Bringing to life times, places and the people who live in them
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Sindi has dreams--Olympic size dreams. The truth could cost her everything, but keeping the secret might cost even more.
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Despite the war in Mozambique, Keri's parents wouldn't let anything really bad happen to her, would they?
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Cristina Larson is American. Or is she? She feels more Brazilian. It's Jason who is American. Or is he? In small town America, different can be downright dangerous.
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Ben will be dead meat if the guys find out what he's doing at the ice rink in the early mornings. And he doesn't even want to think about what his hockey-fan dad will say.
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Glastonbury Grail Book 1: Glastonbury Tor
In and around Glastonbury,
Meare and Wells |
I am a coward.
Were I not, I would have died this morning on the Tor with the others, but I fled and hid. The Abbot told me I should be gone to Wales by now, but I hadn’t even the courage for that. My father spoke truer than he knew. He said I would never amount to anything as a monk, and he was right. I close my eyes and mutter the prayers of protection for the dying. . . . From the ancient enemy: free and defend their souls, O Lord. . . . Across the moors three gallows loom atop the Tor. Three bodies swing in the cold November dawn. I draw my cloak about me. The bundle that is my treasure presses against my side, safely wrapped in the wool of my old habit. I try again to pray, but it is the warm baritone of the priest in my old parish in Wales, that fills my mind. More than a year has passed since he chanted those prayers for my mother. The pain still runs deep, and it is for her that I weep. The ancient olivewood drinking bowl that young Colin finds in the treasury of Glastonbury Abbey, was disregarded as worthless wood by King Henry VIII’s men when they inventoried the abbey’s treasures. But Father Dunstan, the tortured prior who preaches forgiveness, treasures it. Father Bede, as demanding as the hated father from whom Colin has fled, covets it. Abbot Whiting finds in it the courage to face his enemy, even as monasteries are being dismantled all over sixteenth century England. Will Colin find the personal faith and sense of worth he seeks? Can he ever forgive his father... or himself? What readers are saying about Glastonbury tor:... a gripping coming of age story and a beautiful retelling of the history and legends of the Holiest Earth in England.
--Donna Fletcher Crow, author of Glastonbury: the Novel of Christian England Writing of this quality is a rare find, and though difficult to put down, it also left me feeling very content. --Lori Fox A compelling story of forgiveness with the mystique of Glastonbury and the very real grace of God. --Carolyn R. Scheidies , Author's Choice Reviews Glastonbury Tor weaves together the rich history and legend surrounding the church in the turbulent times of Henry VIII..., showing the same turbulence in the hearts and minds of individuals, wrestling with conflicting desires for power versus humility, or revenge versus forgiveness. --E. M. Legg Hear a SelectionYou can hear selections from Glastonbury Tor read by the author in the second half of this video of a talk at Biola University in the spring of 2015.
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Glastonbury Grail Book 2: Honddu Vale
Hear a SelectionYou can hear a selection from Honddu Vale read by the author in this video entitled "A King Worth Serving" from Biola University in the spring of 2015. The Honddu Vale selection begins at 17:25.
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The valley where I had been born twisted below me, a green serpent resting between the bracken-covered slopes of the Black Mountains. A thin trail of smoke rose from the stone chimney of my father’s manor of Cewi Glen. It carried a few bright orange sparks that the rain quickly extinguished.
“Seventy times seven,” a child’s voice spoke in my memory, reminding me why I had come. Forgive, the Bible commanded. Not seven times, but seventy times seven. “I can’t,” I whispered, though there was none to hear. I felt in the breast of my tunic for the cup wrapped in old wool. It was there. Safe. I clutched it and murmured a quiet prayer for strength. Slowly my breathing steadied, and I knew what I must do. Colin Hay returns home to Wales to reconcile with the father he blames for his mother’s death. But he finds Sir Stephen in the arms of a bewitching young woman with designs on more than a place in Sir Stephen’s bed. Belle covets the ancient olivewood drinking bowl that Colin brought with him when the abbey at Glastonbury was closed by King Henry VIII. Yet the cup, which once showed such supernatural power that some whispered it was the Holy Grail, now lies cold and empty in Colin’s hands. Were the glorious promises of God’s presence nothing more than a dream? Take this virtual tour of the setting used in Honddu Vale
What Readers are Saying about Honddu Vale... history and legend combine in a powerful tale of greed, injustice and avarice surmounted by the triumph of forgiveness, grace and love. And in the center of it all— The Holy Grail.
