Books with author N. J. Lindquist

“Circle of Friends is a fantastic series! ... Each book got better and better.” – Herbie Kuhn, In-house Voice of the Toronto RaptorsWhen your new best friend asks you to help him get a date with the girl you've admired from a distance since kindergarten, what do you do?Glen is what he considers an "average" teenager who lives in a small town and just wants to get through his senior year of high school without any problems. Because he’s the youngest of six, Glen’s Mom babies him a bit. But that's fine with him. And maybe he's not good at sports, and he gets a lot of Cs on tests, but he can live with both those things. He figures he's got lots of time yet before he needs to think about choosing a career, finding a girl, and settling down. Charlie is the son of a doctor whose family just moved into a house across the street from Glen's. Charlie is everything Glen isn't. Tall, blond, and good-looking. He’s smart and athletic and he seems to have lots of money as well as a fast car. All the girls want to date him and all the guys want to be his friend. Nicole is the pastor's daughter as well as the prettiest and smartest girl in town. She has no intention of dating Charlie. No matter how often he asks her. But she does feel a little sorry for him. Luke, Glen’s best friend since kindergarten and the former school quarterback, dislikes Charlie on sight and longs to wipe the smile off his face. And he's not very happy with Glen, either. As the year goes on, Glen finds himself stuck in the middle of not only Charlie's relentless quest to date Nicole but also the escalating rivalry between Luke and Charlie. In order to survive, he does some things he'd never imagined. Like going to church with Charlie in order to get Nicole interested; becoming friends with the town's mechanic; rushing headlong into a burning house; and getting hate mail from an unknown source. In the process; he discovers what it really means to be a friend and eventually realizes that what really matters isn’t who you were in the past, or who you are now, but who you will become in the future. An engaging coming-of-age series that blends humour, adventure, and romance with a search for the meaning of life. The author, a former high school Teacher of the Year and the mother of four sons, got the idea for this award-winning series from 1 Samuel 16:7: "People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." Note: Discussion questions for each of the four books are included.

Glen is hoping to coast through his last year of high school without any problems. But his new best friend needs his help to get a date with the one girl Glen has always secretly liked.A coming-of-age series that blends romance, humour, and adventure with a search for the meaning of life.Glen, the youngest of six, is happy just to get by doing the least the can get away with. True, he's never had a girlfriend—serious or otherwise. And his mom kind of babies him. But he figures he's got lots of time before he has to choose a career and settle down.Charlie, the new doctor's son, seems to have everything: looks, brains, charisma, athletic ability, and a shiny new sports car. It isn’t long before he has nearly everyone in the small town in his corner, including Glen.But not Luke, Glen’s best friend since kindergarten, who sees Charlie as a rival and longs to wipe the arrogant smile off his face!Or Nicole, the pastor’s daughter, who is also the prettiest girl in town. Nicole has no intention of dating Charlie—no matter how many times he asks her. Even if her dad would let her.By the end of the first week of school, Glen has been pulled in to help Charlie in his quest to date Nicole. At the same time, he’s trying to defuse the hostility between Luke and Charlie.But things go from bad to worse and before long, Glen is facing major problems—some life-threatening, others life-changing.If you like heart-warming stories with relatable characters and plot twists, you'll love this coming-of-age series that blends romance, humour, and adventure with a search for the meaning of life.GetThe Best of Friends today to enter into Glen's world.

