BOOK EXCERPT: THE DONKEY AND THE KING, A STORY OF REDEMPTION : Final Stop on the Book Tour

A donkey longs for an easier life with no heavy burdens and no one to tell him what to do. He runs away and becomes lost, but “good” finds him in the most unlikely of places.

Travel to the Bible lands and meet Baruch, a stubborn donkey, and other lovable animals:  Lowly, the pig; Much-Afraid, a small, lame dog; Worldly Crow, who isn’t as bright as he thinks he is; and a sheep, Little, sent on a special mission by the King. The ending of the story will delight young readers as they discover “good” exists in the world if they look and listen for it.

When I was young, I hated doing chores. I suppose I was this donkey, rebellious and self-determined, but desperate for a friend—the one friend who would never leave me (or you).

Here is a short excerpt from The Donkey and the King. 

Worldly Crow squawked, “You’re making a big mistake. I know because I’ve been around. You’re headed for trouble.”

Much Afraid, a brown and white crippled dog, followed close behind.
“Please don’t go,” she cried.

On every page is the hidden word “good.” Can you find it in the drawings above? 

This is the ninth (and final) stop on the tour. If you missed the previous eight stops, here is a listing of some of them:

http://sunnebnkwrtr.blogspot.com/

http://bit.ly/Janis_Cox (The Donkey and the King at this link of the tour)

http://queenofperseverance.blogspot.com

http://jill-theimperfectjourney.blogspot.com

http://pauletteharper.blogspot.com/

I hope you will visit all the blogs and participate in the John 3:16 Marketing Network Book Launch and win the grand prize. See details below.

The donkey and the sheep took off down the road.

“We are going to a garden,” said the sheep. “It’s a beautiful place full of flowers, friends, and, most of all, the King, but…”

“But what?” Baruch asked.

“There is only one gate, one door, one place to get in.

An angel guards it with a flaming sword.

You must hear the King’s voice to enter the garden.”

*~*~*~*~*~*

On every page is the hidden word “good.” Can you find it in the drawings above? If not, you can look below and see where the word is hidden.

The unique quality about Kindle-enhanced books is that the drawings and font size can be enlarged for young readers. And for parents who can’t find the word, a QR code (a free AP is available for smart phones) and link is provided to facilitate the search. Some pages are more challenging than others (for older readers).

If you enjoyed looking for the mouse in “Goodnight Moon” when you were young, your child will delight in looking for “good” in “The Donkey and the King.” The moral:  There is good in the world if you look and listen for the King’s voice.

Purchase: The Donkey and the King (A Story of Redemption)

24 reviews, 4.8 stars

Ages 2-6

Book Trailer:  http://bit.ly/Donkey_Video

Lorilyn Roberts is an award-winning author who writes family-friendly books for the young, the young at heart, and all those in between. Visit http://LorilynRoberts.com to learn more.

LORILYN ROBERTS BOOK REVIEW: Excerpt from "Spiralling out of Control" by Michelle Dennis Evans

Temptation, depression, seduction, betrayal ... Not what Stephanie was expecting at fifteen years of age. Uprooted from her happy, all-girl high school life with a dream-filled future and thrown into an unfriendly co-ed school, Stephanie spirals into depression. 

When charismatic high school senior, Jason notices her, Stephanie jumps in feet first and willingly puts all her faith and trust in him, a boy she barely knows. 

Every choice she makes and turn she takes leads her toward a dangerous path.

Her best friend is never far away and ready to catch her … but will she push Tabbie too far away when she needs her most? 

This novel contains adult themes.

Recommended reading audiences 17+ 

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BOOK REVIEW OF SPIRALLING OUT OF CONTROL BY LORILYN ROBERTS

Spiralling Out of Control is well-written, realistic, and scary. As the mother of a 15-year-old daughter, I would not want my daughter to read this book, however. While rated by the author for 15 and up, I would go with 17 and up. The content is for mature teens only. Sex, booze, drugs, rape, overdose, pimps, and illegal activity are dominant themes, with hints of Christian spirituality. As a Christian, I also struggled with the fact that there wasn't the redemption that I hoped for at the end -- but I suppose, when teens go so far down this path of destruction, they may not be able to be saved, though I know that you are never out of the reach of Jesus Christ.

