Thank you, 1860 times.

When I learned that more than 1,860 people have purchased or downloaded The Permission, I was humbled and deeply grateful. Each number represents a reader who chose to invest time and attention in a story that has long lived in my heart and imagination.

For that, I say thank you.

People often ask writers where a story comes from. In truth, stories rarely arrive all at once. They begin as questions.

The Permission began with a question that maybe some of you have also wondered:

Why does God allow certain things to happen?

Most of us have faced moments when we wondered where God was amid suffering, loss, injustice, or fear. This book does not claim to answer every question, but it explores a truth I have come to deeply believe—that even when we cannot see God’s hand, we can still trust his heart.

The idea for The Permission first came to me years ago while I was in Israel. Terrorists came ashore near Tel Aviv, intent on attacking a nearby hotel and killing as many people as possible. Thankfully, they were stopped. However, the idea eventually grew into a story of faith tested under pressure, of ordinary people facing extraordinary circumstances, and of the unseen spiritual realities that often stand behind visible events.

As a retired pastor, I believe stories can reach places that sermons can’t always touch. A story can quietly enter a reader’s heart and remain there long after the final page.

That is my hope for The Permission, the first of five books in The Cain Family Chronicles.

The Permission is the beginning of a larger story. The second book—Asset Delta—is also available wherever you buy books.

This is a “thank you” letter to my new readers, but I also have a newsletter called, “Word from Ward.” It comes to your email on the second and fourth Wednesdays. In the weeks ahead, I’ll share some behind-the-scenes stories, give updates, and occasional reflections about faith, life, and the adventures of creating fiction.

One more thing. I’d love to hear from you. What part of The Permission stayed with you after you finished the book? Is there a character, scene, question, or theme that continues to linger in your thoughts?

If you’d like, simply reply to this email. I read every response, and hearing from readers is one of the great joys of writing.

Thank you again for taking this journey with me.

With gratitude,

Ward

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For book club and small group leaders: 

The Permission (book 1) and Asset Delta (book 2) have a Reflection and Discussion Guide available for free. It is my gift when you email michele@wardtanneberg.com.