About the Book

Book: Shadow Dancing

Author: Jennifer Sienes

Genre: Christian Women’s Fiction/Southern fiction

Release Date: April 18, 2023

Wading through grief is like dancing with shadows.

Bekah Casey’s been on a tear for near a year, and the anger clings to her like cheap perfume. If only the Lord would wash it away like He did with her sins, she might could find her way out of the mire. Instead, she escapes from the one person to blame for all her ills—her husband Mitch.

Now she’s living with her mama and daddy, working two jobs, and facing a future that looks bleak as a middle-Tennessee winter. Her mama’s all the time telling her that the good Lord works in ways too confounding to comprehend, and if she’d learn to trust in Him, her life will look a might brighter. Easy for her to say.

When things go from dark to disastrous, Bekah figures she’s got two choices—sink in her sin or dig her way out.

Mitch Casey never did put a whole lot of stock in faith. Didn’t appear it helped Bekah any either since hers went sideways the minute things got hard. Still, he’s willing to take whatever abuse she throws his way if it helps her muddle through the grief. Then one poor decision, a night in jail, and a divine assignment with a local pastor puts Mitch on an unexpected path.

When you’re dancing with shadows, who gets to lead? Find out in the next book in the Bedford County series.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Jennifer Sienes holds a bachelor’s in psychology and a master’s in education but discovered life-experience is the best teacher. She loves Jesus, romance and writing–and puts it altogether in inspirational contemporary fiction. Her daughter’s TBI and brother’s suicide inspired two of her three novels. Although fiction writing is her real love, she’s had several non-fiction pieces published in anthologies–two in Chicken Soup for the Soul. She has two grown children and one very spoiled Maltese. California born and raised, she recently took a step of faith with her real-life hero and relocated to Tennessee.

More from Jennifer

Last year I was interviewed on a Christian podcast, and the host asked me, “How do you come up with your story ideas?” There are as many answers to this question as there are authors, but he wasn’t satisfied with mine. I told him they truly come from the Lord. I think he wanted tips to encourage would-be writers. I’m sorry to disappoint, but although I might have a story sketch in my mind, it never matches the completed project. Why? Because I’m not in control.

Over the last several years, I’ve discovered that my writing journey is as much spiritual as it is creative. Shadow Dancing is a perfect example. It started with my intention to fictionalize the past marital difficulties of a young couple in my church. But before I finished the first chapter, it became clear the Lord had other ideas. The initial plot I’d fixed in my head doesn’t resemble the finished novel in any way—unless you consider the main characters are separated. The theme of my novels always reflects what I’m wrestling with in my heart at the time I’m writing it.

The major theme in Shadow Dancing is God’s sovereignty. Most of us have no problem accepting His will as long as our lives are going well. It’s when something difficult happens we begin to doubt His goodness. How often have you seen a tragedy pull a fellow Christian away from the Lord? The question, “Why would a loving God allow bad things to happen to good people?” has been a stumbling block for many people—both Christians and non-Christians alike.

But sometimes it’s the tragedies in life that draw people closer to God as they realize He’s the only hope they can cling to. This was the case for me. I believed in God, but I didn’t have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, when my ex-husband of 23 years abandoned me. This was on the tail-end of my daughter’s near-fatal car accident that left us with months of rehabilitation for traumatic brain injury. It’s when I realized that believing I was in control of my life and that of my children was a lie from the enemy. We cannot protect those we love by hovering over them or keep a marriage intact by sheer will.

I wanted these truths to play out in the lives of Rebekah and Mitch Casey. In the light of heartache, Rebekah’s spiritual walk goes in one direction while Mitch’s goes another. But through it all, they are left with hope. That’s what I desire every word I ever write to point to. The hope we have in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. And isn’t it the greatest gift to know our loving and merciful God has us in the palm of His righteous right hand—forgiven and free? So much better than relying on our own flawed and sinful selves.

I pray Shadow Dancing reminds you of everything we have and will continue to have as adopted sons and daughters through Jesus Christ. Hope of eternal life in a world where heartache and sin will be a thing of the past.

