You Were There by Melissa Knight
How many of us “mature” folks remember what it was like to be seventeen? The highs and lows, dreaming of what our futures held, a hot mess of boldness and fear? I remember!
I’ve taught kids in public schools from K-12, with all kinds of backgrounds and world views. One day I discovered a discarded love note in my classroom after my students were dismissed. Though I’m not sure the writer or receiver were identified, the note was clearly written from a girl to a guy, expressing how much she thought of him and longed for his attention. Normal feelings, right?
The problem was, this was an elementary classroom of fifth graders.
Years later that experience, and others, influenced my desire to write Christian Young Adult fiction, specifically about dating and first love. I already knew the power of a good book, so why not show young teens, in an entertaining way, that God Himself loves romance? Why not mix humor and hope with hard, real-life issues, to attract a generation to the One who loves them most?
You Were There is the first book in my Rayburn High Romance series. It’s set in Texas, y’all, and follows Reese and Daniel’s story. Reese is not a Christian at the beginning, and her family history is a bit rough. She lives with her mom and grandma, and all three have broken hearts. Yet they also possess God-given grit: “stiffen your spine, girl!” Throughout the chapters they learn to recognize God’s presence and loving intervention throughout their lives, even when He seemed so distant.
Their pasts aren’t magically rewritten. Their problems don’t disappear. But they catch sight of hope and forgiveness through a Savior who loves them. I pray that’s the main takeaway for each and every one of my readers, from twelve to ninety-nine.
There are many YA Christian Fiction authors out there who write in various genres, and I hope you’ll check out not just my work but theirs as well. Please ask God to use our stories to reach a generation who navigate all kinds of distractions and challenges which many of us never had to face.
I would also be delighted if you follow me on these platforms:
Substack: https://substack.com/@melissaknightauthor
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/22503413.Melissa_Knight
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100071089929220
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@melissaknight9307
Melissa Knight is the author of YA Christian Contemporary Romance books, including the High School 101 and Rayburn High Romance series. A veteran teacher in public schools, many of her short stories and articles have been published in various magazines and literature for teens and children. She’s made several moves as an oil field wife, leading to some of the best adventures and friendships of her life. Melissa and her husband (still her sweetheart) currently live in Texas, while their adult children are out there building their own legacies.
