Elaine Stock and her novel Always With You

About Always With You:

Can she move forward without knowing her past?

Will he enjoy his present if he can’t free himself from what he left behind?

In the heart of the Adirondacks, Isabelle lives in the shadow of a dark family secret whose silent burden strips her family of emotional warmth and faith in God. Tyler belongs to the religious sect called The Faithful, which Isabelle’s father dislikes immensely. Yet, because Tyler belongs to this group, Isabelle sees only a man devoted to his family and faith.

She wants it; she gets it; they marry.

And when the truth comes out, Isabelle faces two choices:

Staying could endanger her child.

Leaving could cost her life.

Buy the book:

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1JYAwNy

Barnes and Noble: http://bit.ly/1PfRyXX

A Brief Interview with Elaine Stock:

What do you love about this book?

One of my passions is helping to stamp out hatred and prejudice between different races and faiths. I grew up in Brooklyn, NY during the 60s, surrounded by civil rights protests. In my youngest years I was raised in what was considered as a very poor section, filled with “lower class” people, which I was typecast into. I never understood why there was so much misunderstanding and name-calling, why people refused to get along, and why those who did not live in East New York failed to respect us as human beings who had the same needs as anyone else.

Many years later, tragically, 9-11 struck.

Always With You is my attempt to show that God created us as equals and loves us all the same… it is up to us to follow Him the way He wants us to.

Share one or two things you learned during researching or publishing this book

As a former psychology major I’m fascinated by the why behind hatred. I researched a lot to grasp the motivation behind these emotional preferences. It was only when I learned that these people not only justify their feelings but also develop an entire lifestyle behind it that swallows them whole did I begin to understand (though not condone!) the whys behind their action.

Introduce us to your most difficult character.

I like challenges in my writing. Each of my characters in Always With You provided their own unique test. In creating Isabelle I had to make her a naïve but intelligent young woman who at first stands up for what she wants but puts aside her independence when love blindsides her. Tyler is a wounded man, wanting to give to his family and his faith so much out of his heart that he refuses to see the harm he surrounds his loved ones in. However, my most villainous character, the group leader, Thomas, is a hating machine—he had to be portrayed as both a loving man to his devoted followers yet, willing to snuff out the lives of others who won’t follow his beliefs. Hmm. Doesn’t that seem to be the way of past and present figures who have changed the shape of the world?

What are you reading now, Elaine? 

I just finished Room by Emma Donoghue, which is an amazing story both plot wise and POV wise since it’s told strictly through the viewpoint of a five-year-old boy. I’m about to begin Secrets She Kept by Cathy Gohlke because I enjoy WW II based fiction, especially if it’s a time-slip novel that tells a story between 2 different eras.

Can you share what's next for you?

I’m finishing up a story that involves 3 different family members that all need rescuing within 1 week’s time and for different reasons.

Sounds complicated and excited. I look forward to trying it out. Best wishes, Elaine, and thanks for coming. 

About the Author:

A former Brooklyn gal, Elaine Stock lives in the Northeast with her husband where she enjoys spring, summer, autumn, and puts up with the winter. A member of several writing associations, she also is a contributing author to the international “Happy Sis Magazine.” In addition to Twitter  Facebook  and Goodreads  she hangs out on her active blog, Everyone’s Story, dedicated to uplifting and encouraging all readers through the power of story and hope. Check out her Reading Group Guide her website.

My review:

Always With You is a cautionary tale of the dangers of keeping secrets, of following after false impressions, of swallowing one side of a truth as presented.

Lonely young people, one from a family of violent abusers and another from an austere but comfortable home, find each other during a moment of terror. Isabelle, a high school grad and waiting to get into the college of her dreams is rescued by Tyler, who lives on a compound of an outwardly innocent community. After her knight comes to her aid, she battles her family and the suspicions of her small town to look beyond their animosity toward the group who keeps itself apart from Outsiders. When she knows she can’t win, she surrenders to the Faithful.

Tyler knows inwardly all is not right with the Faithful family who rescued him and his siblings as unsecure orphans. But his desire to take care of his family, including his young wife, overrides other sensibilities and creates a desperate turmoil he doesn’t understand and does not know who to turn to for help and trust.

Told from three viewpoints, one not introduced until the last part of the story, Always With You is a frightening page turner, making any parent want to go and hug his child, no matter the age. Twists and well-planted cues lead to some inspiring aha moments, as well as the possibility of surprise in that it is not completely predictable. Recommended for those who like gritty stories of redemption and reality mixed in with credible characters in inspirational fiction.