About the Book
Book: A Year in the Room (The Reluctant Pilgrim Book 2)
Author: Steven Rogers
Genre: Contemporary Christian Fiction
Release Date: October 23, 2024
Reluctant pilgrim Ben Cahill steps off a flight from Israel facing an unrelenting list of challenges—a fractured family, no job, no place to live, and a dubious grip on his newly-found sobriety. He has no plans for the next steps in his life.
Ben starts over, settling into a small, rented room and working three part-time jobs. As his first year of recovery unfolds, Ben fights an unrelenting spiritual war against his personal demons and the consequences of his past actions.
Can a chain-smoking, no-nonsense grandmother, a retired navy cook, a crusty old Scotsman, and an unexpected pilgrimage to the legendary Scottish Island of Iona, clear away the wreckage of Ben’s life and lead him to hope? Join Ben on his journey in this sequel to the award-winning novel Into the Room.
Click here to get your copy!
About the Author
Steven Rogers is a Christian author of the “Reluctant Pilgrim” series. His most recent novel, A Year in the Room, was published in November 2024. The book is a sequel to his debut novel, Into the Room, which was published in 2021. In addition to other awards, both books were finalists for the American Christian Fiction Writers’ Carol Awards.
Steven loves the process of writing, especially exploring characters that are either broken or facing unfamiliar situations. They are usually ordinary people confronting their internal demons and the challenges of day-to-day living. He also enjoys bringing his stories to a happy, or at least hopeful, ending.
Steven serves as the Director of Royalty Management and Acquisitions Editor at Elk Lake Publishing, Inc. In addition to writing, Steven is a speaker and enjoys sharing his journey of faith and exploring how God’s word applies in the modern world.
Steven, a proud father of three adult children and one incredibly lucky son-in-law, is happily married to his wife of thirty-nine years, Kathy. They live in Richmond, Virginia.
More from Steven
When I first began writing, I was trying to become the next Stephen King. I was inventing serial killers, violently murdering people, and using time travel as a plot concept. At the time, I didn’t know there was a robust and far-reaching Christian Fiction market.
Things changed in 2017 while I was on a flight to Israel. Somewhere over the Atlantic Ocean, I had the thought, I wonder what would happen if I were an alcoholic who has just been released from rehab, and I HAD to take this trip? I quickly invented my character, Ben Cahill, and took him on the tour with me.
When we got back home, my wife asked what I’d been writing in my journal during our visit to The Holy Land. After I explained, the following exchange took place:
Her: “You may have a book there.”
Me: “That’s not my genre.”
Her (using much gentler language): “You’re not published yet; you don’t have a genre.”
To make a long story short, the result of this conversation was my first novel, Into the Room.
A Year in the Room is Book 2 in my “Reluctant Pilgrim” series. I wrote the book because I was compelled to continue telling Ben Cahill’s story and explore an alcoholic/addict during the first year of recovery.
Many writers fall in love with their characters. I am no different. Writing about Ben has been a blessing for me. His story has significantly impacted my personal spiritual journey, taught me to forgive, and brought me closer to God. I will be forever grateful for his impact on my life.
Interview with the Author
- What literary pilgrimages have you gone on?
My first literary pilgrimage was unintended. In 2017, I was on a flight to visit Israel when, somewhere over the Atlantic Ocean, I had the thought, “I wonder what would happen if I were an alcoholic who had just been released from rehab, and I HAD to take this trip?” I quickly invented my character, Ben Cahill, and took him on the tour with me. When I returned, I wrote my novel Into the Room.
For A Year in the Room, about half of the book takes place on the legendary Scottish Island of Iona. Iona is part of an archipelago off the west coast of Scotland. The island has a rich history with the church and is considered a “thin place”—a location where the boundary between heaven and earth is considered especially thin. For centuries, it has been a pilgrimage destination. My wife and I visited on our own pilgrimage, and I took my character, Ben Cahill, with me.
My most recent pilgrimage was a “Footsteps of Paul” tour through Greece, Turkey, and Rome. Ben Cahill also accompanied me on the tour, and he’ll take the trip in my next book, Beyond the Room.
- What’s your favorite under-appreciated novel?
