Well, the Frasier Winners have been announced. The hard work of the judges has decided the winners, and today we will take a look at the novel of another of our esteemed judges… Michelle Sutton and her book Decision to Love

Q: Michelle can you tell us a little bit about your story?

Eight years after Tony and Hope’s affair ended, new problems arise. Jimmy has gone off to college, but returns home with a startling revelation that devastates his father and causes his final heart attack. Now Hope is grieving the loss of both her husband and their son. She tries to make sense of everything, and in the end she decides to love her son through the grief. More than that, she makes the decision to love whoever her son chooses to love, whether she agrees with his choices or not.

Tony’s life has its own disaster tearing through it. First, he is accused of killing his ex-wife, but he is soon released once the authorities realize he had nothing to do with it. The tragedy with his ex led to some major changes in his life, however, and some soul-searching that ultimately turns Tony’s life around. While he is still adjusting to his new perspective on life, his long-lost daughter Nina contacts him and has some secrets of her own. He is overjoyed to be reunited with his daughter, but with their relationship comes an entirely new set of challenges.

Jimmy is confused about his faith, his life, and ultimately, whom he should love. After some severe trials knock him off what he thought was the right course for his life, he makes the decision to love himself enough not to be used by someone again. But will his decision protect him in the end?

Q: What do you want readers to learn/take away from this story.

This story was written to inspire parents to never give up on their children even when they are grown and to decide to love them regardless of the poor choices they make. So many young people raised in Christian homes end up abandoning their faith for a short time while doing their prodigal journey, and it hurts to watch them stray, but they are God’s children and not our own. He is the best parent ever and knows exactly what they need to experience to motivate them to get back on the right path. In the meanwhile, God has called us to love them and pray for them, not turn our backs on them in the name of “tough love.” For some reason it seems like it is much easier to reject people because of behavior that we don’t approve of. This story shows you why hanging in there and loving them like Jesus loved us and died for us while we were yet sinners is the right thing to do. Can we do any less for our children?

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Michelle Sutton is the author of fifteen inspirational novels and has books contracted for release through 2016. When she isn’t reading, reviewing, or working full-time, she’s creating new stories for future contracts. Visit her website at www.michellesutton.net