1) Can you please provide a brief summary of your novel, Mara the Unseen Battle?

I’d love to… Mara the Unseen Battle is a gripping Christian suspense novel set in 1970s small-town Canada and the San Francisco Bay area. As Mara endures her mother’s relentless cruelty, an unseen supernatural war rages around her—guardian angels fight to protect, while dark forces seek to destroy. In this first book of a powerful trilogy, spiritual warfare comes to life, faith is tested, and prayer becomes a weapon. Fans of Frank Peretti will find a fresh twist in this story of light versus darkness, love versus revenge—one that lingers long after the final page and may even transform your prayer life.

 2) In Mara the Unseen Battle, Mara is a young girl caught in the vortex of a very dysfunctional abusive home. Some may even find the read difficult. What inspired you to write such a heart-wrenching story and why should everyone read it?

The abuse plotline in Mara the Unseen Battle draws from both my own life and the true, but very tragic story of Gabriel Fernandez who was murdered by his own mother. Child abuse is horrific and real. I hope this book speaks to two kinds of readers: the wounded, offering hope that God can heal the past—I know this firsthand—and everyone else, urging them to stay vigilant, report abuse, and protect the innocent.

The spiritual warfare theme reveals the true source of such evil. In a world that dismisses demonic activity, this story challenges believers to pray with Holy Spirit power and know they can overcome the darkness through faith in Jesus Christ.

 3) We follow Mara from infancy to her late teens in this story. How did you manage the POV through the eyes of baby, child, then teen?

This was a very interesting write. As a baby and young child, the story unfolds through her parents’ perspectives, revealing her mother’s deep resentment and the darker forces at play. As Mara matures, I adapted her thoughts and speech to reflect her growing awareness. My editors pushed me to ensure each stage felt authentic, making this, indeed, a challenge to write.

 4) Angels and demons become chillingly real in this story. Why did you choose to give them a POV?

I gave Ansel, Mara’s guardian angel, and Komar, her assigned demon, a POV to make them come alive rather than be distant, unseen forces. While stories of angels captivate us—like Touched by an Angel or Chicken Soup for the Soul—few acknowledge the reality of fallen angels. Satan and his demons are just as real. By giving Ansel and Komar distinct personalities, goals, and story arcs, they become tangible, making the spiritual battle in Ephesians 6 feel urgent and real. When we really think about what that passage says… “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places…” NKJV it’s quite creepy unless we know that God is way more powerful, which of course, He is. It’s my hope that readers will be inspired to pray with greater awareness and authority.

 5) Your characters are always unique, layered, and complex. What are the traits of the main character that you most admire?

Writing Mara’s character arc and growth—from an abused child to a teen discovering her worth—with such resilient courage was a trait I admired the most. Mara battled to live in a world that was often cruel. In books two and three, her inner healing and faith deepen as God transforms her into a powerful woman of faith. Everything Satan has brought against her will be used for good, turning trials into triumphs. My prayer is that readers will see themselves in Mara and find the courage to remain faithful when their own faith is tested.

 6) Why did you choose to set Mara the Unseen Battle in both small-town Canada and the San Francisco Bay Area?

The contrast between small-town Canada and the San Francisco Bay area is stark. The abuse in a quiet, seemingly safe town highlights that such horrors can happen anywhere. The shift to the Bay area lightens the tone, illustrating the stark difference between darkness and light. It symbolizes a new life and renewed hope for Mara, but even in a fresh start, the battle for Mara’s soul continues, reminding readers that darkness knows no boundaries.

 7) Mara the Unseen Battle delves into two challenging topics—spiritual warfare and child abuse. Why did you take a sabbatical from writing feel good historical romance to write Christian suspense?

Mara, The Unseen Battle… found me. I loved writing historical romance. I was building a following, won awards on almost every book I wrote, and loved what I was doing, and do plan to return to that genre. But as I finished up my last series, the Holy Spirit spoke so clearly to me, that I was to shift into a Christian suspense series on spiritual warfare. I was to write from that deep place of my own experiences of childhood abuse and reveal what is happening behind the scenes when a parent can be so cruel. However even more importantly, that we are never alone, but have an amazing powerful God, and a guardian angel at the ready.

 8) How difficult was it to write Mara the Unseen Battle when some of these heart-wrenching scenes come from you own life?

I changed enough of the story to be deemed fiction out of compassion and grace for my abuser, but I know why God inspired me to write this. He’s taken the darkest parts of my life and used them for His glory to proclaim healing. The abused don’t have to remain victims or become abusers. Jesus can heal the broken-hearted, set the captive free, and trade the spirit of heaviness for a garment of praise. (I know because I’m one of them.) Most amazingly, He can remove bitterness and help us forgive, allowing us to be healthy, whole individuals who are able to give back to the world.

 9) What do you hope readers take away from Mara the Unseen Battle?

I’m always hesitant to answer this, as reader messages have shown me that God speaks differently to each person. This is a story about the reality of spiritual warfare in a world that often ignores the truth of Satan, our enemy—and, more importantly, the power of our loving God. When readers engage with the story, it becomes theirs, not just mine. One person who has experienced abuse may find hope and healing, another may develop empathy for those who have suffered, while another may be encouraged to pray. The lessons are as diverse as the readers themselves.

 10) What do you love most about writing?

What I love most is the ability to share stories, like Jesus did in His parables, to touch hearts and emotions. Every word penned is about the reader. In writing this three-book series my prayer is that readers will not only be entertained but also inspired to realize the power of their prayer. And that when their faith is tested, they’ll have the strength to stand on the amazing truth of God, knowing we are never alone, never forsaken, and always dearly loved. And it’s pretty cool that we each have our own guardian angel, don’t you think?

 11) How can readers connect with you?

I love to hear from readers! You can find me on my website at blossomturner.com

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