Kristen West, an award-winning Georgia-based author, graduated in the Ishpeming High School Class of 1987. (Photo courtesy of Kristen West)

ISHPEMING — A Georgia author with ties to the West End has penned a new book on religious devotions.

Kristen West came into the world as Kristen Hendra, the daughter of former and long-time Ishpeming Public Schools superintendent Al Hendra.

“It’s collections of devotions from my life,” she said of “Reach for the Son,” her newest book that came out recently. It’s her third book; a previous work, “Church Leadership,” was awarded a first place in the prestigious SELAH Award competition, given annually by the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference.

After relocating with her family on several occasions, West graduated from IHS in the class of 1987. She’s been writing professionally for about six years, crediting her small-town roots and family connections with influencing her writing career.

According to West and her website, her journey contains “various forms of brokenness including spiritual abuse, moving across the country, starting over, divorce, remarriage, blending a family, prodigal children, and losing my mother to Alzheimer’s.”

Her writing and speaking showcases “many stories from these different seasons as I highlight God’s faithfulness every step of the way in an effort that you may find that same Hope in your life.”

She returns to Marquette in the near future. A book signing is scheduled from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at Provisions MQT (401 S Lakeshore Blvd.) on Wednesday, July 2.