Shining a Light of Hope Through Christian Fiction
Submitted by Hannah Linder on @deenamadams
As an avid reader of Christian Fiction, and aspiring author of Christian Fiction that offers hope in Christ, I’m excited to share a fiction story of hope with you.
This submission comes from multi-published author, Hannah Linder (Willowy Whisper), and deals with the hard topics of grief, loss, rejection, and abuse.
I’ve only met Hannah online and haven’t yet read her book, but I purchased it recently and am looking forward to reading it. She’s provided a great summary of the story for us and I hope it will pique your interest to check out her novels and support her journey to glorify God through her writing.
“Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.” Colossians 3:23
He’s got it all—looks, charisma, the compelling grin—everything Hollywood could ever ask for.
Cass Remmlone is finally living his dreams. Maybe he’s not like he used to be. Maybe he doesn’t call home anymore, doesn’t read his Bible, doesn’t darken the doors of a church. But he’s having fun—and he’s having it with his best friend, Eddie Barlow.
Cass should have known God wouldn’t shut His eyes forever.
Chastisement slams so fast Cass hardly knows what’s happening. Eddie is lying on the pavement, paramedics hunkering over him, even as his face goes slack. He whispers one name: Madeline.
His search to find a woman named Madeline lands him in a small town called Angel Gate, West Virginia.
He didn’t expect to like it there. He didn’t expect to find a woman named Audrey Wade, whose simple beauty draws him, whose quiet faith convicts him. He didn’t expect to find a little boy called Shane, caught in the abusive clutch of a madman, whose tiny bruises break his heart.
Why should he care? Who was he to waltz in and resolve problems, rescue some kid he didn’t know, and woo a woman who wants nothing to do with him?
But as the name Madeline throws Cass into danger, his attachments can’t help but sink deeper. Shane needs him, loves him. Even Audrey’s stern edge is beginning to wear thin, as he catches a glimpse of her vulnerability. How could someone have deserted her at the altar?
What kind of man would shatter her trust—and heart—so cruelly? Will she ever trust a man again?
As tragedy whips a cudgel into their lives—and threatens Shane’s life—Cass’s chest begins to ache. “All we can do is pray,” the woman told him.
But he couldn’t even do that. He was not only estranged from God—he was enraged with Him. How could a loving God rip Eddie away like that? How could He let death steal away a man so young, so full of life?
It isn’t easy to get on his knees, not when it’s been so long. It isn’t easy to speak, when every prayer he tries to say hits the ceiling and falls back down on him. But he does it anyway. He forgives God—only to realize that God is the one Who should be forgiving him.
Through it all, Cass has been strong enough to forsake his dreams. He’s been strong enough to embrace a hurting child. He’s been strong enough to wait gently for the love of a woman he treasures. For the first time in so many years, he’s been strong enough to return to the God he forsook for earthly wealth, fame, and pleasures.
But when secrets of murder are revealed and Shane’s abuser makes his last strike, will Cass be strong enough to endure the blow?
Would God want more from Cass than a repented heart? Would God want to take his life too?
Join the conversation. Has a fiction book ever led to a life-changing moment for you? What book? Who was the author? Have you read any Hannah Linder (Willowy Whisper) books? What did you love about them?
Use the social media links below to share this story with your friends!
Bio: Hannah Linder (Willowy Whisper) is the author of eleven Christian fiction novels, and is represented by Sarah Freese with WordServe Literary. She is also a member of American Christian Fiction Writers. Although Hannah has written in various genres—historical, contemporary, western, and medieval—she recently discovered her passion for all things Regency. She has decided to pursue her writing career in this era of elegance and grace.
Hannah currently resides in the beautiful mountains of central West Virginia, where she studies to attain her college degree, works as a cover designer, and shoots local photography sessions. When she is not writing, she also enjoys playing her instruments—piano, guitar, mandolin, and the ukulele—songwriting, painting scenery, laughing with little kids, and collecting vintage hats. Her greatest desire is to please her Savior, and to write in a way that glorifies and uplifts Him.
Ways you can connect with Hannah:
Deena Adams
As a Jesus girl for more than thirty years, Deena Adams understands how important hope is to daily life, which fuels her passion to inspire others through hope-filled fiction based on true to life stories. She is represented by Tamela Hancock Murray of the Steve Laube Agency and is a multi-award-winning writer, an active ACFW member, and ACFW Virginia president. Connect with Deena through her website, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
