I always find it so encouraging when people write in about our books. Some of the reviews below have found their way onto the covers of the books, some of the comments have been a lovely surprise with kind words from complete strangers. I thought it was time to pass on the encouragement . . . Your prayers are making a difference!
Enjoy! :-)
Beech Bank Girls I, Every Girl Has a Story
“Beech Bank Girls is a very interesting book, dealing with a whole number of situations encountered by teenage girls. It portrays well the struggles that girls have and at the same time helps to show what to do in each situation. I would recommend this book as I really enjoyed it and found it helpful at the same time.” - Claire
“I found this a really good Christian book and very interesting. I loved reading about the different girls lives and how they struggled with different problems at school, at home and with their Christian lives. It also teaches more about God, like how he knows each and everyone of us, he loves us all, listens to us and will help us with everything. We need to have faith and trust in him. In this book you really got to know all the characters and learn about their difficulties to trust God and stay friends with each other.” - Emma
“I have really enjoyed reading this book, it was engaging and its cliff hangers pushed me to continue reading on. I think overall it is very good and I love the way Christianity is introduced to the girl.” - Sade
"What a lovely story! I did enjoy it and I’m sure it will resonate with the audience aimed for. I found the stories most moving. Not only were the subjects covered in a sensitive and thought-provoking manner, but they were presented in a readable, fun way and were relevant to teenage experiences." - Eleanor
Beech Bank Girls II, Making a Difference
"Its all about these people who all go to a club called Beech Bank. When they get into bad situations or dilemmas they all get together and pray. Most of the people in this book have some family issues. Makes you want to read more and find out what happens next." - Ellie
"What an excellent read this has been. Such big issues have been dealt with sensitively and realistically. I was especially pleased in Annie's story to read of the reality of prayer not being answered as we want, but God meeting our needs in different ways. Too often God is portrayed as a bit like a vending machine - say the right words, press the right buttons and Voila! I pray young teens will find this book really helpful and encouraging, as well as being a great story." - Eleanor
A very exciting, fun to read, really well written and easy to understand book. Look forward to the next one.” - Taylor
Beech Bank Girls III, Christmas is Coming!
(From an interview for Revelation TV)
“What were the highlights of the book – were there any good points?”
“All of the book was good!”
“Were there any bad points?”
“No.”
“How has the book affected you – has it changed your perspective on anything?”
“It's made me realise, whenever you need God and whatever trouble you're in, He is always there.”
“Would you recommend the book to your friends?”
“Definitely.”
“I love The Beech Bank story, and here is my review..... An amazing heart warming story about six normal girls who go through every-day situations, but at the end of the day they realise that the best solution is to turn to God. This story shows that God is an amazing father who really cares for us and our problems, no matter how big or small they are. A definite 10/10” - Ellie
Deepest Darkness
“It is a fantastic adventure and God is really real.” - Natalie
"This is a brilliant story all about a girl called Abi. She's got a fear of everything but a trip to Canada brings a new friend and some important answers. It's a remarkable story and I can't wait for Denise to write some more. This is one of the best books I've read - EVER!
Thank you for your enchanting book.” - Maddie
“Both of my daughters have read this book several times. It has touched them deeply.” - Jo
“This book is about a girl called Abi. She has a brother named Ben. Abi is scared of nearly everything. The only place she feels safe is home. One day Abi, her brother and their parents go on holiday to an island near Canada. There she meets a boy called Nic. Nic helps her to deal with her fear of darkness, of being alone, of going into the sea. Nic doesn’t only help her, but also tells her about God. After that she believes in God.
I enjoyed the story very much. I felt for Abi and all the characters and was really excited while reading the book.” - Polina
The Birthday Shoes
"I think this book would be helpful to both non-Christians and Christians because the girl talked and thought a lot about God. It illustrated what God can do when he answers your prayers. It would help non-Christians because it explained about who God is and how to be his friend and for Christians it would be helpful because it gives good ideas about how to help other people who don't have as much as us.” - Naomi
“I really liked the parts when she puts on her shoes and goes to different places in Africa. I liked these parts because it felt really magical and it felt like I was really there!” - Bethany
“My favourite part was when she put her shoes on for the first time and ended up in Africa. I like these parts because it made me feel like I was there. I think it would help people to become a Christian because it tells you a lot about the Bible in most parts of it. I think it will help Christians too because it would help them learn more about Him.” - Susanna
“An excellent book.” - Ayeisha
I Want to Be an Airline Pilot
“One girl aged 8 from a very difficult background, came to me on Sunday. It was her birthday last Thursday. She was thrilled to bits when she got 3 birthday cards. One from Grandma, one from Kidz Klub, and one from the lady who sponsored her book! The only thing she asked for for her birthday was another book like 'I Want To Be an Airline Pilot'.
