by Michelle Sutton
About the book:
Hope believes she is above sexual temptation; that she would never break that commandment like her husband's previous wives had done. After all, she is a good Christian and a loving mother. She has no reason to stray . . . until her husband starts neglecting her needs and things begin to look hopeless. Though she clearly communicates her pain to her husband, he refuses to get help. She starts to wonder…Will she never have sex with her husband again? She soon learns that she, too, is capable of such betrayal when she succumbs to the unthinkable.
But things that first seemed sweet and reasonable given her painful situation soon produce a bitter taste when combined with the overwhelming guilt. No substitute will ever replace her love and desire for her husband. If only he would touch her like he used to. If only they could make love again. She misses him so much and wants to tell him the truth hoping it will propel him to do something to fix their problem, but she fears his rejection. Yet, she can't continue living such a hypocritical life. She knows it's wrong even though she continues to crave physical intimacy. Steeped in the quagmire of adultery, Hope must find her way back to solid ground to save her marriage. But will she lose everyone she loves in the process?
About the Author:
Michelle is an edgy Christian fiction author who has written over a dozen novels that will be released through 2012. She is also a book reviewer, an avid blogger/alliance member, the mother of two teenagers who are soon to be college students, a wife of two decades, and follower of Jesus Christ.
MY REVIEW
I have read all of Michelle's published books to-date and I love her writing style. Never Without Hope is definitely her edgiest book. I thought it was fabulous. I think Michelle did an amazing job of portraying all the emotions and ramifications of an affair. She didn't shy away from telling it like it is- the good and the bad. I really appreciated the fact that the main character knew what she was doing was wrong but did it anyway- it is just so true to life.
Personally I did not find the more graphic details of the book offensive. The details were relevant and necessary to the storyline. By showing lust and sin and adultery in their true forms Michelle was also able to show just how amazing God's grace and mercy are and how you can never stray too far to receive His forgiveness.
Most inspirational novels that I read shy away from showing the true depths of sin- even in the lives of Christians- and I really respect Michelle's willingness to write TRUTH. Never Without Hope addresses a "taboo" topic in most Christian circles but one that we all know happens and therefore really needs to be addressed. I think this book has the potential to give a lot of women who are struggling in their marriages real hope.
Well done Michelle!
Interview with Michelle Sutton:
Thanks so much to Michelle for being willing to answer a few questions for me!
1. Why did you write this book?
I wrote this book because it seemed like in the last five years I've come across many marriages that have crumbled or nearly crumbled due to issues related to sex (usually the lack of it). There is a scripture about not depriving your spouse lest you tempt them to stray. So if it's mentioned in the Bible then why aren't there more books dealing with this subject? I don't know why people are scared of these issues. It's real life. My own marriage has had it's challenges, but thankfully things have been good for several years now. Every marriage has their occasional problems in this area, but I wanted to show how disastrous it can be to entertain thoughts of solving a problem on your own, or what can happen when you start thinking the grass is looking pretty good on the other side of the fence. I also wanted to show how easy it is for something to get out of hand that at one time may have seemed like a reasonable thing to do, and to show how potentially dangerous it is to have friendships with people who are of the opposite sex. I've met so many women who have suffered with a lack of regular physical affection that I know it's a prevalent issue that people don't like to talk about. Impotency has to be a problem or there wouldn't be viagra, eh? There is also the lack of interest that can be caused by pornography addiction, but that's a whole different topic. So what does a wife do if her husband refuses to deal with the issue? I wanted to show one scenario in all of it's thrill and horror to make people think long and hard before they do what Hope did to "solve" the problem.
