Davis Bunn's Blog, page 43

The Way to Truth on the Dangerous Road to Damascus (Review)

By Kathryn Eriksen

Guest Reviewer

The road to Damascus is forever enshrined in history as the transformation of Saul of Taurus to Paul, the great disciple. The dusty Damascus road also provides the metaphor that runs through the Acts of Faith series by Davis Bunn and Janette Oke.

All three books are set during the turbulent time after the resurrection of Jesus, when persecution and uncertainty forced followers of The Way to leave Jerusalem for safer grounds. The same characters from the earlier books are still alive and well in the final book of the series, called The Damascus Way. The conflict has shifted, however, from whether Jesus really did rise from the dead, to whether the fledging church and its members can survive in the face of such animosity and hatred.

Each of the characters has their own struggles with their faith. Abigail must move on with her life after the death of her beloved Stephen. Her brother, Jacob, is now a young man ready to follow his dreams of adventure and glory. But he discovers that true glory lies in living as a follower of The Way. Linux, the Roman soldier who became a Christian, is challenged by the conflict between his heritage and his new found faith. But love for another and for the Master guides him on his journey.

Interspersed among the fictional events and characters are glimpses of historical figures, such as the Apostles, Peter and John. The Samaritan woman who met Jesus at the well recounts her memories of that momentous event. The Apostle Philip plays a key role in the plot of the story and provides the context for his love of God, when he explains that he does not "stand in the way of the message."  Acts of service and words of faith by the fictional and historical characters are so intertwined that you, as the reader, believe that you are there, watching these events unfold.

The way to truth is shown on dusty and dangerous road to Damascus. Total surrender of self in loving service to God is what saved the early church from extinction. It is also The Way for all of us to find peace in our hearts and immovable faith in the face of any adversity.

Read The Acts of Faith series, then reread it. You will see the early church in a new light, and you will look at any adversities you face with renewed hope and love. For in our hearts, we all walk the gritty Damascus road. Peace and salvation come when you set your own self aside for something much greater – God.

Kathryn Eriksen is an attorney who discovered a passion for writing later in life. The author of two books, "Walk With the Master," a Christian children's book about Jesus' life, told from a unique perspective, and "Images in America – Waxahachie." Eriksen is a teacher, speaker and writer about developing and growing in your personal relationship with Jesus and God. Learn more about her at www.WalkWiththeMaster.com and follow her blog at www.KathrynEriksen.wordpress.com.

'The Meeting Place' is Back… With a New Cover

Elisabeth writes:

I just read The Meeting Place and it IS good. Although the end is kind of tragic for an individual book, it's strong enough to be that – and I do like a book that, although part of a series, has the guts (for want of a better word!) to stand without propping up from before or behind, with a message that's clear. I REALLY enjoyed The Meeting Place anyway – although not as much as The Hidden Flame!

Dear Elisabeth,

I agree wholeheartedly, The Meeting Place does indeed have GUTS. It has been almost ten years since Janette and I penned the story, and Bethany House has recently re-released it with a new cover.

We just heard that it has become the number-five bestseller in Sam's nationwide. It remains a favorite of us both, and suddenly we are having all this great mail that's coming in. After all these years, the book has been re-discovered. What a thrill.

'Lion of Babylon' Video Book Trailer

My new novel, Lion of Babylon, is scheduled for release July 1, from Bethany House Publishers. Please watch this video trailer and let me know your impressions.

If you enjoyed the trailer, I hope you'll share the link with your friends or embed it on your own blog. You can find the embed code at YouTube.

Enter Blog Contest for a Chance to Win 'The Damascus Way'

If you haven't read The Damascus Way (Book 3 in the Acts of Faith series I co-authored with Janette Oke), here's a good opportunity to win a free copy. Andrea Schultz, author of the "Ponderings by Andrea" blog, is running a book giveaway in conjunction with her review of the novel. She's offering SEVEN different ways to enter!

Here's a brief excerpt from Andrea's review of The Damascus Way:

"I loved both of the parallel storylines following Julia and Jacob, and Jacob's sister, Abigail. I was particularly struck by the faithfulness and love for their Lord and others of the followers of Christ. They all were changed by their relationship with Him and by the guidance of the Holy Spirit."

Andrea also features a Q & A with me in a separate post on her blog. There, you'll find my responses to questions such as:

How did you and Janette Oke originally establish your writing relationship?
How did you and Janette Oke flesh out people from the Bible and weave them into the Acts of Faith books?
How do you choose your characters' names?
What is the biggest personal lesson you have learned from writing the Acts of Faith series?