--Donna Fletcher Crow, author of Glastonbury and The Monastery Murders Hardy has crafted another great historical novel ... [with] twists, turns, and revelations that keep you reading to the very end. This is a wonderful novel of forgiveness and redemption. --Joan Niehuis, Reviews from an Avid Reader I liked the idea of having a silent God verses a more active God, like the first book, Glastonbury Tor. Sometimes God is silent and, like Colin, we need to learn to be patient during that time. --Rani Grant, Indoor Garden Musings a page-turner…. I am so glad the author provides a pronunciation guide at the beginning of the book since Welsh can be a difficult language to work with ... Yet, Hardy lends great authenticity in keeping names, places and other terms in the ancient tongue of Colin’s people. So, let your tongue be loosened and read on. --Kevin Sorenson, Random Thoughts from a Cluttered Mind |
Keeping Secrets
Click here to order the special South African edition, using British spelling and punctuation.
Kids I worked with in the South African township of Tembisa where Sindi lived.
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I remember what it was like Before. I flew over the ice like a swallow on the wind. Music filled my whole body, and I soared like a bird above the city of Johannesburg—eGoli—place of gold. I dreamed of gold medals and going to the Olympics someday.
But that was Before. I was too young to know that life can collapse as fast as a skater can lose an edge and tumble to the ice. It hurts to fall, but you get up; you keep skating. You smile for the judges, and you don’t let them see the pain. That’s what winners do. But sometimes, the hurt is too much, and you can’t get up. You can’t keep skating. Then you lose. Fifteen-year-old Sindiswe Khumalo is the most promising figure skater the South African Skating Federation has ever had. But at the rink Sindi can’t talk about what’s making her father ill. Even her best friends can’t be trusted. The young man who drives the zamboni lost his job when people found out he had HIV. A girl in her class dropped out of school when the bullies accused her of being infected. Sindi has dreams—Olympic-size dreams. The truth could cost her everything, but keeping the secret might cost her more. Watch the TRailerWhat readers are saying about Keeping Secrets:
Keeping Secrets is courageous, raw, honest, and real. Perhaps it should come with a warning. “Consume at your own risk!” Daring to voice the shame, stigma, and discrimination faced by millions of children in sub-Saharan Africa who have lost one or both parents to AIDS, LeAnne Hardy is not afraid to sadden, convict, and cry out for justice. This is not just a story for young adults, but for educators, advocates and all adults wrestling with whether to tell, or not to tell. --Diane Marshall SIM Deputy International Director, HIV&AIDS Consultant Be prepared to have your heart broken, your preconceptions or even misconceptions shattered, your eyes opened and hopefully, your mind changed. It’s been awhile since I’ve read a fictional account that got me so angry, so hurt, so concerned, so passionate about it’s characters and what was happening to them. --Kevin Sorenson, pastor and blogger |
Crossovers
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At school they’re always telling us about how we can be anything. What they mean is girls. Girls can be anything. But there are still things boys aren’t supposed to do. Boys play drums or trumpet. They don’t play flute or violin. Boys are doctors, not nurses; principals, not kindergarten teachers. If that old movie Kindergarten Cop couldn’t change that, it’s going to take a lot more than Elvis What’s-his-name playing hockey to make it okay for me to figure skate. Just ask Jason.