2. What were you like as a teenager?
As a teenager I was a complex character. Seriously. I was very smart despite my insistence on frying some of my brain cells because of experimental drug use. My mom had MS for two decades so my life wasn't typical and in many ways I grew up too fast. One way I coped with it was to escape through parties, boys, whatever. At the same time I graduated from high school a year early because I knew I didn't want to waste my life. I was very conflicted due to the pain from not having a normal family situation, and yet my family did the best they could to survive. My dad worked three jobs, and my mom couldn't help that she was sick. I was just angry that things were the way they were and I couldn't do anything about it. So I made some poor choices. That's why my fiction is so "real" because I want to reach people where the ugly truth is. We're not always what we pretend to be. Am I saved? I know that I know that I know that Jesus saved me and He lives in me. That's not an issue. Am I perfect? No way. He is always working on me. That's what I like to write about.
3. What superpower would you most like to have?
I would love to have a superpower that would allow me to eat what I want and not gain weight. Then I'd want to be strong without having to exercise. (Sheesh, that sounds like I'm lazy and a glutton, oy!) Most of all I'd love to be a physician who could heal myself. I'd start by making my stupid allergies go away. I hate them! No amount of medicine seems to fix them either. They aren't as severe with meds, but they are still there. Ugh.
Would you like to win a signed copy of Never Without Hope?
Just leave me a comment here telling me if you have ever read any of Michelle's books before. That's it!
* BONUS ENTRIES*
Whoever buys the kindle version now will get five entries into the contest for an autographed hard copy of this book and five bookmarks to share. All you have to do to prove you bought it is put your order # in a comment and then leave 4 more comments to make 5 total. Put whatever you want in the other 4 comments (ex. comment #2).
You can purchase the digital version of Never Without Hope HERE.
For additional entries you can do any of the following- be sure to LEAVE A SEPARATE COMMENT for each thing that you do!
- Subscribe to this blog via email (there is a handy link to do that on my sidebar)
- Subscribe to this blog via the reader of your choice
- Follow this blog on google friend connect
- Add my button to your site or add me to your blogroll and leave me a link.
- Follow me on Twitter and tweet this giveaway (as many times as you like without annoying all your followers!) Use @Tarasview in your tweet if you would like me to retweet for you.
- Become a Fan of my main blog on Facebook
- Follow this blog on Networked blogs on Facebook
- Share this giveaway on your blog, Facebook or another social networking site of your choosing
- email a couple friends about this giveaway
- stumble, digg, tag, bookmark, vote up, thumbs up, favourite, or anything else you can think to do for this site or giveaway (as many as you like- there is a "share" bar at the bottom of this post to make this easier)
- publicize this giveaway in any way on any site and let me know that you did (ex. adding it to a Mr. Linky on a giveaway site etc.)
This giveaway is open to readers in Canada & the USA. I will choose a winner on May 25, 2010.
Winner will be chosen with random.org and notified by email. Winner will have 48 hours to reply to my email or I will choose a new winner.
147 comments:
I've never read a book by Michelle.
I have never read a book by Michelle, but I sure would like to!
I haven't read any of her books, but I would like to.
twoofakind12@yahoo.com
I am a email subscriber.
twoofakind12@yahoo.com
I have not read Michelle's books, but want to....I follow her blog.
jackie.smithATdishmailDOTnet
I subscribe to your blog via e mail....enjoy it.
jackie.smithATdishmailDOTnet
I am e mailing 2 friends about this.
jackie.smithATdishmailDOTnet
I've never read Michelle's books though I do have some in my ever growing tbr pile. Thanks
ABreading4fun [at]gmail [dot] com
Looks like a great book, Michele. I have subscribed to your blog on Networked Blogs, Tara, as well as your Facebook fan page. Great interview. Please enter me in the draw.
Lynn McCallum
i have read other books by Michelle :)
karenk
kmkuka at yahoo dot com
email subscriber :)
karenk
kmkuka at yahoo dot com
i follow michelle's blog :)
karenk
kmkuka at yahoo dot com
I have never read a book that Michelle has written.
ewok_@live.ca
I foollow with google friend.
ewok_@live.ca
I follow you on twitter
Tweet:
http://twitter.com/Misscrabbypants/statuses/13870785049
ewok_@live.ca
I am a follower of your main blog on facebook.
