Guest Post: John Stacy Worth and his Grace Finder Saga and Other Writing.

Today I am spotlighting novelist and man of many talents, John Stacy Worth. I came across John when I discovered his novel, Remnant, on either a Facebook or Amazon link (not sure which, I come across so many novels and authors!). I was intrigued by the title and was pleasantly surprised when I discovered this novel was about Noah and the building of the Ark. Some might say, "Not another Noah's Ark novel!" but I find this topic fascinating and love the different take on it by these authors. Makes it very speculative. As you read John's post below, you will find a unique take on this topic and I must say it is one that I have not considered but shows another aspect of God's character and His heart towards us!

So sit back and let John introduce himself and talk about his novels and his writing.

Over to you, John!

First, thanks to Peter for his fantastic blog and for giving me the opportunity to guest post here.  I'll start by posing and then answering the two basic questions: Who is John Stacy Worth and why did he feel the need to give the world yet another Noah story?

Here's a picture of me, taken in my backyard a few months ago. I feel a little funny talking about myself, you know like I might come across as pretentious or arrogant, but I think of John’s gospel and how he described himself as “...the disciple Jesus loved.” That strikes me as simply good-natured humor and a healthy sense of identity in Christ.

So, in that spirit, I’ll introduce myself as a beloved son of God and a grace embracing artist, author, husband, father, friend, and family man.

I’ve been drawing images on paper since before I could read, and once I learned to read I wrote stories to go with them. And vice-versa (I digitally create all the covers for my books using Manga Studio and Photoshop).

I’ve also realized that, through those two Callings, I’ve been commissioned to impact the world around me. Ultimately I want the love of God to spill from my pages and onto the ones who find my books. Psalm 23 says it so well “... my cup runneth over.” As authors it’s our inkwell that overflows, to bless the world with our surplus; our abundance of truth, life, and love.

In my opinion, there’s so much misunderstanding about the heart of God, both inside and outside the church. Which only stands to reason, right? I mean, God is so big, how could anyone claim to have all-inclusive or even accurate knowledge about Him? They sound like rhetorical questions, but they're not. While we are limited in our understanding, that doesn't mean we can't know our Father. And though His entirety is beyond complete comprehension that doesn't mean He doesn't reveal Himself to us, collectively and individually, to show us who He really is; His character, His person, His heart.

He does this by placing His Spirit inside us and others to whom He's made himself known. I have a view of Yahweh as a loving Father and know him as Daddy. Another believer may have a deeper understanding of another facet of His person. And as believers gather together and share our individual Relationship with one another, we can come away edified and enlightened. That’s why we need one another, a solid grounding in Scripture, and the Holy Spirit to guide us into all truth.

As for the type of books I write, I describe it with the tagline “This ain’t your mama’s Christian Fiction.” Which means the subject matter leans more toward speculative fiction (a fancy term for science fiction, fantasy, and any assortment of weird mashups). I don’t write or make art exclusively for the Christian market, but neither do I exclude my brothers and sisters. I know that even after my salvation experience, there were a lot of things I just couldn’t understand, some well-intentioned - but wrong - teachings I bought into, and some wrong conclusions that I came to on my own. Even now I keep reading and learning new things about Daddy that I didn’t know before. So while I’m not trying to “preach to the choir”, I still want them in the audience. To be entertained, edified, and even to be a sounding board to let me know if I’m spot on, a bit out of tune, or way out in left field.

Ultimately I want to change the world, even if it’s in a small and simple way, by presenting a true portrait of my King. Yeshua is not some boring and stern killjoy, looking down in disapproval at the unwashed masses, as many inside and outside the church have unwittingly (or in some cases intentionally) depicted Him.

Because our faults don’t define us. Only Yeshua defines us, through the value He placed on us when He stepped in as a sacrifice to ransom us from the accuser. We are loved so deeply, have so much worth in the eyes of our King/Father/Brother/Husband/Redeemer. So while I long to see the Bride realize and embrace her identity, I also direct my message to those who may have been wounded, disillusioned, or have grave misconceptions about the heart of the One who loves us all. That’s my message: Daddy loves you!

All that said, the first duty of a fiction author is to entertain. To use fiction to express Truth with clarity, enthusiasm, excitement, and passion. All to keep the reader turning the page; so caught up in the tale that the joy is palpable; the struggle and pain elicit real tears; and when tragedy strikes the reader gasps aloud, only to smile with satisfaction at the final triumph. To pull them in so completely that the story resonates long after the book is closed.

