Picture a Florida-born storyteller who spun a folktale about three trees into a global sensation—meet Angela Elwell Hunt! With over five million books sold worldwide, Hunt is a titan of Christian fiction, blending faith, history, and heart in novels that captivate readers. Her award-winning career, from children’s tales to gripping historical sagas, has made her a beloved voice in inspirational literature.
Born on December 20, 1957, in Winter Haven, Florida, Hunt’s journey to literary stardom is as inspiring as her stories. A Christy Award winner and recipient of the Romantic Times BookClub Lifetime Achievement Award, she’s penned over 150 works, each radiating her signature blend of emotional depth and spiritual insight. Let’s dive into the life, works, and legacy of this prolific author!
The Making of Angela Elwell Hunt
Growing up in Brevard County, Florida, Angela Elwell Hunt was a dreamer with a flair for the arts. After graduating magna cum laude from Liberty University with a degree in English and music, she briefly taught high school before launching her writing career in 1983. Her early days as a freelancer saw her tackling everything from business letters to catalog copy, but a national competition win in the late 1980s marked her ascent. That victory, paired with her passion for storytelling, set the stage for her first book, published in 1988.
Hunt’s eclectic background—traveling with a vocal group, The Re’Generation, and her deep-rooted faith—shaped her unique perspective. Married to Baptist minister Gary Hunt and a mother of two, she balances family life in Clearwater, Florida, with her love for writing, photography, and even her massive mastiffs, one of which once starred on Live With Regis and Kelly as America’s second-largest dog!
Angela Elwell Hunt’s Unforgettable Stories
Hunt’s bibliography is a treasure trove of diverse genres, from picture books to adult fiction. Her breakout hit, The Tale of Three Trees (1989), a retelling of a folktale about sacrifice and purpose, became an international bestseller, touching hearts with its Easter and Christmas themes. Its simple yet profound narrative remains a staple in Christian households.
Her historical novels, like Esther: Royal Beauty and Bathsheba: Reluctant Beauty from the Dangerous Beauty series, reimagine biblical women with vivid emotion and historical accuracy. Hunt’s ability to weave faith into complex human stories shines in The Note, a novel adapted into a 2007 Hallmark Channel movie, exploring love and loss through a journalist’s discovery of a crash victim’s letter. Her recent Emissaries series, including The Woman from Lydia, brings early Christian communities to life with rich detail and relatable characters.
Known for her unpredictable plots and deep character development, Hunt’s writing invites readers to explore faith, resilience, and redemption. Whether crafting mysteries for teens or epic romances, her stories resonate with a universal quest for meaning, earning her eight Angel Awards and a 2000 Holt Medallion for Inspirational Fiction.
Why Angela Elwell Hunt Matters
Angela Elwell Hunt’s impact on Christian fiction is profound. Her ability to bridge genres—children’s, historical, and contemporary—has broadened the appeal of inspirational literature, inviting readers of all ages to reflect on faith and purpose. Her teaching at writers’ conferences, from Mt. Hermon to Florida, has nurtured countless aspiring authors, while her photography for shelter animals showcases her heart for service.
Hunt’s legacy lies in her storytelling’s emotional honesty and spiritual depth. With over 150 books and counting, she continues to inspire readers to find hope in life’s complexities, proving that stories can both entertain and transform. Her 2019 American Christian Fiction Writers Lifetime Achievement Award cements her as a luminary in the genre.
About Angela Elwell Hunt
- Born: December 20, 1957, in Winter Haven, Florida
- Key Works: The Tale of Three Trees, The Note, Esther: Royal Beauty, The Woman from Lydia
- Awards: Christy Award (2000), Romantic Times BookClub Lifetime Achievement Award (2006), American Christian Fiction Writers Lifetime Achievement Award (2019)
- Fun Fact: Her mastiff was featured on Live With Regis and Kelly as America’s second-largest dog!
Ready to be swept away by Angela Elwell Hunt’s heartfelt tales? Snag The Tale of Three Trees or dive into her Emissaries series for a dose of history, faith, and unforgettable storytelling!