Welcome to those of you joining us from today’s Proverbs 31 Devotion. We’re glad you’re here and we’re delighted to introduce you to this month’s featured author, Christa Allan.
Christa Allan, a true Southern woman who knows that any cook worth her gumbo always starts with a roux and who never wears white after Labor Day, weaves stories of unscripted grace with threads of hope, humor, and heart. She contributes to Exemplify and Afictionado, the e-zine of American Christian Fiction Writers. Her essays have been published in The Ultimate Teacher, Cup of Comfort, Chicken Soup for the Coffee Lover’s Soul and Chicken Soup for the Divorced Soul. Christa is the mother of five adult children, a grandmother of three, and a teacher of high school English. She and her husband Ken live in Abita Springs, Louisiana, where they and their three cats enjoy their time between dodging hurricanes.
And because the only thing we love more than books is giving them away, two lucky readers will each win a copy of Christa’s debut novel, this months book club selection, Walking on Broken Glass. In addition, we’re also giving the grand prize winner a New Orleans Sweet Treat gift basket from Cajun Creations. Simply leave a comment on this post, or sign up for our monthly e-mail newsletter to enter. Winners will be randomly chosen on Friday.
You can read the first chapter of Walking on Broken Glass, here.
Leah Thornton, already sloshed from one-too-many at a faculty party, is cruising the supermarket aisles in search of something tasty to enhance her Star-bucks–Kahlua, for example. Two confrontations later–one at the grocery and the other with her friend Molly–Leah is sitting in the office of the local rehab center facing an admissions counselor who fails to understand the most basic things, like the fact that apple juice is not a suitable cocktail mixer. Rehab is no picnic, and being forced to experience and deal with the reality of her life isn’t Leah’s idea of fun. But through the battle she finds a reservoir of courage she never knew she had, and the loving arms of a God she never quite believed existed.
The moment we read the opening to Christa’s novel, we were hooked. And we’re certain you will be as well:
Patient Discharge Statement
If I had known children break on the inside and the cracks don’t surface until years later, I would have been more careful with my words.
If I had known some parents don’t live to watch grandchildren grow, I would have taken more pictures and been more careful with my words.
If I had known couples can be fragile and want what they are unprepared to give or unwilling to take, I would have been more careful with my words.
If I had known teaching lasts a lifetime and students don’t speak of their tragic lives, I would have been more careful with my words.
If I had known my muscles and organs and bones and skin are not lifetime guarantees, that when broken, snagged, unstitched, or unseemly, cannot be replaced, I would have been kinder to the shell that prevents my soul from leaking out.
If I had known I would live over half my life and have to look at photographs to remember my mother adjusting my birthday party hat so that my father could take the picture that sliced the moment out of time – if I had known, if I had known – I would have been more careful with my life.
Leah T.
August 4th
As you can see, Walking on Broken Glass is the sort of novel you settle into so that it can unsettle you. Smart, witty, and poignant, you’ll never look at grief and addiction the same way.
Would you please give Christa a warm welcome to the She Reads family? And make sure you enter to win a copy of this gripping debut novel.
I love to read and hardly find the time, but I plan to carve out some hours for this one. Having grown up in New Orleans and living through the same strange “alcohol for all” lifestyle, I can see how it can easily be a problem for many. I thank God that wasn’t a trap for me and pray for those struggling through it now.
I love to read Christian fiction! It helps me to see how Christian principles can be lived out in someone’s day to day life. .
I couln’t stop reading the first chapter and will have to get the book to finish the story. I was also inspired by the devotional. thanks
Book Sounds Super! Don’t know if Canadians are allowed to enter or not but thought I would try! God Bless!
This sounds like a wonderful book, gut-wrenching and honest!! I’m so thankful God meets us where we are and knows exactly what we need. I can see how this book will minister to so many. Thank you for sharing it with us!
I’m looking forward to reading this book and finding out what God has in store. Thanks for writing about topics that are messy, yet so common!
I just started reading Christian fiction, never seemed interested until I read one by Jenny B. Jones, I couldn’t put it down, this one by Christa Allan interested me as well, it’s nice to escape in a novel that’s worth while and christian based.
Walking on Broken Glass seems like the kind of book that my book club The Love of Books will really enjoy – believable and inspirational in a way that leaves us introspective of our own walks. Thank you for this selection – I look forward to reading it soon!
Can’t wait to read this book. I loved the P31 devotion today. I know I’m going to be riveted to the book.
Wow, is all I can say when I read the first chapter. We serve an awesome God. I can’t wait to read the rest of the story.
Looks great! Hard to fing interesting, good reads that are God centered!
God’s perfect timing again! Just yesterday morning I woke up with the same desire and prayer in my heart…to have the courage to stop drinking. I never thought I was an alcoholic, but lately I’ve been drinking 6 days out of 7. I thought I have control of this. People tell me that I don’t have a problem;but I know I don’t like it and am afraid of it becoming out of control. I live in New Orleans and addictions have tainted my family for a long time. I can’t thank you enough Christa for coming into my life at just the right time. Can’t wait to read the book!!!!
I love to read and I really enjoy Christian fiction. This book looks very good and I can’t wait to read it. Thanks!
I love P31 devotions. I can’t wait to get to work and read them it helps jump start the day with them. I can’t wait to read the book.
