This week, October 19 - 25, Prism Book Tours is hosting a book and bookstagram tour to celebrate Jordan's Deliverance, Book 3 in the Jordan of Algoran series.

The Book Tour Schedule

October 19th:
- Launch
- Rincón de Joss

October 20th:
- Christy's Cozy Corners
- Uplifting Reads

October 21st:
- Adventures of a Travelers Wife
- Hallie Reads

October 22nd:
- Rockin' Book Reviews
- Candrel's Crafts, Cooks, and Characters

October 23rd:
- Wishful Endings
- Splashes of Joy

October 24th:
- Bookworm Lisa

October 25th:
- Grand Finale

​
Bookstagram Tour Schedule

October 19th:
@bookish_annalee
@jhannabass

October 20th:
@ya.its.lit
@angelakreais

October 21st:
@myfictionaloasis
@rincondejoss

October 22nd:
@adventurous.bookworm
@travelerswife4life

October 23rd:
@suziewaltner
@nicole_book_nook

There are all kinds of writers and authors in this world. Some identify as Christian. And some, like me, write Christian-themed books and stories.

There are Christian authors who live all around the globe and offer a variety of experiences and perspectives. But they all have only one thing in common: a belief that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, the risen Savior.

I feel that it is a present day miracle to have hope (in Christ) in a world where positivity can be as rare as true love. But both positivity and true love do exist — and anyone can find hope in Jesus. In the darkest times, in the midst of the worst despair, Christ can offer comfort and peace to help people make it through. I know this from personal experience.

Even though some are offended at His name or what they may think He represents, Jesus is and always has been Love, Hope, and Mercy. As an author, I strive to share that idea through my writing, especially my books. The stories I develop may have conflict, hardships for the characters, and sometimes things may look bleak. But Jesus is always the answer.

The Lord blessed me with a creative mind from a young age. Of course, I had no way of knowing as a ten-year-old that God would someday lead me to be a Christian author, but He did. In 2013, I made the conscious choice to submit the creativity which He had given me — back to Him. And that’s when everything changed. That’s when I started writing my first novel, Mindfire.

I can’t speak for anyone except myself, but I feel both a great honor and responsibility in being given the privilege to write for my Lord and Savior. I know there are many other authors more talented than I am. But there is no one else with my perspective or the specific inspiration I receive.

I will never suffer from “imposter syndrome,” the idea that I’m not really an author or that I’m just pretending to be one. I know who I am and how far I’ve come from who I used to be. And I will always be striving to improve as an author and a Christian.

Most of all, I want to serve my God. And I want to serve my family and help people: whether in person, through my books, through music (in First Light, the band my wife and I are in) or however the Lord wills.

​I don’t know where being a Christian author will lead me, personally, spiritually or financially. But in being allowed to use my creativity for Christ, I already feel like a success. That’s reward enough to me.

On Saturday, September 12, 2020, I was interviewed on ChatandSpinradio.com by host Ron Clark. We discussed Mindfire and the Jordan of Algoran series.

The interview begins at 2:50:23 (two hours and fifty minutes in - or the last ten minutes of the recording).

Jordan's Deliverance will have an online book tour via Prism Book Tours. There will be also be a Bookstagram tour the same week. 

​More details coming soon!

The following excerpt takes place on Earth approximately fifty years from now:
​
Jo Cartens didn't mind that her magped was a ten-year-old model with fading blue and yellow colors. She had named it Mabel. It was surprisingly plush, sturdy, and dependable. She had installed new magnetic shock absorbers and recently replaced the failing core module. That allowed for smoother travel or idling in place. Mabel wasn’t the fastest model, but she didn’t have to be. Jo only lived three miles from her job as a history professor at Chintawka University in Chase Creek, Colorado. The cool afternoon wind was picking up and the clouds were threatening rain. A few drops bounced off the windscreen and her helmet.

