Tangled Violets: A Novel of Redemption

Award-Winning Finalist in the Christian Inspirational category of the 2022 American Fiction Awards

“... an uplifting story of realistic struggle, a desperate drive for connection, and ultimately Christian redemption. ... Martin’s strength in this story comes from a refusal to shy away from life’s difficulties as Lizzie faces tough choices and desires. ... Readers eager for stories about connection and faith will find this engaging. Great for fans of Josie Riviera, Francine Rivers" — BookLife Reviews

“... a moving novel, crackling with sexual volatility and emotional intelligence. An engrossing emotional drama, both shocking and thoughtful ... a provocative subplot handled without a hint of prurient sensationalism." — Kirkus Reviews

What happens when the deepest longing of the human heart—to belong, to be known, and to be loved—leads someone tragically astray?

Lizzie Schmidt appears to have everything: intelligence, professional success, and hard-won independence. Yet beneath the surface lies a lifelong ache no achievement has quieted—the unanswered questions surrounding her identity and biological family.

Long before internet searches and consumer DNA testing, Lizzie embarks on a deeply personal search for her roots, armed with incomplete information and a heart hungry for connection.

What she discovers alters her life in ways she never imagined.

As unresolved wounds, emotional vulnerability, and profoundly disordered longing converge, Lizzie makes devastating choices leading to heartbreak, spiritual darkness, and consequences that reverberate for years. Yet even after profound failure, God’s grace pursues her.

Reader Advisory: This novel deals candidly with psychologically complex and morally disturbing relationship dynamics arising from family identity trauma, including themes associated with Genetic Sexual Attraction (GSA). Deeply Christian in its message that no one is beyond God's mercy, it is intended for readers seeking serious, thought-provoking fiction.