Ann Lee Miller

If I could only choose one word to describe Ann Lee Miller’s Chasing Happy, I would have to say ‘Monumental’. Homosexuality, especially within the context of the Christian community, is confronted head on. Instead of judgment or pat answers, readers come away with a deeper understanding of the inner struggles faced by real people – even Christians – who are struggling to make peace with God. I appreciated the sensitivity with which she writes from the point of view of someone who wants to please God but also feels like he is gay. I was also impressed with the insights into the LDS (Mormon church), which was done in a very non-judgmental way. There are so many layers to this story. Miller creates a rich world with her attention to detail and digs deep into characters that are real flesh and blood.

What I admire about this author in general is that she doesn’t shy away from potential controversy. This is Christian fiction at its finest. It’s edgy, gritty, and believable with absolutely no sugar coating, yet sensitive, romantic, and deeply moving. I love this book and I plan to read it again. Don’t dismiss it because of the ‘hot button’ topic. It just may be the best thing I’ve read this year.… (mehr)

I really enjoyed this book. Ash's father walked out on his family when Ash was in sixth grade. He had announced he was gay. This was horrible for Ash. Later on in life he fears he is gay. Since he was a small child he has loved Samma. Samma has loved him. She is engaged to Storm. She has always felt she was supposed to support his campaign with the money she earned from her concerts. What happens when you are no longer sure what God wants?

This author is definitely not afraid of subject matter that most will not talk about. Learning not to be judgmental and let God do the judging is a lesson most Christians need to learn. This book came at they right time for me. I have a good friend who recently ann0unced they were gay. My first gut reaction was to pass judgment. I worked hard, prayed a lot asking God to help me not judge and to be a friend. This book should be read by both Christians and nonChristians. I am pleased to recommend this book.
I received a copy to facilitate my review. The opinions expressed here are my own.… (mehr)

Author Ann Miller has created a story that could be happening to you and your friends. Avra has a very close walk with God. This doesn’t mean she isn’t vulnerable. It means she has to rely on her to keep her on the right path. She especially needs his help when she finds herself attracted to Cisco. Cisco has some major issues. He is attracted to Avra. He wants what she has, yet like so many it is easier to live the life he has. Those quick fixes like drugs and sex make it easy to make excuses. Then we meet Jessie and Kallie. Kallie doesn’t trust men because her father ran out one them. If she can take control of the situation then she won’t get hurt. That’s what she tells herself. Jessie is a preacher’s kid. He is in a band and loves the attention he gets from all of the girls. I could relate to so many of these characters. I was raised in a very strict Christian home. When the doors of the church were open we were there. When I rebelled I made sure my mom knew what I was doing. I wanted to show her I could be bad, yet God constantly pulled me back to him.
I believe anyone and everyone who reads this book will see themselves in one of the characters. That is hard to admit because it means we look back at a part of our past that we may not be proud of. At the same time it means we look back at the way God directed our past.

Like Avra, we want our faith to lead our friends to, or closer to a walk with God. This is one of the best books I have read this year and I am glad to recommend it to others.… (mehr)

Ann Lee Miller has done it again in TATTERED INNOCENCE. Set in the tourist community of New Smyrna Beach, she’s woven a story so rich and complex that a mere book review can’t really do it justice. It is ultimately a story of God’s grace and forgiveness, told with authenticity and without sugar coating, yet in a touching and tasteful manner. Jake and Rachel are both emotionally wounded from past relationships and guilt ridden because of bad choices. Rachel signs on to Jake’s crew as a way to run and hide, but over the course of time her armor cracks, as does his. This is not a one-note romance with a neat and tidy outcome, however. As with all of Ms. Miller’s books, the characters runs deep, with emotional baggage that goes way beyond cliché. The description is superb, the dialogue true, and the storyline wallops the reader with unexpected surprises right to the very end. Ann Lee Miller has become one of my favorite authors, not only for the gritty and true to life stories she tells, but the way she tells them with such grace and poignancy.… (mehr)