Meet Mesu Andrews!

Today we have a treat in store, with a visit by author Mesu Andrews! She’s here to share a bit about herself as well as tell us about her new book, Love’s Sacred Song!

Hi Cathy, and thanks for inviting me to share with your readers! I laughed out loud when I saw the three questions you sent! Great questions!

• Who Are You?
• Where Are You Now?
• Where Are You Going?

The trick is: what about me, in each of those questions, would readers be interested in hearing?

Let’s begin with a story…that sort of gives y’all a flavor for who I was, am, and will probably be! My husband and I have known each other since third grade. He was a snotty little red-headed boy until seventh grade, and then we became good friends. He was the quarterback. I dated a linebacker. But when the linebacker broke off our five-year relationship in college, it was Roy who took me on a date the following week…to a football game, of course. The next weekend, we went out again, and he asked me this question: “Where do you see yourself ten years from now?”

Overwhelmed with the loss of a long-term relationship, the tears flowed, and Roy was a rock as I poured out my hopes and dreams that had been shattered. With all my heart, I wanted to be a wife and mom, to love and be loved. Fast forward three DAYS. I get a phone call from a friend who attends college with Roy. She’s furious that I’ve made wedding plans and haven’t included her. Totally stunned, I ask what she’s talking about. “Roy said you two are getting married.”

I was furious!!! I called him, demanded that he drive to my house so I could yell at him in person. I called him every name but his own (this was in my B.C. days). His response? A cocky grin and, “We are getting married. You just don’t know it yet.” Two months after that conversation, he led me to a saving relationship with Jesus Christ. Six months later, we were indeed married (And nine months + two weeks later our first child was born, but that’s another story).

Who am I?

I’ve worked in banking, optometry, and cosmetics. I’ve been a student’s wife, coach’s wife, factory worker’s wife, pastor’s wife, and professor’s wife—all while married to the same wonderfully infuriating man. I consider myself a full-time wife, learning to be a mom to adult kids, and beginning to enjoy the firstfruits of grandkids! OH! And somewhere in there I write!

I need God’s Word like I need air to breathe. It fascinates me. The stories, in their context, become living things in my mind. And then when I read a Psalm written by David or Moses or Solomon—it’s a cry from the heart of a friend to the God we both serve. I learn the lessons Paul learns on his missionary journeys. I hear the Pharisees’ ridicule of my Savior. Scripture is God-breathed. Living and active.

Where Are You Now?

After a 2002 life-altering illness kept me in bed for six months and homebound for nearly a year after, my priorities and stamina have changed considerably. I continue to struggle with chronic health issues, the most annoying being daily migraines. Fibromyalgia and POTS keep me close to home most days, but the Lord gives strength for every ministry door He opens.

I’m still learning the craft of writing. When I began this journey, I knew absolutely nothing about plot or characters or POV or…well, you get the picture. All I knew was the Word. So that’s what I write about. Biblical fiction is my “big project” passion—specifically Old Testament because I believe so many believers misunderstand God’s wrath as hate rather than love. My “ongoing-project” passion is the weekly e-devotional ministry. You can sign up to receive the (free) full version in your inbox each Monday morning, or check out my website to read the highlights of each week (http://mesuandrews.com/category/devotionals/).

Where Are You Going?

I’m thrilled to say that I’m going deeper into God’s Word! Revell has blessed me with another contract for two more books scheduled to release in March 2013 and March 2014. The 2013 release will explore the heart-rending marriage of Gomer and Hosea and teach of Yahweh’s inexpressible love for our wayward hearts. The 2014 release will delve into the dark world of Jezebel’s daughter, Queen Athaliah, who almost succeeded in annihilating David’s royal lineage; but even pure evil couldn’t snuff-out God’s saving light.

Thanks so much for letting me share a little about the past, present, and future! It’s been fun! I love to hear from readers, so please contact me with comments or questions!

Mesu has graciously offered to give away a copy of Love’s Sacred Song, so be sure to leave a comment for her to have a chance to win the book! 

About Love’s Sacred Song -

Overwhelmed at the thought of ruling Israel in King David’s shadow, young King Solomon seeks the Lord and is given God’s wisdom to rule. However, the northern tribes of Israel remain as unsettled as Solomon’s heart. Will he avoid civil war by taking a Treaty Bride from his own nation? Will the king be content with his harem or learn sacred love through passion’s fire?

About the Author:

Mesu Andrews is an author and speaker who passionately brings the biblical world alive for her audiences. Mesu and her husband, Roy, served in pastoral ministry for fourteen years, and in 2007 the Andrews’ moved to the Pacific Northwest, where Roy accepted a teaching position at Multnomah University. They have two grown daughters, Trina and Emily, and a Rottweiler-pitbull named Bouzer.

