Today I welcome author Deena Adams as she shares about her journey to writing through the tough topics.

Thanks so much for having me on your blog, Donna! I’d love to share with your readers a bit about God’s call on my life to write Christian Fiction and what type of stories He’s put on my heart.

I’ve never been a foster parent or adopted children, but I’ve always had a soft spot for kids in crisis who need a loving home. In 2015, my oldest daughter and her husband adopted a little boy, and at six months old, we found out he has severe Cerebral Palsy. Although he can’t walk, talk without a communication device, or even eat, he’s such a cheerful guy and his smile lights up a room. He’s super smart and is such a blessing to our family and all who know him.

In 2017, I stepped out of my comfort zone and trained as a court-appointed special advocate (CASA) volunteer for abused and neglected minors through our local Juvenile and Domestic court. Over the three and a half years I served, I gained insight into the foster care system, adoption, and many horrific circumstances kids live with and battle to overcome. Foster and adoptive parents are heroes in my book!

About sixteen years ago, my husband and I waded through years of dealing with a prodigal child who ran away from home and had three babies out of wedlock with two different fathers. We’ve had family members face mental illness, terminal cancer diagnoses, identity and sexuality confusion, depression, anxiety, abandonment, and more.

Based on these experiences and other crises I’ve dealt with, in mid-2018, God prompted me to write novels. To pen stories that address hard topics couples and families grapple with in this fallen world. Along with foster care and adoption, God is leading me to tackle subjects such as mental illness, special needs kids, interracial relationships, addictions, abuse, prodigal children, rejection, crisis pregnancy and abortion, adultery, and cancer, all with a focus on the hope we have in Christ.

Since I had no clue how to draft a novel, I’ve immersed myself in studying the craft over the past four years and learned more than I ever thought possible. As part of research for another book in the works, I’m taking a course to be certified as a Mental Health Coach. It’s been a fun and wild ride and I’m excited about what’s coming next.

The manuscript I’ve been working on and am seeking representation for follows the journey of a heroine who becomes a CASA volunteer. While advocating for two foster children, she must face her sordid history while struggling to conquer her guilt and shame. Through a relationship with the Black hero, who is a godly Christian man, she learns that transparency is the bridge to healing.

I wrote a novelette, Behind the Scenes, set in the 1990s that features a missionary couple serving the underprivileged in the Mississippi Delta area of Memphis, TN, and seven-year-old Clayton Jenkins, my novel’s hero. This prequel to my novel is only available to monthly Hope Collective subscribers. As a subscriber, you’ll receive hope-filled fiction recommendations, new release info, links to author interviews on my blog, monthly giveaways, writing and personal updates, and more. If you’re interested in meeting hope-filled fiction authors and weekly chances to win novels, subscribe to my All Things Bookish blog, too. Click here to subscribe to the newsletter, blog, or both.

I’d love to connect with you through my website, and on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Goodreads, and BookBub.

Question for readers: Do you enjoy reading fiction that addresses real-life issues we face in today’s culture? What’s your favorite topic to read about?

Thanks again for hosting me, Donna!

I’d like to leave readers with my theme verse: May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13 (NIV)