster children later, she touched more than just their lives she touched both birth parents, adoptive parents and social workers lives as well as many family and friends. I thank god every day that she,in her 76 years of life is still here to enjoy her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

This book also touched me. It inspired me to think what can I do to help the forgotten children. Growing up with foster children in our home I always knew they were there. I always knew there were children who felt they were alone and all they needed was love and guidance. I have been thinking and praying about this and thinking about what I, as a young single mom of two, can do to help and show my kids there are others who need love as well. I know that one day God will show me the path to take.

Thank you for writing this book, for showing me that God does have a plan and no matter what He’s there for us, for showing us that unfortunate events are actually God’s plan to show us a path to take. A way to direct us to what we need to do in our lives.

God Bless and Thank you,
Julie

PS : Soon, I will be reading the next book and impatiently waiting for more!

August 30, 2012 – Review by Khamneithang Vaiphei

Anessia’s Quest is a book difficult to explain, but one that will make you cry and laugh, sad and happy, shaken but not shattered at the same time.

Karen Slimick Arnpriester, a graphic artist, wife and mother can now rightfully call herself “an author” with the publication of her debut novel which follows the life of a young girl from the pit of abandonment, abuse and physical assault to a glorious life of love, truth, compassion and joy.

Anessia’s Quest is the story Champagne Marie Crenshaw (Pagne), whose mother thought it would be funny to name her baby girl Champagne, after her favorite beverage. And so begins her journey into a world of dysfunction, disregard and disappointment. Pagne believes she is all alone, unwanted and discarded, but soon realizes that she is not alone, that she is protected and guided by her guardian angel.

Pagne’s journey along the road of life is full of twists and turns. Her difficult childhood inspired many, her random acts of kindness prevented the madness of murder and suicide. Anessia’s Quest shows that little gestures, sharing beliefs, forgiveness, moments of grace, and love for others can ripple into massive waves of joy, hope, love and salvation.

I have learned one great lesson from this book. As we go through the journey of life there are certain events and situations which we do not understand while in the midst of it. But once that phase is completed, we can look back, enjoy and savor those moments gone by, and understand them as we ought to. Hopeful…that is what this book is. Anessia’s Quest is for anyone who’s facing challenges in life. Karen brings out every emotion and shows how we can overcome those obstacles life throws in our path. The author is a natural story-teller, who pulls from her own life and experiences to give a warmth and realistic shine to her book. She shares her deep faith in God through this book. Definitely a great read and a great book!

July 7, 2012 – Review by Oregon Reader “Book Man”

I could not put this book down. It was well written and so realistic. A great story and read. Buy it! 5 Stars

July 6, 2012 – Review by Rhonda

Hopeful…that is what this book is. This was quite a different book from others I have read. Pagne has a guardian angel who helps her, protects her, and comforts her. She endures abuse, her mother’s alcoholism, many trials in the “adopted foster” family that she loves. I enjoyed this book and really didn’t want to put it down. I connected with the characters and felt their pain and sorrows as well as their joyous moments. I highly recommend this book if you wonder why you are here on earth and if you are loved. 5 Stars

June 18, 2012 – Review by kozykohlff

This is the best book I’ve ever read (and I read a lot)I couldn’t put it down. It brought up every God given emotion every chapter. I LOVED IT. Can’t wait for the sequel. 5 Stars

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!”