The Stranger Interview and Giveaway

About the Book

Book: The Stranger

Author: Joy Margetts

Genre: Christian Historical Fiction

Release date: November 22, 2024

What do you do when your life’s work lies in ashes at your feet? When your heart and body are broken and your faith shattered?

Disillusioned, grief-stricken and feeling abandoned by the God he once trusted, Brother Silas runs. He sets out on a lonely journey, not knowing where the path will take him, determined to distance himself from his painful past.

But Silas cannot escape the Love that will not let him go. Through the unexpected kindness of strangers, and a series of inexplicable events, Silas’ heart begins to heal. Then an unlikely reunion puts him back on the path to rediscovering who he really is.

Will Silas find where he truly belongs or will he remain a stranger forever?

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Author

Joy combines a life- long love of history and a deep passion for the Word of God to write stories, inspired by her own faith journey. She lives on the beautiful North Wales coast, amidst abbey ruins and ancient pilgrim paths.

 

 

 

More from Joy

I live in a most beautiful area of the UK, on the coast of Wales, surrounded by a stunning landscape of mountains, forests and sea. This is an area that is not only stunning in its natural beauty but also rich with history; castles, abbeys, old churches, and ancient pilgrimage routes. These things inspire my writing, which is why my books are set in medieval Wales, and feature abbeys, monks, knights and maidens. No dragons though! And no murders!

Some years ago now my life was forever changed when I became unexpectedly ill, from what was later diagnosed as Chronic Fatigue. Months of being able to do very little turned into years. Years where I lost much including my job and career, experiences with my children which I will never get back, and my role in ministry. Through this time I questioned all that I had known of God. I had followed Jesus all my life but when things got really tough it felt like He had abandoned me. I didn’t know if I could trust Him any more, if He really cared, if all that I had once believed was actually true. Over time God pursued me, revealing His love for me in unexpected ways, using others to display Himself, helping me to rediscover my faith and choose to trust Him again.

In writing my books I wanted to tell my own story, but through the fictional lives of characters living centuries ago. The Healing, my first novel, told my story of healing and redemption, and no-one was more surprised than I when the book was published. But God had given me a gift to write and He wasn’t finished with one book. The Stranger is actually my fourth novel and the most personal in many ways. The central character has to navigate what it feels like to question his faith in the face of devastating disappointment. I think this is something that many Christians can equate with. The story follows him as he tries to turn his back on his God, and discovers that God does not give up the pursuit of those He loves. It is my story. God pursued me and would not let me go. He is the lover of my soul and has proved faithful. I want my books to carry hope, and to glorify Him.

I love the Word of God. It has been my place of comfort and strength through tough times. My books are littered with scriptural truth, and I make no apologies for that. It is the truth, and believing in the truth, that sets us free.

Interview with the Author

What does success as an author look like to you?

I think most authors would like to sell millions of books and maybe have a film made of their stories. They would certainly like to make some money from their books! The reality is that very few authors become successful in the world’s eyes. I admit that a part of me would like some of the above, but actually success for me is measured quite differently. I believe God has called me to write in this season and if a reader is blessed by my books, or hears God speaking through my writing, or even has hope, faith or joy restored because of my words, that is all the success I need.

Which character did you connect to best in this book?

Like all of my main characters there is a great deal of me in Brother Silas. He experiences things, thoughts, feelings that are I have too. I can only write what I know. So the journey he goes on reflects very much a journey I went on a few years ago. Although of course I am not a medieval monk, and I don’t have to walk everywhere!

Which part of the book was the most difficult to write?

I always find the middle part of a book the hardest to write. I usually start well, and know where I want the story to end, but getting from start to finish can be tricky. I wanted Silas’ renewal of faith to come really gently and really without him even knowing it was happening, and that was hard to translate into words. I also had to take him on a physical journey as well as a spiritual journey and create places and people that would help him find himself again.

What inspired this book?

A few years ago I went through a crisis of faith. Out of nowhere I became sick with a chronic condition that robbed me of much. I could no longer work, serve in ministry, look after my home and family. This came at a time in my life where I was content, enthusiastic about all that God had gifted me to do, and really excited for the future. Suddenly it was all torn away. I prayed and longed for healing, and it did not come. I felt God had abandoned me and let despair take over. The God who I had known and loved since I was very young seemed a million miles away. And yet slowly and gently God pursued me, lavished me with love, and drew mt back to a place of hope and peace.

I knew I wanted to write my experience into a story. Brother Silas and his beleaguered little abbey had appeared briefly in my first book, The Healing, so he was the perfect candidate for exploring this theme.

Describe your view as you’re sitting in your writing chair.

I am so privileged to live in a house that has panoramic views of the sea and the mountains in the distance. Between us and the beach is a small grassy field. To our right is the ruins of a 13th century castle. My writing space is currently a comfy chair in my dining room looking out at that view.

Blog Stops

Girls in White Dresses, January 10

Vicky Sluiter, January 11 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, January 12

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, January 13 (Author Interview)

Simple Harvest Reads, January 14 (Author Interview)

For the Love of Literature, January 15 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, January 16

Tell Tale Book Reviews, January 17 (Author Interview)

Locks, Hooks and Books, January 18

Blossoms and Blessings, January 19 (Author Interview)

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, January 20

Artistic Nobody, January 21 (Author Interview)

Stories By Gina, January 22 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, January 22

Jodie Wolfe – Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, January 23 (Author Interview)

Leslie’s Library Escape, January 23

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Joy is giving away the grand prize of a $35 Amazon gift card and a paperback copy of the book!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf54128

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