If I had a teen who I felt like I was on the brink of losing, this would be a book I would recommend, Christian or non-Christian. I personally don't like dark books, but if I were to recommend one, this would be it. I hope in the sequel that the author will work on the redemption for which the spiritual part of me longed. I would strongly recommend that a parent read this book first before recommending to his or her son or daughter. I believe the content can serve as a good starting point for a troubled teen that needs counseling and direction spiritually, emotionally, and mentally. 

This book also reminded me of the need to be involved in my daughters’ lives, praying for them and being there for them. Spiralling Out of Control may serve as a wake-up call -- our kids need parents who love and care -- all the time, day and night, when it's convenient and when it's not! We need to be available to meet their needs, even when they think they don't need us.

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SHORT EXCERPT FROM SPIRALLING OUT OF CONTROL 

BY MICHELLE DENNIS EVANS

Excerpt - Chapter 2 part b

“Stephanie,” April called.

“Go away,” she mumbled from under the pillow.

“Steph!” April flung the bedroom door open. “Steph, I’m practicing a new routine, come watch.”

Stephanie pulled a tissue from the box to wipe her face. She grabbed a handful more and dragged her feet along the short hallway and halfway down the stairs. Slumping over her knees, she hugged an arm through the vertical posts to watch her sister flipping and cartwheeling around the empty lounge room. Stephanie glanced at her mother standing in the kitchen doorway and clenched her teeth. April. Always the favourite! 

“Gymnastics display finished.” April took a bow. “Your turn.”

“Where’s Dad?”

“Oh, he just had to pop into the office for a bit to sort things out there.” Her mother shook her head.

Would they really see more of him now that his office was so close?

April stood at the base of the stairs. “Come on Steph. Dance.”

Stephanie refused, denying herself the chance to dance, and ran back upstairs. She swallowed. Her stomach churned.

“Don’t you want to dance?” her mother called after her.

Of course, I want to dance, but you can’t seem to find the money.

Stephanie closed her bedroom door and leaned against it. She cried until she’d saturated all the tissues in her hand. Flinging her wardrobe open, she dug out any dancing gear she could find and threw it all into the bin. Done. Over. Gone. Season of life finished.

Her mother’s words still stung. ‘We might have to check the cost.’ Gah! It seemed the star gymnast’s fees came first.

She needed to hide. From the world. From her parents. From her sister. Climbing into bed she pulled the covers over her head. She drifted between awake and asleep until she startled awake. Light shone through her doorway. Musk, the scent of her mother, tickled her nose. Her body stiffened as she closed her eyes—the last thing she wanted was a conversation with her mother.

“Lord, watch over her as she sleeps,” Diane whispered.

Stephanie held her breath until her mother padded out of the room and clicked the door closed. She cried until her tears stopped flowing, then she took a breath and tears rolled again until she slept.

Michelle Dennis Evans writes picture books, chapter books, young adult contemporary novels and enjoys dabbling in free verse poetry. Her debut novel Spiralling Out of Control and poetry collection Life Inspired both reached #1 in subcategories on Amazon in their first week of release. Michelle is passionate about seeing people grow and move forward in their journey. She lives on the Gold Coast with her husband and four super active, super fun and super time consuming children. Find Michelle and all of her social media links at MichelleDennisEvans.com 

GUEST POST BY MARTIN ROTH: Book Excerpt Tour, “Brother Half Angel,” by Martin Roth

Brother Half Angel

 By Martin Roth

“Brother Half Angel” is the first in a series of international thrillers by Martin Roth. These feature Brother Half Angel, the leader of a secret new church military order dedicated to helping Christians under attack around the world.