Twin brothers. One is an all-star athlete, an A student, and the high school student president; the other is off the team because of low marks, has become involved with the wrong crowd, and is angry at the world and everyone in it.“Until the past year, Shane and his twin, Scott, were inseparable. But since becoming part of a different crowd, Shane's life has been going downhill. Nothing he tries goes right, and at this point his life seems to be in freefall. “Madison thought Shane was different from the guys she knew, but when Shane's dad takes away his car keys because of numerous tickets, Madison decides she's had enough. “Ethan is biracial, intelligent, serious, and lonely. He's the one person who sees something in Shane that's worth fighting for. He even enlists his older sister Alicia to help. “Shane just laughs when Ethan suggests that God might be able to help him, but after almost walking into the path of an approaching car, he realizes he has nothing left to lose…“If you like moving fiction with realistic characters and real-life issues, N. J. Lindquist’s standalone novel, In Time of Trouble, will delight and challenge you. Lindquist, who also writes award-winning mysteries under the name J. A. Menzies, brings suspense, strong characterization, and plot twists into this YA coming-of-age novel.If you’ve ever felt like a loser (or know someone else who does) get this uplifting novel today.“Teens and adults alike will laugh, cry, and cheer for Shane throughout this refreshing book.” Christian Library Journal"All the problems that plague and perplex, without moralizing or religiosity but an honest portrayal of contemporary issues." Catholic Insight"Just finished In Time of Trouble! Normally I wouldn't contact the author, but you made me laugh, you made me cry, you made me sad when the book ended!... Its appeal is more than to teens. It's engrossing, draws the reader into the story and isn't easy to put down." Anonymous“Deeds Speak” Award from the York Region PoliceRead for Life pick Shortlisted for The Word AwardsDiscussion questions included.

After breaking up with his first girlfriend just before Valentine's Day, 17-year-old Glen rushes headfirst into a new relationship.An engaging coming-of-age series that blends humour, adventure, and romance with a search for the meaning of life. As if he doesn’t have enough going on, Valentine's Day turns into a nightmare. Glen wonders if the anonymous letters and other nasty messages he's getting are a prank or something more sinister.With all this added to his ongoing problems with his former best friends, Luke and Charlie, Glen feels as if his life is spinning out of control.He hopes God really does have his back, especially when he has no choice but to be a hero. Meanwhile, Nicole wonders if she’s made a mistake, and begins to question what she’s been taught by her church.And then there's Marta. Why does she keep pestering Glen and what is going to do with her?Download this exciting book today!ExcerptOpening the door of Marta's house carefully, I peered in. Smoke came straight at me. It looked as if the whole kitchen was on fire.From somewhere beyond, I heard a faint call. I had to go in.All I remembered about fire safety was to get a wet rag to cover your nose if you have to go through smoke. But where did you get water when the fire was in the kitchen? I couldn’t even see the sink for smoke.I heard a loud crackle as flames leaped up the window curtains and shot to the ceiling. No way I could get into the house through the kitchen.I heard someone call out, “Help me! Please help me!"...

As he tries to finish up his last year of school and decide on his future, Glen Sauten's top priority is to help his best friend Luke, who was injured trying to protect Glen fom Charlie and is now back home, facing life in a wheelchair. And not exactly happy about it. But Glen is also distracted by his up-and-down relationships with not one, but three girls. Not to mention Charlie, who just won't go away.Meanwhile, Nicole realizes she’s going to have to make the hardest decision of her life.In order to survive, Glen and Nicole cling to God. To their surprise, they both find themselves saying and doing things they’d never have imagined. In the end, they realize that what really matters isn’t who you were in the past, or who you are now, but who you will become in the future.A coming-of-age series that blends humour, adventure, and romance with a search for the meaning of life.More than a Friend is the fourth and final book in The Circle of Friends series.This book won two The Word Awards. The Circle of Friends Series1. The Best of Friends2. With Friends Like These3. A Friend in Need4. More Than a Friend

Peace-loving Glen found being Charlie’s friend difficult; he’s about to discover how it feels to be Charlie’s enemy.An engaging coming-of-age series that blends humour, adventure, and romance with a search for the meaning of life.After going out with the girl Charlie wants, Glen knows he’ll have to stand up to Charlie or be labeled a coward. For now, though, he’s happy to have his friend Luke as his bodyguard.Since she’s positive she has no interest in Charlie, Nicole wonders why it bothers her when he spends time with her best friend Zoey. Or why Charlie seems to be dating Marta. Nicole isn’t jealous. Is she?When Luke is injured in a serious car accident and Charlie saves his life, Nicole is more confused than ever while Glen is knocked completely off-balance.It takes a stray dog and a local garage mechanic to teach Glen that you can’t go back—you have to go forward—even when you have no idea where you’re going.Download this book today!

