Spotlight on 'Singing Through Fire' by Lara Silverman, J.D.

Happy Friday Bookworms!

The book I am spotlighting today hits deep and is one that I feel we all could benefit from reading. While today I am just sharing an excerpt from this powerful story, it is definitely on my TBR list, and after reading this post, I'm sure you'll be adding it to your list as well.

I hope you enjoy, have a happy and safe weekend, and don't forget to scroll to the bottom of this post and enter the amazing giveaway from JustRead Tours!

Welcome to the Blog Tour for Singing Through Fire by Lara Silverman, J.D., hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: Singing Through Fire
Author: Lara Silverman, J.D.
Publisher: Isaiah 4320 Press
Release Date: August 26, 2025
Genre: Christian Romance/Memoir

What if you fall madly in love on the brink of eternity?

Singing Through Fire invites readers into the Job-like true story of a young woman who loses everything—and dares to ask why a good God allows it.

When Stanford Law graduate Lara Palanjian collapses on her dream job, she never imagines it will lead to four years bedridden—or to the love of her life.

Enter Matthew Silverman: a witty, wise, and impossibly joyful youth pastor and professor facing terminal cancer. What begins with a few random encounters soon ignites an extraordinary, God-written love story that neither of them saw coming.

As their unlikely romance unfolds between medical crises, late-night laughter, and unexpected musical performances, Matthew’s unshakable faith challenges everything Lara thinks she knows about God’s goodness—and what it means to walk with Christlike faith, resilience, and joy in the face of overwhelming grief and suffering.

But with time against them, one question looms louder than the rest: What if this gift is only for a moment?

Shockingly funny and spiritually rich, Singing Through Fire is a modern-day Job meets Lucille Ball. It explores what it means to suffer, love, and even laugh and make music while your life is burning down around you. It eloquently gives voice to the aching questions many sufferers quietly carry—then takes readers inside the breathtaking story of two people who found miraculous love and defiant joy amid heartbreaking loss.

It reveals how God can use even our deepest pain to write the most beautiful love stories—even on the cusp of eternity.

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop

Excerpt

On the Cheek

The next month, God injects Matt with superhuman stamina because he finds energy to drive twenty minutes south every few days to visit me.

Does cancer come with secret energy boosts? The guy still holds down his full-time professor gig like he isn’t juggling cancer treatments (and a girlfriend?). Even Pastor Calvin apparently raised an eyebrow: “Are you sure you’re a cancer patient?”

Every visit, Matt’s dry humor—like he doesn’t even realize he’s funny—lights me up. “All I hear is giggles,” Mom mutters after he leaves.

And Pops’ jealous reaction at first? “Oh, Matt’s coming again?” (If Pops had his way, Matt would still be filling out an application form.)

“Pops listen,” I said. “This guy’s the crème de la crème, a handsome engineering PhD who moonlights as a missionary and likes politics, music, and theology just like me. Get with the program.”

We haven’t had the official “relationship” talk yet, but Matt’s M.O.—Let’s keep walkin’ together and trust God. Cool, collected, trusting. Meanwhile, I’m in full-on “shove God’s will down” mode. I’m so tired of thinking about life or death at this point—for either of us. I don’t want deep thoughts.

I want Matt’s company.

I want life.

I want the bag of basic blessings.

Right before visits, I DoorDash a delectably fancy dinner or dessert for us, and morph into someone else. Sitting up or lying down, the world is still shaking and turning severely—nonstop. Regardless, I sit up, yell at my brain to calm down like it listens, use my “waddling” technique as a coping mechanism to balance myself against the waves, and sift through my closet like it’s prom night (as if Matt of all people cares about outfits). Humming ‘90s pop love songs and summoning endorphins the whole way. Finally. A good signal from my brain.

At some point, Pops finally finds the sweet spot with Matt—Bible trivia. Matt is sharply introverted, but if you ask him anything about Christianity or science, he lights up like Times Square on New Year’s and talks at a mile a minute. “Pop in a coin and he instantly fires up, like a rocket ship encyclopedia,” Pops joked yesterday. Matt’s more comfortable now too. Last week, he sat in his unassuming posture—wearing his “Duct Tape Can’t Solve Stupid But Can Muffle the Sound” sweatshirt—and cracked lawyer jokes to Pops.

“For someone who hates lawyers, you sure hang out with one a lot,” I sneered.

“Can’t lick ‘em, join ‘em,” he replied.

Mom and Pops seem cautiously supportive of us “dating”—if you can call it that given that we haven’t left the house—but they are giving off more “Lara needs joy” vibes rather than “this is a wise decision” vibes.

Matt and I haven’t discussed physical boundaries since my “sneak cheek attack” either. We’re Christians, so nothing remotely sexy is happening until “I do,” folks. But let me tell you—I am aching for that first K-I-S-S. I refuse to initiate it, though. (Remember ladies, the Ruth technique only goes so far. “Hard to get” always wins in the end.) Who cares that Mom and Pops are literally in the next room? That’s what doors are for. Isn’t that how the Victorians flirted? With parents in tow?

Each “visit,” when Matt holds my hand on Mr. Couch, I wait.

And wait.

Matt sits there, arm around me, flashing that boyish grin, dropping the occasional kiss on my cheek.

Is this some form of righteous torture? Couldn’t this man be just a little less Godly? Or shy? A tiny bit less patient? Why doesn’t the Bible have a When to Kiss Your Girlfriend manual?

If Matthew John holds back much longer, I’m slapping a cheek tax on him.

About the Author

Lara Silverman is a Christian author, lawyer, jazz singer, comedic actress, and violinist. She holds a J.D. from Stanford Law School and a B.A. in both Economics and Political Science from UC Berkeley, where she was one of six finalists for the University Medal, Berkeley’s highest academic distinction. Before falling seriously ill in 2018, Lara worked for two federal judges and practiced high stakes litigation for three years at Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer LLP, where she specialized in intellectual property, antitrust, and contract cases of all kinds.

In 2023, Lara co-founded The Silverman Show—a multifaceted comedy, music, and theology show—and released her debut jazz/pop album as her own music producer in February 2024, even while bedridden. In September 2024, she debuted as Mrs. Serious in her solo Armenian comedy show online. Lara’s writing has been featured in various respected Christian blogs, where her reflections on faith, suffering, and grace have encouraged others. Even as she remains mostly bedridden today, she anchors her unwavering hope in God.

Connect with Lara by visiting her website, Facebook, Instagram, and her YouTube channel
.

Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a $30 Amazon gift card!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight September 15, 2025 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on September 22, 2025. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US/CAN only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies
.

Enter Giveaway

Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!