About the Book
Book: Alabama Days
Author: Daphne Self
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Release date: June 16, 2020
Paramedic Scott Wilson believes he can chase death away, but his spirit is shattered when people he loves are taken from him. As a paramedic, Scott sees every day the pain that people suffer, and he wants no part of a God that would allow bad things to happen to good people. As a result, he hides behind his work and addiction to ease the pain within his soul.
But once newspaper reporter Angela Mabry and her son, Max, move into town, Scott can’t help but notice the feisty redhead. Angela is determined to uncover the town’s seedy underbelly and reveal the strange coincidences of so many car accidents at one location.
When a prominent city official dies in a car wreck, Scott and Angela find themselves tangled in intrigue and deception. Together they search for the truth and discover that not all is what it seems.
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About the Author
“Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, ‘Peace, be still!’ And the wind ceased and there was a great calm” (Mark 4:39). This verse is the promise made to Daphne.
Daphne Self, formerly published under the name D.M. Webb, resides in Iowa. As a Mississippian transplant, she spends her days in the Midwest state writing, editing, reading, antiquing, and planning adventures with her husband and sons. She pursues her dream as an editor and author with one goal in mind: To Glorify His Name. Daphne is also an avid reader who devours books in many genres.
More from Daphne
Why Did I Write What I Wrote?
One question that is always asked of me: “How did you come up with your book?”
Well, it is simple and complex. Like the helix shape of a DNA strand that holds four proteins in an infinite combination, my ideas are a lot like that. My first book, Mississippi Nights, started off as a book from my childhood. I wrote One Big Happy Family when I was about 16. It was buried and put aside for so many, many years. And after the line-of-duty death of my husband in 2005, the idea of resurrecting that novel percolated for some time. Finally in 2010, I took the story, revamped it, and drew from life to create a story about the prodigal son who returns home to family. It wasn’t just his story, but a story about his brother, a family friend, and a little girl. Mississippi Nights brought to life the story of alcoholism and how a person can fall into that addiction.
After that book was published, I started thinking: “What if someone saw death, hurt, and sorrow on a daily basis? What if that person didn’t have Jesus to lean upon? What would he do?”
And that’s how Alabama Days was born. While Mississippi Nights dealt with alcoholism, Alabama Days dealt with drug abuse, and in this case, prescription drug abuse.
Yet it was much deeper than that. What if the person was a really good guy? He was likable, generous, loving, yet he lacked that one relationship that would bring him peace. If he were someone who did what was right, no matter what, what would happen if he committed a wrong act only to find that his wrong act saved the life of another?
I had so many ethnical questions thrown at my characters. How would a Christian and a non-Christian react to certain circumstances. Because life isn’t always clear-cut, yet the Bible is, I wanted to show the messiness of being human.
We know that as Christians, we all fall short. We all sin at times. The difference is that when we sin, we know we can receive forgiveness and “Go and sin no more.” But how would a person who ran from God think? How would I react if I were like him?
Writers play around with what-ifs. We see the many facets of humanity. And that’s how our stories are born. And why we write what we do. For me, I want to show the many sides of human nature and behaviour and show that in all things, Jesus is the answer. Jesus is there for us all.
So, why do I write what I do? To bring glory to His Name and hope that through my words, people will come (or return) to Christ.
MY REVIEW
I just finished reading this book and I must take a minute to gather my thoughts. Wow. What a powerful story about redemption, forgiveness and trust. The main focus for me was Scott. He is a man who is dedicated to his job as a paramedic. He has seen some horrible things in his job but nothing prepared him for the tragedy he encounters. Losing his best friend and her child was very hard for him. I think that is the moment he starts to spiral out of control. The author does a great job of portraying Scott as a lost person who is angry at God. His drug addiction has gotten to the point where he can’t function without a pill to calm him. Added to his problem is his OCD. This man needed help and I couldn’t wait to see how the author would handle his character.
Angela was a great character and I loved her job as a reporter. The focus on her is about a mystery that she stumbles upon that involves suspicious accidents, records missing and danger lurking close to her. The investigation is intriguing and I loved how the author threw in twists that kept me guessing at what was going to happen next. The story is good and I loved the way it weaved faith among the characters. There is plenty of danger as she stumbles upon damaging evidence . Can Scott keep her safe?
Scott is my favorite character because he is relatable to many people. I have felt at times that God would never forgive me for the things I have done in my life. Scott feels like he is nothing but a drug addict who can’t be redeemed. I love that Angela never gives up sharing God with Scott. I cheered for her when she was determined to let Scott know that God loves Him and is waiting for him to ask for help. It is a real look at a person who struggles not only with addiction and anger but coming to realize that he is valuable. The ending is good and I was surprised at all the people who were involved in the investigation. I loved the scriptures used in the story and the message of forgiveness and redemption.
I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.
Blog Stops
Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, February 17
lakesidelivingsite, February 17
Among the Reads, February 18
Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, February 19
Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, February 19
Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, February 20
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, February 21
Older & Smarter?, February 22
Sara Jane Jacobs, February 22
Betti Mace, February 23
Texas Book-aholic, February 24
Blogging With Carol, February 24
Inklings and notions, February 25
For Him and My Family, February 26
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, February 26
deb’s Book Review, February 27
Locks, Hooks and Books, February 28
Pause for Tales, February 28
Artistic Nobody, March 1 (Guest Review from Joni Truex)
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, March 2
Giveaway
To celebrate her tour, Daphne is giving away the grand prize package of a copy of Mississippi Nights, a copy of Alabama Days, a floral mug, a leather Is. 40:31 bookmark, 2 mini notebooks, and a Paramedic Prayer keyring with velvet pouch!!
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/10867/alabama-days-celebration-tour-giveaway
Thank you for the review.
ReplyDeleteloved this book ! great review
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