News Release
 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Jessica Secord, (616) 698-3331 [P], Jessica.secord@zondervan.com
 
The First Drop of Rain ... Brings Absence and Presence, Life, Beauty, Grief, Wonder, Chaos
Where is God, When it Rains Down into the Wasteland?

Grand Rapids, Mich., April 21, 2009 – “Have you ever felt plucked out and suddenly dropped by the hand of God into the wasteland? Have you felt desolate, dry, and fragile? No sign of God, no sound of water?” Basically not sure how it all makes sense: life, family, kids, work, purpose, friends, balance...?

Here is the personal and passionate, “Me too!” that fans of Leslie Parrott have been waiting for in The First Drop of Rain (May 2009, Zondervan).

For “Seattlite” Parrott, rain isn’t a date-canceling, mood-altering nuisance any longer. Rather, that first drop of rain and the following drizzle or downpour is a persistent, positive, mystical fact of life that both confirms the presence of God and underscores his (seeming) absences.

Through original poetry, vividly-drawn vignettes, and honest reflection, Parrott mixes images of rain and “wasteland” to explore the daily juxtaposition of deluge and desert we all encounter. A conversation about grief and death takes place in lush gardens teeming with life.

A prayer, delivered and answered at a dying friend’s bedside, leads to bittersweet understanding. And personal confidences (“My flaws and fears are so real, they demand my full attention.”) strike a chord in all of us who struggle earnestly, if sometimes defiantly, to see God’s purpose in everything.

“Rain evokes for me all the mysteries of God’s presence (and seeming absences) on the landscape of my life,” says Parrott. Through personal stories, reflections, and poetry written straight from her heart, Leslie Parrott shares her struggle to remain open to God’s revelations even (or especially) during the “demands and chaos of life.”

About The First Drop of Rain
The First Drop of Rain
By Leslie Parrott
Zondervan
9780310272489
176 Pages
$16.99
Hardcover
PUB DATE: May 2009

Suggested Interview Questions:

• Give us a quick synopsis of The First Drop of Rain. Where did you come up with the idea?
• You see rain in Seattle quite frequently – as the city is known for. How does living in the area play into this book?
• Why does The First Drop of Rain stand out, among your numerous others?
• How important is the role of faith and love in The First Drop of Rain?
• Was it difficult to write?
• Was any research necessary for writing this?
• What is the main concept in The First Drop of Rain, and what is the biggest thing you’d like readers to take away from the book?
• What’s in store for your audiences next?
• Who are some of the fiction or non-fiction writers you would compare your writing style to?
• Where do you find the inspiration for your writing?
• What do you feel your calling is as a writer?
• You have a number of books that you have recently released. Could you give us a preview of what’s next for you and Les in a broader scope?

About the Author
Dr. Leslie Parrott is a marriage and family therapist and codirector with her husband, Dr. Les Parrott, of the Center for Relationship Development at Seattle Pacific University. She is the author of God Made You Nose to Toes, and coauthor with her husband of several bestselling books, including The Complete Guide to Marriage Mentoring, Relationships, Love Talk, and the Gold Medallion Award-winner, Saving Your Marriage before It Starts. Leslie is a columnist for Today's Christian Woman and has been featured on Oprah, CBS Morning, CNN, and The View, and in USA Today and The New York Times. The Parrotts' radio program, Love Talk, is carried by stations throughout North America. Leslie lives in Seattle with her husband and their two sons. Visit www.RealRelationships.com for more information.
 
Zondervan, a HarperCollins company, is a world leader in Christian communications and the leading Christian publishing brand. For more than 75 years, Zondervan has delivered transformational Christian experiences through general and academic resources by influential leaders and emerging voices, and been honored with more Christian Book Awards than any other publisher. Headquartered in Grand Rapids, Mich., with offices in San Diego and Miami, Zondervan conducts events and publishes its bestselling Bibles, books, audio, video, curriculum, software, and digital products through its Zondervan, eZondervan, Zonderkidz, Youth Specialties, Editorial Vida, and National Pastors Convention brands. Zondervan resources are sold worldwide through retail stores, online, and by Zondervan ChurchSource, and are translated into nearly 200 languages in more than 60 countries. Visit Zondervan on the Internet at www.zondervan.com (mobile site: zvan.mobi).