conclusion of The Barabbas Trilogy fiction MD House

 

The Barabbas Legacy by M.D. House

Christian Historical Fiction Trilogy

Imagining Life of Barabbas Concludes in New Book

April 2022

Buy on Amazon

$4.99 ebook

$12.49 print

362 pp

Christians around the globe are preparing for the upcoming Lenten season and the celebration of Easter in a time that is frightening and uncertain for many. In many places Christianity itself is under attack, as is the right of people to freely worship. In this season of reflection and spiritual preparation, what better story to contemplate than the lives of the early church leaders, who spread Christ’s message at a time of great peril and persecution?

In The Barabbas Trilogy,  M.D. House has imagined the life Barabbas went on to live after being spared his sentence of death in exchange for Jesus Christ. His journey has intertwined with those of many of the apostles, including Paul, Peter and Luke, as they sacrificed everything to spread the Gospel throughout the world.

Now, author House concludes the story of Barabbas’ life in the final chapter of the trilogy, TheBarabbas Legacy, which follows Barabbas and his wife Chanah as they continue their evangelistic mission across the known world as cauldrons of political and military chaos boil across the Roman Empire.

About the Book:
In this poignant capstone to the trilogy, the man called Barabbas—infamous former thief, murderer and prisoner turned Christian—and his wife Chanah continue their mission of spreading the gospel across the known world as cauldrons of political and military chaos boil across the Roman Empire. Nero is increasingly erratic, and it’s only a matter of time before the sharp knives of imperial politics finish him off. Various successors vie for position. Who will strike first, and who will come out on top?

Meanwhile, the rebellion in Judea has intensified, the Jewish zealots exerting great influence over the minds of the people. General Vespasian and his son Titus aim to put a permanent end to the insurrection. How many lives will ultimately be sacrificed on the great altar of Jerusalem? Can the Jewish nation survive the fulfillment of Jesus’s prophecy? What will become of the Jewish Christians and the apostles and sisters who lead them? And where will Barabbas and his family find lasting peace?

Read an excerpt from Chapter 1
Emperor Nero sat in the first chair to his right, furthest from the audience. Manius had reported on a recent visit that Nero was becoming more paranoid by the day—not just of the people, but of the senators, the Praetorian Guard, his generals, and most of the Roman nobility. Cornelius pitied him sometimes. Thrust into the role of emperor at sixteen by his mother’s murderous machinations, he had probably never coveted the position. What right-minded man would? The knives were always out. Always.

Many of those knives were aimed at Cornelius now. He sighed deeply, just as Nero left his chair and took a position a few feet in front of Cornelius, facing the audience. It was commonly known that a younger Nero had aspired to be a thespian and perform on stage, especially in such a grand theater as the Marcellus. That innocent youth had likely never envisioned this scenario.

“Fellow Romans,” he began in a rich, dramatic baritone. He was nearly thirty, no longer young. He had married at least twice, and one of his wives was dead. So was his mother, on his orders. The apostle Paul had connected with a piece of Nero’s soul, but Paul was not here. Nor was Peter, who had sacrificed himself for the Church. Nor was Barabbas, as far as Cornelius could tell. If he had arrived, he would have announced himself immediately at the home where Cornelius had been loosely confined.

“We have proven our mettle through fire and rebirth. Rome is strong, and will become greater still. But to do so, we must have order. We must have loyalty. We must all do our duty to the empire.”
 
It had the beginnings of a fine political speech. Nero’s oratory skills probably comprised a large part of the reason he still lived.
 
“This man”—he twisted to his left and gestured elaborately toward Cornelius—“was once a decorated, highly respected centurion, a man of resolve and action, a soldier true to the laws of Rome and her people.” As he squared himself again to the crowd, he spread both arms wide. “Now he favors strange gods above Rome, above her emperor, and above her true gods. He has helped Paul of Tarsus escape justice, and he has sought to weaken the influence of Rome across the world.”
 
Nero offered no facts to support his last claim, but because Cornelius had publicly admitted to helping Paul escape—and also because Nero was emperor—nobody would challenge the assertion.
 