Because often then, in that aftermath, seeds of truth begin to take hold, as preconceived notions are reconsidered. Perhaps old prejudices can be seen for the burdens they are. Old lies are exposed and dismantled. Hardened souls become soft soil again, so a Father’s heart can be felt instead of feared. And a shift occurs, as the bitter see they are truly beloved, the rejects realize they are royalty, and the doubters become disciples of the only One who has ever been worth following.

I can’t say that every reader comes away with a grand revelation of God’s love, but I do find that reviews like this awesome 4 Star review that I recently received are among my favorites:

Not bad

By Donna Rea

“Christian Fiction isn't usually my thing but this one isn't bad. Likable characters, enough action to keep me interested, and the author even managed to talk about his version of god without getting preachy. I will definitely read more of his books!”

(Thanks, Donna. You rock!)

Here's a more detailed Amazon 5 star review that I also appreciate:

A captivating story of the power of love, faith, and steadfastness

By William Rubin

This was my first foray into Christian Fiction and I must admit I had some trepidation, including irksome, irrational thoughts like, “Is this book going to be like the old animated television series Davy and Goliath? Don’t get me wrong, I loved that series – as a kid – but was looking for so much more as an adult.

John Stacy Worth’s Remnant delivers the goods – and then some!

In Remnant, Mr Worth has woven a compelling story about Noah in the years preceding the launch of the ark. His storytelling style and prose conjure up vivid images of the decadent, dangerous, soon-to-be-damned world Noah and his inner circle live in.

I found myself drawn into the story immediately, transported back to an era of rampant paganism, adultery, and murder. As Mr Worth so aptly stated in the notes at the end of Rampant, “This Ain’t Your Momma’s Christian Fiction” – it is so much more. Filled with distinct, intriguing, believable characters, the story motors along, drawing us deeper and deeper into Noah’s world and the challenges he faces being a God-fearing man in an era of wickedness and deceit.

Chapter headings provide pleasing signposts for where the story heads next, but in no way detract from the action. Quite the opposite, as more often than not the action developed in unexpected ways, which heightened my anticipation and drew me further into the story.

I will warn you about this: after completely ensnaring your attention Remnant ends with a cliffhanger – but do not fret. Our kind and clever wordsmith, the aforementioned Mr Worth, has a heart and CPR will not be necessary - Books 2 and 3 in the series, Reprobate and Requiem, are already available to appease our desire for more, more, please!

Thank you, Mr Worth for creating Christian Fiction that is highly entertaining! Now on to book two…

(Thank you as well, Dr William Rubin! You rock as well!)

Now if all of that seems overly dramatic or too darned serious, let me put it another way by relaying my author bio, but in the first person and with a little more exposition near the end.

My books have no Amish folks (cool as they are), no 1800s Western setting with a focus on romance (and Western Romances do indeed rule - just check out “Redeeming Love” by Francine Rivers if you don’t believe me). My fiction is more like, “Did you ever wonder how you might kill a Behemoth?” Or, more importantly, "What's Leviathan taste like?"

And such crucial questions as, "Can a vampire get saved? What were the Nephilim really like? What happened to those Cherubim and that flaming sword guarding the entrance to Eden?"

I’ve been writing and illustrating stories like these since I was old enough to trace comic books. I grew up reading every Tarzan novel I could get my hands on, then moved on to Asimov, Tolkien, Orson Scott Card ... you get the picture.

Since those days (way back in the twentieth century) I served in the U.S. Navy (14 countries and about every island in the Caribbean), spent a year as a High School Science Teacher, then a Chemist for Merck Pharmaceuticals, and now I’m employed at a Nuclear Power Plant.

But more important than all of these wonderful life experiences is that I’m happily married with two awesome sons; I still love to draw and make up stories; I love God, and will talk about Jesus if you give me half a chance.

I’ve also finally come to grips with the fact that, at my core, I am an artist. As I’ve described it to friends: I can’t not draw! I can’t not write! God put it in my heart to create, and when I do I feel his pleasure and manifest presence. I can sense His Spirit cheering me on and co-labouring alongside me. It’s such a holy, profound joy and privilege.

