~Don't forget to enter the GIVEAWAY below!~
Click here to purchase your copy.
Author: Karen Sargent
Release date: April 4, 2017
Genre: Christian Women’s Fiction
When tragedy strikes, Maggie discovers a mother’s love never ends—not even when her life does. Longing for her family after her death, she returns home where she helplessly witnesses her family’s downward spiral in the aftermath of her passing.
Her husband is haunted by past mistakes and struggles to redeem himself. Her teenage daughter silently drowns in her own guilt, secretly believing she is responsible for her mother’s death. Only her five-year-old, full of innocence, can sense her presence.
Although limited by her family’s grief and lack of faith, Maggie is determined to keep a sacred promise and salvage her family before her second chance runs out.
A tender portrait of a mother whose love reaches beyond possible, Waiting for Butterflies will embrace your heart and not let go.
Karen Sargent creates characters whose imperfect faith collides with real-life conflicts, taking readers on a journey through grace and redemption to discover enduring hope. A romantic element is woven within each story. In addition to writing inspirational novels, she blogs at The MOM Journey…where moms aren’t perfect and that’s perfectly okay. Her writing has been featured in Guidepost’s Angels on Earth magazine and on ForEveryMom.com. When she is not writing, she teaches high school and college English in the beautiful Arcadia Valley where she resides with her husband and two daughters. Visit her at KarenSargentBooks.com.
Guest Post from Karen Sargent
Waiting for Butterflies: The Accidental Controversy
I didn’t intend to write myself into controversy when I wrote Waiting for Butterflies. Yes, it is Christian fiction. Yes, the main character is a “lingering spirit.” And no, ghosts aren’t biblical. Thus the controversy.
As the story idea began to stir my imagination after my mother-in-law’s unexpected death, I wondered how ghosts fit into the Christian view of the afterlife, especially since I too believe our souls go to Heaven once we die. So I asked my pastor. He referred to Hebrews 11, the “Faith Hall of Fame” that lists Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, and many spiritual giants who lived by faith. That list is followed by Hebrews 12:1 which states, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses…” My pastor explained witnesses is translated by some to mean spectators. So maybe, maybe, this suggests those who have died can somehow still be present—emphasis on maybe.
But…this gave me just enough permission to play with the idea of a mother’s love being so strong that she could remain after her death until she was certain her family would heal. I was writing fiction after all.
When my manuscript was complete and I began submitting to agents, the response was mixed. Some replied with a simple, “This story isn’t for me.” Some warned, “This will be a hard sell to Christian publishers.” Yet others were more encouraging. Finally my story made it to the desk of an acquisition editor who emailed, “This is the one.” Waiting for Butterflies found a publishing home.
Now that my book is in the hands of readers, most are surprised to hear my topic is controversial. Like me, many believers haven’t really considered ghosts in a biblical context. But a few are adamant that the storyline contradicts their beliefs.
I know my story—just like every story—will not appeal to everyone. But I certainly didn’t set out to offend my fellow believers, and I sincerely apologize if anyone finds it offensive. However, I appreciate this perspective one skeptical reader shared in her review:
“While I was initially put off by the idea that a spirit can remain and interact, in a sense, with those still living, the author handled it with sensitivity and grace. We all have ideas about the unknown, but it is just that, unknown, and I could relate strongly to the thought of wanting to continue to influence and connect with loved ones after death in order to help them.”
I appreciate that in spite of the controversy, this reader gave Waiting for Butterflies a chance—and five stars.
Oh my!! If you want to read a book that grabs your heart and won't let it go, you HAVE to read this book! Very well written, with lots of emotionally charged moments and real-to-life struggles that will keep you turning pages. And despite the tragedy that the story is based on, there is plenty of hope, healing, and miracles as the family learns to lean on each other and God to get them through.
I wasn't sure what to expect from a Christian "ghost" story but I was hooked from the beginning. After all, this is fiction and I read it with that viewpoint in mind. And I've read and seen plenty of other fiction that includes beings that have not "passed over" and I can't think of any that included a Christian theme. So this was actually a refreshing change.
This book was full of real life issues that include the tragic death of a young mom and how her family deals with their grief and feelings of guilt. You have the father who is suddenly thrust into the role of a single parent and has to make some life choices in order to do what is best for his family. You have the oldest daughter's downward grief spiral that will tear your heart out. And then you have the bright spot in the story - the youngest daughter who can still hear her mom's "lingering spirit" and tries to get the others to believe too.
With real life issues such as infidelity, grief, guilt, drugs, cutting, and the danger of online predators, as well as the hope of family, healing, miracles, love and faith, you'll be hooked to the end!
*Thanks to Celebrate Lit for a complimentary copy of this book. I was not paid or required to write a positive review and all opinions stated are my own.*
Blog Stops
Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, September 21
Avid Reader Book Reviews, September 21
Blogging With Carol, September 22
The Power of Words, September 22
D’S QUILTS & BOOKS, September 23
Carpe Diem, September 23
A Baker’s Perspective, September 24
Christian Bookaholic, September 24
Reading Is My SuperPower, September 25
Smiling Book Reviews, September 25
Bigreadersite, September 26
Artistic Nobody, September 27
The Fizzy Pop Collection, September 28
Pause for Tales, September 29
Remebrancy, September 30
Janices book reviews, October 1
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, October 1
Margaret Kazmierczak, October 2
Reader’s cozy corner, October 2
Jeanette’s Thoughts, October 3
A Readers Brain, October 3
His Grace is Sufficient, October 4
Cafinated Reads, October 4
To celebrate her tour, Karen is giving away a grand prize that includes a few of Karen’s favorite things – one of which is a Hobby Lobby gift card!!! Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries! https://promosimple.com/ps/bef1
No comments:
Post a Comment