2009 Christy Award Winner
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.
Chris Fabry introduces readers to the fictional town of Dogwood, West Virginia, in his first novel for adults, Dogwood. The book released in August 2008 and was awarded the 2009 Christy Award in the Contemporary Standalone category. Visit the Christy Award Archives for a list of the 2009 winners and finalists.
I wrote a story about the small town I'm from in West Virginia, changing the name to Dogwood. There are some really great people in small towns. But small towns have long memories and in this locale, the people have a hard time forgiving Will Hatfield for what he did. Still he returns, 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.
Karin has buried her shattered dreams by settling for a faithful husband whose emotional distance leaves her isolated. Loaded with guilt, she tries to raise three children and survive the best she can.
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. But the trigger that will lay bare their past and force them to face it is the unlikely figure of Ruthie Bowles, a withered, wiry old woman whose prying and persistence forces unexpected consequences.
I really love the story of Dogwood and hope you will as well.
Download the first chapter of Dogwood here:
Download the Discussion Guide for Dogwood here:
"Great Christian novels are more than a story, they leave the reader pondering the state of his or her own heart. Not in the Heart demonstrates God's power to transform the seemingly untransformable."
— TITLETRAKK.COM
"Fabry has built a rewarding story; it's hard to imagine inspirational fiction done better than this."
— WORLD MAGAZINE on Not in the Heart
"A character-driven tale of dignity and compassion for those who seem to have lost importance to society . . . this thought-provoking read challenges the prevailing cultural calculations of the value of a person's life."
— PUBLISHERS WEEKLY on Every Waking Moment
"[The Promise of Jesse Woods] is a well-crafted novel with sympathetic characters, gently woven themes, and evocative descriptions."
— Sharon Garlough Brown, author of the Sensible Shoes series
"Fabry is a talented writer with a lilting flow to his words."
— CROSSWALK.COM on Almost Heaven
"There is so much to love about The Song . . . Heart-wrenching and emotional scenes abound in this tale of fame, fortune, loss, and redemption."
— ROMANTIC TIMES, 4½-Star Top Pick Review
"Few authors can weave such unique stories with such perfect language. . . . Fabry is an artist with words. All I can say is: Read his novels."
— EXAMINER.COM on June Bug
"Dogwood will captivate you from cover to cover."
— READERVIEWS.COM
"In this suspense-filled drama, Fabry covers hot topics involving illegal immigration policies, drug running between borders, and the cost of being involved with the mob. . . . Readers will be immersed in the lives of Maria and J. D."
— ROMANTIC TIMES, 4-Star Review of Borders of the Heart
"A powerful story of faith and the material things people hold dear. . . . This is Fabry's best yet."
— PUBLISHERS WEEKLY on A Piece of the Moon