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?

– – – – – – –

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.

Interview with the Author

Why did you decide to write fiction?

When I was twelve, God used a story to change the way I looked at myself and the world. Because of that moment, I searched for ways to show others what God had done for me. I spent the next ten years fervently trying to find something that would allow me to communicate the incredible magnitude of what God had done for me.

I, in my own strength and understanding, tried everything from music to visual art to video editing. I even went to college and attempted to get an art degree, thinking that was the ideal way to accomplish this burning desire. It didn’t, and I was actually told to switch majors during my sophomore year. This rejection devasted me. I thought I was doing what God wanted me to, and I didn’t understand why nothing was working.

Over the next three semesters, I finished college early with a bachelor’s in business. Unfortunately, at the time, no one in my area was hiring, so, no matter how many applications I put in or how qualified I was, no one called me back.

As I sat at home for four months, unemployed and still searching for what God would have me to do, I looked down at the base of my computer monitor. Sitting there, quietly waiting, was a pen.

In all my trying I had never even thought to ask God what avenue He had prepared for me to share this incredible story. And I certainly never thought to write. But in that quiet moment, God was there, and I knew without doubt what I needed to do.

I picked up that pen. And I haven’t stopped writing since.

How do you come up with your plots?

I tried plotting novels once. The process vehemently disagreed with me, so I stay as far away from outlines and plotting as possible.

There are rare occasions when I know portions of a story before I write it, but those are very rare for me. Usually, I discover what’s going on as I work through alongside the characters.

Do you ever name your characters after people you know?

I actually avoid that whenever possible. There are occasions where names will overlap, but that’s just because whenever I discover a character, they already have a name. Sometimes that name is similar to someone I already know, but it isn’t because I’ve made a conscious decision to match them.

Do real life stories get turned into fiction plots?

Since I don’t plot, the short answer is no. However, there are occasions when elements of personal experiences will show up in some scenes. It’s never something I intentionally set out to do though.

Have you ever read a book that made you cry?

I’m not one to cry over books. It’s very difficult for one to bring me to tears. I’ve read over 1800 books, and of them, only eight have made me cry. With Mercy’s Eyes is one of those eight and it actually brings me to tears every time I read it.