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Brothers in the Cross
Brothers in the Cross is a bold historical fiction novel loosely inspired by biblical stories. It reimagines Simon of Cyrene as the man who secretly preserved the Cross of Jesus, leaving behind clues for its rediscovery centuries later. In the 20th century, archaeologist Jesse stumbles upon a crucial clue while investigating a murder in the West Bank. Alongside his collaborators, Jesse embarks on a thrilling treasure hunt that leads them to the Cross itself. Their discovery not only fortifies their faith but also unveils groundbreaking scientific revelations.
The story opens from Simon of Cyrene’s perspective. Historically known as the man compelled by Romans to carry Jesus’ Cross to Golgotha, Simon’s tale is expanded into an ambitious and imaginative story. As the author notes, this is not a religious treatise or a retelling of scripture. Instead, it’s a daring exploration of faith, science, and history. The premise is undeniably bold and controversial, blending spiritual reverence with scientific ambition. For some readers, the portrayal of a reincarnate Christ may feel unsettling or even sacrilegious, but it’s a thought-provoking take on questions that many Christians have pondered.
The book intertwines themes of genetic manipulation and moral dilemmas, particularly within the framework of faith. This commentary on the intersection of science and spirituality feels both timely and compelling. The narrative’s exploration of the Second Coming of Christ pushes boundaries, prompting reflection on how modern society might reconcile science with deeply held beliefs. The novel deftly juggles historical, scientific, and theological threads.
Brothers in the Cross stands out for its daring premise and unique blend of genres. For those willing to grapple with its challenging ideas, it offers a riveting journey through faith, discovery, and the moral questions of scientific advancement.
Pages: 420 | ASIN : B0D7TZ4XX6
Anger Issues
In Mystical Force Vol. 6: The Enemy Within an apprentice faces past trauma and her questionable past as she learns to harness her own powers. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
It was just the natural progression from where Volume 5 left off. At the end of volume 5, Shi-ria took Chiyoko on as her apprentice, so it only made sense to have volume 6 pick up there. I could have just had her learn to harness these powers between books, but it made more sense to show her gradually learning how to use these powers, plus struggling to cope with her anger issues. As anyone with anger issues (myself included) knows, overcoming your own anger is like facing your fears. It’s not a one-and-done deal. Take public speaking for example, a lot of people have that fear, yet giving a speech in front of a crowd doesn’t automatically mean that fear is gone. It takes time and effort to learn to deal with it. The same goes for Chiyoko, learning to control her rage. It becomes second nature to you, like a default program your brain automatically runs. You have to constantly work at it to reprogram your subconscious mind so you don’t automatically fall back into old habits without even realizing it.
Do you have a favorite scene in this installment of the Mystical Force series? One that was especially enjoyable to craft?
Ooo…that’s a tough one. Which do I choose? It’s like asking a parent to pick their favourite child. But if I have to choose, I would probably say it’s the part where we go into the backstory of Dead-Eye Sammie. Personally, I love a good origin story. It helps to explain how and why the characters became who they are, especially for a villain. Villains don’t think of themselves as evil. Only in a comedy/parody or a badly written story do villains act evil simply for evil’s sake. It makes them more relatable to explore what it was that drove them to villainy. I especially liked the part where she found and murdered the man responsible for killing her parents only to learn he was a parent as well; and that in her rash, lust for revenge, she realized that—to quote Obi Wan from Revenge of the Sith, “You’ve become the very thing you swore to destroy.” Plus it gave me a chance to explain a bit more about her home world, the planet T’nubria in the Torathol Empire. I love world-building. I love going onto fan wikis like “Avatar,” “Wookiepedia,” or “Memory Alpha,” and reading up bios on fictional worlds/nations written in the same style as a Wikipedia article about a real-world country. That’s part of the fun of writing sci-fi and fantasy.