Details of Andrea's book giveaway:

This giveaway is for U.S. residents only.
The deadline for entry is Wednesday, May 11, 2011 at 11:59 p.m. EST.

The donated book is courtesy of Bethany House Publishers.

Here are direct links to both of Andrea's posts:

Review & book giveaway contest: http://andrealschultz.blogspot.com/2011/04/damascus-way-by-davis-bunn-and-janette.html
Q & A interview: http://andrealschultz.blogspot.com/2011/04/interview-with-davis-bunn-author-of.html

Andrea Schultz is an avid reader whose brain (not to mention available time) often can't keep up with her book interests – there are quite often piles that need to be read! Most are in the Christian genre, with an interest in all different types – suspense, non-fiction, historical fiction, romantic fiction, theological, humorous, and on it goes.

She lives in Novi, MI with her loving, wonderful and supportive husband Fred and her two adorable Cocker Spaniels, Shelby and Sammy. She and Fred caught the marathon bug in 2008, and have completed six marathons and six half marathons (at last count!). She also loves directing the video portion of the weekend services at her church (they'll only give her one weekend a month; she loves doing it so much that she'd like all of them!). She is a life group leader in the Women's Ministry at church, and an occasional- but enthusiastic – member of the choir.

Learn more about Andrea at: www.andrealschultz.blogspot.com

Facebook: http://www/facebook.com/andrealschultz

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/andrealschultz

Should I Write Three More Scripts on Speculation?

Dear friends,

Today I'd like to share some critical decisions I need to make this week, and ask that you keep me in your prayers.

This week I was contacted by one of the groups thinking of financing the film we wrote. They have another project in pre-production, and want us to rewrite the script. They sent us the script, and while the concept has potential, there is a huge amount of work required. The question is, do we want to get involved in yet another as-yet unfinanced film project, where our payment is dependent upon their receipt of funding? Because of time pressure at their end, Nicholas (my co-writer from Oxford) and I apparently need to make this decision by the weekend.

Added to this, another director has approached us about work on yet ANOTHER film, in precisely the same situation. And then Monday we were contacted about a third project. So we first need to decide if we really want to invest another eight to ten weeks in ANY script, where our payment is not certain, and then we have to decide which one to become involved in.

This is a really important issue, for two reasons:

First, the inspirational film industry is in the process of rising up in the entertainment world. The biggest drawback to most of the films out there, in my and many other people's opinion, is the quality of story. The acting is increasingly solid, the film work, the direction, the soundtrack…But the story needs to be amped up if we are ever going to compete with mainstream entertainment.  Nicholas and I think we can do this.

But here is the second issue:  Like all independent film-making, it is very hard to find financing. And the producers can only find this financing once they have a script. Which means doing our work for nothing up front. It is a ten-week investment, with no guarantee of return.  So this is a big question, which Nicholas and I have to decide on by tomorrow, when we are slated to have a conference call with the producers.

While all this has been going on, three weeks ago I came up with an idea for a possible sequel to Lion of Babylon, the big book being released by Bethany House in early July.  The problem is, I am already working on the sequel.  This was ANOTHER idea.  I discussed it with my editor, who just loved it.  So the question was, do I file this concept away, hoping I can come back to it and be able to jump-start the emotions, or do I try and sketch out something I can then file away to work on next spring?

Isabella (my wife) had to go to Washington for a big international law conference. I decided to use this nine-day period as a launching pad, and try and get as much done as possible.  Then I could put the story aside with greater confidence that when the time came, I would be able to re-ignite the creative fire.

I wrote forty-five pages in those nine days.  Didn't do much else, really.  Just wrote and ate and surfed.  And wrote.  A lot.

Sandwiching this nine-day period has been a very active period in and of itself.  The week leading up to it, I received what are called the galley-proofs, the typeset pages, for The Book Of Dreams, the book being released by Simon and Schuster in October. I handed those to the UPS man just before I saw Isabella off at the airport. And then the day she returned, the galley proofs for this summer's release, Lion of Babylon, arrived.  They went off to Bethany House Publishers Tuesday.

While it has been busy, there is a real resonance to the days, and a good sense that important issues are being rounded up prior to our departure.  We leave for the UK on Saturday. I have a day to recover from the trip, and then on Tuesday am traveling to Oxford, where I have been asked to speak to my UK publisher's annual sales conference. Then on Wednesday Nicholas and I meet to discuss which project we should work on next, if any.

Which brings us back to the current issue. We both feel there is a solid opportunity here, but the question is, how much of this opportunity should we act upon, given the fact that payment for our work is not guaranteed.

