Monday, February 4, 2013

Tanya Eavenson's "Unconditional"


My debut novel Unconditional is dear to my heart because God placed it there. 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. He also tells us to love our enemies as ourselves, 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 were 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 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, hurt by feelings of abandonment, adultery. 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 and the intro to Unconditional. I hope if you purchase this novel it will speak to your heart, or maybe to someone you know.

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?

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.

Endorsements:
"Unconditional is a powerfully-gripping story of deep heartache laced with fears, yet even through the sorrow, Tanya Eavenson reminds us that nothing can separate us from God's love."
~ Alice J. Wisler, author of "Still Life in Shadows" and other novels

"Not your typical amnesia story, Unconditional tells a tale of loss, betrayal, and forgiveness. Eavenson drags her characters through the fire, then reveals God’s power through their broken lives. The writing is stellar; the emotion, raw and palpable; the cast, impeccably crafted. This author is one to be watched!"
~ April W Gardner, award-winning author

"Unconditional explores the struggles that married couples sometimes experience, and the decisions they must make after going through difficult circumstances. A powerful story of hope and healing."
~ Laura V. Hilton, Healing Love (Whitaker House)

"Unconditional is a beautiful story of God's never-ending love. Throughout its pages, Tanya Eavenson evokes a myriad of emotions in her readers, from deep despair to heartfelt praise. The characters gripped my heart, showing me the reality of man's sin but also the depth of God's grace. Unconditional is a well-written, heart-stirring novel written by a talented new author."
~ Jennifer Slattery, Novel Reviews

27 comments:

  1. I would really love to read this book, sounds interesting.

    rdunson(at)knology(dot)net

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thank you, Deborah! I appreciate you stopping by!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I would love to win a copy of, Unconditional. Sadly we have had one couple in our church that recently just divorced and there are 3 more couples with marriages on the rocks. People! Where is God in these marriages?! Don't quit, don't give up, fight for each other!!

    I had a marriage end in divorce after 25 years. I was a Christian, he walked away years before our marriage ended. I wanted to seek counseling, he did not. I wanted to work out our marriage, he didn't. The divorce was final in 1995. I am now happily married to a great Godly man.

    Blessings!
    sweetpea.judy(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Judy, it's wonderful to hear God has blessed you with a godly husband!

      It's true. Divorce is happening in my church as well. I pray that couples will focus on Christ and fight for each.

      Have a great week and thanks for coming by!

      Delete
  4. thanks for the chance to read this novel :)

    karenk
    kmkuka at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  5. What a great beginning to the book! It certainly makes me want to read more. Please enter my name in the contest. I hope to get to read more real soon.

    Blessings, Janice
    jsmithg(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I appreciate that, Janice! We've got you entered. Blessings. =)

      Delete
  6. I was able to get my club to consider this book for March.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. How wonderful! Thank you so much! Please let me know if they do. Here is my website address where you can contact me. tanyaeavenson.com

      Thank you for stopping by!

      Delete
  7. I would really love to read and review this book. I will be married 33 years and my husband and I went into marriage with a committment. With Jesus as our head it has worked. But there have been rough periods. jrs362 at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I would love for you to read Unconditional and do I review. Thank you for entering!

      33 years... beautiful. My husband and I will be married 17 years this month. You're so right, with Jesus as the head of the marriage, couples can make it through the rough periods.

      Thank you for coming by! Blessings!

      Delete
  8. Sounds beautiful, Tanya. Register me to win.
    JanetDOThopeATattDOTnet

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Janet. I appreciate that!

      Have a wonderful day. =)

      Delete
  9. I don't know, I had tears in my
    eyes just reading the review.
    This is going to be a powerful
    book. If I win it, it will be
    given to my church libary after
    Iread it. I think every church
    has these problems, the devil
    is attacting families.
    ybutler@oppcatv.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much. If you don't win the drawing, please contact me at my website tanyaeavenson.com and I will send your church a copy.

      Blessings and thank you for saying hello!

      Delete
  10. Tanya, this sounds like such a good book. Thank you for your comments. It is so sad to see couples divorcing--especially Christian couples. I am so glad you wrote a story addressing this issue.
    may_dayzee(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Kay. =) I think people, especially those who've put their faith in trust in Him, have forgotten Christ overcame death, rose again, and lives today. So if Christ can do this, He can bring marriages back to life. I pray my book will show hope to others and Christ's love for all of us.

      Thank you for coming by!

      Delete
  11. UNCONDITIONAL is going to be a very emotional read for me I'd say. Thank you for this opportunity.

    marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mary, I've had someone this week tweet me and say "It's a very stirring read." I hope you get a chance to read it.

      Thank you for dropping by and entering to win. Blessings!

      Delete
  12. Tanya, UNCONDITIONAL sounds like an awesome book and one I would love to read. May God use it to reach many hearts.
    lindastrawn (at) yahoo (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  13. I appreciate it, Linda. Thank you so much for coming by and saying hello!

    ReplyDelete
  14. I would love to win this book.I want to read it,it sounds like a great book.Thanks so much for the chanch.jackie_tessnair@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  15. I would love a chance to read this book. Thank you for this opportunity.

    clSwalwell@gmail.com

    In Him,

    Cheri

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Cheri, I appreciate that. =) Thank you for coming by! We've got you entered in the drawing.

      Blessings!

      Delete

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