Episode 7 :: Simply Stories Podcast :: Bethany Turner

Today’s conversation with award winning author Bethany Turner is just another picture about why I love getting the perspective of Christian fiction authors because they bring such a creative view of the world around us, the church and how popular culture and faith meet head on. Bethany is a master of processing real life issues with wit and grace, mixed with a healthy dose rom-com and the result is truly delightful. In our conversation, we discuss her new newest book Wooing Cadie McCaffery (affectionately known as #WooCaM), but we also take a DEEP dive into a fascinating discussion that ended up being more timely than we could have ever known.

Her debut Christian Fiction novel is called The Secret Life of Sarah Hollenbeck and first of all, and while it is a fantastic read, and snort out loud hilarious, it is a story of a mainstream author, known for salacious work, becoming a Christian and her journey to figure out life with Jesus, while still wearing the same skin made famous for feeding empty hearts with worldly yuck. Within the last few months we have seen huge Hollywood names making proclamations of faith and one of them in particular, released work that demonstrates his declaration of faith and there is a significant conversation in the church about whether or not we believe Kanye or anyone else’s conversion. Ironically enough, it is a very similar tale for Sarah Hollenbeck. Isn’t. That. Interesting. Now, I know fiction isn’t Gospel, but it can absolutely, if we are willing, allow us to ask ourselves some hard questions. Would we believe the testimony of a Sarah Hollenbeck? Will we believe Kanye West? Or Brad Pitt or Justin Beiber and etc.? And if you’ll allow me, would we have believed Rahab, Ruth, Mary Magdalene, the adulterous woman, Saul who became Paul or anyone else who lived a sin wrecked and saturated life before they encountered their Savior? God is trustworthy with their story and if it brings Him glory and draws others to Himself, then Lord, use it. The end.

PS: Both The Secret Life of Sarah Hollenbeck and Wooing Cadie McCaffrey are on MEGA sale on amazon right now. You can find links to those and to ways to listen in my bio. :) If you enjoy this conversation, I’d be honored if you shared it, and be sure you go and follow Bethany! Her social media presence always brightens my week.

References:

The Secret Life of Sarah Hollenbeck (affiliate link) I don’t know how long this sale will go on but Y’ALL the Kindle version of this book is on sale for less than $5 right now!!!!! Treat. Yo. Self.

Wooing Cadie McCaffrey (affiliate link) And this Kindle version is on sale for less than $2. That’s insane. Get it while you can!

Anne Rice

Redeeming Love - (affiliate link)

The Book of Hosea

Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon

Tom Hanks

Rita Wilson

Let me just stop here and say, I am an amazon affiliate because your girl is trying hard to find ways to support this podcast and #TeamHumphries. In this episode, Bethany and I make SO many pop culture references, and I always try to give you thorough show notes, and with those powers combine, I just want to be sure and say up front, if you use any of the links from here on out in these notes that I give for books and movies and/or TV shows, just know if they take you to Amazon, they are affiliate links. I’m grateful for your support because I do receive a small commission on purchases made through these links. Carry on :)

“That Thing You Do”

“While You Were Sleeping”

“Family Ties” // Pilot Episode via Prime

“Growing Pains” // Pilot Episode via Prime // Series on DVD

“The A-Team” (not the one you’re thinking of, the original from the 80’s :))

“Cheers” // Complete Series

“Wings” // “Legacy” episode via Prime

Tim Daly

Steven Weber

“NCIS: New Orleans” // Season 1

“Camelot”

“Frozen”