I just recently finished up Chris Fabry's Borders of the Heart. My complimentary copy of the book was graciously provided by Tyndale House Publishers, in exchange for my honest review of the novel.
The story opens on a hot Arizona morning ... and immediately finds the protagonist, J.D. Jessup, in even hotter water when he ignores his employer's directive to "call Border Patrol" if he comes across an illegal trying to cross the border into the U.S., and ends up laying his life on the line to assist her instead.
In a series of events that could have come from recent headlines, J.D. and Maria end up running from a deadly threat, Muerte, who leaves a trail of bodies in his wake as he tries to catch up with them.
To complicate matters, J.D.'s also running from his past, while Maria's running on a path she believes has been set before her by God Himself. Her determination and resolute faith, along with several key characters that lend them aid (and cover them in prayer), finally open J.D.'s own eyes to his need for faith in the Almighty and to quit running from that which has caused him so much turmoil.
The story is fast-paced and action-packed, and I found myself turning pages so fast I could hardly keep up with myself. That is until I got towards the end, where even though I was anxious to see how the conflict would be resolved, I didn't want my time with J.D. and Maria to end!
Fabry writes an incredible tale of intrigue, suspense and faith, with the marvelous ability to engage the reader emotionally. It was a pleasure to read and I look forward to finding more of his work. I have the pleasure of being able to share both a trailer for Borders of the Heart, which can be found by clicking HERE, and more information about Fabry and his beliefs and other works can be found on his website: http://www.chrisfabry.com/
I also wanted to share with you excerpts from an interview with Fabry:
Q: Your newest novel, Borders of the Heart, addresses heavy topics such as illegal immigration, the U.S./Mexico drug trade and the cost of compassion. Where did you get your inspiration for the book?
A: Our family moved to Arizona in 2008 and since then I’ve known I wanted to write about this area of the country, a rich, desert existence with problems and possibilities. This book is not as much an “issue” book as it is a book about people who have to deal with lots of those issues as part of their daily lives. I don’t have an ax to grind on the topics, but I did want to show how real people are affected by these contemporary topics.
Q: Several of the characters in Borders of the Heart are dealing with things from their past. What lessons do your characters learn along the way?
A: The past is huge for each of us. I’m convinced many are “stuck” by something in the past that holds us back from being all God wants us to be. A reader will walk through that process with the main character, J.D., and I’m hoping they’ll see an authentic struggle.
Q: J.D. Jessup is faced with a very difficult moral dilemma when he weighs the decision to follow his boss’ very clear direction or his own heart when he discovers Maria near death. What lessons does this story provide for your readers?
A: Every choice we make in life comes with a cost. If we say yes to one thing, we may have to say no to something else. The choice J.D. makes is a good choice, and even good choices can lead to disastrous and deadly results. Can you believe that God is involved in even the difficult circumstances? I think that’s a huge reveal in this story for me. Does everything have to work out perfectly in the end in order for God to be glorified?
Q: How does the concept of redemption figure into your story? Was it gratifying to write about redemption? Why or why not?
A: A lot of people don’t like the word “saved.” It’s old fashioned and not in vogue. I think the term is loaded with truth because if you’re on the verge of death and someone “saves” you, you know exactly what that means and how grateful you would be. Characters in this story get rescued from certain death and when the stakes are that high, I can’t help but get emotionally involved in the story.
Q: How does the concept of grace figure into your story? Was it gratifying to write about grace? Why or why not?
A: Grace is when we’re treated better than we deserve. Yes, characters discover that in the book as well. I love the concept of grace in such a gritty, tough story because you’re not expecting it. You’re expecting A+B=C and when grace invades, it catches you by surprise.
Q: Borders of the Heart clearly demonstrates that sometimes there is a cost to compassion. What made this an important story element for you? Why was it important for you to show that sometimes there is a cost for us when we behave compassionately?
A: You've heard the saying, “Freedom isn't free.” The one who acts with compassion usually absorbs the pain of someone else. This is a picture of the cross, of the sacrifice made for us in Christ. This is another thread you’ll discover throughout the story.
Q: Have you ever been faced with a real-life hard choice or ethical dilemma like your main character J.D.? If so, what was your dilemma and did you feel like you made the right choice?
A: I've never had to decide whether to leave a person for dead or not, but I think every day we have a chance to sacrifice. Sometimes it’s a small thing, like taking time for your children when you have something REALLY important, like writing a few more paragraphs. I haven’t always passed those tests. My contention is, the details of everyday life will show what we’ll do with the big decisions. If you choose well in the small moments, the moments when no one is looking, you’ll choose well when a huge decision comes your way. Conversely, if you don’t see the little things as important, you might not make a good decision with the big decision.
Q: What do you hope your readers will take away from reading Borders of the Heart?
A: Borders of the Heart is at its core a love story. You will root for J.D. and Maria to survive and solve the mystery of what’s really going on in Tucson. And I hope readers will take away the truth that what looks impossible to people is possible with God’s power. Even if something looks hopeless, it’s really not when God is involved.Now ... for the giveaway. Interested in a chance to read the story for yourself? Simply leave a comment letting me know. Note: it *will* be my copy (which means it's a little dog-eared). I'll let random.org pick a winner on Monday, October 22!
:)