(Tan Smith)
ewok_@live.ca
I follow with networked blogs.
ewok_@live.ca
I am a follower, sounds like a really good book!
Bill ;-)
billsmith2003 (at) gmail (dot) com
Hope you'll check out my book giveaway:
http://drbillsbookbazaar.blogspot.com/2010/05/book-giveaway-dead-or-alive.html
http://thehomeplaceseries.blogspot.com/
I have never read a book by this author but it sounds fabulous. I have a friend that is going through this exact situation and it is always easy to point fingers and lay blame but truthfully none of us really know how we will react until we have been put into a situation like this.
I am a new follower please enter me in the giveaway.
copperpenny12(at)hotmail(dot)com
I have never read any of Michelle's work,but would love to start with this one. Thank for the chance. :)
caseymh18(at)gmail(dot)com
I have never read any of her books,but this sounds like a great read.cardshark42(at)hotmail(dot)com
I am an email subscriber.cardshark42(at)hotmail(dot)com
Looks like a good read.
I haven't read Michelle's books, but I do follow her blog :)
inspiredbyfiction[at]gmail[dot]com
I follow your blog too!!
inspiredbyfiction[at]gmail[dot]com
I have never read this author but this one sounds great
msboatgal at aol.com
facebook fan of yours
msboatgal at aol.com
Follow via google reader'
msboatgal at aol.com
I subscribe to your blog via email. strawberry_sweetheart39@yahoo.com
I follow you on Twitter. strawberry_sweetheart39@yahoo.com
I am a fan on facebook. strawberry_sweetheart39@yahoo.com
I follow your blog on Networked blogs on facebook. strawberry_sweetheart39@yahoo.com
I've never read any of her books before but would like to read this one. Thanks.
partymix25(at)hotmail(dot)com
email subscriber
partymix25(at)hotmail(dot)com
I have not read any of Michelle's books but she sounds like a fun writer and person! Id love to now that I read her interview!
frogz60@hotmail.com
I have never read a book that Michelle has written but this books seems really interesting.
jackieque@comcast.net
I've not read Michelle's works, but I have been following her blog for a while. She was one of the first blogs I followed.
freda.mans[at]sympatico.ca
Follow via GFC
freda.mans[at]sympatico.ca
Button is on sidebar; http://fredasvoice.blogspot.com
freda.mans[at]sympatico.ca
tweet; http://twitter.com/fredalicious/status/13920556411
No, I've never read any of her books, but would love to start with this one!
No, I have not read any books by Michelle Sutton but if they are as intresting as her interview they are going to be good. "Never Without Hope" sounds promising and I want to WIN! Thanks, ybutler@oppcatv.com
I subscribe by e-mail Thanks for all the extra entries. ybutler@oppcatv.com
Public Follower of Google Friend Connect.Thanks ybutler@oppcatv.com
i've never read anything by michelle but this book sounds interesting.
Tweet:
http://twitter.com/Misscrabbypants/statuses/13937582459
ewok_@live.ca
l love Michelles style! her books are GREAT!!! priscillajdm at hotmail dot com
No, I haven't read any of Michelle's books.
abfantom at yahoo dot com
I've never read any of her books :(
tanandjosh@telus.net
I follow you - @tannieschatter
I Tweeted:
http://twitter.com/tannieschatter/status/13941184305
tanandjosh@telus.net
I like on Facebook Tannie's Chatter
tanandjosh@telus.net
I have never read any of Michelle's books before, but I think I would enjoy reading this
mjmeeks52netscape.net
sounds intriging an pray it will be
Daily Tweet
http://twitter.com/tannieschatter/status/13977413783
tanandjosh@telus.net
Please include me! thanks
dcf_beth at verizon dot net
I follow in google reader
dcf_beth at verizon dot net
I follow GFC
dcf_beth at verizon dot net
I'm a fan on facebook
dcf_beth at verizon dot net
Follow on networked blogs
dcf_beth at verizon dot net
Tweet:
http://twitter.com/Misscrabbypants/statuses/13981748847
ewok_@live.ca
tweet; http://twitter.com/fredalicious/status/13985367396
freda.mans[at]sympatico.ca
I've never read a book by Michelle either; but I am definately interested in reading her work now.
