Please join me in welcoming prolific author Angela Hunt to the blog today to chat about her new novel, What a Wave Must Be!
Angela Hunt is the author of more than 165 books in fiction and nonfiction, for children and adults. You can visit her webpage at angelahuntbooks.com.
WHAT A WAVE MUST BE by Angela Hunt
GENRE: Contemporary Fiction (Christian)
PUBLISHER: Focus on the Family
RELEASE DATE: November 7, 2023
PAGES: 315
From master storyteller Angela Hunt, a powerful story of a family’s journey toward healing and hope after an unimaginable loss.
Seventeen-year-old Maddie is left reeling after the unexpected passing of her beloved father. No one has any idea why he betrayed them all so spectacularly, but that’s exactly what his death feels like: a betrayal. With their world shattered, Maddie’s grieving mother sends her to spend a few months with her grandparents, thinking a change of scenery will do her good.
Susan and Frank, Maddie’s grandparents, are heartbroken over the loss of their son, but they welcome Maddie as an addition to their long-empty nest. Maddie settles in and makes friends at her new school, but she still wrestles with why her father took his own life. Then an unexpected twist throws all their lives into fresh turmoil, testing the very fabric of their faith. How Susan helps her granddaughter find hope, even as they both struggle with grief, makes this touching tale of love and recovery a must-read.
Contains discussion questions, making it ideal for book groups.
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Hi Angela! Welcome back to the blog!
Angela: Dogs. Allergic to cats.
Carrie: so is my hubby
Angela: Tea. Have never drunk coffee—ever.
Carrie: same! I can drink tea if i HAVE to (though i prefer not to) but never coffee
Angela: Definitely under. It’s logical.
Carrie: thank you!! I agree. Though we are in a definite minority here…
Angela: Both. Depends where I’m reading.
Carrie: that make sense 🙂
Q: Around here I like to say that reading is my superpower. If YOU had a superpower, what would it be?
Angela: Remaining calm in a crisis.
Carrie: that’s an important superpower to have!
Q: Other than the Bible, what are five of your most cherished books?
Angela: Roaring Lambs by Bob Briner, The Nun’s Story by Kathryn Hulme, Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell, Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte, and Call of the Wild by Jack London.
Carrie: i love the variety of your list!
Q: Writing spaces are as diverse as authors and books. Where is your favorite space to write?
Angela: I have an office with a nice big desk, but I tend to do most of my writing at a small desk in my bedroom. My dogs like that room better, and there’s a huge garden window that I sit in and look out over my jungle and my chickens.
Carrie: looking out over chickens is my nightmare (chicken phobia) but other than that lol it sounds like a delightful place to write 🙂
Q: What was difficult about What a Wave Must Be or your characters as you wrote their story?
Angela: As a topic, suicide is almost taboo. No one wants to talk about it, and I wasn’t overjoyed to write about it. But suicide happens every day, and we can’t ignore the hopelessness that drives someone to it. So the topic itself was difficult, but by concentrating on the people—the characters—the book became a joy.
Carrie: such an important topic to write about and to embrace people who have been affected by this tragedy with the power of story ♥
Q: Do you have the whole plot outlined before you start writing, or do you let the characters dictate what comes next?
Angela: I always do a skeleton plot beforehand, so I know where the story’s going . . . but there’s plenty of room for surprises along the way!
Carrie: the best of both worlds!
Q: What do you most want readers to take away from What a Wave Must Be?
Angela: I hope readers will be inspired to find a reason for living. I’ve already had one “test reader” tell me that the book changed her mind about suicide (whether it might be acceptable in some situations). That’s what I hope and pray for.
Carrie: oh i love that – amen.
Thank you so much for taking time to talk with me! 🙂 Before we say goodbye for today, tell us what‘s coming up next for you.
Angela: After this, I’m completing a historical series called The Emissaries, and then I’m going to start whatever project the Lord sends my way!
Angela Hunt is offering a copy of What a Wave Must Be to TWO of my readers! (US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.) This giveaway is subject to Reading Is My SuperPower’s giveaway policies which can be found here. Enter via the Rafflecopter form below.
What about you? What makes you want to read What a Wave Must Be by Angela Hunt?
I would like to read What a Wave Must Be by Angela Hunt because I have never read a book by this author.
oh then you must!!
Thank you so much for sharing. God bless you.
I can’t imagine how difficult this topic would be to write about. I have lost a close family member to suicide, and you are right, no one wants to talk about it. I have read other books by Angela and I trust that she will handle this carefully.
well said, Linda
This novel sounds captivating, emotional and unforgettable. A brilliant author whose novels are memorable.
This one sounds fantastic. Maddie sounds like a great character.
i agree – she really does!
This sounds like a deep, emotional book…And, a book to help w/ healing
agreed!
Always looking for new authors.
I love books by this author! Plus that, the subject of suicide does need to be talked about. It has affected many of us, and might in the future, too,
so true!
This is a very difficult subject. I recently lost a friend to suicide so it may difficult to read this book, but I believe it will help me deal with this.
aww i’m sorry, Sue <3
Sounds good!
yes!
I love so many of Angela Hunt’s books!
yay!
I lost two friends and a 12 year old nephew to suicide. So devastating. Thank you for sharing. Blessings and peace to anyone who has endured this.
i’m so sorry for your losses, dear Lucy <3
I would like to read this book because it sounds gripping and find out what the twist is!
This one sounds quite good.
New author for me!
This book sounds heartbreaking, which means it is also probably full of hope. I would love to read it.
Angela Hunt is a fabulous author!
looks like a fun one
It looks like an interesting read.
My brother died that way. He quit eating and refused help
Sounds interesting
We have a church library. This would be an excellent addition for our core room.