We're happy to have Eileen Hinkle Rife with us today talking about her book, Restored Hearts. To learn more about Eileen and her book, read on!
1) How did this story come to you?
A few years ago, my husband, a licensed professional counselor and marriage/family therapist, asked if I would write a pamphlet on homosexuality which he could use in his office. I agreed and delved into research. However, it didn’t take long to realize I didn’t have the stomach for what I was discovering, so I abandoned the project. A couple years ago, the Lord renewed my interest in the issue and pushed me to pursue the topic in a way I had not envisioned—in fiction format. As I walked through this journey with my protagonist, Tim, God used his story to shed light on my own healing journey with obsessive-compulsive disorder. In writing Tim’s story, I learned in deeper ways to identify with another fellow struggler. And in doing so, my own prison door flung open and I was set free.
2) Tell us about the journey to getting this book published.
After proposing possible series’ concepts to the OakTara team, they fully supported and encouraged the idea that tough issues, such as homosexuality, need to be addressed in Christian fiction.
3) Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.
The opening honeymoon scene with Maggie and Gavin in RESTORED HEARTS is based on my husband’s and my 25th anniversary trip to Maui. We kissed in the enormous banyan tree I describe in chapter one. Unrelated, but another bit of book trivia—my brother-in-law is a doctor who cleared up some questions I had about Gavin’s medical mission work in India.
4) What are you working on now and what's next for you?
Having completed all three books in the Born for India trilogy, I am now editing a stand-alone manuscript titled, SECOND HALF. Mave Robertson, a recent empty nester, wants the fire back in her marriage, but her husband, Jerry, remains aloof. Is he having an affair? She frets. Midlife crisis? When a neighbor suggests she “get a life,” Mave accepts the challenge and volunteers at an inner city teen ministry where she is thrown into a culture of drugs, gangs, and unwed teens. She soon discovers a friend whom she can help, but she never guesses that he might be the cure for both her stale marriage and her crumbling relationship with her father.
5) Parting comments?
My prayer through RESTORED HEARTS is that those who struggle and long to be free from same-sex attraction, or any sinful dysfunction for that matter, will experience the release God has for them through the Lord Jesus Christ. I also pray that the Church, with grace and compassion, will reach out to the one who struggles.
6) Where can fans find you on the internet?
Stop by and visit me at the following locations:
http://www.eileenrife.com/
http://www.eileen-rife.blogspot.com/
http://www.guardyourmarriage.com/
http://www.christianspeaker.net/
I have family in homosexuality and would love to read your novel. Actually, I learn better from novels sometimes. Makes it easier to digest and assimilate.
ReplyDeletePlease enter me.
desertrose5173 at gmail dot com
Do I have to re-register every week in order to win a book?
ReplyDeleteSnuffysmom:
ReplyDeleteYou'll need to leave comments every week for the books you're interested in because the authors choose the winners from the comments. Some just pick a number and if you're that number on the comment list, you win. Some pick the comment they like. The goal of the blog isn't just to give books away, it's to introduce authors to readers and to promote the author's books. Thanks for coming over!
This subject is one of the main topics right now. With gay marriage passing recently this is in the news everywhere.
ReplyDeleteI would love to read this book and maybe understand on some level why this "being gay" is so rampant now.
I subscribe to your blog
misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com
Wow...this looks like a wonderful read. Would be delighted to win this one.
ReplyDelete~Steph
soklad@hotmail.com
WOW! Eileen, you are a very strong example of how we are to look at issues such as homosexuality. With eyes wide open. Like all mothers..and also fathers..I had a fear of one of my 8 children becoming gay. I prayed..I read..I cried for those that are in this life and I prayed some more. My fear didn't happen, and I appreciate the Lord laying on my heart empathy and a better understanding of those who are classified gay. I have witnessed a female/female attraction in a close friend and I learned to just keep loving her as a friend. Thank you for adding my name to this giveaway. I would very much be interested in reading this book and pass it on to others to read also.
ReplyDeleteActually, I'm quite interested in your next book, "Second Half." I can relate to the problems of this "empty nester" and have my own story of unhappiness to write about one day. I'd like to follow you so that I will know when that book is available. Thank you for a great interview K. Dawn.
Grace & Joy in Christ,
Barb Shelton
barbjan10 at tx dot rr dot com
This books sounds really interesting. Diving into a very difficult area, as it is anytime when our hearts and God's way don't match. Not only that, sounds like a book my famiy might read not realizing what they were getting into.
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Susan Budd
I have many gay and lesbian friends, and couldn't imagine some of the struggles they have to deal with regularly. Sounds like a fantastic book!
ReplyDeletefreda.mans{at}sympatico.ca
Great interview....and a hard subject matter. Can see why as a Christian it would be a hard topic to write about!
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I am a subscriber
alekee02[at]yahoo[dot]com
First of all, I appreciate Oak Tara supporting authors who wish to address today's difficult topics through fiction.
ReplyDeleteI have been active in a fairly conservative church all my life (60+ years) and was somewhat sheltered from the homosexual community until recently. My daughter leads a campus ministry and faces this every day. Not the gay bar, promiscuous-lifestyle type, but same-sex couples who want to commit in marriage and adopt children, who are active in their church, etc. So Eileen, I'm glad you're addressing this topic and would love to read Restored Hearts. Thank you for posting about this book, Dawn.
cjarvis [at] bellsouth [dot] net
I would love to read this.
ReplyDeletethanks for the opportunity to read this fabulous novel :)
ReplyDeletekarenk
kmkuka at yahoo dot com
An interesting author with an interesting book!
ReplyDeleteMany thanks, Cindi
jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com
I would like to read this book because I believe that God is leading me to write a nonfiction book on being gay.
ReplyDeleteedwina[dot]cowgill[at]yahoo[dot]com
I am very intrigued by this topic and would like to read it in fiction.
ReplyDeleteAnn_Lee_Miller@msn.com
Please enter me!
ReplyDeletetiffanyniekro at gmail dot com
Since this is the last chance to register for this book, I will take advantage of the chance to win this book. I am certain that Eileen's "Restored Hearts" can help with some present problems experienced with the subject at matter. I would like to know Eileen as a counselor/therapist and ask her many questions not only about this subject, but about other matters about sexually related problems. Her next book sounds of value to me as a wife with similar problems of the lead character. I so hope I will be blessed with this win...and be the better for it.
ReplyDeleteSharing God's Love,
Barb Shelton
barbjan10 at tx dot rr dot com
Thanks so much for tackling such a controversial topic. I coordinate the ladies book club at my church and I would very much like to review your book as a possible book club selection.
ReplyDeleteHaving been accused of being Obsessive-compulsive, I never thought of that as an area needing healing or release from. Interesting point of view.
Please enter me in the drawing.