She smiled as she passed the slower-moving 305 bus, which was currently empty. During her time as a student, she had ridden the 305 at all hours of the day and night. All mass transit had become remote controlled and thus driverless about fifteen years ago. Behind her, she heard the bus release its magnetic seal with a loud whirr and it began moving forward again.

She should get home before it stormed. Ethan would become spooked by thunder and lightning. It wouldn’t help if she got in an accident, either.

A block ahead of Jo, there was a flash of bright light. Instinctively, she made a wide swerve to avoid whatever it was, then eased into the brakes, pulling over to stop. A multi-colored portal appeared and began swirling in mid-air. Her eyes widened as she saw a blue-haired woman in some kind of long robe stumble out of the phenomenon.

The woman stood, apparently uninjured. But she was in the bus’s path. The woman appeared disoriented. 

“Lady, get out of the way!”

The vehicle automatically blared its piercing horn at the living object in its path. The woman had triggered its proximity sensors and its brakes screamed to life. Horrified, Jo watched the other woman plant her feet to the ground and extend her arms forward, her head down.

“Are you insane? Jump! It’ll—”

Before she could cover her eyes, Jo witnessed the impossible. The front of the bus’s metal frame came to an abrupt halt and crumpled, smashing against the blue-haired woman’s grip. Glass from the windshield and windows shattered into thousands of tiny pieces. Tilting from the impact, the bus fell on its left side. And instead of a bloody pulp, the other woman was almost unscathed, aside from some scratches caused by tiny, razor-like shrapnel. More startling to Jo, the woman’s feet had dug into the pavement where she had been pushed backwards by the transport vehicle, creating twin trails in the concrete. 

Jo was frozen in place, stunned, her mouth hanging open. She blinked several times.

That . . . couldn’t be real!

________


Jordan hadn’t felt the rush of the vortex in decades. It had grabbed her like a thing alive and thrashed her about in its clutches, shifting violently in a torrent of motion as lights flashed all around her. When it finally released her, she was barely coherent enough to land on her feet and run to a stop. Then she heard something approaching. Whatever it was, it was big and so close, it was almost on top of her.

I cannot get out of the way in time!

Instinctively, she dug her feet in place and reached out to protect herself. A heartbeat later, it felt like a wall of metal rammed into her. She held onto it and rode out the shockwave. She could feel her feet burning as they ripped up the ground. She screamed, determined to
survive, though the noise from the collision’s aftermath drowned her out. Jordan heard whatever had hit her topple onto the ground. For an instant, she feared it might fall on her.

Seconds later, it was over. Jordan’s adrenaline was fading fast and she felt herself sliding down towards the ground. Now on all fours, she was trying to catch her breath, but the air had a chemical tang to it that was offensive; she coughed, almost gagging at one point. She leaned forward, covering her mouth and nose with her hand as her hair covered her eyes. It took an effort not to lose consciousness or vomit.

“How are you even alive?” a female voice reached through to her. As she lifted her head, she saw the blurry silhouette of a woman walking towards her.

Is that—English? It has been so long; I had forgotten how it sounded!

On June 22, 2020, I was interviewed live on The Brian Shepard Show, which was simulcast on Facebook and YouTube.

The show was just over an hour, but Brian was kind enough to give me permission to make and use shorter clips to highlight certain parts of the interview. In this first clip, Brian and I discussed Mindfire and the Jordan of Algoran series.

In the second clip, we discussed COVID-19 and how the lockdown has affected me, my writing, and led to new writing projects.

I had a great time on the show and look forward to talking with Brian on his show in the future. Thanks again, Brian!

You can view the whole interview on YouTube at THIS LINK.

I will be interviewed LIVE on Facebook & YouTube simultaneously on The Brian Shepard Show next Monday night June 22, 2020 at 7:00 pm CST/8:00 pm EST. You'll be able to chat, ask questions and comment!

I'll be posting the links for the sites soon.

Anyone can read this, but I’m primarily addressing this topic to my brothers and sisters in Christ, regardless of what denomination one professes (including no denomination).

