During the next few months, Josh struggles with his faith, Beth hides a secret that may destroy their marriage. She also discovers a decades-old connection to Dr. Abrams that could change his life forever.
     

Kathy Harris is an author by way of a divine detour into the Nashville entertainment business. She graduated with a B.S. in Communications from Southern Illinois University and has spent the past two decades employed as a marketing director in the Nashville music industry.

Favorite Bible verse Luke 12:31 (NLT).  Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and he will give you everything you need.

 Our Interview with Kathy Harris

Please tell us a bit about yourself.

I work as a music industry marketing professional by day and write books at night. With a debut novel releasing this year, I’m living my childhood dream!

What is your favorite Bible verse? translation too please? Why?

Luke 12:31 (NLT).  Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and he will give you everything you need.

It’s easy to become preoccupied with earning a living, making ends meet, and focusing on our personal needs (and desires). But God has promised that, when we put Him first in our lives, He will supply everything we need.

What was your inspiration to write The Road to Mercy?

When I was a child I witnessed the aftermath of a small plane crash. I was at the site when the final victim was found—a small child. The experience haunted me for years. I wanted that child to live. In my book he does! Once I had established that premise, I began asking the “what if’s,” which led to the rest of the story.

How much of The Road to Mercy comes from your personal experience?

Except for the Prologue and the music industry scenes, relatively none. The Road to Mercy is about the personal journey of three people whose lives have very little resemblance to mine. Still, I identified with each of them and hope others will too.

How much research did The Road to Mercy take?

Quite a lot! I enjoyed most of it because the key themes of the story are close to my heart. I read several books on Jewish lifestyle—including The Chosen by Chaim Potok—and found it fascinating as compared to my mid-western Christian upbringing. I also had to do quite a bit of medical research.

What are the most interesting facts that you learned while researching and writing The Road to Mercy?

I interviewed a florist for background information on one character, and I was surprised at the range of tasks/skills necessary for the job—not all of which are pleasant. We tend to romanticize other people’s careers, but there’s a downside to everything.

I also read an interview with a neurosurgeon, who said it’s a common misperception that all neurosurgeons are uber intelligent. Hmmm.

What are some of the challenges you face as an author?

Finding the time to write. Working full-time and spending quality time with family means you have to set priorities in other aspects of your life. I’ve taught myself to use small segments of time productively, even if that means only writing twenty minutes or a scene a day.

What aspects of being a writer do you enjoy the most?

Storytelling. And playing with words. I loved linguistics in college and would have been quite happy majoring in it. 

What other new writing projects do you have on the horizon?

I recently finished a romantic suspense. I have a new women’s fiction story in the works, and I also have a contemporary romance novella partially completed.

What message would you like your readers to take from reading The Road to Mercy?

That every life is important. And that God forgives. No matter how big we feel our sin may be, He’s bigger. And His mercy is far-reaching.

What do you do to get away from it all?

I listen to Contemporary Christian Music. I also enjoy reading, cooking, spoiling our two Shiloh Shepherd dogs and, of course, hanging out with friends and family.

The ideal getaway place for me is the beach. (It’s a great place to write too.)

Is there anything else you’d like to add?

Thank you for the opportunity! I’d like to encourage each person who reads this to never give up on your dream. Work hard… seek God’s plan for your life… and go for it!

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