Book description:
He turned his back on God a long time ago. But God never forgot him.
Six months after struggling actor Lane Harris lost his husband in a tragic accident, he lands a movie role guaranteed to put him on the Hollywood map. But one producer holds the power to shut down his shot at stardom—and she’s a Christian. If she finds out he's gay, it's over. Lane is careful not to say too much around her.
When an alcohol-fueled tryst with his co-star ends in humiliation, and his landlord hands him an eviction notice, Lane looks for someone to talk to. He finds a confidant in the Christian producer. After a night of too little sleep and not enough coffee, he lets slip his sexual orientation. Instead of a verbal flogging, the woman recounts recently losing her own husband.
The only Christians Lane knows condemn him upon learning he's gay. But this one is different. She doesn't embrace his sexuality, but instead of treating him with disdain, she offers compassion. Christians are supposed to hate people like him. So, why doesn't she?
My review:
There aren't enough books like this on the Christian market, and I was happy to run across this one, thanks to a friend sending me a link to it. It is a long book - 532 pages, not counting the discussion questions and other extras. So it was a bit daunting, but I did read it in one afternoon.
The book is fairly slow-paced for most of the story. This isn't a fast conversion story - not really a spoiler that there is a conversion...you figure there will be....but the author takes her time getting there.
And that makes sense. Lane is a gay guy married to another man, who dies at the beginning of the first book. His Christian parents kicked him out when he was 18, and 20 years later he doesn't have a any good feelings about God and Christians. He isn't going to turn to God within the first couple of chapters.
Speaking of Lane....The author did an excellent job on him. His past, what he was going through, his experiences with Christians and the church. And man, did he have it rough. Kind of like a gay Job. :) But he is impossible not to like, and you can't help but root for him.
And he isn't the only likable character. There is Vic (Victoria). She ends up playing a huge part in his story, and man I was about sobbing towards the end of the book the way her part in the story played out.
I have read a handful of books that deal with this issue, and I believe this is by far the best one I have read. The way the author handled it, the truths from the Bible she brought out...even the truths from a fictional novel Lane read that Vic wrote...this was a heartbreakingly beautiful story that brought out some truths I needed. The title, With Mercy's Eyes...I cannot explain it well, but the author brought out the idea of spiritual gifts, and that what so many gay people do is a sinful manifestation of what might be a spiritual gift. (Not saying being gay is a gift, but loving people and having the gift of mercy...the author explains it at the end of the book).
Anyway, this is a book that is worth reading. It is more than a fictional account of a messed up guy who comes to the point we all need to come to. It is a beautiful story of God's love and how He works in our lives, no matter how far we have gone.
Special thanks to the author for an advance copy of this novel. I was under no obligation to provide a review and the thoughts contained herein are my own.
About the author:
D. T. Powell grew up in a Christian home, loving books and reading. Her daily habits include: reading dozens of pages, picking which book to read next, and archiving and listening to sacred music.
When she was nine, God sent a fictional character into her life who changed the way she looked at the world—and herself.
From then on, she wanted to show everyone what God had done for her, so she pursued an art degree… and was summarily kicked out of the program due to general lack of artistic talent.
Only after she graduated with a degree in business did she pick up the one utensil she had never thought to use, a pen. And she hasn’t put it down since.
To fill her writing day, she works on original stories, extensive fanfiction endeavors, and learning more about the craft of writing.
Her hobbies include hanging out with her husband and their three kitties, reading, playing pickleball, listening to music, and imagining scenes to use in future books.
She loves Psalm 126:5, “They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.”
You can find her at dtpowellwrites.com, on IG - dtill359, or FB - D. T. Powell, Author
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