| A runaway teen. A wife’s devastating secret. A family’s reckoning. Since surviving a rocky season in her marriage nineteen years earlier, Beth Holbrook has prayed and worked toward maintaining a solid marital commitment, raising godly children, and leading a thriving parenting ministry. On the cusp of realizing her publication dream and expanding her influence nationwide, her daughter, Leesa, runs away without a word. Having recently turned eighteen and graduated from high school, Leesa is livid with her parents for not allowing her to attend a beach party, especially when the only guy who has ever shown interest in her will be there. When her best friend suggests they escape their parents’ strict rules and move to Myrtle Beach together, she makes a spontaneous decision to leave town. A mere six weeks later she returns home with shocking news that affects not only her future, but her family’s. While grappling with a volatile blend of failure and anger, Beth’s identity as a pastor’s wife, mom, and respected parenting coach disintegrates. Amid mounting conflict in her marriage, continued criticism from her mother, and strained relationships with her children, Beth confesses a long-held secret, shattering her already splintered family. |  |
As a hurricane bears down on the Holbrook’s house, the storm raging within the walls threatens to rip apart the fragile stitches holding their family together. When Beth’s solid foundation crumbles, will her family survive intact? Or is her contrition too little, too late?
Genre: Christian Women’s Fiction
Release Date: April 28, 2026
Release Date: April 28, 2026
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Interview with Deena
#1. What was the inspiration for this book?
A really hard season twenty years ago when our nineteen-year-old daughter ran off with a word and returned home pregnant. I’m a firm believer that when we’re vulnerable and share our struggles with others, God can bring good from our mess. My desire for Stronger than the Storm is that the story will encourage those going through tough times and will give them hope.
A really hard season twenty years ago when our nineteen-year-old daughter ran off with a word and returned home pregnant. I’m a firm believer that when we’re vulnerable and share our struggles with others, God can bring good from our mess. My desire for Stronger than the Storm is that the story will encourage those going through tough times and will give them hope.
#2. What drew you to write in this particular genre?
I’ve always gravitated to family drama movies, television shows, and books, especially those based on or inspired by true stories, so writing those types of novels was an easy decision.
As a pastor’s wife, God has given me countless opportunities over the years to talk with women who struggle with marriage problems, deal with rebellious children, or face other painful circumstances, so writing stories that address those tough topics and offer hope in Christ is my passion.
I’ve always gravitated to family drama movies, television shows, and books, especially those based on or inspired by true stories, so writing those types of novels was an easy decision.
As a pastor’s wife, God has given me countless opportunities over the years to talk with women who struggle with marriage problems, deal with rebellious children, or face other painful circumstances, so writing stories that address those tough topics and offer hope in Christ is my passion.
#3. Do you have favorite character(s) in this book?
Aside from my three point-of-view characters—Beth, Kevin, and Leesa, one of my favorites is Jackson Donohue. He’s Leesa’s childhood friend, who becomes much more to her later in the book. He’s the kind of guy every woman deserves to have by their side.
I also love Beth’s best friend, Teresa, because she’s loosely based on my best friend, also named Teresa, who stood by me through many challenging times. Everyone needs a Teresa in their life.
Aside from my three point-of-view characters—Beth, Kevin, and Leesa, one of my favorites is Jackson Donohue. He’s Leesa’s childhood friend, who becomes much more to her later in the book. He’s the kind of guy every woman deserves to have by their side.
I also love Beth’s best friend, Teresa, because she’s loosely based on my best friend, also named Teresa, who stood by me through many challenging times. Everyone needs a Teresa in their life.
#4. What do you hope your readers will take away with them when they read this book?
Oh, there are so many things I want readers to grasp through the really difficult situations every Stronger than the Storm character must overcome. But I guess the main takeaway I hope for readers is that the Holbrook family’s faith journey inspires them to cling to the Lord no matter what they’re facing and to know that transparency and vulnerability are a path to healing.
Oh, there are so many things I want readers to grasp through the really difficult situations every Stronger than the Storm character must overcome. But I guess the main takeaway I hope for readers is that the Holbrook family’s faith journey inspires them to cling to the Lord no matter what they’re facing and to know that transparency and vulnerability are a path to healing.
#5. If you could change one thing in your life, past or present, what would it be?
I would’ve surrendered to Christ’s Lordship much sooner and spent more quality time with my children when they were still at home. I have way too many regrets.
I would’ve surrendered to Christ’s Lordship much sooner and spent more quality time with my children when they were still at home. I have way too many regrets.
More from Deena
Crafting a novel from authentic life experiences is a challenging task, but it’s one I sensed God’s call to undertake. If the Lord can encourage those facing heartbreaking situations through my struggles as the mother of a prodigal twenty years ago, I’m all in.
Growing up, I tried my hardest to please my parents and teachers, but I always felt I didn’t measure up. As a Type A person, I’m sure that mindset was my doing, not theirs.
