Not in the Heart

Written by Chris Fabry

Narrated by Chris Fabry

"I've found the only thing I can control is how well I tell the story and follow the truth... The truth will always lead you to a good place." Truman Wiley used to report news stories around the world, but now the troubling headlines are his own. He's out of work and out of touch with his family, but nothing keeps him awake at night more than his son's failing heart. With hospital bills mounting faster than Truman can gamble his life savings, it seems there's no way out... until his estranged wife throws him a lifeline-the chance to write the story of a death row inmate willing to donate his heart to Truman's son. As the execution clock ticks, Truman uncovers disturbing evidence that may point to a different killer. For his son to live, must an innocent man die? As Truman's investigation escalates, he's forced to face his failures and make a choice that will change his life, his family, and the destinies of two men forever.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Oasis Audio
• Release date: Feb 1, 2012
• ISBN: 9781608149650

Chris Fabry

CHRIS FABRY is a graduate of W. Page Pitt School of Journalism at Marshall University and Moody bible Institute's Advanced Studies Program. Chris can be heard daily on Love Worth Finding, featuring the teaching of the late Dr. Adrian Rogers. He received the 2008 "Talk Personality of the Year" Award from the National Religious Broadcasters. He has published more than 60 books since 1995, many of them fiction for younger readers. Chris collaborated with Jerry B. Jenkins and Dr. Tim LaHaye on the children's series Left Behind: The Kids. His two novels for adults, Dogwood and June Bug, are published by Tyndale House Publishers. Chris is married to his wife Andrea and they have five daughters and four sons.

Reviews for Not in the Heart

[Hugh · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

It was a nailbiter and kept me on the edge. Amazing plot. Relatable and authentic.

[Jeanetta du Preez · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Wow! What a story and excellent plot! It had me in tears in the end! Thank you!

[d-fbuser-643150306 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I couldn't put this book down! Okay, I was lii, but still. Felt like I was one of the insiders. Highly recommend it!

[Vicki Watson · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

First Fabry book I've read. Will leave a lasting impression.

Just listened a 2nd time. My favorite Fabry book. Not light-hearted but very real.

[Laura · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I couldn't stop listening to this audiobook. I highly recommend it.

[pwrxtrem2 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Good book. A little long in getting to the point of the story with the ending is worth reading all the way

[Diane Pater · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Wow when is the movie? Great writing Mr. Fabry Centered around our loving God.

[veragodley · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

?I?ve found the only thing I can control is how well I tell the story and follow the truth. . . . The truth will always lead you to a good place.?--Truman Wiley, lead character in "Not In The Heart"Welcome to the world of a gifted, out-of-work investigative reporter and writer who is estranged from his family that needs him desperately and which he needs desperately. A world of devastating illness, addiction, crime, love, trust, distrust, societal struggles with organ donation, and the world of the condemned on death row.This book has overlapping plot lines and character development that will leave your mind reeling and won't allow you to put it down for long at a time before you are drawn to pick it up again.Chris Fabry has done it again! He has created a tale that stabs at our heart's door and jogs our conscience with issues that we sometimes don't want to face. Issues to which we and society as a whole don't really have clear-cut answers.As this plot unfolds, so do the scars of life come to the surface and a healing of soul begins to take place. Personal healing of relationships between father and daughter, father and son, wife and husband. Healing of a soul in need of a redeemer but which struggles with accepting that redemption and forgiveness.No peaking at the back of this book for it's exciting conclusion. This is a read in which you will not be disappointed.Read the first chapter.ISBN: 978-1-4143-4861-2 Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.Who is Chris Fabry?Chris Fabry is an award-winning author and radio personality who hosts the daily program Chris Fabry Live! on Moody Radio. He is also heard on Love Worth Finding, Building Relationships with Dr. Gary Chapman, and other radio programs. A 1982 graduate of the W. Page Pitt School of Journalism at Marshall University and a native of West Virginia... Read Full Bio Addiction: The main male character in this book, Truman, is addicted. His addiction is gambling. Most of us have someone in our lives who are addicted to something. Growing up in a conservative Christian home, there were few addictions and vices with which we had to deal. There were, however, a number of "smokers." Chain smokers light up one cigarette after another, finish meals with a smoke, and begin and end the day with a smoke. Addicted? Certainly. Most of the time smoking is not something that ruins families like drinking, gambling, immorality. But it is addicting, and it has a lasting, detrimental affect. Our family has dealt with emphysema and cancer as a result their smoking habit or addiction. What has your family dealt with in the line of addiction? Share your story in the comment area and I will share them with the author, Chris Fabry.Chat With Vera's previous review of "A Marriage Carol" by Chris Fabry and Gary Chapman.I was provided a complimentary an advance reader copy of "Not In The Heart" by Tyndale House Publishers in order to provide a review. I was under no obligation to write a positive review.

