My kids are both big fans of Mr. Peabody and Sherman. If you haven’t seen it, it’s a fun movie about an incredibly intelligent dog who adopts a little boy and, deciding to undertake his education, creates a time machine so that Sherman can experience history rather than just read about it.
That time machine? The Wayback.
So today, I thought it might be fun to take our own little trip in the Wayback. We’re not going far–no Ancient Egypt, not even the Roaring 20s.
We’re going to step back in time five years to the publication of my first book.
Raise your hand if you’ve read Wisdom to Know. (Did you do it? Cause I can’t actually see you. So go ahead and put your hand down.)
This book has a special place in my heart. Not just because it’s my book. Or because it’s my first book. But because, in addition to being a romance between two friends who are perfect for each other no matter how much one of them wants to deny it, it shows a lot of the ways pregnancy resource centers can help women make life-affirming choices and heal from the after effects of choosing abortion.
The news lately has had me thinking about my book a lot. I don’t remember ever not being involved in pro life ministry. My mom was an example of putting feet to her beliefs and when she became the founding director of a local crisis pregnancy center, the whole family got involved. One of the things I’m not sure many realize is offered at a CPC (or PRC – the terminology varies from center to center) is post abortion recovery Bible studies. Many women who choose abortion suffer mentally, physically, and spiritually for years. But Jesus offers hope. Jesus offers healing. And many CPCs offer small group studies to help women (and men!) find peace.
I suspect I’ve also been thinking more about this story because Mom is home with Jesus. She had such a heart for women who ache to be healed from the pain of their choices. Her greatest joy was sharing with them how Jesus longed to forgive them and help them heal.
In Wisdom to Know, readers can get a taste for the hurt and heartache that post-abortive women face. They can experience the challenges of loving someone even when that someone is bent on self-destruction. It’s full of realistic characters facing real-life problems and finding the real-life love of Jesus.
It isn’t light and fluffy.
But it is full of light and hope.
Here’s the blurb:
A rebellious pastor’s daughter determined to defy expectations. The best friend who has loved her from the sidelines since high school. And decisions that may prove to be a step beyond what love can handle.
Lydia Brown has taken just about every wrong turn she could find. When an abortion leaves her overwhelmed by guilt, she turns to drugs to escape her pain. After a single car accident lands her in the hospital facing DUI charges, Lydia is forced to reevaluate her choices.
Kevin McGregor has been biding his time since high school when he heard God tell him that Lydia Brown was the woman he would marry. In the aftermath of Lydia’s accident, Kevin must come to grips with the truth about her secret life.
While Kevin works to convince himself and God that loving Lydia is a mistake, Lydia struggles to accept the feelings she has for Kevin, though she fears her sin may be too much for anyone to forgive.
Is there sin that love can’t cover?
Best of all, for the time being, Wisdom to Know is free on all e-book platforms (it’s also available in paperback and on audio). You can find your version here.
Do you like your fiction to address the problems in the culture today, or do you prefer to leave all that behind when you read?
Elizabeth Maddrey is a semi-reformed computer geek and homeschooling mother of two who lives in the suburbs of Washington D.C. When she isn’t writing, Elizabeth is a voracious consumer of books. She loves to write about Christians who struggle through their lives, dealing with sin and receiving God’s grace on their way to their own romantic happily ever after.
Hi Elizabeth, big Mr Peabody and Sherman fans here also:) I teach History and enjoy showing little clips occasionally to my students- gotta love the French Revolution according to Mr Peabody!!
I like to read a variety of Christian fiction, so have no problem reading books that tackle real life, serious issues. I choose a book depending on my mood- so will often have a couple going at once. I am actually listening to ForKingandCountry’s God Only Knows as I read through your post- seems pretty appropriate!
Blessings:)
I like reality in the books I read. I think it can give them depth.
Ok this is a both answer some things I really don’t like reading about. I am ok with reading about some issues like rape if its behind closed doors and we deal with the aftermath not the actual crime. (One Christian fiction historical while not exactly graphic left nothing to the imagination as to what was happening and it left me feeling sick). I have read other books dealing with the same issue dealt with in a much better way where we deal with the fall out and healing of the victim. Its the same with illnesses I was reading a book dealing with chemo and while mum wasn’t having chemo she was dying and I just couldn’t read the book cos it was to close to home. But another time I read one dealing with is it Paget’s disease (a very rare breast cancer) and found it was dealt with in such a positive way and was educational.
So for me it can depend how the book is written and what I am dealing with at the time. After mum died I read a few dealing with the loss of a parent, grand parent etc and I cried of course I was in public when reading. The one I really connected with had the child not being able to remember his mothers voice and at the time I had exactly the same issue.
I know its a long answer but it a complicated question. I would love to see more books deal with some chronic medical issues such as chronic migraine, MS, Or even someone in a wheelchair. Done well it could show while people are in chronic pain etc they still have the same feelings of wanting to be loved and to do things.