As for why I felt the world needed yet another version of Noah’s tale, I wrote the first draft of this series over ten years ago. My initial purpose in writing the story was to "move Noah out of the nursery".  Many think of Noah in terms of children's toys, nursery décor, and a bearded old man--a disservice to a mighty man of God, in my opinion. As I delved into the tale, seeking answers to the questions of "Where would his sons find their wives?" and "What was the antediluvian world like?", other fictionalized versions of the story seemed, to me at least, to regard the Flood as simply an act of God's judgment. Many versions seemed to depict Noah as harsh and judgmental, intent on seeking God's justice above all else. Which is not how I saw him at all. Noah wanted as many people on that ship with him as possible. Moreover, the Bible states that "Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD." With that verse as my touchstone, I began to also wonder if the flood itself might have been an act of grace.

Upon writing, I chose to explore how God would show His grace to each of the main characters--how He would stir the hearts of each, and move on their behalf according to their deepest needs.  My ultimate goal is for the reader to realize Father God is intimately interested in us all, has reached out to all of us in love, and pours out grace for every circumstance, though not always in the ways we might expect. Through reading my fictional version of Biblical accounts, I hope that people come away feeling as though they have trod alongside Noah and his family, with a deeper appreciation of God's grace, and a fuller understanding of the sort of men and women these "grace-finders" must have been. 

A word of caution: Book One, Remnant, (and the other books in the Grace Finder trilogy) deals with some mature themes. The worst events either occur off-screen or end quickly. But I would rate it as PG-13, about as graphic as the Bible. My hope is that readers will be moved by the intricate web of relationships between characters that are relevant and real, while also being caught up in the fast-paced adventure upon a world that seems, on the surface, so unlike our own.  At the heart of the book is the fact that regardless of time or place, all of humanity has the same core need, a right relationship with our Maker, that can only be achieved through His saving provision of grace. Which is why I titled the series 'The Grace Finder Saga’, a tale of Noah unlike any you’ve ever read (or seen in a movie).

My books can be found at various online retailers (book one, Remnant, is permanently free; I also promote my fiction at Fiction Worth Reading and offer book two of my trilogy, Reprobate, for free when folks join my reader's group at http://jsworth.com.

Here’s an excerpt from book three, Requiem, to share a conversation between Lamech and his grandson, Japheth. It showcases the struggle I think we’ve all felt when the dreams of our hearts take a backseat (sometimes necessarily or temporarily so) to the duties of life.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Start of Excerpt~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Lamech squinted at him. “Are you always so duty bound? If you amass skills simply because you feel it is your obligation—to preserve knowledge and to ensure survival—then what pleasure is there in that? Regardless of what you apparently think, there is joy in simply learning how to do a thing.”

Japheth squared his jaw. “I have no time for luxuries such as joy. I do have a duty, one that I fully intend to perform.”

The old man sighed. “There should still be time enough in life for enjoyment. Love, for instance. I’m assuming you desire a wife?”

“I desire whatever God plans for me, whatever He provides.”

Lamech put a hand on his grandson’s shoulder. “His plans are to prosper you. He loves you, Japheth. This world may indeed be coming to an end, but don’t for a moment think that He still doesn’t delight in blessing those he loves. Life is His gift to you, and He wants you to enjoy it. To live it to the full.”

Japheth was not convinced. Still, his heart had been stirred by the suggestion that his hopes might be more than just foolish dreams.

Excerpt From: “Requiem” by John Stacy Worth. This material protected by copyright.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~End of Excerpt~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

To fill you in on a bit more of the trilogy: As I alluded to before, I grew up reading Tolkien and C.S. Lewis. I later moved on to Piers Anthony, Asimov, Stephen R. Donaldson, then Neil Gaiman, Terry Pratchett, really too many to mention.

So, while my trilogy is based on the flood account of the Bible, it reads like Epic Fantasy. You'll find prophets, street urchins, warriors, and royalty; rituals, visions, and incantations; political and personal betrayal; dragon-riding giants battling a ragtag band of misfits, sword fights and drawn bows; love, loss, sacrifice, and redemption; unrelenting faith and the timeless struggle of good versus evil. And with the first two books available free via a permafree Book One and an opt-in for Book Two, really what do you have to lose? Give it a chance; you'll be glad you did!

My stand-alone novel is a short story collection, "Transdimensional Detours". There are 8 stories averaging 5000 words each, so 40k in all. At $3.99 I consider it a great buy. That’s ten thousand words per dollar. Some may think that's too pricey, and that's okay.

