About the Book

Book: Not My Hero Author: Michelle Bolanger Genre: Contemporary Romance / Biblical Retelling Release Date: August 4, 2026 She lost everything… except the chance to begin again. He has everything… except the freedom to follow his heart. After losing her husband, Kennedy Bishop is left with nothing but grief, debt, and unanswered questions. Returning to Dayton with her faithful mother-in-law, Kennedy is determined to rebuild her life without relying on anyone… especially God. But when she crosses paths with the wealthy Donovan Taylor, a devout man committed to rescuing others while hiding burdens of his own, their lives become unexpectedly intertwined. As suspicion, sacrifice, and unseen connections threaten to tear them apart, the pair must decide if they’re willing to put their trust in God and take a chance on love. A powerful Christian romance about redemption, faith, and the courage to believe that even the most broken stories can be restored. Perfect for readers of Francine Rivers and Nichole Deese, this emotionally rich Christian romance blends heartbreak, redemption, and faith into a modern-day story of Ruth that speaks to anyone learning to trust God again.

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About the Author

Michelle Bolanger a small town, socially awkward and often anxious author and artist who found unshakeable security and hope in 1998 when she surrendered her fears and her heart to Jesus Christ. Her greatest wish as an author is that her stories will be a vehicle to share the hope and courage she found through her faith with others. Michelle lives in small town Ohio with her husband of almost 30 years and a mildly chaotic Akita named Hugo. She and Robert enjoy going on long cruises, taking motorcycle rides along side roads and back roads, and cheering for their favorite professional hockey teams.

More from Michelle

When I get asked why I wrote Not My Hero, I tell people it is because I had been looking for a modern retelling of the book of Ruth that impacted me. I couldn’t find one that I loved, so I wrote it myself. I’ve always been drawn to Boaz’s history. I wondered about his lineage and how his parents’ past might have been the reason he was well past the age a man of his station should be married with children, and yet he wasn’t. Could it have been because his mother was not only a foreigner, but that she was a former prostitute? Would other families hesitate to offer their daughters in marriage to such a family? How did that past affect Boaz’s view of himself? And I found it so interesting that Ruth was the faithful one when Naomi felt God had abandoned her. Ruth had every reason to be wary. As a Moabite, she knew she would not be accepted in the Hebrew society, yet she clung to the God of the Hebrews. She was rewarded for her faithfulness to Naomi when God brought her to Boaz’s field, and through her, Naomi saw proof that God had not abandoned her at all. While I wrote the story simply wanting to retell a beloved story from the Bible, I realized that even in my own darkest times God always had a plan that I couldn’t see. He is always working, even when we can’t see a way through. It took me 8 years to write and publish this story, and I think it took that long because God needed me to see beyond the characters I had created and into His heart for me. He wanted me to understand that this isn’t just a fictional story, it is a tale that illustrates His steadfast love and faithfulness.

Interview with the Author

Did you use a functional outline, or was it just chaos that somehow worked?

My writing is definitely chaos that I somehow manage to wrangle into a coherent story. The first draft is usually an unscripted documentary of a set of characters that I later shape into an outline that gives the chaos some order. Then I go back and edit, rewrite, and polish it into a finished manuscript so my editor can start the process all over again.

How do you handle moments when inspiration seems hard to find?

I usually turn to my journal. I keep a morning pages journal that I write in every day. It holds a record of my prayers, thoughts, meaningful scripture verses, and random story ideas that sometimes get the words flowing again.

Is there a particular scene or passage you’re incredibly proud of?

In Not My Hero, Donovan rescues Kennedy from the aftermath of a bus accident. I am very happy with how the emotional impact of that scene turned out. Since I am not a first responder, I tried to focus less on the details and more on how God might have led Donovan to find her, and what his draw to her might have been like after he rescued her. That initial contact with her sets up his desire to protect her for the rest of the book.

What do you like to do when you’re not writing?

I am also a watercolor artist, so I enjoy painting. I have just begun creating and selling Art Cards, which are small pieces of art that can be traded or collected. Painting is a great alternative creative outlet.

What are you working on next?

I have several projects in the works. My next contemporary is a Christian romance based on my personal testimony that is about a female hockey goalie and her journey to faith in Christ. I am also working on two fantasy series.

What is your favorite part of being a writer?

My favorite part of being a writer is getting to make up stories. I’ve always had a VERY active imagination, and now I get to spend my days letting it run out onto the page for others to enjoy.