Love that she touches the 'real' subjects of life with transparency and hope.
Thanks for the entry!
empowered_life (@) yahoo dot ca
Subscribed by google connect! Thanx for the extra entry!!!
empowered_life (@) yahoo dot ca
Already follow you on twitter - talk about an easy entry! Thanks! :)
empowered_life (@) yahoo dot ca
Followed your blog on Networked Blogs on Facebook
empowered_life (@) yahoo dot ca
Shared on my fan page on Facebook for Empowering Christian Women
http://www.facebook.com/empoweringchristianwomen
empowered_life (@) yahoo dot ca
I have not had the opportunity to read her books. Thanks for the giveaway
rugerpuppies at hotmail dot com
tweet; http://twitter.com/fredalicious/status/14044181524
freda.mans[at]sympatico.ca
Daily Tweet
http://twitter.com/tannieschatter/status/14058670191
tanandjosh@telus.net
Daily tweet
http://twitter.com/Misscrabbypants/statuses/14059280450
ewok_@live.ca
tweet; http://twitter.com/fredalicious/status/14104420758
freda.mans[at]sympatico.ca
Daily Tweet
http://twitter.com/tannieschatter/status/14110799440
tanandjosh@telus.net
Tweet
http://twitter.com/Misscrabbypants/statuses/14134423249
ewok_@live.ca
I have not read any of her books...yet...
I love her blog though and hope to read her books in the future.
Please enter me.
estherym[at]yahoo[dot]com
am a google follower now.
estherym[at]yahoo[dot]com
am also an e-mail subscriber.
by the way..I'm gald I follow Michelle's blog and was led to your's too...
estherym[at]yahoo[dot]com
Daily Tweet
http://twitter.com/tannieschatter/status/14166392445
tanandjosh@telus.net
I have never read any of her books, but would love to!
choateorama(at)gmail(dot)com
I follow on gfc.
choateorama(at)gmail(dot)com
tweet; http://twitter.com/fredalicious/status/14167497855
freda.mans[at]sympatico.ca
Daily tweet
http://twitter.com/Misscrabbypants/statuses/14195481135
ewok_@live.ca
I haven’t read any of this author’s books, but your review sounds like a book that I would take pleasure in reading. Thanks you so much for hosting this giveaway.
steven(dot)capell(at)gmail(dot)com
I subscribed by email. I haven't read any of Michelle Sutton's books, but this one sounds interesting.
Daily Tweet
http://twitter.com/tannieschatter/status/14233338868
tanandjosh@telus.net
tweet; http://twitter.com/fredalicious/status/14235572608
freda.mans[at]sympatico.ca
Tweet
http://twitter.com/Misscrabbypants/statuses/14255706847
ewok_@live.ca
Daily Tweet
http://twitter.com/tannieschatter/status/14297555676
tanandjosh@telus.net
tweet; http://twitter.com/fredalicious/status/14301150889
freda.mans[at]sympatico.ca
haven't read any yet!
Tweet:
http://twitter.com/Misscrabbypants/statuses/14335159104
ewok_@live.ca
tweet; http://twitter.com/fredalicious/status/14361537882
freda.mans[at]sympatico.ca
Daily Tweet
http://twitter.com/tannieschatter/status/14362701830
tanandjosh@telus.net
No, I have never read any of her books. I'm thankful that we have a choice of reading content and have available to read books by women of faith. I'm very thankful every day that the good Lord has graced me with the ability to see and the ability to read. Many people in this world do not even own a book.
