
What happens when the unredeemable encounters boundless grace? In Relentless, the latest installment of the Boundless series, we’re taken on a gripping journey of brokenness, hope, and restoration that feels as raw as it is real. Through Harper’s story, Amy Caldwell beautifully peels back the layers of hurt and humanity, showing us that redemption is never beyond God’s reach. Today, we dive into the heart behind the story, the challenges of crafting such a redemptive arc, and the unwavering hope that threads through the pages.
​
Relentless feels raw and authentic in its portrayal of grace and redemption.
What inspired you to tell this particular story, and how did Harper’s journey take shape in your heart before it hit the page?
Boundless was meant to be a standalone novel, but I’m thrilled that the Lord had other plans. Harper was written in Book 1 to be a villain and absolutely unredeemable. In the very last pass on Boundless, before I hit publish, on a whim, I added Harper’s veneer cracking ever so slightly at the very end of the book - and I believe that was entirely the Lord. That sliver of humanity set in motion a glimmer of hope for redemption. When Boundless found its readership and audience, I started to receive a significant amount of feedback on Harper, even some letters in the mail with thoughts on her trajectory. At that point, I wasn’t sure what the future was for the series, but I was willing to give it a chance.
In Book 2, Steadfast, my goal was to build out the character and see if it was even possible to do it in an organic, meaningful way that didn’t feel forced or contrived. Even so, I went into Relentless prayerfully, knowing that this type of redemption story is rarely done well. I really felt like, if I could pull it off - it would be the most important story arc of the series.
You don’t shy away from life’s messy realities in Relentless. How important was it to you to show the unfiltered struggles of your characters, and why do you think readers connect so deeply with that honesty?
My main focus throughout each book, dealing with each difficult, hard-hitting issue, was to honor the human experience, while showing the hope we have in Christ. In Steadfast, book 2 – the main theme was finding God in the midst of grief. Often, in Christian media, I’ve found that the gritty issues are glossed over. We’re living in a world where even those in the church are hiding their hurt and faking it to fit in. Authenticity matters, even when it's uncomfortable.
Harper’s fall from ministry royalty to rock bottom is such a powerful arc. Was there a moment in writing her story that hit especially hard or felt particularly personal?
I was well aware when writing from the perspective of the villain that this is not a common story to tell in 2025. I only read each book through once in its entirety, out loud to my husband right before I send it off to my early readers - he’s a very patient man. It's interesting to do it that way because I can see the story through the eyes of the reader rather than the hyperfocused author's lens. What took me by surprise was Harper’s maternal instinct. It was one of the most vulnerable parts of her, and something she had suppressed in light of her own guilt. When she allowed herself to process those intrusive thoughts regarding her relationship with her daughter, Oakleigh, and face how much harm she had caused – I found it to be absolutely heartbreaking.
Maeve is the kind of character many readers long to have in their lives—a godly, steady, wise, truth-teller. How did her character develop, and is she inspired by anyone in your life?
This is going to come as a surprise to many readers, but Maeve was never meant to be a leading lady. In Boundless, book 1 - she was meant to be a catalyst for change for Oakleigh, a secondary character who balanced out the church hurt and removed the jagged bitterness that often comes with that type of trauma. I’m sure those who venture through the series will notice my writing style evolves from beginning to end. My initial intention for Boundless was to reach those who never had a Maeve, or anyone in their corner, who loved them unconditionally and didn’t judge by the chapter they walked in on. There are so many who have been on the receiving end of church hurt and religious abuse from those, well-intentioned or not, and have had to process those emotions on their own. I wanted Maeve’s words to Oakleigh to feel as though they were speaking directly to the reader, a reminder that Jesus loves them and only asks that you come to him as you are. I wanted the simplicity of the Gospel that Maeve represents to shine a light through the darkness of religiosity. I always hoped that the readers would love her as much as I did writing her, but I never anticipated the incredible response I received.
As she developed, the theme of discipleship grew. There’s a legacy that was passed down from Ruth to Maeve – and eventually to Oakleigh. We see the difference in outcomes between Maeve and Harper. One had a godly amazing woman to shepherd her through her trauma and the other didn’t. Maeve gets the opportunity to pass that along to Oakleigh and see the potential in her even when she couldn’t see it in herself. It’s important for all of us to eventually step into that role for others.
The theme of grace runs like a thread through Relentless. How has your own experience with God’s grace influenced the way you write redemption stories?
I have a rather complicated relationship with the church, as many do. There were many people in the church who set me up with a terrible understanding of my place before God, and my relationship with Him. The lack of understanding of God’s mercy and grace led me away from wanting to be a part of Christianity. I never lost my faith entirely, but I felt as though I had to step away. But God. I know what it means to be relentlessly pursued by our Savior - he doesn’t give up on you, and he keeps you secure. Even when I felt the desire to be back in a community of believers, I was still really angry and hurt – and not exactly receptive to being under the authority of a church. Referring back to the previous question, there were many godly women – including my mom, who exemplified the gracious patience of Maeve. They accepted me where I was in my relationship with God, acknowledged my feelings, and gently nudged me toward Jesus. Boundless is fiction, but by God’s grace, I was able to understand the emotions of the characters because the Lord has brought me through it and to the other side - and it was all ultimately for his glory.
