Hello!
If you’re looking for information on America’s first Church-approved Marian apparition, you’ve come to the right place! My novel with TAN Books is based on the apparitions of Our Lady of Champion, which were approved in 2010. I also wrote this audio drama that tells the exciting life story of Adele Brise, the visionary in the apparition.
I also have a heart for those who have suffered the loss of a baby to stillbirth or miscarriage. Jellybean is the baby loss picture book I wrote with my husband to help children understand the loss of a sibling in the womb and to give hope to grieving families.
Thanks for stopping by…and wander around for a while.
Our Lady of Champion, ora pro nobis!
“A lovely story [Jellybean] about a little baby in her mother’s womb who is so eager to see life but discovers that God has something different in His plan. Highly recommended, especially for families with children who are grieving.”
Regina Doman, award-winning author of Angel in the Waters and The Shadow of the Bear
“There's something beautiful about how personal Jellybean is; the story comes from the mind and heart of someone whose experience has formed deep reflection and insight on a subject that most people find very difficult to speak about in such consoling, yet also realistic terms.”
Fr. Peregrine Fletcher, a Norbertine at St. Michael’s Abbey, Orange County, CA, and author/illustrator of My Name is Philomena (TAN Books) and The Snail and the King
“We are always on the lookout for good Catholic fiction and are so glad to have this book as part of our library! The Woman in the Trees is a unique look at the lives of nineteenth century American Catholic immigrants, interwoven with the story behind the only approved U.S. Marian apparition. I look forward to making it part of our homeschool reading list.
Kendra Tierney, author of The Catholic All Year Compendium (Ignatius Press), blogs at CatholicAllYear.com
“I recently held a funeral and burial for a family that suffered a miscarriage, in fact the second one in a row! … from my perspective Jellybean is one of the finest parabolic presentations on the grieving process of losing a baby, at any stage, that I have ever encountered. The sensitive interactions of the characters provide a broad perspective and profound insight into the delicate relationships among parents, siblings and the baby in all stages of development and transition. The read provides space for tears, laughter, closure and hope. The assurance that the baby is safe and in the Eternal Presence of God provides a modicum of comfort in the midst of great pain and loss.”
Friar Carmen Scuderi, OFM, a Franciscan friar of Our Lady of Guadalupe Province
"In The Woman in the Trees, gifted storyteller Theoni Bell imaginatively paints a picture of a dramatic but relatively unknown miracle and the souls it touched. Gripping, exquisitely penned, and based in a fascinating slice of American history, this book is a true page-turner with a higher purpose. Enjoy!"
Lisa M. Hendey, founder of CatholicMom.com and author of 13 Catholic books