MOUNT VERNON — For Kathryn Preston Reynolds, writing her first novel, “Out of Shadows,” has been an inspiring journey.
“I want to see more Christian books in the hands of young people,” she said. “I wanted to write a basic Christian story that could draw a young girl closer to God and to respect authority.”
The novel is in the genre in Christian Mystery, and although fiction, the story is based on several of Reynold’s real-life experiences.
Reynolds was unsure of where her story would lead, but as she began to write it in 1969 while teaching at her church, she was reassured by two students in her class to continue.
“I had put it aside for a while and forgot about it, then I moved to Boulder, Colo., and stayed there for two and a half years,” she said.
While living in Boulder, Reynolds was encouraged to write the city as one of the settings in her book.
“The book is dated in the 1960s, but it is still relevant today,” said Reynolds, who explained the theme centers on the consequences of teenage rebelliousness and struggles to have a relationship with God.
Taking readers on twists and turns, the story follows the life of main character, Jackie Porter, a young woman who goes against her parent’ss wishes and marries a young man, Don, only to have her life thrown into further sorrow.
“But the book also talks about what happens to her as God draws her back to him,” said Reynolds. And as the main character gives her life to God, things begin to change and she steadily moves out of the shadows.
Reynolds ends the story with a cliffhanger. At first, Reynolds was uncertain of whether she would continue the story or leave it as is, but after hearing readers’ comments she is working on a sequel with Mount Vernon being the possible setting.
“People are so friendly here and not so impersonal like in West Palm. I’m excited and really anxious about writing the sequel,” she said. “I’m already into the sixth chapter of the sequel and God has just been pouring ideas into me.”
Reynolds was born and raised in West Palm Beach, Fla. In the fall of 2009, she and her husband, Charlie, moved to Butler, where they retired to country life. Looking for a church similar to the one they attended in Florida, Reynolds found a home at Trinity Assembly of God in Mount Vernon.
The book was written in honor of her father who, Reynolds said, started a book but never got to finish it before his death.
“My father always wanted to write a novel. I just wanted to honor him. We were close and he died in 1972 of cancer,” she said.
Book signings will be held at Trinity Assembly of God on Saturday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Sunday 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. Guests will also be able to purchase copies of the book online at xlibris.com, amazon.com and barnesandnoble.com.
