"All Through the Night" by Tara Johnson ... and a GIVEAWAY!

 

Stop by to learn about the book, read a Q&A with Tara, and enter to win a print copy of the book (US ONLY). 

Click here.

"Airborne" by DiAnn Mills ... and a GIVEAWAY!

 Welcome to Friday Reads!

 

Stop by to learn about the book, read an article by DiAnn, and check out my review. You can enter to win a copy of the book, too (US ONLY).

Click here. 

"If I Were You" by Lynn Austin ... and a GIVEAWAY!

Stop by my blog to learn about this new release, read an excerpt, Q&A, and review. You can enter to win a print copy of this book (US ONLY).

Click here.

“THE BEST WE’VE BEEN” BY BETH K. VOGT … AND A GIVEAWAY!

Beth's publisher has agreed to give away a print copy of The Best We've Been. (US ONLY) You can enter by using the Rafflecopter link at the end of my blog post. (Giveaway ends June 30, 2020.)

Click here.

Takeover Tuesday with Carla Laureano

You can learn the about Carla Laureano's latest release, The Solid Grounds Coffee Company, and enter to win a print copy of the book (US ONLY) on my new website/blog. Giveaway ends February 25, 2020. 

Click here to read the post.

https://wp.me/pbwWRr-6L

"The Tea Chest" by Heidi Chiavaroli ... and a GIVEAWAY!

You can read my Q & A with Heidi and my review, as well as enter to win a copy of her latest release, The Tea Chest (US ONLY, print copy) on my new website/blog. Giveaway ends February 21, 2020. 

 Click here to read the post.

"A Long Time Comin'" by Robin W. Pearson ... and a GIVEAWAY!

Robin's publisher has agreed to give away a print copy of this book. (US ONLY) You can enter by using the Rafflecopter link at the end of the post. (Giveaway ends January 24, 2020. If you are the randomly chosen winner, I'll contact you.) 

Author Q&A...

Q: What compelled you to write this book?
A:  While it's a fictional work, A Long Time Comin' began with an "SOS"--my need to Save Our Stories. I wanted to preserve my cultural and regional heritage so it wouldn't end up in a mental junkyard, where memories get compressed and broken down until they eventually disintegrate. As I wrote them down, however, this SOS transformed into Share Our Stories. I felt called not only to preserve my family's traditions but to pass on the faith that inspired them, to give them life and breath in my fiction, for I consider writing my opportunity to minister to and build community with others.

Q: What role does faith play in this story?
A:  Faith is the main character, playing an even bigger role than my Southern heritage. Beatrice Agnew's limited understanding of real faith depleted her life of joy; her determination to pass it on affected her relationship with her children and granddaughter Evelyn; and my characters' choice to cling to it in the face of hardship directed the story's outcome and its message of hope. My novel shows readers that living by faith doesn't mean we'll avoid pain. It illustrates how we address it.

Q:  Healing the past is deeply personal and often difficult. Why did you want to want into these waters?
A:   People say what's done is done, but the past tense only applies to verbs. We all tote around our history, either as a memory of healing and forgiveness or as an open wound that continually causes us and others pain. Granny B shows that healing the past may take you to unknown depths, but bitterness drowns you.

Q:  What was special about crafting a relationship between a grandmother and her granddaughter?
A:   The two mirrored each other, down to their shared name. Granny B saw the impact of her past choices borne out in her granddaughter's life; Evelyn got a clear vision of how her own decisions could impact her down the road. Their common background and similar personalities often made words unnecessary between this grandmother and granddaughter, yet their reticence spelled poor communication with the family members "outside their bubble." I crafted their unique chemistry--not unique in that it was unattainable or unrealistic--to show readers what truths our own family dynamics can reveal and to motivate them to seek out deeper, loving relationships within their families and across generations.

