About the Book
Book: With Mercy’s Eyes
Author: D.T. Powell
Genre: FICTION/ Christian / Contemporary
Release Date: June 16, 2025
He turned his back on God a long time ago. But God never forgot him.
Six months after struggling actor Lane Harris lost his husband in a tragic accident, he lands a movie role guaranteed to put him on the Hollywood map. But one producer holds the power to shut down his shot at stardom—and she’s a Christian. If she finds out he’s gay, it’s over. Lane is careful not to say too much around her.
When an alcohol-fueled tryst with his co-star ends in humiliation, and his landlord hands him an eviction notice, Lane looks for someone to talk to. He finds a confidant in the Christian producer. After a night of too little sleep and not enough coffee, he lets slip his sexual orientation. Instead of a verbal flogging, the woman recounts recently losing her own husband.
The only Christians Lane knows condemn him upon learning he’s gay. But this one is different. She doesn’t embrace his sexuality, but instead of treating him with disdain, she offers compassion. Christians are supposed to hate people like him. So, why doesn’t she?
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With Mercy’s Eyes by D. T. Powell is an issue-facing Contemporary novel for adult churched Christians. It addresses homosexuality and same-sex attraction from a Biblical perspective without falling into the trap of the extreme responses we too often see from modern churches. It holds similar views to Jackie Hill Perry, Becket Cook, Rosaria Butterfield, and Christopher Yuan.
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About the Author
D. T. Powell has loved stories since before she can remember, and it was one of those stories that God used to change her life and prompt her to start writing. In addition to writing book reviews for a magazine as well as original contemporary and speculative fiction, she has actively contributed to the fanfiction community since 2013. Her original work has been published by Writers Digest, Clean Fiction Magazine, Twenty Hills Publishing, The Order of the Pen Press, Worldsmyths, and Cadence Writing. She enjoys reading, playing pickleball, and playing an occasional video game. You can find her online as dtill359.
Her favorite verse is Psalm 126:5, “They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.”
More from D.T.
Driving through a deserted intersection at 3:30 AM isn’t an ideal time for much of anything. But I remember the moment clearly, because in that instant, I chose to accept God’s prompting to do something I thought was impossible (or, at the very least, inadvisable)—write a Christian fiction book with a main character who’d just lost his husband.
Being a Christian in traditional circles, I believe that any intimate relationship outside of a Biblical marriage is not pleasing to God and goes against His will and plan. So, for at least a year before that moment of acceptance, I wrestled with God’s prompting to write such a (to me) non-sequitur.
But God kept bringing this story to mind—sometimes quietly during time spent with Him, and sometimes more loudly through people I got to talk and interact with. He wouldn’t let me forget what He’d asked of me.
Once I’d accepted God’s prompting to write this story, I reluctantly began drafting, but, in fear, I put a pseudonym on it. I was terrified that strangers and family members alike would see this premise and lay down immediate judgment of both me and this story.
However, there is one true antidote to fear. Perfect (mature) love. And as I continued to take steps of faith—albeit haltingly at times—God fostered in me a love, not just for this story, but for Him, and for a group of people Christians far too often label and then push aside because of their specific, chosen sin.
With Mercy’s Eyes is a glimpse of how God draws people to Himself. It’s an unapologetic statement that salvation is for all of humanity, no matter how we sin. It’s a look into the life and heart of someone too many Christians might never have given a second thought.
This book takes a non-explicit look at homosexuality and same-sex attraction from the perspective of someone who has lived that life and thought it would bring them happiness, only to wind up empty and no better off than when they began. Often, it’s only when we come to the end of ourselves that we understand just how much we need the Saviour.
God has seen this book through from beginning to end. To honor what He has done, both in me and within these pages, and celebrate His saving grace, I now gladly give my name to this story. I pray God brings With Mercy’s Eyes to the people who need it, just as He brought it to me when I needed it.
Author Interview
What is your favorite genre of books? Why?
Science fiction.
As a kid, sci-fi was just what I connected with best. I loved the stars, and planets, and all the wonders God had spread throughout the universe. Maybe that’s why He chose to use a science fiction story to touch my heart in a way I’ve never forgotten and, God-willing, never will.
From the time I was nine until I turned twelve, I spent a significant amount of time with one science fiction story in particular. It captivated me in a way no other story had. In one character in particular—a villain, of all people—I saw myself more clearly than I ever had, and that was when I understood just how horrific my sin was to God. And yet, He still loved me and chose to offer me salvation. And it’s because of that moment of understanding that I write.
Are you a one project at a time author or do you have multiple projects going at once?
I prefer multiple projects, but there are times when I narrow the focus to just one.
How has your life experience helped in your writing journey?
I spent eight years working in retail full-time, occupying various positions within the store that hired me. As a result, I got to have a host of different interactions with all kinds of people who were very different from me. I write full time now, but I also work part time on the side. Though not in retail. That means I still have regular interactions with strangers of varying backgrounds. Those interactions were and are invaluable. They help me better understand just how diverse the world is and how to better interact with people who either don’t agree with me or who I have nothing in common with.
Being able to write people who aren’t like you, but in a way that’s both accurate and gracious can be tricky—especially if all you know are stereotypes. Getting out and interacting with so many different people has helped me far better navigate the balance between grace and truth.
Where do you find your greatest inspiration?
The reason I started writing was to show others what God has done for me. So, that moment I mentioned earlier—twenty-two years ago now—when I understood the great value and magnitude of my salvation is the foundation and root of everything I have done or attempted to do since.
Do you have extensive outlines when writing or do you write a book as you go?
I tried outlining a novel once. It was the most singularly miserable experience of my writing life, so I chose not to repeat that.
I’m what some call a pantser/discovery writer. But being a planner/pantser is not an either/or situation. It’s a spectrum. There are certain things I begin a story knowing, but they’re very few, so I’d put myself at 80% pantser, 20% planner.
Finding how what’s happening and meeting characters as they arrive in the story is both thrilling and terrifying, but it’s become one of the ways I get to exercise my faith. God has never failed to provide the next story step just when I needed it.
Blog Stops
Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, August 21
Simple Harvest Reads, August 22 (Author Interview)
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, August 22
Artistic Nobody, August 23 (Author Interview)
Texas Book-aholic, August 24
Guild Master, August 25 (Author Interview)
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, August 26
Fiction Book Lover, August 27 (Author Interview)
Book Butterfly in Dreamland, August 28
Denise L. Barela, August 29 (Author Interview)
Just Your Average reviews, August 30
Life on Chickadee Lane, August 31
For the Love of Literature, September 1 (Author Interview)
Cover Lover Book Review, September 2
Tell Tale Book Reviews, September 3 (Author Interview)
Lots of Helpers, September 3
Giveaway
To celebrate her tour, D.T. is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card and a signed copy of the book!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.
The interview was so interesating
I enjoyed the interview.
Do you have a favorite space to do your writing?
Not really. I do write exclusively on my desktop, though, so my writing hours are spent in my office. I do, however, have a favorite time of day to write, and it’s whenever it’s dark outside. I find the darkness to be quiet and comforting, so writing in the early morning or the middle of the night, while often impractical, is something I very much enjoy.
This should be a great novel. Thanks for sharing.