Grandma bought her 'The Birthday Shoes'. Result: one very happy little girl.” - Gill
“I couldn't put it down. Very vivid. I liked the description of the Village of Hope. The poisonous snake was scary - I was shocked to find that it was real. Its a story about how God answers our prayers.” - Ellen
“I read this book at bed time with my 9/10 year old daughter, and we both thoroughly enjoyed it. Sitting together and reading this book was a time of the evening we both looked forward to, and it was always tempting to just read another chapter, and be late getting to bed! I believe it was an opportunity to instil the truth that God really does care intimately with every aspect of our lives and that He does hear and answers our prayers. I also loved the fact that the story took place in a part of the world we know little about; it was a real eye-opener for her that children, orphaned by war and disease have such a tough life, struggling for existence in such abject poverty. Although a work of fiction, the children's lives felt real to us, and it helped us to remember those who have so little, and to be grateful for how much we have.” - Jo
“Kemi read the book in two days!!! she really enjoyed it found it very gripping and couldn't put it down.” - Pepi
"I think this book is very good, it made me feel happy, sad and really excited; I think the most interesting part is when Shema killed the black cobra . It was also very moving when in the book Ishimwe starts to cry because her parents died. I really enjoyed this book it is one of my favourites. Thank you for letting me read it. I'm so happy. Thank you." - Kemi
“A thrilling adventure story about three orphans dream coming true when their prayers were answered and a house was provided. I enjoyed when they fought the poisonous snake outside the school without killing themselves. Good descriptions and imagery painting a vivid picture of what happened in your own mind. The dangerous medicine man made Shema work hard and suffer, making me realise how hard life was for children in these times.” - Jonathan
“Mark's godson who is 8 has just read his copy of "airline" twice straight off, he liked it so much.” - Marlene
Living in Hope
“The overall opinion of this book by the children, and I, is that it is absolutely FANASTIC!! We actually thought it was even better than 'I Want to be an Airline Pilot', and believe me, we thought that book was amazing! I was actually crying when I read the last page! None of us wanted it to end.” - Elizabeth
“This book was a long-awaited follow-up to 'I want to be an airline pilot'. I couldn't wait to find out how the children's lives had changed, since moving to the Village of Hope! I found this story even more exciting, emotional and adventurous than the first! This is the best book I have ever read, and I would recommend it to anyone.” - Sophie
“Everybody should read this book, because it is amazing, fun, very emotional, and you will learn so many things about how children cope living in Rwanda.” - Matthew
“This story is about two good friends Sam and Shema who live in Hope village in Rwanda after the Rwandan genocide, showing that God will intervene whenever you ask and will change you for ever and ever. Its a brilliant riveting story.” - Reuben
London's Gone
“
Very exciting, full of atmosphere.” - Eleanor
“Scary, because it could actually happen.” - Laura
“What a great idea to make the U.K. the site of devastation. It brought the issues that we hear about in the news suddenly and uncomfortably much closer to home. I think you did this very realistically. Your characters were three dimensional and believable; their struggles were realistic. Their relationship issues were very relevant to teenage life. I think you revealed the dark characters and issues enough to show that evil is really evil, but not inappropriately for the age group; which is quite a hard balance to get. The Christian content was woven naturally into the story and you gave a clear explanation of the gospel. Arthur was a nice illustration of Christian character and showed the difference Christ can make in a young person’s life. I found the story very tense and compelling. It's end begged a sequel.“ - Sandy
The Only Way
"The Only Way is a moving, fast paced, gripping and genius piece of writing. A 'must read' for everyone." - GP Taylor New York Times Best-Selling writer of Shadowmancer
“I enjoyed this book and it was an interesting read because the Author made really exciting things happen” - Naomi
“The Only Way hooked me straight away. Brilliant and funny writing.” - Jackie Kay MBE, Professor of Creative Writing, Newcastle University
“The girl is mysterious and it's good that you don't know much about her. The boy has quite a hard life; I liked the bit where he had to live off the land. The Christian side of the book is subtle; I think it would be helpful to someone who is unsure about their faith. This is a very good book with some exciting moments.” - George
