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| Rayanne Sinclair |
What was the inspiration for this book?
I must admit that my stories are “given” to me – from
beginning to end. As you know, I’ve not
spent a lifetime dreaming about becoming an author – and certainly not an
author of fiction. I often don’t see the
purpose behind these stories until they are completed in first draft. That can
be frustrating, but I actually think it forces me to simply trust that the Lord
has some intention with the books that I may never know or understand this side
of heaven.
As with all my novels (genre: new adult inspirational
romance), I’m trying to project role models for today’s young women in my
female leads. They are young but they are also clear about who they are, what
they want, and what they stand for. I seek to display them as strong and feminine. I also want strong male
characters because all too often the romance genre creates paper doll images of
men. They are predictable and one-dimensional when they need to be authentic.
Finally, my main inspiration for these books is to lift up traditional and
covenantal marriage – a theme of “biblical” proportion.
As for Page Turner specifically, I find the greatest
inspiration in the statement made by the Methodist pastor when he observes: The pastor then marveled aloud that a Jew could
more readily come to Christ than a man raised in the church. “We just don’t
know the plans and timing of God, yet we must trust him wholly. For in the end,
he only and always does what is just and right.”
Many relationships are presented in this novel. There are
father-son relationships: Pastor and his son; Page's father and his son. In the first case, religious commitment comes
between the father and the son, and in the second case, their relationship
seems to be stronger because of their faith commitment. Any comments?
As you know, the genre is almost always written from the
female POV, but these father/son relationships end up adding texture to the
story.
There are mother-daughter relationships: Page and her mother have a
good relationship. Page seeks her advice and trusts her. Any comments about this?
Though it’s clear that Page has been raised with plenty
of father-love from which she derives her confidence and drive, it’s also clear
that she takes most of her “messages” from her mom. And Mrs. Holden is full of
Godly wisdom as she draws Page to the right conclusions without being preachy.
There are mother–son relationships: Gavi’s mother and her son are
estranged and Gavi’s decision to be with Page makes the estrangement worse. The reader senses that the estrangement
extended to the deceased father also, someone who was too harsh with his son.
The reader should have no doubts that Gavi was driven
hard by demanding parents who may have been seeking a “prize” rather than a
relationship in their son. Despite that, it’s also clear that Gavi tries hard
to be a good son to his mother. It was also important to the story line that he
be uncompromising about leaving and cleaving – i.e., his declaration of love
and intent to marry Page. Gavi’s heart
is changed by Christ such that he ultimately chooses to leave behind the
bitterness that his parents (especially mother) held onto.
Religious commitment plays a role in all these relationships. Can
you speak about this?
The faith commitment of the first character one meets on
the first page in all my books (Anne in Steal Away, Kat in Beso Dulce, and Page
in Page Turner) lays down the marker for what will be fundamental in all her
choices/decisions. They all take what some might consider to be “risks in
relationship,” but they are guided by a faith that God will confirm for them
what is right.
At the end of the novel, you pull together many threads by posing the story of widows: Page’s mother and Page herself. If we add in the account of Gavi’s mother, we have a story about three widows. I was reminded of the book of Ruth, which is about three widows facing life decisions. Two decide to follow move on, following their faith. Page’s mother begins a late in life career. Page moves from being a small town girl to a world traveling pianist. Gavi’ mother resists change and decides to “stay in Moab.” Did you have the story of Ruth in mind?
No, but I’m glad you saw that story there!
This novel has an important message for young women who are hoping
to find their life partner.
Exactly. That message should be “know who you are in
Christ first – and be ready (prepared/decided in advance) to give an answer for
the hope that lies within you when that’s tested.” In other words, don’t
compromise or settle.
Your experiences of the Vietnam era and Ohio State University lend
strong background to this novel. Any thoughts about why you chose this time and
setting?
I enjoyed my college years at OSU, but also wanted to
frame the female lead in small-town America. I also prefer to write about
places I have seen/visited. Lastly, I
love college football! It seemed like a perfect match. (You’ll note on the
acknowledgements page that I give a hat tip to the OSU Buckeyes football
national championship victory. I wrote that acknowledgement before the game took place because I had
a clear sense that despite – or perhaps because of – their challenges this past
season, I knew they would prevail.)
As for Page’s brother and his service and ultimate
sacrifice in Vietnam, I felt it was simply something that could not be ignored
when writing in this era. With more than 50K troops lost over such a long
period of time, it had to be memorialized.