The new film Courageous releases in theaters across the country tomorrow. If you have seen movies such as Fireproof or Facing the Giants, then you know the quality work and writing that the team at Sherwood Baptist Church produces. We’re hoping to have the movie be one of the top movies in the country this weekend. Go out and support this very important Christian film!
There are several books available at LifeWay Christians Stores that help readers expand on the themes presented in the movie. One of them is the Courageousnovelization of the film by best-selling author Randy Alcorn (Heaven, The Treasure Principle,Safely Home, etc.). I’m honored to have Randy as a guest blogger today to share his experience of taking the film’s screenplay and turning it into a full novel.
Welcome, Randy!
What kind of research did you do in writing the novelization? How did it help you in writing the book?
Last fall I spent four days in Albany, Georgia (home of Sherwood Baptist Church, Sherwood Pictures, and the Courageous movie production). I met extensively with Alex and Stephen Kendrick, and a variety of people, including Ken Bevel, who played Michael in Fireproof and plays Nathan in Courageous. I was driven around town for three hours by a savvy cop, a veteran investigations Captain who showed me the gang life where drug deals happen, and took me on a tour of the jail. I took photographs and visited most of the film’s locations.
I worshipped at Sherwood Baptist on Sunday, which I really enjoyed (a key scene in the movie and the book takes place there). So when I wrote a scene, I’d been there. Authenticity is important. If it’s true in the writer’s mind the reader picks that up, if it’s vague to the author, the reader senses that and doesn’t buy into the story.
The movie filming had already been completed, but I was able to watch the Kendrick brothers as they worked on Courageous in the editing room. They would run a scene back and ask, “Does this work?”
Movie making and book writing are not contradictory, but supplementary mediums. Watching Alex and Stephen sit at their computers surrounded by big screens, editing Courageous, showed me that making a good movie is remarkably similar to making a good book, which I’ve been trying to do for twenty-five years. The painstaking editing process helps you to make it into the most compelling story that reaches into hearts of the audience.
What was it like writing a novel based on a screenplay?
The challenge in writing a novelization is to be 100 percent true to the movie and yet still develop a compelling part of a larger storyline that’s not in the movie. Certain things I wrote into the Courageous novel were hinted at or touched on in the film, and I expanded on them. Some components of the book are entirely new, but I think the movie-goers will really enjoy them.
The screenplay had about 20,000 words. That’s only the length of a long “short story.” A typical novel has 80,000 to 100,000 words; this one’s about 85,000. That means I had to create over four times the material already in the movie. I added four times the scenes, four times the plot components, four times the character development, four times more conflict, four times more humor. I needed to add some strategic characters here and there, because a novel is equivalent not to a two hour movie, but to a ten hour saga (think the three volume Lord of the Rings movies, extended versions!). The limited cast of characters in a movie aren’t sufficient to carry the action and dialogue required of a novel. Movies and novels can be complementary, but because of their forms and lengths they are very different.
Readers will find that the novel Courageous is faithful to the movie but covers a lot more ground. When we see a movie version of a book we’ve read, we say, “I can’t believe they cut that character and that scene!” But those cuts are necessary because a book always has way too much material for a two-hour movie. In this case, when the movie came first, I sort of reverse-engineered it. I pretended the movie was based on a novel, and I asked myself, “What would that novel have looked like?” That’s the novel I tried to write. Of course, every novelist would write it differently, but since they asked me to do it, they got my particular style.
Readers of the novel Courageous will meet a macho cop named Bronson, and an elderly man named Tom Lyman, in a wheelchair.
I added both of them to round out the story, provide some unique contributions to some key scenes, and to more define Adam Mitchell’s character and challenges. I even added a dog to the Mitchell family, for the same reason. Readers will learn something very surprising about David, and find out some significant issues in Dylan’s life, and about Jade’s relationship with Derrick at school. They will see developed further the depth of Javy’s love and respect for his father. These things aren’t in the movie, but they don’t contradict the movie, they simply expand it. (The movie doesn’t portray the Mitchells having a dog, but it doesn’t suggest they don’t. So I say they do have a dog, it just wasn’t in the movie! By the way, the dog’s name is Maggie, and she’s a year old Golden Retriever!)
Was it easy for you to write a novel based on someone else’s screenplay?
In a word…no!
It might seem like it would be easy because after all, Alex and Stephen Kendrick gave me an excellent movie script to start with. The problem is, a screenplay is not a novel, and what works on the screen (and the movie works beautifully) and in a book is not always the same.
Alex and Stephen and Sherwood Baptist Church are terrific, and they are excellent at movie-making, doing what I couldn’t begin to. But, like every novelist, I have my own style, my way of writing and constructing a story line and developing characters and their own back-story. It wasn’t easy to assume ownership of someone else’s story, even such a good one, and then multiply it four times and write a true novel in their characters, plot, themes, development, approach and tone would be seamlessly integrated and true to both my style and theirs. This is a challenge of collaboration but hopefully the final product justifies all the work it required. And I’m grateful to hear so many people who haven’t seen the movie yet say that they love the book.
