Speculative Fiction; Visionary and Metaphysical; Christian Fiction
Date Published: September 17, 2025
Publisher: Acorn Publishing
Derek Hollinger has walked a long, hard road since a fateful encounter with an Indigenous shaman woman turned his life upside down. Now married to Kendal, his angel and savior, Derek desperately wants to be the man she deserves. But his obsession with his tattoos—what they mean and how to get rid of them—is tearing down everything they’ve built together.
Paralyzed by depression and self-loathing, Derek is convinced that only one person can help him now: the granddaughter of the shaman whose power inked him from head to toe. Enlisting the aid of his loyal friend and spiritual advisor, Father Mike, Derek treks deep into the heart of the Amazon jungle, where a final reckoning between good and evil awaits.
But God’s plan for Derek isn’t what he expects. And coming back alive—whole in mind, heart, and spirit—will require every ounce of his fortitude and faith.
Interview with Monica Broussard
What is your favorite part of the book?
The metaphors. Each metaphor in the jungle scenes represents a conflict or revelation in Derek’s mind. For example, when Derek is going down the river, his fear turns into euphoria; however, upon entering the dark jungle, it symbolizes the chaotic darkness of his self-discovery journey through his mind.
Everything in The 6th Heaven points to Derek moving forward in his self-discovery journey—every minute detail becomes clearer when he must survive in the jungle, in the sweltering heat and humidity. His trek through the Amazon, with its unforgiving wilderness, represents his journey of desperation and hope, reflecting the battles he faces and ultimately forces him to fight through the darkness of despair. The biting insects, the endless canopy, and the feeling of being a tiny speck beneath it all were the physical and emotional challenges he encountered there. He had to navigate both the literal and the metaphorical jungles, and the Amazon taught him the skills needed to survive. Each passing day reminded him of his struggles, a mirror that reflected more about who he was and who he could become. His life became a reflection of the battles he faced in the jungle and a testament to his resilience and refusal to succumb.
They are a combination of me and made-up characters that resonate within my imagination. I realized this after I published the first book 21 Tattoos, when I was first interviewed. It helped me to understand that a lot of it had to do with my personal discoveries, struggles, and journey through traumatic events in my life.
By far Kendal. She represents the younger me. I get to delve deeply into her lifelong fears, values, and motivations.
For sure, it would be Tyler. He is easily influenced. He needs a healthy mentor. His convictions are strong, but he is still too immature to have a clear path.
It would definitely take time before Derek and I could get along. I wouldn’t be as patient with him as Kendal. He would say I am too domineering. He is a strong man who has a hard time relating to strong women, until he meets Kendal.
Both. Each book can stand on its own, yet they are definitely connected. If someone picks up any one of the books in the series, it will make them want to read more about the characters and their journeys, and they will likely pick up the others.
About the Author
Writer, speaker, and certified life coach Monica Broussard is passionate about writing fiction that contains fantasy elements and keeps the reader intrigued about the lead character’s motives. She also writes an occasional article for her hometown’s magazine, SeaCliff Living. She belongs to American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) and enjoys attending national writers' conferences.
Born in North Carolina on a Marine Corps base, Monica now lives in “Surf City,” Huntington Beach, California, with her husband of thirty-nine years. She has enjoyed various occupations, but her favorite job is the one she’s doing now—writing.
The 6th Heaven is book 3 in the 21 Tattoos Series.
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