Q:  Many readers are looking for diversity in their reading selections. Can you give us insight into the perspective you brought to this novel?
A:   Diversity comes in so many forms--our ideas, family size, and education, as well as our shoe size, favorite ice cream flavors, and of course, our cultural background and race. I wanted to write a novel that shows how, despite our differences, we share the same need for acceptance, love, and nourishment; we seek success in our personal and professional relationships; we laugh, cry, argue, and dance over many of the same jokes, setbacks, peculiarities, and triumphs. What draws us together and what diversifies us isn't solely the color of our characters or even the writer or the reader but our faith--What do we believe? Who do we trust to meet our needs? How do we uniquely address our common problems?--and how we work out this faith day by day.

Q: What do you hope the daughters,mothers, and grandmothers who read this book will walk away with?
A:  Often we see our family in terms of who there are to us--as our mother, sister, daughter, grandmother, aunt, etc.--but we need to see them as people with their own dreams, regrets, faults, and needs. In order for Evelyn to strengthen her relationship with her Granny B, she had to respect her grandmother as Beatrice Agnew, a person who existed before, after, and apart from her children and grandchildren. To improve our own family dynamics, we also need to accept each other as imperfect people who love imperfectly, yet who have the capacity to love deeply.

Q:  What is one thing you learned about yourself writing this book?
A:  Faith should bring joy. It's not a survival tool I should use to push through; I shouldn't wield it like a weapon to ship others into shape. My faith should help me shrink the size of my own mistakes and others' shortcomings and help me accept and extend the gift of grace.

Thanks so much for stopping by, Robin. I'm sure my readers will enjoy getting to know more about you and your book.

My review...

It’s hard to believe that this is Pearson’s debut novel! The author crafted a family story that quickly pulls the reader in. Faith, hope, love, self-discovery, and family drama are key themes.

Beatrice Agnew, “Granny B,” is a complex character … and she’s someone we need more of in the world! Her relationship with Evelyn is one that will resonate with many readers. Both characters demonstrate what can happen when secrets are kept, since they are always revealed at some point in time.

Difficult topics are handled in a tactful manner, and they may cause the reader to look at things in a different way, wondering what they’d do if they were in the characters’ shoes. Characters are well-developed, and scenes are descriptive and easy to visualize. Granny B and Evelyn are easy to connect with and root for. Characters are flawed and may remind the reader of someone they know personally, which engages the reader even more.

Scripture and Southern flavor make this a book that will likely stick with the reader. It’s a strong start for Pearson, and I look forward to reading her upcoming books.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy from the publisher, but I wasn’t required to leave a positive review.

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Robin W. Pearson's writing sprouts from her Southern roots and her love of her husband and seven children. Both lend authenticity to her debut novel, A Long Time Comin'. After graduating from Wake Forest University, she has corrected grammar up and down the East Coast in her career as an editor and writer that started with Houghton Mifflin Company twenty-five years ago. Since then she has freelanced with magazines, parenting journals, textbooks, and homeschooling resources. Follow her on her blog, Mommy, Concentrated, where she shares her adventures in faith, family, and freelancing.

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First Line Friday

Happy Friday! It's time for First Line Friday, hosted by Hoarding Books.

It's time to grab the book nearest to you and leave a comment with the first line. Today on First Line Friday, I'm featuring a book from one of my many TBR piles, The Auschwitz Escape by Joel C. Rosenberg.

And the first line is ...

"Evil, unchecked, is the prelude to genocide."

About the book...

A terrible darkness has fallen upon Jacob Weisz's Germany. The Nazi regime, under the leadership of Adolf Hitler, has surged to power and now hold Germany by the throat. All non-Aryans--especially Jews like Jacob and his family--are treated like dogs. 

When tragedy strikes during one terrible night of violence, Jacob flees and joins rebel forces working to undermine the regime. But after a raid goes terribly wrong, Jacob finds himself in a living nightmare--trapped in a crowded, stinking car on the train to the Auschwitz death camp.

As World War II rages and Hitler begins implementing his "final solution" to systematically and ruthlessly exterminate the Jewish people, Jacob must rely on his wits and a God he's not sure he believes in to somehow escape from Auschwitz and alert the world to the Nazi's atrocities before Fascism overtakes all of Europe. The fate of millions hangs in the balance.

Let me know the first line of the book closest to you and then head over to Hoarding Books to see who else is participating.

