WELCOMe to Turquoise avenuE

 

Where fiction, faith, family & creativity collide.

Hello sweet friend,

I am so glad you’re here!

Welcome to Turquoise Avenue, my little corner of the internet. I’m M.J. Elliott, but most people call me Mandy—wife, mama, author, book lover and memory keeper—doing my best to live simply, intentionally and with joy.

Here, you’ll find bookish fun, homeschooling tips, our adoption story, home finds, and heartwarming encouragement for everyday life. My hope is that this space feels like a cozy retreat—one that inspires, uplifts, and makes you feel right at home.

I’d love to hear from you! Drop me a note to say hello, and don’t forget to sign up for my email list below so we can stay connected. Grab a cup of coffee (or tea!) and stay awhile!

With love,
M.J. (Mandy)

 
 

FEATURED Blog POSTS:

Turquoise Avenue - Main Blog
★★★ Break My Fall by Lynn Blackburn, A Small, Mountain Town Romantic Suspense

Suspense · Small Town · Romance

Lynn Blackburn delivers a slow-burn, small-town drama that unfolds into a burst of romantic suspense that will have readers on the edge of their seats.

Readers return to Gossamer Falls, NC and the rich, Appalachian heritage that Blackburn expertly weaves into this story through the tight bond of close friends and big families. With a small town feeling, sinister events come into play, involving the town's beloved dentist and the guarded police chief. Learn more here!

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★★★★ Crimson Sands by JJ Samie Myles, Task Force SEAR, Book 1 | A Fast-Paced, Thrilling Story of Rescue, Hope and Faith

Military Fiction · Heart-Pounding Action · Faith-Based

Author JJ Samie Myles delivers an edge-of-your-seat thriller featuring an arsenal of lovable, highly-skilled characters and operators on a mission to save lives, before it's too late.

With a riveting storyline under pulse-pounding stakes, a task force is formed. Their first mission? Rescue two people who've been captured smuggling Bibles into a foreign country where the militant factions persecute and murder Christians. A must read for readers who enjoy authors like Hallee Bridgeman and Ronie Kendig.

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★★★★★ Kate Landry Has A Plan by Rebekah Millet, A Contemporary Romance with a Touch of New Orleans’ Southern Flair

Southern Fiction · Contemporary · Romantic Comedy

A Must Read! This adorable, fantastic new release from Rebekah Millet is everything I hoped it would be, and more!

With the spicy flair of a New Orleans setting and hilarious, heartwarming undertones, readers will dive into the story of restaurant owner, Kate Landry. From the witty, clever and hilarious sarcasm to the heartwarming antics of both lovable main and side characters (pets and animals included!), Millet delivers a delightful story that I could not put down!

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For Kids: Abigail Gets Left Out | A Chapter Book About Friendship and Fitting In

Girls · Chapter Book · Faith

An Entertaining, Sweet Story About Discovering What God Says About Friendship, Self Worth and Fitting In.

When 9 year old Abigail’s friends decide to put on a musical, she feels embarrassed and left out because she can’t sing or dance. But with the help of God’s Word and her family, she discovers just what makes her special and learns about friendship and kindness along the way!

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For Kids: Jesus Moments: Esther - Finding Jesus in the Story of Queen Esther

Kids · Bible Stories · Heroes of the Bible

An Entertaining, Interactive Story To Help Kids Understand The Relationship Between The Old & New Testaments

Using the story and life of Esther, this book will delight children by helping them find and identify the Jesus Moments in the Old Testament. Explaining and noting the moments this story ties into the life and work of Jesus while pointing kids to the salvation message, this is a valuable and fun resource for any family, church or school!

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★★★★ The Color of Home by Kit Tosello, A Contemporary, Debut Novel of Healing, Loss and Belonging

Women’s Fiction · Contemporary · Romance

A beautiful, heartwarming story of healing, loss and belonging.

Author Kit Tosello captivated me with her debut novel of a young woman who arrives in a small town, unsure and uncertain, but hopeful that she can support her aging aunt and uncle as they prepare to settle their estate. As the story develops and the beautifully-crafted layers unfold, this young woman finds hope, family, purpose and love.

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★★★★★ Across the Ages by Gabrielle Meyer, A Time Travel Novel About Pirates, Prohibition and Romance

Time Travel · Intrigue · Romance

Caroline holds a deep secret. Living in 1727 and 1927 simultaneously, each night she goes to sleep in one life and wakes up in the other.

Gabrielle Meyer writes some of my favorite romances of all time! This book is exciting, filled with adventure, romance and time travel, as well as heartfelt, heartwarming and truly a joy to read. If you enjoy a good Bonnie and Clyde, Prohibition story along with a hefty dose of Pirates of the Caribbean and a hint of Outlander thrown in, you're going to want to read this book.

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★★★★ The Perfect Rom-Com by Melissa Ferguson, A New Bookish Theme Romantic Comedy

Book Themed · Romantic Comedy · Contemporary

A sweet story of romance, writing and the woes of the publishing industry.

Don't miss the delightful romantic comedy, The Perfect Rom-Com by Melissa Ferguson, a story of two seemingly mismatched hearts brought together by fate, proving that sometimes, the perfect love story is hidden in the pages of a well-loved book.

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