Shane Everything he does seems to work out wrong. He'’s failing his classes, about to be fired from his part-time job, and barely speaking to his parents. Then there’'s the real problem—--his twin brother... Sandy Everything he does seems to be right. He’'s a star athlete, student president, and parents'’ dream child, with top marks, a great future, and many good friends. He'’d never hang out with someone like... Marietta A real looker, she’'s Shane’s girl-friend, but since Shane'’s dad took away his car, she’'s been unhappy. Maybe Shane should take a second look at... Janice She'’s coming after Shane like a magnet to a fridge door. But is something fishy here? Just ask... Ernie He’'s a loner who claims to be Shane’'s only real friend. But will he hang in when the real trouble hits? What do you do when everything blows up in your face and you can’'t even trust your friends and family? How do you decide what you really want? Most important, how do you learn to trust yourself? Eighteen-year-old Shane Donahue can’'t relate to his twin brother or his parents, doesn'’t trust the guys he hangs out with or his girlfriend, and is failing his classes at school. The whole situation makes Shane feel so helpless he’'s considering life on the streets or suicide. Shane decides he has nothing to lose by asking God to help him try to get his life back on track, but his difficulties only increase. His father becomes angry when Shane goes to church, his friends attack him because they think he’'s turned on them, and his brother dates his ex-girlfriend! But that’s nothing compared to Shane’s being arrested for robbery and assault. However, in the midst of his troubles, Shane finds out who he is and discovers hope for the future. The book is based on Proverbs 17:17. "A friend helps at all times and a brother in time of trouble."

“Deeds Speak” Award from the York Region PoliceRead for Life pick Shortlisted for The Word Awards Twin brothers. One the high school student president and an all-star athlete; the other the black sheep of the family.For most of his life, Shane and his twin, Scott, were inseparable. But since choosing to go his own way, Shane has been in freefall. Nothing he tries goes right, and at this point he's angry with the world and everyone in it.Ethan Walker is biracial, intelligent, serious, and lonely. However, he’s recently discovered a group of caring people who believe God can make a difference. Hesitantly, Ethan shares his discovery with Shane.Shane laughs when Ethan suggests that God might be able to help him, but after almost walking in front of a moving car and yet another fight with Scott, he realizes he has nothing left to lose… If you like moving fiction with realistic characters and real-life issues, N. J. Lindquist’s standalone novel,In Time of Trouble, will delight and challenge you. Lindquist, who also writes award-winning mysteries under the name J. A. Menzies, brings suspense, strong characterization, and plot twists into this YA coming-of-age novel.If you’ve ever felt like a loser or the black sheep of the family (or know someone like that) get this uplifting novel today.Praise for In Time of Trouble“Teens and adults alike will laugh, cry, and cheer for Shane throughout this refreshing book.” Christian Library Journal"All the problems that plague and perplex, without moralizing or religiosity but an honest portrayal of contemporary issues." Catholic Insight"Just finished In Time of Trouble! Normally I wouldn't contact the author, but you made me laugh, you made me cry, you made me sad when the book ended!... Its appeal is more than to teens. It's engrossing, draws the reader into the story and isn't easy to put down." Anonymous

It is June 1963 and fifteen-year-old Margaret Jefferson is being arrested at a sit-in at a lunch counter in St. Augustine. The Civil Rights Movement has found its way into her hometown, and Maggie feels a deep need to be a part of it. She believes in the ideals of the movement and the ultimate goal of equality. She also finds the nonviolence that the protestors are committed to very comforting. However, as the summer and fall of 1963 unfold in St. Augustine, their nonviolent protests are met with rising resistance, aggression, and intimidation from local government officials as well as the Ku Klux Klan. Cattle prods used on protestors, firebombs thrown into the homes of families trying to integrate the schools, teenagers held in jail indefinitely. No one is safe, it seems. This story, told through Maggie s innocent and hopeful eyes, will help a new generation of young people to understand the strength and sacrifices of those who worked so hard for civil rights in this country. It will also help to shine the spotlight on the role that St. Augustine, and Florida, had in the movement. Judy Lindquist is the author of the acclaimed historical novel Saving Home, used in classrooms throughout the state to engage students in the study of Spanish colonial St. Augustine. She teaches fourth grade students in Orange County, and aspiring teachers at the University of Central Florida.