Hi, everybody! It's What's New Wednesday and I'm excited to have multi-published author H. L. Wegley as my guest and share his brand-new book in a brand new series.
Oh, there's a giveaway involved, too. Details below.
Now, here we go!
Riven:
The Story Behind the Story
by H. L. Wegley
The current rending of the nation I
love disturbs me greatly. This cold version of a civil war disturbs every
patriotic American, especially our veterans who have fought to maintain
freedoms that are now under attack. Despite the terrible Civil War that began
in 1861, reunification of the country was possible, because both sides appealed
to the same moral authority, Almighty God.
Today, however, the ideas dividing
America come from incompatible belief systems. We have a war of worldviews, and
many on one side of the war do not consider Scripture to be the authoritative
word of our Creator, rather they hold to the idea that man makes himself.
Such a war provides a lot of fodder
for my political thrillers. However, if one enjoys happy endings, it is
difficult to see how such a story could provide one. That was the quandary I
faced when I decided to write my story, Riven, and the four-book series
which it launches, The Riven Republic Series.
In the prologue of Riven, the
hero, Zach Tanner, summarized the nature of our national division and he asserted
that there is only one solution. Here are his words:
America may not be where it was on March 4, 1861, when Abraham Lincoln was inaugurated. But many of the divisions that led to that terrible Civil War exist today—divided views of our national history, divided views of our founding documents, of our monuments, of most of our symbols, of what it means to be a patriot, and what it means to be an American.
We are engaged in a cold civil war but one that will grow hot given the slightest provocation. I believe many provocations are coming, and the incompatible political ideologies on the right and the left prevent any resolution but a violent one, a rending of our nation. It will not play out as it did in 1861, but every American will know that we are at war when one group crosses the line, a point of no return, leaving a riven republic. And as the nation fragments in a de facto secession and struggles against itself, the question on each true American heart is, can we ever recover what we once had?
The courts cannot save us from ourselves. No part of the federal government can. Maybe if enough pulpits echo the call to revival, God will move as He has in the past. Maybe the hearts and minds of millions will be changed, and we will find unity once again.
At this critical juncture in American history, it appears that only an act of God can save this nation.
There you have it. As Zach said, the
division in our nation runs so deeply into core beliefs that we need another Great
Awakening. The God that looks on the heart of man must act to change hearts and
minds. The Riven Republic Series is predicated on that assertion.
My hope is that readers will enjoy
an entertaining story—a story populated with larger-than-life characters and
filled with action, humor and a budding romance—yet will ponder the deeper
issues after reading it.
As I release the first book in this
series, it is my prayer that God will once again move in the hearts of our
people and make America, as Ronald Reagan said, “a shining city upon a hill
whose beacon light guides freedom-loving people everywhere.”
Author Bio:
H.
L. Wegley served as an Air Force Intelligence Analyst and a Weather Officer. In
civilian life, he worked as a research scientist, publishing in the scientific literature,
then developed Boeing computing systems for 20 years before he and his wife
retired near Seattle. He is an award-winning author of inspirational thrillers and
high-action, romantic-suspense novels.
Links:
Connect with H. L.
(Harry) at:
Website: https://www.hlwegley.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HLWegley
Purchase
link Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/H-L-Wegley/e/B00B1XMR56/
About the GIVEAWAY: A copy of Riven in print or Kindle, winner’s choice, will be awarded to one of this blog post who leaves a comment below with name and eMail information (so we can notify you if you win) Giveaway ends one week from today on Wednesday, March 18, at Midnight, Central Time.
*If the winner is outside the United States or Canada, they will receive a Kindle copy*
*If the winner is outside the United States or Canada, they will receive a Kindle copy*
Harry, I believe this must be a unique book, a unique series with action, rumor, and romance surrounding these divisive issues. You are right when you say we need another Great Awakening. I wish you the best as you move forward with the series. God bless~
ReplyDeleteHi, Becky, thanks so much for dropping in and leaving a comment for Harry. I couldn't agree more. You've been entered in the drawing :=)
DeleteThanks for your encouraging words, Becky. This has been a difficult series so far due to the complexity of the issues and fighting through an illness to get book 1 in the series written. But it's also been fun, because I used in supporting roles the heroes and heroines of 6 of my previous novels set in the same area. I believe my readers will enjoy visiting these "former friends."
DeleteYou're right, Harry. It'll be fun getting reacquainted with those characters from you previous books.
DeleteHarry, it's always a pleasure to have you as a guest on my blog. And thanks for offering a giveaway copy of RIVEN. I can't wait to start reading it.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Peg! I hope you enjoy the story. I'm going through that trepidation authors experience right after releasing a book and before getting any feedback. Did I let my readers down this time? Is this a story that only I'm going to like? Those are the disquieting little questions. :)
DeleteOh, yeah . . . an uncomfortable place to be. But I'm positive you'll get some GREAT feedback and encouraging reviews.
DeleteI have loved all your books. This sounds good and like a page turner. looking forward to reading. joeym11@frontier.com
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Diana, for visiting. I have entered your name in the drawing.
DeleteThanks, Diana! I'm hoping readers keep wanting to turn the pages. There are a lot of details to be considered when areas and states become part of de facto secession. I had to include some of that in the story, but I tried to keep it interesting.
DeleteThis book sounds fascinating. The current state of politics and culture is disturbing if not downright frightening. Your experiences in the military and the defense industry give you a unique perspective. My father was career Air Force as well, and I love to hear his take on current events. I'm sure you'd share similar thoughts.
ReplyDeleteHi, Glynis, thanks for dropping in. You did not leave contact information to be in the drawing or a copy of this book. I'd love to enter you if you'd like a chance to win. please leave your email contact information
DeleteThanks, Glynis! Yes, serving both as an intelligence analyst working with NSA and as the Wing Weather Officer for bomber and missile wings gave me an inside look at our enemies and at some scary experiences with events here at home. This 4-book series is my guess about the near-term future of America. Thankfully, I get to decide how the story ends.
DeleteTHAT's the fun part of being a novelist =)
DeleteHarry is a faboulous writer! This series will definitely be very special.
ReplyDeleteBonnie in AZ
Thanks, Bonnie! I hope it will be a special series, but the writing conditions haven't been so special. We've had a lot to deal with, and one cannot help wondering how it wil impact their writing.
DeleteThanks for stopping by, Bonnie. You're so right about Harry's writing! I think I've read almost every one of his books so far, and I've downloaded RIVEN and it's perching precariously on my Kindle TBR list -- Dis you want to be entered in the drawing?
DeleteThis giveaway is now closed, and we have a winner!
ReplyDeleteCONGRATULATIONS TO DIANA MONTGOMERY! I will notify Harry to let him know. Thanks so much for visiting Whispers in Purple and for entering this giveaway. God bless...