About the Book

Book: The Thin Space

Author: Dann Stouten

Genre: Speculative Fiction

Release date: May 28, 2021

When Psychologist Rocky Devos lost his wife to cancer, he also lost his faith in the fairness of God. For over a year, he lived in the thin space between his love for God and his hatred for what he believed God did. Each night, he banged on heaven’s gate demanding an explanation.

“Why Rachel, Lord? Why would you let her suffer like that? Why didn’t you do something? Why didn’t you give us a miracle?”

The longer his prayers went unanswered the more frustrated he became. Eventually, he meets God’s silence with a silence of his own. But then, a year and four months later, the answer arrives disguised as a homeless vagabond who claims to be the apostle Paul. Clearly, Rocky believes he was delusional. But in their court-appointed sessions, he finds a kindred spirit. As Paul unpacks the pain of losing his wife in childbirth the two men connect. Rocky believes he’s there to help Paul. Paul believes the opposite.

The book explores the thin space between faith and doubt. Rocky’s questions are our questions. At some point we will all lose someone we love. When we do, we will find comfort in the company of those who have walked the path of suffering before us. Rocky invites us to join him on his journey of redemption. His conversations with Paul will not only change the way he thinks about God, they may do the same for you as well.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

DANN STOUTEN (DMin, Western Theological Seminary) is the pastor of Leadership and Teaching at Christ Memorial Church in Holland, Michigan. Dann has always been a lover of stories. He believes if we write about hope, it’s because we have found hope. If we write about tragedy, it’s because we have experienced tragedy. If we write about love, it’s because we have been loved well or want to be. If we write about faith, it’s because we have wrestled with our doubts and come out on the other side. Doubt is the enemy of faith and nothing stirs up doubt like death.

When we lose someone we love, our faith is either strengthened or strangled. That death will drive us closer to God or drive us farther away. We find ourselves in The Thin Space between wanting to believe and wondering if we do. For a time, faith and doubt play tug-o-war with our souls. In the end, whether we chose to believe or not is often decided by the stories we’re told. My prayer is that my words might bring people comfort and bring them closer to God.

More from Dann

There is a thin space between faith and doubt, and when we lose someone we love, the lines can sometimes get blurred. Unanswered prayers hang heavy on our hearts, and grief can even cause us to question God. In those moments of uncertainty, we often find comfort in the company of those who’ve walked the path of suffering before us. Their story and our stories intertwine. The Thin Space invites us to walk alongside of Rocky DeVos as he tries to navigate life’s most challenging moments. It is honest, comforting, and dares ask the questions we so often are afraid to explore. It will challenge the way you think about God and is a must read for anyone who’s lost someone they love.

AUTHOR INTERVIEW:

What role does God play in your writing career?

I do a lot of praying when I write. I hope my books end up in the hands of people who are struggling with what they believe about God, Christianity, and eternity. I want to have a conversation with them about who God is and what He’s really like. Stories provide a way for me to do that.

Do you write full-time or part-time? How does that influence your writing?

Writers write, and we read what other people write too. It’s who we are. We just love words. I’m always writing something, the next sermon, the next book, or the next article.  Sometimes, if I’m lucky, the two come together and I can use something from a sermon in a book or article.

What inspires your stories?

What inspires my stories are other people’s stories. Often those stories are the struggles of the people who come in to meet with me for pastoral counseling. Their stories, questions, problems, fears, and doubts inspire me to write about those things to a larger audience.

What are some new projects you’re working on?

I have a children’s book going entitled, The Fish-house Princess, a Christmas story called, Tommy and the six kings, and I’m plotting a sequel to The Thin Space. If the first book gets an audience, I’d hope to turn it into a trilogy. That’s why it ends with some unanswered questions.

How do you determine if it’s a stand-alone book or a series?

For me that depends on two things. First, and most important is do I think that there’s more that these characters have to say. Is there something else they can teach us about how we should be living our lives. And then second, did enough people buy the first book to justify a second?

Thanks for stopping and connecting here at Spoken from the Heart: If you want to subscribe to my email to receive the latest updated information or to just be encouraged, sign up here: www.cheriswalwell.com

As my way of saying thanks, you will receive a free eBook – Spoken from the Heart: Choosing Grace

Just sign up at: www.cheriswalwell.com

Don’t forget to check out the other blog spots listed below for your convenience.

Blog Stops

Inklings and notions, December 8

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, December 9

Texas Book-aholic, December 10

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, December 11

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, December 12 (Spotlight)

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, December 13

Locks, Hooks and Books, December 14

Beauty in the Binding, December 15 (Author Interview)

deb’s Book Review, December 15

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, December 16

Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, December 17

For Him and My Family, December 18

Splashes of Joy, December 19 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, December 19

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, December 20

Spoken from the Heart, December 21 (Author Interview)

Giveaway

To celebrate his tour, Dann is giving away the grand prize package of a $50 Amazon gift card and a 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/1482a/the-thin-space-celebration-tour-giveaway