Christy Martenson

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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Love, Mary Elizabeth is a riveting account of a young girl coming of age and learning love really does hold a family together. From its tender beginning to the heartfelt climax, the author engages her readers with wit, charm, and endurance.

Carmen Peone, award-winning author

2017-08-16T02:18:15+00:00

Carmen Peone, award-winning author

Love, Mary Elizabeth is a riveting account of a young girl coming of age and learning love really does hold a family together. From its tender beginning to the heartfelt climax, the author engages her readers with wit, charm, and endurance.

https://christymartenson.com/testimonials/riveting-coming-age-account/

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

2017-09-28T15:51:17+00:00

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.

https://christymartenson.com/testimonials/book-treasured-ages/

Love, Mary Elisabeth reminded me of the joy of letter writing (and receiving!), encouraged me to remember the beauty of family, and described (better than I ever could) the unparalleled delight in coming home.

Jenni Marie, photographer and storyteller

2017-08-23T22:22:01+00:00

Jenni Marie, photographer and storyteller

Love, Mary Elisabeth reminded me of the joy of letter writing (and receiving!), encouraged me to remember the beauty of family, and described (better than I ever could) the unparalleled delight in coming home.

https://christymartenson.com/testimonials/beauty-family-unparalleled-delight-coming-home/

Love, Mary Elisabeth is an entertaining and original read. As a teacher who has read thousands of kids' books, I can vouch that this book was written by an extremely creative author!

Jennifer Church, teacher, missionary, and voracious reader

2017-09-20T21:37:38+00:00

Jennifer Church, teacher, missionary, and voracious reader

Love, Mary Elisabeth is an entertaining and original read. As a teacher who has read thousands of kids' books, I can vouch that this book was written by an extremely creative author!

https://christymartenson.com/testimonials/extremely-creative-author/

Christy has captured the innocence and joy of a childhood spent navigating the triumphs and trials of country life that is so captivating in classics like Little House on The Prairie. I can't wait to read this gem with my kids.

Emily C. Gardner, book blogger

2017-09-19T19:10:11+00:00

Emily C. Gardner, book blogger

Christy has captured the innocence and joy of a childhood spent navigating the triumphs and trials of country life that is so captivating in classics like Little House on The Prairie. I can't wait to read this gem with my kids.

https://christymartenson.com/testimonials/innocence-joy-childhood/