In the Promised Land - The End of A Series

I don't think I've ever written much on this blog about my books, although I do have a page--which needs updating-- dedicated to them. For those of you who don't know, God has blessed me with the ability to write stories, and this I do in the hope of bringing Him honor and glory. I know that many of you enjoy reading novels, and so I decided to share this with you.

Coming Out of Egypt

Sixteen years ago, I started my first novel, a story inspired by two sisters who attended a school where I was a teacher. The sisters lived near Egypt Village, Trinidad, and it was rumored that they were being abused by their father. Because of the law, or lack thereof at the time, no action was taken, as far as I knew. Years later, my mind went back to them when I realized that sexual abuse is still prevalent in this modern society. In the Bible, the Israelites eventually came out of bondage in Egypt and so I combined the metaphor of the Exodus with the village where the girls lived and named my novel Coming Out of Egypt. This book is my attempt to rewrite their story, to have them come out of Egypt.

In the Wilderness

Continuing the metaphor of the Exodus, I named the second book in the series, In the Wilderness. As you know, the Israelites didn't make it straight to the land God promised them. They wandered in the wilderness for forty years after leaving Egypt.

Here is a short blurb of the series:

When Marva accidentally kills her father while trying to protect her younger sister June from him, she anticipates a new beginning far from "Egypt" where they once lived. But her new life is not what she envisioned. The strain of trying to elude the detective and cope with her rebellious younger sister while holding down her job in a man’s domain, drives her to drink. When Cicely, her former teacher, intervenes and leads the girls to Christ, Marva finds some measure of peace, but guilt over her crime and the desire to save June from disgrace force her to contemplate suicide. Fortunately, a serious accident derails her plans and both Marva and June discover their true calling – to serve God, and others, with all their heart and with all their strength.

In the Promised Land

Yesterday was the official release day of the last book in the series, In the Promised Land. The girls have come out of Egypt, gone through the wilderness and are now about to enter the promised land. However, their journey is still turbulent. Tragedy accompanies them and they lose sight of their purpose, but with God's help, they get back on track and complete their journey. I don't want to give any spoilers, so that's all I'm going to say, but let me encourage you to get these books which are all 99c until the fourth of July. They will bless your heart, renew your hope and strengthen your faith in a God who alone can bring you out of Egypt, whatever it might be.

Here's a bonus for you: Coming Out of Egypt is part of a clean, contemporary romance giveaway taking place on Instafreebie. Click on this link and claim your free copy and other books that may interest you. And when you claim your books, please sign up for my newsletter where you can get more updates like this one. God bless.

Sexual Harrassment

Seems like every time we turn on the TV nowadays, there's a woman complaining of sexual harassment, sexual assault or sexual misconduct. But whatever name you call it by, it's horrible and it's been around a long time. Here's an excerpt from a post I wrote some time ago:

Ammon, Tamar's half brother was so infatuated with her he could think of nothing else. His friend, noticing his depression, asked him what was the matter. Ammon told him, and his friend came up with a plan. He told Ammon to pretend to be ill and when the king asked him what was wrong, he must say he was ill and could Tamar come over to his quarters and make him some cakes.

Ammon did as his friend advised. David instructed Tamar to go over and bake the cakes for her brother and, you guessed it, he raped her. The Bible goes on to say that Tamar begged Ammon not to send her away because she was now a disgraced woman. However, he now hated her more than he had loved her, and had her thrown out of his house. Read 2 Samuel 13: 1 - 20.

We later learn that Absalom, Ammon's older brother, killed him.

Sometimes we don't pay for our sins right away, but we do pay. I've been telling you about my book Coming Out of Egypt that deals with the topic of sexual abuse. One night, unable to bear the thought of her younger sister being molested by her father, Marva kills him.
This sets off a snowball effect of delinquent behavior by both girls. In the midst of all this, Marva’s former teacher, Cicely, intervenes and saves the girls from certain doom. In the end, they become Christians and begin to feel better about themselves. However, Marva knows that one day she will have to pay the price for her rash behavior. When will the axe fall?

If you prefer to read about heiresses in dungeons, cowboys and cowgirls, aliens and devils, then look elsewhere. But if you enjoy women’s fiction that focuses on social issues and real life events that touch all of us, Coming Out of Egypt is the book for you. If you enjoy learning about exotic cultures, with an element of sweet, clean romance, then Coming Out of Egypt is the book for you. If you want to learn more about the power of redemption to change lives, then this book is for you. Coming Out of Egyptt received a five-star rating from Readers’ Favorite and 4.5 stars from other readers.

Right now, Coming Out of Egypt is just .99c on kindle, but if you prefer print, you can get it here. If you would like an autographed copy, just email me and I’ll tell you how you can get it. Until next time, remember,"... forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 3: 13-14).

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Women And The Presidential Elections

Politics has always been called a nasty game, but this presidential election campaign will go down in history as one like no other. The mudslinging has reached an all-time low, and it does no one, not even those slinging the mud, any good. One notable feature of the campaign is its focus on women. And that should be a good thing because, for the first in US history, we have a female presidential nominee. But instead, the female gender is being maligned and ridiculed in a way that takes us back to the dark ages.

When Jesus walked this earth, He treated women with respect, and they followed Him wherever He went. So much so that Mary Magdalene, who had been demon-possessed and believed to be a woman of ill-repute, received the honor of being the first to see the risen Lord and proclaim the good news that He was alive (John 20: 1 - 18).

Sexual abuse, sexual assault, whatever label you put on it, is never right. It strips a woman of her dignity, her self-worth and her sense of purpose. This is why I wrote the book Coming Out of Egypt. A compelling story of characters who were sexually abused and whose roller-coaster journey out of that horrible experience is well worth reading.

The book does not deal with the abuse itself, but the deleterious effects the abuse had on the life of the main character. You will see her anger, fear and mistrust transformed into love, faith, and hope with the help of a teacher and through the power of the Holy Spirit.

This is not a true story, but it is based on what I saw as a teacher many years ago, and what I still see as a therapist in behavioral health. I encourage you to get this book. The content will tug at your heartstrings, but it will also entertain you and reinforce your faith in a God who delivers. If you know someone who likes to read, this book will make a great Christmas gift.

I am posting this blog today because right now you can pick up  Coming Out of Egypt  for just .99c. Or you can read it for FREE on Kindle Unlimited.