There’s a little-known novel called Island, written by Charles Aboott and published in 1994. The book tells the story of Fred Fay, a World War II veteran and advertising executive on Madison Avenue. While I don’t want to give away too much of the plot, Fred’s life implodes, and he finds himself putting things back together in rural Maine. The novel appeals to me for three reasons. First, my favorite stories often involve characters moving to a new location to start over. Secondly, I’m fascinated with the time between 1945 and 1970. Third, the narrative explores what happens when a man reaches his lowest point and needs to climb out. This is one of the few books I’ve read multiple times.
- What was your hardest scene to write?
The most challenging scenes for me to write about were the ones involving Ben Cahill’s wife or his kids. Telling the story of Ben’s struggles to repair damaged relationships was complex and, at times, gut-wrenching. I had to take frequent breaks during the process. To make matters worse, the related issues are not fully resolved at the end of A Year in the Room. I’m going to have to revisit them in my next book.
- What is your favorite childhood book?
First, I’ll tell you about the childhood book that had the most significant impact on my life. When I was in second grade, my father grew tired of me watching TV and dragged me to the local library, enrolling me in their summer reading program. For each book I read, I received a paper feather to glue onto a picture of a Native American headdress. The first book (something about a swimmer in a neighborhood pool) did not impress me at all. However, the second, The Reluctant Pitcher by Matt Christopher, flipped a switch in my brain, and I became a lifelong lover of reading fiction. Since that eventful summer, I’ve always been reading novels and exploring new authors. I often wonder if my passion would have developed without the experience of reading Mr. Christopher’s books as a seven-year-old boy.
My favorite childhood book was Mark Twain’s The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. For me, the story was magic, filled with amazing adventures and unforgettable characters. I used to roam the woods behind my house pretending I was Tom. Also, this was the first book I ever bought with my own money. I can still remember the Saturday morning my parents and I stopped at a flea market in Fall River, Massachusetts, when I dug some change out of my pocket to buy an old hardcover copy issued in 1928. The book still sits on my bookshelf today.
- What comes first, the plot or characters?
Characters. Always. My favorite authors all share one common trait—their stories focus on character first and plot second. As I read, I find myself invested in these people I know only through the written page. Once this happens, the author impels me to follow them through whatever conflicts or events they have invented.
In my writing, I spend a lot of time getting to know my main characters before I begin writing. I sometimes write short stories about them, and always outline their backgrounds, tendencies, what they wear, hobbies, what they eat, etc.
As a result, I’m a “pantser.” For my stories, I know the beginning and the ending before I start. However, the details in between are determined by my characters and how they react to the events occurring in the story.
- What do you like to do when you are not writing?
My hobbies are fishing, traveling, and playing golf with my best buddy. Of these, travel is a passion shared with my wife, Kathy. We love traveling and experiencing new places and cultures.
My favorite destinations have been Italy, Israel, Iceland, and Africa. The most unique trip we took was to Antarctica. The beauty and landscape there is like nothing I’ve ever experienced.
Our next adventure is to Japan in April of 2026.
- If you could invite one person to dinner, who would it be and what would you cook?
C.S. Lewis. I want to understand his journey from atheist to Christian and pick his brain about the creative process behind the “Chronicles of Narnia.” I’d cook my mom’s Chicken Cacciatore. Although I’ve never been able to duplicate her mastery of the dish.
Blog Stops
Inspired by Fiction, February 6
Simple Harvest Reads, February 7 (Author Interview)
Books Less Travelled, February 8 (Author Interview)
Locks, Hooks and Books, February 8
Artistic Nobody, February 9 (Author Interview)
Texas Book-aholic, February 10
Guild Master, February 11 (Author Interview)
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, February 12
Fiction Book Lover, February 13 (Author Interview)
Jodie Wolfe – Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, February 14 (Author Interview)
Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, February 15
A Reader’s Brain, February 16 (Author Interview)
A Modern Day Fairy Tale, February 17 (Author Interview)
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, February 17
History, Hope & Happily Ever After, February 18 (Author Interview)
Paula’s Pad of Inspiration, February 19 (Author Interview)
Giveaway
To celebrate his tour, Steven is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon Gift Card and a copy of the book!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.
https://gleam.io/AqCbw/a-year-in-the-room-celebration-tour-giveaway