Grace in Strange Disguise

Written by Christine Dillon

Narrated by Christine Dillon

Instead of a wedding, Esther is facing radical surgery and chemotherapy. Where is God when she needs him most?

Esther is a people pleaser. It’s never been a major problem because she’s just gone with the flow. Her father has always preached, “Follow Jesus and you’ll be blessed.” And up until age twenty-eight, Esther has never had any reason to doubt it.

Will she appease her father? Or will she listen to the words of a stranger who challenges everything she believes?

Grace in Strange Disguise is a soul-stirring contemporary Christian novel. Book 1 in the Grace series.

If you like compelling Christian fiction, relatable characters, and real emotion, then you’ll love Christine Dillon’s inspiring series.

280 pages

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christine Dillon
• Release date: Mar 1, 2019
• ISBN: 9780648129653

Christine Dillon

Christine Dillon works as a church planter in Taiwan with OMF International. She has been a missionary there for the past twelve years, but lived in Asia as a child while her parents were missionaries as well. The prevalent belief system in Dillon's area is ancestor and idol worship with only .8% of the population being christian. Her evangelism approach consists of storying, discipling, and training of locals and other missionaries. Dillon previously published 1-2-1 Discipleship in 2009 (Christian Focus).

[Connie White · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

So many books I read seem superficial and lack that soul-stirring quality that made me love reading to begin with. Grace in Strange Disguise captured that soul-stirring beautifully, painting a beautiful picture of someone wrestling with their faith in the midst of troubles. I would recommend this book to anyone who is a Christian, anyone who has been wounded or turned off to Christianity by perceptions of Christians around them, or to anyone curious about the Christian faith in general. In fact, I'd just recommend it to anyone! It's not my normal genre, but I will read more of Christine Dillon's work. I listened to the audiobook and enjoyed Christine's narration. So impressive when an author can narrate their own work as well!

[jeannierhi79 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Is your faith lacking and in need of a boost? Read this book. So convicting and encouraging at the same time. I flew through it so quickly, I initially thought it was just a novella, but it was just that engrossing and exactly what I needed at this moment. Looking forward to continuing through Esther's story and feel she was appropriately named, as I needed her "for such a time as this".

[sashig-751155 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

If you like Francine Rivers, you will like this author.

For her first fiction novel, Dillon has crafted a wonderful story, with characters you can relate to or know of and believable human responses. I really appreciate that this is not another cheesy Christian love story but about faith and relationships.

The five stars are for the emotional impact this book had on me. Esther's faith journey, her doubts, her anger and later her spiritual awakening all connected on a visceral level. The reality of her relationship with Jesus is seen in her desire to read the Bible, to seek him out in prayer and to seek opportunities to tell others about him. This story has personally convicted me to pray for opportunities and to trust the Holy Spirit for the right words and stories to share.

I am already looking forward to seeing how Esther's faith journey continues especially in terms of Esther's family and with those she has been bold enough to sow a gospel seed.

Thank you for the reminder that God's grace does come in strange disguises.

[vintagebeckie · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Christine Dillon’s debut novel, Grace in Strange Disguise, opens with a diagnosis of cancer for main character Esther. As shocking as that is, her novel takes Esther through a journey that tests her not only physically, but spiritually. It is, in fact, the spiritual journey that touches the reader the most. Well written, with a main character that quickly grabs the reader’s imagination, this novel is a blessing in many ways. And it is a highly recommended read!

Esther is the only daughter of a pastor of a mega-church in Australia in the early 1990s. His prosperity gospel has attracted many followers. But his strong personality brooks no questions or confrontations. So when Esther is diagnosed with cancer at the age of 28, her father preaches prayer and faith. And if she is not healed that means she is at fault — lack of faith or unrepented sin. Esther’s struggle is lonely and discouraging until she is shown a different way of looking at her faith and her perception of Jesus.

Characters are strong in Grace in Strange Disguise — both those the reader can relate to and to those you just want to shake! ? Even though the book is told in the third person, the reader sees deep inside of Esther’s character — her fears, doubts, preconceived attitudes, and in the end, the hope and peace she finds. As Esther’s cancer treatment progresses, she grows stronger and stronger in her faith. One special character introduces her to a unique way of learning about God — storytelling. And for those who follow the Master Storyteller, it really makes sense. Dillon has developed this in her own life as well. Esther’s story is far from over — there are more books planned for this series. But for her (and the reader) the message is clear — Abraham didn’t know where he was going. He didn’t know how long the journey would take. He only knew the one whom he was following. Was she willing to do the same?

While Esther faces heartbreak and heartache in Grace in Strange Disguise, she gains so much more. I look forward to more from Christine Dillon.

Highly recommended.

Audience: adults.

(Thanks to the author for a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)