The science inserted in the fiction, I felt, was well-balanced. How did you manage to keep it grounded while still providing the fantastic edge science fiction stories usually provide?
Honestly, I don’t even think about it. I remember a quote from the audio commentary on the DVD for 1964’s Mothra vs Godzilla (my favourite movie by the way), talking about Shinichi Sekizawa, who wrote the screenplay for the film. They mentioned how he didn’t consider himself an expert in any scientific field and felt the audience would get lost if bogged down in too many technical details. I’m the same way. Like with my other series Liberator: The People’s Guard I’m no expert in genetics or any of that stuff. As long as the story flows naturally and makes sense from a plot/character perspective, then people will be more forgiving if the science isn’t technically accurate.
Can we look forward to Vol. 7? Where will it take readers?
Oh yes, there will be a volume 7 coming out. Right now I’m working on Liberator Volume 3, so Volume 7 of Mystical Force will come right after that. As for where it will take readers? I’ve been writing for decades now, usually, I write an outline/synopsis like the plot summary you’d seen on Wikipedia for a book or a movie. Usually, I take my story arcs summary and use that as the basis for each specific book. Depending on what I’ve written, some of the story arcs were lengthy and had a lot of detail (several pages worth), others were little more than a brief paragraph. Sometimes I’ll even start writing something only to discard it because it’s just not working. Sometimes if I have a few short stories lying around, I’ll combine them together for a book, essentially having an ‘A’ plot, ‘B’ plot, and maybe even a ‘C’ plot too; so I can’t commit to anything for certain right now. I can, however, tell you this, having not been seen since volume 4, Tokijin and Sister Rose will return and will have to deal with their lingering relationship issues from that book. There will be new villains introduced and the character of Black Ninja, whom I’ve been hinting throughout the series (plus his brief unseen cameo in this book) will finally make an appearance and will lead to even more exciting adventures for future volumes.
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Chiyoko has been training hard as Shi-ria’s apprentice, and while she has made progress, she hasn’t yet defeated her greatest opponent, her own temper. As her powers grow, Scarlet Knightwalker becomes more worried that Chiyoko will be more easily tempted to use that power to lash out against those who wronged her. Just like the Poison Starfish who want revenge for Shi-ria, Chiyoko and Shinjo dealing a crippling blow to their criminal empire.
To do this, the Poison Starfish have hired the notorious mercenary Dead-Eye Sammie, who also wants revenge against our heroes. To enlist Dead-Eye’s help, the Poison Starfish must go through Dead-Eye’s business partner, the mysterious Ms. Alcro. But in helping the Poison Starfish, is Ms. Alcro helping the same criminals who ruined her life as a child and set her on this dark path years ago? Have she and Dead-Eye become the very criminals they despise?
It’s uneasy alliances and betrayals as heroes and villains clash in a battle of revenge versus justice. Sometimes, the real enemy isn’t your opponent on the battlefield but the darkness within: your own fear, anger, and hatred. But how does one conquer the enemy inside when no weapon can kill or wound it?
Mystical Force Vol. 6: The Enemy Within
In Mystical Force Volume 6: The Enemy Within, Craig Weidhuner continues his action-packed series set in a universe where martial arts, mystical energy, and shadowy criminal empires collide. This volume dives deep into the personal and emotional struggles of Chiyoko, a young apprentice Taman Knight learning to harness her powers, all while navigating trauma and a shadowy past. At the same time, we encounter nefarious characters like Dead-Eye Sammie and the Poison Starfish crime syndicate, whose operations threaten the fragile peace of Teikoku City. The stakes are high, and so is the drama, with intense action sequences, deep emotional revelations, and a clear sense of impending doom.
The story took me through a rollercoaster of emotions. Take the scenes where Chiyoko struggles to heat her tea using her mystical abilities, guided by her master Shi-ria. You can feel her frustration when nothing seems to work and then the palpable thrill when she finally succeeds, filling her with a newfound confidence. That moment was well-done and relatable, a simple yet powerful way to show character growth. But, as much as I loved these tender moments, some of the emotional outbursts felt repetitive, like Chiyoko’s ongoing rage and struggle with her inner darkness. But it does make sense given her backstory with her abusive mother and abandonment issues.