Mesu’s debut novel, Love Amid the Ashes, released in March 2011 and tells the breathtaking story of Job’s life through the eyes of the women who loved him. Love’s Sacred Song is scheduled for release March 1, 2012 with two more biblical novels on the horizon for 2013 and 2014.

Connect with Mesu on her Website! 

Heiress – Let’s Discuss…

I just finished Heiress, (Daughters of Fortune Series #1) by Susan May Warren. If you have not yet read the book, you may want to skip this post, but I’ll try not to give too much away. This isn’t really a review so much as it is a reaction. (And I will try very hard not to make this a rant, but no promises).

Heiress. Wow. I loved the book. I was shocked by the book. I wanted to stand up and applaud after reading the book.

Honestly? My first thought was this: “This is not your grandmother’s Christian Fiction!”

A caveat: I have yet to read a book written by Susan May Warren that I did not enjoy. Susie could write out The Constitution verbatim and I think she’d find a way to give it a new twist and make it interesting. Another caveat: I read the reviews before I read the book. Yeah, I’m one of those people. I do actually find it interesting to see what people think about a book before I read it. I don’t let their thoughts influence me, but when I’m done I usually go back and read the reviews again, if only to agree or disagree inside my head. As it was, most of the reviews for this book were positive.

I’ve been a fan of the big story ever since reading Gone With The WInd. You know the kind I mean – lots of characters, lots of wealth, intrigue, lies and  lots of sex. Well…you know… I do read mainstream fiction and I have to say unfortunately, that comes with the territory. In a Christian novel of course you won’t find the same descriptions, but I venture to say that with the likes of Susan May Warren, Julie Lessman and perhaps other CBA authors I haven’t yet discovered, Christian fiction is taking a bold step forward in giving readers a glimpse into the real world. And yes, if you were a fan of Dynasty, Dallas or any of the old night time soaps, you’ll love Heiress. There is wealth, a ton of it, intrigue, deception and yes, sex, (without getting graphic). Infidelity. Betrayal. It’s all there, penned in such a fashion that you’re sucked into the world of The Gilded Age from the first page.

I’ve visited those Newport Mansions and I can tell you that Susan did an amazing job with her descriptions. The lives and attitudes of the rich and famous were completely believable. As one who has rubbed shoulders with some super snotty fabulously wealthy individuals, I related to these characters. I understood them. Money is their God. End of story.

So here comes the question. How is this Christian fiction? Should it be?

In light of Richard’s thoughts on Friday, I mulled over all this as I read the book. In Yesterday’s Tomorrow, my two main characters sleep together. They’re not married. They even have a child together. Does this mean I can’t call my book Christian fiction? Indeed, I have had at least one reader say so. Does God show up in Yesterday’s Tomorrow? Undoubtedly. Does God show up in Heiress? I believe He does. And keeping in mind that this is Book One in a series, I venture to say that the characters’ spiritual journeys are only just beginning.

Do we honestly believe that sin is an invention of the last century?

If we are going to decry books that dare to throw back the curtain and show readers the real world in all it’s glory, books that give us a taste of the grit and the grime and the complete depravation of the human condition, then I am drawn to conclude that you’d better put your Bible away under lock and key.

Sin has been in existence for as long as man has. Why is a book written today that deals with these things any different than the stories of sin, infidelity, immorality in the Bible? Is God not present in the Bible? Of course He is. Is God present in Christian fiction? If that author is a professed child of God, then yes, I believe He is, whether the author chooses to present Him up close and personal or not. He’s still there.

If we have no sin, we have no need of a Saviour. I’ve said this from the moment I started writing for the inspirational market. Yes, you can savor your sweet little romance all wrapped up neat and tidy in a big pink bow with nary so much as a chaste kiss between characters. Those books exist and they sell well. To Christians. Perhaps I’m generalizing, but I think a book that deals with reality has a far greater chance of speaking to the non-believer than a book where the characters are so good that Jesus doesn’t need to show up.

As an author who also happens to be a Christian, I’m continually faced with the question of why I write. Do I write to merely to entertain my readers, the majority of those being people of like-mindedness in faith or do I write with a hidden agenda, making sure every chapter whacks the reader over the head with the gospel message so that if that person who doesn’t happen to believe in God somehow picks up a copy of my book, they’re darn sure gonna be saved by the end of it.

Puh-lease.

I think what we’re seeing in books like Heiress is a creative balance between entertainment and faith. We’re seeing a new brand of fiction with a faith message. Fiction you can share with your friend who wants nothing to do with God for whatever reason. These books won’t appeal to everyone. There will be some who say it’s too much. Too much reality. And perhaps it is. But personally, I’d rather deal in reality than walk through the world with blinders on, stepping over the things that make me cringe along the way.

So yes, this isn’t your grandmother’s Christian fiction. But maybe it is. Because between you and me, I think our grandmothers knew a lot more than we gave them credit for.

What do you think? Should Christian authors embrace reality in our writing or shy away from it?