The plotline is intriguing: Ronni is a 21st-century American teenage girl living 5,000 miles away from home . . . 2,000 years in the past. How she got here, she doesn't know. But one day she woke up in Jerusalem the week of the crucifixion of Jesus. She has three days to try to stop his death. The question is . . . can she do it? Should she?

Awakening, the newest book from local, award-winning author Claudia Cangilla McAdam, takes readers on an adventure in Christian historical fiction, a journey full of tension, truth, and a touch of romance. McAdam grew up in Englewood and graduated from Englewood High School.

"I wanted to explore the pivotal point in salvation history from the viewpoint of a modern day teenager who has lost her faith following the untimely deaths of her father and her brother who died saving a stranger," McAdam said. "My main character, Ronni, doesn't understand the concept of sacrifice. 'Nothing's worth dying for,' she believes. And when she finds herself transported to Jerusalem two days before the crucifixion of Jesus, she thinks she's meant to stop his death."

McAdam's eleven previous books have included a number of kids' picture books including the local bestseller, The Christmas Tree Cried, and Maria's Mysterious Mission, a collaboration with nature photographer John Fielder that was a finalist for the 2008 Colorado Book Award in Children's Literature. Awakening, however, is her first foray into young adult novels. Out just six weeks, the book is getting rave reviews from readers.

"I really enjoyed the book and think any teen would," said fourteen-year-old reader MariAnna. "I can definitely relate to the main character and her wants of worldly things--how she is struggling to trust in her mom and more importantly, God."

Michaelann Martin, speaker and author of Girl Talk,Growing in Grace with Our Daughters, found the book to be of interest to readers of all ages. "I couldn't put it down . . . beautiful detail and insight . . . it really grabs the heart," she said.

The publisher, Sophia Institute Press, offers volume discounts for Awakening to be used by book clubs, youth ministry, and in other group settings, and the author has developed a study guide for such purposes.

McAdam will be reading from Awakening and signing books on Friday, December 4, at 7 p.m. at the Tattered Cover in the Highlands Ranch Town Center, 9315 Dorchester Street. For more information, call 303-470-7050.

To view the book trailer or to read the first four chapters online, visit the author's web site, www.ClaudiaMcAdam.com where you can also learn more about the author's books and appearances.