If you're a blogger or just a social media-er, we'd love for you to join us, too!

"Fatal Strike" by DiAnn Mills ... and a GIVEAWAY!

The publisher has agreed to give away a print copy of this book (US ONLY). You can enter by using the Rafflecopter link at the end of the post. (Giveaway ends October 18, 2019. If you are the randomly chosen winner, I'll contact you.) 

What to Do When God’s Plan Feels like a Mystery Novel

DiAnn Mills

  

Ever feel like God’s plan for our lives is a futile attempt to solve a mystery? Our days are spent looking for clues in everything we experience. Is this God’s plan for me? What does this Scripture passage mean? Is God listening to my prayers? Nights are worse because we replay and stumble through the day’s incidents with no conclusion.

You see, I’ve faced the same challenges. But we can turn that mystery into a satisfactory ending. Take a look at the following:

Who is the hero in our life story?

While we may be quick to think we are, that isn’t accurate. God is the hero in our life story. The glory all goes to Him. When we realize where we fit in the grand story of life, we can relax knowing our Hero has it under control.

Establish a problem or a goal.

How do we discern God’s plan for us? We have choices to make, places to go, and things to do. Can’t He simply send us a text?

Who is the secondary character in our life story?

That’s us. We are servants of the almighty God, not the other way around. When we resign ourselves to letting God take control, we can toss off our heavy backpacks of doubt and worry.

Who is the antagonist?

Think about it. Satan doesn’t want us to know and live God’s plan. The evil one is determined to push us in the wrong direction, distract, and discourage us. In short, he’d like for us to give up on God and find another solution to our problems that doesn’t involve God.

How does the plot thicken?

We hear lies, trip, fall, get back up, proceed, and it all repeats. While the victories give us momentary relief and assurance we’re headed in the right direction, the defeats can be painful. But the wounds and scars are how we grow closer into the image of Jesus Christ.

It can seem like God doesn’t care. Are we earnestly seeking Him as a priority instead of self-solving our mystery?

Search for clues.

Are we searching in the right places for God’s answer? Does what I need line up with God’s holiness?

Research Scripture, talk to respected Christians, pray for the Holy Spirit’s guidance, and be aware of God working in your life.

The first clue is John 9:31: “We know that God does not listen to sinners, but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does his will, God listens to him.”

The second clue is Jeremiah 29:11-12: “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you.”

The third clue is Matthew 7:8: “For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.”

The fourth clue is Psalm 145:18: “The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.”

The fifth clue is Psalm 66:19: “But truly God has listened; he has attended to the voice of my prayer.”

And there are many more!

Take definite steps

We must constantly ask ourselves if we are following God’s path or one that may be good but not for us in this season.

Resolution

We accept that a sovereign God will reveal His plan to us at the perfect time. On the journey we grow, worship, grasp patience, love others, cultivate a servant’s heart, and repeat our commitment to joy in all circumstances.

How do you move ahead when God’s plan feels like a mystery novel?

Great question, DiAnn. Readers, how do you move ahead? Leave your answer below to be entered in the Rafflecopter giveaway for a copy of Fatal Strike.

Q & A with DiAnn...

Q:  Tell us about some of the core themes you discuss in this novel. How can your readers relate to these areas in their own lives?

There are two important themes in this story: (1) how unforgiveness can make us bitter and the peace of embracing forgiveness and (2) the power of adoption in families and in the spiritual realm. Leah comes from a family that has embraced adoption, and both she and Jon go on a spiritual journey exploring what it means to be adopted into God’s family.

        Q:  What do you enjoy most in writing about the work of the FBI?

Creating courageous men and women who dedicate their lives to keep us safe while showing traits that make them relatable and real.

        Q:     Can you tell us about some of the research that went into writing Fatal Strike?

I interviewed a gentleman who worked FBI SWAT. I learned so much about teamwork, the role of a negotiator, and the training. A sniper is used as a last resort when all other means of negotiation fail and people are in danger. The sniper must be confident his or her shot will not hurt another person. Following a mission, the team discusses what went well, what went wrong, and how the operation could be improved.

