By now, if you have read my trade thrillers which are NOT at ALL my Love Inspired Suspense novels, you know that I tackle very dark subject matter. I don’t shy away from dark themes that are prevalent in mainstream fiction because I don’t believe God shied away from the depravity in the Bible. He did not condone or celebrate wicked acts but he never sanitized them. He told them as they were. Read the book of Judges then talk to me about disturbing and dark.
I don’t glorify evil in my real life or in my novels. But it sets the backdrop to the light to come. I never said I write happily-ever-afters in my thrillers. I don’t. I said I write hope-filled endings and I will always deliver on that.
For me, I feel led to explore the wicked heart. To SHOW someone living wrong and how that sin spills over into their life and others and hurts them. Then I SHOW them come to know the truth–to see the light and change their ways. Once my character is on the right path, the story is over. I don’t write about them living a faith-filled life with a few hiccups. That doesn’t interest me as a reader and it doesn’t interest me as a writer. Once the conflict is over, so is the story.
In The Other Sister, I demonstrate not through a voice of truth telling Charlotte–you are living a destructive life and you are not finding joy in what you do have. You can’t see that you are loved because you’re too occupied with all the things you think you need to satisfy your deep, empty places. You’re broken, Charlotte, and only Jesus can save you, heal you, restore you and show you unconditional love. Only Jesus can satisfy the longing of your heart and make you whole. Lean on Jesus, Charlotte. Here’s how (and quote the Romans Road). This is all true and everything Charlotte needs.
But I’d rather SHOW the brokenness. I’d rather use other characters to reveal parts of her heart–corruption, lies, justification of sin, wickedness and even depravity.
I’d rather use a character as a type of Christ (as we see many before Jesus comes in the Bible) to test her, to challenge her, to point to faith being a choice and not some symbol worn in a cross necklace. To push her to make the right but hard choices and then to reveal that after all she’s done, he is not ashamed to dine with her. He is not afraid to be seen with her. That he would even after all she’s done, desire to be a part of her life.
Recently, a reviewer wrote this about an early copy of The Other Sister:
“This was by far the darkest book I’ve ever read. It’s the combination of a horror and an awful family full of secrets. To be honest, I hated it. From a demon child to a stalker to the very nasty, dreadful mess. I only continued reading to know what happened in the end. The only good thing I can say about this book is that it’s unpredictable. But there were also certain things that didn’t seem wrapped up to me. One character just vanished at one point for no real reason. All the characters were difficult to keep up with and the amount of evil things that the Christian author piled into this book is honestly concerning. I’ve read books about fighting and death and evil, but this one to me hardly classifies as a Christian novel. God was mentioned 8 times in this horrible novel. With the content, He should have been mentioned a hundred times. I most certainly will not be reading this book again. And I may never read another book by this author. I probably should give this book one star, but I know how difficult it is to write a book so I added another just for her effort.”
While I never speak to negative reviews, because once the book is in the world, it’s not my business and reviews sites are fair platforms to say how bad a book or good a book is without any repercussion from the author, I’m going to speak to this one because it appears she is an author/aspiring author? too and that makes it fair game for a colleague to speak of another colleagues words–we swim in the same pond.
This book does classify as a Christian book because it’s a redemption story. It is full of Jeremiah 17:9, 1 John 2:15, Philippians 4:11-13, Romans 1:28, Romans 1:16, Revelation 3:20, Luke 9:26 . It shows biblical worldview. It shows a desperately abused, empty woman who desires to be loved wholly and completely. She’s the woman at the well. She’s Mary Magdalene. She’s the woman with the issue of blood. She’s me. She’s you. Desperate women do desperate acts–women who know the Lord and women who don’t.
And along the way darkness bumps up against her in the form of liars, schemers and manipulators. In the form of depraved individuals. Darkness will bump up against us–it’s a matter of when not if. I hope this reviewer never experiences some of the depraved individuals I have or maybe that you have. I hope sin never spills into her safe space. I hope she never feels so alone and lost that she messes up in ways that are so disappointing and disheartening the shame is overwhelming and unimaginable.
