BOOKS
Elaine R Kelly Author brings healing and hope to those who are sidelined or silenced by the church by writing historical fiction and blogs about women in the Bible and church history, gender and religion, and biblical studies.
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📖Forgotten Follower from Broken to Bold, a historical fiction empowering women, shows women in the Bible overcoming trauma, abuse, and racism.
📖Because She Was Called: from Broken to Bold Book 2, A Novel of the Early Church shows early Christians overcoming divisions, advocating for women in ministry, mutuality in marriage, affirming LGBTQ+, and adopting all believers into the family of faith.
📖Walk with Mara on Her Healing Journey: 21 Steps to Emotional Resilience. It's a spiritual self-care and self-help book, including psychology, theology, and stories from fiction and from the Author's experiences.
📖The Sword: A Fun Way to Engage in Healthy Debate on What the Bible says about a Woman’s Role contains 104 flashcards and 180 end notes showing an objective rationale for diverse views on gender roles.
Released April 2024
Because She Was Called
from Broken to Bold book 2
A Novel of the Early Church
After legalists kill Stephen, followers of The Way scatter. Susannah takes off to Caesarea and lands in the arms of a deacon. But will he limit her freedoms? Will she choose romance over obeying God's call? Torn by grief and anger, where will Joanna turn for shelter? Will she testify before powerful men? Will loyalty to Jesus cost her the loss of her son?
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“A remarkable tale affirming Christian egalitarianism that will captivate, provoke, and inspire readers on an unforgettable journey through the origins of Christianity.” -Prairies Book Review
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Because She Was Called was named a Finalist in the 2024 Independent Author Awards, a stage for diverse voices to connect with worldwide audiences.
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While this novel continues character development from Forgotten Followers From Broken to Bold, Book 1, each can be read as a stand-alone novel. Forgotten Followers is set in the Gospels; Because She Was Called is set in Acts 2-11. If you are a spiritual wanderer or ex-vangelical, take a sip of fresh, living water with this story of how the early church overcame divisions and changed the world. This is a Christian egalitarian and affirming fiction.
You may buy directly from the publisher, FriesenPress, toggling between US$/CDN$, or click for Links to shop at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Nook, AppleBooks, Google Play Books, Kobo, or ChaptersIndigo.
Released September 2022
Forgotten Followers
from Broken to Bold book 1
AFTER YEARS OF SUBMISSION, Mara is afraid and unsure about everything—especially her nephew, Jesus. When her neighbours chase him off a cliff, they force Mara (based on Mary of Clopas) into the unknown. After being told she is unlovable, can she learn to love herself? Can she recover from trauma and let down the walls of worry that isolate her? Can she accept her son as he is, even though it is not what she expected?
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At the same time, Joanna grapples with hiding her biracial heritage or risking that the community banish her as they did her father. Can she stop hiding who she is and risk losing it all?
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Strong female friendships build their self-esteem, and they take heart when Jesus empowers them as disciples, patrons, and witnesses. But will Jesus’s opposition to the establishment endanger their lives?
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Forgotten Followers gives voice to woman disciples and healing and hope to readers who feel silenced, alone, or marginalized. The themes of racial and gender inequality in this retelling of the Gospels resonate today. Progressive Christians, exvangelicals, or those deconstructing their faith are likely to experience healing love as Elaine Ricker Kelly highlights these women in the Bible from a feminist and LGBTQ+ affirming lens. Book 1 of the From Broken to Bold series, Forgotten Followers is a CIPA EVVY Silver Award Winner.​
Be sure to check out the FAQ and Freebees tabs!
Details of the twelve women disciples of the novel are here.
Released August 7, 2024
Walk with Mara on Her Healing Journey:
21 Steps to Emotional Resilience
​Mara is a fictional character healing after years of submission and abuse left her feeling unsure, anxious, doubting herself and even God. In this stand-alone, self-help guide, the author reveals 21 practical steps Mara takes that will help you on your emotional and spiritual healing journey. Tools from psychology and new, empowering ways of seeing Scripture are illustrated with the author's real-life experiences and stories from her fictional character. This self-help earned a 5* Review from Readers' Favorite. Walk with Mara: take these steps towards healing from the hurts of everyday living and transform your life with the power of emotional resilience. Discover how you can transform your life with the power of emotional resilience.
Benefits of this stand-alone, self-help book:
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release and accept emotions and be who you are
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overcome anxiety, stress, self-doubt, and sadness
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break barriers to improved relationships
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Address doubt and pain caused by church teachings
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Identify and reframe harmful beliefs
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Boost confidence in your worth and equality
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Turn shame and self-loathing into self-love
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Rebuild your self-esteem after adversity
If you are a woman who has been silenced, an LGBTQ+ who has been sidelined, a deconstructing Christian or exvangelical, this guide is a must-read. Don't suffer another day! Step towards emotional healing and transform your shame into confidence, your self-loathing into self-love, and your sores into beautiful scars.
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The Sword
A Fun Way to Engage in Healthy Debate on
What the Bible Says About a Woman's Role
Released February 2023
Are you ready to let new understanding of religious beliefs transform your life? Imagine the Bible as a Sword that cuts through the confusion of gender roles at home, church, and society.
BENEFITS:
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See the biblical rationale for conflicting views
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Spark healthy debate and valuable insights
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Gain deeper understanding of various perspectives
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Equip yourself for pre-marriage or marriage counseling
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Clarify your personal stance on various passages
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Breaking free from the constraints of traditional gender roles
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WHAT'S INCLUDED:
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104 flashcards summarizing views on key biblical passages
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180 endnotes to broaden your understanding
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Instructions for fun educational memorable games
Start today to engage in healthy debates on biblical womanhood, gender, and religion!
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Released on Kindle January 2025
The Centurion at the Tomb:
Did he commit treason?
A Short Story of Ancient Rome
The prophet's body has vanished, leaving the Roman centurion in a precarious position. The Roman court found the prophet guilty of both blasphemy and treason. Longinus was the centurion in charge, and he failed to keep the tomb secure. Betrayed by his own men and accused of treason, Longinus must navigate a treacherous world filled with political intrigue and religious persecution. Will he be able to clear his name? Will he deny his new faith? Will he run? Will Pilate please the Jewish establishment and execute him?
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This riveting short story will transport you back to ancient Rome during the tumultuous reign of Pontius Pilate.Full of suspense, drama, and emotion, this short story will keep you holding your breath.
An incredible value, this eBook includes both the 9-page ancient historical fiction and a 2-page description of history and traditions about Pontius Pilate and the possibly-gay Longinus. This Short Story introduces a pair of military men who appear in Because She Was Called. Only 99 cents on Amazon.com
Coming Soon
What to Do When You Feel Forgotten:
Reconnect with Jesus in 40 Devotions based on a Harmony of the Gospels
​Do you sometimes feel forgotten, alone, sidelined or silenced? Re-encounter Jesus in one chronological narrative harmonizing the four Gospels.