For example, usually as I write a novel I come up with creative ideas that require me to subtract a character I started with, change which characters I have in a screen, even change a character’s age, appearance, ethnicity or name. If there’s a compelling reason to do so, and sometimes there is, I make very significant changes from my earlier drafts. I can go back and plant clues wherever I want to and make last minute changes the reader will never be aware that I made, changes which made the book much better. But obviously, I didn’t have the option of taking away some of Adam’s lines and replacing them with something else. I couldn’t take a line that belonged to Nathan in the movie and give it to his wife Kayla in the book. People would notice.
So, to me, the twenty percent of the Courageous novel that was straight from the screenplay was written in stone. I could tweak things here and there, add something to enhance it, but I didn’t want to change the movie. Of course, movies based on novels frequently alter and contradict the novels they are based on. But I don’t think a novelization should take those liberties with a movie.
Also, I had to make compromises with point of view because the camera shows the movie viewer things that in a novel you shouldn’t normally convey except from a restricted point of view of a single character. But I had to fudge on this occasionally because if I didn’t some portions of the book would have felt really different than the movie, in a way that could confuse people who experience both.
What do you hope readers of the book and viewers of the movie will come away with?
There are a several nonfiction books related to the Courageous movie, but I really believe that the Courageous novel is going to have its own distinctive role in impacting readers. We’re already seeing this to be true, for instance a police officer wrote last week to say his wife gave him the book, he read it and it caused him to “come back to Christ.” This novel is unique among the books in that like the movie, it is a story, and stories have a unique power. God can bring truth into peoples’ lives through the experience of reading good fiction because it speaks to our hearts in ways different than nonfiction.
What makes a story unforgettable and haunting and the subject of water cooler conversations is the same thing in movies as it is in books. We crave a story that has the ring of truth, that involves action and conflict and the growth of characters we care about. A story that we don’t leave behind when we leave the theater or read the last page of the book. We want a redemptive story that stays with us and changes us for the better. That’s what I’m convinced the movie Courageous will do, and the Courageous novel also. People will spend five times longer in the novel than in the theatre watching the movie, and this will give them more time to think and reflect. You can stop reading and ponder what you’ve read, and reread it, then read it to a friend, or post a portion on Facebook.
Though a movie or a book alone usually isn’t enough to change people, it can be an instrument used by God to get their attention and challenge them to take the next step. The key to long-term growth and turning around hearts and families will be churches and families and individuals meeting with God and each other day after day, calling upon Him to transform us, by the grace and truth of Jesus Christ and the power of His Holy Spirit.
Do you think the time is ripe for men to receive the message of Courageous?
I really do. I think there are a lot of men in this culture who are just waiting to be challenged. In my experience, whenever men’s ministries in churches have challenged men to be godly men, they are many who step forward. But there are many churches that simply need a tool that can be used to make that challenge. I believe the Courageous movie and the related books and studies are an instrument that God can greatly use, and I expect Him to do exactly that.
Then it will be up to the churches, and the small groups and men’s ministries within those churches, to take the next step and not just challenge men, but also inspire them to rise up and say, “Yes, I am resolved to be a man of courage and conviction.” Actually helping them to follow through with that resolve no matter what will be a huge challenge, but I expect that many churches and many men will rise to meet that challenge. Courageous has the potential to make a profound difference.
What’s the distinctive value of a novel when it comes to addressing a theme like courage and proactive fatherhood?
Fiction has a way of immersing people in a story, making them identify with characters and learning values and perspectives that are both positive and negative. I write a lot of nonfiction too, but sometimes people are touched by stories in a way that they aren’t touched by straightforward presentation of truth and principles.
Courageous is a novel that I hope will capture people’s attention and draw them into a fast-moving storyline with interesting characters. As this happens, they will relate to the book’s theme of courageous manhood, of men learning to take seriously their commitment to God, their wives and their children. In particular, having the courage to be active fathers not passive ones, taking on a hands-on role with their kids rather than surrendering them to the misguided values and harmful influences of this culture.
There are unbelievers that will not read a nonfiction book that quotes the Bible and sounds too Christian. But they will read and enjoy and sometimes respond to God’s truth and the gospel message when they see it embodied in a story that touches their heart and breaks down walls of resistance.
I love this time of the year… mornings are cooler, afternoon skies seem a bit bluer, people are setting out mums and pumpkins on their porches, and there is an abundance of new novels! Ah, fall…gotta love it!
Here are some of the new historical novels that have just landed at LifeWay Christian Stores. They are all on my “to be read” list that I’m always making my way through.