[M. Malcolm · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This was an excellent book with perfectly flawed, credible characters doing credible things and believing in an awesome God. This was my third read from Chris Fabry and the best this far. I now plan to devour his back list.

[Cheri Bozeman · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I loved this book. Definitely a page turner and I never saw the end coming. I’d recommend to anyone to read this one.

[abbieriddle · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is one of those books that you pick up thinking you will get a heart warming story all neatly tied up. However, this story is one that resonates in the human spirit in such a way that it is sure to make a deep impact on you - leaving you contemplating the redemptive love of Christ.

Truman Wiley is a conflicted, sarcastic, deeply troubled man that is plagued with an addictive past that has held him bondage and has ultimately led to the loss of things he once held dear. This hard-nosed reporter who had once been on the mountain top of success now lived hiding from creditors and other more dangerous and notorious men. His love of the casino has wreaked havoc on his life. I could not help while reading this man's story to contemplate the truth of the scripture 1 Corinthians 6:12 (...All things are permissible for me but I will not be mastered by anything.) for this man truly has become mastered by many things. This very fact has locked him into a pessimistic outlook on life.

Truman is living an existence of sadness and remorse covered by a hard shell of sarcasm. His daughter has little or nothing to do with him. His wife has walked away after years of trying to pull him through his addictive behaviors and pessimistic attitude. His son lays dying of a congenital heart defect in a nearby hospital. His life is a perfect picture of defeat and despair. It is difficult to feel too much sympathy for him as it is the human nature to look on the outside of a man and say "You made your bed" or "just change". However, to truly understand one must realize the power of the enemy over people in bondage. Though the door of freedom is set open before them - they must take the first step. What we see in Truman is a man defeated by his past mistakes, unable to forgive himself for his failures as a man, father, husband, friend, reporter her avoids all responsibility. Unable to accept his son's illness or the fact that he is powerless in correcting it he avoids it - somehow - I believe attributing his own failures and sins to the illness of his son and bearing this responsibility deeply in his heart.

When his ex-wife calls with a proposal for him Truman agrees. He will cover a story of a convicted death row felon. He will put into print this man's story and how he is giving his heart upon execution to Truman's son who has suffered from a deadly heart defect since birth. Little does he know that God has set into motion a plan to "call heaven and earth as a witness against [Truman], that He has set before him blessings and cursing" and is asking him to "choose life, that [he] and [his] children may live" (Duet. 30:19). This story will offer the road of redemption that Truman has long sought after but been too afraid to walk.

Truman quickly discovers that this is no simple story to right. What do you do when the man on death row - tried, convicted and sentenced by the court of law - is really innocent? What more do you do when that man's desire is not to prove his innocence but to speak a more powerful truth of love, forgiveness and redemption through Christ? For Truman the least likely of people is about to show him the greatest character of all - forgiveness. This man that has lived on death row for so many years is about to start Truman out on the pathway of self-discovery where man comes face to face with who he truly is in the presence of a righteous God. There in that place he is faced with the ultimate question - will he step through the door of the prison he has lived so long in and accept the freedom he has been given? Will he take this chance to redeem that which was lost through the power of Christ's forgiveness?

I can honestly say I appreciate the author's portrayal of Truman. In most of the book he is completely unlikeable in a way that is so real to life. In fact the reader can probably think of someone very much like Truman. In this aspect of failing, falling, stumbling blindly, pushing away angrily, grasping at hope eagerly, praying earnestly, and begging for forgiveness - one can easily fall into the story. The reader can relate personally to the tight ropes of bondage, the heavy burden of self-conviction.

This journey opens into something that changes the lives of everyone involved and God's redemptive love ultimately shines through. Each of us has been in bondage - albeit to varying degrees - and each of us has sought the road to redemption. This book explores how difficult this road can be at times but ultimately how rewarding it is in the end.