Now, the action scenes are a whole different beast. When Chiyoko goes up against Dead-Eye Sammie in the park, it is gripping from start to finish. The vivid descriptions, Chiyoko’s rage-fueled kicks, and her desperate attempts to summon the Taman’s energy, were thrilling, almost cinematic. And let’s talk about Dead-Eye Sammie! The big twist revealing her true identity was a nice surprise and played well against expectations.
The book also explores philosophical themes related to good and evil, energy balance, and the impact of unchecked emotions. Shi-ria’s lessons about the Kolri and Koldar forces (the mystical energies representing light and darkness) present thought-provoking ideas. However, some readers might find the detailed explanations about inner balance to be lengthy, which could potentially slow down the pacing. That said, the themes were clear and these ideas give the story more depth and elevate it from being just a straightforward action-adventure.
The Enemy Within is perfect for readers looking for fantasy-action with a spiritual twist. It’s a little like Star Wars meets Naruto, with an emphasis on martial arts, mystical energies, and battles that carry real emotional weight. If you enjoy stories of redemption, the struggle between light and darkness, and complex character dynamics, this book is worth the ride.
Pages: 107 | ASIN : B0DG5RJMY8
The Deaths at Jonestown
Paradise Undone is a powerful and deeply unsettling exploration of one of the most tragic events in modern history, the Jonestown massacre. Where did the idea for this novel come from?
In 2004, I gave a reading at the U. of N. Dakota Writers Conference to a crowd of 600, where I was a master teacher in residence. In the story, about the intersection of 9/11 and a Jewish family I knew back in New York, the parents go to a deprogrammer in an attempt to rescue their daughters (based on two friends) from a nameless cult in the Southwest. The programmer tells them he lost his daughter in Jonestown four years earlier. That was the sole mention of Jonestown in the story excerpt, which went on to win some prizes and be published in Sequestrum and Glimmer Train .
Afterward, a friend came up to me in tears, telling me of his colleagues who had lost family — siblings and nephew — in Jonestown. A powerful and unexpected response to my story. A month later, preparing for my sabbatical, in which I planned to write Hippie Ruins, a novel about the communes in Southern Colorado where I would spend the year ahead, I perused the shelves at Powell’s City of Books in Portland, OR, passing from COMMUNES to CULTS, where I discovered dozens of books about Jonestown. Thus, my bookstore aisle epiphany: remembering my friend in tears, I decided to write my book about Jonestown instead. The hippies could wait, while the story of an unscrupulous charismatic man leading altruistic souls to their demise felt urgent. Twenty years later, in this election year, my book just published, that urgency pulses with even greater danger.
Did you find anything in your research of this story that surprised you?
When I began researching, the most basic facts concerning the deaths at Jonestown — about which I knew little, like most Americans alive in 1978, when I was 18 — stunned me. The dead were 2/3 female, 80% African American, and 1/3 of those 900+ bodies were children. The media of the day, and even now, present those dead human beings as brainless, drugged-out zombies, led by a crazy man to “drink the Kool-Aid,” a salacious and sensationalized portrait so misleading. The dead of Peoples Temple were families, a third of them elderly, and the group as a whole comprising idiosyncratic individuals. It was not a mass suicide; it was murder, an example of coercive control gone ballistic.
What was one of the hardest parts of Paradise Undone for you to write?
