Books | Jen Braaksma

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Memoir

Betsy Pauly died five years before Jen Braaksma knew she had even lived. Betsy was an artist and writer hailing from Minnesota, Texas, Missouri, and Florida. Jen is an author and book coach from Ottawa, Canada. Yet, improbably, Betsy became Jen’s friend.

When Betsy died, she left behind a heartbroken husband, a hole in the hearts of her family and friends, and a half-finished manuscript. To honor his wife, Chips wanted to publish her animal stories—Betsy was a dedicated animal welfare advocate who could never say no to a stray dog or cat (or dozens!).

Turning manuscripts around is Jen’s job. But as she worked, she never expected to form a friendship with the woman on the page. How was that even possible? Readers might feel they “know” an author by their writing, but Jen’s experience went further. She got to see Betsy’s drafts and her process. She got to see Betsy’s mind. And in doing so, she got to know this extraordinary woman. This may be Jen’s journey, but it’s Betsy’s story. A story about dedication, passion, and the connection that comes from sharing your authentic self—even between two people who can never meet.

Praise & Reviews for Befriending Betsy

Purr-fectly endearing and paws-itively charming—this interwoven tale of two women who never met yet are kindred spirits invites animal lovers to befriend Jen as she befriends Betsy. Full of heart, humor, and a touch of tail-wagging mischief, it will appeal to anyone who adores furry friendships.
— Jude Berman, author of The Vow, a 2024 Kirkus Best Indie Book

A story about a camaraderie based on the desire to make the lives of others a bit easier… Betsy’s compassionate life will live forever in her words, a series of quirky break-your-heart vignettes with happy endings.
— Lola Reid Allin, author of Highway to the Sky: An Aviator’s Journey

Hilarious, moving, and filled with heart, Befriending Betsy proves how easily friendship can cross species lines and even jump the ultimate barrier–death itself.
— Meredith Walters, author of This Animal Body

If you have ever rescued a pet, you will love and appreciate Betsy Pauly’s determination to never give up on finding forever homes for the four-legged homeless. As a veterinarian, I connected with this animal lover, as did Jen Braaksma, who took on the challenge of bringing to print this posthumous memoir. Filled with entertaining alliterations and verbal gymnastics, this book is a fun read that warms the heart.
— Dr. Dawn Filos, author of Tales of a Pet Vet: Stories from the Clinic and House Calls

Do you love animals? Do you love love? Here are vignettes of uplifting, inspiring, well-told stories of two women who saved distressed animals. Braaksma honors Betsy, who passed too soon, by publishing her funny, heartwarming stories and reflecting back her own stories. Laugh out loud in parts and wipe a tear away in others. Betsy’s laughter and fun in rescuing animals moved me profoundly and is infectious.
— Leslie Johansen Nack, author of award-winning Fourteen, A Daughter’s Memoir

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YA Dystopian

A devastating virus. A nation-wide quarantine. A ruthless government at war with the world. And it’s all seventeen-year-old Lyra Harmon’s fault.

Lyra is the only person known to have “phoenix cells,” which regenerate no matter the injury or illness. If she had just let the doctors clone her cells when Hecate’s Plague was first discovered, she could have stopped the pandemic—and the war. But her parents knew the government would also use her cells to clone an undefeatable army and wanted to protect Lyra from being a pawn in anyone’s game. So they kept her hidden and have now been on the run for years. It’s a lonely, isolating existence and Lyra hates it.

When she secretly befriends a young girl orphaned by the plague, Lyra takes a stand. She won’t run again. But her impulsive decision has devastating consequences: her parents contract the deadly virus, leaving them only three days to live—unless Lyra can save them. But as she’s sucked into a dangerous political game, she no longer knows the right thing to do. With time running out, she must finally decide what—or who—she’s willing to sacrifice in order to find a cure.