Fast forward to my season as a young mom, and my insecurities ramped up even more. When I became a Christian in my late twenties, I already had three small children and longed to be the world’s best mother and do everything right. I saw my kids’ mistakes as an indictment of my parenting abilities, leading me to believe myself a failure and to try harder to succeed.
With that attitude, you can imagine how I reacted when our teenage daughter ran away from home and returned pregnant—especially since my husband is the pastor of our church. Let’s just say it wasn’t pretty.
The emotional upheaval I endured while watching our child make one poor decision after another revealed my many shortcomings. Among the important lessons God taught me was what a shallow person I’d been and how much I wanted others’ respect and for them to find me acceptable—no, exceptional. Sadly, I was at a place in life where other people’s opinions seemed to carry more weight than my children’s feelings, but I was blind to my faults.
As I walked through the deep valley with a prodigal, God, in His great mercy, opened my eyes and showed me the truth about myself.
My journey of healing and restoration with our daughter was the catalyst for my debut novel, Stronger than the Storm. I pray that the challenging themes I address will uplift those going through extreme difficulty and that the embedded truths inspire hope in Jesus.
In my book, the Holbrook’s crisis begins as ours did, with a teen runaway getting pregnant by a guy she barely knew. I incorporated some factual events from our lives and drew many of the characters’ raw emotions from personal history. Although I gave Beth Holbrook, the mother in the story, a few of my personality traits, including the passion to be a supermom and failing miserably, the bulk of this family’s journey is fictional.
My experience as an adult daughter inspired the revelation of a long-kept secret in the latter part of the book. To avoid spoilers, I’ll simply state that nothing prepares anyone for such devastating news.
Yet, amid turmoil and unexpected adversity, God is still on the throne and has a perfect plan for our good and His glory. When we surrender everything to Him, keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus through life’s storms, we can gain true peace and cling to the truth that God is stronger than anything we face.
In Stronger than the Storm, the Holbrook family must come to this understanding as well. As you read the book, I trust that this family’s journey, and mine, will provide you with encouragement and hope.
Growing up, I tried my hardest to please my parents and teachers, but I always felt I didn’t measure up. As a Type A person, I’m sure that mindset was my doing, not theirs.
Fast forward to my season as a young mom, and my insecurities ramped up even more. When I became a Christian in my late twenties, I already had three small children and longed to be the world’s best mother and do everything right. I saw my kids’ mistakes as an indictment of my parenting abilities, leading me to believe myself a failure and to try harder to succeed.
With that attitude, you can imagine how I reacted when our teenage daughter ran away from home and returned pregnant—especially since my husband is the pastor of our church. Let’s just say it wasn’t pretty.
The emotional upheaval I endured while watching our child make one poor decision after another revealed my many shortcomings. Among the important lessons God taught me was what a shallow person I’d been and how much I wanted others’ respect and for them to find me acceptable—no, exceptional. Sadly, I was at a place in life where other people’s opinions seemed to carry more weight than my children’s feelings, but I was blind to my faults.
As I walked through the deep valley with a prodigal, God, in His great mercy, opened my eyes and showed me the truth about myself.
My journey of healing and restoration with our daughter was the catalyst for my debut novel, Stronger than the Storm. I pray that the challenging themes I address will uplift those going through extreme difficulty and that the embedded truths inspire hope in Jesus.
In my book, the Holbrook’s crisis begins as ours did, with a teen runaway getting pregnant by a guy she barely knew. I incorporated some factual events from our lives and drew many of the characters’ raw emotions from personal history. Although I gave Beth Holbrook, the mother in the story, a few of my personality traits, including the passion to be a supermom and failing miserably, the bulk of this family’s journey is fictional.
My experience as an adult daughter inspired the revelation of a long-kept secret in the latter part of the book. To avoid spoilers, I’ll simply state that nothing prepares anyone for such devastating news.
Yet, amid turmoil and unexpected adversity, God is still on the throne and has a perfect plan for our good and His glory. When we surrender everything to Him, keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus through life’s storms, we can gain true peace and cling to the truth that God is stronger than anything we face.
In Stronger than the Storm, the Holbrook family must come to this understanding as well. As you read the book, I trust that this family’s journey, and mine, will provide you with encouragement and hope.
And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good
of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.
Romans 8:28 (NLT)
 Deena Adams | As a Jesus girl for more than thirty years, Deena Adams understands how important hope is to daily life, which fuels her passion to inspire others through hope-filled fiction based on true to life stories. She is a Certified Mental Health Coach, a multi-award-winning author, an active ACFW member, founder of the Marathon online writers group, and a six-year ACFW Virginia board member. Deena lives with her husband near the coast in beautiful Virginia. When she’s not writing, reading, or serving in her church, you’ll find her hanging out with family and friends, playing board games, and doting on her seven grandchildren. |
It's Time For A Giveaway!
To celebrate her tour, Deena is giving away the grand prize of
a $50 Amazon gift card and a paperback copy of the book!!
a $50 Amazon gift card and a paperback copy of the book!!
Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries!
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Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 11
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