I have been anxious to get my hands on Jody Hedlund’s second novel for months. The Doctor’s Lady is a compelling story of missionary life in the 1830’s. Priscilla White has always felt a call to serve on the mission field in India but when a letter arrives telling her that the mission board prefers to have only married couples on the field, she’s left wondering what God’s plan is for her life. Dr. Eli Ernest is passing through Priscilla’s town raising money and awareness for his ministry in Oregon Country. Eli just received the same news that Priscilla did: only married couples are needed on the mission field. The two realize the other might be the answer to their need and they agree to a partnership, a marriage in name only that will allow them both to serve. Their journey west to Oregon is based on a true story of a missionary couple (love that!) but I won’t spoil the story by telling you who it is!
Another book that I was anxious for was Allison Pittman’s Forsaking All Others. This is her second book in The Sister Wife Series (For Time and Eternity is book #1). Camilla Fox has just survived a near-fatal snowstorm after leaving her home to escape the Mormon faith she no longer calls her own. As she recovers under the personal care of United States Army Colonel Charles Brandon, she is constantly thinking of the two children she left behind. Camilla is desperate to reunite with her daughters and to not let them grow up in the Mormon faith.But how can she provide a home for them when she doesn’t want to share her husband with a sister wife? Pittman’s series provides readers with a fascinating look into the early years of the Mormon faith and one woman’s desire to return to the Christian faith of her childhood.
I just finished reading A Heart Revealed by Julie Lessman set in 1930’s Boston. It’s the second book in the Winds of Change Series (A Hope Undauntedis book #1) and we get to know Emma Malloy, a friend of the O’Connor family. Emma left Dublin ten years ago to escape her brutal husband who scarred her beautiful face. She has established a life in Boston that she enjoys and is surrounded by friends who love her unconditionally. Emma finds herself falling for her best friend’s brother, Sean O’Connor. In her heart she knows they could never have a relationship because her marriage has never been severed to Rory back in Ireland. Julie is one of the best there is today at writing intensely passionate romance novels. Her ability to thread romance and longing, deception and forgiveness, and lots of humor are unparalleled by anyone else in the Christian market today.
And then there is Deeanne Gist. I just love this gal, both as an author and a person. Love on the Line just released and promises to be filled with the romance and laughter that Deeanne is known for. Georgie Gail is a rural switchboard operator and is proud of her independence in a man’s world. Needless to say, she gets upset when the telephone company sends a man to look over her shoulder. Luke Palmer may be a dashingly handsome man but he is far more than he appears. Serving as an undercover Texas Ranger working to infiltrate a notorious gang of train robbers, the last thing Luke needs is to get his wires crossed with Georgie. But when his stakeout puts her in peril, he realizes more than his job is on the line.
Those are some of the books on my fall reading list. What do you have on yours?
Hitting shelves today is the new suspense novel from best-selling author Terri Blackstock! Shadow in Serenity is now available!
Carny Sullivan grew up in the zany world of a traveling carnival. Quaint and peaceful Serenity, Texas, has given her a home, a life, and a child. Logan Brisco is the smoothest, slickest, handsomest man Serenity, Texas has ever seen. But Carny Sullivan knows a con artist when she sees one—and she’s seen plenty, starting with her father. As far as Carny Sullivan can tell, she’s the only one in town who has his number. Because from his Italian shoes to his movie-actor smile, Logan has the rest of the town snowed.
Carny is determined to reveal Brisco’s selfish intentions before his promise to the townspeople for a cut in a giant amusement park sucks Serenity dry. Yet, as much as she hates his winning ways, there is a man behind that suave smile, a man who may win her heart against her will. Shadow in Serenity is a modern-day Music Man, penned by a Christy Award-winning, New York Times bestselling author.
LifeWay’s new catalog is out. There are lots of new fiction releases this month. Check out pages 9-16!
The new movie Courageous hits theaters on Friday. Have you bought your ticket yet? This is a must see film for all! There is a novelization of the film that’s currently available at LifeWay Christian Stores for just $10!
From the creators of Fireproof comes Courageous, an inspiring new story about everyday heroes who long to be the kinds of dads that make a lifelong impact on their children. As law enforcement officers, Adam Mitchell, Nathan Hayes, and their partners willingly stand up to the worst the world can offer. Yet at the end of the day, they face a challenge that none of them are truly prepared to tackle: fatherhood. While they consistently give their best on the job, good enough seems to be all they can muster as dads. But they're quickly discovering that their standard is missing the mark.
They know that God desires to turn the hearts of fathers to their children, but their children are beginning to drift farther and farther away from them. Will they be able to find a way to serve and protect those who are most dear to them? When tragedy hits home, these men are left wrestling with their hopes, their fears, their faith, and their fathering. Can a newfound urgency help these dads draw closer to God ... and to their children?