Many would venture to say that they do not know any person with an addiction. However, I would challenge each person to look beyond the addiction of gambling presented here, or drugs and alcohol. There are so many more things that people can be addicted to or driven by - that one thing they can not let go of. In the ministry I have seen the devastating effects of many kinds of addictions. Though the truth of freedom is set before their eyes it seems that letting go of the addiction is overwhelming - the fear that they have strayed too far to come back. This story is excellent. Be blessed reading it.

Thank you for this beautifully written story. Praying that it touches many lives and that those in deep bondages of addiction find that the truth of Christ will set you free.

Thanks to B&B Communications for this review copy.

[beckybeanne · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Every so often, a book comes along that grabs you and won't let go. Not in the Heart is one such book. I read it quickly, and when I wasn't reading it, I was thinking about it. From the beginning, I assumed Terrelle (the death row inmate) was innocent, and as Truman came closer to the truth, I felt like I was searching for clues right along with him. And once I reached the epilogue, I read the sad-but-satisfying conclusion with tears running down my cheeks.Truman Wiley is not your classic protagonist. An unemployed gambling addict who abandoned his family, he is certainly no hero—and he does things throughout the book that made me want to shake some sense into him. However, I found myself pulling for him, not in a "boy, he sure needs Jesus to fix his life" way but in an "I care about him so much that I wish he could see how much God loves him and get his life back together" way.As I read the book, I thought a lot about Truman. We all know someone like him—someone whose addictions and fears control his or her life; someone we would desperately love to see trust in Christ. While no one close to me is a Truman, I do have friends and family members who have spent hours on their knees praying for their own Trumans. Reading this book reminded me again of the importance of prayer—praying for the Trumans who seem unreachable ... because no one is unreachable to God!Rarely have I been so emotionally invested in a book that it brings me to tears. Not in the Heart is a fantastic book that I highly recommend with 5 out of 5 stars!Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free for review from The B&B Media Group. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

[jillpjones · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Truman Wiley always ran away at the first sign of trouble. It is why he was estranged from his family, riddled with debt and in trouble with loan sharks. He was a man who spent his life wrapped up in his job, so when he lost his job due to the economy he was completely lost and hopeless. Add to that the compulsive gambling and the huge debt he owed to a man of questionable character and you have a man who is willing to do anything.Truman’s son needs a heart transplant soon or he will die. Terrelle Conley is on death row for a murder he says he didn’t commit, but he is willing to donate his heart to Truman’s son because he feels it’s the only thing he can do to bring good out of a bad situation. In return, Truman must write Terrelle’s story and uncovers disturbing evidence that may lead to the real killer. Should an innocent man be allowed to die so that his son can live? Should Truman tell the truth and let his son die?Choices—small ones, big ones, life-changing ones—we make them every day. But what happens when your choice involves an ethical dilemma? What if it also involves someone you care about? What if you have failed at everything and finally have an opportunity to set things right? What if doing the wrong thing gives you a second chance to do the right thing?These questions and more will surface as you read Chris Fabry’s book “Not In The Heart.” It is difficult to read Fabry’s book without facing your own beliefs. It’s easy to be frustrated with Truman. He’s an addict who can’t control his addiction. He gambles away his life savings and continually puts his addiction ahead of his family’s needs even in the midst of pending tragedy. We are forced to look into our own heart, face our mistakes and weaknesses and see our own need for redemption. Can Truman find his? Will he make the right choice? Is there a right decision in the midst of this jumbled up life he’s created for himself and his family? Does God really have a way out?From the first chapter to the last, you will be engaged with this story. This hard-to-put-down book will leave you guessing until the very end. Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from The B&B Media Group, Inc., as part of their Book Review Blogger Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