“The question,” continued Nero, “isn’t whether Cornelius of the Italian band has betrayed Rome, but to what extent, and what his punishment should be. I will withhold that judgment until we have heard a few words in his defense.”
 
Cornelius watched in mild surprise as Senator Aviola rose from the front row and ascended the stage. Nero returned to his seat. Cornelius had expected someone else to be assigned to his defense—someone who couldn’t truly represent him, and wouldn’t care to. One of the occupants of the other nine chairs, none of which held him in any regard. Having Manius speak would be a boon … unless they had somehow gotten to him. A steely knot of dread formed in the pit of his stomach.
 
Senator Aviola didn’t look at Cornelius as he took his place and faced the people. The knot tightened and grew cold.
 
“Wise Roman citizens,” he began, “I am not here to spin fanciful tales, or to rob justice of her full due.” Cornelius nearly groaned aloud. “I will speak truth to you, in honor of all that is good and noble in your hearts and minds.”
 
He paused a moment, gripping the front of his rich, senatorial robes, trimmed in purple and red. He could be almost as dramatic as Nero, which had served him well, too.
 
 
About The Author
M.D. HOUSE is the author of The Barabbas Legacy, as well as the first two volumes in The Barabbas

Trilogy, I Was Called Barabbas and Pillars of Barabbas. He also authored the science-fiction novel, Patriot Star.  Before beginning his second career as a writer, he worked for twenty-five years in the world of corporate finance, strategic planning, and business development. Now, Michael lives in Utah with his wife, where he spends his time writing and enjoying his children and grandchildren. Learn more about Michael and his work at www.mdhouselive.com.
Learn more about M.D. House and The Barabbas Legacy at www.mdhouselive.com.
The Barabbas Legacy is available on Amazon.

Author’s Facebook: www.facebook.com/LiteraryThunder
Author’s Twitter: www.twitter.com/real_housemd

YA Urban Fantasy Thriller from KN Smith

Write Now Literary is pleased to be organizing a two-month book tour and visa gift card for Discovery of the Five Senses: The Urban Boys Series by K.N. Smith. The book tour will run March 1 -April 29, 2022.

 

 

Genre: Young Adult Action-Adventure, Young Adult Thriller, Urban Fantasy, Mystery/ Thriller

ISBN-13‏: ‎978-0989474757

K.N. Smith, winner of the "Best of" in the category of "Outstanding Young Adult Novel" at the Jessie Redmon Fauset Book Awards, is an author and passionate advocate of literacy and arts programs throughout the world. Her lyrical flair sweeps across pages that twist and grind through action-adventure and urban fantasy in edge-of-your-seat narratives. K.N. has over twenty-five years' experience in communications and creative design as an award-winning consultant. She inspires people of all ages to reach their highest potential in their creative, educational, and life pursuits. 

 

A suspenseful incident in a forbidden preserve heightens the senses of five friends. Sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell become super-gifts that forever change the world. But furious battles confront the boys as they try to understand their sensory superpowers in a race to save mankind. With light beings and mysterious strangers complicating their plight, will the boys be able to defeat the evil Druth before it’s too late? Get prepared for the twisting and grinding of this award-winning, action-adventure story — an edge-of-your-seat narrative for young and mature readers alike.

Prologue

And in the absence of even a hint of an exchange, Joaquin spun around and lunged at Ross. He grabbed him by the throat, knocking him down.  

With brittle leaves and debris thrust upward, the two were enveloped in a dark, hazy hell as they engaged in a violent struggle for what seemed like an eternity.  

Ross flared up. “Get the hell off of me!”  

Joaquin persisted. “What are you going to do, Ross? Where are you going to go?” 
Ross scrambled to his feet, fighting back with a blow to Joaquin’s head, followed by several body punches. Joaquin stumbled and fell, giving Ross those precious few seconds required for his escape.  

Fueled by a rush of pulsating adrenaline, Ross ran frantically, stretching his quivering legs. His rich brown skin tightened as he pounded through the forest. He tried to ignore his thunderous heartbeat while scanning the pathways, searching for possible escape routes.  

With his baseball cap lost to the wind, his short, curly hair had exposed to the open air. Ross grasped the moment, one littered with deep panic and a singular appreciation for survival.  

