Last of the Chosen


Book Description

A note from the author: Spirit of Empire is, at present, a three-book series. It might go to four books next year. Each book is twice as long as a standard novel, so you are getting excellent value along with a great story. I published Book One, Last of the Chosen, on Amazon in February 2011. Book Two, Knights of the Chosen, was released in July 2011. I am planning to release Book Three, Voice of the Chosen, around January 2012, though I make no promises on that date. The important thing is this: the first three books are written, so you do not risk investing yourself in a story that never reaches completion. Take the plunge: you will not regret it.The story:The Empire, hundreds of thousands of civilizations scattered across the galaxy, has been subtly invaded by the Chessori, diminutive creatures wielding a powerful mind weapon. No one can resist this terrible mind weapon, and the war is lost before anyone knows it began.Ellandra of the Chosen, the youngest and last surviving leader of the Empire, flees the Chessori. In desperation, she lands on a little-known emerging world called Earth where she is rescued by Mike Carver, an innocent bystander. In the process, he discovers that he and the people of Earth are immune to the mind weapon. Join Mike and Ellandra on their quest to restore the Empire to its former glory. Along the way they will enlist many others, including:• Otis, a Great Cat, the most lethal Protector in the Empire.• Jake, a Rider, an intelligent alien mass of protoplasm. If a person could be considered a commodity, Riders would be the single most valuable commodity in the Empire. Unfortunately for Mike, Riders can only survive inside a host body.• George, a nearly sentient artificial intelligence.• Krys, a young woman far across the galaxy who receives unwelcome visions of the future. She hears Ellandra's call, but she is just an orphan. What can she do?




Knights of the Chosen (Spirit of Empire, Book Two)


Book Description

The Empire has collapsed. Aided by the Chessori, who wield an unbeatable mind weapon, Rebel domination of the sectors strengthens daily. Against such formidable opponents, hope for the future of Empire dims.The people of Earth are the only ones in the galaxy immune to the terrible mind weapon. The Chessori have been studying Earth for many years, trying to discover the reason for this immunity.The Empire asks for help, but if Earth agrees, the Chessori will surely retaliate. Yet failure to act is just as risky in the long run. Earth must save the Empire, and it must learn to save itself, as well. The process cannot be forced. It must be led, and time is short. Join the Queen and her Knights as they struggle to pull the remnants of a once great civilization from the ashes of defeat. Like the Phoenix, they will rise up, giving all that they are, and the galaxy will hear their call.




Sequels


Book Description

A guide to series fiction lists popular series, identifies novels by character, and offers guidance on the order in which to read unnumbered series.




Prince of Thorns


Book Description

BOOK ONE IN THE BROKEN EMPIRE TRILOGY “Prince of Thorns deserves attention as the work of an iconoclast who seems determined to turn that familiar thing, Medievalesque Fantasy Trilogy, entirely on its head.”—Locus When he was nine, he watched as his mother and brother were killed before him. By the time he was thirteen, he was the leader of a band of bloodthirsty thugs. By fifteen, he intends to be king... It’s time for Prince Honorous Jorg Ancrath to return to the castle he turned his back on, to take what’s rightfully his. Since the day he hung pinned on the thorns of a briar patch and watched Count Renar’s men slaughter his mother and young brother, Jorg has been driven to vent his rage. Life and death are no more than a game to him—and he has nothing left to lose. But treachery awaits him in his father’s castle. Treachery and dark magic. No matter how fierce his will, can one young man conquer enemies with power beyond his imagining?




The Knight and the Dove


Book Description

Lori Wick’s bestselling series The Kensington Chronicles (more than 375,000 copies sold) has a fresh, new look sure to please her longtime fans and draw a new generation of readers. Set in the 1800s, this series captures the adventure, wealth, and romance of the British empire. When the king commands Bracken to marry, high-spirited Megan is chosen to fulfill the edict. Unskilled in the ways of love, Bracken finds Megan captivating, yet cannot seem to voice his feelings until he almost loses her forever.




Exposition of the Christian Faith


Book Description

The author praises Gratian’s zeal for instruction in the Faith, and speaks lowly of his own merits. Taught of God Himself, the Emperor stands in no need of human instruction; yet this his devoutness prepares the way to victory. The task appointed to the author is difficult: in the accomplishment whereof he will be guided not so much by reason and argument as by authority, especially that of the Nicene Council.




Gwenhwyfar


Book Description

The bestselling author of the Valdemar novels pens a classic tale about King Arthur's legendary queen. Gwenhwyfar moves in a world where gods walk among their pagan worshipers, where nebulous visions warn of future perils, and where there are two paths for a woman: the path of the Blessing or the rarer path of the Warrior. Gwenhwyfar chooses the latter, giving up the power that she is born into. Yet the daughter of a King is never truly free to follow her own calling. Acting as the "son" her father never had, when called upon to serve another purpose by the Ladies of the Well, she bows to circumstances to become Arthur's queen-only to find herself facing temptation and treachery, intrigue, love and redemption.




I Love Jesus, But I Want to Die


Book Description

A compassionate, shame-free guide for your darkest days “A one-of-a-kind book . . . to read for yourself or give to a struggling friend or loved one without the fear that depression and suicidal thoughts will be minimized, medicalized or over-spiritualized.”—Kay Warren, cofounder of Saddleback Church What happens when loving Jesus doesn’t cure you of depression, anxiety, or suicidal thoughts? You might be crushed by shame over your mental illness, only to be told by well-meaning Christians to “choose joy” and “pray more.” So you beg God to take away the pain, but nothing eases the ache inside. As darkness lingers and color drains from your world, you’re left wondering if God has abandoned you. You just want a way out. But there’s hope. In I Love Jesus, But I Want to Die, Sarah J. Robinson offers a healthy, practical, and shame-free guide for Christians struggling with mental illness. With unflinching honesty, Sarah shares her story of battling depression and fighting to stay alive despite toxic theology that made her afraid to seek help outside the church. Pairing her own story with scriptural insights, mental health research, and simple practices, Sarah helps you reconnect with the God who is present in our deepest anguish and discover that you are worth everything it takes to get better. Beautifully written and full of hard-won wisdom, I Love Jesus, But I Want to Die offers a path toward a rich, hope-filled life in Christ, even when healing doesn’t look like what you expect.




A Source Book for Mediæval History


Book Description

A Source Book for Mediæval History is a scholarly piece by Oliver J. Thatcher. It covers all major historical events and leaders from the Germania of Tacitus in the 1st century to the decrees of the Hanseatic League in the 13th century.




The Care of Troublesome People


Book Description

In the Care of Troublesome people Wayne Oates combines family systems theory with insightful analysis of five types of behavior that frequently create conflict in congregations. Dr. Oates provides biblically based approaches to assist clergy, congregational lay leaders, and denominational leaders in the care of persons demonstrating these behaviors. You will learn how to approach the troubled and troublesmoe people in your congregation in specific ways that are not dismissive but are caring, affirming, and firmly grounded in God's grace. Rather than point fingers, fix blame, or characterize such people as bad or evil (which can only serve to create further turmoil), Oates purposes a bold new way to care for troublesome people that focuses on not just the battles, but the issues of wholeness and care for the individual, ourselves, and the congregation. -- cover