[michellepedenvasquez · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Not In The Heart by Chris Fabry is an amazing story that is both fast-paced and deeply touching. It’s a compelling story of a man wishing he could somehow make amends for all the damage he has done to his family, but he can’t seem to bring himself to change.Truman Wiley was a well-known reporter who traveled the world capturing all kinds of news stories. The problem is that he did most of that while his kids were growing up without him and his wife was home alone raising the children while he was traipsing all over the world chasing stories. Now his children are young adults and he can’t go back and change the kind of father he was. His marriage may be beyond repair. He has a gambling addiction that he still hasn’t conquered. But, worst of all, is that his son is dying and he can’t bring himself to be there for him. He has the opportunity to go back home and write a story of a convicted killer who is set to be executed and has offered to give Tru’s son his heart in order to save his life. Will coming home to write this story give him the chance to pull his family back together? What happens if he discovers evidence while working on the story that could clear the man who is supposed to die and give his heart to Tru’s son?I very highly recommend this book! As always, Chris Fabry’s writing is simply outstanding. The story will hook you from the very first page and keeps you glued to the pages until the very end. It’s a family drama, but also so much more. There’s a lot of mystery and suspense along with some great plot twists. The characters are so realistic and they had me on an emotional roller coaster. Through much of this book I wanted to hate Truman, but I just couldn’t help but like him. I loved his humor, and I wanted so badly for him to change. I have been a huge fan of Chris Fabry’s writing for quite a while. Dogwood remains one of my all time favorites. I also loved June Bug and Almost Heaven. I am always extremely excited whenever he comes out with a new book because I know it’s going to be an exceptional read.

[vintagebeckie · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I thought Chris Fabry’s book Almost Heaven was great and it is, but Not In The Heart is out of the park good! Truman Wiley is a TV journalist that once had it all — the best family, the best career, the best life — but now he is dodging collection agents, repo men and some very dangerous mobsters. All of this is due to his gambling addiction that has cost him nearly everything in his life including his son who lays dying in a hospital bed. He is just one step away from complete despair when a lifeline of sorts is thrown to him — the story of the man condemned to die who wants to give his heart to Truman’s son. One thing Truman does well is to dig out a story, to uncover the truth of a situation, so he grabs ahold and follows the trail even when it threatens to end the transplant his son desperately needs.Fabry has written a character in Truman Wiley that is at once despicable and sympathetic. He is charming and funny and pathetic. There were times while reading this book that I wanted to hit Truman upside his head and other times I wanted to wrap my arms around him. Even in his darkest moments, I liked Truman — a brilliant life that once shined now almost completely wrapped in darkness. Never knowing someone as deep into his addiction as Truman, I could nevertheless identify with him. I have often battled with doing right when I wanted to do wrong or doing wrong when I knew the right thing. Thank God for the gift of the Holy Spirit that convicts and teaches us along the way. But Truman did not have guidance, only an overwhelming urge to experience that next high, the urge to hit it big just one more time.Mixed into Truman’s life is his wife and son who have found God, a daughter that wants to connect with him and the man condemned to death for a crime he says he didn’t commit. Terrelle is in prison, but as Truman soon finds out he is freer than Truman could ever hope to be. Also add a fascinating mystery and breath-holding suspense and you’ve got a novel that has it all. Not In The Heart is definitely on my best of the best list for this year.Highly Recommended.(I received an ARC of Not In The Heart from Tyndale and B&B Media in return for an honest review. The opinions expressed are mine alone.)

[vickyg-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

What a story!!!!!!!!!!. Chris Fabry weaves another unforgetable storyline that leaves you wishing the story would not end. His writing and characters are so believable you find yourself sucked into the plot along with his characters and trying to figure out how this will end. And, what an ending it was. As a mother, this story will tug at your heart in many, many waysTruman Wiley struggles with a gambling addiction, doesn't have a job or home, has lost touch with his family and has a son dying and in need of a new heart. Enter a chance, as a news reporter, to write the story of a condemmed man who is willing to donate his heart to Truman's son in exchange for his side of the story and the murder conviction. Truman is reluctant at first to attempt such a feat, then lots of money is added to try a convince him to tackle the story. With mounting hospital bills and creditors after Truman, he accepts the deal and heads to the casino and loses it all. Now how will he explain to his wife, daughter and son(who he is afraid to see) how this will ever materialize. Truman does start digging 24 days before the execution and finds evidence that points to a different killer. Can he uncover the real murderer before the execution date?.That is enough of a teaser to the storyline. This story has it all. One minute I disliked Truman, then felt sorry for him, felt sorry for his family and what he had put them through, then he showed me bits of hope that he could change. Throughout the book he wants nothing to do with God and slowly he starts changing and then I was rooting for him. He really can change and show his family he wasn't such a jerk and then the unexpected happens. The ending was a "priceless gift".We all have Truman Wiley's either in our lives or will have in our lives in the future. My "Truman" was a mother then a son addicted to alcohol and the horrid consequences that addiction entails. But, God never let go of my son and he is walking with the Lord today.Thanks to B & B Media Group for this ARC copy to review. I was not required to write a positive review.