This turn of events stemmed from countless episodes in which Joaquin, only nineteen yet extremely demanding, had tried to control those around him.

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My Sister Helped Me Heal book tour and giveaway

 

    

  Write Now Literary is pleased to be organizing a two-week book tour and free book giveaway for My Sister Helped Me Heal: The Power of Kingdom Sisterhood by Chavon Anette. The book tour will run April 4 - 15, 2022. ISBN: 978-0578380049 Genre: Religion / Christian Living / Personal Growth

ABOUT THE VISIONARY

Chavon is an Amazon #1 International Bestselling Author, Transformational Speaker, Leadership and Life Coach, and Talk Show Host. She is the CEO of Purpose Unwrapped, LLC and non-profit Power and Grace Leaders, Inc. Also, a board member- COO- of an Accreditation organization- Governing Council. Chavon is affectionally known as the Fire Leadership Coach. She marries practical and spiritual tools to empower and equip kingdom people to lead in the world. Formerly a high school educator, her mission is now to help Kingdom people Break Fear, Build Faith, and Lead Confidently online and beyond. She believes it takes commitment, confidence, and courage to impact culture. She is also a transformational speaker who speaks with great passion in a way that empowers and challenges her listeners. She has been featured as a speaker on ABC news, TCT Today, Virginia Wesleyan University, and at conferences and other events such as globally recognized Comeback Champion Summit and Sister Leads Conference. Chavon has published 4 books that are available on Amazon, and she has been a part of 7 anthologies. Three anthologies became Amazon #1 Bestsellers- Undeterred, (International Bestselling) Unveiled Transparency, Called to Intercede and Sister Leaders. Now, She is in the process of birthing out My Sister Helped Me Heal Anthology where she is the visionary. Chavon Anette was the 2021 Servant Leader of the Year Award Recipient from ACHI Magazine. Also In 2021, she was nominated for ACHI as Entrepreneur of the year, mentor of the year, author of the year, and TV personality of the year. In 2018, Chavon was nominated for ACHI as Author of the year and Educator of the year, and in 2019 she was nominated for ACHI as Educator of the Year and Orator of the Year!

ABOUT THE BOOK

Chavon Anette and an amazing group of women join in an Anthology to share their story about the Powerful gift of Kingdom Sisterhood. The book is about real stories of Sisterhood That helped people move - from broken to whole - from hidden to walking in purpose - from rejected to accepted - from insecure to confident - from afraid to bold as a lioness.

 

EXCERPT

“Look at her”- my eyes meet my friend- “I support and love you.” “Look at her”- my eyes shift to my next friend- “I support and love you.” “Look at her”- my eyes turn to my other friend- “I support and love you.” “Look at me”- my eyes are at my friend creating this moment- “I support and love you.” It was moments before I would speak for my first in-person event. God led my friend Kiyanni Bryan to instruct me to turn and look at all my sisters in the back room with me - Lakia Perez, Ciara Mason, Melissa Daughtry, and herself, and allow them to say those words to me. With tears rolling down my eyes, the reality of their words sinking in brought me to a new level of freedom and deliverance. It can weigh on you when you have had to manage the fights of ministry and fights in your personal life. It never means quitting or giving up, but with the right people around you, it still means making sure you position yourself to heal in the areas where you have been wounded.

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Walking on Pins and Needles nonfiction memoir

 

Walking on Pins and Needles: A Memoir of Chronic Resilience in the Face of Multiple Sclerosis 

by Arlene Faulk
River Grove Books, February 15, 2022, 268 pp
Health and Fitness
ebook 7.99
paperback, 16.95
 
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About the Book:
Tai Chi is not about trying harder; it’s about letting go, being in the moment, feeling balance, and the fluidity of energy.
 
When you’ve been voted as “most likely to succeed” as a senior in high school with a bright future ahead, you set challenging goals and move forward to fulfill expectations. And as far as Arlene Faulk—accomplished businesswoman, storyteller, and Tai Chi instructor—knew, multiple sclerosis wasn’t going to get in her way.
 