                 Q.     What inspired the plot of this novel—especially the motif of snakes and venom?

First of all, I hate snakes. J And I believe in writing what we fear. I knew I wanted a female FBI agent who also worked SWAT and had the role of a sniper. What if she were afraid of snakes? How would bad guys use rattlesnake venom? While a rattler bite is not always deadly, it is fatal (fatal strike) when injected into the heart. Plus, the bad guy leaves less evidence by eliminating the need to discard a knife or giving law enforcement an opportunity to trace a bullet.

            Q.     What was your favorite scene to write?

Actually, there are two. (1) Leah faces her nemesis when she’s given what she thinks is a box of flowers and a rattler is inside. Loved her reaction. (2) Leah and her dad reunite after years of estrangement. I cried during that scene.

             Q.     What are you most excited for your readers to experience through reading this novel?

The characters’ journey to solve a horrible crime. On the way they find forgiveness for their pasts and the gift of love.

             Q.     How do you come up with fresh ideas for your books? How do you beat writer’s

                  block?

My ideas come from the media, dreams, watching TV or movies, and sometimes ideas just pop into my head. Writer’s block means I don’t know what happens next. I’m an organic writer, so the idea of an outline destroys my adventure. When I’m stuck, I do one of three things: (1) write a scene I know is coming, (2) go back to the beginning and read and edit, or (3) do something else creative like cook, garden, or shopping.

           Q.     Why did you decide to become a writer in the romantic suspense genre specifically?

Romantic suspense is my favorite genre. We live in a dangerous and unpredictable world. My goal is to show real relational people who are trained to keep us safe. And along the way, they find the gift of love.

          Q:    What’s the most challenging thing about being a Christian author in this genre?

Making violence a part of the story, but keeping graphic scenes that glorify the violence out.

          Q:   Can you tell us about some future projects you’re working on?

I’m finishing up a book currently titled Airborne. A female FBI agent boards a plane in 

Houston for Salzburg, Austria. She needs a vacation to renew her relationship with God and to figure out her future. Her husband has moved out, wants a divorce, and he doesn’t know she’s pregnant. Two hours into the flight, symptoms become evident of a deadly virus onboard, and her husband, a bioengineer, becomes a person of interest.

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My review...

FBI snipers Leah Riesel and Jon Colbert are tasked with solving gruesome murders taking place in Galveston. Victims are being injected with rattlesnake venom. The prime suspect is a young man,  seen near the latest body found on the church steps, who is missing. A local gang is claiming responsibility. Leah and Jon have a history together, and in order to solve the case, they'll have to move beyond their past. 

This is a fast-paced thriller that will keep the reader guessing, as Mills is a master with suspense and mystery. The main characters are intelligent and tough, though they still struggle with realistic fears and faith issues. (The religious element was not overwhelming in any way.) The suspense angle was more prominent than the romance angle, which I enjoyed.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy, but I wasn't required to leave a positive review.

About DiAnn...

DiAnn Mills is a bestselling author who believes her readers should expect an adventure. She combines unforgettable characters with unpredictable plots to create action-packed, suspense-filled novels.

Her titles have appeared on the CBA and ECPA bestseller lists; won two Christy Awards; and been finalists for the RITA, Daphne du Maurier, Inspirational Reader’s Choice, and Carol Award contests. Firewall, the first book in her Houston: FBI series, was listed by Library Journal as one of the best Christian fiction books of 2014.

DiAnn is a founding board member of the American Christian Fiction Writers and a member of Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, Sisters in Crime, and International Thriller Writers. She is codirector of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference, where she continues her passion of helping other writers be successful. She speaks to various groups and teaches writing workshops around the country.

DiAnn has been termed a coffee snob and roasts her own coffee beans. She’s an avid reader, loves to cook, and believes her grandchildren are the smartest kids in the universe. She and her husband live in sunny Houston, Texas.

DiAnn is very active online and would love to connect with readers on Facebook: www.facebook.com/DiAnnMills, Twitter: https://twitter.com/diannmills, or any of the social media platforms listed at www.diannmills.com.