But picture this: a cool Fall morning (or evening) curling up with eight intriguing tales and a warm cup of Starbucks, which, if you're like me, you'll drop $3.99 on that coffee without even blinking. (But nobody’s saying you can't have your coffee and speculative fiction too.)

And let me give a quick rundown of what you'll get. The ebook short-story collection includes aliens and endangered species, moonlit swamps with sacred dragons, a time travelling physician, a drug-dealing artist haunted by visions of his past and possible futures, an island filled with historic ruins and ancient magic, a vampire beguiled by an ageing herpetologist, and much, much more.

Get Transdimensional Detours on Amazon here. 

Other sites, here.

And to make sure you don't miss them, here are the links to complete the Grace Finder trilogy:

The Grace Finder Saga:

Book One, Remnant: Amazon FREE!

Other sites click here. FREE!!

Book Two, Reprobate (FREE!): http://jsworth.com/

Book three, Requiem, only $2.99 on Amazon.

Other sites click here. Again only $2.99.

And here's a link to sample a free story from Transdimensional Detours:

Fledgling - Bookfunnel link (This will give you a good idea of the quality and type of stories you'll find in that collection.)

I apologize if the wrap up for this seemed like a sales pitch. Actually, no I don't. It was a sales pitch.  But a very fair one. As anyone who labors at a craft or skill will understand, I unapologetically believe in my work and would not put it out there if I didn't know in my heart that it would be a blessing to those who receive it. (Maybe my books would make a nice gift or birthday present for that special bookworm in your life.) I know God has given me something to say, and I always strive to give more than I get. That’s why there are links to get you two free books and a sample from my short-story collection.

Thanks again to Peter Younghusband for affording me the opportunity and honor to introduce myself and my work here. I really appreciate it and can’t say enough about how wonderful and selfless he has been. His blog is a much-needed advocate for authors and an invaluable resource for readers. (Peter, if you’re ever in the States, look me up. I may live in the middle of nowhere, but I can show you some astounding swamps. No crocs as large as you have in Australia, but more alligators than you can shake a stick at. Alas, no vampires. At least none that I know of.)

Peace everyone. I’ll leave you with a few more links where I can be found:

Amazon Author Page    Author Website    Facebook: Fiction Worth Reading  

Patreon: JSWorth.  

I was recently featured in The Toombs County Magazine and this article showcases my writing and novels. 

To read the article, click on this link: Man of Stories 

I have also written, drawn and published comic books: Kidfriendly Comics.

(The above two photos and the photo of John at the beginning of this post are used with permission of Eric S. Love of LOG.IC)

And please drop me a line, I love to hear from fellow authors and readers.  jsw@jsworth.com

Sincerely,

John Stacy Worth

Thank you, John, for giving us an insight into your writer's mind and passion for writing for God's Glory and using the talent He has given you to do so. I am looking forward to reading your books in 2018 and I pray others will also. It has been a pleasure having you as a guest blogger on this site. Please consider visiting again! 

John, I will definitely take you up on your offer if I do visit America! Thanks for the kind invitation!

Readers and reviews are an author's best asset, so I encourage any reader who likes reading in the genres of Christian inspirational, science fiction and fantasy, biblical fiction, to consider reading the Grace Finder Saga and submit a review on Goodreads, Amazon, Barnes and Noble and on Google+, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest (or any other social media you subscribe to).

The Christmas Quest by G. L. Stone

The Christmas Quest

Mason Krucheck knows loss. His beloved Anne passed on eighteen months ago and he is facing his second Christmas on his own. Now he must also face his grandson, Jacob’s, illness as this Christmas approaches; and things are not going well. The last few months have been hard for Jacob, as his life has collapsed around him to the size of a hospital bed. Mason has always been his special friend; wielding the magic of storytelling as few can to free Jacob of the fear he faces through a fantastic story. But Mason finds his own life has taken unexpected twists, bringing him closer to his grandson; in truth, too close; and they both discover that some stories truly have a life of their own. Entwined in a magical tale of kings and queens, demons and wizards, elves and fair maidens, and all the familiar icons of Christmas, in one short week Mason and Jacob travel a pathway through life, fear, sorrow, freedom, joy, and happiness as the majesty and hope of Christ intervenes in their lives on the most magical Christmas Eve of all.