At the age of 22, in the middle of working the busiest shopping day of the year, Arlene loses all feeling in her body from the waist down. Her mobility returns but she’s given no diagnosis, and one question pervades her thoughts: What is happening to my body?
In this moving and illuminating memoir of one woman’s years-long struggle to understand and conceal her debilitating symptoms as she ascends the corporate ladder in a major airline comes a story of perseverance, rediscovery, and hope in light of multiple sclerosis. As she jumps into the unknown, Faulk finds comfort and healing through Chinese medicine and Tai Chi. Her inspiring story demonstrates how a chronic and debilitating health condition lacks the power to control our lives and stop us from moving in the direction of possibility.
 
My Review:
Faulk’s captivating story drew me into her world, from the prologue of a young woman’s dreams of leaping into a responsible career as a new adult, independent in the exciting and challenging era of the 1970 and 80s, all the way to the final page. Memoirs are often so personal that I feel like a voyeur, but Faulk’s engaging and frank storytelling made me part of her story, cheering, booing, encouraging, parental at various points along her journey of discovery. Perhaps because I have personal experience through friendships with this condition, Faulk’s perspective helped me take part in her life through her eyes and grow in empathy.
 
As a newly minted adult, Faulk experiences frightening symptoms that could have easily been contributed to hysteria, had her father not been a physician and helped direct her first medical consultation. During that first consultation, the neurologist spoke to her father instead of to her as they direct her tests and receive a result of “inconclusive.”
 
I marvel at Faulk’s fist boss who gave her space to realize she has to change her career. She returns to school, earning a graduate degree and gaining lifelong supportive friendships. Focusing on the positive and most honest aspects of her life choices, Faulk sets the pace and tone for a forthright and authentic revelation about achieving a balanced life.
 
With her graduate degree in business communication and a recommendation from a friend, Faulk enters corporate America in Chicago at first through the restaurant industry, “studying promotional opportunities for entry-level workers in the food service industry.” The pace for young professionals is brutal, and she tries have a social life tucked between long hours on the job. When she’s head-hunted by a major airline at first in research, and later promoted to “management education representative,” Faulk slowly rises to become one of top female executives in a high-profile industry and moves to New York City.
 
But these rungs on the corporate ladder are all challenged by fits and starts and stops of strange symptoms as specific areas of her body seem to turn on and off with extreme weakness and pain mostly in her legs, and brain fog. A visit to a neurologist results in the dreaded “inconclusive” result. But this doctor asks her to track her symptoms and try steroid therapy. She joins a fitness club and makes special friends who encourage her to find a good balance in life—not easy for anyone.
 
Faulk eventually receives a possible diagnosis of multiple sclerosis, but little advice and support from medical professionals of that era in New York City and refuses to participate in an experimental drug therapy study. A job-related return to Chicago and involvement in church results in setting down roots.
 
Throughout this decade, Faulk reflects on her family life and future decisions while she tries to ignore increasingly disturbing symptoms of her multiple sclerosis. Her father’s sudden death in 1983 makes her realize that she knew little about his family beyond the facts of his emigration. Faulk is stunned to hear painful truths and questions her reasons for not sharing her own condition with any but her siblings and a few close friends.
 
After five years of stability, Faulk’s symptoms return with a vengeance and she concludes she needs to be honest with her mother. Amazingly, Faulk deals with the challenges of her health and her job until the economic downturn of the early 1990s forces her career into a radical sidestep. It’s also that time when her condition becomes so severe that she makes the decision to leave the workforce. She’s young yet, depressed and disillusioned about where to go from here, and spends two years on the couch at home. A friend’s strong recommendation to see an alternative healer finally sinks in and Faulk makes a choice that changes her fate.
 
Here’s where her real journey to managing her health, well-being, and outlook truly begin. Through fits and doubts, Faulk begins to learn about Chinese medicine and gradually regains her equilibrium, learning to re-channel and redirect her energy and pain through therapeutic manipulation, acupuncture, and eventually tai chi, the gently flowing Chinese-origin exercise regime which gives her life back.
 
Told without pretense, Faulk’s enlightening and fresh perspective of her personal journey of living with a dreaded chronic condition will encourage anyone, especially those who live with severe challenges. Highly recommended.
 