Praise & Reviews for Amaranth

Amaranth is a must-read for anyone who, like its protagonist Lyra, wrestles with wanting a place to belong in a world that too often feels devoid of compassion.
— Alison Levy, author of Magic by Any Other Name

A powerful story of survival, sacrifice, love and loss, this action-packed dystopian read is perfect for fans of Divergent and The Hunger Games.
— Katie Keridan, author of The Felserpent Chronicles

A beautifully told story about sacrifice, resilience, and love. Lyra is fierce and determined, and her journey is an edge-of-your-seat, page-turning ride. Don’t miss out on this thrilling YA dystopian adventure. You’ll be blown away!
— Lenore Borja, author of The Last Huntress

A remarkably presentient story, filled with surprising twists and turns that keep you reading, Amaranth delivers a powerful message about what it means to live with purpose.
— Jude Berman, author of The Die

A gripping story of a young woman on the run who, through a string of agonizing choices, discovers what it means to be true to yourself when what you most want is impossible.
— Meredith Walters, author of This Animal Body

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YA Fantasy

War is ravaging the Seven Heavens. Lucifer and his Commoner supporters, the lowest class of angels, are rebelling against God’s plan to exile them to the new Earth. When Lucifer departs on a desperate war mission, he leaves his daughter, Evangeline, to defend their home in First Heaven. Fiercely loyal and trained to fight, Evangeline stands ready to do her father’s bidding.

But things change when Evangeline overhears the archangel Gabriel forming a plan to destroy Lucifer—because, as he tells his son, Michael, he believes Lucifer’s plan is to find the Key to the Kingdom and claim the power of God to control all the Heavens for eternity. Refusing to believe her father capable of such treachery, Evangeline sets off to alert her father.

As she battles through the Heavens, however, Evangeline is shocked to discover that what she believed she knew about her father might not be true after all. For the first time in her life, she begins to question whether or not her father’s motives are pure. With the fate of the Heavens hanging in the balance, she must decide who she’s going to be: her father’s daughter, or her own person.

Praise & Reviews for Evangeline’s Heaven

Jen takes us on an action-packed journey through several Heavens, where Christian truth and tropes are turned inside out. But for all the swords and wings, this is an earthly and universal story: a daughter’s faith in herself and love for her father.
— Award-winning author Richard Scrimger
Richard’s latest book is Irresistible. His next one is Autumn Bird and the Crow.

Jen Braaksma’s Evangeline is an engaging, complex protagonist who knows her worth but struggles to find her place. Torn between love and truth, Evangeline’s story will take you on the journey of a lifetime.
— Alison Levy, award-winning author of The Daemon Collecting Series

Fast-paced and beautifully written, Evangeline’s Heaven will make you question everything you thought you knew about angels, and leave you wanting more.
— Lenore Borja, author of The Last Huntress (Mirror Realm Series Book I)

Evangeline is a principled character who leads us on an emotionally charged journey through a heaven we recognize only in name. This story is as thought-provoking as it is rewarding. Full of unexpected twists and turns, Evangeline’s Heaven will have you racing to the finish.
— Max Turner, author of the Night Runner trilogy

Evangeline’s Heaven has something for everyone; angels, enemies to lovers, morally gray characters, twists and turns, Christianity turned inside out and much more! I loved this book so much! It was so fast paced and only took a couple pages to be enraptured by it. Another thing I absolutely loved was the world building … I was captivated the entire time, again, by it being so fast paced. I cannot fathom how impressed I am by this being the author’s first published book. So excited for the next book!
— KK, Goodreads.com

Holy rollercoaster. I loved this book. This book had me feeling so many emotions, Excitement, suspense, happiness, and heartache. Absolutely recommend this gem!
— Ashley G, Goodreads.com & Netgalley.com

I really, really, really enjoyed this book. It’s been a while since I’ve read an angel fantasy, and let me tell you I was hooked from the first few chapters. Beautifully written, fantastic and immersive world building – this book will have you up all night reading.
— Emi Kaminari, Goodreads.com & Netgalley.com