I have. Maybe you have too. That’s why I write what I do. I’ve experienced and seen enough in my almost 50 years that I know mentioning God 8 times is not enough. Mentioning God ONCE isn’t enough. Because just mentioning his name doesn’t do anything. But to say he needs mentioned more times to combat the darkness says he doesn’t have enough power to be mentioned once to do it. And my God only needs one word. He is an all consuming fire whether he’s spoken of once or 8 times or 800.
Showing him throughout a whole story in the character of Christian Patrick is far more powerful. Revealing biblical truth through storytelling is as mighty as telling someone God loves them–dare I say even more powerful because we’ve connected as a reader, lived in Charlotte’s skin and seen through her eyes the actions of others that we need saving too. We need to take responsibility for our sin not try to outrun consequences. Sin does find us out. It is crouching at our door. It will master us if we do not master it. And it is a fight to the death–the death of our innate wickedness (flesh vs. spirit). No one is good. No one is innocent, not even 2 year olds or they wouldn’t lie to us when we ask for the truth. Did you eat that cookie? No. And yet the crumbs are on their cheeks. No one taught them to lie. It’s inherent.
And from a woman who also read The Other Sister: “I just finished The Other Sister! Wow! Great read! I LOVED it!! I would say it was your best, yet, but all of your books are great, and I love the redemption in them!! When I read where Charlotte thinks, “I never realized before that I was loved. I couldn’t see it for focusing on everything I didn’t have.” That is me, I have been focusing on all of the bad that has happened, and God doesn’t intend me to stay there, but to learn and grow from it to help others. I know you write fiction, but you also include God’s Truth among the people and pages! Thank you for using your talent to share the love of Christ to the lost and to those of us who are His, but need a little kick in the behind at times!!”
She saw what was shown. The Holy Spirit applied it personally to her own life. And she received the takeaway–as intended by the heart of the author who bathed this book in prayer. Even the wicked, vile demon child aspect–which I would call a born sociopath and exists. Did I add some horror element to it, well yeah I love the horror genre so duh.
Here’s what God revealed to me in prayer time this morning.
It’s not the quantity of light. It only takes one little match to illuminate a dark cave. You don’t need a torch or a bonfire. We don’t leave the overhead light on for our children to sleep at night. We buy a small tiny bulb and call it a nightlight. It’s just enough to illuminate the way to the door, to combat total darkness and fear. One. Little. Light. We sing, this LITTLE light of mine… I’m gonna let it shine.
You can mention God 900 times. It’s no different than striking one small match. Because God is light is light is light is light.
He is bringing hope with one flickering flame as much as He’s bringing hope with a mention on every page. He IS seen through the acts of people and in types of Christs–no different than CS Lewis in Narnia or in the story of Esther where we so clearly see him at work without a single mention of his name. Haman was as much of a narcissist sociopath as some of the characters in The Other Sister.
I’m okay with being misunderstood. That’s part of the cost for writing the types of thrillers I write and I’m okay with that. I’m not okay with my faith being questioned by another “Christian”.
But I’m going to keep shining light in dark places. The real world and in fiction.
I haven’t read this one yet. But that is such a terrible thing to write about one book. Yes, I know reviews are to be honest, even with free books. However, her review was not a review of the book, she was attacking you personally. Questioning your faith is just really none of her business, and should not have been part of the review of the BOOK. For her to call herself a Christian and an aspiring author is shameful. She used this one platform to destroy you. Not what a book review is supposed to be. I’ve read your other books, and yes, they are scary and dark. But we face these darknesses every single day. Reading why people are like this, how redemption is possible, and actually taking that step is what gives us hope. God bless Jessica.
Jessica, I haven’t read this book yet either. But I’m so glad you’re free to write about the reality that so many so-called Christians try to avoid and keep out of their cultish, sanitized, little bubble worlds. And your response to this person is bang on.
If ever this generation was to be called to live in a dark age, it is right now.
We are called to be salt and light even if it’s just a tiny spark.
As a fellow author, I’m so proud of your spark!