About the Author:
Arlene Faulk is a teacher, writer, storyteller and accomplished businesswoman. She led Human Resources departments in a major airline for 19 years. Her MS symptoms that she kept secret for years stopped her cold. She jumped into the unknown and discovered health practices that transformed her life. In her award-winning blog, she interweaves Tai Chi principles and her own life experiences to inspire readers to live their best lives.

Obedient Unto Death by Liisa Eyerly debut historical fiction

 

Obedient Unto Death

Liisa Eyerly

Christian historical fiction

March 22, 2022

CrossRiver Media

355 pp

 

$15.99 Print

$4.99 Ebook

 

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About the Book

Christians under the rule of Emperor Domitian walk a lethal tight-rope between evangelism and martyrdom.  Sabina, a young Christian widow, knows this better than most, her Roman magistrate father is sworn to uphold the decrees of Rome and arrest any Christian who refuses to worship the Emperor.

     Her separate worlds collide when a young scribe is murdered at a house church, and her pastor confesses to the crime. With his execution imminent, Sabina sets out to prove his innocence, but to do so she must defy the laws banning her faith, and step beyond the privileged and sheltered world she has grown-up in.

     When a pagan idol is found hidden in the dead man’s robe, she soon discovers the life of this faithful scribe is anything but simple. Dogged by the scribe’s brother demanding justice for the death, they begrudgingly agree to join forces. They uncover fragments of a burnt scroll leading to the underworld of a mysterious Gnostic sect. The closer she gets to solving the murder, the more she endangers her family, the security of her Christian community, and her life. Can this collision between faith and Roman law bring anything but disaster? 

 

My Revew

Eyerly’s debut is a deeply moving mystery set in an exotic location during treacherous times. In ancient Ephesus, a death at a forbidden Christian worship service rocks the early church. One of the worshippers happens to be the daughter of the Roman magistrate of the cosmopolitan Greek city. Sabina is not willing to call her friend Benjamin’s death an accident or the will of God, and uses her unusual upbringing as the lonely daughter of a single father who raised her to challenge myth and tales through the lens of practical stoicism and facts.

 

Obedient Unto Death is a fascinating mix of faith and life in ancient times, told in a way that brings Ephesus to life. Readers walk with Sabina as she defies the Romans, the Ephesians who want to ban the Christian sect, other secret sects, and even her family and friends to get to the truth behind the death of a rising leader in her church.

 

Told through Sabina’s eyes, this inspirational story set during the era of the early church will keep you turning pages as she uses the four days her father gives her to unmask the real murderer or watch their congregation’s pastor die for the crime. Sabina finds Benjamin’s brother dodging her steps as he, too, is on a quest to find his brother’s killer, as well as learn more about his life. Colorful characters from Sabina’s cool, classic Roman father to her nurse to church members who all seem to have some sort of secret people this un-putdownable book. Standalone, but with future stories to come, readers who enjoy mysteries in any era will find much to love about Obedient Unto Death.

 

About the Author

Liisa Eyerly is the author of two Christian mystery novels set in ancient Ephesus. She is a retired elementary teacher and school librarian but will never retire from inciting the thrill of reading in all ages.

She has lived in some of the most beautiful areas of the U.S. The passion for exploring new places and connecting with people began there and inspired her writing. Her publishing career started after getting married, teaching, raising three children, opening a small business, closing her small business, and finally getting serious about writing. Check out her blog at www.liisaeyerly.com

Defending David new historical fiction from Barbara Britton

 

Defending David: Ittai’s Story
Barbara M. Britton
 
Harbour Light Books, Pelican Book Group
Biblical fiction, 300 pp
February 25, 2022
16.99
5.99
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About the Book
When a quiet journey to Jerusalem turns tragic, newly orphaned Rimona must flee a kinsman set on selling her as a slave. Racing into the rocky hills outside of Hebron, Rimona is rescued by a Philistine commander journeying to Jerusalem with six-hundred warriors. Exiled commander, Ittai the Gittite, is seeking refuge in the City of David. Protecting a frantic Hebrew woman is not in his leadership plan. Although, having a nobleman’s niece in his caravan might prove useful for finding shelter in a foreign land. Rimona and Ittai arrive in Jerusalem on the eve of a rebellion. In the chaos of an heir’s betrayal, will they be separated forever, or can they defend King David and help the aging monarch control his rebellious son?
 