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"Memories of Glass" by Melanie Dobson ... and a GIVEAWAY!

The publisher has agreed to give away one print copy of this book (US ONLY). You can enter by using the Rafflecopter link at the end of the post. (Giveaway ends September 12, 2019. If you are the randomly chosen winner, I'll contact you.) 

Q & A with Melanie...

Q:  How did you come across the true accounts that inspired Memories of Glass? What research went into writing this novel?

A:   Several years ago a dear friend told me about thousands of Dutch mining tunnels in Maastricht that were used to hide people and artwork during World War II. As I researched those tunnels, I stumbled onto the incredible story about a network of seemingly ordinary people in Amsterdam who rescued more than six hundred children from a Nazi deportation center during the war. This amazing feat became the foundation for Memories of Glass.

During my months of research, I read countless interviews with men and women involved in the Dutch resistance and then spent a week in the Netherlands visiting all the major locations for my story, including the Amsterdam deportation center and the marlstone tunnels down south. When I boarded a bus to Kamp Westerbork, the elderly driver was so pleased to hear I was writing a novel about Holland's Holocaust that he covered my fare. across this beautiful country of windmills, canals, and fields of flowers, I discovered a number of gracious people like this gentleman who were eager to share what happened to their ancestors during the war.

Q:  Oh, that's wonderful that you met so many gracious people eager to help you. What is the inspiration for the title of your book, Memories of Glass?
A:   In both the past and present stories, my characters wrestle with how to process the broken memories of loved ones who were stolen away from them, and one of my Dutch heroines collects antique glass bottles many years after the war to remember someone she lost. At the end of the story—well, I won't tell you exactly what happens at the end, but after many years of brokenness, the shards of those memories are finally welded back together again.

Q:  How did the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands differ from their occupation of other European countries?
A:  Before the war, the Netherlands had been a neutral country, welcoming many German Jewish refugees across the border, but everything changed for the Dutch in May 1940. After promising not to attack, Hitler's army swept furiously into Holland and overtook this beautiful land. The Dutch were stunned but consoled by promises that the persecution happening in Germany wouldn't occur in their country.

A special council—the Judenrat–was formed to meet the needs of Jewish citizens. Even as new regulations were implemented in Holland, many of the 140,000 Dutch Jews believed they were safe because the Nazis granted thousands of exemptions to their growing list of rules. In 1942, assisted by the Judenrat, the Nazis began rounding up the Jewish people and cramming them into a gutted Amsterdam theater called Hollandsche Schowburg. Still they continued to grant exemptions to elite Jewish citizens until near the end of the war when even the leaders of the Judenrat were rounded up and deported to concentration camps. More than a hundred thousand Jewish people lost their lives during the Dutch Holocaust, but of the twenty-five thousand who went into hiding, including four thousand children, more than fifteen thousand remained hidden until liberation.

Q:  You've highlighted three real-life Dutch heroes in this novel. Could you tell us a bit about their stories?
A:   Walter Süskind was a German Jewish salesman appointed to register each man, woman, and child forced into an Amsterdam theater for deportation. Across the street from the theater, separated by a tram line, were two brick-clad buildings–a day care run by a matronly Jewish woman named Henriёtte Pimentel and the Reformed Teacher Training College, overseen by Johan van Hulst. These three leaders partnered together to rescue six hundred children from their vigilant occupiers, and the Nazis never found out what they were doing.

Sadly Henriёtte was killed at Auschwitz in 1943 after accompanying her staff and the remaining children in her care. Walter was exempted from deportation, but his wife and daughter were not. He chose to live with them and many think he was killed in 1945 by fellow inmates at Auschwitz who thought he, a former employee of the Judenrat, was a traitor. Dr. Hulst Passed away last year at the age of 107. He knew that I was writing Memories of Glass, and it was a great honor for me to connect with those who loved him.

