“Hello! I’m Kris Abel-Helwig.
Fictional characters run rampant in my head, inhabit my dreams and haunt my nightmares. Their stories emerge as we carry on conversations while swimming laps,
walking pups in the woods,
or drinking espresso in bistros.”

lattes and hydrageas
NOVELS

I’m delighted to share the Hero Series has been edited and re-released by Culicidae Press and is available in hardbound, paperback and kindle/epub.

phoenix art

FADE TO BLACK & WHITE

Second Edition: Introverted Joan struggled with her mother’s death by plunging herself into a dark, emotionless world. At home, she played lacrosse with her older brother. At school, she haunted the hallways of like a ghost. Then one summer day a golden boy moved in next door, causing her humorous, awkward, embarrassing inner conversations to tumble out and light her path back to living once more, out loud and in color.

” f2b&w is a fantastic read. It is relatable, honest, emotional, and fun in it’s storyline and it’s characters. As a cancer survivor I was captivated in reading about how it takes a toll on more than just the patients. Definitely a finish in one sitting kind of book, and great for any and all readers. “

A young writer: ” I just finished your book, Fade to Black and White. I thought it was amazing. . . I loved how much the color of her outfit and hair expressed her in so many ways, and I never thought the pieces of everyday fabric could do that. . . I loved it, and want others to experience the same enjoyment. “

I Wish My Words Tasted Better novel
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I WISH MY WORDS TASTED BETTER

Impetuous Sofi, a sarcastic seventeen-year-old military brat is on a Road To Redemption Tour. Her best friend Shelley mapped out their adventure, knowing Alex, who’s frustrated by his attraction to Sofi despite her past indiscretions, is key to Sofi’s journey. After a bumpy start, friendship switches gears fueled by witty banter on the dance floor and lacrosse field. On a semester abroad in England, Sofi takes a dangerous detour. An exciting sting and upbeat playlist enhance this fast-paced, fun-filled, meet-cute adventure.

” I Wish My Words Tasted Better offered me emotional connections with the characters.
I laughed out loud, cried tears of loss and felt the nerves of excitement, fear, tension and the stress of next steps for the friends I had made. Read this novel and be uplifted! Enjoy! “

– Glenda, Retired High School Librarian, Colorado

– Watch and listen below to an two minute seventeen seconds edited version of a teen Beta Reader’s critique: originally 14 minutes long!

My Wings Aren't Ready To Fly novel
falcon art

MY WINGS AREN'T READY TO FLY

Loner, military brat Grace Artemis Halsted is moving again, this time for her senior year at a high school in Northern Virginia: Mean Girl Capitol of the World. Not a problem. She couldn’t care less about the six-pack of perfectly styled messy bun-wearing divas or the prima donna on her elite lacrosse club team. She’s learned the secret to success in chess and lacrosse is to control the center of the board.
Meet the quirky posse of croquet-playing computer nerds, artists, theater geeks, and a gorgeous out-of-her-league crush who help Gracie maneuver rowdy crowded hallways and turf war fields while dodging a manipulative rival, exposing an elusive cyber bully, and avoiding her recurring nightmare come-to-life nemesis – the whistling, serial-killer vampire custodian.

” I LOVE Gracie! She’s bright, witty, and initially an outsider trying to survive her senior year at a new school. Gracie grows up, shows up and outshines those trying to crush her spirit while we cheer her on page after page! Yay for the new girl on the block! “

“ Gracie is someone I want to be with. Hope she and her awesome friends make room for me at their lunch table because that’s where I want to be! ”

picture books
I love you shoe cover

I LOVE YOU I LOVE YOU I LOVE YOU I DO. IF YOU WERE A SOCK… THEN
I’D BE YOUR SHOE.

Book One Paperback:
Max, an imaginative four-year-old, enjoys playing a bedtime rhyming game with his mother. As he tires he feels over-protected, but after a touching revelation from his mother, he understands and accepts the security of being loved.

“Colorful, creative, educational, but most of all this book helps children know how much they are loved and that their parents will always be there to support them. I cry every time I get to the end. Love, love, love this book!!”

tennis shoe art
I love you purple cover

I LOVE YOU I LOVE YOU I LOVE YOU I DO.
IF YOU WERE PURPLE…
THEN I’D BE BLUE. 

Book Two Paperback:
Zoë, a precocious seven-year-old is struggling with her emerging identity. After a bedtime rhyming game with her dad she begins to realize what it means to be a part of a family.

“Great graphics. Good for the beginning reader, preschoolers, group activities- guess what the next word will be. Good for English as a Second Language class.”

girl super hero art
We love you pirate cover

WE LOVE YOU WE LOVE YOU WE LOVE YOU WE DO. IF YOU WERE A PIRATE… THEN WE’D BE YOUR CREW.

Book Three Paperback:
When Max and his sister Zoë play a bedtime rhyming game with their adopted baby sister, Max begins to wonder why Emma always seems to be the center of attention. When Zoë shares what she has learned about being a part of a family he starts to understand and appreciate what his baby sister adds to their lives.

“This book is absolutely adorable! My kids love the rhyming and comparisons. It also helps my 3 year old to make up other comparisons. I would definitely recommend this book for everyone.”

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3 Love you cover
i love you 3 books cover

Hardbound Edition: Three Books in One! 100 colorful pages of fun including all three rhyming game bedtime stories.

Any color in the rainbow cover

Any color in the rainbow,
and then some…

Swing, skip and dance with a little girl named Gracie and her grandma, GMops, who love and support each other through a colorful lifetime of playful, wonderful and memorable moments.

“Love, love, love this book. My granddaughter (2yrs old) and I have started making up our own “I love you more than…” when we send cards, say goodbye, or just because. It’s something we will always have
with each other.”

swirl bridge art
Any dinosaur that's been discovered cover

Any dinosaur that’s been discovered,
and then some…

Run, jump and joke with a little boy named Sammy and his pesky grandpa, SuperPops, who love and tease each other as they explore their world through wonderful adventures, all the while discovering the best experiences are the ones we share.

robot art
grandpa and grandson fishing art

Any place you’ve ever imagined,
and then some…

Listen, laugh and learn with a little girl named Margo and her amazing Aunt Pauline, Auntie PA (pah), who love and support each other as they travel through a lifetime of exciting, entertaining and eventful expeditions in places near and far, far away.

Greek architecture art
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Waffle cover

The wifful wafful diffle daffle sniffle snaffle
snorful dorful waffle

Even without syrup this sweet fun-filled story about a non-breakfast-eater turned waffle-completer is sure to delight both listener and reader, again and again. This book was written by my mother-in-law. She played this game with her grandchildren and would give them a treat if they could say it correctly 😉 Children love reading and practicing!

Margo exasperated