The American Christian Fiction Writers Association (ACFW) held their yearly meeting last week in St. Louis. Authors, aspiring authors, agents, and publishers attended workshops throughout the week to learn more about the writing process. They ended the week with their annual awards program. The Carol Awards honor the best in fiction for the previous year as voted on by the ACFW members and other people throughout the industry. Check out the list of winners! Did any of your favorites win?
I was privileged to attend a dinner with several of Revell’s authors on Friday night. It was so much fun meeting these writers. It's always so cool to hear how everyone started out writing. Some of them have always enjoyed writing while others pick it up later in life. Each author has a heart for story and sharing biblical truths in their novels.
Here's a group shot of the authors and some of the fine folks at Revell. Oh, and I apologize for the red and white eyes. I took my cheap camera and, well, it shows!
Front Row: Sarah Sundin, Andrea from Revell, Lynnette Eason, Suzanne Woods Fisher, Twila from Revell
Back Row: Mesu Andrews, Ann Shorey, Irene Hannon, Lorna Seilstad, Jill Eilleen Smith, Laura Frantz, Ruth Axtell Morren, Maggie Brendan, Julie Lessman, Jonelle from Revell, and Dan Walsh
Yesterday we introduced you to the new novel by Gina Holmes, Dry as Rain. Today I’m thrilled to have Gina stopping by to tell share her passion for writing Christian fiction.
Welcome, Gina!
What It Means to me to Write Christian Fiction
What do you think of when you hear Christian fiction? It seems to mean something different to everyone. There are those who think of only prairie romance, or fluff novels full of little substance, or novels written by authors who couldn’t make it in the “real world” of fiction, (I had a friend who was trying to get her secular novel published, that said if she couldn’t get a contract, she’d throw a few Jesus references and a scripture or two in and take it to the CBA, (Christian Bookseller’s Association)—um, good luck with that plan.)
Many people seem to think the term simply means fiction minus the curse words and flesh, aka “safe” fiction.
While Christian fiction did get its start with Janette Oke and romance, it has come a long way to diversify in recent years. Boy has it. If you like speculative fiction/horror/fantasy, you now have Ted Dekker, Tosca Lee, Erin Healy, Frank Peretti, Mike Duran, and a whole lineup from small publisher-Marcher Lord Press.
If you love the serious, literary fiction, have you read Charles Martin, Athol Dickson, Chris Fabry, or even my own, Crossing Oceans?
Biblical: Francine Rivers, Tosca Lee’s Havah, Jill Eileen Smith
Lad lit: Ray Blackston and Michael Snyder.
This list is certainly not an exhaustive list of genes or authors, (not even close), but you get the picture—there’s lots to choose from!
Those who think Christian fiction is subpar and stick their noses in the air, either haven’t read broadly or else they haven’t read it at all. Those who think it should be simply a book devoid of offensive words are really missing the boat.
Like many other Christian fiction authors, I found Francine Rivers’ bestselling novel, Redeeming Love to be the tool God used to show that I could change lives in the genre without simply putting on a literary mask and pretending that my character’s lives were without sin. This novel also taught me to take off the Christian mask in my personal life and to be who I am boldly—to BE a real Christian, rather than LOOKING like a real Christian.
In my latest novel, Dry as Rain, the main character is a nominal Christian who commits adultery. He is a liar, he is a thief, (adultery and fornication is a form of thievery in my book), he is flawed and he is very wrong.
The second chapter of this novel shows him waking up in his mistress’ bed. Gasp! I don’t show the act “on stage” but I do show the aftermath. Our so-called hero has a thorn in his side, a weakness for the flesh and a deep, God-shaped void that he tries to fill with money, sex, career and everything but faith. This is not safe fiction, and I’m okay with that.
My goal has never been safety. I want to write about people who fall, but get back up. Who sin, but are forgiven. Who have real struggles with real sins like I do.
I want to point to the hope of redemption, to the love of God, to the truth of the Christian life and the consequences of sin.
Showing sin, in all its temporary pleasure and its long-term consequences is what the Bible does. It is about as “unsafe” as a Christian book could be. There is violence, sexual sin galore, alcoholism, you name it. Are all these sins committed by the bad guys? Ha! King David killed a man just to have his beautiful wife, Noah was a drunk, Paul was a persecutor, Thomas was a doubter, Peter denied knowing his savior to save himself… and on and on.
Jesus offended with His teachings and so who am I to shy away from doing the same? Truth should be the goal, not safety. At the end of the day, it is the letter from the sinner who writes to tell me they realize they are not too far away from God to turn back which lets me know I’m on the right path, not the one from the Pharisee who commends me on a novel that doesn’t offend.
