Books For Children
My children’s books range in age and readability from picture books to teen and
young adult. My titles include action adventures, time-travel, futuristic plots, and social
challenges, presented through a Christian lens. These books teach Scripture, world
history, United States history, and Biblical history. Moms, grandparents, teachers, and
libraries use these books in schools, churches, and homeschooling classrooms.
Soldiers, Temples, and Crystals: The Newton Chronicles Series Book 1
Luke Alexander's father is "missing, presumed dead." But Luke is confident that his father has set off on an adventure and needs his help. Searching through his father's office, Luke—along with his friends Nathan, a pastor's kid, and Lydia, a world traveler who knows several languages—discovers some confusing notes about Isaac Newton and finds a strange watch that once belonged to his grandfather. Knowing his archaeologist father was on the hunt for Solomon's temple, Luke and his friends decide to start a search of their own. Little do they know that their search will take them on the wildest adventures of their lives and make the stories of Solomon's temple and other biblical events seem more real than they ever thought possible. But will their adventures lead them to Luke's father, or will they only wind up with more questions than answers?
Soldiers, Temples, and Crystals is an excellent book for anyone who loves a good adventure and who wants to find the truth that is found only in God's Word. This first book in The Newton Chronicles will make history and the Bible come alive for readers both young and old.
This book has received the following awards: BookFest Gold, Children’s Book International Finalist, and Reader Views Silver.
Crusades, Giants, and Chalices: The Newton Chronicles Series Book 2
In this second book of The Newton Chronicles, Luke Alexander and his friends Nathan and Lydia are still on the hunt for Luke's father, who has been noted as "missing, presumed dead." But Luke and his friends aren't so sure. After finding a watch in Luke's father's office that helps them jump through time, the three friends are on a quest to find Luke's dad.
Searching for the time of Solomon's Temple may be easier said than done, though, as they realize they could be searching over a period of several hundreds of years. From Moses destroying the Ten Commandments to David slaying Goliath, the quest seems daunting. But as he finds more clues along the way, Luke is becoming more and more convinced that not only is his father still alive, but he also needs Luke's help.
Journey through the Bible with Luke and his friends as they see firsthand the Bible stories of old and find out more than they ever knew.
Shepherds, Lions, and Storms: The Newton Chronicles Series Book 3
In the final book in The Newton Chronicles, Luke, Nathan, and Lydia continue on their quest through time to find Luke’s father. After finding some clues, the trio believes they finally have what they need to get to the time of the first building of Solomon’s Temple. But before they get there, they find themselves jumping through biblical history again—all the way back to Creation, in fact!
From the beginning of everything to the birth of Jesus, time travel is not easy! Will Luke ever find his father? Or will he just keep jumping through history in search of someone who is lost forever?
And most importantly, will firsthand experiences with stories from the Bible influence the faith of a doubter, a pastor’s kid, and a linguist?
The Secret Society: The Underground Book Readers Series Book 1
In a world without books, schools, churches, or parents, how can teens and pre-teens find each other and work to bring back a world like the world before? Ever watchful, this group of friends meet in an underground cavern in the mountains of Virginia. Rumors of spies, enemy soldiers, and the possibility of finding their parents, keep these friends searching to make a better life for everyone.
In Book 1, The Secret Society, the original four members of the group discover others who, like them, have lost their parents and older siblings. These friends bond together and form a strong new family. Together, they discover new documents, clues, and tools to assist in their adventures. In the hope of someday finding others who can help establish a new settlement, they study, plan, and make discoveries that will propel them forward in their journey. Are others hiding from the World Force Soldiers? They are determined to find the answer.
This book has received the following awards: BookFest, Reader Views, Children’s Book International Finalist.
United Forces: The Underground Book Readers Series Book 2
The world was not ready for what happened. And in the mountains and valleys of Virginia, a group of young friends wondered what to do in this different world. Their parents and older siblings were taken away, or "disappeared," and have not been seen since that fateful day. Schools were destroyed, churches burned, and books banned. There was no fuel or electricity available for anyone. Cars and other vehicles no longer worked and were found abandoned beside the roads rusting and in disrepair. Only the World Force military had fuel and vehicles.
