About the Book
Book: The Stranger
Author: Joy Margetts
Genre: Christian Historical Fiction
Release date: November 22, 2024
What do you do when your life’s work lies in ashes at your feet? When your heart and body are broken and your faith shattered?
Disillusioned, grief-stricken and feeling abandoned by the God he once trusted, Brother Silas runs. He sets out on a lonely journey, not knowing where the path will take him, determined to distance himself from his painful past.
But Silas cannot escape the Love that will not let him go. Through the unexpected kindness of strangers, and a series of inexplicable events, Silas’ heart begins to heal. Then an unlikely reunion puts him back on the path to rediscovering who he really is.
Will Silas find where he truly belongs or will he remain a stranger forever?
Click here to get your copy!
About the Author
Joy combines a life- long love of history and a deep passion for the Word of God to write stories, inspired by her own faith journey. She lives on the beautiful North Wales coast, amidst abbey ruins and ancient pilgrim paths.
More from Joy
I live in a most beautiful area of the UK, on the coast of Wales, surrounded by a stunning landscape of mountains, forests and sea. This is an area that is not only stunning in its natural beauty but also rich with history; castles, abbeys, old churches, and ancient pilgrimage routes. These things inspire my writing, which is why my books are set in medieval Wales, and feature abbeys, monks, knights and maidens. No dragons though! And no murders!
Some years ago now my life was forever changed when I became unexpectedly ill, from what was later diagnosed as Chronic Fatigue. Months of being able to do very little turned into years. Years where I lost much including my job and career, experiences with my children which I will never get back, and my role in ministry. Through this time I questioned all that I had known of God. I had followed Jesus all my life but when things got really tough it felt like He had abandoned me. I didn’t know if I could trust Him any more, if He really cared, if all that I had once believed was actually true. Over time God pursued me, revealing His love for me in unexpected ways, using others to display Himself, helping me to rediscover my faith and choose to trust Him again.
In writing my books I wanted to tell my own story, but through the fictional lives of characters living centuries ago. The Healing, my first novel, told my story of healing and redemption, and no-one was more surprised than I when the book was published. But God had given me a gift to write and He wasn’t finished with one book. The Stranger is actually my fourth novel and the most personal in many ways. The central character has to navigate what it feels like to question his faith in the face of devastating disappointment. I think this is something that many Christians can equate with. The story follows him as he tries to turn his back on his God, and discovers that God does not give up the pursuit of those He loves. It is my story. God pursued me and would not let me go. He is the lover of my soul and has proved faithful. I want my books to carry hope, and to glorify Him.
I love the Word of God. It has been my place of comfort and strength through tough times. My books are littered with scriptural truth, and I make no apologies for that. It is the truth, and believing in the truth, that sets us free.
Interview with the Author
- How do you select the names of your characters?
I tend to collect names – especially Welsh ones. A lot of my characters are named after people I know, although because I write in the medieval period I sometimes have to alter them slightly. One of my main characters was called Efa after my grandmother who died a long time ago. Another dear friend, Alick, became Brother Ulrich.
- What is your favorite childhood book?
Oh my, that is a difficult question. I love the Winnie the Pooh books. I have a vivid memory of my parents reading AA Milne aloud to us, and us all laughing together. Of course I read them for myself too later on. The House at Pooh Corner is probably my favourite. I also devoured CS Lewis’ Narnia stories, and they have stood the test of time. I think I read all that Enid Blyton wrote too, which shows my age!
- What comes first, the plot or characters?
My stories are definitely character driven. All of my books are inspired by my own life experiences, particularly the things God has taught me on my own faith journey. Although they are set in another period, and told through other characters, there is a lot of my own story in my books. The first book, The Healing, was particularly based on my own healing journey, but told through the friendship between a world weary wounded knight and his monk friend. Certain characters from that first book have stayed with me and the subsequent books feature their stories. I come up with a spiritual truth I want them to learn and grow in and wind the story around that. The second book, The Pilgrim, explored themes of forgiveness particularly self forgiveness. The third book, The Bride, was about God’s father heart and love for His own. The latest, The Stranger, considers what happens when we begin to question God and run from Him.
- Who is the author you most admire in your genre?
There are very few people who write Christian Historical Fiction set in the medieval period. My historical writing is definitely influenced by two favourite secular authors – Ellis Peters ( who wrote the Cadfael stories) and Sharon Penman, who wrote about medieval Wales. Christian Fiction writers – I admire many – Francine Rivers of course, and Sharon Garlough Brown are top of my list probably.
- What do you like to do when you are not writing?
My life is full. Sometimes too full to write! I am a grandmother and love helping to care for two small grandkids. I am actively involved in church life and do admin for the church. I support my elderly parents who are both frail now, and I keep house for my husband and one son still living at home.
As a result of my writing and meeting other like minded writers, I have started a group called Kingdom Story Writers. We run retreats and produce podcasts, and have a Facebook page and website that I help maintain.
For fun? I like to read, puzzle, crochet, bake and watch my husband garden! We also have a small terrier who is great fun.
Blog Stops
Girls in White Dresses, January 10
Vicky Sluiter, January 11 (Author Interview)
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, January 12
Library Lady’s Kid Lit, January 13 (Author Interview)
Simple Harvest Reads, January 14 (Author Interview)
For the Love of Literature, January 15 (Author Interview)
Texas Book-aholic, January 16
Tell Tale Book Reviews, January 17 (Author Interview)
Locks, Hooks and Books, January 18
Blossoms and Blessings, January 19 (Author Interview)
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, January 20
Artistic Nobody, January 21 (Author Interview)
Stories By Gina, January 22 (Author Interview)
Mary Hake, January 22
Jodie Wolfe – Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, January 23 (Author Interview)
Leslie’s Library Escape, January 23
Giveaway
To celebrate her tour, Joy is giving away the grand prize of a $35 Amazon gift card and a paperback copy of the book!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.