Sirls conceived this, his first novel, before he was imprisoned for wire fraud and money laundering. After his release, he attempted to self-publish a much altered version, and an advance copy landed on a desk at Thomas Nelson, who signed the author to a multibook contract. The novel has a strong spiritual element. When a lightning bolt shatters a decorative cross in the yard of a church in a small town in Michigan, a carpenter shows up to repair it. But the carpenter is no ordinary man, as the church pastor, his odd family, and local medical staff treating his adoptive grandchild for leukemia find out in a series of miraculous events that change them dramatically. Sirls relates a parable about characters who discover where God is when they suffer and when people die. This is a skillfully written first novel with the narrative voice, knack for dialogue, and plot movement of a veteran author. (Sept.)

From the first page of The Reason, my heart was captured. It is truly a rare and precious gift that could change the way people believe and live out their faith.”
— Kelly Riether, review specialist for major book retailer


"Sirls's debut novel centers around a small Michigan church congregation, a storm-ravaged fifteen-foot cross, and a quartet of characters: a blind minister, a young boy stricken with leukemia, his mother, and a mysterious stranger. Heller's compelling delivery of miraculous healings—from addiction, relationships, and illness—is authentic and believable. He especially shines in his portrayal of Alex, capturing his fears and boyish innocence with a sweet vocal pitch and tone. His depiction of Alex's bone marrow aspiration spurs empathy and tears while scenes with Mr. Brave the puppet, a distraction for Alex, give listeners welcome relief from his painful experience. Authentic sound effects combine with Heller's deliberate pacing to keep listeners immersed in the story until the surprise ending." 
G.D.W. © AudioFile Portland, Maine

Sirls’s debut novel centers around a small Michigan church congregation, a storm-ravaged fifteen-foot cross, and a quartet of characters: a blind minister, a young boy stricken with leukemia, his mother, and a mysterious stranger. Heller’s compelling delivery of miraculous healings—from addiction, relationships, and illness—is authentic and believable. He especially shines in his portrayal of Alex, capturing his fears and boyish innocence with a sweet vocal pitch and tone. His depiction of Alex’s bone marrow aspiration spurs empathy and tears while scenes with Mr. Brave the puppet, a distraction for Alex, give listeners welcome relief from his painful experience. Authentic sound effects combine with Heller’s deliberate pacing to keep listeners immersed in the story until the surprise ending. G.D.W. © AudioFile 2013, Portland, Maine