Thanks for hosting a giveaway.
Kindly,
CJ
treehouse.queen18(atyahoodotcom)
I would love this book and I follow on google
mamat2730(at)charter(dot)net
I tweeted about this giveaway@mrsred49
mamat2730(at)charter(dot)net
Tweet:
http://twitter.com/Misscrabbypants/statuses/14399536668
ewok_@live.ca
I don't think I've had the pleasure of reading any of her books.
I'm a new blog follower (Huguette E.)
Daily Tweet
http://twitter.com/tannieschatter/status/14432561651
tanandjosh@telus.net
Daily tweet:
http://twitter.com/Misscrabbypants/statuses/14467066914
ewok_@live.ca
Daily Tweet
http://twitter.com/tannieschatter/status/14480974607
tanandjosh@telus.net
I'm a new email suscriber
tweet & following
http://twitter.com/henglish/status/14554161238
Subscribed to feeds via google reader
I have never read one of her books before, but I would really like to read this one. Please enter me. Thanks!
ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net
Follow on GFC.
ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net
Daily Tweet
http://twitter.com/tannieschatter/status/14598027718
tanandjosh@telus.net
I'm a fan of Tara's view of the world on facebook ~ Huguette En
Following on facebook network ~ Huguette En
No I haven't but would like to!
Carla
cpullum(at)yahoo(dot)com
tweet; http://twitter.com/fredalicious/status/14643739394
freda.mans[at]sympatico.ca
I have not read this author before!
theyyyguy@yahoo.com
Shared on facebook ~ Huguette En
I've never read any of her books, but I'd like to :)
motherabagail531 at yahoo dot com
Follower on GFC
motherabagail531 at yahoo dot com
No, I haven't read any of her books, thanks!
Hotsnotty2@hotmail.com
I have never read her books but I would love to ! this sounds really interesting
contact email: tsgiveaways(at)hotmail.com
google reader with timesurge(at)live.ca
contact email: tsgiveaways(at)hotmail.com
follower
I haven't read any of Michelle's books yet.
nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net
Email subscriber
nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net
subscribe via reader
nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net
I follow via GFC
nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net
Facebook Fan
nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net
I follow you on Networked Blogs
nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net
I follow you on Twitter and I Tweeted about this giveaway
ID: @NancyeDavis
http://twitter.com/NancyeDavis/status/14670138165
nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net
i haven't ever read a book by michelle
susansmoaks at gmail dot com
email subscriber
susansmoaks at gmail dot com
fb fan tony l smoaks
susansmoaks at gmail dot com
network blog follower tony l smoaks
susansmoaks at gmail dot com
following on twittter @fdp4life
I have never read any of Michelle's books, but I would love to.
i have never read a book by michelle
i am a email subscriber
I have never read any of Michelles books
tweet; http://twitter.com/fredalicious/status/14699033593
freda.mans[at]sympatico.ca
I've never read any books by this author, but would love too.
I have never read a book by Michelle.
sdnwdn@cox.net
I have not read any of Michelle's book yet! this one sounds good!
zestywonderland@gmail.com
I follow on GFC!
zestywonderland@gmail.com
Email subscriber!
zestywonderland@gmail.com
Follow you on twitter & tweeted!
http://twitter.com/ZESTYWONDERLAND/status/14713648713
Facebook fan of yours
username: zesty wonderland
zestywonderland@gmail.com
Follow on networked blogs
username: zesty wonderland
zestywonderland@gmail.com
I've never read any of her books before. i would like to read this one..
Daily Tweet
http://twitter.com/tannieschatter/status/14737193260
tanandjosh@telus.net
Wow! The enthusiasm here is contagious. Just so you know, I just found out Never Without Hope got 4 stars from Romantic Times from one of the toughest reviewers. Yay! I hope those of you who don't win will still consider getting a copy of this book. If you order from me directly I'll even autograph it for you and toss in some gorgeous bookmarks to share.
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