One thing that stands out is how each character’s faith journey feels unique, authentic, and personal, especially Oakleigh’s. How do you approach writing faith arcs that feel genuine and not forced?
I started my career in Christian Media, specifically in script development. Script writing and novel writing are two very different mediums - so when I wrote Book 1: Boundless, it was truly an experiment. My passion and calling is to elevate Christian content, focusing on excellence in every area of storytelling. There’s often a misconception that all Christian content is cringy and preachy – and it often is. No one wants to be hit over the head with the Bible, I know I certainly don’t. Even personally, if someone who doesn’t have a platform in my life starts throwing Bible verses at me, I immediately bristle, and my walls go up. The Gospel was always meant to be relational, walking alongside each other and pointing to Jesus. When you are immersed in the characters and relate to the story, the message feels organic.
Harper’s story of brokenness and redemption reminds us that sometimes God doesn’t just repair but replaces and restores. How do you hope her journey speaks to readers who feel like nobody cares about them or that they’re beyond repair?
For the reader that finds themselves in Harper, I want you to know that somebody in your life has probably been diligently praying for you, whether you realize it or not. Jesus asks that you come to him as you are, with all the baggage, hurt, guilt, vices – whatever makes you feel unworthy. The message of the gospel is simple: If you come to him, he’ll take you.
For those who struggle with seeing a character like Harper redeemed – I hope to make the case that no one is beyond the saving grace of God. That’s not to say - put yourself in an unsafe situation or tear down boundaries. My characters keep their boundaries high, and I believe it’s healthy to protect yourself in certain situations. However, I believe as Christians, there has to be another way of dealing with what the world deems as “toxic” people. Sometimes, that’s removing yourself from the situation and praying for them, like Maeve exemplifies. The hurt is real, the grief over broken relationships is real, and those feelings should be honored, but also – leave space for the Lord’s ability to capture and change a heart.
Your writing carries a rhythm of hope even in the hardest moments. How do you balance portraying life’s pain while keeping the story steeped in hope?
Maeve is the thread through the books that brings hope to the page. It’s the hope we have in Christ as a mature believer. I’ve found throughout my own faith journey that it’s always the ones who have been through the most who have the most steadfast, unwavering faith. Until we’ve been through some stuff and seen God’s faithfulness, it’s sometimes difficult to keep our eyes on Jesus and rely on his peace. Some who pick up Boundless absolutely hate Oakleigh, she’s not the typical heroine in a contemporary novel, in fact, she’s more of an anti-hero. In every sense, she’s just a younger version of Harper. We come to believe that she’s redeemable because Maeve believes she’s redeemable. When we face hardship, we learn to look to Jesus and see circumstances and people through his eyes.
Coffee and ranch life are woven beautifully throughout the book, adding layers of warmth and grounding the story. How do these elements reflect deeper truths within the narrative?
There’s nothing better than a conversation over coffee! There’s certain imagery that makes us feel at home and brings us comfort. In the Boundless series, it's the coffee and the fireplace that settle us in and immerse us in the story.
What was the most challenging part of writing Relentless, and what part of the story flowed naturally for you?
Harper was the most challenging part of Relentless. As I mentioned before, she started as a broken, flawed character that I deemed unredeemable. The Lord had other plans, as He often does. I had to work within her character’s framework that was established in the first book, and I often found myself asking “WHY DID I MAKE HER SO HORRIBLE?” I knew that entering into her perspective would take a lot out of me, and it certainly did. Someone who is that hard-hearted, cruel, and bitter, has to also have a lot of damage. Looking back, I’m truly grateful for the challenge. She ended up being my favorite character to write and taught me a few lessons in extending grace to others – even when it doesn’t come easily.
The most natural and flowing in Relentless was Maeve and Oakleigh’s dynamic. I loved the comradery that has been established after all they’ve been through together. They have the type of friendship that I think all women hope to have in their relationships.
How does Relentless fit into the larger arc of the series? Is there a message or theme that ties all the books together in a meaningful way?
Your story isn’t over until it’s over.
What’s the one thing you hope readers walk away with after finishing Relentless? If you could sit down over coffee with each reader, what’s the one truth you’d want to share with them?
Preach the Gospel to yourself daily. Extinguish the pride that creeps in with religion by remembering how undeserving we were when God intervened, and be intentional to extend that grace and compassion to others.​​
​
Follow Amy Caldwell on Instagram - @amycaldwellauthor
​
Relentless reminds us that God’s grace is deeper than our failures and stronger than our darkest moments. Harper’s journey is a testament to the relentless pursuit of a Savior who never gives up on us. Whether you’re grappling with hurt, longing for redemption, or simply looking for a story that stirs your faith, this book offers a powerful reminder: no heart is beyond repair.
What part of any of Amy's stories resonates with you most?