Mary DeMuth’s Defiance Texas Trilogy has become my favorite book series this year. I fell in love with the first book Daisy Chain but A Slow Burn took me right to the throne of redemption.
Emory Chance had little reason to live after her daughter was found murdered. Each day brought deeper despair and she lashed out towards the ones who were closest to her. She blamed everyone for Daisy’s death but deep inside she had the deep rooted fear that her own life and choices lead to Daisy’s disappearance. Her ex-husband came back in the picture but Emory realized even his life had been turned upside down by choices that were made.
A message sent from God to Hixon kept him coming back to care for Emory, no matter how hard she tried to push him away. Hixon was dealing with a painful loss himself, but still offered Emory Chance unconditional love. Could Emory forgive the one person she blamed the most? And will Emory learn that God can wipe way years and years of regret and grief?
This series is raw, beautifully written, and displays a honest look at how God can take ones painful past, present failures and turn them into beauty for the future. A Slow Burn can be read as a stand alone book, but you will miss some of the deep richness if you did not read A Daisy Chain. I know after the last book in the series is read, I am going to feel like I lost a friend.
You can read the first two chapters here.
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I am honored Mary stopped by to visit and allowed us to get to know her better. I have had the honor to meet Mary in person and I have to say she is the real deal. A girl after God’s heart.
1. Mary thank you for joining us here at Lori’s Book Reviews. Tell us a little bit about yourself?
I’m a mom of three kids (two teenagers!) and wife of an amazing man. I live in Texas. A Slow Burn is my fourth novel, my seventh book. I love to garden, cook, create, sing, and hang out at home.
2. A Slow Burn is the second book in the Defiance Texas Trilogy. What prompted you to write the Defiance Texas Trilogy?
I met several people along my journey who suffered from abuse. Some who were children of pastors and/or Christian leaders whose parents had a holy persona on the outside, but once you closed the front door, they began raging at their families. This made me mad. And when I’m mad, I write.
3. One thing I love is your gift in making readers feel like they are actually right there in Defiance, Texas. How did you research for Daisy Chain and A Slow Burn?
I actually created the town in my head. (My head is a scary place.) But it’s loosely based on our two years we spent in East Texas. One of the things I love to do is to make the setting a character. Southern novels have that type of haunting sense of place.
4. In A Slow Burn one of the major themes is dealing with regret and the courageous love of never giving up on someone who is dealing with addictions. I love the phrase, “She won’t be as she is now.” Do you think that is how God views us?
Absolutely. I’m so thankful God sees me that way. He sees my own frailties, and sees the big picture of sanctification. He knows the way I take. He sees me with His encouraging eyes.
5. In both A Slow Burn and Daisy Chain we see people who are one way in the public’s eye, but completely different in their private life. Why is authenticity so important to you?
Because I know people who hide are tortured. They’ve believed the lie that if you hide your sins, you can receive praise and accolades from folks, and that will fill you up. But it’s all a lie. Filling ourselves with praise based on us not being ourselves is the worst kind of loneliness. I wrote these books to set folks free to admit their frailty. Only when we do that can we truly walk in the light of forgiveness and reality.
6. I heard a rumor you have a new book coming out at the beginning of next year that was difficult for you to write. What can you share with us about “Thin Places?”
Sure, it’s my memoir. There, I recount my own story of neglect and how God has intersected that grief and created a new life for me. It’s full of raw honesty, but also true, true hope. You don’t have to repeat your childhood as an adult. I’m living proof. For that, I give God all the glory.
Thank you Mary for joining the readers here and I can not wait to read “Thin Places.” May God continue to richly bless you.
A Slow Burn can be purchased here.
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I'm always looking for new book to read. Thanks to your great review, now I have two to add to my list.
Wow, Lori, can't believe we already have a new month…Super interview. Oh, I really have to check out this series – I need something fresh to read and the series sounds perfect. Thank you for always bringing great books to our attention….
Wow, Lori, can't believe we already have a new month…Super interview. Oh, I really have to check out this series – I need something fresh to read and the series sounds perfect. Thank you for always bringing great books to our attention….
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