The Guru's Review: 

This is one very impressive debut novel by this author. I picked it up free during a promotional period from Amazon. 

I loved this story! I have not come across such a unique concept for quite a while. This author shows quite an imagination and creativity in the construction of this novel. Sometimes when an author attempts to blend the reality of the main character's lives with that of fantasy, the process runs the risk of being disjointed instead of a cohesion and both complimenting each other. For a debut author to pull this off is quite a feat and maybe it would not be expected to attempt in their first published story. Stone achieves the former very well. The blending of the reality that both Mason and Jacob are experiencing with the fantasy world involving Bentley, James, Nicholas, Teresa, the Queen, and Richard is flawless. While reading the reality of the former characters, you want to stay there but you also want to see how this forms the basis of the next part of the fantasy story involving the latter characters. And the reverse can be said for the latter. Such is how endearing the characters become and how engaging both storylines are. There is no feeling or detection of this blending being disjointed or fractured. Both storylines are dependent on each other and compliment each other. This is one of the successes of this novel.

Being a Nurse as my profession enabled me to empathise with both Jacob and Mason. I related well to Misty, the nurse, as I could see these two from her perspective and this reminded me of so much of my nursing experience. Stone has developed these characters well and also the medical side of their storylines. Makes it more credible at least for me! 

I did find the storyline involving Mason and Jacob's illnesses hard to read as no-one likes to read about life-threatening illnesses. Maybe it is because it forces us to confront our own mortality and all the emotions that go with it. Or maybe it brings back painful memories of a friend or loved one who has gone through similar. However, Stone has not created a doom and gloom plot line here involving AML (acute myelogenous leukemia). I loved the tenderness and childlike attitude that Jacob has towards his cancer and the honesty he expresses towards Mason about this disease. There is a strength here that Jacob shows that seems to be more advanced for one so young to be going through such a debilitating disease. Even though Mason is going through this same disease, Mason finds strength in Jacob's attitude and it is this that keeps him being strong for him. Jacob sees Mason as not just as his grandfather, but as his rock, 

In desperation, he pictured his grandpa in his mind: the rock, the immovable mountain to which he felt anchored, his elite warrior to fight off all fear and his last resort when things got really desperate. 

Even though Mason accepted this from Jacob, it also prevented him from being honest with Jacob about his own diagnosis and fight against this disease. To do so would destroy Jacob's faith in him about being his rock and the foundation of why he was Jacob's rock, 

Grandpa could chase away fear and pain with his mightiest weapon: stories! He always had the best stories. He could and would tell one that would somehow make this all better! 

And it is this fact, that Grandpa has the best stories, that provides the richness, the credible world-building, the engaging tale that makes this novel such a joy to read and be so engrossed in. It also shows as I have stated previously that Stone has a great imagination and creativity and is why this debut novel is so impressive. 

I wonder how much of Stone is depicted in the character of Mason? I wonder how much of Mason being developed as a caring, strong sensitive male character and grandfather is also that of Stone? I have just become a grandfather myself and I can relate to Mason very well and I am encouraged by the character of Mason to be like him in relating to his grandson the way he has. My children, now adults, see me (and my wife) as their rock, so I pray that I can be the same to my granddaughter and even be able to show this in becoming a storyteller like Mason! I loved the relationship between Mason and Jacob; tender but strong, honest with understanding and trust. Both humble towards each other and a sincere relationship with God. All through his illness, Mason was there for him but towards the end, it is Jacob who is there for Mason. Such is what human relationship consists of. And does not every parent say that they learn more about life from their children/grandchildren? This is evident in this novel. 

Stone excels in creating a fantasy world. Both science fiction and fantasy need more reliance on world building to provide a solid foundation for a believable and credible plot. It needs this to keep the reader engaged and connected with the plot and characters. Stone provides enough here in this novel for this to be successful. He includes the backstory of the conflict and war between the elves and humans, the hierarchy of Creation regarding the Creator, who the Visitor is, his level in this hierarchy and the same for the elves and humans. He also provides some depth to the spiritual side and power of each of the entities that exist in this hierarchy. This forms a good anchoring point for the plots to take off and enable a satisfying ending. 