I chose to narrate Nov. 18, 1978, from the first-person perspective of Marceline Baldwin Jones, Jim Jones’s wife of nearly 30 years, a founding member of the altruistic work of Peoples Temple in 1950s Indianapolis, who witnessed its decline in Jonestown’s final years, as her husband became an addict and monomaniac. The only fact we know about her demise that day is that she was one of the 900+ who died from poison. Two people died of gunshot wounds: Jim Jones and his nurse, Annie Moore. I wanted to give her a voice, a will, and a longing to stand up to her husband. However, she is human and weak and does not prevail. Living inside her consciousness for hours while the poison is dished out by others in cups and syringes in varying doses measured for infants, toddlers and adults, resonated with pain. She loves these hundreds of people who call her Mother. But there are armed guards surrounding her, guarding the vat of Flavor-Aid (not, in fact, Kool-Aid), and the crowd rises up against the one woman, Christine Miller, who argues with Jones not to go forward with his plan of so-called “Revolutionary Suicide.” Paralyzed with fear, Marceline does not act.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when will it be available?
My next book will be linking short stories about other members of Peoples Temple, including characters I wanted to write about in my novel but could not include due to narrative constraints. I plan to have it published on the 50th anniversary of the massacre in 2028. However, PARADISE UNDONE was ready for the 30th anniversary in 2008, with a NY agent who tried his best but, despite two close calls, returned it to me. Fifteen years later, despite hundreds and hundreds of rejections, in addition to being a finalist 17 times in various contests, I finally found a UK publisher, by chance, who eagerly snapped it up. Am hoping for a pub date closer to my goal this time around, with fewer years on my biological clock remaining!
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Imagine a community full of rainbow families where everyone comes together in the spirit of equality and fraternal love.
Shy pastor’s daughter Marceline and her new husband Jim Jones found Peoples Temple in the face of rampant hostility and aggression in 1950s segregated AmeriKKKa.
They give hope to the poor, the miserable, the alienated and disenfranchised of all colors, and build a commune in the jungle of British Guyana.
But this Eden too has its serpent. One who is also jealous of God, and where he goes, everyone must follow, even to the grave.
The Search for God
In Death of a Blue Jay, a man is forced to face his inner demons as he learns to embrace life’s nuances and rediscovers his own faith. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
The inspiration for my story was based on a trip to Bar Harbor, Maine. My friend and I were not cognizant of the time on one hike and we found ourselves trying to hike back after sunset in the darkness. This experience helped me understand how life is hard and we all have a “dark path” to follow to reconcile past traumas or mistakes. The issue is it is hard to face this reality so most people tend to mask their obligations and distract themselves with comfort. Along the process, there is humility involved and a reliance on a higher power above ourselves.
Did you plan the tone and direction of the novel before writing, or did it come out organically as you were writing?
I planned the very beginning and ending of the novel before writing and also established the main themes throughout the novel. I started writing the book with the scene from the very middle of the novel and organically the tone and direction developed as I was writing from the beginning to the end.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
Some themes that were important for me to explore in this book were mortality, morality, and the search for God.
What is one thing you hope readers take away from Jeremy’s story?
Charity is an essential call for all of us in life and we must be realistic with our mental health and reconcile any past traumas before giving joy to others because otherwise we are left confused, stuck, and selfish!
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Amazon
This book has received recognition from:
International Impact Book Awards (May 2024) under Christian Fantasy.
2nd Quarter 2024 Firebird Book Award Winner- Christian Fiction (1st Place) and Religious Fiction (2nd place)
In D’Souza’s “Death of a Blue Jay“, Jeremy Martin goes through a supernatural experience of ups and downs and understands that there is value even when we fall because there will be new lessons gained for future use of wisdom.
In the fictional world of ROB-RAH-RATS, Jeremy is forced to face his unconscious mind, where his deepest secrets are revealed; and where he must face his inner demons and build virtue to ultimately return to the real world and fulfill a final act of charity. D’Souza shares contemplation and the allegory of certain objects to give the reader a new perspective on the value of living by eyes of faith rather than simply by eyes of sight.