[jenmom-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A condemned man.A dying son.An imperfect father.How far will one man go to save the life of his son?Time is running out.In my experience of reading lots of books, I have found that very few fiction writers are able to write in such a way as to make their characters jump off the page and into your mind and heart. And very few are able to paint a picture with their words that shows the true condition of the human heart and the gamut of emotion that is often found there and tell a story that leaves you breathless in the end.Chris Fabry has accomplished that in his story of Truman Wiley in Not In The Heart.Truman absolutely had me puzzled until the very last page. In the first few pages of the book, I didn't like him very much. A little further along into the story, I felt sorry for him. Then I was really on his side pulling for him. Then I didn't like him again. Then I loved him. At times I didn't know what in the world to think about this man and his extreme selfishness but heart wrenching love for his family.If that sounds confusing, well it is. Truman will have you wondering about him until the last page of his story and when you get to the end of Not In The Heart you will realize that we are all just like Truman at different points in our own lives. Chris Fabry has offered up something really special in this story. I encourage you to consider it for your next book club (questions for a reading group are included in the back of the book). But don't count on just one night to discuss this story! You'll need more than one.Audra Jennings of the B&B Media Group sent me a copy of this book for the purpose of review.

[kittycrochettwo · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

As a journalist Truman Wiley traveled the world reporting on the latest headline, while his home life was falling apart. He was rarely there for his wife and children. Now he is unemployed and is sinking fast in gambling debts, but nothing worries him more than his eighteen year old son Aiden's failing heart. Truman is given the opportunity to write the story of Terrelle Conley a death row inmate who is due to be executed in thirty days who wants to donate his heart to Aiden. As Truman investigates Terrelle's story he uncovers something that may prove that Terrelle is actually an innocent man. What will Truman do with this information? Will he let an innocent man be put to death to save his son? This story really has a lot going on. It is mostly told thru the eyes of Truman, and while I disliked Truman from the beginning, I really wanted to know how things would work out for his family, especially Aiden. Because the author paints Truman as a dark character it allowed me to see how addictions can take a toll not only on family but on the addicted person as well.I really felt like it was the fear of thinking that people would see him as a failure that made him fail the ones who needed him most. This book wasn't an easy read by any means. It dealt with many heavy issues, but the ending made the read worth it.A complimentary copy of this book was provided by B&B Media in exchange for an honest review.

[dikline · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Truman Wiley is not the most likeable character. He’s been an absentee father while he has pursued his journalistic pursuits around the world. He’s addicted to gambling and is not above stealing money from family members to pursue this passion. People to whom he owes big gambling debts are violently pursuing their money. His son, Aiden, is extremely sick, his only hope being a heart transplant, and Tru can hardly force himself to visit Aiden in the hospital. Truman looks with skepticism and sometimes, mockery, on anyone who expresses his belief in God or prayer. Yes, Truman has a lot of dysfunction in his life, but the positive part of this novel surrounds Truman’s desire to “fix it.”Truman’s estranged wife, Ellen, has stood by her children while her husband traveled for his job and gambled away his money. When Aiden has his latest near death episode, Ellen swallows her pride to contact Truman. A friend from her church, Oleta, has a husband on death row and a deal is in the works for Terrelle to donate his heart to Aiden after Terrelle’s execution. Terrelle, a former drunk, who has found religion in prison, sees this as a way to do some good in this world. Truman is to write a book about Terrill from the accused’s point of view. This, in a sense, was the price to pay for the heart that could save Aiden’s life.When his daughter, Abigail, asks to help with the writing of Terrelle’s story, thankfully, the reader begins to see a breakthrough in Truman’s own heart. As we follow the journey of this family, we experience the pain addictions of any kind can bring and the searching for forgiveness and acceptance. But this book is not only a book about relationships with family and with God, it is also a novel of suspense and mystery, and moral decisions. I had to keep reading to find out if there was any hope at all for Terrelle, for Aiden, or for Truman. At first, I thought Truman was so despicable, I didn’t think I wanted to hear his story. That’s often the way with addicts. We don’t care how they got there, just that they are there and what they are doing is hurting themselves and others. We’d rather close our eyes to it because it wears us out. Truman was a much greater man in my eyes by the end of the story. My thanks to Tyndale Publishing for providing this book for my review. The opinions are my own and were not influenced by Tyndale.