Catherine West is our guest today.
She wrote a book called Where Hope Begins, and she’s here to share the story behind her story.
Sometimes we’re allowed to glimpse the beauty within the brokenness . . .
Savannah Barrington has always found solace at her parents’ lake house in the Berkshires, and it’s the place that she runs to when her husband of over twenty years leaves her. Though her world is shaken, and the future uncertain, she finds hope through an old woman’s wisdom, a little girl’s laughter, and a man who’s willing to risk his own heart to prove to Savannah that she is worthy of love.
But soon Savannah is given a challenge she can’t run away from: Forgiving the unforgivable. Amidst the ancient gardens and musty bookstores of the small town she’s sought refuge in, she must reconcile with the grief that haunts her, the God pursuing her, and the wounds of the past that might be healed after all.
Where Hope Begins is the story of grace in the midst of brokenness, pointing us to the miracles that await when we look beyond our own expectations.
Learn more and purchase a copy.
What inspired you to write this book?
Today I’d like to share with you a bit of the letter I wrote to my readers at the end of my latest novel, Where Hope Begins.
Honestly? I didn’t want to write this book.
In fact, I almost pushed the idea aside. Except I could see the story playing out like a movie, which doesn’t usually happen until I have a few chapters written. So I figured I better pay attention. And I began to write.
I believe stories are God-breathed. I ask God to give me the words, to show me the story, and it’s always a collaborative effort. But, as Savannah’s story began to unfold, I had questions. Like, really? Adultery? You really want me to write about this? But even as I questioned, the words flowed. Never have I written a book so quickly and so easily, though I worried about the subject matter. Adultery. The loss of a child. Suicide.
You can see why I didn’t want to write it, can’t you?
I wrestled with this story on a soul-searching level, praying for the sensitivity needed to address such tough issues. As always, God was faithful. Unbeknownst to me, while I was writing, two dear friends were dealing with the unimaginable—learning they were no longer loved, no longer wanted, by the person who had promised to love them forever.
Maybe you know the pain that kind of betrayal brings. As we walked alongside our dear friends on this unexpected journey, I knew our lives would also be forever changed. Sometimes forgiveness seems out of reach, doesn’t it? Impossible. We put up walls of protection. And it becomes harder to believe in happily ever after.
So that’s really how this story came to be. I believe God had a purpose for it, for such a time as this, and I pray it blesses and encourages every person who picks it up. I’m so grateful for the stories we can tell, and the freedom we have to tell them.
Your book does sound God-breathed! Cannot wait to see how He uses it to reach the hearts of your readers!
Catherine West writes stories of hope and healing from her island home in Bermuda. When she’s not at the computer working on her next story, you can find her taking her Border Collie for long walks or reading books by her favorite authors.
She and her husband have two grown children and one beautiful granddaughter.
Catherine is the winner of the 2015 Grace Award (Bridge of Faith) and the Romance Writers of America’s Faith, Hope & Love Reader’s Choice Award (The Things We Knew). Her most recent novel, The Memory of You, released March 2017 and Where Hope Begins releases in May 2018.
Catherine loves to connect with her readers and can be reached at Catherine@catherinejwest.com
Follow Catherine on social media:
Website – http://www.catherinejwest.com
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/CatherineJWest
Twitter – https://twitter.com/cathwest
GoodReads – https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4715219.Catherine_West
Pinterest – http://www.pinterest.com/cathwest/
Google + – https://plus.google.com/u/0/108781711729974539211/posts
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/cathwestwrites/
Amazon – http://www.amazon.com/Catherine-West/e/B004RWZUHK/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1
Catherine is giving away a copy of Where Hope Begins. Follow the directions below to enter.
Where Hope Begins sounds like a definite soul-searching book. I find hope in a good cry and reading my Bible knowing God is in control and is with me every step of the way. Thanks for the opportunity to win!
I went through an unwanted divorce twelve years ago. I found hope through my faith in God, in His word, and through Christian fiction. Where Hope Begins sounds like a book that will bless a lot of people who read it.
Thanks for the chance to enter the giveaway! Your story sounds like it would be healing to many people. I hope I can read it soon.
Very reflective and touching interview. Makes one really think and appreciate if one’s life is going down a somewhat good path, particularly with relationships. I think we all can find more inner strength than we realized we had.
I find hope in God’s word and His promises. This book is one I know I would enjoy reading!
I love Catherine West novels!
Hope comes when I pray. It’s something that God has shown me time and again.
Sounds like a good one.
I have a Hope ring & a Hope necklace to remind me to turn to the Giver of Hope–our Hope itself–when things get rough. My Hope is eternity with the God who made me and loves me enough to send His only Son to die for me. My problems don’t seem quite so bad, because they are temporary. They can’t last forever. Heaven will.
Hope is so important for all of us. What a wonderful book!
Jesus gives me hope. Wrapping myself in Christian fellowship with family and friends helped me through the darkest hour. God is love & hope & joy & peace.
When times get difficult hope and faith are very important! I think it’s also important to have close family and friends to talk to.