The situation of Schelly's novel is four nuns living at a St. Anthony Convent and teaching at the parish school. The novel is set in Illinois. Thrown into confusion by the priest's sudden, peremptory decision to close the school, the four women react in different ways to this action. The varied ages, backgrounds, and personalities of the four central characters allow the author to explore a variety of social issues, particularly from feminine perspectives. The nuns have not been sheltered from events and issues of the larger world. Their spirituality has not been an escape from it, but is a guide and resource for dealing with the tough choices they face. This spirituality gives an added dimension to the treatment of the contemporary issues. The nuns are not feminists in the familiar or stereotypical way, but rather their actions disclose new shades of involvement, concern, and also effectiveness, with respect to circumstances and events of contemporary life facing all thoughtful persons. The reader becomes absorbed in following the characters as they struggle to make up their minds about what to do in their changing circumstances.

- Henry Berry, Book Reviewer, The Small Press Book Review

Sister Vivian Tiamet is torn between the past and the present in her role as principal and superior at St. Anthony's School and Convent in Sleeder, IL. She became a nun in a faltering attempt to expatiate her guilt about having an abortion when she was a teen, and now a teen in a similar situation needs her help. Her retreat is threatened by budget cuts, and her sense of her role as a nun is increasingly undermined by a growing feminist movement in the convent led by Kimberly, a novice nun determined to make the Catholic Church friendlier to women by opening doors to positions previously held only by men. At the same time, Vivian worries about the ailing Sister Dominic, who hides behind her habit and refuses to discuss her failing health. Another nun, Mary Ruth, covertly seeks information about her biracial family roots. As each woman struggles with individual crises, they must pull together to find the strength to survive the end of life as they know it. The depictions of sex are more graphic than usually found in Christian fiction, but Schelly's first novel grapples with topics of current interest in much the way that Bambola's Tears in a Bottle does. A strong contribution for most collections.

- Library Journal

Recommended. ...a captivating subject that Schelly handles with ease. Even those unfamiliar to the Catholic religion will be able to follow the nuns' struggles and empathize with their plight.

- Word Wrap. Rachel Mulligan, Reviewer

A captivating subject that Schelly handles with ease. Recommended.

- Reviewer Rachel Mulligan, WordWrap

At the Crossroads' deep inquisitive exploration of contemporary women's issues and Catholicism as well as its sophisticated level of writing and complex characterization impressed me most about this well-crafted novel. At the Crossroads raises complication, important questions about the role of women in the Catholic Church. Reproductive issues, desire, care for the elderly, stifling guilt, leadership and education are some of the central subjects -­ all presented with exquisite sensitivity and an unflinching eye. This is not a clichéd look at issues that have been plaguing the Church for decades, but a truly gritty, in-the-trenches look, told from the refreshing perspective of four contemporary, deeply complex nuns. The guilt-ridden Vivian, the wise, stubborn, Sister Dominic, the revolutionary feminist Kimberly, and the quiet, musically gifted Mary Ruth play off each other perfectly, and each of their individual struggles make up a brilliant spectrum of crucial women's issues! Not just the characters, but the narrative as well is handled with sophistication and delicacy. Each of the sub-plots is well developed and entrancing, and they come together beautifully when Father shuts down their school. This is a strong, touching first novel.

- Sarah Beam, Judge's Evaluation

Honorable Mention -­ Mainstream/Literary Fiction -­ Writer's Digest 9th National Self-Published Book Awards

A strong contribution for most library collections.

- Melanie C. Duncan, Library Journal

Spirituality gives an added dimension to contemporary issues.

- Henry Berry, The Small Press Book Review

...deftly written, powerful novel...explores the hot-button social issues that come uncomfortably close to home...highly recommended.

- James A. Cox, The Midwest Book Review