My Review
Britton’s deft research and reimagining little-known stories from scripture flesh out another deeply ingrained figure in the background of King David’s life and reign. As a child, the Philistine Ittai met David and his entourage when they lived for a time under the protection of Achish. Ittai loved his single mother, but adored the youthful David who was kind and strong. Ittai also found a new purpose in life when David’s God became Ittai’s God.
 
Fast forward thirty years and we encounter a grown-up Ittai whose zeal for the Lord and gifts of command have influenced a small army loyal first to the Hebrew God, then to their leader Ittai, and finally to David. To that end, they set out to pledge their swords to the now aging king.
 
In the meantime, we’re introduced to a recently orphaned young woman who is seeking the capital city reluctantly to claim shelter from her last remaining relative, the brother of her recently deceased, dear mother. Rimona must trust a kinsman to take her to Jerusalem. But her trust is misplaced and she must run for her life, it’s out of the pan and into the fire when a giant Philistine catches her. Now what can a lone woman do? Who can she trust? Along the way they have a strange encounter with King David’s son Absalom.
Rimona agrees to join Ittai’s company and is sheltered by Ittai’s commander’s family whom she befriends. Once in Jerusalem nothing is easy. Sure, they both are welcomed after a fashion—David recognizes and gratefully accepts his one-time protegee, and Rimona’s grouchy uncle gracelessly accepts his new responsibility. That is unfortunately the highlight of their first impression of Jerusalem as they’ve unwittingly walked into a dreadful time in their sovereign’s life. The encounter with Absalom was a portend of a coup, and Rimona and Ittai are thrust into each side of the battle for the throne, their dignity, their freedom, and their lives.

Britton’s story of great faith and loyalty, of choosing the Lord’s side even if it looks hopeless is a gem of an addition to her growing library of Biblical historical fiction. Nuanced with romance and faithful to the story found in II Samuel, readers of faith-based fiction will surely enjoy Defending David—Ittai’s Story.
 
About the Author
Barbara M. Britton lives in Wisconsin and loves the snow—when it accumulates under three inches. Barb writes romantic adventures from Ancient Israel to Modern Day USA and especially enjoys bringing little-known Bible characters to light. She has a nutrition degree from Baylor University but loves to dip healthy strawberries in chocolate. Barb is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, Romance Writers of America and American Christian Fiction Writers. You can visit Barb online at www. barbarambritton.com or follow her on Facebook and Twitter.

Write Now Literary Tour and Givaway for Boss Women

 

Write Now Literary is pleased to be organizing a two-month book tour and $25.00 Amazon gift card for Boss Women: Seven African American Women Who Built Their Business From The Ground Up by Gwen Richardson. The book tour will run Jan- Feb 25, 2022. 

 

Genre: Youth

ISBN- 978-1737449607

Gwen Richardson has been an author, entrepreneur, and "boss woman" for decades. She is the author of 13 books, including Boss Women, and is a graduate of Georgetown University. She has been twice nominated for NAACP Image Awards for Outstanding Literary Work, wants to inspire children to seek entrepreneurship as a career path. Richardson resides in Houston with her husband, Willie, and adult daughter, Sylvia.

 

Boss Women features seven African American women who started their businesses by themselves or as co-founders with family members. Some of the enterprises are relatively new, while others have been established for decades.

 

The businesswomen profiled in this book are Janice M. Adams (JMA Solutions), Valerie Daniels-Carter (V&J Holding Companies), Bea Dixon (Honey Pot), Janice Bryant Howroyd (The ACT One Group), Garnetta Sanders (Neta Scientific), Janell Stephens (Camille Rose Naturals), and J.C. Sykes (90 Degree Construction).

 

Boss Women uses poetic phrasing to make it easier for children to read and understand. While reading each poetic profile, children will be able to see themselves in these women’s successes and dream big dreams for the future. The book is also a motivational tool for adults who are seeking encouragement on their entrepreneurial journeys.

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