About the Book
Book: King Here
Author: Trish Porter Topmiller
Genre: Religion/Christian or Spiritual
Release Date: May 7, 2019
Trusting God and sharing Jesus with aging parents can be difficult. As Trish Porter Topmiller watched her father’s casket be lowered into the ground, she knew the complicated jigsaw puzzle of his life finally held the missing piece―Jesus. But for years, his life seemed as far away from grace, and a believing faith in God, as a person can be. A multimillionaire entrepreneur who believed his financial fortress (and business acumen) was invincible, he turned into a workaholic adrenaline junkie―and ultimate opioid statistic who had given up on life. Even then, grace found him.
King Here offers hope that no matter how old, how rich or how addicted someone is, it’s never too late to meet Jesus. Trish shares her father’s inspiring, yet tragic life story―filled with adventure and color and unique escapades―to reveal God’s plan for an old rich man who thought he had no need for God. Stepping back to see the big picture brings to light the hope and joy that God truly can answer prayers and do the impossible, but it doesn’t always look the way readers expect. In this moving tribute to her father, Trish encourages readers to never give up on loved ones who seem “too far gone” for God to reach.
Click here to get your copy.
My Thoughts
I must admit this is a hard review to write. After finishing the book, I came away with mixed feelings. On one hand, it was interesting to see God’s sovereignty in the author’s life. I loved that she used a puzzle to help demonstrate this. Often times, we don’t understand why God has allowed something bad to happen to us, or those we love. Yet, as time goes on, we see the “puzzle pieces” fall into place and we understand why it happened. It’s one of the reasons I love the stories of Joseph and Esther so much.
However, there were some things about this book that I just didn’t enjoy. I think the history of the early years was a little too long. I don’t think all the stories needed to be included to understand her father. There are some theological views that I don’t agree with in the book as well. I know it’s not a popular belief, but I don’t think so much emphasis should be placed on a special prayer. God’s not looking down waiting for the words of our practiced prayer. We don’t need to treat sharing about Christ and His mercy like a sales pitch, where at the end we need to “close the deal” and ask if they want to accept Christ. God does everything in His own timing. There’s nothing in the Bible about this approach in the Bible. I just want to say too, that I think we need to be careful when labeling certain issues. In today’s day and age, it’s becoming more and more common to shift the blame for our own choices and sin issues by trying to label it as something else that we can’t control. I think it’s a good and biblical practice to truly evaluate what is sin nature and what falls into the other category.
All in all, I can’t give this book more than three stars. While it was amazing to see how God’s hand was in the author’s life, I think it focused too much on the man before Christ, and too little on God’s mercy and grace.
I received a copy of the book from the author via Celebrate Lit Tours and was under no obligation to post a review. All comments and opinions are solely my own.
About the Author
Trish Porter Topmiller is a Christian writer who is a 1988 U.S. Olympian in the high jump, former world record holder for women age 40-44 in the high jump, and multiple times U.S. National and World Masters Champion. Trish is a frequent speaker and guest on radio and television programs and has been the subject of interviews in the Wall Street Journal, U.S.A Today, and Today’s Christian Woman. She is a survivor in Life. Trish lost her husband of twenty years (Pat Porter 2 time Olympian) and son Connor (U.S. National Fencing Medalist) in a plane accident in 2012. She remarried in 2016 and has a wonderful daughter who is a nationally competitive figure skater. She attends Woodmen Valley Church in Colorado Springs, Colorado andSagebrush Church in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She has a B.S. BusinessMarketing degree from University of Oregon.
More from Trish
I did not set out to write a book. I was preparing to talk at my Dad’s funeral and I looked at his life; the outrageous adventures, his business success, all the tragedies, and then the miracles. I realized his life was like an amazing puzzle and only God knew the puzzle box top. That’s when the outline came to me. He affected so many people and generations and once home, I was compelled to continue writing and it began to take shape and grow. I wanted information about publishing, so I contacted Terry Whalin who wrote Billy Graham’s biography. He said it was a story that I needed to share with people beyond my family.
King Here, is not only about finding faith and hope, but about the strength and courage it takes to handle what comes our way. In a five-year period, from 2012-2017, I was confronted with the loss of my husband of twenty years (a two-time Olympian), and my beautiful fifteen year old son, Connor (a U.S. National Fencing medalist). They perished in an airplane accident where my husband was the pilot. A few years later my stepmother died at age 60 after a battle with addiction and then my father.
My prayer is you can be drawn into my Dad’s and my life and not want to put the book down. May your basket be filled with nuggets of wisdom and inspiration. May you enjoy the journey and the roller coaster of emotions. May you see how I trusted the Lord through tragedy which strengthens your faith. May you be encouraged to pray for those around you and be empowered to share Jesus with others.
Blog Stops
Texas Book-aholic, January 8
Inklings and notions, January 9
Through the Fire Blogs, January 10 (Author Interview)
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, January 11
Just the Write Escape, January 12
Andrea Christenson, January 13 (Author Interview)
For the Love of Literature, January 14
janicesbookreviews, January 15
Simple Harvest Reads, January 16 (Author Interview)
As He Leads is Joy, January 17
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, January 18
CarpeDiem, January 19
Vicky Sluiter, January 20 (Author Interview)
Artistic Nobody, January 21
Giveaway
To celebrate her tour, Trish is giving away the grand prize package of a $50 Amazon gift card and copy of the book!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.
https://promosimple.com/ps/f467/king-here-celebration-tour-giveaway
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