Hello, I’m Christy.

I always kind of wondered if there wasn’t something wrong with me. Even as a kid, while everyone else seemed to have their feet securely planted on terra firma, I saw stories everywhere. And, of course, I was right smack dab in the middle of them. 

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The Christmas Cactus

The Christmas Cactus sprang into being and kind of surprised me. Out of nowhere, the story line of a feisty young woman traveling to Washington Territory in the 1870s popped into my mind.

I’ve always held a fascination for life in the 1800s, particularly in the west.  I loved to read about the experiences of people who lived then. Granted, everyday life didn’t have the conveniences we have now.  Can you imagine laundry day on the farm?  Washing clothes, bedding, towels, etc. using a washtub and scrub board?  It took fortitude.

But beyond the many physical challenges, there was also the simplicity of family pulling together—being together.  Mamas wiping runny noses.  Dads giving piggyback rides.  Tiny hands learning to cut out gingerbread men.  Lullabies.  Bedtime prayers.

In The Christmas Cactus, I wanted to portray those aspects of life in 1873. Challenges, yes.  Triumphs, laughter, and tears, certainly.  But most of all, when all is said and done, I wanted to portray the making of a family.

available autumn 2021 in hardcover, paperback, and kindle
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A strong heroine with a real faith, putting the needs of her siblings ahead of her own desires.  And in doing so, grows stronger and finds hope for real happiness.  Rare and beautiful . . .

Joan Thompson

What a charming story in the style of Janette Oke’s Love Comes Softly series! This story gripped my attention and wouldn’t let me go. Christy’s best novel yet!

Rachelle Rea Cobb, historical fiction author and editor

I hope you'll check out this light-hearted, true-to-life tale of integrity and patient love. Editing it was a breath of fresh air!

The romance in this story is so gentle and real, it almost sneaks up on you as you read! The relationships and personalities are genuine; the story and character development is excellent. Christy's stories are wholesome for the soul and spirit.

Venke A.

The Christmas Cactus is the perfect cozy Christmas story for anyone who enjoys sweet romances, charming characters, and plucky heroines who are know to wield frying pans on occasion to protect their family.

Natasha Metzler, author

Halstad House

It all started with a name.

While visiting friends, we sat down to watch a movie about Norwegian resistance during World War II. I was caught up in the story but when the credits rolled, the name Halstad piqued my interest. Then, for some unknown reason, the word “house” popped into my mind and I linked the two together.

A completely different story began to take shape. A boarding house? Yes. Over the next few days the setting, plot, and characters unfolded. Grace, Soren, Allie, Ethan, and all the others.

It all started with one name from a random movie. Just one name and Halstad House was born.

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Praise for Halstad House

While I knew I loved the story from the first pages, I didn't realize how much until I still found myself thinking of it days after I'd finished. Martenson has created timeless characters who steal into your heart and make it their home. Definitely made my top books of 2019 list.

Chautona Havig, author

Christy Martenson
2019-10-10T10:21:52-07:00

Chautona Havig, author

Martenson has created timeless characters who steal into your heart and make it their home.
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Christy Martenson
Love, Mary Elisabeth by Christy Martenson

Love, Mary Elisabeth

Mischievous kids. Nosy cows. Pig-headed horses. I was convinced my father grew up on a funny farm. Stories of his childhood peppered my youth – transporting me back to life in the boonies in the early part of the 20th century.

The tales became legend and I determined to save them. I began to write. And came up with a rambling list of events. Boring. All of a sudden an eleven-year-old girl popped into my mind, waving at me frantically. She could move to the farm. She could live out those stories first-hand. She could have her very own book.

I grabbed the idea and ran with it. Love, Mary Elisabeth was born.

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Praise for Love, Mary Elisabeth

With a keen attention to historical fact, an unparalleled ability to depict the innocence of a young girl’s displaced heart, and a seemingly innate talent for storytelling, Christy Martenson portrays the 1920’s hard times tenacity, make-do resolve, and oftentimes humorous grit of rural Americana in a timeless saga, Love, Mary Elisabeth. The illustrations add depth of detail to Christy's debut novel — making it a book to be treasured by all ages.

Darlene — teacher, photographer, reader, and word weaver

Christy Martenson
2017-09-28T15:51:17-07:00

Darlene — teacher, photographer, reader, and word weaver

With a keen attention to historical fact, an unparalleled ability to depict the innocence of a young girl’s displaced heart, and a seemingly innate talent for storytelling, Christy Martenson portrays the 1920’s hard times tenacity, make-do resolve, and oftentimes humorous grit of rural Americana in a timeless saga, Love, Mary Elisabeth. The illustrations add depth of detail to Christy's debut novel — making it a book to be treasured by all ages.
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Christy Martenson

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