Would love to read your book….winning a copy would be even sweeter.
Michele
your devotion touched my heart. I am married to a recovering alcoholic and have my own problems with weight. thank you
I love to read and this book is for sure on my list.
Thank you proverbs 31 for recommending such wonderful books!
Welcome to She Reads Christa. Your book sounds awesome. I would love to be entered into the book giveaway. Thank you for the opportunity.
Smiles & Blessings,
Cindy W.
countrybear52[at]yahoo[dot]com
This looks like a great book that covers a very important subject. I am really looking forward to reading it! Thanks for the opportunity to win a copy.
God bless!
Karen
Thank you for sharing about this book, it looks like one well worth reading
You are truely amazing. I would love to read you book. Hopefully, I can win you Novel.
God Bless and Thanks so much for sharing,
Elaine Ruane
In tears already, just having read the part I did. Sounds like I need to find this book (although it would be awesome to win it)!
Thank you Christa for your devotional. I am a member of Al-Anon and I loved how your integrated the 12 steps into your writing. It was very refreshing.
Wishing you peace and serenity~
My addictions were to sexual promiscuity, to depression, to volcanic anger. After marrying an abusive man, I led my two lovely daughters down paths of broken glass and now their addictions startle me with pain. Jesus has taken away the guilt and my addictions. I am clear that the strongholds of alcohol/drugs and obesity are disappearing from the hearts of my sweethearts. With the clarity of my father’s sexual abuse of me and most likely of them, the roots are being torn up. Praise God for this novel and for Christa’s obedience to answer His call to truth-telling.
Your devotion is amazing. It’s so hard to open up about issues from the past, but once you do you feel free from the burden. I am looking forward to reading your book.
Wow. I have battled the effects or is it affects? I never know which one to use. Anyway! I have been dealing with the fallout of being around addicts all my life, from drugs to alcohol…you name it. It has been hard dealing with everything, and I admit I haven’t spent much time looking at it from their point of view. Instead I have been focusing on how they hurt me and nursing my own wounds before I gave it over to my Father. I have to find this book…maybe it will give me insight on how to help my mother…help me soften my hardened heart and have compassion. Good choice….might recommend it as my choice for the book club I belong to.
Can hardly wait to read this book! Love books period, but reading Christian fiction is a newfound pleasure.
This sounds like it would be a good read! I will be retiring from 19 years of preschool ministry at the end of this month and will have the freedom to read, among other things.
I would love to have this book. It interests me because I am an older woman and I know about addiction and abuse. The words that are written by Leah is the same words that I think that I would use. They exemplify my feelings exactly. Thank You, Melinda
This looks like a fabulous spring time read. Being a Midwestern Women, I’d love to just spend a few hours enjoying some southern hospitality.
Looks great.
If you’re a member of a Book Club and would be interested in a Skype or personal visit, please email me. I’d be happy to send some bookmarks too!
I am always on the look out for great books!!
) I will be putting this site in my favs and checking back often. 
)
This book looks great, would love to win a copy – but will definately be getting one either way!
I can’t wait to read Walking on Broken Glass. I have been walking on broken glass for the past 4 1/2 years throgh the eye of my sons addictions. We have both been badly cut and have needed much care. I pray each day for the grace and courage to let go and let GOD.
Robin Roth
I can’t wait to read the rest….I’m a southern Alabama girl. Right on the Gulf of Mexico.
I love reading.
I’d love to win this book basket. Thanks
It is great to have these wonderful Christian books to read! They hit home so often and help us see in another way how much we need to rely on God. Thank you!
I have passed my love of reading on to my daughter. And it is almost summer and I have been purchasing a collection of books for her when she comes home from college. “Walking on Broken Glass” sounds like one I will need to add to the book bag for her (and I may get to borrow it from her). She logs every book she has ever read. It is her favorite list! Thank you, in advance, for writing Christian literature! From both of us!
I would love to win this book and basket, thank you!
This looks like a book for me. I struggle with the pull of alcohol. It has been such a part of my life- my parents’ cocktails every evening, my teen years of drinking until throwing up, the many times I’ve driven drunk, the hangovers… I am not sure, though, that I can succeed in giving it up. I have a wonderful relationship with the Lord, but I know that this comes between us, and between my husband and me. The fact that this website came to me today shows me that God is reaching out to me and forgives me for all the times I’ve tried to quit. I think I may succeed this time. Three days and counting. I will check back with you and let you know how I’m doing.
Thank you,
Marty
I love to read, but when I’m reading devotionals, I don’t usually think about other books the devotinal author has written. I’ve never dealt with addiction of any kind, personally or with family. The honest voice and everyday language of the devotional had me looking more into the author and the book, Walking on Broken Glass. Can’t wait to read it and John Ortberg’s book. I also look forward to seeing more of your devotionals.
Vicki
I appreciated the honesty of 5APR’s devotion and appreciated the comparison of alchohol to other crutches – like self-pity. Thanks for the insight!
Peace and blessings, I enjoy reading the devotional and look forward to reading this new book. Welcome Christa:)
I am so thankful for obedient christian women who will listen to the call God has for them and then act on it! Thank you Christa for being one of those because we do so need good books to fill our passion with and our children. I would truly love to read this book. I sure hope that I am the winner!