Follow their journey of hope and adventure in the second book of this series: The Underground Book Readers: United Forces. See what happens when the World Force tightens its grip on the teens and children of the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. Increased patrols and drones are seen nearly every day as the group visits their underground cavern to read forbidden books and study the Bible. Are other teens hiding in the woods who need help? Can the Underground Book Readers find others to join their own group? Will they at last determine the identity of a mysterious group seen on a nearby mountain? A spy mission is planned to uncover clues about people who escaped the rule of the World Force in search of a free territory. But will the spy mission find more questions than answers?
Covert Connections: The Underground Book Readers Series Book 3
Unexpected delays cannot stop The Underground Book Readers from their goal of escaping the rule of the World Force. They plan to seek the free land beyond the mountains of Virginia and are now more determined than ever. The secret group discovers more books, tools, and clues to use in their planning. But surprise encounters with soldiers and strangers further complicate their efforts. Watching for soldiers, spies, and drones, the secret underground group will locate other people who want to be free. They must attempt to help others under cover of darkness. The World Force tightens their grip and the group soon learns information that puts them at greater risk. They must act quickly. Will they at last figure out how they can escape? Will they find out more about the lost members of their families? And will new members of the group help or hinder their plans? Find out in book 3, Covert Connections.
The Escape: The Underground Book Readers Series Book 4
The world was not ready for what happened. And in the mountains and valleys of Virginia, a group of young friends wondered what to do in this different world. Their parents and older siblings were taken away, or “disappeared,” and have not been seen since that fateful day. Schools were destroyed, churches burned, and books banned. There was no fuel or electricity available for anyone. Cars and other vehicles no longer worked and were found abandoned beside the roads rusting and in disrepair. Only the World Force military had fuel and vehicles.
The discovery of books, documents, tools, clues, and other teens hiding in the countryside brought hope to the group of friends who met daily deep in a cavern. But now, additional dangers are closing in. As the Underground Book Readers increase in number, they learn of new threats. It will now be more important than ever to plan an escape. A new law threatens to place some of the members in military service. Can they remain safe? Can they escape? Follow the adventures of the Underground Book Readers in book four, The Escape.
The Journey: The Underground Book Readers Series Book 5
The world was not ready for what happened. And in the mountains and valleys of Virginia, a group of young friends wondered what to do in this different world. Their parents and older siblings were taken away, or “disappeared,” and have not been seen since that fateful day. Schools were destroyed, churches burned, and books banned. There was no fuel or electricity available for anyone. Cars and other vehicles no longer worked and were found abandoned beside the roads rusting and in disrepair. Only the World Force military had fuel and vehicles.
The expansion of the World Force means the Underground Book Readers must go on the move. With the assistance of new friends, the group travels across the mountains of what was called Virginia in the world before. They make their way toward the free land but increasing soldiers and military equipment threaten the group's journey at every turn. Follow the adventures of the Underground Book Readers in book five, The Journey, as they go on their way to freedom.
Legends of the Donut Shop
At seventeen years of age, Wes Williams is injured in a head-on collision and nearly loses his life. Wes does not know if he will live or die. In a mysterious near-death experience, he travels back in time to his earlier years and the time he spent with his grandfather and his old buddies at the Donut Shop. The humorous gang of old veterans, and one retired sheriff, retell their stories once again. This time, Wes understands the meaning of each story.
This is a book of second chances, life lessons, and forgiveness. Wes's life is changed forever, and he begins a new chapter.
This book is based on true events across multiple characters. This book is a Mom’s Choice Award winner, Pencraft Award Winner, Christie Indie Award Winner, Reader Views Gold Award, American Writing Award Winner, Bookfest Award Winner, and Firebird Award Winner.
The Story of Christmas: The Oddball Ornaments Book 1
The ornaments in the attic are excited. It's almost Turkey Day, and they know when they start smelling turkey, they're going to be pulled down out of the attic and hung on a tree for the humans to enjoy. After all, Box Day is all about admiring the ornaments, isn't it? But when Grandma joins them for Turkey Day instead of Box Day and brings a bunch of new ornaments with her, the Oddball Ornaments know something isn't right. Determined to find out the source of Grandma's sadness and what Box Day is really about, Nutcracker sets out on a quest to climb to the top of the tree to ask Angel about the true meaning of Christmas and discovers the truth is much more wonderful than they could ever have imagined.