Q:  Oh, that's wonderful! What is your favorite thing about writing in the time-slip genre? What's the most challenging aspect of it?
A:   I love to research and learn stories from the past, especially stories about ordinary people who did extraordinary things to fight against evil. In time-slip fiction, I can write a past plot alongside a contemporary one to show the repercussions of an event that occurred long ago. I like peeling back the layers of a family secret to discover the reality of what really happened and how it continues to impact people today. The most challenging aspect of writing time-slip fiction is weaving together the past and present stories so readers will be engaged with the characters in both time periods.

Q:  What role does faith play in the story?
A:   I really enjoyed writing about the journey of Landon West, my contemporary character  who partners with Ugandans to provide both jobs and the good news about God's redeeming love. The role of faith is integral in both the past and present stories as Josie, one of my past heroines, is motivated to help others because of God's call on her life.

Also, the story shines a light on the persistent, nagging struggle of doubt and shame. Ava, my contemporary heroine, ultimately determines: "This burden of my memories, the extra weight of guilt, has almost crushed me. But long ago soldiers nailed up the burden of my sin on a cross, the depth of my shame, when they crucified Christ. Perhaps I can remember now without the weight of sorrow."

God gifts Ava with a beautiful memory as she begins to realize that what happened in the past wasn't her fault. God doesn't need to forgive her for this loss. She needs to forgive herself.

Q:  In this novel, one of the contemporary characters must confront a difficult truth about her family's history and involvement with WWII. What lessons do you hope readers will learn from this character's struggle?
A:   Ava is shocked to discover the terrible destruction initiated by some of her ancestors during World War II, but near the end of the novel, she is encouraged to find that others in her family tried to repair this damage.

Through my life, I've learned that it's difficult to understand someone's actions — a relative or friend — until you understand their journey. Many people, though, are ashamed or embarrassed about their past. I hope this story encourages readers to share their own stories and then, with a heart of compassion, be diligent about learning the stories of those they love. The truth, through Christ, is the power to set all of us free.

Q:   In many of your novels, ordinary people are challenged to do extraordinary things. How do the historical characters in this novel respond differently to the same threat?
A:   It was a fascinating challenge me to work through how each of my Dutch characters would respond to the Nazi occupation and eventual persecution of the Jewish people. Some of m characters collaborated with Hitler and profited off the persecution of their fellow man. Some gave their lives to help others escape. Other characters are forced to walk a terrifying middle line between good and evil, a line that kept shifting our from under their feet.

As I wrote this story, I had to continually ask myself — what would I do if I had lived in Amsterdam in 1942? It's impossible to know, of course, but I was greatly humbled and encouraged to learn the stories of the many heroes and heroines who risked everything to love their neighbors.

Q:  Memories of Glass, like other novels you've written, highlights the virtue of sacrificial love. How do you hope your readers will relate this to their daily lives?
A:   The heart of the story is about two Dutch women who've been wounded by a broken friendship. When the Nazi occupation brings them back together, they must work closely together to rescue the Jewish children in their care.

My hope is that the friendship and sacrifice of these women will represent the thousands of Dutch men and women who gave their lives for people they loved and often for people they didn't even know. Memories of Glass poured out of me as a reminder that in my own small world, my busyness, I often overlook opportunities to help others around me. I hope readers are inspired alongside of me to be vigilant in sacrificially loving those whom God brings into our world as well as, like Landon in the story, be open to stepping outside our comfort zones partner with people in need around the world.

My review...

I enjoy books about WWII, and I enjoy Melanie Dobson’s books, so I’m not surprised that I loved this book. It's a story that will stick with me for some time, and it should, as this is about a part of history that shouldn't be forgotten.

Dobson has crafted a powerful time-slip novel with well-developed characters who show strength and determination when faced with unbelievable circumstances. This book is a testament to the numerous men and women who risked their lives during WWII to help save others (in the case of Memories of Glass, children). While many people have heard horrific details about the Holocaust, this side of the Holocaust is not as widely known. 

The story weaves together Ava Drake’s present-day story, as director of the Kingston Family Foundation, with the historical angle, where she uncovers secrets about her family’s history in Holland during WWII. The conclusion is one that will likely leave the reader feeling a bit more hopeful.

