“The possibility that I’d get matched with anyone who wasn’t a Christian is minute, anyway, right?”

“Right,” God giggled.

Saffron Cross is the intriguing memoir of Dana, a Baptist minister, and Fred, a devout Hindu and former monk. The two meet on eHarmony and begin a sometimes daunting but ultimately inspiring journey of interfaith relationship and marriage. Trent’s compelling vignettes, often hilarious and refreshingly honest, offer readers a glimpse into the challenges of bringing together two vastly different spiritual paths into one household. This book includes chapters on an Indian ashram honeymoon, vegetarianism, sabbath keeping, prayer, and grief, plus other challenges of interfaith relationships.

Saffron Cross: The Unlikely Story of How a Christian Minister Married a Hindu Monk will be published by Fresh Air Books, an imprint of Upper Room Books in October 2013.

Fred and Dana at the Sri Venkateswara Temple in Cary, NC. Photo by Franklin Golden

Fred and Dana at Binkley Baptist Church in Chapel Hill, NC. Photo by Franklin Golden

Fred and Dana at Binkley Baptist Church in Chapel Hill, NC. Photo by Franklin Golden

Fred and Dana at Binkley Baptist Church in Chapel Hill, NC. Photo by Franklin Golden

Dana and Fred at Lake Johnson Park in Raleigh, NC. Photo by Jim Harris