J.P. Barelli

Route 66: The Whole Enchilada

Historical Fiction; Coming of Age; Faith-Based

Copyright © 2026 by J.P. Barelli

ISBN: 9798891276932

eBook ISBN: 9798891271913

Route 66 - the legendary “Main Street of America” - connected the Midwest to the Pacific Coast. When it opened in 1926, it soon became a vital corridor for commerce, migration, and cultural exchange.. 

Route 66: The Whole Enchilada tells the story of the people of Santa Cuervo, a fictional town in New Mexico, located along the dusty bends of Route 66. Among its residents are a young boy and his teenage sister who struggle to flee poverty and isolation amidst the town’s culture of superstition and folklore. Their odyssey to maturity, love, and prosperity are tested as family secrets haunt their journeys. Can the boy muster the courage when duty calls?

As Route 66 carries strangers, omens, and change into their small town, the characters are pulled into a mystery that has long been buried in the dust and silence of the desert.     The past is about to rise.  

To purchase a printed edition or eBook, please click the link below:

Route 66: The Whole Enchilada

Kindle edition available through Amazon:

Route 66: The Whole Enchilada - Kindle edition by Barelli, J. P. Literature & Fiction Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com.

LITERARY REVIEWS

"Full of heart, suspense, and the unmistakable magic of the American Southwest, Route 66: The Whole Enchilada is a captivating tale of courage, destiny, and the power of hope on the open road. It's perfect for fans of faith-based, coming-of-age stories, family drama, and unforgettable desert legends."

-- Gina M. Deegan, Ed.D | Scottsdale, Arizona

"It was delicious ... great book ... emotionally stirring."

--Rev. Fr. Denis Mary Dugan, SOLT | Colorado

"Family is the heart of the story, but sometimes the truth is harder to comprehend, and love and life get complicated. It's a very compelling story that keeps you waiting to find out what happens next. It's hard to put down since unexpected turns lead you deeper and deeper as you journey around each turn in the bend. Enjoy!"

--Paula Erlene, Award-Winning Yodeler/Entertainer | Branson, Missouri

"John Barelli is the most prolific writer I've come to know! I so admire the inspiration for his authorship. He gives the inquiring reader valuable choices from which to select."

-- Jackie Nicholson, Adjunct Professor of Business and Marketing | Marietta, Georgia

Esmaria and Her Peppermint Prince

Historical Fiction; Inspirational; Faith-Based

Copyright  © 2026 by J.P. Barelli

Kansas City, 1970

When eleven-year-old Esmaria Paulk moves from Atlanta with her family, she expects nothing more dramatic than starting sixth grade at Sanford B. Ladd School. But at her family’s new Bible church, she witnesses an unexpected miracle: the long-lost daughter of one of the long-time congregation members returns after more than a decade—alive, troubled, and with a past that refuses to stay buried.

Among the swirl of whispers and celebration stands Lamont Jackson, the grandson Mrs. Jackson has lovingly raised since his birth. Quiet, proud, and charming, Lamont quickly becomes Esmaria’s first friend in her new city. 

But when Lamont’s unstable mother resurfaces and, out of spite, tears him and his younger siblings away from the only home they’ve ever known, his world collapses. Forced into a life of neglect and hardship, Lamont runs away determined to survive the bitter Kansas City winter on his own terms. Hungry, cold, and alone, he relies on sheer ingenuity to stay alive.

Esmaria cannot bear to watch her friend disappear. Guided by fierce loyalty and a wisdom far beyond her years, she sets out to find the boy everyone else has written off. 

Can Esmaria find Lamont before tragedy strikes? And will Lamont learn to trust the adults who want to save him—before it’s too late?

A story of courage, compassion, and the power of charity, Esmaria reveals what can happen when one determined girl believes a lost boy still has a future worth fighting for.

Companion novel and eBook, Street Prince, Lamont Jackson’s story in his own words,  is available on page 3 of this site. Click on the tab above  titled, Coming of Age/Inspirational.