Star hockey player Ben Bradley wants to learn to jump and spin while his sister Denise is hoping to go to hockey camp and become the first girl on the Rum River High School varsity team. If the guys find out, Ben will never hear the end of it. And Ben doesn’t even want to think about what his former-hockey-star father will say. What readers are saying about Crossovers:
...a fast-paced coming of age story with something for everyone--sports, gender clashes, friendship issues, family relationships, a satisfying ending, and plenty of action.... This isn't a story about skating. It's a story about pursuing your passion against all kinds of personal and societal obstacles. --Mark Zukor Crossovers was a great story that went way beyond sports. And the themes and issues were a lot more important than the typical washed up coach helps the underdog team overcome all odds and go on to win the championship heartwarming story that I'm a little tired of.... I really appreciated the deft way Ms. Hardy weaves in Christian values is such a natural way. --Deborah Heal, author of Unclaimed Legacy Kids will enjoy reading Crossovers whether they are skaters or not. --Alan Westberg, past Minnesota Youth Hockey Association president ...a well-written story certain to inspire anyone reading it to be true to himself and accept the differences we find in each other. --Barbara Blakey, author of Bertie’s War. |
Between Two Worlds
What's a TCK?Third culture kids (TCKs) are those who spend a significant part of their growing up years in a culture different from their parents’ home culture. Like Cristina Larson in Between Two Worlds, they often find that they belong to neither one culture nor the other. They make up a ‘third culture’ of those who move among different worlds. Here are some books that will help you to understand more about that third culture.
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The voice on the intercom repeated the boarding call. Cristina picked up her carry-on bag. It was heavy with all the treasures she couldn’t force into her suitcase, but couldn’t bear to leave behind. Her feet shuffled reluctantly through the gate after Bete. The black tarmac reflected the heat of the Brazilian sun. She stopped half way to the plane and looked back at the terminal. It seemed like she had done this a hundred times before. It never got any easier. Vicente had his arm around Márcia who rested her dark, curly head on her brother’s shoulder and waved a last farewell.
"I hate good-byes." Cristina clenched her teeth and started up the steps to the plane. Cristina Larson is American. Or is she? She grew up in Brazil and feels more Brazilian than American. Jason is the one who is American. Or is he? His grandmother came from Korea, and he doesn’t look like his Swedish-American neighbors in Rum River, Minnesota. And sometimes being different can be downright dangerous. What readers are saying about Between Two Worlds:
... entertaining, inspiring, and encouraging. --Author's Choice Book Reviews When I read this book I felt like I re-lived some of my own transitions to the U.S. as a fellow Missionary Kid from Brazil. It spoke truth about both the joys and the frustrations that comes from being bi-cultural. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is an MK or cares about MKs and their lives. Enjoy! --Kara Suzanne, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil |
The Wooden Ox
More Books about AFrica |
The sound of her brother's scream echoed on and on in her head as though it would never end. "Let me go!" she demanded stupidly in English. The African boy dug his nails into Keri's arm and brought the knife closer to her face.
Civil war is tearing Mozambique, Africa, apart. And whether she realizes it or not the war is about to become very real to Keri Anderson. While bringing clothes to a village in desperate need, the Anderson family is stranded in the middle of enemy territory and kidnapped by armed rebels. By night, the Andersons and some friendly villagers are forced to march deep into the bush. When Vovô, Keri's African "grandfather," is left behind on the trail to die, Keri is furious with her dad for letting it happen and terrified for her own safety. What if the rebels decided she was holding them up? What if they left her behind as well? Would Dad protect her? Or would he abandon her like Vovô? What readers are saying about The Wooden Ox:
The Wooden Ox is rich in detail, dialogue, and the thoughts and questions . . . Powerful and captivating, both for adults as well as for middle schoolers and teens. --Christian Library Journal The Wooden Ox is realistic, tightly plotted and does not back down from the hard questions of the Christian faith. Although intended for a young adult audience, older readers would enjoy as well. --Sharon Dunn, author of Cow Crimes and the Mustang Menace. ...a story which will linger in one's memory and give insight into the experiences reported in the daily news as well as reminding readers of what faces many missionaries in Africa during these unsettled times. --Christian Observer Curious about the real history behind The Wooden Ox?
Read a translation of the autobiography of Pastor Raphael Manquele, the real Mozambican pastor who served as my model for Pastor Makusa. He has an amazing story to tell. |