Three elements of this world building add to the strength and enjoyment of this novel. One is the author's take on a Christmas personality that has very humble roots but sadly has evolved into a figure that represents in today's world, a warped and distorted view of what Christmas is and should continue to be. Maybe it is for this reason that authors like Stone write about characters like this to give a better perspective and encourage readers to think about this character's real origins. However, Stone's depiction of this character is a very unique one and one that I feel is very creative and effective for the purpose of this novel. 

The second is Stone's take on where various icons and traditions of Christmas come from. The inclusion of these enhance the story and plot arcs and again are very creative and effective. Dare I say for a third time that this just showcases Stone's creativity and imagination? I chuckled when these icons were introduced. 

The third is the correlation of the characters in the lives of Mason and Jacob and of the fantasy world. This becomes evident about halfway through the story and it is here that it becomes very interesting, leading the reader to understand how the fantasy plot impacts on the lives of Jacob and Mason. 

I have not had time to do so, but when I read of elements like this, I am tempted to research these myself to see how much truth from their origins have been included in this novel and therefore how much poetic licence the author has also added. 

Stone has used the antagonist and what he stands for to develop the theme of this novel. Known as the Visitor, his reputation and presence are felt amongst the town. James describes  this entity to Bentley as, 

.......an embodiment of the dark force or influence......that manifests as fear and hopelessness

Its shadow had spread across Nicholas' homeland and though its name was not mentioned there, on Earth it is known as Death with the mere mention of its name giving it more power. The Visitor embodied fear of Death as its greatest weapon, becoming Death in the minds of its "victims". But this was not its only aim, the Visitor had a deeper and more nefarious quest and that was to eventually overcome The One or the Almighty by controlling most or all of human souls.

Nicholas recognised the Visitor for who it is and realised what he was up against. The Visitor was not human and not without gender, and could not relate to humanity. It was not of this world.

Mason describes it as, 

......an entity that belonged in another place, untraceable and unreachable by mortals. Its rebellion and evil nature had compelled it to assume the only role befitting it -- that of darkness and fear of Death, the final pathway for mortal men and women, and, over a greater lifespan, for elves and wizards, as well. From it distant prison, it had exploited this role in the past as much as it could to awaken fear, hopelessness, and despair. 

To enslave humanity in fear, it twisted humanity's view of Death from a source of hope in the hearts of the faithful as a passage to a better life, an 

....immortal existence of body and spirit due to the work of The One, but at this time and in this place, the Visitor made death fearful and imbued it with hopelesness. 

Just like in the Bible, we are encouraged to believe that God has not given us a spirit of fear, the characters of Bentley, James, Teresa, and the Queen realise that they need to confront their fear and its effects thereof. Herein lies the power over fear; it can be debilitating if we allow it to control us and feel we are powerless against it. Just as the Bible states (in 2 Timothy 1:7) that instead of a spirit of fear we have one of love, peace and a sound mind, the Queen realises that a positive attitude is their defence. The Visitor even reacts negatively against this, realising the effect on itself, 

....you tire me, woman, with your optimism and hope.  

Nicholas also confronts the Visitor with this same positive attitude, 

You are strong but so am I. And I have the strength of all the love and goodness in a whole world to draw upon. Don't think yourself, my master.

I was very endeared to Bentley. A very honourable character. I like his sense of commitment resulting from his warrior training and accepting of the mission to rescue Nicholas but also out of the friendship he developed with him. Such a loyal and sincere elf. Nicholas sees him as a 

...brash proudly self-reliant, fiery and passionate elf. 

The rest of the rescue team consisting of James and Teresa share the same passion as Bentley in rescuing Nicholas and ridding the world of this evil personified in the Visitor. The bonds that form between them as they do so is a joy to read and they come into their own and work as cohesive, unified team when they confront the Visitor.

This novel comes to a fast paced and action packed head leading to a satisfying ending. The clash between good and evil brings all the plot arcs of both Mason and Jacob's reality and the fantasy elements to a head. The demise of the Visitor in a spiritual sense is very well done and supports the Biblical doctrine of the battle belonging to God. 

My only criticism is that I would have loved to have seen Bentley, Teresa and the Queen better equipped spiritually to combat the evil manifested by the Visitor. These characters are depicted as not having any obvious relationship with God, (except for one of them, who Bentley is suspicious of), which relies on them not using any spiritual warfare methods as outlined in the Bible. However, this is achieved by this very character that Bentley is suspicious of. I must point out that his suspicions are not implying this character is less than honourable, just that he is unsure of some of the actions and attitude expressed based on the past history of this race of being. Again, this is anchored in the world building by Stone.  

