Wm. Paul Young, a well-known Canadian writer of Christian fiction novels is best known for his best seller, The Shack. With over 10 million copies sold, this self-published novel was The New York Times Best Seller for almost 2 years. Wm. Paul Young initially started to write short Christian stories as gifts for his close friends and family. It wasn’t until his wife’s constant insisting to write for his six children a story about his expectations on God and spiritual healing he had experienced. The result was The Shack.
Originally, only fifteen copies were printed, but after close friends encouraged him to have the book published, Young decided to try his luck. At first he had no success at finding a publisher for his book (he was rejected by 26 publishers), but then then founded a publishing company, Windblown Media with his friends. The book was published in 2007. Young’s publishing company spent only $200 on book advertising, but thanks to word-of-mouth marketing, The Shack soon became a hit.
Young’s success does not stop with The Shack. In 2012 he released new fiction novel Cross Roads. Cross Roads tells a story about a 45 year old self-centered successful businessman Anthony Spencer. Raised in foster care, Anthony paved own path to success and became a cruel, selfish and pompous man who just have to have it all. He must always win which is evident from the fact that he remarried his ex-wife just to divorce her again. The death of Anthony’s 6-year old son made Anthony even more cruel. The grief over son made him reject his daughter. Even though he has built a successful life, Anthony was miserable.
After being hospitalized due to head trauma caused by brain tumor, Tony slips in some kind of a coma and wakes up in a unreal world. He was given a chance by Jesus to reevaluate his choices in life, and the power to heal just one person – himself, an old woman with Alzheimer`s or a kid with leukemia. Cross Roads, is about self discovery and just like The Shack, focuses on the three-in-one where God is a central character. Cross Roads also detail the way God with his love can take a broken heart and transform it into something beautiful. Cross Roads observes how a infertile personality can be turned in a fertile garden.
Wm. Paul Young states he began writing Cross Roads as way to “delve deeper into the human soul” and also to “dispel negative stereotypes about blacks“. He wrote the book in eleven days while he was on a retreat. The story will grip your heart. It will help you understand the presence, grace and love of God. Cross Roads will give you inspiration and hope. If you love God and are looking for a tale of amazing grace you will not be disappointed.