Paradise Undone: A Novel of Jonestown
In Paradise Undone, Annie Dawid takes readers on a haunting journey back to the 1950s, where Marceline, the daughter of a pastor, encounters a man who seems to embody all the characteristics she values. Charismatic, godly, and fiercely intelligent, Jim Jones attracts people like a flame in the darkness. However, the world would soon know his name for reasons far darker than Marceline could have ever imagined. The creation of Jonestown and the horrific massacre that ensued became global news, but no documentary could fully capture the human tragedy of what happened there. This novel does, and it does so with unflinching honesty.
Paradise Undone serves almost as a companion piece to the recent TV miniseries Cult Massacre: One Day in Jonestown. While the series provides archival footage and survivor interviews, Dawid’s novel delves deeper into the events that transpired in the Guyanese jungle and the years that led up to it. The Jonestown tragedy can be explored on many levels, each more disturbing than the last. It wasn’t just the loss of life that was so horrifying, but also the manipulation and perversion of the very idea of paradise on Earth that Jones preached. This novel focuses intensely on that perversion. Dawid’s vivid descriptions evoke a visceral reaction as we witness the transformation of Jones from a seemingly benevolent leader to a figure of pure malevolence, like the devil himself given human form. From the outset, Dawid expertly reveals the cracks in Jones’ Eden. As the story unfolds, readers become as captive as the residents of Jonestown, drawn into a web of tension that escalates to a fever pitch. Even for those familiar with the outcome, the inevitability of the violent crescendo does nothing to lessen its devastating impact. This is a harrowing tale, and Dawid leads us through it with the precision and skill of a seasoned storyteller, ensuring that every moment is as gripping as it is heartbreaking.
Paradise Undone is a powerful and deeply unsettling exploration of one of the most tragic events in modern history. Annie Dawid’s masterful storytelling brings the human aspect of the Jonestown massacre into sharp focus, revealing the psychological manipulation and the dark descent of a man who led so many to their doom. This novel not only provides a chilling reminder of the dangers of blind devotion but also serves as a poignant testament to the lives lost.
Pages: 304 | ASIN : B0CKHSZX7X
A Better Standard Than Mankind?
Mannigan – A Speck of Light follows a young man full of rage at the tyrannical government who joins a group called the Legion, whose mission is to fight back against the darkness taking over their world. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
Watching how the world and the people in it have been changing, particularly in the last ten years, it would be hard to deny that discontentment, resentment, and anger at the multitude of injustices is growing rapidly and further dividing an already divided world. At its current rate, I can only imagine that it is a matter of time before humanity repeats the same mistakes once again. I believe that beyond the call for social, political, and societal changes there is a need for something else to start the healing of the sickness in our society. And that is for people to forgive. Through the lens of a dystopian world not much different than our own, this book is about how life can indeed be hard and unjust and cruel, but there is hope–for beyond what meets the eye there is more.
I find the world you created in this novel brimming with possibilities. Where did the inspiration for the setting come from and how did it change as you were writing?
I have spent most of my adult life on construction sites as a tradesman and engineer so I have a great interest in the built environment and did a lot of research into what a rebuilt post apocalyptic society in a decimated world would look like. In a wasteland, a planet dotted by self-contained and self-sustaining cities such as ‘The Line’ currently being built in Saudi Arabia would likely be the only practical option, so the world in my book is my vision of what it would look like. As I began exploring the world for myself, questions presented themselves about the details of how certain things would be or should be. This in turn prompted me to research a huge amount of subjects, from physics to biology, history to geography, and as I learned the world came into its own.
What were some of the trials that you felt were important to highlight the character’s development?
