When Joy Came to Stay

Maggie Stovall is trapped inside a person she€s spent years carefully crafting. Now the truth about who she is€"and what she€s done€"is bursting to the surface and sending Maggie into a spiral of despair. Will she walk away from everything, or can Maggie allow God to take her to a place of ultimate honesty€"before it€s too late?

Maggie Stovall.

One of the golden people. She has it all together. At least on the surface€¦

Ben Stovall.

Godly husband. Successful attorney. Has no idea of the darkness about to overtake his life€¦

Amanda Joy.

Child of society. Abused, broken, thrown away. But her trust in God is still alive€¦


When Joy Came to Stay is the heart-wrenching story of one woman€s descent into the shadows of depression, her husband€s search for understanding, and a precious child€s unwavering faith.



"Kingsbury€s poignant tale of a lost and broken family and how they experience God€s
miraculous healing is a sure guarantee to bring hope and joy to her readers."
€"Melody Carlson, bestselling author, Diary of a Teenage Girl series


"A thought-provoking account of the battle of depression in a believer€s life. It leaves
no doubt that God is loving, merciful, and faithful."
€"Nancy Moser, author, The Mustard Seed series


Story Behind the Book

€œEach of my novels is a piece of my heart. Where Yesterday Lives was my first-ever novel, and as such it is somewhat autobiographical. The childhood story of Ellen Barrett, her love for her parents and siblings, is my story€"though her current story and struggles are fictional. On Every Side sheds light on the struggle for religious freedom in today€s climate; something I am passionate about. Finally, When Joy Came to Stay is the story of one woman€s battle against depression and the secrets of her past.€
€"Karen Kingsbury