Interview with Jennifer

Share something your readers wouldn’t know about you.

I love crafting of all kinds, and because I want to do it all, I’ve become the poster child for the adage, “A Jack of all trades, master of none.” I’m a very organized person, except when it comes to that. If you were to walk into my hobby room, you’d see my collection of “How to” crafting books along with fits and starts of several projects—knitting, sewing, painting…along with a keyboard (I’m taking piano lessons), two Cricut machines (which I use a lot) and a partially completed dollhouse. The piano lessons and dollhouse were childhood dreams that I’m just now getting to. They are my focus when I’m not writing. Of course, now it’s spring, so I’m outside in the flower garden whenever I have free time. You see my dilemma?

Can you share with us something about the book that isn’t in the blurb?

There is a character who appeared while I was writing the novel—Kimberley Saint John—and she isn’t the nicest person. However, as the story unfolds, the reader gets a lesson on why we shouldn’t be so quick to judge others. She was one of those surprise players who show up without my foreknowledge. It happens all the time. That’s when I know the Holy Spirit is giving my paltry plot a boost. Kimberley takes center stage in my upcoming Christmas novella (it’ll be here before you know it) Tangles and Tinsel.

Does one of the main characters hold a special place in your heart? If so, why?

When I first start on a novel, I’m never quite sure what characters will reveal themselves. Often, someone appears and in their interactions with others will communicate an unexpected message or theme. In Shadow Dancing, that character was Bekah’s mama. She holds a special place in my heart because she is a reflection of my own mother, who died of leukemia when she was 69. As she faced death, my mom’s faith was so incredibly strong, it bolstered my own in ways I wouldn’t have thought possible. Bekah’s mama does the same for Bekah. I actually shed more than a tear or two while writing this book.

What is the key theme and/or message in the book?

I find that when I’m writing a book, the key message or theme tends to be what I’m struggling with at the time. In the case of Shadow Dancing, it was God’s sovereignty. It’s easy to forget when we go through heart-wrenching seasons in our life, that it’s never a surprise to the Lord. As hard as it may be to reconcile, He allows these things to happen for reasons we may never comprehend. We only need to watch the news for five minutes to see that evil runs rampant in this world. I continually go back to John 16:33, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

The theme of forgiveness is also key in this novel, as it is with all my books. There is a reason it’s mentioned over 125 times in the New Testament. It amazes me when we consider what Jesus went through so that our sins are forgiven that we can so easily hold onto a grudge and think it’s our right.

Any current or upcoming projects you’d like to tell us about?

I recently turned in Book 3 for the Bedford County Series—Mayhem ’n’ Moonlight. It’s definitely more romance than Shadow Dancing. I also have a summer novella that will be released in July called Itty Bitty Faith. Normally, I’d be working on next year’s summer novella at this time, but my publisher asked me to jump into the Suamalie Islands Series for an author who is unable to complete the last two books of her three-book commitment. So, I’m playing catch up with that. Once I get that turned in, I’ll start on next year’s Christmas novella, and then onto a new series, which will be completely different than anything I’ve ever written before. But that’s months away, so I don’t want to get ahead of myself.

Blog Stops

Locks, Hooks and Books, May 27

Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, May 28 (Author Interview)

Holly’s book corner, May 28

Splashes of Joy, May 29

An Author’s Take, May 30

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, May 30

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, May 31

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, June 1

By the Book, June 2

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, June 2

JESUS in the EVERYDAY, June 3

For Him and My Family, June 4

Older & Smarter?, June 5

The Lit Lady, June 5

Sylvan Musings, June 6

lakesidelivingsite, June 7

Back Porch Reads, June 7

Texas Book-aholic, June 8

She Lives to Read, June 9

Books I’ve Read, June 9

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Jennifer is giving away the grand prize package of a $25 Amazon gift card & a copy of the book!!

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/266f2/shadow-dancing-celebration-tour-giveaway