• Catholic Press Association – Catholic Novel (Second Place), First Time Author of a Book (Third Place)
• Independent Book Publishers Association, Benjamin Franklin Awards – Best New Voice: Fiction (Silver Winner)
• National Indie Excellence Book Award – Religion: Fiction

The seventh century, England: a warrior gives his son to a monastery that rides the border between two rival Anglo-Saxon kingdoms. Growing up in a land wracked by war and plague, the child learns of the oath that binds him to the church and forces a cruel choice upon him. To love one father, he must betray another. The decision he makes shatters his world and haunts him forever. This quietly exotic novel places us compellingly in another time, another place, where chieftains fear holy men, holy men fear the world, and prayer has the primal force of fire.

“With a sure hand and a formidable amount of research, Peak brings to life the day-to-day realities of the monastery, its food and drink, its dress, and its duties tied to the seasons....A vividly realized story of one boy's attempt to live a life of faith in a time of war.”

- Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

“This is a long, deep book. Anyone who likes Anglo-Saxon times before the Vikings or tales of early medieval monastic life will want to take a look…. Recommended.”

“An ambitious novel--serious religious themes explored in a remote historical setting (7th century England).”