Happy Monday, Reader Friends!
Today I have the lovely Olivia Rae on the blog. She’s stopped by to talk about her book, Joshua’s Prayer. Grab a cup of tea (or coffee) and chat with us!
About the Book
The Blurb: “They only want what is best for Joshua–but disagree about what that is.
When Dr. Sam Morgan’s estranged wife dies in a tragic accident, he returns home from a months-long, overseas surgical mission to discover his disabled son, Joshua, does not remember him. Sam is convinced that he and Joshua can only overcome their heartbreaking memories by leaving their decaying small town and starting over somewhere else.
Nicole James runs a women’s shelter where Sam’s wife fled with Joshua, claiming Sam was not the saint he appeared to be, but a physical and mental abuser. Nicole is determined to protect Joshua by legally preventing Sam from leaving Golden Ridge with his son until she can get at the truth–is Sam Morgan an abuser or the victim of lies in a marriage that went terribly wrong?
As Sam and Nicole are forced to work together on Joshua’s behalf, they begin to gain a grudging respect for one another. But will mutual distrust prevent them from realizing that the best thing they can do for Joshua is to fall in love?”
Interview
Toni: Thank you so much for stopping by today, Olivia. I’m looking forward to discussing, Joshua’s Prayer. Please tell us a little about it.
Olivia: Nicole James, a preschool teacher and co-owner of a women’s center, has a hard time believing Sam is a good father because he wants to take Joshua away from the only home he has ever known. Because of Joshua’s FAS (Fetal Alcohol Syndrome) and his mother’s tragic death, he doesn’t remember or accept Sam as his father. Sam wants out of Golden Ridge, Missouri and all of its bad memories.
Before her death, Sam’s estranged wife claimed he was an abusive husband and father. Though untrue, Nicole has a hard time forgetting about her own tragic childhood to believe Sam is a good man and could be a good father. A little boy stands in the middle of this struggle.
Joshua’s Prayer deals with issues such as alcoholism, mental and physical abuse, and trust.
Toni: Wow. This book seems like it deals with some pretty heavy topics. Is there a central theme that runs through and if so, what is it?
Olivia: The central theme of this story is to trust and love one another and not let our past, with all its baggage, influence our futures.
Toni: That’s so tough! How did you decide to write a book dealing with trust and possible abuse?
Olivia: We all bring our past experiences to any situation we are dealing with in our lives. Sometimes without meaning to hurt or harm someone, we make the wrong assumptions or say the wrong things. Often we are influenced by what others say and make the wrong judgments about people. Nicole does this by thinking Sam is selfish and possibly an abuser.
I think Romans 12:3 says it best:
For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you.
Toni: Such a good verse! What is the one thing you hope readers will take away from this novel?
Olivia: God forgives all and He loves us even when things are bleak. Try to support one another without judgment. Remember, none of us are perfect.
Toni: Amen! We readers would like to know a little more about you. Do you like coffee or tea?
Olivia: Coffee. Unfortunately I can’t get through a morning without it.
Toni: Tea for me! Romance movies or suspense?
Olivia: Hard question. I guess I like suspense, but when I am sad a good romantic comedy always fits the bill.
Toni: Mood matters! Mountains or oceans?
Olivia: Mountains—beautiful, challenging and peaceful all rolled into one majestic view.
Toni: I’m the opposite. 🙂 Chocolate or other candy?
Olivia: Chocolate – dark chocolate. A lot of it.
Toni: Lol. Thanks again for taking the time to let me interview you. Before you go, can you tell us what you’re currently working on?
Olivia: I’m working on my fifth medieval in The Sword and the Cross Chronicles. They seem to be very popular and there have been a few fans who want more. If the first book in the Golden Ridge Series does well then I would also be happy to write more of those. I am to please my fans.
Thanks for the interview, Toni!
Toni: Sounds good! Thanks for joining me today, Olivia. Readers, do you have any questions for Olivia?
About the Author
Olivia Rae is an award-winning author of historical and contemporary inspirational romance. She spent her school days dreaming of knights, princesses and far away kingdoms; it made those long, boring days in the classroom go by much faster. Nobody was more shocked than her when she decided to become a teacher. Besides getting her Master’s degree, marrying her own prince, and raising a couple of kids, Olivia decided to breathe a little more life into her childhood stories by adding in what she’s learned as an adult living in a small town on the edge of a big city. When not writing, she loves to travel, dragging her family to old castles and forts all across the world.
Olivia is the winner of the New England Readers’ Choice Award, a Buyer Best Book Award Finalist, a Kindle Book Award Semi-Finalist, I Heart Indie Award Finalist, and Grab Me Award Finalist. She is currently hard at work on her next novel.
Toni Shiloh 
Hi Toni & Oliva! Great interview! It was fun getting to know Olivia better. I have read (and loved) The Sword and The Cross series. I’m a huge fan of historical. However a few amazing contemporary authors (Toni), is starting to change my mind. 🙂
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Contemporary is my fave but there’s room to like all the genres! 🙂
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Glad to hear you liked The Sword and The Cross Chronicles. I hope you will take a look at my contemporary while you wait for book five of the Chronicles.
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Absolutely! Every genera has its positives. 😊
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