Themes of forgiveness and resilience are key, as well as the message that God’s grace is always present. Faith is woven throughout. It’s obvious that Dobson did an extensive amount of research for this book. I also enjoyed the Author’s Note, which gave some insight on how the story came to be written.

Some of my favorite quotes:

• “God is going to use you to bring people together instead of tear them apart.”
• “We’ll never be satisfied in here … by relying on someone other than God to heal us.”
• “Hatred stops at nothing to destroy, but love can break through the root of evil.”

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy, but I wasn’t required to leave a positive review.

Amazon purchase link

About Melanie...

Melanie Dobson is the award-winning author of nineteen historical romance, suspense, and time-slip novels, including Hidden Among the Stars, Catching the Wind, Chateau of Secrets, and Shadows of Ladenbrooke Manor. Four of her novels have won Carol Awards, Catching the Wind won the Audie Award for inspirational fiction, and The Black Cloister won the Foreword magazine Religious Fiction Book of the Year.

Melanie is the former corporate publicity manager at Focus on the Family and owner of the publicity firm Dobson Media Group. When she isn’t writing, Melanie enjoys teaching both writing and public relations classes.

Melanie and her husband, Jon, have two daughters. After moving numerous times with work, the Dobson family has settled near Portland, Oregon, and they love to hike and camp in the mountains of the Pacific Northwest and along the Pacific Coast. Melanie also enjoys exploring ghost towns and abandoned homes, helping care for kids in her community, and reading stories with her girls.

Visit Melanie online at www.melaniedobson.com.

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"Overcomer" by Chris Fabry ... and a GIVEAWAY!

The publisher has agreed to give away one print copy of this book (US ONLY). You can enter by using the Rafflecopter link at the end of the post. (Giveaway ends July 26, 2019. If you are the randomly chosen winner, I'll contact you.) 

Q&A with Chris...

Q:  You visited the set of Overcomer when it was being filmed. What did you take away
from that experience?
A: I was amazed at the complexity of all the moving parts. I was also struck by the commitment the Kendricks and their team have to tell the story they’re given and not deviate. Their commitment to prayer on set was heartening and rich.

Q: Can you tell us a little bit about the story line, without giving too much away?
A: The film focuses on a fifteen-year-old girl, Hannah Scott. She’s been through a lot of loss in her life and struggles with her identity, which is universal. As you watch her grapple with what life throws at her, you will be encouraged to run your own race. Her coach also has a big part in the film and novel because he’s struggling with some of the same questions.

Q: This story suggests that we often let others, our culture, or the roles we play define us. What do you hope this story does inside readers?
A: First, I hope it captivates readers as simply a good story. I want you to turn the pages to see what will happen next. I was able to develop some of the story lines a little further and show a little more than the film can show in two hours. So my desire is for a satisfying read that takes you deeper into your own heart. Then, when you see the film, I hope you’ll be amazed at how the two versions of the story come together.

Q:  Is discovering our identity in Christ something you can do “mentally”? How do you get the knowledge to transform the way you live?

      A: There is a sense that you can “know” this and not experience it. In other words, there are plenty of Christians who get this in the head but not the heart. It’s our hope that this story will bridge the gap between head and heart. Transformation doesn’t come with knowing facts. It comes when you participate with God in the change he is making on the inside. That’s always a painful process but a good one. 

    Q:  This book suggests that surrendering our lives to God is the only way to discover the life we were meant to live. Comment on that principle.

    A: I once knew an old missionary to India who told me, “Your greatest mission in life is submission.” The best thing we can do with our lives is to fully surrender to God’s work. For those of us who like to control things (me being chief controller), this is a scary, vulnerable thing to do. But we find real, abundant life when we get to the point where we’re willing to allow God to do whatever he wants to do in and through us. 

    Q: What do we risk when we surrender control and place our future in God’s hands? What do we gain?

    A: Surrender is a huge risk because we lose control. We lose the ability to write our own story. But when you take that step of faith—and another and another—you begin the journey of entering the Bigger Story, the Larger Story of what God is doing in you and in the world. Look at the disciples before they fully entered that story and after they entered it. You’ll never reach your full potential until you submit to God’s working in your life. 

