Operation Share the Love: Part One

Way back in January of this year, I received a letter from a woman who had just read The Familiar Stranger. With her permission, I’d like to share the letter minus plot spoilers.

I don’t know if you’ll remember me but it wasn’t that long ago that we emailed.  I was trying to convince the chicks at “She Reads” to choose YOUR book for their pick to read.  Unfortunately, my one lonely little name in Ontario, Canada wasn’t enough clout for them I guess.  I also promised you that as soon as I saved enough money to purchase a copy of ‘The Familiar Stranger’ that I would.  Well I saved, I bought, and I read and what a read it was!!!

Christina, I sure didn’t expect _____________________!!!!  That was THE BEST surprise in a novel that I’ve read in a long while…way to go!!

The characters were well drawn and most of all REAL.  I felt like I’d been transported from my chair into the pages of the book, melting my way into the words so that they became my reality.  I was there, walking alongside Denise as she struggled her way through the nightmare she was living.  I kept wanting to ‘tap’ her on the shoulder and giving her advice, but of course, that wasn’t possible so I had to be patient and wait until she came to some of the conclusions herself.  However, on the other hand, I was nine times out of ten, glad I “couldn’t” tap her on the shoulder because my advice would have been dead wrong!!  lol

Ooohh, the lies and the secrets that people create only drag them further into the abyss of deceit.  What’s that old saying: “Oh what tangled webs we weave when we practice to deceive.”  But alas, our faith in God and the power of forgiveness is our saving grace.  Not to be misused or abused as one must be a believer, one must have a deep faith and a deep understanding of God for He truly knows what is in our hearts and our minds.

The Familiar Stranger is a testament to the power of Christ and the forgiveness He offers us.  I was captivated from the first page of this novel and found myself reading faster and faster, flipping pages quicker than leaves blowing off a tree on a windy fall day.  Christina, you’ve written one of the BEST debut novels I’ve read in years and hope that you are currently penning a second??  Thanks for reminding us through the words in this story that forgiveness is a powerful tool when used with deep thought and heartfelt meaning.

Now PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE tell me you’re writing another novel????

Oh, and by the way, you do realize that “I” am your NUMBER ONE FAN IN CANADA??!!!!  I’ve already emailed 12 of my friends about The Familiar Stranger and was even nice enough to type out the synopsis from the back cover in the body of their emails just to entice them a little more.  lol  And rest assured, your book is now part of my PERMANENT COLLECTION!