In this first book of the series, he is dispatched urgently to China, where an underground seminary is under siege from fanatical sword-wielding members of a local cult who still pay homage to the bloodthirsty extremists who tried to expel all foreigners from China in the nineteenth century.

The following is a short excerpt from the book (continued from http://www.barbaraannderksen.com/ and http://www.kimpayne.wordpress.com). Scroll to the end to learn how to read more, and also to learn how you can buy the book for a special price and with the chance to win a $200 Amazon gift voucher.

Chapter 3 

Fulang, China

Daniel looked at Ling, clearly in great distress. He had not seen him like this before. Unfortunately, Jenny pressed on.

“What’s going on?” she asked. “What on earth is happening?”

“He’ll tell us,” said Daniel, annoyed at his wife’s apparent insensitivity. “I’m sure he’s going to tell us.”

But now Ling lapsed into silence, rubbing at his head with both hands as if trying to locate a dreadful itch, his eyes darting around the room. Finally he spoke. “I don’t know who did it. Or why.”

“Have you called the police?” asked Jenny. Daniel translated.

“We can’t possibly call the police. You know that.” He was clearly angered by the suggestion.

“But someone’s been murdered.”

“You know that we can’t have the police here, nosing around.”

“But when someone is murdered…”

“He is a martyr. A martyr of the church. If the police come they will close us down.”

“They’ll think it’s an English school.”

“We cannot take that risk.”

Once more he went silent.

Brother Yoon turned to Daniel and Jenny. “It’s a warning,” he said to them in English. Yoon was a stocky, middle-aged man from one of Korea’s gigantic mega-churches. He had lived in China for more than a decade, tirelessly aiding the underground church.

“A warning?”

“It’s those Plum Flower boxers.”

“Plum Flower boxers?” asked Jenny.

“I’ll explain later,” said Daniel. He looked back at Yoon. “At the temple? All those men practising martial arts?”

“Yes, them. It’s a Taoist temple. They hate foreigners. And they especially hate foreign Christians.”

In their two months in Fulang, Daniel had sometimes taken to riding one of the seminary bicycles around town to explore. In this hectic and ugly environment, the temple actually stood out as a mini-oasis of beauty and tranquility. Once he had seen lines of men there training in the martial arts, punching and kicking the air, and screaming in unison. This, he learned, was a local variant of kung fu known as Plum Flower boxing, even though it did not really resemble Western-style boxing.

“Why do they hate foreigners?” asked Jenny. “And foreign Christians?”

Yoon shrugged. “They just do. It gives them a feeling of superiority. Having someone to look down on. It’s not just foreign Christians. They hate all Christians. I think they really despise Chinese Christians. They see them as somehow slaves of the West - without honor or dignity. Forsaking their own Chinese heritage.”

“But they don’t come and murder people just because they’re Christians, do they?” asked Daniel.

Again Yoon shrugged.

“And why Brother Shuei? He was no different from any of our other students. Passionate for Jesus, wanting to spread the Word. But so is everyone here.”

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You can pick up a copy of Brother Half Angel from Amazon

DO YOU HAVE DESIRES: Devotional from "Am I Okay, God?" by Lorilyn Roberts

                                

 

Delight yourself in the Lord; and he will give you the desires of the heart.

—Psalm 37:4

Have you ever wanted something and thought it would never happen, but then it did happen? God puts longings in our hearts so he can fulfill them.

 

*~*~*~*~*~

 

From Seventh Dimension – The Door, a Young Adult Christian Fantasy:

“Can you read that stuff?”

“Sure,” Rachel laughed. “But I don’t know what it means. You could too if I taught you.” Rachel flipped to the first page. “You start on this side.” Her finger pointed to a line of Hebrew and she ran her finger across the page from right to left.

“Really?”

“Yes.” Rachel giggled. “So who reads backwards, the English or the Jews?”

“I’d say the Jews. I can say that since I’m not Jewish, right?”

“Why not?”

“Writing would sure be easier if English were right to left. I wouldn’t smear my words.”

