When facing the impossible, will you believe? Storm clouds gather over a small Michigan town. As thunder shakes the sky, the lights inside St. Thomas Church flicker... and then go out. All is black until a thick bolt of lightning slices the sky, striking the church’s large wooden cross — leaving it ablaze and splintered in two. When the storm ends, the search for answers begins. James Lindy, the church’s blind minister, wonders how his small congregation can repair the cross and keep their faith in the midst of adversity. And he hears the words “only believe.” Macey Lewis, the town’s brilliant young oncologist, is drawn to Alex, a young boy who’s recently been diagnosed with an aggressive leukemia. She puts her hope in modern medicine — yet is challenged to “only believe.” And Alex’s single mom, who has given everything she can to her boy, is pleading with God to know the reason this is happening... to save her son. But she only hears silence and wonders how she can possibly “only believe.” The Reason is a milestone debut novel, opening with a thunderbolt and never letting up as it introduces us to everyday characters who are wrestling with the questions: Where is God when bad things happen? And does God ignore the prayers of the faithful? The answer each character receives will astound listeners while offering an unforgettable call to hope, to change, to . . . only believe.
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"This is a great novel, especially if you "believe" in a "higher power". The ending is a surprise and brought me to tears. The author has a checkered past and so for the shear volume of emotion in this first novel, one has to read it and be amazed. Hope I can write a novel this compelling some day."
— Anne-marie (4 out of 5 stars)
" The author said, upon asked about this story, is that he wanted people to only believe that everything in this book could happen. I do. "
— Lorelei, 2/12/2014" This sounds like a wonderful book. A little thriller with a christian theme. I'm looking forward to this book! "
— Shannon, 1/21/2014" What an impact this book had on my heart and soul! Amazing book with an amazing message - Just Believe! and our Heavenly Father ALWAYS turns bad into good!! Read this book!! "
— Karen, 12/19/2013" I loved this book. It was an uplifting read. Miracles happen every day, I would strongly suggest you read this book. Wonderful!!!!!!!!!!!! "
— Jacqueline, 12/12/2013" This book would make a great Christian Hallmark movie! "
— Mary, 10/18/2013" I loved this book. This was the 1st book written by this author. Hope he continues to write other novels. "
— Sarah, 8/7/2013" This was a really sweet book. From the very first page I was hooked. "
— Nicole, 5/22/2013" I'm so excited to have won this book - it sounds wonderful - thank you!!! "
— Shirley, 5/14/2013William Sirls, once a senior vice president in a large investment firm, was incarcerated in 2007 for wire fraud and money laundering. Life lessons involving faith, grace, and forgiveness are evident in his writing. His books include The Sinners Garden and The Reason. Sirls makes his home in southern Michigan.
Johnny Heller, winner of numerous Earphones and Audie Awards, was named a “Golden Voice” by AudioFile magazine in 2019. He has been a Publishers Weekly Listen-Up Award winner from 2008 through 2013 and he has been named a top voice of 2008 and 2009 and selected as one of the Top 50 Narrators of the Twentieth Century by AudioFile magazine.