You know where I stand when it comes to your books. I will gladly devour anything with your name on it—even if it’s just an endorsement!
That said, I struggled with this one. It was very dark. But when the light blasted in it devoured the darkness and was blindingly bright.
You don’t just write for the choir. You write for the world at large. You write for the lovers of thrillers to give them an alternative to the smut and curse filled options that are out there.
But most importantly, you write for the lovers of the dark stories so that they know there is Light, there is Hope, and there is a Better Way—the only Way.
I’m so sorry this particular reviewer broke every rule of reviewing. Obviously, your book uncovered something that desperately needs healing.
Your books aren’t for everyone (even though they should be!) but for those who are privileged to get to read them, they are a strong witness—without beating them over the head.
Love you sister of my heart ❤️!
*mic drop
I know that wasn’t your intention. But daaaaaang. YES and AMEN!
I am still astounded by some reviewers. One of the great things about your books is that they will hopefully appeal to an audience of people who might not ordinarily buy or read a “Christian book”, but they love a good psychological thriller/Criminal Minds book. So, in turn they end up with a great (possibly horrifying) mystery in their hands, but the end result is a message that you hope someone will hear above the horror, a message of hope and redemption. Sometimes as Christians, we think we only belong in the four walls of the church, which is, of course, not biblical. We are commanded to go out into the world, not wait for them to come to us.
I could not help but think about the comparison of the almighty war of music in church. I tell people all the time… listen to the words, not the tempo, not the volume, the words (whether in a hymn or a praise song). The same applies to an author like yourself. Listen to the words, the true meaning behind your words.
You keep them coming girl! You have plenty of fans who love you, and apparently a growing fan base. We hear you loud and clear and stand behind you 100%!
Dont be discouraged keep doing what you do best love all your books they keep getting better all the time love becky
Thanks for sharing your heart, Jessica. I haven’t read The Other Sister yet, but I plan to. Sometimes it’s hard to read the dark parts of a story, but like you said, many people live in that darkness. Praise the Lord that’s when His light shines the brightest!
My husband (who is now on disability from an ABI) was a pastor and youth pastor. He always said that information won’t change a person. You must show them truth so they can choose to see/change. I love that you show truth and light. Personally, what I get from your books may not be what others get; but your trade books are my favorite because they speak to my heart/spirit and make me think…even look at others differently in a positive way. I think sometimes…maybe most of the time, our reviews reflect our own experiences/spirit/preconceptions/ etc.
Reviews by people like that are so disheartening. Everytime someone says God wasn’t mentioned enough in a book, a song, a speech, etc., I always think, “Well there goes Proverbs & Ruth,” because, if we applied the same standard we use for entertainment to the Bible, we’d have to remove those 2 books because they don’t mention God directly. And it also begs the question of how many times is He supposed to be mentioned in a book or a song?
I think some Christians only want to look on the bright side of things, & ignore the darkness, which is sad because they have no way of understanding or reaching the hurting & leading them to healing. I pray for this reviewer, that they understand your message, & that some people’s lives are truly horrifying without Christ, & that they need Christ desperately, too.
I was not raised in a Christian home and was pretty much allowed to read whatever I wanted to. I was the youngest of 8 and my older siblings were teenagers when I started to read at 4. I read Rosemary’s Baby in 2nd grade and was a huge fan of Stephen King by the time I was 11. I say this to show that I know what evil, demonic writing is. And your writing couldn’t be further from that than East is to West!! I loved The Other Sister and I saw hope and light shining through it from the beginning to the end! I loved it and I think you are amazing and God has given you a gift that is exceptional!! Not many authors could write what you do and most would be afraid to even try! You write for people like me, people who get saved as adults, people who never led a “perfect” church life, people who have sinned and done things that make them wonder if they’ve gone too far for God to ever love them. People looking for that speck of light in a very dark world. And you bring that light, that hope, and they start to question if maybe God does love them, maybe it’s not too late. I have no problem recommending your books to everyone I know. And I pray your books find their way into the hands of those souls who need to read them!!