Hi Elizabeth! I enjoy reading a variety of genre and have no problem reading about real life issues in the stories. A lot depends on my mood, the author’s writing style or how realistic the topic is portrayed. Sometimes I have started a book and put it down because at the time I could not deal with an issue, only to read it at a later date. Thanks for taking us back in time and sharing your writing adventure. Best wishes and enjoy your week.
I love that song (the whole album is delightful, to be honest!) It’s definitely appropriate.
And yes! The French Revolution a la Mr. Peabody is hilarious.
It definitely can ?
That is a great answer! And I wholeheartedly agree that tougher topics need to be handled well – and that what that means is going to vary depending on the reader and what’s going on in their life.
I’m trying to think of books like you mention wanting and am drawing a blank but I’ll keep pondering. There was a YA a few years ago about a girl with cerebral palsey but I think it’s out of print now.
I like a mix. I mainly prefer to read for an escape, but every once in a while I LOVE to read a thought provoking/deeper book. Some of the best books I’ve read have been the deeper ones.
I do that too, for sure. Sometimes it’s not the time for a heavier topic, even if it’s done well.
I love how many people are saying they enjoy a mix! Deeper stories definitely stay with me longer and keep me pondering after the last page is turned.
I look forward to reading their story.
I have not read this book so I need to find it. I do enjoy reading a mix of stories, although there are times I have to put a book aside because of what I am experiencing in my life. I do not want stories that are too graphic, but well written, in depth stories are a pleasure to read.
I just love how you address issues that are hard in your books, the approach you have when writing them is wonderful and healing. You take sensitive subjects that others may find as taboo and give them a true real life perspective. Bless you for that!
Thanks! I hope you enjoy it!
I’ve done that – set things aside for later. Mood/stuff in real life absolutely impacts what I can read right then.
Thank you, Paula! <3
I like books that address real-life problems. There are times when I won’t read them and read the lighter stuff instead. But I like having the choice depending on my current mood. I definitely need to read Wisdom to Know. I purchased it at some point but haven’t read it yet. I’ll try to read it next.
I don’t think I could read any sort of book exclusively, variety is good. :)
Hope you enjoy it!
In Jan Thompson’s novel Cherish You So, the hero is a paraplegic and lives in a wheelchair. It’s the only CCR I can remember with that at the moment.
You said, “It isn’t light and fluffy. But it is full of light and hope.” That really does encompass this story. Lydia’s journey certainly isn’t filled with pat answers and quick solutions, but it certainly kept my attention! I also enjoyed seeing her growth throughout the rest of the series, as well, where she was a secondary character.
I think Wisdom to Know was one of the first books of yours that I read. I really liked it. And I like books that deal with challenges of everyday life. Recently I was reading some of Lacy Williams’ books, and she has a lot of heroes and heroines with different challenges – loss of a limb, a disease like MS, not able to read, etc.
Since I read Wisdom to Know when it first came out you became one of my favorite authors by far. I love your books, and I consider you a friend even though we have never met. I highly recommend this book and all others in this series! Love you my friend!
Thanks Valerie!
Oh I’ll have to check those out!
Thanks Linda! Love you :)
That is great. I used to watch Sherman and Peabody cartoons when I was younger. Sometimes I like to read a book that deals with hard hitting situations. And other times I like the light and fluffy reads. Really depends on what is happening in my life at the time. As far as sin being too big/much for love to cover, God has that covered. As humans though I think most of us struggle with not only the sin part buy also the forgiving part. Yes sometimes it is easier than other times to forgive. But by Gods grace it is much easier.
I don’t mind having hard subjects in the books I read, but I do read romance because I know there will be a happy ending. That’s all I need.
I think sometimes we can convince ourselves that we’ve gone too far for Jesus to forgive (that’s where Lydia went in her mind.)
Oh for sure! The happy ending has to be there. I agree with that wholeheartedly.
My husband can watch Mr. Peabody and Sherman for hours and hours and laugh as if he’s never seen them.
I love how you transitioned from that to Wisdom to Know. Now that’s what makes a great post!
I’ll admit I wasn’t sure the transition was going to make sense when I started.?
Tough subjects can be interesting if there is hope for the characters. I do like happy endings, too.
Books with Mr. Peabody are always fun. My shepherd thinks she is the female version of Mr. Peabody!
My kids loved that movie, too!
Sounds like your book brings awareness to some very important issues.
There definitely needs to be hope! And a happy ending :)
It really is a fun movie.
I try to help people see something they maybe don’t always get a chance to know in real life.
I know Cheryl Wyatt has at least one with a hero suffering with not being able to walk or learning to walk again.
I, too, like to read a mix of books. While I love reading fun and lighthearted stories I do find that the heavier ones tend to stick with me longer.