Carla's Book Crush

The Stranger at the Door by Henry O. Arnold
Series: The Urban Chronicles – Book 2
Publisher: Mountain Brook Ink
Release Date: March 5, 2025
Genre: Christian Thriller

​​When a beat-up van screeches to a stop in front of The Mercy Seat church late one night and a young woman leaps out in an effort to escape her captors, Maxwell Crane and his family jump to her rescue. But is this desperate girl the innocent victim she appears to be?

The family’s act of kindness leads to dire consequences. When the young woman and the Crane sisters are abducted by members of a ruthless cartel out for revenge, Maxwell is yanked into yet another harsh reality of life in Hell’s Canyon.

There are no good options. All strategies for rescue could exact a terrible price. Still haunted by the tragedy he caused the last time he took justice into his own hands, Maxwell can only cast his broken soul upon the mercy of God. He would rush into the gates of hell to save his daughters, but will he get there in time?

PURCHASE LINKS:
Goodreads | Amazon
Barnes & Noble | Bookshop |BookBub

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More In This Series

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About the Author

Mr. Arnold‘s career as an actor/author spans over five decades with multiple stage and film credits. He has recorded over one hundred audiobooks and is the author of the Urban Chronicles suspense series and the multi-volume biblical/historical fiction series entitled The Song of Prophets and Kings (available in all formats wherever books are sold). When not writing, he can be found hiking on a trail somewhere in the world. He and his lovely wife Kay have two beautiful daughters, married to two handsome men, with three above-average grandchildren.

Connect with Mr. Arnold by visiting henryoarnold.com to follow him on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.

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Author Q&A

Q: You grew up in a theatrical family and had early experiences with intense storytelling. How did those moments shape your understanding of the power of story?

Arnold: Most kids start our cutting their imaginary teeth on fairy tales, mine were cut on Greek tragedy and musical and legit theatre. It was fun to see my parents on stage playing “make believe,” and they made me believe it. But I was also struck by how others (the audience) seemed to believe it as well. The story was being played out for us; a beautiful symbiosis of the collective imagination of playwright, actors, and audience. 

A seminal moment in my creative future happened when I was twenty. I was cast in a small role in Man of La Mancha. My father was Don Quixote, and I remember watching him create this magnificent character during our rehearsal process and how, night after night, the audience reacted to the power of the story and my dad in particular. I wanted to do that. And yes, I wanted to be my father. 

Q: Your journey into acting and writing has been deeply influenced by faith. How has your relationship with Christ shaped your storytelling? 

Arnold: My parents were committed followers of Christ, so it’s in the DNA. In the mid- ‘70s, I made my own commitment to follow Christ. I’ve never looked back. Storytelling is an art form that doesn’t change regardless of one’s beliefs. What changes over time is the artist. For me personally two things have happened over time: 1) I’ve become a better actor and writer—steady improvement with each new work I create; 2) My perspective on life has deepened. I want to have the heart of Christ as I view the world and people, from family to fellow professionals, to the folks who check me out at the grocery, to perfect strangers. This all goes into the stew of a creative life. 

Q: How do you hope The Stranger at the Door challenges and encourages readers in their faith?  

Arnold: Be willing to take risks. I read the passage in Matthew 25 where Jesus lists six things that are proactive: “you gave,” “you fed,” “you invited,” etc. Those are risky attempts to serve others, to love others as Christ loves them and us. The main characters in The Stranger at the Door are big risk takers. 

Q: You’ve spoken about taking risks in both acting and writing. What advice would you give to aspiring Christian artists struggling with doubt or fear?  

Arnold: A perfect lead in from the above answer. All of life is a risk, but a creative life has an extra layer of risk to the ego called rejection. One must always expect rejection. One can’t steel themselves against it. Nor should one passively accept it. We all struggle with doubt and fear, disappointment and discouragement. Because we are creative our heart is deeply involved in the process of creating, not just our imagination. There can be no separation. Time is the big factor here. It takes time to process rejection and one should not make hasty decisions or judgments when in the “sting” of any rejection. Rest in the moment and see what God reveals to you. Just don’t quit. If you embrace a creative life then it is a marathon not a sprint. 

Q: When you’re not acting or writing, what’s your favorite way to unwind with your family or indulge in a favorite hobby?  

Arnold: I love outdoor activities. I love gardening. I love sauntering on a trail. I love traveling and exploring in other countries. And I love doing all of this with my wife Kay, my best friend of forty-six years. 

Q: How can readers pray for you and your creative work?  

Arnold: I’ve just finished a big stage production and Stranger and another book are coming out within two months of one another. I am looking forward to some creative “sabbath” time to let the nutrients in my soul become fertile again. I don’t know creatively what’s ahead so I’m resting. 

Pray for readers of The Stranger at the Door, that the reading experience will deepen their relationship with God. I know writing this story has deepened mine. 

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Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a print copy of The Stranger at the Door & $20 Amazon Gift Card!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight March 17, 2025 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on March 24, 2025. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

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Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!