About the Book

Book: A Year in the Room (The Reluctant Pilgrim Book 2)

Author: Steven Rogers

Genre: Contemporary Christian Fiction

Release Date: October 23, 2024

Reluctant pilgrim Ben Cahill steps off a flight from Israel facing an unrelenting list of challenges—a fractured family, no job, no place to live, and a dubious grip on his newly-found sobriety. He has no plans for the next steps in his life.

Ben starts over, settling into a small, rented room and working three part-time jobs. As his first year of recovery unfolds, Ben fights an unrelenting spiritual war against his personal demons and the consequences of his past actions.

Can a chain-smoking, no-nonsense grandmother, a retired navy cook, a crusty old Scotsman, and an unexpected pilgrimage to the legendary Scottish Island of Iona, clear away the wreckage of Ben’s life and lead him to hope? Join Ben on his journey in this sequel to the award-winning novel Into the Room.

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About the Author

Steven Rogers is a Christian author of the “Reluctant Pilgrim” series. His most recent novel, A Year in the Room, was published in November 2024. The book is a sequel to his debut novel, Into the Room, which was published in 2021. In addition to other awards, both books were finalists for the American Christian Fiction Writers’ Carol Awards.

Steven loves the process of writing, especially exploring characters that are either broken or facing unfamiliar situations. They are usually ordinary people confronting their internal demons and the challenges of day-to-day living. He also enjoys bringing his stories to a happy, or at least hopeful, ending.

Steven serves as the Director of Royalty Management and Acquisitions Editor at Elk Lake Publishing, Inc. In addition to writing, Steven is a speaker and enjoys sharing his journey of faith and exploring how God’s word applies in the modern world.

Steven, a proud father of three adult children and one incredibly lucky son-in-law, is happily married to his wife of thirty-nine years, Kathy. They live in Richmond, Virginia.

More from Steven

When I first began writing, I was trying to become the next Stephen King. I was inventing serial killers, violently murdering people, and using time travel as a plot concept. At the time, I didn’t know there was a robust and far-reaching Christian Fiction market.

Things changed in 2017 while I was on a flight to Israel. Somewhere over the Atlantic Ocean, I had the thought, I wonder what would happen if I were an alcoholic who has just been released from rehab, and I HAD to take this trip? I quickly invented my character, Ben Cahill, and took him on the tour with me.

When we got back home, my wife asked what I’d been writing in my journal during our visit to The Holy Land. After I explained, the following exchange took place:

Her: “You may have a book there.”

Me: “That’s not my genre.”

Her (using much gentler language): “You’re not published yet; you don’t have a genre.”

To make a long story short, the result of this conversation was my first novel, Into the Room.

A Year in the Room is Book 2 in my “Reluctant Pilgrim” series. I wrote the book because I was compelled to continue telling Ben Cahill’s story and explore an alcoholic/addict during the first year of recovery.

Many writers fall in love with their characters. I am no different. Writing about Ben has been a blessing for me. His story has significantly impacted my personal spiritual journey, taught me to forgive, and brought me closer to God. I will be forever grateful for his impact on my life.

Interview with the Author

1)What does success as an author look like to you?

Boy, this is a great question. I imagine every author wants to be a New York Times bestseller and have their books read worldwide. A movie adaptation would be terrific, also. However, my realistic answer is to (1) have readers enjoy my stories and (2) know that my writing has positively impacted someone. One reader of A Year in the Room said, “I actually think I’m a better man for having read this story.” His comment was a compliment beyond anything I could dream of receiving. For me, this indicates success as an author and makes the long, solitary journey of writing a novel worth the effort.

I also believe a story is successful if my writing has a positive impact on me personally. For example, writing my first novel, Into the Room, cleaned out my heart and drove away the anger, resentment, guilt, and frustration I held towards the alcoholics/addicts in my life. The book was basically a 70,000-word journal entry, and even if the story had never been published, the writing process would have changed my life. Similarly, A Year in the Room helped me forgive myself for my past actions and emotions. Both books brought me a more complete understanding of the disease of alcoholism and the path to recovery.

2)Which character did you connect to best in this book?

I relate the most to Ben Cahill, the main character, who is a recovering alcoholic. My connection with him is not because he’s autobiographical— I have no personal issues with consuming alcohol. However, I can relate to Ben’s journey of faith, especially his early skepticism and sarcastic view of believers.

My favorite character in A Year in the Room is Pearl, a seventy-five-year-old, chain-smoking woman of faith who won’t take anything from anybody. She is a master at holding others accountable for their actions and is the heart of Ben Cahill’s support system. I could not wait to write her scenes in the book. Someday, I’d like to publish a novel telling her story.

3)What inspired this book?

To answer this question, I first have to discuss my debut novel, Into the Room. In 2017, I was on a flight to visit Israel when, somewhere over the Atlantic Ocean, I had the thought, “I wonder what would happen if I were an alcoholic who had just been released from rehab, and I HAD to take this trip?” I quickly invented my character, Ben Cahill, and took him on the tour with me. To make a long story short, the result was Into the Room.

After finishing Into the Room, I was compelled to continue telling Ben Cahill’s story and explore an alcoholic/addict during the first year of recovery. Discovering God and reestablishing a life are complicated and gut-wrenching processes. A Year in the Room was the result.

4)Which author influenced you the most?

In the secular writing world, John Steinbeck’s characters and understanding of human nature have always fascinated me. In the faith-based writing genre, I find Francine Rivers’ novels relatable, enjoyable, and thought-provoking. My favorite authors all share one common trait—their stories focus on character first and plot second. As I read, I find myself invested in these people I know only through the written page. Once this happens, the author impels me to follow these characters through whatever conflicts or events they have devised.

As a result, I’m a “pantser.” I spend a lot of time getting to know my main characters before I begin writing. For my stories, I know the beginning and the ending before I start. However, the details in between are determined by my characters and how they react to the events occurring in the story.

5)What is your favorite Bible verse or life verse?

Psalm 91:11— “For He will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.” Almost twenty years ago, I had a profound experience while my daughter was in the hospital. As a result, I use Psalm 91 as a daily prayer and this verse to guide my faith and remind me to surrender to God’s Will.

6)What is your vacation spot?

The answer is “wherever my wife, Kathy, decides we’re going next.” We travel extensively and love to experience new places and cultures. For this reason, my novels have a travel component. As you may have guessed, Kathy is the planner in our relationship.

Of the places we’ve visited, Israel holds a special place in my heart because our first trip there led to my book Into the Room. The Holy Land is one of the few locations we revisit. We’re scheduled to travel there again in May of 2026.

As for other destinations, the most unique trip we took was to Antarctica. The beauty and landscape there is like nothing I’ve ever experienced.