If you’ve been with us since the start of A Novel Bookshelf then you might recall my slight infatuation (okay… obsession) with a new novelist from last year. Gina Holmes’ debut novel, Crossing Oceans, was easily my favorite read of 2010. I’m still recommending it to people even a year later (by the way… have you read it yet?!). I’ve been eagerly awaiting her next novel ever since. And it’s here! Dry as Rain is here! Check out the video to see what the story is about.
As a book buyer for LifeWay Christian Stores, I see a lot of novels that contain good stories with loveable characters and fun situations. But, the stories that I personally get passionate about are the ones that reflect real life. If you are around me long enough, you know that one of my “fiction soap boxes” is that we need more books that people today can relate to. Life isn’t always pretty. Life doesn’t always end up wrapped up with a pretty pink bow. The guy doesn’t always get the girl. Life is hard. Life is messy. But God is good throughout it.
Gina Holmes writes that kind of story. Dry as Rain can be difficult to read at times because the emotions that are coming through the page are real. You can feel the pain that Eric and Kyra are inflecting on each other as their marriage is rapidly falling apart. Each spouse is struggling with anger, doubt, and a lack of forgiveness.
Gina isn’t afraid to take her reads to the yucky part of life because that’s the way life can be for all of us. We all mess up and hope that we’ll get a do-over like Eric in the novel. Her writing reminds you that there is a God who loves unconditionally and who has provided the ultimate second chance at the life he desires us to live. I love that about Gina’s writings and I love that about the power of Christian novels.
Be sure to come back tomorrow! Gina will be joining us to share about her heart for writing novels. See you then!
Happy Friday to you! Let’s giveaway some novels today!
Yesterday I introduced you to Robbie Cheuvront and Erik Reed, the authors of the new suspense novel The Guardian. If you haven’t had a chance to check out the book, pop over to yesterday’s post and learn more about it.
We have two autographed copies of The Guardian to giveaway today. For your chance to win, take a stab at this trivia question.
In The Guardian, Anna Riley stumbles across an ancient scroll that God gave to John the Disciple.
How many books of the Bible did John the Disciple write?
A.)3
B.) 4
C.)5
D.)6
Leave your answer in the comments section of today’s post by 6:00 p.m. central time today. We’ll randomly select two winners from the correct answers.
Today we have the authors of the new suspense novel,The Guardian, joining us. Robbie Cheuvront is the Creative Arts and Worship pastor at The Journey Church just outside of Nashville (and yes… he’s the same Robbie Cheuvront who was part of the band Lonestar) and Erik Reed is the Lead Pastor at The Journey Church. Let’s find out why two pastors wanted to write a suspense novel!
Welcome, guys!
What led you to write The Guardian?
As Robbie traveled on the road, he became a big fan of reading fiction literature. After reading hundreds upon hundreds of books over the years, he decided to try his hand at writing. The catalyst for this effort was a dream that took place that gave him the genesis of The Guardian idea. After meeting with Erik the next day to discuss this, they decided to embrace this project as a co-venture, and the rest is history.
What are some of the key themes that you hope to get across in The Guardian?
The Guardian is a fiction novel, but it certainly is not for entertainment only. We desire for the book to communicate some core truths that are found throughout Scripture:
a.The Sovereignty of God
b.The Authority of Scripture
c.The Providential Workings of God
d.The Reality of Christ as Lord of All
e. The deep need for and centrality of the gospel.
Do you feel there are some good faith lessons in this story? If so, please explain.
There are some great faith lessons in this story. One of the biggest things that will come across in this book is that God will not always give you every step of His plan, but he usually only gives the immediate step. This requires faith. Faith is about acting on the step God has revealed, not waiting until we see His whole plan. The book will show this clearly. We also see the deep need for Christ that EVERY person has. We will see the wickedness of man, the patience of God, and the necessity of casting oneself wholly onto Christ. A second faith lesson found in the book is the reality of God’s plan for not only our lives, but for history. We must learn to trust God’s plan for history and that includes our lives. We must follow Him as He leads, and that’s what it means to be in the center of His will.
What kind of research went into the book?
The research required for writing this book was intense. Because of the fast-paced plot that has our characters traveling all over the world, it required a lot of detail to be given to these locations. Much of the research from the book has happened through personal travel experiences of Robbie from his time on the road with Lonestar. Other research was done through online searching and books at the local bookstore.
What was it like writing this book together? Were there any challenges? Any fun moments?
Writing the book together was a blast. We are great friends and enjoy being with one another. Working on the book became times of great creativity and innovation for us. We enjoy feeding off of one another and sharpening one another’s ideas. The way the process worked is that we met to discuss the plot-line and we storyboarded where it would go. Once we had it storyboarded and conversations between characters worked through, Robbie would then begin to write. After completing a section of writing, Robbie would send it to Erik to be read and reviewed. Another meeting would then be scheduled to discuss any need for rewrites, changes in direction, or other items. This was the process that served to take us through the entire project, and it worked great.
