About the Book
Title: Tremors of Doubt
Author: Lael Harrelson
Genre: Contemporary Amish Alternative
Release Date: March 19, 2018
Would the will of God ever lead a young woman against the counsel of family and church? For a young Mennonite woman who wants to make a difference in the world, growing up on the mission field in Haiti should be the perfect fit. But not for Callie Zimmerman. Raised by her aunt and uncle after the death of her parents, Callie works beside her aunt cooking, cleaning and sewing each day as the men head off to serve the community. She longs to do more to alleviate the poverty and sickness that surrounds her, but tradition and her uncle forbid it. On the eve of her twenty-third birthday, struggling with hopelessness as another year passes, Callie pleads with God to open a door for her. The prayer has barely left her mouth when she finds a stack of letters with secrets about her parent’s deaths and their excommunication from the Mennonite church. Devastated, Callie cries herself to sleep, only to be awakened a few hours later by her uncle with the startling news the Noah Koehn has asked permission to court her. Is one of these the answer to her prayer? Would exploring her parents past mean losing a future with Noah? Is it worth the risk?
About the Author
Raised by a fun loving, atheist single mom who struggled with depression and mental illness I spent my childhood backpacking around Europe, visiting yoga communes, eating vegan, living on a houseboat, then an old pony express outpost in the backwoods of Montana. My teen years took a drastic turn when my mom got saved, got married, and joined an ultra-conservative Mennonite church. Faith, step parents and unquestioning obedience is a dangerous combination when mixed with mental illness, legalism, and heavy handed physical correction.
I became a confused believer with a heart for Jesus but drowning under a sea of rules, regulations, and legalism. I became a missionary teacher and then a nurse and escaped to the mission field, the one avenue open to single women. I taught VBS on Indian reservations, led school for missionary children in Haiti and Africa. All around me was heartache and disease and glaring need. I longed to make a difference but was limited to working on the mission compound – teaching, cooking, cleaning. Work outside the walls of the compound was reserved for the men.
On a furlough, I met my future husband – a new believer who wasn’t looking for a door mat in a wife but a partner. As he grew in his faith, I reexamined mine and what Biblical womanhood looked like. Timidly at first, but then eagerly, as I discovered a new relationship with Jesus Christ based on grace and not performance. I left the Mennonite church and married the love of my life twenty years ago. We have five beautiful teenagers, two by birth and three through adoption from Haiti. My husband is adopted and God used my time in Haiti to prepare me to understand my children’s culture and language and ease their transitions home.
Two people in my family have mild Asperger’s and one has Reactive Attachment disorder, PTSD, and ODD. Our house is not a quiet, well greased machine but a chaotic, happy, crazy, nerve racking, love filled oasis where we all try to help each other grow and thrive. I am so thankful for my life – the good and the bad. I feel blessed to have experienced so many unique situations and to love and be loved by so many wonderful and eccentric people. It is from these experiences I draw the fiction stories I write. I like to think of them as fiction with grit – fast paced and entertaining stories that make you want to read till the very last page while at the same time tackling real life issues – legalism, abuse, divorce, adoption, Asperger syndrome, mental illness, etc.
Guest Post from Lael Harrelson
To the casual observer, Haiti is a magical island of swaying palms, laughing children, and azure blue oceans, but for one who takes the time to look deeper, a darker truth emerges. Starvation. Desperation. Darkness. Hopelessness.
Callie’s church is a shining beacon of family values, sincere faith, and simple living but, again, for one who takes the time to dive deeper, there is a hidden trail of broken spirits, crushed dreams, and oppressed women and girls.
Drawing inspiration from my experiences as a Haitian missionary and former Mennonite, I hope you will find Tremors of Doubt not only entertaining but life changing as you follow Callie’s journey through self-doubt, crushed dreams, love triangles, life changing secrets, and fragile hope as she navigates being the daughter of Haitian missionaries on an exotic Caribbean Island where danger is lurking just below the surface.
There have been many times I have wondered what I have done with my life. I had all these dreams but they never happened. Callie begins to ask herself these same questions. I really like Callie and her big heart . I was impressed with her living in Haiti and helping people there. As a Mennonite, I'm sure she may have looked a bit out of place. I could feel her yearning to do something more with her life as her birthday approaches. The description of Haiti was fascinating to me and I would love to go to the market and explore all the vendors. I did learn from the author that French is spoken in Haiti.
It is hard to wait on God to answer your questions and desires. Sometimes I have found myself moving ahead of God, and unfortunately things backfired. I loved how the author brought Callie's parents into the story. They led a different lifestyle than their daughter did. What made them leave the Mennonite church? The story really peaks my attention when Callie goes to the states to find answers to what happened to her parents.
As Callie gets acquainted with her family's rustic cabin deep in the woods of Colorado, a stirring begins in her. She found herself digging deeper into the bible for answers and allowing God to speak to her. She wants her life to matter, to make a difference. I loved meeting the Pastor of the little church in town. Tom is quite a humble person. He cares for others but deep inside he is lonely. I have said once to someone, " I can be in a roomful of people and feel alone." It reminds me of Callie and Tom in this story. Will they find their calling? Can God help then overcome their loneliness?
The story is filled with adventure as doors are opened for Callie. I loved reading how she took a leap of faith and followed God's plan for her. The scriptures in the story are uplifting and takes on new meaning for Callie. It was wonderful to read about her hunger to serve God and how she waited on Him for direction. The author does an amazing job of letting readers follow Callie as she gets an unexpected chance to do something she has prayed about. Will Callie be able to let go of some things in order to reach her destination God has called her to? I did cry several times during the story as the people of Haiti go through difficult situations. It is easy to take for granted all the comforts we have. After reading this book, I am reminded that everywhere we look are people suffering, needing help and most of all love. Thank you for writing a book that inspires me to be thankful for what I have and to be aware when God speaks to me. We are always a work in progress.
I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.
Blog Stops
Giveaway
To celebrate her tour, Lael is giving away a grand prize of an autographed copy of Tremors of Doubt, an adorable set of Amish dolls, a set of handwritten recipe cards with mouthwatering Amish recipes, a handmade Haitian bracelet made by Haitian students, a pound of nationally acclaimed Haitian coffee, a bar of rich Haitian chocolate, and a $25 Amazon gift card!!
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