A corporate executive turned author has channeled her own experiences with infertility and faith into a modern reimagining of one of the Bible’s most enduring stories about waiting and hope. Holly Bogdan’s debut novel transforms the ancient narrative of Sarah and Abraham into a contemporary tale set in New York City, addressing the struggles many women face today.
The novel follows Sarah, a successful marketing executive married to entrepreneur Abe, as they navigate the challenges of building a life together while yearning for the one thing that continues to elude them—a child. Years of failed fertility treatments and unanswered questions about purpose and identity push Sarah to the breaking point, especially when her young assistant Hagar offers to serve as a surrogate, setting off a chain of events that threatens to unravel Sarah’s carefully curated life.
Bogdan’s path to becoming an author began nearly a decade ago when she started documenting miraculous moments and healing testimonies on a personal blog. The turning point came when a social media advertisement for a self-publishing course caught her attention, promising that modern tools and technology had made the publishing process accessible to aspiring writers. After enrolling in the training, Bogdan felt called to write, ultimately settling on the concept of bringing the biblical Sarah’s story into a modern context.
The Texas-based author, who maintains a full-time corporate career while pursuing her calling as a minister of healing, found the writing process surprisingly fluid. Working with an editor who challenged her to dig deeper into her motivations, Bogdan discovered that her purpose extended beyond personal fulfillment. When pressed about why she was writing the book, she sought divine guidance and received what she describes as a clear message about revealing God’s truth and exposing the enemy’s lies, particularly regarding fertility and motherhood.
Bogdan’s personal connection to the subject matter runs deep. In 2016, she prayed with a colleague who had been trying to conceive for six years. Three months later, the woman became pregnant, and shortly after, Bogdan herself conceived. This experience sparked a mission to support women struggling with infertility, particularly those questioning whether motherhood was part of their destiny.
The author draws on biblical passages to support her belief that fertility struggles represent a spiritual battle rather than divine will. She points to Genesis 1:28, where God commands humanity to “be fruitful and multiply,” as evidence of God’s intentions for parenthood. Through her ministry work and now through Modern Sarah, Bogdan aims to restore hope to women in what she calls “the waiting room of motherhood.”
Early readers have responded positively to the novel’s blend of contemporary storytelling and spiritual themes. One book club member noted that the story “sparked some of the most meaningful conversations we’ve had in a long time,” while another reader praised it as “an amazing book for anyone who has dealt with the sadness of infertility.” Critics have highlighted Bogdan’s ability to connect ancient wisdom with modern challenges, creating a narrative that feels both timeless and relevant to today’s readers.
The novel includes a five-week small group guide, making it particularly suitable for book clubs and faith-based reading groups. Bogdan positions her work alongside popular titles like “The Red Tent” and “Redeeming Love,” aiming to reach readers who appreciate contemporary retellings of biblical narratives that explore themes of faith, womanhood, and perseverance.
Through the writing process, Bogdan discovered parallels between her protagonist’s journey and her own experiences with infertility. The waiting periods, the prayers that seemed unanswered, and the cycles of hope and disappointment all found their way into the narrative. Writing the novel became more than a creative exercise—it transformed into a way of processing her own faith journey and seeing divine faithfulness from the perspective of fulfilled promises.
Bogdan’s transition from corporate professional to published author reflects a broader trend of individuals leveraging modern self-publishing tools to share their stories and messages. Her journey from blog writer to novelist demonstrates how accessible publishing platforms have democratized the literary world, allowing voices like hers to reach audiences who might benefit from their unique perspectives and experiences.
The author hopes her debut novel will serve as a source of encouragement for women experiencing infertility, reminding them that “delay is not denial.” She envisions readers sharing the book with friends who might be struggling with similar challenges, creating a ripple effect of hope and support within communities of women navigating the complex emotions surrounding fertility and faith.
As Bogdan continues to balance her corporate career with her writing and ministry work, she represents a growing number of authors who view their creative output as an extension of their spiritual calling. Her debut novel stands as both a personal testimony and a universal story of hope, offering readers a contemporary lens through which to view ancient truths about patience, faith, and the fulfillment of promises.