Robbie, you have a background as a musician with the popular group, Lonestar. What’s it like going from musician to writing a novel?
As a musician and songwriter with a popular group, there are many benefits that transferred nicely into writing a novel. First, the discipline and professionalism expected from being with a famous group helps the process of writing in a disciplined way. This bleeds over into pushing for excellence in the quality of the work as well. Being with a popular group means that everything you do has to be at a standard of excellence. I tried to take this standard of excellence into the task of writing the novel, and not settle for less than quality work.
Second, being an accomplished songwriter taught me how to write stories that could be told in three minutes. I had to become very good with words and phrases. This was incredible help when I began writing the novel. With a novel you have unlimited space when compared to writing a song. However, the careful choice of words and phrases learned from songwriting served to help with the novel.
Erik, how did your insights as a pastor help in the creation of this book?
As a pastor, I see the hurt and pain people go through on a daily basis. I interact with people in the midst of their greatest times of joy and during their greatest times of sorrow. I see the struggles people have with their faith and acting on the things God has instructed them to in His Word. This allowed for me as an author to be thinking about how people would relate to our characters, and connect them to their own life.
In addition to the people side of things, I am a studied theologian. This allowed for me to help guide the book theologically and biblically. One of our greatest desires in the book was to share the gospel through the story, and to do it accurately. We wanted to make sure readers understood the gospel and that the story was true to Scripture’s teachings. These are just a few ways being a pastor contributed to the project.
How do you think this book compares to other code-breaking books out there? Why do you think there’s such an interest in this area?
This book differentiates from other code breaker books in that it does not seek to discredit God, tear down His Word, or show up His church. Rather, this book seeks to show the Sovereignty of God, the necessity of His Word, and the beauty and value of His church. This book is similar in that it is face-pace and fun, but it is different in that the journey of our lead character is not to find her independence from God, but her dependence.
We believe there is a deep interest in this area because of the nature of man to seek mystery and suspense. We like the idea of searching and discovering the unknown. We do not believe the Bible is a book waiting for a secret-decoder to reveal its true meaning. We believe the Bible is straightforward in its meaning and its teachings. It is we as humans who like to feel we are learning something that others do not know about.
Anything else you’d like to share?
Go buy the book and get one for your friends. :-)
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We’ll be giving away two signed copies of The Guardian tomorrow so be sure to come back and see us!
The movie Braveheart (yes, the one with Mel Gibson and men in kilts)
The new novel The Touch
Both were written by award winning screenwriter and novelist Randall
Wallace. The Touchmarks Randall’s debut into the inspirational Christian market. If you’ve seen Braveheart then you know the talent he has as a screenwriter to present a story that is as inspiring as it is action packed. I’m sure you were ready to charge the English after hearing the powerful speech by William Wallace (or, wait… was that just me?).
The Touch is the story of a gifted doctor who excels in surgeries where an extra steady hand is required. Andrew Jones loved being a doctor until the day his skills weren’t enough to save the life of his fiancé. After losing her, Andrew shelved the talents that had promised him a long and successful medical career.
Laura Blair is the owner of a biomedical engineering company that is developing a surgical tool that will duplicate precisely the movement of a surgeon’s hands. In order to get accurate results, Laura is needing to test the tool with some of America’s best surgeons. She learns of Andrew Jones’ unique skills but he refuses to help when he learns of the project. Tapping into those talents would bring up too many memories for him that he just isn’t ready to face. Laura is persistent and almost desperate for him to assist her. As the two get to know each other more, Andrew begins to learn why there is such a sense of urgency for this surgical tool to be developed.
Here’s a short video of Randall speaking about the heart of his new novel.
I had the pleasure to meet Randall earlier this summer. You would never have known that he is an award winning screenwriter to such movie hits like Braveheart, We Were Soldiers, and Secretariat. Randall is one of the most humble men you’ll ever meet… and one of the funniest! Oh, the stories he told! I could have sat beside him for hours listening to him tell stories about all he has experienced. I enjoyed hearing from him how writing screenplays to films can easily transition into writing for novels. Here’s a brief video of him speaking to just that.
Thanks to everyone for stopping by for our giveaway. Each comment that was left reminds me how blessed our country is by the men and women who serve in law enforcement or the military. Blessings to each of your families!
We have randomly chosen two winners for our Irene Hannon giveaways! Congrats to…
Skimming over an Alaskan glacier in a float plane. Flying first-class to a prestigious spa and getting the full treatment—gratis. Jet-setting with a CEO on corporate aircraft to a cruise ship in the Caribbean for a business lunch. Visiting a remote island in Ireland. Soaring over the Grand Tetons in a hot-air balloon.
Before leaving the executive ranks of a Fortune 500 company, those are just some ways Irene Hannon spent her days. Now the best-selling novelist writes full time, commuting all of twenty feet to her home office!
