How did you come up with the story?

In the summer of 2006, two stories appeared in the newspaper. One was a huge, national story; the other a smaller, local-interest item. I wondered what it might look like if those two stories conceived a child. Boom! I had the entire plot for The Familiar Stranger. It will be interesting to see if readers can figure out which stories inspired the book.
 

      What challenges do you face with your writing? What comes easy to you?

      As a single mother of young children, and currently serving as a foster parent, time is my biggest challenge. 
      I have to make sure my family knows they come first, but to balance that with treating writing as a career.

Strength-wise, while the idea of writing or editing may seem hard, I usually get quite a lot done in a short amount of time once I start. An object in motion tends to stay in motion. That applies to our writing. A little momentum can go a long way!

 
      What surprised you about the publishing process after your novel was contracted? 

      I knew that titles were frequently changed for publication, but I didn’t expect the title to change before the     
      contract was officially signed. Also, I knew that editors move from house to house fairly often in this industry, but     
      I didn’t expect to lose my dream editor two days after signing the contract. (Hi, Andy!)

      After getting over the shock of losing my editor, I was very surprised at how much Moody valued my input, how     
      frequently they communicated with me, and how they lifted my family up in prayer. In fact, everyone from my     
      editor to the marketing manager to the author liaison has been amazing!

      What takeaway value do you hope readers receive after reading your novel?

      The recent changes in my life—losing my husband, facing finding a “real” job, selling my home—have done    
      nothing but solidify what I hope to be the theme of the book and my life: Live Transparently—      Forgive Extravagantly.     If reading The Familiar Stranger makes even one man or woman be more     
      honest with his or her spouse or delve into trust issues in a healthy way, I’ll consider it a success. Maybe there’s a     
      hurting heart that can find a new path to forgiveness because of the story.

From the back cover: A FRESH START OR A DOUBLE-CROSS? Why is Craig so cold and distant? Denise wonders.  Is it his job?  The family? Or is it me?  Though she's poured her heart into her marriage, years of enduring his long hours, frequent times away, and short temper have left her with a deep sadness. Then one morning in the middle of church her cell phone rings.  Embarrassed, she heads to the lobby, takes the call...and is shocked by the news she hears.  Craig's been in an accident. So begins their fresh start.  While keeping vigil by his bedside she wills herself to make their marriage work, whatever the cost.  And when Craig finally regains consciousness, he appears to want the same thing -- except for one detail.  He doesn't know who she is.  Nor does he remember anything about their life, their children, or why he was parked on the side of the freeway when the accident occurred.  As he struggles to recall the past, he also shows a new love for Denise characterized by tender strength and consideration.  So what is she to do when ugly betrayals emerge?  Is it possible to forgive a man who thoroughly violated her trust?  How many more lies and secrets are yet to be discovered? And then, without warning, his memories come flooding back...

My deadlines are so tight, I don't have time to review as many books as I would like.  However, Christina didn't hesitate to review Plain Perfect when it released, and I wanted to return the favor.  The 'favor' resulted in a book that I couldn't put down and didn't want to end.  Several times while I was reading, I had to remind myself that this is Christina's debut novel. It doesn't read like a first book.  The writing is tight and with just enough description not to bog down the reader.  The characters are three-dimensional and left me thinking about them long after I closed the book.  While my heart went out to Denise, I found myself most drawn to Craig -- a man with a past he can't remember, but yet he is drowning in grief about what he has supposedly done to his wife.

The Familiar Stranger is a book about forgiveness on many levels, full of twists and surprises.  Several times, I wondered how Christina was going to wrap up the loose ends and make for a satisfying conclusion, but she does.  This book will appeal to a wide range of readers, but particularly those who have been married for a long time.      
Christina's original voice and a top-notch plot make for an exciting novel that I highly recommend.  I'll be watching for her next book.  

To order a copy of The Familiar Stranger, you can go to www.christianbook.com or www.amazon.com, or inquire anywhere that books are sold.

Thanks to Christina and Moody Publishing for sending me a copy of The Familiar Stranger for review.