    Q:  This is your second novelization of a Kendrick brothers’ movie. What is your process for writing a movie novelization?

    A: I love the fact that the Kendricks have drawn the boundary lines and have made all the hard choices. I call it the fence line—they’ve put up the barbed wire and I get to play in the pasture. I read the script, I watch the rough cut of the film about a thousand times, I ask questions about what’s on Hannah’s wall, for example. Why does she choose those images to put above her bed? Why does she wear that shirt on her first day of school? So I get to do things with words and answer questions that you can’t do in a film because of the limitations on-screen.

     Q: What character will we learn more about in the book than we see in the movie?

     A: Hannah’s grandmother, Barbara, has a tough, crusty exterior. And in the film you see a lot of her fear and how that motivates her life. Of course, you want to see her change by the end of the story, but we know that doesn’t always happen. So I found it challenging to tell more about what’s going on inside Barbara in the novel.

    Q: Who is your favorite character in this story and why? 

    A: How do you not answer with Hannah? She’s just so relatable and real to me. But I have to say that Thomas captured my heart. When you see the depth of his struggle, the guilt he has lived with, the way God has taken hold of him—but that he is still growing in grace when we meet him—his face, his heart all comes through so strongly. 

    Q:  How did you relate to this story personally?

    A: I aspire to have my identity come from what God has done for me in Christ. In reality, I struggle with the same thing these characters are struggling with. Do I gauge my worth by my performance? Do I gauge my acceptability with God by some external thing, or do I really believe God accepts me as I am and that he sees the righteousness of Christ in me? Do I strive or rest? Those are questions that are huge in my life and I think will make a difference for anyone who reads or sees this story. 

My review...

It’s hard to write this review without including any spoilers. I read a lot of books, and I don't give out too many five-star reviews, but this one is certainly worthy of it. To keep it short and to the point, the message is something I needed to hear, and I think many others will feel the same way.

The book is divided into four parts (The Coach, The Question, The Answer, and The Voice). Throughout the book, Fabry’s characters are a reminder that life doesn’t always turn out as we expect. In fact, it rarely does. But that’s not always a bad thing, as God’s plans are so much better than we can envision. We are all overcomers in some way, and this book reinforces that message.

Many people will be able to relate to John and Hannah, who are struggling to find their paths. It's wonderful to see them grow as they realize the parts God has lined up for them to fulfill. The book may leave the reader evaluating who they really are … and whose they really are. It’s a highly emotional read, especially as the story unfolds, so keep the Kleenex nearby. I had a difficult time putting this book down, as it was that engaging. I look forward to seeing the movie.

A couple of my favorite quotes:

• “When we give our life over to God, He helps us, He forgives us, He can turn the bad to good and carry us forward.”
• “I think somehow forgiveness is a gift you have to open every day. First, you open it for yourself and receive it. Once you do that, you wrap it up and give it to somebody else.”

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy from the publisher, but I wasn’t required to leave a positive review.

Click here to read a sample of the book.

Amazon purchase link

About Chris...

Chris Fabry is an award-winning author and radio personality who hosts the daily program Chris Fabry Live on Moody Radio. He is also heard on Love Worth Finding, Building Relationships with Dr. Gary Chapman, and other radio programs. A 1982 graduate of the W. Page Pitt School of Journalism at Marshall University and a native of West Virginia, Chris and his wife, Andrea, now live in Arizona and are the parents of nine children.

Chris's novels, which include Dogwood, June Bug, Almost Heaven, and The Promise of Jesse Woods, have won five Christy Awards, an ECPA Christian Book Award, and two Awards of Merit from Christianity Today. He was inducted into the Christy Award Hall of Fame in 2018. His eightieth published book, Under a Cloudless Sky, is a novel set in the coalfields of his home state of West Virginia. His books include movie novelizations, like the bestseller War Room; nonfiction; and novels for children and young adults. He coauthored the Left Behind: The Kids series with Jerry B. Jenkins and Tim LaHaye, as well as the Red Rock Mysteries and the Wormling series with Jerry B. Jenkins. Visit his website at www.chrisfabry.com.

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