As a result of this clash, the fantasy elements begin to spill over into the reality of Mason and Jacob's lives but that is not surprising as Mason felt that his story was taking on a life of its own. However, a hint by an earlier character who ministered to Mason leads me to consider that this was not just a story from Mason's imagination but one that was supernaturally inspired and orchestrated by God to minister to both Mason and Jacob so God's will for them would be manifested for His Glory and His Purpose. The ending bears this out. 

I ended this novel with a happy and uplifted spirit but not after shedding many tears of joy over the last few pages. 

I highly recommend this novel. 

World Building 5/5

Characterisation 5/5

Story 5/5

Spiritual Level 3/5

Enemy Spiritual Level 5/5 

Overall Rating 4.6/5 Stars 

If you would like to read an excerpt or buy this novel, click on the BUY/PREVIEW icons on the image below: 

Blog Tour: Interview with Nathan Lumbatis about his novel, Daniel and the Triune Quest Including a Giveaway

Today, I am interviewing Nathan Lumbatis for his Daniel and the Triune Quest Blog Tour and Giveaway. 

So sit and back and let Nathan give you the background about his book, Daniel and the Triune Quest. I reviewed it in September and thoroughly enjoyed it.  

Want to win prizes? Look for the secret word in this post and follow the Rafflecopter Giveaway instructions at the end.

Now let's get into this interview.

Hi Nathan!

Tell us about the Sons and Daughters series, and Daniel and the Triune Quest.

I’ll try to avoid spoilers. The Sons and Daughters series follows an orphan named Daniel on four quests to find the Weapons of Power. These will allow him and his friends to seal away the Spirit of the Age—a portion of the Enemy’s spirit, and the source of all evil in the world. That was a mouthful.

Daniel and the Sun Sword is the first book in the series, which focuses on Daniel’s quest to find the first Weapon of Power (which, hopefully, obvious by the title, is the Sun Sword). 

Daniel and the Triune Quest is book two and focuses on the quest for the second Weapon of Power—the Triune Shield. In that story, Daniel, and his adoptive brother, Ben, are transported to India where they have to fight Shakti, a malevolent goddess in service to the Enemy, for the shield. 

Ooooo! What’s going to happen? Will they survive? Will they get the next Weapon? I guess you’ll have to read it to find out.

What inspired you to write the Sons and Daughters series?

I work a lot with children and teenagers who come out of broken homes, many of whom have been adopted or were in foster care at some point. One thing they all have in common was a hunger for identity—a place to belong to, a family heritage to call their own, a history they can be plugged into. Really, that’s a desire we all have, it just seemed emphasized in these children. And, ultimately, that need is fulfilled in salvation, in our adoption into God’s family. That need and fulfilment were the inspiration for Sons and Daughters.

How would you describe the Daniel and the Triune Quest in a text message?

That’s hard! Probably:  

What was your favorite part of the whole book?

I’d have to say it’s when Daniel meets the Son face-to-face. I was able to really worship God through writing the description of Jesus and detailing his interaction with Daniel. Christian art can be very tame, and frankly boring when it comes to portraying God. But when we read about him in apocalyptic books in the Bible, he’s terrifying and awesome and exciting and powerful, and there are all sorts of displays of power around him: flashing light, dark clouds, lightning, thunder, fire, glowing eyes and body, etc. It’s more like what we would see in a superhero movie. I wanted to portray him as embodying that. And most of the time, people in the Bible fall flat on their face when they meet a divine being, so I wanted Daniel to experience that power. It was fun.

Do you identify with any one character in the book?

Yes: Ben. He comes from a good family and is struggling to make sense of a “not good” world. When I was a child, I was very sheltered (which I think is a good thing, by the way). So, when I was finally exposed to “bad” things in the world as a teenager, I remember the struggle to wrap my head around it pretty vividly. But I was equipped because I knew right from wrong, so I made it through alive.

So far, your books have focused on Peruvian and Indian Mythology. Why those?

Why? Because I’m fascinated by them. And I’m the writer, so I get to make the decisions. So there.

What other mythologies will your future books include?

The third book will take place in several places in Ireland, Wales, and England, so it’ll feature Celtic and Welsh mythology. The final book will be in the Middle-East and so will likely have Babylonian and Sumerian mythology as the backdrop.