​This matter has been concerning me for a while and I feel compelled to finally say something. I hope to encourage and not offend. I’ll apologize in advance if the latter happens.

This is a simple point and it’s for everyone (not just white people): 

If your church is only comprised of people who are the same ethnicity/race as yourself, do you think it will be the same in Heaven?

​Do you believe that souls will be segregated (or that people will be allowed to self-segregate) by what race they were when they were alive on Earth? 

According to the Bible, they won’t be.

Romans 10: 11-13 (King James Version)
"For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

Galatians 3: 26-28 (KJV)
"For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus."

So, there is no reason for us to be separated when we worship our God and Savior, certainly not by ethnicity or race. I see that as humankind’s personal preferences and biases. Prejudices, if I may be so bold.

In the New Testament, some of Jesus’s disciples had trouble accepting the Gentiles, even Peter. The apostle Paul strongly rebuked Peter for that. 

Galatians 2: 11-17 (KJV)
"But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed. For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision. And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation. 

But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?

We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles, knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid."

Eventually, the Lord Himself had to educate Peter.

Acts 10: 9-35 (KJV)
"On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour: And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance, and saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending unto him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth: 

Wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air. And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat. But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean. And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common. This was done thrice: and the vessel was received up again into heaven.

Now while Peter doubted in himself what this vision which he had seen should mean, behold, the men which were sent from Cornelius had made enquiry for Simon's house, and stood before the gate, and called, and asked whether Simon, which was surnamed Peter, were lodged there.

While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee. Arise therefore, and get thee down, and go with them, doubting nothing: for I have sent them. Then Peter went down to the men which were sent unto him from Cornelius; and said, Behold, I am he whom ye seek: what is the cause wherefore ye are come?

And they said, Cornelius the centurion, a just man, and one that feareth God, and of good report among all the nation of the Jews, was warned from God by an holy angel to send for thee into his house, and to hear words of thee. Then called he them in, and lodged them. And on the morrow Peter went away with them, and certain brethren from Joppa accompanied him. And the morrow after they entered into Caesarea. And Cornelius waited for them, and had called together his kinsmen and near friends.

And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him. But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man. And as he talked with him, he went in, and found many that were come together. And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean.

Therefore came I unto you without gainsaying, as soon as I was sent for: I ask therefore for what intent ye have sent for me? And Cornelius said, Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and, behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing, and said, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God. Send therefore to Joppa, and call hither Simon, whose surname is Peter; he is lodged in the house of one Simon a tanner by the sea side: who, when he cometh, shall speak unto thee. Immediately therefore I sent to thee; and thou hast well done that thou art come. Now therefore are we all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of God.

Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him."

What I’m saying is, this is not new. As Solomon once said, there is nothing new under the sun. But God has not changed in the last two thousand years. We weren’t supposed to be separated based on race then and we aren’t now. It is a learned behavior. But there’s time to unlearn it and change.

Nearly thirty years ago, when Angel and I were still engaged, I was the only white member of an all-black church. Literally, the only people who would talk to me were almost exclusively the ministers and musicians, since I played electric bass guitar for them. When Angel was away in the Army, I still attended that church, even though it was lonely. It didn’t feel good to get blank or untrusting stares from people who professed to be Christians. I didn’t understand it then, I accepted it because I didn’t know any different.

I know my experience then does not compare to what others go through. But it was a sad taste of it. No one should feel unwelcome in a House of God. If God and Jesus love us regardless of race or anything else, shouldn’t we love everyone? 

In John 13: 34-35 (KJV), Jesus said:
"A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another."

I John 4: 20-21 (KJV)
"If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also."

Thanks for reading this.

Here is the brand new book trailer for Jordan's Deliverance (Book 3 in the Jordan of Algoran series).

This will be the final book in the trilogy, set to be published by Ambassador International in Fall 2020.