Tag: arizona-fiction

The Scent of Rain: A page-turner

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“Anne Montgomery’s book, The Scent of Rain, was a page-turner. Filled with complexities of faith, religion, science and human nature, this book took me to remote Arizona and left me thirsty for both water, and the next page.” Anne Marie Amazon

Treehouse Publishing Group

2018 Independent Publisher Book Awards: Bronze Medal Winner for Fiction: West-Mountain Region 

Contemporary Fiction/Young Adult Fiction

Rose Madsen dreams of becoming a science teacher and will do anything to keep from being married off to one of the men in her Fundamentalist Mormon (FLDS) community, including enduring her mother’s brutal beatings. Adan Reyes dreams of better days with his mother when he escapes the foster care system in Phoenix. When their fates become intertwined, Rose and Adan escape into the mountains, only to be hunted like animals. After they are discovered, they must decide if everyone they meet is determined to keep them locked in lives of abuse, or if some adults are worthy of their trust.

Get your copy here.

Praise for The Scent of Rain

“A deftly crafted and compelling read from cover to cover.” – Midwest Book Review

“Essential reading for both young adults and adults alike. There is literally nothing else I can say, except buy this book.” – Childishly Passionate Reviews

“A heartrending, heart-wrenching fictional narrative … Even in the midst of tribulations, The Scent of Rain celebrates the resilience and persistence of the human spirit.” – The Haunted Reading Room

“The characters in ‘The Scent of Rain’ added to an already amazing storyline.” – YABOOKSCENTRAL

“I loved ‘The Scent of Rain’.  It is very apparent that Montgomery did extensive amounts of research … I absolutely think everyone should read it.” – The Book Return

“Whew. What a whirlwind. The story had been building and building and it all came to a tumbling end.”- Hasty Book List

“Anne Montgomery’s book, The Scent of Rain, was a page-turner. Filled with complexities of faith, religion, science and human nature, this book took me to remote Arizona and left me thirsty for both water, and the next page.” Annie Marie  Amazon

A powerful and moving story

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“A poignant story about domestic violence, the beauty of nature, and the plight of the wild horses of the Salt River, Wild Horses on the Salt is a powerful and moving read. I love the vivid and beautiful setting, the dynamic characters, and the strong messages of perseverance and finding oneself.” One Book More

Liaison: A Next Chapter Imprint

Release Date: 2020

Contemporary Fiction/Romance

Rebecca Quinn escapes her controlling husband and, with nowhere else to go, hops the red-eye to Arizona. There, Gaby Strand – her aunt’s college roommate – gives her shelter at the Salt River Inn, a 1930’s guesthouse located in the wildly beautiful Tonto National Forest. Becca struggles with post-traumatic stress, but is enthralled by the splendor and fragility of the Sonoran Desert. The once aspiring artist meets Noah Tanner, a cattle rancher and beekeeper, Oscar Billingsley, a retired psychiatrist and avid birder, and a blacksmith named Walt. Thanks to her new friends and a small band of wild horses, Becca adjusts to life in the desert and rekindles her love of art. Then, Becca’s husband tracks her down, forcing her to summon all her strength. But can she finally stop running away? 

Get your copy here.

Praise for Wild Horses on the Salt

“Wild Horses On The Salt showcases author Anne Montgomery’s genuine flair for originality and the kind of narrative driven and dramatic storytelling that is the hallmark of an award-worthy novel.” – Midwest Book Review

“Ms. Montgomery weaves an intricate parallel tale, portraying the struggles of one woman, and that of a lost wild stallion—both fighting to rise above the cruelty of an unkind world. Her unique writing style, incredible knowledge of her subject matter, combined with her ability to create vivid scenes of the East Valley, and particularly the Tonto National Forest and Salt River area in Arizona, takes the reader on a fascinating (and educational) journey.” – Margaret Millmore Author

“A beautiful yet tragic story of healing.” – Erin Kosio Amazon

“The story of the wild horses of the Salt is expertly interwoven into this exciting and thoughtful story of a wounded soul determined to regain her life and find genuine love.” – Sharon Grow Goodreads

“It is a romance, not just between men and woman, but between people and a place. Montgomery captured it and accurately, too. This was an engrossing read, despite the abuse. I recommend it.” – Anne R. Marshall Amazon

“A beautifully considered, sumptuous novel from a skilled storyteller-highly recommended.” – Rose Auburn-Writing and Reviews

“Fantastic page-turner. Fast-paced, adventurous, and thoughtful story of the survival of Becca’s wounded soul. Her struggles, experiences, passions, fears, healing, and the truth of her chilly silence are wonderfully portrayed.” – Anu Menon Thought is Free Book Blog

A complex story about human nature

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“𝗜𝗻 𝗔 𝗟𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗗𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘁, 𝗔𝗻𝗻𝗲 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗴𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗱𝘂𝗮𝗹, 𝗱𝗮𝗺𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗱 𝘀𝗼𝘂𝗹𝘀 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝗮 𝗰𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘂𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗴𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗯𝗲𝗮𝘂𝘁𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝗿𝗶𝘇𝗼𝗻𝗮 𝗱𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘁 𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘀𝗰𝗮𝗽𝗲…𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹 𝗶𝘀 𝗮 𝘄𝗲𝗹𝗹-𝘄𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁-𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗼𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱, 𝘄𝗵𝗶𝗰𝗵 𝗜 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝗻𝘆𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘅 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗵𝘂𝗺𝗮𝗻 𝗻𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲.” 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗽𝗵 𝗪𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗲𝗻 𝗔𝗺𝗮𝘇𝗼𝗻

Blank Slate Press/Amphorae Publishing Group

Release Date: 2018

Mystery/Suspense

A Light in the Desert traces the story of a lonely pregnant teenager, a Vietnam veteran and former Special Forces sniper who, as he descends into the throes of mental illness, latches onto the girl, and a group of Pentecostal zealots – the Children of Light – who have been waiting over thirty years in the Arizona desert for Armageddon. The Amtrak Sunset Limited, a passenger train en route to Los Angeles, is derailed in their midst’s, a deadly act of sabotage. Their lives are thrown into turmoil when local and state police, FBI investigators, and a horde of reporters make camp by the twisted wreckage of the Sunset Limited. As the search for the saboteurs continues, the authorities find more questions than answers. The girl mysteriously vanishes, the assassin struggles to maintain his sanity, and a child is about to be born in the wilderness.

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Praise for A Light in the Desert

“Clever, compelling, readable and realistic. Ms. Montgomery wove the most compelling cast of characters into a fictionalized account of what might have happened. I was fascinated. No one knows the truth, but this author took a leap that resulted in one of my favorite recent books.” – Vine Voice

“This is a very emotional tale that explores a variety of social issues ranging from mental illness to child abuse. It is very well done, well developed characters and scenery as well as a fast moving plot.” – Margaret Millmore Author

“An engaging and thought-provoking read.” – Lynda Dickson Books Direct

“This is an engaging book with a story that builds slowly, answering some questions along the way, and ending in a denouement full of tension and drama. A very good read.” – Stuart Aken Author

“A Light in the Desert is a great read. If you’re looking for a great story about human nature, pick A Light in the Desert up today.” – Rabid Readers Reviews