This book was awarded the Reader Views Silver Award.
The Story of Forgiveness: The Oddball Ornaments Book 2
Every Thanksgiving, the Oddball Ornaments are pulled out of the attic and hung on the tree to enjoy the holiday season with the humans. Last Christmas, the Oddballs learned that “Turkey Day” and “Box Day” weren’t about them but about a special Baby.
This Christmas, the Oddball Ornaments can’t wait to learn more about this special holiday. But when a new ornament is hung on the tree, they find themselves left with even more questions than before. What does a drummer boy have to do with Christmas?
In this heartwarming story for children of all ages, the Oddball Ornaments will see how Christmas is all about love and forgiveness and how God can take a broken family and heal hurting hearts.
Benjamin Buys Time
This book is a great prayer starter to read at bedtime. It begins with humorous mishaps that teach Benjamin about being thankful. The rhyming story is fun for parents to read to young children or for young readers to enjoy as they read independently. Benjamin wants to do things his way. He doesn't want to go shopping with his mom or do any chores. One day, he encounters his wise, old neighbor who tells Benjamin he will sell Benjamin time to do whatever he wants. For just a dime, Benjamin can go play, go fish, or do whatever he wants to do. Benjamin gives up his last dime to do whatever he wants but when his wishes are granted, does it turn out as Benjamin expected?
Devotional for Youths
Young ones and teens, you are exposed to complex problems that your parents may not understand. Young Christians, you are bombarded with multiple options for solving everyday problems through social media. Where do you turn to find answers? Where can you look to find guidance from Scripture? In order to provide a Christian perspective to problem-solving, the author of this devotional book decided to take a different approach. Terry Overton was determined to find out what problems middle school children and teens were worried about the most. While visiting her grandchildren one weekend, she asked her granddaughter to send topics to her so that she could write a devotional about the topic. In a matter of weeks, not only did her granddaughter send her topics, but the other grandchildren and their friends sent topics of concern. Once the author wrote a devotional for a topic, it was sent to the teen requesting the devotional. Soon, these requests were happening in real time. Students sent text requests about problems happening in school and asked what the student should do? How should this be handled? This devotional book is a collection of those requests and devotionals. The youth requests included bullying, handling anxiety, the death of a pet, participating in sports, difficult dating, and talking to friends about Christ, as examples. This devotional book is a conversation starter for children and teens who seek to know more about how God wants us to think and act when faced with everyday problems.
Devotional for Youths-Spanish - Devocional Para Jovenes: Crecer en Cristo
Los jóvenes y los adolescentes están expuestos a problemas complejos que sus padres pueden no comprender. Jóvenes cristianos, son bombardeados con múltiples opciones para resolver problemas cotidianos a través de las redes sociales. ¿A dónde recurren para encontrar respuestas? ¿Dónde pueden encontrar consejos en las Escrituras? Con el fin de proporcionar una perspectiva cristiana a la resolución de problemas, el autor de este libro devocional decidió adoptar un enfoque diferente. Terry Overton estaba decidida a descubrir qué problemas preocupaban a los niños y adolescentes. Mientras visitaba a sus nietos un fin de semana, le pidió a su nieta que le enviara temas para poder escribir un devocional. En cuestión de semanas, su nieta no solo le envió sus temas, sino que sus otros nietos y sus amigos le enviaron otros temas que les preocupaban. Una vez que el autor escribió un devocional acerca de un tema, este fue enviado al adolescente que solicitó el devocional. Pronto, más solicitudes comenzaron a llegar. Los estudiantes enviaron mensajes de texto sobre problemas que sucedían en la escuela y preguntaron qué deberían hacer. ¿Cómo deberían manejar ciertos problemas? Este libro devocional es una colección de esas peticiones. Las solicitudes de los jóvenes incluyen bullying, manejo de la ansiedad, la muerte de una mascota, participación en deportes, relaciones de tipo románticas, cómo hablarle de Cristo a los amigos son algunos ejemplos. Este libro devocional es un tema de conversación para niños y adolescentes que buscan saber más acerca de cómo Dios quiere que pensemos y actuemos frente a los problemas cotidianos.