Developing Will’s character started with examining what the world I had created would look like to him in a way that mirrors how our world looks to us. Starting from where he grew up, he has many preconceived good and bad notions about life outside his bubble that were built on stories and half truths. As he begins seeing for himself how other people live with his own eyes and shares in their laughter and pain, his notions of what exactly is right and wrong and indeed the concept of justice is shaken. Morality afterall, by human standards, is based only on the standard of the average human in a particular place in a particular moment in time; a person convinced to be a good person when they stay equal with, or higher than, the average human, and a bad person when they dip below. This rationale is what made slave owners not so very long ago believe that the owning of slaves was not bad. The exploration of this is core to the story and to Will’s growth, allowing him and the reader to ask, ‘is there a better standard than mankind?’ So seeing such innocence in the traumatized little boy who he rescues in the airport shines light on the limitations of his own innocence, and seeing the depth of depravity in the Palace of Wish giving a new benchmark for what he considers to be bad opens the door for him to push the limitations of what he would have once considered wrong.
Will this novel be the start of a series or are you working on a different story?
While this is the first of a series that I aim to complete over several years and I have the story for the second book plotted out, I am currently working on another book, and released another one again just before the new year. It is very different from ‘Mannigan’, but if you are interested it is titled ‘City of Mann’ and is as weird as it is wonderful.
Author Links: GoodReads | Amazon
Seeking revenge against the tyrannical rule of the Vitruvian elite with the help of a shadowy group called Legion, he sets about to light the spark to bring them to their knees. But from the palace of the mad queen in the Sea of Sand to the Weeping City of Sorrow in the mountains of Mourne, the truth is not what it seems. And as salvation collides with chaos, justice may be no more than a wishful dream.
Delving into the tumultuous vision of humanity’s near future, L. Ross Coulter’s provocative new novel ignites a journey through the interplay of pervasive technology, spirituality, and the myriad social challenges confronting today’s youth. Inquisitively, it probes the seemingly impossible essence of hope amid the chaos of the world, all while questioning where and how the adults of tomorrow will fit in.
Genre: Science Fiction & Fantasy
Young Adult/New Adult
Recommended reading age: 13 and up
– 2023, Loose Screw Press
Mannigan – A Speck of Light
In Mannigan – A Speck of Light, author L. Ross Coulter invites readers into a richly imagined science fiction universe, intricately crafted and brimming with both technological marvels and spiritual depth. Set against the backdrop of the oppressive Vitruvian Empire, the narrative follows the emergence of a fledgling resistance movement poised on the cusp of revolution. William Manning is central to this brewing conflict, a man grappling with personal loss yet perceived as the beacon of hope in these dark times.
Manning’s journey is not just one of external rebellion but also an internal quest for redemption and purpose. Coulter adeptly weaves a tale where Manning’s personal struggles mirror the larger fight against tyranny. His character is skillfully developed, supported by a diverse cast of rebels who add layers of complexity and humanity to the story. The interactions among these characters are organic and dynamic, driving the narrative with a blend of action, suspense, and relatable dialogue. Coulter’s world-building is a standout aspect of the novel. He constructs a vivid, immersive world filled with mysterious cities and perilous landscapes that serve as more than just a setting; they are integral to the story’s progression. The gradual revelation of this world parallels the unfolding plot, ensuring that readers become more deeply engaged as the story advances. The blend of futuristic technology and a dystopian setting creates an atmospheric backdrop that enhances the story’s tension and intrigue. The pacing of the story is another of its strengths. Coulter maintains a brisk tempo, infused with action and suspense, that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. New characters are introduced strategically, each adding to the story’s momentum and enriching the narrative tapestry. The dialogue is effective in grounding the story in a sense of realism, even amidst the chaos of battle and the fantastical elements of the setting.
L. Ross Coulter’s Mannigan – A Speck of Light is a compelling science fiction narrative that offers a fresh perspective on oppression, hope, and destiny themes. While the initial world-building requires some acclimatization, the journey is rewarding, leaving readers longing to explore more of Coulter’s richly imagined universe. This novel is a testament to the power of science fiction to reflect our own world, drawing readers into a story that resonates with both its darkness and its light.
Pages: 378 | ASIN : B0CNHBF7RL
