It’s always a delight to introduce you to a new writer! Born a Brit, but now a Canadian, debut novelist, Melanie Stevenson, has penned a contemporary romance novel that author and blogger Danielle Macaulay claims is “a beautiful and enthralling story of obedience, patience, romance and redeeming love.” Melanie has been passionate about reading, writing, and drawing since childhood, and after homeschooling her children for eighteen years, she’s now writing up a storm, soon to add a devotional to her published books.

Enjoy meeting Melanie and her characters, Katie and Justin, and discover a new writer of issue-driven contemporary romance…

One woman finds herself bound to a past she cannot forget.

Another, driven by past choices she can neither change nor accept.

It’s been over a year. That should be enough time to forget a first love. But aspiring artist Katie Banks is still waiting. Not even Justin Burke, her university classmate, has been able to erase the hurt Aiden Ford inflicted, or weaken Katie’s resolve to never date a man who doesn’t share her faith. When Katie accepts a scholarship to study in Paris, it places much-needed distance between her and Justin. But love still eludes her, until a stormy night and a tragic accident change everything. The possibility that she and Aiden might be able to find their forever love this time both excites and terrifies Katie.

Can she forgive past hurts, or will the walls she’s built to protect herself keep love a distant dream?

Katie Banks

Physical Stats

Height:

Katie 5’8”

Hair colour & style:

Katie has long, blonde hair that reaches down the middle of her back. She keeps her bangs long and often puts her hair up in a bun when painting or in a ponytail when running.

Eye colour:

Katie’s eyes are bright blue. Justin is captivated by them and describes them as “… beautiful, open and light. Their colour like a cloudless, mid-summer’s day.”

Favorite accessory or clothing style:

Katie’s favorite accessory is her running shoes. She enjoys a relaxed, unfussy, minimalist style of dressing and prefers a comfortable sweater over a blazer, or to opt for a simple cotton t-shirt and worn jeans.

Resembles… 

Can’t live without…

There are two things Katie can’t live without, her paint supplies and her running shoes.

Strengths

Katie is solid in her faith, unwavering in her beliefs despite peer pressure, and uncompromising in her ideals, all with kindness, gentleness, and understanding. Her faith in God is her true north and she isn’t willing to compromise it for a love relationship. When seeking direction or when facing uncertainties she prays and trusts God to guide her. She leans into God to help her overcome her painful circumstances, and, despite the various hardships she encounters, she finds the strength to be hopeful and positive.

Vulnerabilities

Katie struggles with past hurt, both from the abandonment from her father, and a difficult break-up. She is cautious in relationships and, without realizing it, has built a wall to protect herself from getting hurt again. Large events or parties make Katie uncomfortable. She grows quiet when feeling insecure, especially when complimented or when the spotlight is on her. For this reason, she often seeks out solitude. She is more relaxed at small gatherings and in quiet places where she feels more confident and can be herself.

Passions

Passionate about painting, Katie studies Fine Art in university and her dream is to become a known artist. She adores hot chocolate with whipped cream, beautiful architecture and thatched cottages, and loves to go for long runs. She is also passionate about helping those with less opportunity and resources and uses her time and money to help others in need.

What book or movie would they recommend?

Katie would recommend the movie, Loving Vincent.

Your inspiration for the character

Much of Katie’s character and behaviour were drawn from my personal experiences. Many of Katie’s thoughts and actions are how I would hope to respond when faced with the hardships she endures, and her character traits are those I would like to exhibit when under the same pressures. It’s safe to say that she is the version of myself I aspire to. She is the picture of a strong, idealistic woman who is trying to keep herself unmarred by the culture and circumstances that surround her while loving others.

Justin Burke

Physical Stats

Height:

Justin 6’1”

Hair colour & style:

Justin has short, curly dark brown hair. One curl has a constant propensity to fall over one of his eyes.

Eye colour:

Justin has kind, warm, chestnut-brown eyes. Katie notices that “they were like the draw of a strong magnet, ever attracting her and pulling her closer.”

Favorite accessory or clothing style:

Justin prefers a casual/relaxed style. He is most comfortable in worn jeans or his running gear but looks equally handsome in dress clothes. His favourite accessory is his camera.

Resembles…

Can’t live without…

Justin can’t live without his camera.

Strengths

Justin is thoughtful, funny, romantic, and tenacious. He is respectful of Katie and her faith and resourceful in his attempts to gain her affection. He doesn’t let his dreams drift away but works to achieve them while remaining hopeful about the future.

Vulnerabilities

Though he revers him, Justin is haunted by the fear of becoming like his wealthy father who left when he was twelve to live the high life dating various younger women. His sensitivity makes him vulnerable to getting hurt as he falls headlong in love with Katie. Despite all his attempts, Katie frustrates and confuses him by trying to keep him at arm’s length. Though he doesn’t understand it, her faith seems to stand in the way, that and the wall she’s built to protect herself using the bricks of past hurt. Will all his attempts to reach her fail?

Passions

Justin is passionate about photography. Though he feels the pressure from his parents to get his engineering degree, he takes art courses as electives to develop skills in the arts. He also enjoys old films, hot chocolate with whipped cream, and running. He is passionate about helping the poor and finds ways to use his education and photography to assist them.

What book or movie would they recommend?

Justin would recommend an old or foreign film such as The Bicycle Thief, by Italian director Vittorio De Sica.

Your inspiration for the character

Justin’s character is inspired by emotionally strong men who allow themselves to feel, who find a way to do the right thing, who stay true to their dreams and search out truth. Justin is in tune with his emotions, calls things as they are, and works to overcome his past. He is an amazing match for Katie, and he loves her. All of this makes it exceedingly difficult for Katie to say no to a relationship with him. He’s perfect for her but lacks one thing. He doesn’t love God. And that one thing is what Katie isn’t willing to overlook.

Background to the story 

One More Tomorrow was birthed in an unconventional way. My husband and I were at Milwaukee airport waiting for our flight home when the first line sparked in my mind. I snatched my husband’s laptop and began writing the first page. The novel unfolded from there. The characters, their circumstances, and their reactions to their struggles grew organically as I drew from the perspective of own life experiences. By placing my characters in raw life trials, I hoped to examine human imperfection and struggles, the ways we attempt to cope, the fall-out of the decisions we make, and the hope that can be found in Jesus.

Katie’s story asks the question, how do we authentically live out our faith and stay true to what we believe when surrounded by hardship, pain, and pressure from the world? Through Katie, we see genuine faith lived out. Through Justin’s character, we learn the difference between knowing about God and having a transformational relationship with him.

Thanks Melanie!

Born in England, Melanie now lives in Southern Ontario surrounded by her husband, four children, and a house full of pets. She entered the University of Waterloo as an English major and graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. An avid prayer journaler, she has been writing devotionals for over a decade. With a passion for the arts, she has directed numerous stage plays and teaches acting classes to young people and adults. Melanie spent eighteen years home schooling her children, still finding the soul-nourishing time to write, garden, and paint. One More Tomorrow is her first book.

Relz Reviewz Extras
Visit Melanie’s website and blog
Buy at Amazon: One More Tomorrow