Thriller author Ronald Chapman chats with me today about his new psychological thriller, The Reckoning of Grace, Book 3 of the Sage of Grace series.
Ronald is in the midst of a virtual book tour with Wow! Women on Writing. Full tour details are below the interview – feel free to stop by other blogs to learn more about Ronald and his writing.
Bio:
Ronald Chapman is owner of an international speaking and consulting company, Magnetic North LLC and a specialty company Leading Public Health. In addition to international accreditation as a speaker and national awards for radio commentary, he is the author of four novels, from the Saga of Grace Series: Book 1 – A Killer’s Grace (2016), Book 2 – The Dark Side of Grace (2023), and Book 3 – The Reckoning of Grace (2025), and a spiritual allegory, My Name is Wonder (2016). He has also authored three works of non-fiction, Progressive Recovery through the Twelve Steps: Emotionally Sober for Life (2019), Seeing True: Ninety Contemplations in Ninety Days (2008) and What a Wonderful World: Seeing Through New Eyes (2004) and produced three audio sets, Seeing True: The Way of Spirit (2016), Breathing, Releasing and Breaking Through: Practices for Seeing True (2015), and Seeing True – The Way of Success in Leadership (2005). Ron provides a wide array of social media content at his Seeing True blog site, content for people in substance abuse recovery on his ProgressiveRecovery platform, and other content from his master Ronald Chapman site. He holds a Masters in Social Welfare from The University at Albany (New York.) Prior to his relocation to Atlanta, Georgia in 2008, he was a long-time resident of Albuquerque, New Mexico where much of his philosophies and practices came to life. He is also a wanderlust and adventurer, as well as a sculptor.
Please tell us about your current release.
In a world fractured by ideological division and cultural upheaval, The Reckoning of Grace offers a timely and powerful exploration of healing, resilience, and transformation. The third installment in Ronald Chapman’s Saga of Grace series (A Killer’s Grace and The Dark Side of Grace), this novel blurs the line between fiction and spiritual reflection, delving into the personal and collective struggle beneath today’s social unrest.
Investigative journalist Kevin Pitcairn and his beloved Maria Elena Maldonado – now leading voices in the Watching, a nationwide movement of silent, nonviolent resistance – find themselves under threat by those who view their message as a danger to the established order. When violence hits close to home, they are forced into hiding, guided by Father Anthony de Franco and a community of enlightened seekers.
As the nation reckons with its own divisions, Pitcairn and Maria Elena must face the inner wounds that echo the world’s turmoil. Their journey becomes one of post-traumatic growth, spiritual healing, and the pursuit of transcendence in the face of fear and betrayal.
Chapman’s rich character development highlights diverse, deeply human struggles, inviting readers to reflect on their own path toward wholeness and reconciliation. Central to the story is the rise of the Divine Feminine, a force that disrupts traditional power structures and offers the promise of a more inclusive future.
Blending spiritual insight with gripping narrative, The Reckoning of Grace is a thought-provoking psycho-spiritual thriller that calls us to examine our inner lives, our role in society, and the possibility of unity in a divided world.
What inspired you to write this book?
I didn’t know it would be series until feedback came from the first book, A Killer’s Grace. The reviewer said it was a “work of art,” a new genre of “psycho-spiritual thriller” and they couldn’t wait for the sequel. That caused me to take a step back, and before long, I realized there was a much more extensive story I needed to tell. That caused Book 2: The Dark Side of Grace, and now The Reckoning of Grace. There is Book 4 in the works, and maybe Book 5.
Excerpt from The Reckoning of Grace:
Amid a dramatic increase in vitriol and violence, the presidential election of Donald Trump in 2024 was devastating to many. Indeed, it would set the scene for a terrible descent on the way to what would become a societal rock bottom.
Many ordinary and not-so-ordinary people would be singled out for retribution, by not just those in elected office but also those enabled by the not-so-subtle violence they advocated. Countless people who had been labeled as “other” would be tragically affected, whether in the vast sweeps of illegal immigrants held in detention camps, the reversion of rights for those in the margins, as well as those not so marginalized, or the increase in right-wing mobs claiming mandates to harm those with different beliefs.
But a rising up of ordinary women and men, loosely organized into a movement, provided a perfect counter-balance. What some would come to call a great spiritual transformation would emerge amid the cultural wastelands.
