In the previous post, I introduced you to Melodie Fleming, an adoptive mom of two who co-wrote The Dance of Restoration: Rebuilding Marriage After Infidelity. Today we’re going to learn more about her co-author, Abel Ortega.

Tell us about Abel Ortega, your co-author for The Dance of Restoration
Abel Ortega is a licensed professional counselor and licensed marriage and family therapist. He is also an ordained minister and has worked both in the pastoral ministry and in the clinical field. He is currently in private practice.

What are your qualifications to write on these topics?
In addition to my thirteen years of experience as a minister’s wife, I hold the Master of Religious Education degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Abel handles all clinical issues. However, I am qualified to answer questions that are educational, spiritual, or biblical in nature.

Why did you decide to write the book together?
Abel and I began writing together on various projects about nine years ago. Sometime early in this partnership, we wrote a brief pamphlet about adultery for a seminar he taught. Later, we decided to turn that material into a full-length book. It took about two years to complete the first manuscript.

What was the impetus for writing a book about restoring a marriage damaged by infidelity?
We needed the book in our ministries! Over his years in counseling, Abel noticed a specific pattern of conflict that emerges in couples that are trying to reconcile. He needed a resource to help his clients understand what was happening to them so that they could navigate back to one another.

Who are your book’s target readers?
Couples in crisis - Our first priority was to write a resource for couples in crisis. For this reason, we kept the book brief and incorporated a strong story line.

Counselors - Since Abel is licensed to supervise counseling interns and because we both have connections to pastoral ministry, we were careful to footnote counseling tips and biblical foundations where appropriate.

Family and friends - A number of people have indicated to us that reading it helped them give support to family and friends who are struggling with the issue of adultery.