About the Book

Book: Not My Hero

Author: Michelle Bolanger

Genre: Contemporary Romance / Biblical Retelling

Release Date: August 4, 2026

She lost everything… except the chance to begin again.

He has everything… except the freedom to follow his heart.

After losing her husband, Kennedy Bishop is left with nothing but grief, debt, and unanswered questions.

Returning to Dayton with her faithful mother-in-law, Kennedy is determined to rebuild her life without relying on anyone… especially God.

But when she crosses paths with the wealthy Donovan Taylor, a devout man committed to rescuing others while hiding burdens of his own, their lives become unexpectedly intertwined.

As suspicion, sacrifice, and unseen connections threaten to tear them apart, the pair must decide if  they’re willing to put their trust in God and take a chance on love.

A powerful Christian romance about redemption, faith, and the courage to believe that even the most broken stories can be restored.

Perfect for readers of Francine Rivers and Nichole Deese, this emotionally rich Christian romance blends heartbreak, redemption, and faith into a modern-day story of Ruth that speaks to anyone learning to trust God again.

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Author

Michelle Bolanger a small town, socially awkward and often anxious author and artist who found unshakeable security and hope in 1998 when she surrendered her fears and her heart to Jesus Christ. Her greatest wish as an author is that her stories will be a vehicle to share the hope and courage she found through her faith with others. Michelle lives in small town Ohio with her husband of almost 30 years and a mildly chaotic Akita named Hugo. She and Robert enjoy going on long cruises, taking motorcycle rides along side roads and back roads, and cheering for their favorite professional hockey teams.

 

 

More from Michelle

When I get asked why I wrote Not My Hero, I tell people it is because I had been looking for a modern retelling of the book of Ruth that impacted me. I couldn’t find one that I loved, so I wrote it myself.

I’ve always been drawn to Boaz’s history. I wondered about his lineage and how his parents’ past might have been the reason he was well past the age a man of his station should be married with children, and yet he wasn’t. Could it have been because his mother was not only a foreigner, but that she was a former prostitute? Would other families hesitate to offer their daughters in marriage to such a family? How did that past affect Boaz’s view of himself?

And I found it so interesting that Ruth was the faithful one when Naomi felt God had abandoned her. Ruth had every reason to be wary. As a Moabite, she knew she would not be accepted in the Hebrew society, yet she clung to the God of the Hebrews. She was rewarded for her faithfulness to Naomi when God brought her to Boaz’s field, and through her, Naomi saw proof that God had not abandoned her at all.

While I wrote the story simply wanting to retell a beloved story from the Bible, I realized that even in my own darkest times God always had a plan that I couldn’t see. He is always working, even when we can’t see a way through.

It took me 8 years to write and publish this story, and I think it took that long because God needed me to see beyond the characters I had created and into His heart for me. He wanted me to understand that this isn’t just a fictional story, it is a tale that illustrates His steadfast love and faithfulness.

Interview with the Author

• What does the first part of your writing process look like?

When I first get the idea for a new book, it is usually a full scene from somewhere in the middle of the story. I have dozens of single scenes written that might someday turn into a book. That first glimpse into the characters’ world sets the theme or the setting for the rest of the book. Most of the time, that initial scene makes it into the book, but sometimes it is just the character or characters trying to get my attention. There can be a lot of voices in my head, and often the best way to quiet them is to write down what they have to say. If they keep insisting on telling more of the story, I keep writing. If not, I table the idea for later.

• What part of your writing process would surprise readers?

Maybe what I just shared–that I don’t really have a plan when I sit down to write? When I am most in the ‘zone’ for writing, the scenes play out like a movie in my head, and I write down what I see and hear. Sometimes I can direct the scene or even sort of ask questions of the characters, but for the most part, I act like a court recorder and follow them around in my head while writing down all the crazy things they say and do. And I’m often surprised by what they come up with.

My husband finds it endlessly amusing when I share one of the surprise revelations with him. “How can it be a surprise to you?” He asks. “The characters live in YOUR head!”

As fun as it is to write this way, it takes more work to get a finished novel, as I end up with a lot of edits and re-writes. But this first really messy draft becomes my outline. After it is done, I edit, refine, and add or subtract scenes to make it a workable story.

• How long does it typically take you to finish a book?

It depends on the book. Not My Hero took me almost 9 years to finish, but others I wrote in less than a year. I have a new series I’m working on that will likely take me several years to complete, but I am also working on another romance that I hope to finish the first daft of by the end of this year.

• What’s your favorite part of the writing process?

Hands down, I love getting to know the characters. Since I am a discovery writer, meaning I don’t plot or do any real planning before I start to write, I get to know the characters and the story much the same way my readers do. I am often surprised by a character’s personality or by some bit of backstory they reveal as the story comes together. Donovan’s sister, Marcy was a fun character to get to know (and hate!). She revealed the true depths of her greed only as the story went on.

• What made you choose to write this book when you did?

I knew I wanted to write a modern retelling of the book of Ruth and ended up writing one scene then set it aside for a while. I worked on it off and on for years but could never finish it. Then in January of 2025, I was able to leave my job and come home to write full time. I hadn’t published anything in 8 years. When I looked through the stories I had in process, Not My Hero was the closest to being complete, so I took four months and finished the manuscript in November of 2025.

Blog Stops

Simple Harvest Reads, September 24 (Author Interview)

Book Looks by Lisa, September 25

Artistic Nobody, September 26 (Author Interview)

Guild Master, September 27 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, September 27

Pause for Tales, September 28

Texas Book-aholic, September 29

Fiction Book Lover, September 30 (Author Interview)

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, October 1

The Bookish Ledger, October 2 (Author Interview)

For Him and My Family, October 2

Cover Lover Book Review, October 3

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, October 4 (Author Interview)

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, October 5

Books Less Travelled, October 6 (Author Interview)

History, Hope & Happily Ever After, October 7 (Author Interview)

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Michelle is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card and a hardback 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/z0WKJ/not-my-hero-celebration-tour-giveaway