Dear Readers, thank you so much for going along with me on this ride...I love getting to know you as you comment and I'm enjoying getting to know new authors right with you!
My name is Tracy L. Smoak, and I grew up in Florida running around barefoot outside and swimming in lakes. That sense of freedom carries forward as I look for adventure each day. I like puzzles and challenges. A hobby is taking photographs. Whether there is a close-up of a bee feeding on flower nectar or a sunset panoramic, I marvel at the beauty God surrounds us with.
Ideas for my novel Who Brought the Dog to Church? began in a small country church in Virginia during a Good Friday prayer vigil. A lady nearby had her little Yorkie seated on the pew with her! I didn’t get to meet her, but wondered what her story was. Seeing that sparked my imagination for creating. Other life experiences volunteering as an advocate for survivors of domestic violence factored in too. The story is about the power of friendship to heal hearts and empower positive change.
How often do we judge based on a casual observation without knowing someone’s background?
While writing the tale, I wrestled with grief since my dad had a heart attack. The family weathered the crisis, and my dad recovered. However, we were reminded of the fragility of life and not to take even a day for granted.
A question I would ask readers is “How do you help someone who is in an abusive relationship?” Silence and embarrassment surround this issue. My hope is that providing safe forums for discussion will empower people in difficult, and often dangerous circumstances, to find helpful resources and combat isolation.
My website with blogs about faith and books is www.tracysmoak.com.
This YouTube playlist shares insights about domestic violence with resources to help.
This YouTube playlist introduces characters and chapter excerpts in Who Brought the Dog to Church?
The novel is available at https://www.amazon.com/Who-Brought-Church-Tracy-Smoak/dp/164960422X/ref=sr_1_1?crid=23T1X25CW2KL8&keywords=who+brought+the+dog+to+church&qid=1705069447&s=books&sprefix=who+brought+the+dog+to+church%2Cstripbooks%2C107&sr=1-1
Thank you, Tracy, for sharing with my readers!