Shannon here: Sarah Hanks shares the inspiration for her novella, For the Love of Truth, which is included in a 3 author collection, Every Voice Heard. Comment or answer the question in any post dated Dec 2nd – 13th to enter the drawing for a digital copy plus 3 other titles in my Dec Book Bundle #1 Giveaway. Deadline: Dec 20th, 11:59 pm central time. Here’s Sarah:
My novella, For the Love of Truth, releases December 3rd as part of the Brave Author Collection Every Voice Heard. This collection revolves around church hurt and abuse, but that doesn’t mean there’s no room for romance. N.Y. Dunlap’s novella, Praise Through the Pain, as well as mine contain a romantic thread.
In For the Love of Truth, Candi is a personal assistant to megachurch pastor Richard Blake. She adores the community and purpose she’s found through this church community. The people at Impact Church have become her family and Richard is her mentor and father figure.
Everything changes when she meets Justice, who visits Impact looking for a new church home. He’s impressed with the church, and even more impressed with Candi. A romance develops, but soon Justice uncovers a surprising truth about Pastor Richard. As he works to expose evil, Candi is caught in the middle.
So, why did I choose to include a romantic thread in a story about church abuse?
I think the contrast between “love” that is manipulative and true love is powerful. There’s a lot of gaslighting and mind games going on, but Justice doesn’t seek to manipulate Candi’s heart and mind. His developing love for her allows her space to be herself, rest, and grow. He’s not perfect, but he has pure intentions. When these two men are pitted against each other, the dichotomy is striking.
Justice gave Candi a voice while Richard stifled her voice.
Justice championed Candi while Richard used her.
Justice spoke truth to her even when she didn’t want to hear it. Richard lied to gain her allegiance.
The thing I love most about my husband, Kevin, is the way he sincerely pursues the Lord. He prays for
me, speaks truth over me, and after listening to me blubber, he always points me to Jesus. To me, the most attractive thing about a man is a strong relationship with God. I am blessed to have a husband who loves Jesus passionately and encourages me in my spiritual journey.
After everything Candi went through, I wanted to give her this blessing as well.
If you’ve been hurt or abused by someone in the church, my hope for you is that you find healing in Jesus and in healthy community. I also pray you have the opportunity to see real love in action.
Reader Question: Justice and Candi’s first date is to a garden glow (the novella takes place around the holidays). I’ve never been to one, but it seemed like the 
perfect romantic setting for my characters. Have you ever been to a garden glow? What’s your idea of an ideal setting for a date during the Christmas season?
Dec Book Bundle #1
Every Voice Heard by Sarah Hanks, 3 author Contemporary Novella collection, e-book
No Plan at All by Denise M. Colby, Historical Romance, e-book
Failed Protocol by Cindy Bonds, Romantic Suspense, print
Feuding with the Cowboy by Louise M. Gouge, Contemporary Romance, print
About Sarah: Sarah Hanks is a multi-award-winning author of split-time Christian fiction. Her background in teaching and children’s ministry prepared her for exercising her creativity as a writer, now her full-time job. She and her husband have ten children, a couple of whom seem to have inherited their mother’s love for playing with words and crafting stories. Though Sarah dreams of a cabin by the beach, the family lives jammed together in beautiful chaos near St. Louis, Missouri. She buys earplugs in bulk. Learn more & connect:
Sarah’s Facebook Sarah’s Instagram Sarah’s Pinterest
About the novella – Every Voice Heard:
For the Love of Truth by Sarah Hanks
Candi loves her role as personal assistant to megachurch pastor Richard Blake. But when she meets Justice, he exposes the flaws of her “perfect” church family and she discovers her pastor isn’t who he seems to be. Freedom lies on the other side of truth, if only she’ll allow Justice and the Lord to lead her there.
Praise Through the Pain by N. Y. Dunlap
She walked away from the church. He’s finding his way back. One year after tragedy, their paths cross, and God’s not finished with either of them. A poignant Christian romance about rediscovering faith, and the kind of love that gently leads you home.
Rapha by D.T. Powell
After leaving her home church several months ago due to malicious rumors, Rebecca is tired of searching for a new congregation. When she settles on a church to visit through the holiday months, she discovers that her newest supervisee at work is the pastor. And not everyone is eager to have him behind the pulpit.
10% of all proceeds go to beEmboldened, a non-profit that exists for the prevention of and healing from spiritual abuse.
Can’t wait for the drawing? Worried you won’t win? Need extra copies for gifts?
Interested in Sarah’s other titles? Get your copy/copies now!
Every Voice Heard Sarah’s Books
Come back Dec 4th for Denise M. Colby!
I’ve been to Sensorio in Paso Robles – it would be a wonderful place for a date!
Sensorio: Where Your Moments Glow
When the sun goes down in the hills of Paso Robles, the lights come up at Sensorio, one of California’s largest immersive art exhibitions.
Walk easy paths through more than 100,000 glowing bulbs, like bioluminescent flowers from a jewel-toned fantasy land. Explore several solar-powered exhibits that merge light and music technology with dreamy color in a sensory experience you have to see to understand. From magical family moments to unforgettable date nights to unique corporate events, let Sensorio illuminate your evening.
I’ve never been to a garden glow. My ideal setting for a date during the Christmas season would have been the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Unfortunately, they stopped the event years ago.