The Book
If you've ever wondered whether you are the only one who has walked through the valley of shadows, come sit with me by the fire. There is a story I'd like to tell you.
— Deanna
About the Book
Her life had been marked by chaos, striving, uncertainty, and the quiet ache of abandonment. Until the day everything changed.
Lost in a dark forest, she is found by a benevolent King who calls her by name and answers the question at the heart of her longing: "Who am I?" As she travels through unfamiliar places and encounters those bound by unseen forces, she begins to recognize what surrounds her.
Not every voice speaks truth.
Not every light leads home.
And not every chain is visible.
As the line between the seen and unseen begins to thin, she must learn to discern what is real and what is not. In this Kingdom, love moves ahead of need, everything given by the King carries purpose, and nothing is beyond His keeping.
A Glimpse Inside the Story
The girl walked with the King toward the stately gates at the main entrance of the palace. As they approached the magnificent stone building, ten royal guards bowed their heads, then rose to stand at attention as the Chief Sentinel stepped forward.
"Welcome home, Your gracious Majesty. Welcome," he said to the girl, his voice resonant with warmth and unmistakable joy that softened the discipline in his face. He placed a hand over his heart and bowed low.
"Thank you, old friend," the King said, his voice rich with affection. Before them was a grand staircase leading to a high porch. From the center of the porch stepped a dignified figure—the Master of the King's house, robed in deep violet trimmed with gold. He bowed low, hand over heart, his voice warm with reverence.
"Welcome home, my Lord." Then lifting his eyes to the girl, he added with gentle honor, "And welcome to you. We have prepared for your coming."
About the Author
At her core, Deanna C. Stevens is a writer. Her work is attentive to voice, nuance, and the long process of telling the truth with care. She has collaborated on published projects including Quarterback Sneak, a true-crime story shaped by memory, research, and the difficult work of bringing hidden things into the light. Her novel The Girl with the Flashlight continues that thread in a different form: a spiritual allegory exploring identity, authority, belonging, discernment, and restoration. Across genres, Deanna is drawn to stories that ask what is true, what has been hidden, and what light reveals when it finally arrives.
The Girl with the Flashlight
She carried a flashlight into the darkness, yet the King never lost sight of her.
A story of identity, deception, belonging, and the courage required to recognize the truth