Do you hide any secrets in your books that only a few people will find?

Yes, little Biblical references here and there. Since I love mythology, I also pepper a few obscure mythological elements from various cultures throughout the books.

~ The secret word for this post is: “and” ~

What books do you have planned next?

The third and fourth books in the Sons and Daughters series, of course. And then after that, I’ll be revisiting a book I began about 10 years ago but never got published. I may turn that one into a series of middle-grade chapter books, or a YA series. Not sure yet.

How long on average does it take you to write a book?

Usually, three months to outline it, and 7 months to a year to finish the book.

Where is your favorite place to write?

In front of my fireplace early in the morning. See? 

How do you balance life and time for writing?

I’m a morning person, so I usually devote several early morning hours to writing each week. My work can be flexible too, so there are times I can squeeze an hour of writing in here and there during the day as well.

Why did you decide to become a writer?

I love stories, and I love telling stories. That’s about it! It’s just part of who I am, I guess. I started writing stories when I was around 14 or 15 and never stopped. It helped that I grew up in the middle of boondocks Alabama where we didn’t have internet or cable. Most of my time was spent running around in the woods, which is pretty good fuel for a kid’s imagination.

What is your favorite book?

Ooh! That’s hard. I have several: LOTR, The Prydain Chronicles, The Great Divorce, Perelandra, and The Merlin Trilogy (Mary Stewart). 

Favorite fictional character?

Probably Gandalf or Merlin (from the aforementioned Merlin Trilogy). I just really like wizards, I guess. 

What advice do you have for aspiring authors?

Everyone always says, “Don’t give up! Keep writing!” when asked this question. And it’s true; that’s something all authors need to hear. But to this I would add the following: the publishing and marketing side of being a writer is hard and doesn’t come naturally to most authors. Don’t let the thought of that intimidate you or distract you from the most important part—focusing on telling a really good story. Just keep writing stories that you’re passionate about and all the other stuff will come in time.

Do you still believe in monsters?

Absolutely. There’s probably one behind you right now!

Do you Google yourself? 

That’s a personal question. But yes. Usually to make sure there’s nothing weird about me written anywhere. I’m not sure what I would do if there was…maybe write a strongly worded letter.

Do you have any hobbies other than writing?

Yep. Running, archery, hiking, trailblazing through the woods, hanging out with my family.

If you are interested in purchasing a signed copy of Nathan’s books, or interested in finding out more about the Sons and Daughters series, please head over to his website at www.nathanlumbatis.com

Here are book trailers for Daniel and the Sun Sword and Daniel and the Triune Quest: 

Amazon link for Daniel and the Sun Sword: Daniel and the Sun Sword

Amazon link for Daniel and the Triune Quest: Daniel and the Triune Quest

Barnes and Noble link to purchase both books: 

Daniel and the Triune Quest

Daniel and the Sun Sword

You can follow Nathan on these social media platforms: 

Facebook: Nathan Lumbatis Author

Twitter: Nathan Lumbatis

Instagram: nathan.lumbatis

Combine the secret words found in each participating blog, combine them into a complete sentence, then follow the Rafflecopter link below to enter the sentence as your answer. 

Enter the Rafflecopter Giveaway:

Daniel and the Sun Sword / Daniel and the Triune Quest

First prize: Signed copies of Daniel and the Sun Sword and Daniel and the Triune Quest + Sons and Daughters Bookmarks

Second Prize: Signed copy of Daniel and the Sun Sword + Bookmark

Enter the Rafflecopter Giveaway:

Daniel and the Sun Sword / Daniel and the Triune Quest

Blog Tour Schedule:

Monday, December 18, 2017: Nathan Lumbatis

Tuesday, December 19, 2017: Light and Shadows 
   

Wednesday, December 20, 2017: Dreams and Dragons

Thursday, December 21, 2017: Reviews by Peter

Friday, December 22, 2017: Speculativefaith:Lorehaven

Saturday, December 23, 2017: The Write Stuff Radio Show

About Nathan Lumbatis: 

Nathan grew up in the woods of Alabama, where he spent his time exploring, hiking, and dreaming up stories. Now, as a child/adolescent therapist and author, he’s teaching kids and teens how to redeem their stories using Biblical principles. He still lives in Alabama, where you will find him with his wife and three kids every chance he gets.