The Books
Through Fire to Faith
Through Fire to Faith follows Michael’s internal struggles from happy times with his wife and daughter to the vicious attack in a park, to his descent into active alcoholism, to the tragic accident that rips his family from him, to the story of his healing and conversion at the caring hands of his beloved Emilee and others along his way, and to his final dramatic battle with his internal demons.
THROUGH HORROR TO HOPE
The odyssey of Michael, which began with his personal struggles about the truth of religious faith in Through Fire to Faith, continues in Through Horror to Hope. He is thrust into a crisis of faith which can only be resolved if he can discover the meaning of good and evil. Furthermore, he needs to become convinced that this world and his life are meant for good. The book begins with Michael’s sincere conviction that he has been touched by God and called to genuine faith.
Through Loss to Love
Michael, who grappled with the truth of religious faith in the first novel of this trilogy, Through Fire to Faith, and with the personal turmoil brought about by the horrific massacre at his church in Through Horror to Hope, now finds himself confronted with the very meaning of life and death. In Through Loss to Love Michael must sort out and resolve the conflicting questions that spring from the suicide attempt of a major character, an unsettling visit from his best friend Tom, the birth of his son, the apparent conversion of his assailant Jonah and the distressing deaths of two other characters who are very close to his life story.
Getting Older
This is a story about getting older. The main character, Don, a 73-year-old retired widower is initially confused and depressed about getting older. The book takes him through the fears, the challenges and the merits of being a senior citizen. It does so on three levels of narrative. First, there is the primary story of Don’s sharing in one-on-one counseling to help him resolve his issues with aging. The Epilogue is a surprise conclusion to this counseling journey. Second, there is the presentation of Don’s own internal dialogue regarding getting older with his inner reflections combined with his counseling journal entries. Third, there are five short stories spread out over the journal entries which emphasize the truths that Don is trying to get at with his journal entries.
MURDER in the TIME of COVID
During the COVID-19 pandemic Detectives Eddie Bunco and Theo Chadwick are assigned to investigate a gruesome ritualistic murder which turns out to have been perpetrated by a religious cult which is a hybrid of Christian and Zoroastrian beliefs. As they investigate the case, they also unearth a child sex trafficking operation which is directly related to the murder. The narrative intensifies as the detectives discover that they must bring both aspects of this case to a quick resolution if they desperately want to save current and potential victims.
Chemical Addiction & Family Members
This small book is for all those noble souls who have endured the trials and tribulations of being family members of an addict or alcoholic and have continued to love them. It is offered as a lifeline so that family members can survive the struggle and even thrive in spite of it. Chemical Addiction & Family Members explains chemical addiction and its traumatic effects on family members, but mostly it shows family members how to successfully navigate their challenges.
A Month of Wonders
No one is born with a human operator’s manual attached. We are challenged to come upon guidelines for successful living while already living. It would be very helpful to know what to consider and to consider this well before we stumble badly. A good philosophic self-help book would be much appreciated. A Month of Wonders is just such a book. Its purpose is to bring readers to special moments of discovery and delight.
Passion, Longing and God
Passion, Longing, and God begins by discussing the question of God’s existence through conversational essay, poetry and parable. What is the importance of this question? How does it arise in us? How should it be asked? What kind of answer does it require? What is faith? How should faith be the answer? Does faith give us proof? How can we come to an answer for ourselves? This discussion leads to two stories revealing arguments for and against God’s existence.
SIX BIBLE STORIES THAT NEVER HAPPENED…but maybe could have
This book takes six minor characters of the New Testament–the rich young man, the widow and her mite, the centurion Cornelius, one of the ten healed lepers, the good thief, and Peter’s mother-in-law–and presents fictional stories woven into the actual Biblical narrative. Jacob’s story concerns choosing between God and money. Sarah’s story is about believing in Jesus’ power to heal. Cornelius’ story regards coming to faith even in the face of a questionable past.
THREE MORE BIBLE STORIES THAT NEVER HAPPENED…but maybe could have
This book takes additional minor characters of the New Testament—a pagan woman, two blind men, the father of the apostles Matthew and James, and others–and presents fictional stories about them woven into the actual Biblical narrative. Justa, a pagan woman, is presented with a back story of true faith, genuine love, debilitating tragedy and miraculous healing. She is introduced as a house slave who longs to be respected and loved. Her story follows her as she learns resilience from Mary and Joseph, how to love and be loved from her beloved husband Danel, and her true worth from Jesus. Micah and Asher’s story begins with them as thieves partnering with Eli, an unrepentant ne’er-do-well. Then, through the concern of the apostle Nathaniel, they are lifted up from blindness to sight, both physically and spiritually. The story of Alphaeus is about a man who is obstinate regarding his Jewish beliefs and traditions, even if his stubbornness means being estranged from his sons, Matthew and James, and creating heartache for his wife, Rebecca. Alphaeus’ adamant stand leads him to join Saul in persecuting the first Christians until he and Saul are ironically called to be ambassadors for Christ.
AND THREE MORE BIBLE STORIES THAT NEVER HAPPENED…but maybe could have
This book is a second sequel to my previous book, SIX BIBLE STORIES THAT NEVER HAPPENED…but maybe could have to complete the trilogy of BIBLE STORIES. It takes additional underdeveloped characters of the New Testament and presents imagined stories about them woven into the Biblical narrative. “Malchus and Photine” is a coming-to-faith story. Malchus’ loses his ear to Simon Peter’s sword and Photine meets Jesus at Jacob’s well. These are transformational moments leading to struggle and salvation. “Didymus” is the story of the Apostle Thomas and his identical twin brother,Tamir, who learn the meaning of sacrificial love through doubt and conflict. “Joanna” is a story about Jewish aristocrats who become disgusted with their rich and powerful lives and come to know that Jesus is “the way and the truth and the life.”