Awakening

 

Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes.  For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. ~Ephesians 6:11-12

Awakening is the fourth novel in Beckie Lindsey's outstanding fictional series, Beauties from Ashes.  While this book most certainly holds its own as a stand-alone work, I heartily suggest that you read the first three books before tackling this latest one.  Secrets, Uninvited and Daybreak can be found on Amazon when you type Beckie's name in the search bar, or you can order them at her website.

To summarize the gist of Awakening, I'm choosing to use Beckie's detailed and stellar description of her book:

As four high school girls are faced with life-altering decisions, their new-found faith will be tested.  Although warrior angels are assigned to guard and assist the unlikely friends, they must rely on their faith to withstand the evil Duke Astaroth and the beast's demonic hoard.

Now that their spiritual eyes are open to daily battles between unseen forces of good and evil, lives are at stake.

• Lifelong friends, Krystal and Bryce, are finally an official couple.  But can their love survive the greatest trial they've ever faced?
• Since Mackenzie's mentally ill mother was hospitalized, she secretly worries that her deepest nightmare may come true.
• While best friends, Tammi and Sadie, continue healing from their abusive pasts, each wrestles with temptations that threaten to undermine their recovery.

Can beauty arise from the ashes of despair and loss?  Will the girls embrace who and whose they truly are?

As you can see from this summary, the Beauties from Ashes series tackles the extremely tough realities many teens and young adults face in our modern society.  Beckie's empathy for those going through such trials shines through in the way she portrays her characters.  I know I found myself longing to reach out to these endearing souls and offer them comfort.

I have said here before that there are few books that I will read more than once.  As I've already read Awakening twice, it certainly breaks that mold!

With Christmas right around the corner, I hope you will consider ordering the entire series for that special teen or young adult in your life.  While you're at it, why not order the series for yourself?  You certainly don't have to be young to benefit from and be inspired by Beckie's work!

About the Author

Beckie Lindsey is an award-winning author of the Beauties from Ashes series, poet, blogger, and the editor of Southern California Christian Voice, a division of One Christian Voice, a national news syndicating agency.  She is a major coffeeholic and enjoys a good book with a cat on her lap.  She also loves to hike and hand out with family and friends.  Beckie and her husband, Scott, have three adult children, two adorable cats and live in California.