About the Book

Book: Persuade Me Not

Author: Joanne Markey

Genre: Christian Contemporary Romance

Release date: April 4, 2023

Forgiveness is only a prayer away… or is it?

As the oldest daughter at Kellynch Station, Elizabeth Elliot prides herself on her exemplary public image. In fact, women could learn a thing or two by following her example—her public example.

There are things Liz doesn’t want known, and she guards them closely. In fact, keeping everyone except her best friend from ever seeing the truth behind her impenetrable facade is the only thing she can control.

Enter Michael Page. Unassuming and too stubborn for his own good, Mick bucks trend by bringing sheep back to cattle country. Just a small flock at first, but their numbers are growing. There’s just one problem to deal with now. Liz Elliot.

With all her airs and fancy ways, and the unreasonable demands she makes of the town and its people, Liz is a walking antagonism. Maybe he should’ve stayed home after that first meeting, but something keeps bringing him back. If nothing else, someone has to foil her outrageous attempts to do who-knows-what with the town.

Then a carefully worded slip of the tongue hints at a mystery that might be worth digging into.

As the truth comes to light, and Liz’s carefully crafted world comes crashing down, who can either of them trust?

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About the Author

Originally from Australia, Joanne Markey now lives in Ohio with her husband and seven children. When she’s not reading or writing, you might find her wandering the property with her kids in search of whatever seasonal treasure they’re trying to find.

More from Joanne

I don’t remember exactly when it was that I first started thinking about writing Persuade Me Not. I know I was still writing Persuade Me, the first book in the Daughters of the Bush series. At the time I started writing, I only planned to write one book in that setting. However, the more I wrote, the more I thought about the other characters. And somewhere along the way, I started thinking that, if Liz ever got her happily-ever-after, it would have to be with someone unexpected.

That idea slowly took hold. It would have to be a man as unlike her father as it was possible to be. Someone humble and down-to-earth. Someone with both the integrity to dig deeper to find the truth, and the stubbornness to knock down all the walls Liz had put up.

Right about then I came across an interesting coffee table book about old shearing sheds in Australia. Being an Aussie living in the US and finding that book on the shelves in a store here meant I instantly bought it. And after flicking through the pages, another idea started to form…

At one point in time, Clermont—the town where my book is set—had a substantial wool industry. Which meant sheep. Which meant it could theoretically be possible for there to be a run-down shearing shed on one of the cattle stations in that area. And, to Walter Elliot, what could be worse than running sheep in cattle country?

As far as Walter Elliott is concerned, he is a cattleman with a long and illustrious heritage. Therefore, only those who emulated his lifestyle would be worthy of the attention of his daughter. (Obviously, no other man would rise to the heights of perfection as he, but they could try.)

I don’t know if there are any sheep in the Clermont area now, but if there are, they’re not a big thing. I don’t remember ever seeing any when I lived there as a kid. It was cattle country, and sheep were something we saw when we were driving to visit my grandparents in Victoria (south of the dingo fence, in other words).

With all of that in mind, if, for the sake of the story, one man brought sheep back… and that one man ended up being stubborn and determined to uncover the truth… we’d have a book.

And that is how Persuade Me Not came to be.

MY REVIEW

This book is for those who have been betrayed, lied to, hurt, shamed, or felt not good enough. This book is also for those who want to know how they can have a relationship with Jesus, be forgiven and find hope. What is most important is that this book is for everyone. It illustrates how a parent can be full of pride and bitterness that they use their own child as a way to belittle them, keep them trapped away from everyone and use them to gain recognition and prestige in the community.

I loved how the author draws readers into this story with emotions that tug on your heart. The lie Liz has been told has kept her captive in a world will money and appearance is everything. What would you do if you found out that your father had blackmailed you for years and now wants to see you dead? Liz faces a hard road after an accident almost kills her. There is little doubt who was at fault but he can’t be found.

Mick and Liz don’t get along well but somehow they seem to be cordial to each other. The story takes us to Australia where we explore the beautiful land and how hardworking Mick is. He is determined to raise sheep while most are raising cattle. He has to work long hours to make his dream come true. I loved his compassion for God and how he took time to explain scriptures to Liz to help her know who Jesus is.

The story is not without suspense as lies are exposed. Liz becomes a target and Mitch decides to help Liz by finding a safe place for her to stay. I did like their banter at times when they acted like they didn’t like each other. Mitch is a good guy and stands strong on not wanting a relationship with someone who is unequally yoked. What a great example he is to young men and women who desire to follow God and not be tempted to fall into sin.

I loved how this book is a healing tool for some who have broken relationships with family and how they reach out to reconcile. As the author peels away the emotional scars that Liz has been given by her father we see a woman who is broken. She wants to believe that someone will love her but first she needs to allow God to heal her heart and let her experience unconditional love. The story is a beautifully written journey of being set free and finding your worth in Jesus.

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.