(Razed releases August 10th)
In Contingency and the books that followed, the characters found themselves in difficult positions, and struggled with God and their faith. They turned to Scripture, and to trusted counselors to find an answer and then rose to the challenge to live out what God directed them to do.
Razed is a little different. Mark still goes through those struggles, but they are more subtle, more "offstage" from the story's main action. (We'll get the struggles back on stage in book two, Refined.) In Razed, the question is, "What does my faith look like to others?" How do Judy, Mark, Julie and her family live their faith and how do they impact Doug? What draws him? What pushes him away? In examining their actions, it made me question my own.
Am I more concerned with being right than showing compassion?
Do I genuinely care about the struggles or questions people have?
Do I see the good and redeemable in people first?
Julie and her family and Mark are all good Christian people. They are folks we would want in our churches. They may be us. They do everything they are supposed to do, but they fail miserably when it comes to pointing Doug toward Jesus. Well, Debbie, almost succeeds.
In the editing stages, I made a comment that the Covenant books are about trusting God, while this series is more about submission. In Razed, we see how things go when Mark operates on his own schedule and his own agenda while claiming it comes from God. In Refined, he, Julie and Doug will all learn what submission to a holy, sovereign God is. (Don't worry, it's already drafted and I'm working on editing it.)
The characters are really close to my heart. I hope you enjoy the book.
Paula Wiseman says
Thanks Kristal 🙂
Kristal S says
wooohoooo I can’t wait!!!
ibjoy1953 says
My address is the same. Will be thrilled to read and review Razed!
Joy
Paula Wiseman says
Thanks Joy! One of my projects for next week was contacting some of my blogging friends and lining up some reviews. I’ll be glad to get a copy out to you. Let me know if your address has changed.
ibjoy1953 says
Hi Paula,
I am very excited about Razed! I can’t wait to read it. Are you having anything special for release day? Let me know if you are and I will post it on my blog. And I will be happy to review the book for you if you want. Just let me know.
Blessings Joy Hannabass