Mystery in the Snow
"A really fun, gripping story. Exciting. Enjoyed the suspense, also enjoyed reading about characters from previous book. Really up to date - really cool but good to know the characters are still faithful to God and are growing in their faith in Jesus." - Rachel
“I really enjoyed reading Mystery in the Snow because I like mystery and Christian books and found this one very exciting, adventurous and mysterious. I like how it teaches that when people pray and obey God they can make a difference in other people’s lives. I think it is good having the same characters as the first book and how they always pray for help in what they should do. This story would appeal to people who like adventure and mystery books and to non-Christians to teach them about how 'prayer is to bring us closer to God' and how to pray in all situations and also it is good for young Christians to lead them further in their Christian lives. I hope you write more.” - Emma
“I loved reading Mystery in the Snow because I like adventure and mystery books. I especially liked it when they kept finding more and more evidence. It was so exciting that I couldn’t put it down! It’s one of my favourite books ever. I think it’s good because it shows you that when you pray to God amazing things can happen and that we can pray any time, any where and in any situation. Hope you write more.” - Lydia
“Thank you for sending me the book, which I really enjoyed reading. The bits I enjoyed about the book is when they go on an adventure. There are some books that can be boring, but this book made me want to carry on reading. I would definitely recommend. it.” - Joshua
“Really enjoyed your book- did I mention I took it on holiday? Brilliant- loved it.” - Heather
The Treasure Hunt
“One lady who lives 17 miles away from church, came on Sunday. She came because she had read her son's book, one of the Treasure Mystery ones. Her son loves coming to Kidz Klub, and she wanted to see why. At the end of the service she stayed behind to talk to the preacher, and after a long chat with him, she was born again! Wow, wow, and wow again!!” - Gill
“I thought it was the best book I’ve ever read!” - Emily
“Brilliant!” - Ben
“A truly inspiring Christian story” - Hannah
"This was a fast moving, quite tense story . . . you discussed issues that are usually kept out of sight especially for children. I like the way the characters model Christian life: their dependence on prayer, their confidence in God, their obedience to their parents. The story shows that children can be really used by God and that they don’t need to grow up to be effective." - Sandy
"Ben doesn't read books, but he read this one!" - Alison
"The only reason I put this book down was to fetch Matthew from school!” - Claire
“I really like The Treasure Hunt because I enjoy mystery books but mystery books that are still to do with God and Christians. I like the characters and how they often pray in some of the chapters. I hope you will write more stories like this.” - Emma
“This is a really good story. I couldn’t stop reading it. I liked the mystery and it was full of suspense. Some of the characters were quite funny at times.” - Lydia
“My niece, aged 15, not overly academic, read one right through last night and loved it. I think it's the first time in her life that she's read a whole book from choice! One of the mums in church phoned me this morning to tell me that her 9 yr old son, who has been really struggling with dyslexia, was sitting there reading his book, and was already on the third chapter. First book he's ever read voluntarily in his life!” - Gill
“I feel very strongly that your books are really important to the Lord, it is such a really important work for children to have this focus in their lives, we feel as a family we want to heartily encourage you in your work.” - Sam
Thank you for reading this far – I hope you have been encouraged as much as I have! Our aim is to "Produce excellent, fun, relevant fiction to encourage and inspire young people in their faith and show non-church kids what they are missing." It's humbling to stand back and see how far we have come in the last few years and know that by the grace of God, we are beginning to achieve our aim.
* Some names have been changed.
You can buy 'The
Treasure Hunt' and 'Mystery in the Snow' on
Amazon. Great if you need a story for your 8-11s in a hurry –
ready to read in just five minutes – perfect for a wet, grey day in
the holidays! Also great for reluctant readers who think it's fun to
read on something digital, or for those with less than perfect
eyesight – you can increase the size of the font :-)