Recently, she took some time out of her busy writing schedule to answer a few questions about her latest book, Deadly Pursuit, and the writing journey that led her to the bestseller list.
Tell us a little more about that fabulous corporate job. Sounds very glamorous!
I must admit it had its moments. I was the senior group director for corporate communications, and my duties included executive speech writing for the CEO and chairman of the board, acting as managing editor of our global magazine, overseeing the production of the annual report, managing a large staff, plus a variety of other duties. The downsides were the 24/7 nature of the job, a relentless BlackBerry that never slept, the rush-hour commute and corporate politics. So glamour does have a price!
When did you become a fiction writer?
I don’t think anyone “becomes” a fiction writer—or a writer of any kind. I’ve always believed writers are born; that writing, like any talent, is a gift. However, I always like to say I made my professional debut at ten, when I was one of the honorees in a complete-the-story contest for a national children’s magazine.
As for novel-length fiction, I began writing and selling books not long after I joined the corporate ranks, and I juggled both careers for many years. Finally, though, the corporate demands became so intense I had to make a choice between the two. It wasn’t an easy decision in many ways, but because of management changes that introduced a philosophical approach I found distasteful, it wasn’t as difficult as it might otherwise have been.
Any regrets about walking away from the corporate world?
Not a one. Had I stayed in that job, I would never have had the time or energy to tackle romantic suspense. Those books require huge amounts of research and focus. So my fork in the road led to unexpected blessings—including best-sellerdom!
That said, I would never encourage a novelist to quit his or her day job after selling a book or two—unless you’re a Nicholas Sparks and get a million-dollar-deal out of the gate or have another source of income. Otherwise, it makes sense to establish yourself as a writer first—and a one- or two-book deal doesn’t constitute a track record.
Your first romantic suspense novel, Against All Odds, became an instant best seller. After more than twenty-five books, were you surprised?
Stunned would be a better word. While I never expected my previous contemporary category romance books to be bestsellers, neither did I imagine my first foray into a longer, trade-length book would hit the lists. I still remember the day my editor e-mailed to tell me the exciting news. I think I read her note three times before it sank in.
In hindsight, however, I can see how a number of things led to that achievement. First, the book received a stellar endorsement from Dee Henderson, who said, “I found someone who writes romantic suspense better than I do.” Second, it was a very high-action, two-continent story, and it focused on the FBI’s elite Hostage Rescue Team, which hasn’t been featured much in novels. As a result, the book appealed to both male female readers. Finally, I’m a stickler for authenticity, so I did my homework—and readers appreciated my attention to research.
Against All Odds was Book 1 in your Heroes of Quantico series. Were you pleased with the success of that series overall?
Very! Against All Odds won a Daphne du Maurier and an RT Book Reviews Reviewers’ Choice award. Book 2, An Eye for An Eye, was a RITA award finalist. And the last book in the series, In Harm’s Way, just won a RITA award. Plus, all of them were bestsellers. A hard act to follow!
That brings us to your current series, Guardians of Justice. It launched in January with Fatal Judgment and you’ve just released Book 2, Deadly Pursuit. Tell us a little bit about the series and this book in particular.
Guardians of Justice features three siblings bound by blood and a passion for justice. I’ve loved writing about the two macho, overprotective big brothers and their very independent sister. Zingers fly—yet you’ll never meet a more loyal bunch. Capturing the sassy-but-loving dynamic in the Taylor family has been a blast.
Here’s a quick recap of Deadly Pursuit: Social worker Alison Taylor has a passion for protecting children. But now it seems she needs protecting. When her tormentor’s attentions take a violent turn, she calls in reinforcements—her police-detective brother, Cole, and his new partner, ex-Navy SEAL Mitch Morgan. As her relentless stalker turns up the heat and the danger intensifies, Mitch takes a personal interest in the case. Because protecting Alison has become more than a job; his future depends on keeping her safe.
Reviews are just starting to come in, but here’s what Booklist had to say: “Compelling characters and an emotionally engaging plot powered by a surfeit of nail-biting suspense…tailor-made for devoted readers of Dee Henderson and Terri Blackstock.” Can’t do much better than that!
Do readers have to read the first book in the series to follow the story in this?
Absolutely not. I never carry plot threads from book to book. The stories do occur in chronological order, so it’s fun for readers to follow along, but each book can be read as a stand-alone, single-title novel.
So what’s next?
The final book in the series, Lethal Legacy, is now in production. That will be released sometime next summer. And I’m hard at work on a new series that features three ex-law enforcement operatives who join forces to form a private investigation firm. Without giving too much away, I can say they handle some very interesting cases that fall between the cracks of official law enforcement.
Any parting words?
