The Grapevine: Chris Fabry

Well, it’s the 15th today, and though I’m excited to be sharing about another new and exciting author, I have to tell you right off the bat that this is my first Grapevine without a giveaway. Boo. Sorry about that. But, hey, I didn’t start this monthly feature to give out free books--I merely wanted to introduce you to some fabulous authors that you may not have read before. Believe me, in this economy, authors could use a sale or two! If Chris’s work sounds interesting to you, support a struggling artist and buy one of his books. Or go borrow it from the library… Either way. ;)

Chris Fabry is the dedicated father or nine (yup, you read that right--five girls and four boys), the radio host of an award winning program (called Chris Fabry Live!), and the author of more than 60 books (all of which were published after 1995). Yikes. Mind-boggling, isn’t it? He’s also collaborated with Focus on the Family, written scripts for Adventures in Odyssey, speaks daily on Love Worth Finding (another radio broadcast), and has narrated audio books by Dr. Gary Smalley, Ted Dekkers, and Francine Rivers (to name just a few). And all of this is just a sampling of his remarkable resume!

If credentials make a good author, Chris Fabry is one of the best. And I can say in all honesty that his full-length, adult novels (recently published by Tyndale House) comprise some of the most entertaining and thought-provoking Christian fiction I’ve ever encountered.

June Bug, Fabry’s most recent novel, is a modern-day retelling of Les Miserables. Since Les Mis is one of my favorite stories of all time, I really enjoyed this new interpretation. But I have to admit that Fabry’s first book, Dogwood, was my favorite. From the back cover:

In the small town of Dogwood, West Virginia, Karin has buried her shattered dreams by settling for a faithful husband whose emotional distance from her deep passions and conflicts leaves her isolated. Loaded with guilt, she tries to raise three small children and "do life" the best she can. Will returns to Dogwood intent on pursuing the only woman he has ever loved--only to find there is far more standing in his way than lost years in prison. The secrets of Will and Karin's past begin to emerge through Danny Boyd, a young boy who wishes he hadn't survived the tragedy that knit those two together as well as tore them apart. The trigger that will lay their pain bare and force them to face it rather than flee is the unlikely figure of Ruthie Bowles, a withered, wiry old woman who leads Karin so deep into her anger against God that it forces unexpected consequences.

Dogwood is a compelling, page-turning read filled with surprises that left me breathless. Though it was a smidge farfetched toward the end, I was willing to suspend belief because the story was so gripping. A thoroughly enjoyable read that kept me on the edge of my seat until the final pages.

At any rate, I invite you to spend some time getting to know Chris. I’ve had the pleasure of meeting him on a couple of different occasions, and he’s a wonderful man with a great sense of humor and a deep passion for his family and his God. His website is full of interesting information and some neat resources, and, of course, you can find him on the radio. Happy hunting!