But here's the thing.

The response to the script which we have now completed, entitled 'Unlimited', has been very powerful. And this is not just related to people inside the inspirational film community. As I have mentioned before, based upon the script, the producers have signed on the casting directors who were responsible for the Lord of the Rings trilogy – one of the top four casting agencies in Hollywood. This means that there is a second aspect to what we're calling our early-investment work; we are involving ourselves with a new industry, and building a name.

Ideally, we would prefer to wait until financing is in place for one project before taking on another unfinanced script. But the opportunities are here and now.

Your prayers would certainly be appreciated.

Warmest regards,

Davis

Blessing Others Through Writing

Carolyn writes:

I just want to thank you for the fantastic blessing you have brought to my life through your writing. I don't know where I've been, but even though I'm quite a reader, I've only just recently discovered books of yours besides the Acts of Faith series, which I've loved.

Maybe I was turned off by "suspense thrillers" or something like that. But at the present time, I want to read EVERYTHING you (and Isabella) have written, even science fiction, which has never interested me before. I just finished a huge order of all the books of yours that I have not yet read. Only Dangerous Devices and The Aqaba Exchange are unavailable. What would I do without Amazon? Not much.

I'm thrilled to see your newsletter! Your blog has been the best one I've come across, and I appreciate every bit of your high-quality communication. I really believe that knowing something about an author adds for the reader a great deal, so the Florida Today article was very helpful. By now, I know something about you and Isabella, the profession of your father, and, thanks to the great "acknowledgment notes" in your early books, a bit about your coming to faith in Dusseldorf. I hope that sometime we will be told when, where, and how you and Isabella got together.

Your books have already added so much to my spiritual life. First, I read The Appalachian Winter and The Book of Hours (undoubtedly, one of the best books I've ever read) and then your two most recent books. I shared details of those with my best friend, who is of Polish heritage. She too knew all about The Black Madonna. (I'm so glad we'll be following Storm again.)

Then I started in on the rest of your books, intending to read everything in the order in which you wrote them. I had never read anything like The Presence. What blessing! Then The Promise. I never thought I could stand to read anything about child pornography, but willingly shed plenty of tears through that book. The only negative was that I wanted even more books about Jeremy–how I came to love him!

And now The Maestro. My, my…!  I love music, grew up on classical piano, but now appreciate any kind of Christian music. I find myself not wanting to lay down The Maestro for a minute–what a masterpiece!  So–I praise the Lord that I now have enough Davis Bunn books for a long time–this is surely my very special Year of Davis Bunn!

I find myself amazed at your crafting of words and expressions from so many different kinds of people, as well as all the different subjects about which you write. I know that all of this involves a tremendous amount of research, and I bless you for being willing to be so thorough. But I believe too that it's all a gift to you from our Lord.

I now have you and Isabella on my daily prayer list. Of course, I'm thrilled that our God spared your lives on 9/11. I'll be praying that a movie project, then even more, will become realities. And may all sorts of good things result from your faithful, disciplined writing. I also have appreciated the two 444 Surprising–  books by Isabella. The one about Jesus is now a beginning to my daily devotional time.

I'm finding that words are so inadequate to express my gratitude to you. Keep up the excellent work–for His glory.

Dear Carolyn,

What an astonishingly beautiful email, and how lovely it was to read – particularly now, as I press forward with the completion of this screenplay. The work has been wonderful, but at times quite an unexpected burden, and to know that I have been added to your prayer list really does mean the world. I want you to know this comes straight from the heart.

Again, thank you so much for this gift of encouragement.

Warm personal regards,

Davis

Wealth, Power, Secrets in 'The Damascus Way' (Review)

By Joy Hannabass

Guest Reviewer

*Note: This review was originally published on the Splashes of Joy blog. Joy Hannabass gave me permission to reprint her review here.

The Damascus Way begins with Julia, wealthy daughter of Jamal. She and her mother live in Tiberias in a house of wealth belonging to Jamal.  Jamal is a Syria trader, owner of the caravan and the trading ground outside Tiberias, making him a man of wealth and power. Since Jamal has businesses in both Tiberias and Damascus, he travels quite a bit between the two. Even with all of their wealth, Julia and her mother are not as happy as you would think. Could this be because a secret is lurking between the two of them? Will Julia's life change forever when she finds out this secret?

