Tanya Eavenson is one of those people I wrote about in “Life Critique.” She can criticize my work and suggest ways to fix it and I pay attention. She’s a trusted critique partner and friend, and I’m pleased to promote her debut novel, Unconditional.
Tanya, tell us a little about yourself.
My husband and I have been involved in ministry for fifteen years teaching youth and adults, and doing counseling. Until three years ago, I thought this was my call—to support, to pray, and to help my husband in the ministry with God’s strength and using my talents. And it is, and will always be, as a pastor’s wife. However, God called me to a ministry of my own—to write.
When my husband left for Israel three years ago, it was the first trip he’d gone over seas since our three children were born and, honestly, I didn’t know what to do with myself. During that time, with God’s leading, I wrote a story entitled Live by Faith, Not by Sight. Though it may never see an editor’s desk, that story is dear to my heart, more than any others because of what it represents. To follow the Lord, not by what I can see, or knowing I wasn’t a writer, but living and believing in God to do as He said, so He can accomplish His will in my life.
What is the hardest thing about writing?
For me, believe it or not, it’s not the critiques, rejections, or the loneliness a writer feels at times, but finding myself and where I belong in the scheme of things as an author. I’ve had time to sit back and look at the past year and have seen God in every step. Yet, it’s the tangible things I desire, like for instance, to have an agent. Someone who will help me along this path God has me on, but what happens if my journey doesn’t include this mentor/friendship that I desire? This is the hardest thing about writing, desiring something that might or might not be in God’s will, and waiting for His answer. I think every writer feels this way in their writing journey at one time or another.
Tell us about your newest release.
My debut novel Unconditional is dear to my heart. Statistics show Christian and non-Christian marriages are failing at the same rate. I
believe in marriage there needs to be an unconditional love as God shows and displays in our lives. At times, we may feel like our spouse is our enemy, but God tells us to love our enemies, so what is that saying for our marriages today? We need to show a love that isn’t possible from us alone, but a love that comes from God who ordained marriage to last.
I wholeheartedly believe that if we fight for our marriages and follow after Christ, He will be the One to grow in us an unconditional love for our spouses.
I grew up in a family where divorce is common, like most people today, with the idea once you “fall” out of love, and you can’t get along anymore, it’s time to get a divorce. It was almost engraved in me witnessing everyone in my family get divorced one time or many times. I, too, almost went down that route with divorce papers in hand. I told myself many things at the time, but not the truth. I was focused on our failures, not the hope that with God, all things are possible. The question was, were we willing to save our marriage at all costs? Would we fight for each other, whether we felt like it or not?
The story opens in a situation some married couples might find themselves in, losing a child, being in a loveless marriage, experiencing hurt by feelings of abandonment, adultery. Faced with the choice to fight for the marriage at any cost or give up. In my story, as in real life, there is a choice.
Here is the blurb to Unconditional.
He will fight for her at any cost…
Elizabeth Roberts can’t remember her past, and the present is too painful. She turns to nightclubs and drinking to forget her infant daughter’s death, her husband’s affair.
When his wife’s coma wiped out the memory of their marriage, Chris Roberts found comfort elsewhere. He can’t erase his betrayal, but with God’s help he’s determined to fight for Elizabeth at any cost.
She wants to forget. He wants to save his marriage. Can they trust God with their future and find a love that’s unconditional?
How about a sneak peak to whet our appetites?
Chapter One
Elizabeth pushed herself up from the bed. Her gaze swept the dark room and fixed on the hall nightlight. Her hand grazed over her husband’s shoulder when a thought gripped her. Katherine. The baby monitor stood silent. Darkness shrouded the red and green lights that indicated movement.
Her chest tightened. She hurled the covers away and leapt to the floor. Panic made her clumsy as she rushed to her daughter’s room. She lunged over the crib. No sound. No movement. Not even a stirring of air from her tiny nostrils.
“Katherine!” Elizabeth snatched her daughter from the mattress. The infant drew a heavy breath as her eyes flung wide open.
Lord, what’s happening?
Elizabeth’s bare feet pounded the cold tile as she ran back to her husband. “Chris, wake up! Katherine quit breathing again!”
Chris rubbed his eyes and scowled. “What is it?”
“We need to take Katherine to the hospital. She stopped breathing.”
He studied their child. “She seems to be breathing now. Are you sure?”
“Of course, I’m sure.”
“She’s fine.” Chris fell back against the pillow.
“Please—”
“We don’t have the money to take her to the hospital when there’s nothing wrong with her.”
“But there is. She stopped breathing.”
He sat back up. “You’ve been worried about her since before she was born. You’re all worked up because she hasn’t rolled over yet. The doctor said that’s normal for being early.”
She’s called a preemie. She glared into his eyes. “If you were home more often you’d know she’s not fine.”
“I’m home, Elizabeth, and she’s fine.”
Heat flushed her cheeks as tears filled her eyes. “I’m scared. Can’t you see that? I need you to pray for our daughter. I need you to hold me and tell me everything will be all right.”
“Look, she’s sleeping.” His voice softened as his hand ran down her thigh. “Come to bed.”
“How can you care so little? I’m worried about our baby.”
Chris’s hand dropped to the sheets. “Shut the door when you leave.” He turned away from her.
Elizabeth stood for a moment unable to speak. With their baby in her arms, she slowly closed the door behind her and sank her teeth into her lip to keep from crying. If tears came, it would be for her daughter, not for the stranger in her bed.
Thanks, Tanya. Where can people find you on the web?
Fans can find me at:
My Website:
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Tanya-Eavenson/129609683872033
Twitter:
Google Plus: https://plus.google.com/111621198804346509165#111621198804346509165/posts