Rachel nodded. “I forget you’re left-handed. It’s crazy, isn’t it—like the Brits drive on the left side and we drive on the right.”

We walked for a while not saying anything. I glanced at my friend with her striking olive skin, almond brown eyes, and brown hair. “Do you like being Jewish?”

“Yes, I guess. I don’t know any different.”

“I wish I was Jewish.”

“Why?” Rachel asked.

“It would be neat to be able to say I was something.”

—Shale Snyder and Rachel Franco, chapter one

 

*~*~*~*~*~*

 

Oftentimes, we’re not aware of the depth of our longing until fulfillment. Then we realize, that’s what we wanted.

God fulfilled Shale’s longing by taking her to the homeland of the Jewish people. She met the king firsthand; not only that, she met a man with whom she fell in love.

When I graduated from high school, my senior class took a seven-day cruise to the Bahamas, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. On the last night, the band played into the wee hours of the morning, like the band did on the Titanic the night it sank into the Atlantic. When the party began to wind down, the musicians started playing Jewish music. The tourists who weren’t Jewish cleared out and congregated around the edges of the dance floor to watch the Jews sing and dance.

What would it be like to be Jewish? I found it astounding that Jews from the entire world shared so much in common through their culture—their music, their dance, and their language.

The Jewish people have survived thousands of years of persecution in many countries and near annihilation in World War II. Yet they still make a joyful noise unto the Lord. More than that, my Lord and my Savior, Jesus Christ, was Jewish. I cried in my heart, “I want what they have—I want to be part of something greater than myself. I want to be part of a spiritual family. I want to be Jewish!”

In early grammar school, I attended Margaret Mitchell School in Atlanta, Georgia. My classmates were predominantly Jewish—and wealthy. My Jewish friends faithfully attended Hebrew classes a couple of times each week. I felt spiritually deprived. My family wasn’t Christian or Jewish. What did that make me?

I sometimes wonder if I am Jewish and don’t know it. Names have been changed through the centuries, so it’s possible. Often when I am around Jewish people, my spirit quickens.

That night so long ago, as I watched the Jews celebrate, my eyes were opened to a spiritual and cultural relationship for which I longed.

Twenty-two years later, I had my opportunity. I was finishing my senior year of undergraduate studies and had an opportunity to travel to the Holy Land. While there, I scuba dived in Eilat, but I didn’t get to dance.

Then, one day I was sitting in the Jewish Student Center with a University of Florida student who was helping me with my Hebrew language class. Celebratory music wafted through the walls. I soon heard shouts and cheers.

My student friend paused and said, “Every Thursday night, all the Jewish students come here to Beth Hillel to dance.”

“Can anyone join them?” I asked

She replied, “I don’t see why not.”

Guess where I was the next week? I introduced myself, made it clear I wasn’t Jewish, but I loved Jewish music. For the next few years, every Thursday night, I danced with my Jewish friends. Only when the rabbi and his talented wife/teacher moved away did my Jewish dancing end.

Sometimes when we want something that’s worthy of God’s love, he gives us more than we ask because he is a God of love.

 

 

 

Thank you, Jesus, for answered prayers. And those that you don’t answer the way I had hoped, thank you that you know what’s best for me. Help me to know myself the way you know me. Help me to give you my desires so that you can sanctify them for your glory. Amen.

 

 

 

 

WHAT ABOUT ME, GOD: Devotional from "Am I Okay, God?" by Lorilyn Roberts

When Peter saw him, he asked, “Lord, what about him?”

—John 21:21

You’re unique. If you were the only person God created, he would have sent Jesus to die for you. God has given you many talents. These gifts were not given to make you great or famous. They were given to you for one purpose: to glorify God.

*~*~*~*~*~*

From Seventh Dimension – The Door, a Young Adult Christian Fantasy:

Why would the king want to heal him? My life hadn’t changed. What about me? A voice spoke to me, “Don’t let others steal your joy. Don’t be jealous of others or concerned about not receiving their blessing. Think about the good things the king has given you.”