Behind the veils of the world, small groups of devoted spiritual practitioners continued to practice, adding psychic fuel to the entirety. They would come to be known as a new generation of desert mothers and fathers.
What exciting project are you working on next?
Book 4 of the Saga of Grace series, which is set twenty of thirty years in the future after much of what is foretold in The Reckoning of Grace has transpired. A new vision for a new world will be brought to life.
When did you first consider yourself a writer?
As a kid, I loved the library, and I always wrote a lot. I suppose I knew I’d write a book sometime. I was interviewing authors on public radio, and one day a publicist urged me to write my first book. Now there are seven books. I did not see it all coming.
Do you write full-time? If so, what’s your workday like? If not, what do you do other than write and how do you find time to write?
I’m a part-time writer, with a number of other activities. A lot of blogging, and some professional practice writing. Sometimes it is simply very spontaneous and unexpected.
What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
I love to insert ethereal and omniscient elements. It just seems right to sometimes slip into that viewpoint in the service of the plot.
As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
A professional golfer. Just didn’t have the nerves for it. LOL
Anything additional you want to share with the readers?
If it’s your life’s work, it will take your life. That seems to be my story.
Tour calendar:
September 22 @ The Muffin
What goes better with coffee in the morning than a muffin? Join us at the WOW blog to celebrate the launch of author Ronald Chapman’s The Reckoning of Grace. You can read an interview with the author and enter to win a copy of the book. https://muffin.wow-womenonwriting.com/
September 23 @ A Storybook World with Deirdra Eden
Deirdra Eden has fellow author Ronald Chapman in today’s spotlight with his latest book: The Reckoning of Grace. Find out more about the third book in the Saga of Grace series! https://www.astorybookworld.com/
September 24 @ What Is That Book About
Author Ronald Chapman finds himself in today’s spotlight at What Is That Book About with his latest best seller: The Reckoning of Grace. You’ll want to run as fast as you can and snag this third book in the Saga of Grace series! https://www.whatisthatbookabout.com/
September 25 @ A Wonderful World of Words
Author Ronald Chapman pens today’s post at A Wonderful World of Words. Read this enlightening post titled: “Characters and Characters” and find out more about Chapman’s latest book: The Reckoning of Grace. You’ll want this third book of the Saga of Grace series on your nightstand today! https://awonderfulworldofwordsa.blogspot.com/
September 26 @ Sarandipity’s
Sarandipity’s Spotlight today is shining on Ron Chapman and the third book in the Saga of Grace Series! Stop by today and learn about Chapman’s book, The Reckoning of Grace. This is a book and series you won’t want to miss! https://sarandipitys.com/
September 27 @ Of History and Kings
Helen Hollick puts fellow author Ron Chapman in the spotlight today! Readers will delight in learning about The Reckoning of Grace, the third book in the Saga of Grace Series! Stop by Helen’s blog today and be sure to add The Reckoning of Grace to your TBR pile! https://ofhistoryandkings.blogspot.com/
September 28 @ Bring on Lemons
Crystal Otto gives Ron Chapman’s The Reckoning of Grace 5 stars – stop by Bring on Lemons today and find out what Crystal has to say after reading this best seller, the third book in the Saga of Grace Series! https://bringonlemons.blogspot.com/
October 04 @ World of My Imagination
Nicole Pyles reads and reviews Ron Chapman’s latest book: The Reckoning of Grace. This is the latest book in the Saga of Grace Series and Nicole gave the first two books 5 stars – will this one gain the highest ranking as well? Find out today! https://worldofmyimagination.com/my-blog/
October 8 @ HERE!
October 11 @ Storeybook Reviews
Storeybook Reviews has Ron Chapman’s latest book: The Reckoning of Grace in the spotlight today! This is the latest book in the Saga of Grace Series and you won’t want to miss an opportunity to find out more! https://storeybookreviews.com/
October 25 @ Words from the Heart
Stop by Words from the Heart as Linda reviews Ronald Chapman’s latest book: The Reckoning of Grace! This is the latest book in the Saga of Grace Series and you won’t want to miss an opportunity to find out more! https://contemplativeed.blogspot.com/
Lisa, what an exceptional post and review! Thank you so much for giving The Reckoning of Grace and the whole Saga of Grace series such a fine treatment. That’s a very big deal in this sound bite culture! And the feedback I continue to receive from the storyline is so gratifying. Very much appreciated! Ron