Welcome to the Web site of young adult author Mara Purnhagen.

NEW!

One Hundred Candles has been nominated for the 2011 YALSA Reader’s Choice Award!

The writing is solid, the dialogue realistic, and the plot complex enought to keep it from being a simple ghost story. There are layers to the plot that will continue to be uncovered in future titles in the series. And that's what will keep the readers coming back.
--The Chicago Examiner

With clever writing, this is a unique series that I suspect has superstar potential. I'm glad I picked it up--I feel like I'm ahead of the crowd and suspect I will be hearing a lot more about the series.—Long and Short Reviews

Each book can stand alone, but to fully enjoy the story and characters I suggest reading both books. I assure you that this is a series that won’t disappoint any reader! –Night Owl Reviews

One Hundred Candles really grabbed me. I sat down planning to tend fire, enjoy a book and do chores in between. Instead, I sat down and couldn't move for the next couple of hours. –Roundtable Reviews

If you’re tired of overwritten prose and the standard array of YA paranormal clichés, give Past Midnight a try. It’s refreshingly devoid of those things. It’s simply a good (and spooky) story. –Fantasy Literature