For those who’d like to keep up with my latest news, I invite you to follow me on Twitter. You can sign up at my website, www.irenehannon.com, where I also post news updates as well as info on all my books. Sign up for Twitter soon and you may find yourself reading an autographed copy of Deadly Pursuit!
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Irene Hannon is the author of more than 35 novels, including the bestselling Heroes of Quantico series and Fatal Judgment. Her books have been honored with two coveted RITA awards (the “Oscar” of romantic fiction), a HOLT Medallion, a Daphne du Maurier award and two Reviewers’ Choice awards from RT Book Reviews magazine.
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And now for the giveaway!
We have two sets of Irene’s current series, including the latest novel, Deadly Pursuit to giveaway today (thank you Revell Publishing!).
For your chance to win, answer this question:
Irene’s novels feature many military and law enforcement officers who strive to protect and serve their fellow man. Our country has always revered these men and women to be heroes no matter where they serve. Do you have a family member or friend who serves in law enforcement or the military? Tell us briefly what you admire about them.
Leave your answer in today’s post by 7:00 p.m. Central Time. We’ll randomly choose two winners to receive each of the sets.
I don’t know about you, but I sure could have used another three day weekend! But, it’s back to the reality of a five day work week. Looking on the bright side… it’s a new week and I have a new book to dig into! Irene Hannon just released her latest book, Deadly Pursuit, which is the second novel in the Heroes of Quantico Series (Fatal Judgment is book one). Here’s a glimpse into the story:
Social worker Alison Taylor has a passion for protecting children. But now it seems she needs protecting. When her tormentor’s attentions take a violent turn, she calls in reinforcements – her police-detective brother, Cole, and his new partner, ex-Navy SEAL Mitch Morgan. As her relentless stalker turns up the heat and the danger intensifies, Mitch takes a personal interest in the case. Because protecting Alison has become more than a job; his future depends on keeping her safe.
Filled with nail-biting suspense and heart-melting romance, Deadly Pursuit is Irene Hannon’s storytelling at its very best.
Come back tomorrow when we’ll be having Irene as a guest. You’ll get a glimpse into her fascinating writing process. Oh, and we’ll also be giving away a copy of her new book!
If you are a fan of Amish fiction then you must be loving this week! Not only did Beverly Lewis’ new title, The Mercy, release this week but Wanda Brunstetter has a new one out as well. The Healing is the second book in Wanda’s Kentucky Brothers Series. The first book, The Journey, landed on the New York Times Bestseller List. Go Wanda!
Samuel Fisher of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, now a single father of four, is in a state of shock following his wife’s untimely death. When his brother, Titus, talks him into moving to Kentucky, hoping a fresh start will help heal Samuel’s grief, Samuel packs up the kids and heads to bluegrass country.
Esther Beiler helps watch Samuel’s children while he works with English contractor Allen Walters on a bed-and-breakfast owned by Englisher Bonnie Taylor. Soon Esther develops a crush on Samuel and a true affection for his children, but is there room in Samuel’s heart for Esther? Or has the pretty innkeeper already taken residence there?
When misconceptions take the forefront, jealousies arise. Will peace-loving Samuel and Esther bow to the apparent competition or fight for their newfound love? How will God manage to untangle these star-crossed lovers before any damage is done?
Are you a fan of Deeanne Gist? Have you never read any of Deeanne’s books? Either way… you’ll love this offer!
Through September 24, LifeWay Christian Stores has The Trouble With Brides Collection on sale for just $10! You get A Bride Most Begrudging, Courting Trouble, and Deep in the Heart of Trouble in one volume. Did I mention it's only $10!
It’s a big day in fiction world! Beverly Lewis’ new book, The Mercy, releases today! This is the final book in The Rose Trilogy Series.
Rose Kauffman pines for prodigal Nick Franco, the Bishop’s foster son who left the Amish under a cloud of suspicion after his foster brother’s death. His rebellion led to the “silencing” of their beloved Bishop. But is Nick really the rebel he appears to be? Rose’s lingering feelings for her wayward friend refuse to fade, but she is frustrated that Nick won’t return and make things right with the People. Nick avowed his love for Rose – but will he ever be willing to sacrifice modern life for her?
Meanwhile, Rose’s older sister, Hen, is living in her parents’ Dawdi Haus. Her estranged “English” husband, injured and helpless after a car accident, has reluctantly come to live with her and their young daughter during his recovery. Can their marriage recover, as well? Is there any possible middle ground between a woman reclaiming her old-fashioned Amish lifestyle and a thoroughly modern man?
LifeWay Christian Stores currently has the entire series on sale for just $10 … including the brand new novel! This is a great time to complete your series or to get started by picking up The Thorn and The Judgmentas well.
LifeWay Christian Stores currently has some great novels on sale for just $5! The sale runs through September 24 and it's while supplies last. Hurry in while the selection is good!