—Shale Snyder, chapter thirty-two

*~*~*~*~*~*

Instead of comparing yourself to others, thank God for the blessings he has given you. Envy is considered one of the seven deadly sins. A person consumed with jealousy is angry and dangerous. Covetousness kills—more than once I have captioned the news where a person was murdered by a maniacal person filled with rage, often fueled by jealousy.

Someday all the material possessions we claim we can’t live without will come to an end. Hollywood stars decked out in glittery jewelry will be long forgotten. So will worldly fame and fortune. Heaven has no need of those things. In fact, gold is so “worthless” that the streets of heaven are paved in it.

Will you be there? Remember: God doesn’t create junk—he creates beauty—despite the sin that so easily entangles. That’s why we need to be redeemed.

Do you know who you are in Christ? Have you forgotten something God did for you? Have you taken your eyes off of the king of kings?

As long as you have a beating heart, you have time to change direction. Don’t delay. Today 150,000 people will die. You only have this moment, this second.  Act now.

Help me, God, to listen to that voice inside of me—to allow your joy to touch my soul and melt my hardened heart. Help me to see your face and let go of all that holds me back. Help me to know you more and more.
Thank you, Jesus, for giving me second chances and third chances and seventy times seventy chances. Thank you for never giving up on me—as your daughter, your son, your child. 

http://bit.ly/savants

Get your copy of this great devotional book for teens that accompanies the Seventh Dimension - The Door.

GUILT: Devotional from "Am I Okay, God?" by Lorilyn Roberts

 GUILT

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

—Romans 12:2

Guilt is feeling responsible for a wrong, real or imagined. If we have committed an offense against someone, the Bible tells us we need to go to that person and ask forgiveness.

*~*~*~*~*~*

From Seventh Dimension – The Door, a Young Adult Christian Fantasy:

After the accident, the closet became my friend. I wanted to avoid Judd, who came over to visit Chumana. She was not my sister but we lived together.

Guilt overwhelmed me.

—Shale Snyder, chapter one

*~*~*~*~*~*

Guilt will keep us from experiencing a close relationship with God. Sometimes it’s difficult to know if our feeling of guilt is justified. Satan wants us to feel guilty—all the time. As long as we feel guilty, we’re self-absorbed.

First, determine if the feelings are from God. Ask God, did I commit an offense against you or another person? Ask God to forgive you and/or help you to go to the person you offended and seek forgiveness.
 

In Shale’s case, she did something wrong. While she made a partial confession to Rachel, she never apologized to Judd.
 

The guilt grew and became like a cancer, allowing hate to fester until God miraculously healed her—when she confessed.

But suppose you are stricken with false guilt? Someone or something is making you feel guilty when you shouldn’t feel that way.
 

Guilt can draw you towards a loving God or drive you away. How does guilt affect you? If it’s making you feel distant, go to God.

 

Sometimes our pain is so great we can’t get past it without counseling. Find someone you can trust and talk to him or her. Have someone pray with you. God never intended for you to walk the Christian life alone. You have a whole body of believers who are the discerning eyes, the patient ears, the loving arms, and the caring souls who want to help you.
 

Remember, you have an enemy who wants to destroy. He is real and powerful, but God is more powerful than he is. Allow Jesus to take control of your life. Don’t give the devil a foothold, lest the small foothold on the side of the mountain becomes the whole mountain. Allow God to set you free from guilt. No sin is so great that God can’t heal you from its effects—and even use your story of redemption to glorify him.

Only you, God, can set me free from guilt. Please help me to accept your freedom, and to let go of those things that are not from you.

Help me to let go of false guilt and be set free to accept your forgiveness. Help me to be renewed and filled with your perfect peace.

Use a free QR code AP to watch on your iphone.

http://bit.ly/Piano_Guys_Lord_Rings

Get Am I Okay, God? Devotionals from the Seventh Dimension on Amazon here.