Flowers from Afghanistan by Suzy Parish is a Salute Military Bookish Event pick #womensfiction #christianwomensfiction #salutemilitary #giveaway
- N. N. Light
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
Title: Flowers from Afghanistan
Author: Suzy Parish
Genre: Christian Women’s Fiction
Book Blurb:
Weighed down by guilt following the death of his two-year-old son, Mac McCann accepts a year-long position training police officers in Afghanistan. Leaving his wife Sophie to grieve alone, he hopes the life-or-death distractions of his self-imposed exile will build a wall between him and his pain. As camaraderie builds between Mac and the men on base—including a local barber and his precocious little boy—Mac's heart becomes invested in stories beyond his own tragedy and he learns he is not the only one running from loss. But when the hour of attack arrives, will he be able to see past his guilt to believe there's still something—and someone—worth living for? With touching details based on true events, Flowers from Afghanistan is a redemptive journey of healing, a chronicle of hope in crisis, and a testament to the faithfulness of God through it all.
Excerpt:
"Little Mac, where are you?"
Giggles came from behind an old sheet draped over our breakfast nook table, a makeshift tent. I pretended to look behind the sofa. "Are you behind the couch?"
More giggles.
"Are you under the coffee table?" I crawled on my belly, looking in the 3-inch space between the coffee table and floor. "Nope. I don't see you."
Infectious laughter.
I crawled over to the table, slowly, slowly, calling his name until? "Gotcha!" I threw the sheet back and grabbed him in my arms, tumbling and tickling him until his laughter bounced off the walls.
"I thought I heard my two favorite guys!" Sophie came in from the kitchen, pulling an oven glove off her hand and laying the mitt on the table. The yeasty smell of warm bread breezed in her wake. "I'm having photos made from your going away party. The sergeant's words about you were very touching. I hadn't heard stories about a few of those calls you were on. How was the office party today?"
"Good. Chief even came by to wish me luck."
"Luck. I hope you have more than luck. I'm praying for God's protection."
I shook my head. "Don't start in on me about God-stuff again."
Sophie turned away. "Dinner's ready."
"I promised the guys I'd bring Little Mac by the barbershop to visit and get a haircut."
"Wait until tomorrow. You'll have more time," Sophie said.
If I'd listened to her, things would be different.
Buy Links (including Goodreads and BookBub):
Barnes&Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/flowers-from-afghanistan-suzy-parish/1128482105?ean=9781522300427
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/flowers-from-afghanistan?sId=5087ecec-26b9-4f3c-9f02-a685eb3bfab5
What makes your featured book a must-read?
Flowers from Afghanistan is a beautifully written story about redemption and forgiveness, lost love, and found love, and faithfulness during difficulty. Mac's struggle with overcoming his demons is painful and real. It is one of those stories you will hate to see end.
Giveaway –
Enter to win a $20 Amazon gift card:
Open Internationally.
Runs May 20 – May 28, 2025.
Winner will be drawn on May 29, 2025.
Author Biography:
Suzy Parish grew up in Richmond, Virginia, where she and her brother Roger took refuge from the summer heat in the neighborhood Bookmobile. Suzy would stow away on the threadbare carpet in the corner of the bus, back pressed against the bookshelves. She read for hours. Inspired by authors similar to James Herriot, and Anna Sewell, she dreamed of writing her first book.
Years later, Suzy and her husband, Chet, made their home in Huntsville, Alabama, where they raised three daughters. Chet encouraged Suzy to write. When he retired as a Huntsville Police Investigator, Chet traveled to Afghanistan to train locals in police work. Suzy cobbled together the sights and sounds of Afghanistan from Chet's internet calls. His vivid descriptions later formed the framework for her debut novel, Flowers from Afghanistan.
The Military Writers Society of America awarded Flowers from Afghanistan a bronze medal. The book was chosen as the Best First Book in Inspirational Romance by the National Readers' Choice Awards.
Parish's stories celebrate the resilience of the human spirit and the faithfulness of God.
Suzy is a proud wife, mom, and Nonni to five incredible humans. Her dog, Sandy, frequently visits the veterinarian's office because she loves socks.
Social Media Links:
Website: www.suzyparish.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/suzy.parish