Alban was the legal guardian of Jacob and his sister Abigail. They lost their parents during a caravan ride when they were both very young….so Alban rescued them from the traders. And raised them.  Abigail is still mourning the death of her husband Stephen, who was killed 5 years earlier. She very much wants to stay in Jerusalem with their small daughter Dorcas where she will always be surrounded with the memories of Stephen.  Though Jacob was a stubborn young man, he was one of the good guards of the caravan. Jacob was a wise and knowledgeable young man as well. He was sharp in determining the dangers they would face whether it be storms, guards, the beast of the land…..he knew what to do to make sure they were as safe as could be.

Saul of Tarsus was a Pharisee who hated followers of The Way, a group that believed in the risen Messiah. Saul and his followers set out to destroy the followers of this group of Messiah believers.

I always enjoy reading fiction with characters taken from the Bible. Reading the fictional stories gives you a feel of how their lives might have been back in those times. The Damascus Way was well written, making me feel as though I was back in the times of the early church, understanding somewhat of how the early Christians felt. And the account of the conversion of Saul on the road to Damascus was an added blessing.

Since I haven't read the other two books in the series, I was glad to read that The Damascus Way could be read as a standalone; though I do plan to read all three in the order they were written. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Historical Fiction, and especially anyone enjoying stories taken from the Bible.

Where is Knightsbridge in 'The Book of Hours'?

Virginia writes:

The Book of Hours is my first book of yours that I have read, and I'm excited to be aware of you as an author. Loved the book, but want to know where the village of Knightsbridge is located. Is it a real place?

My Response:

I am thrilled to learn that you connected with that sweet story, one which has remained very close to my own heart.

As to your question, Knightsbridge is fashioned after Wallingford, a very ancient village at the base of the Chiltern Hills, about twenty miles south of Oxford. Wallingford was the first capital of the Norman conquerors, from which they prepared their assault on London. It was also one of the key bases for Oliver Cromwell during the civil war. So that much is true.

And next door to our home was the manor on which this story was based. But the tunnels connecting that manor, and the underground chapel, are all legends. They are supposed to be there. But no one knows where. In fact, the original Norman monastery could well have been placed below our own home. It was this lack of clarity that caused the publishers to ask me to change the village's name.

Can I Steal Your Story Idea?

Lori Ann writes:

I'm a big fan of your older book Dream Voyagers, and my favorite part in the whole thing…well, not my favorite part, because I love the whole thing—but one of my favorite parts is the bit where Rick does the race on the mining moon. I absolutely adore that whole sequence and wanted to create something similar. So…I did. I wrote it just as a fun story for some friends, but it turned out well enough that some of them have been urging me to seek publication for it from a magazine that's published me before.

Anyway, before I even thought about that, I wanted to send it to you and make sure you didn't think it was too similar to your chapter (because, honestly, I think it is) or counted as outright plagiarism, because I certainly have no desire to be sued.

So, if you wouldn't mind, can I ask you to glance over this, tell me how horrible a person I am for stealing your idea, and then I can tell all my friends that I can't possibly send this story in because a real author would have my head if I did?

Thanks for your time, Davis, and—if it's not too much to say—I would love to see another story like Dream Voyagers.

My Response:

It is not often that a reader's comment catches me completely by surprise these days. But yours is absolutely a first. To begin with, let me say you are most welcome to make the pitch, and the only thing I ask for is an autographed copy of the article when it is published.

One thing more. It is very common for rising stars in the next generation of artists to find someone who so ignites their own creative talent that they use this older work as a springboard for their own. I am honored to play such a role in your creative life, and wish you every possible success.

*Note: You will not find Dream Voyagers on the Books page of my website because the book is out of print. However, you may be able to find it at your local library or from an online or used bookseller.

'Unlimited' Movie Trailer

Angela Walker of ChristianCinema.com reported that my new screenplay, Unlimited, has been completed.

She writes that Unlimited will be produced by Gundersen Entertainment [LIKE DANDELION DUST] and directed by Nathan Frankowski [EXPELLED: NO INTELLIGENCE ALLOWED, RENEE].

"Bunn's tightly plotted and fast-paced stories with very believable and sympathetic characters should translate well into the medium of film."

About the movie:

When Simon, an underachieving doctoral student, travels to India to find his professor and obtain his grade for his dissertation, he is thrown into a world of intrigue and discovery as the search for a source of unlimited free power is pursued by competing interests.

The story of UNLIMITED is one of paradox: of squalor and luxury, of resentment and compassion, of corruption and generosity, of exploitation and empowerment, of giving up one's life to save it.  At its core, UNLIMITED draws a contrast between earthly energy, which is scarce and costly, and divine grace, which is infinite and freely-given.  Which power will we tap into?

Here's a video trailer for the movie:

Click here to view the embedded video.