Book: With Mercy’s Eyes
Author: D.T. Powell
Genre: FICTION/ Christian / Contemporary
Release Date: June 16, 2025
He turned his back on God a long time ago. But God never forgot him.
Six months after struggling actor Lane Harris lost his husband in a tragic accident, he lands a movie role guaranteed to put him on the Hollywood map. But one producer holds the power to shut down his shot at stardom—and she’s a Christian. If she finds out he’s gay, it’s over. Lane is careful not to say too much around her.
When an alcohol-fueled tryst with his co-star ends in humiliation, and his landlord hands him an eviction notice, Lane looks for someone to talk to. He finds a confidant in the Christian producer. After a night of too little sleep and not enough coffee, he lets slip his sexual orientation. Instead of a verbal flogging, the woman recounts recently losing her own husband.
The only Christians Lane knows condemn him upon learning he’s gay. But this one is different. She doesn’t embrace his sexuality, but instead of treating him with disdain, she offers compassion. Christians are supposed to hate people like him. So, why doesn’t she?
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With Mercy’s Eyes by D. T. Powell is an issue-facing Contemporary novel for adult churched Christians. It addresses homosexuality and same-sex attraction from a Biblical perspective without falling into the trap of the extreme responses we too often see from modern churches. It holds similar views to Jackie Hill Perry, Becket Cook, Rosaria Butterfield, and Christopher Yuan.
Click here to get your copy!
D. T. Powell has loved stories since before she can remember, and it was one of those stories that God used to change her life and prompt her to start writing. In addition to writing book reviews for a magazine as well as original contemporary and speculative fiction, she has actively contributed to the fanfiction community since 2013. Her original work has been published by Writers Digest, Clean Fiction Magazine, Twenty Hills Publishing, The Order of the Pen Press, Worldsmyths, and Cadence Writing. She enjoys reading, playing pickleball, and playing an occasional video game. You can find her online as dtill359.
Her favorite verse is Psalm 126:5, “They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.”
More from D.T.
Driving through a deserted intersection at 3:30 AM isn’t an ideal time for much of anything. But I remember the moment clearly, because in that instant, I chose to accept God’s prompting to do something I thought was impossible (or, at the very least, inadvisable)—write a Christian fiction book with a main character who’d just lost his husband.
Being a Christian in traditional circles, I believe that any intimate relationship outside of a Biblical marriage is not pleasing to God and goes against His will and plan. So, for at least a year before that moment of acceptance, I wrestled with God’s prompting to write such a (to me) non-sequitur.
But God kept bringing this story to mind—sometimes quietly during time spent with Him, and sometimes more loudly through people I got to talk and interact with. He wouldn’t let me forget what He’d asked of me.
Once I’d accepted God’s prompting to write this story, I reluctantly began drafting, but, in fear, I put a pseudonym on it. I was terrified that strangers and family members alike would see this premise and lay down immediate judgment of both me and this story.
However, there is one true antidote to fear. Perfect (mature) love. And as I continued to take steps of faith—albeit haltingly at times—God fostered in me a love, not just for this story, but for Him, and for a group of people Christians far too often label and then push aside because of their specific, chosen sin.
With Mercy’s Eyes is a glimpse of how God draws people to Himself. It’s an unapologetic statement that salvation is for all of humanity, no matter how we sin. It’s a look into the life and heart of someone too many Christians might never have given a second thought.
This book takes a non-explicit look at homosexuality and same-sex attraction from the perspective of someone who has lived that life and thought it would bring them happiness, only to wind up empty and no better off than when they began. Often, it’s only when we come to the end of ourselves that we understand just how much we need the Saviour.
God has seen this book through from beginning to end. To honor what He has done, both in me and within these pages, and celebrate His saving grace, I now gladly give my name to this story. I pray God brings With Mercy’s Eyes to the people who need it, just as He brought it to me when I needed it.
Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, August 21
Simple Harvest Reads, August 22 (Author Interview)
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, August 22
Artistic Nobody, August 23 (Author Interview)
Texas Book-aholic, August 24
Guild Master, August 25 (Author Interview)
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, August 26
Fiction Book Lover, August 27 (Author Interview)
Book Butterfly in Dreamland, August 28
Denise L. Barela, August 29 (Author Interview)
Just Your Average reviews, August 30
Life on Chickadee Lane, August 31
For the Love of Literature, September 1 (Author Interview)
Cover Lover Book Review, September 2
Tell Tale Book Reviews, September 3 (Author Interview)
Lots of Helpers, September 3
To celebrate her tour, D.T. is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card and a signed copy of the book!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.
http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf54283
13 comments:
Sounds terrific
This looks like a novel I will thoroughly enjoy. Thanks for sharing.
This title drew me in...congratulations.
Do you have any advice for new writers?
What do you think we can do to decrease adult illiteracy?
Try lots of different writing methods, routines, planning strategies--just jump in a do something. If it doesn't work for you, that's not a bad thing. It just means you now know not to waste time on something that isn't for you. Also, learn and practice the craft of writing. There is a distinct difference between reading someone who doesn't know how to use language well and someone who does. Often, a writer who can use language well can accomplish things others can't.
Thanks. :D
If you could jump into your book world for a day, what would you do first?
I know this is not the kind of answer you're looking for, but it's the one that accurately represents me as a writer.
Stepping into a fictional world is something I typically try to avoid thinking about. I tend to view fiction as something a bit more alive than most are comfortable with, so I choose to extend a certain kind of respect to fiction and draw some very particular boundary lines for myself, in that regard. As a result, to become literally present in a fictional world isn't something I'd be comfortable considering.
What's your biggest writing accomplishment?
I had a hard time putting this book down, too. It is an amazing story.
I don't know that I can answer that, tbh. Anything I write, I don't write alone. The books and stories I work on aren't really mine to claim. There are so many moments where I, as a writer fall short and need God's mercy and guidance. God is always there to supply my need. Whether that's knowing where to go next in a plot, understanding a character, or simply finding the words for a difficult scene. So to say something is "my accomplishment" is not an honest representation of how I write or who I am as a writer.
I think the most accurate way to describe my writing "accomplishments" is that writing with God brings me joy, and it's something I never want to stop doing.
I'm thrilled to know you invested time in With Mercy's Eyes. Thank you.
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