The End of the Magi Tour and Giveaway

On Tour with Prism Book Tours

The End of the Magi
By Patrick W. Carr
Christian Historical Fiction
Hardcover, Paperback, Audiobook & ebook, 384 Pages
November 5th 2019 by Bethany House Publishers

Centuries before the magi arrived in Bethlehem,
a prophecy sets a young magus on his path . . .

Following his vision of the coming Messiah, the prophet Daniel calls forth a select group of men who will count down the calendar until the arrival of Israel's promised king. Centuries later, as the day draws near, Myrad, a young magi acolyte, flees for his life when his adoptive father and others are slain by a ruthless Parthian queen.

Equipped with very little, in haste Myrad escapes the city and, searching for a way to hide from the soldiers scouring the trade routes, tries to join the caravan of the merchant Walagash. The merchant senses that Myrad is keeping secrets, but when the young man proves himself a valuable asset, an epic journey filled with peril, near captures, and dangerous battles begins.

With every day that passes, the calendar creeps closer to the coming Messiah. And over everything shines the dream of a star that Myrad can't forget, and the promise that the world will never be the same.

Praise for the Book

"Carr retells the story of the Magi in this bustling biblical adventure . . . . Myrad's divine vision of the star and his arduous trek battling his own physical problems to pay homage to the Messiah capture the majesty of biblical narratives and will appeal to Christians well versed in scripture."--Publishers Weekly

"Patrick Carr brings us a captivating tale in The End of the Magi. Based on the Holy Bible, he weaves a fictional tale of the adventures of a group of magi from the east looking for the Messiah. Myrad is a strong main character even though he doesn't see himself as strong. He has great character traits and these help him find triumph over tragedy. . . . The End of the Magi is a great holiday read and gives us much to think about in our journey to know God better."--Fresh Fiction

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My Review

I've been a fan of Patrick's writing for a number of years now, and so was surprised when I discovered he had written a Biblical Fiction novel when all of his past published works have been fantasy. However, I read and love Biblical Fiction just as much. As with his other works, Patrick was able to pull me into Myrad's story. I enjoyed following along on his adventures and wondered how it would all tie into the story of the Magi visiting Christ in the end.

What surprised me was the path the story took. Whereas I had expected the narrative to be far more focused on following the star, the journey Myrad takes is far more complicated and he has other motivations beyond single-mindedly following a prophecy. At times, this meant that the story seemed to wander in other directions, though it did all lead Myrad to the right place in the end.

For those who love Biblical Fiction, I will say that this does not read as many others in the genre. The narrative focuses more on the adventures Myrad has on his way to Christ than it does on his personal transformation. For that reason, it might appeal to different readers. However, it is still an engaging story that is perfect for this Christmas season.

I have provided an honest review after receiving a copy of the book through the author and Prism Tours.


About the Author


Patrick W. Carr is the author of the acclaimed fantasy series The Staff and the Sword. A Cast of Stones won the 2014 Carol Award for Speculative Fiction and the 2014 Clive Staples Award. A Cast of Stones and The Hero's Lot were both finalists for 2014 Christy Awards. He teaches high school math and makes his home in Nashville, Tennessee, with his incredible wife, Mary, and their four sons.

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Tour Schedule

Tour Giveaway

- One winner will receive a print copy of The End of the Magi and a $20 B&N gift card

- Four winners will each receive a print copy of The End of the Magi

- US only

- Ends November 29, 2019

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Resistance Audiobook Tour and Giveaway

After five years since publication, the first book of Jaye L. Knight's fantasy series, Ilyon Chronicles, is now available on audiobook! Enjoy this epic adventure through the voice of narrator Lance Rasmussen. Find out more and listen to the sample below. And don't forget to enter the giveaway! You can see the other tour posts here.

About the Book

"Don’t you know? Animals like you have no soul."

Could God ever love a half-blood all of society looks upon with such fear and disdain? Jace once believed so, but when a tragic loss shatters the only peace he’s ever known, his faith crumbles as the nagging doubts he’s tried to put behind him descend on his grieving heart. With them come the haunting memories of the bloodstained past he longs to forget, but can never escape.

Taken from home at a young age and raised to serve the emperor, Kyrin Altair lives every day under a dangerous pretense of loyalty. After her unique observation skills and perfect memory place her into direct service to the emperor, Kyrin finds herself in further jeopardy as it becomes increasingly difficult to hide her belief in Elôm, the one true God.

Following the emperor’s declaration to enforce the worship of false gods under the penalty of death, many lives are endangered. But there are those willing to risk everything to take a stand and offer aid to the persecuted. With their lives traveling paths they never could have imagined, Jace and Kyrin must fight to overcome their own fears and conflicts with society as they become part of the resistance.

Available now on Audible and iTunes!

Haven’t discovered the world of Ilyon yet? Find out more at the official Ilyon Chronicles website!

Book Sale!

Now is the perfect time to get into the series! Starting Friday, November 29th, all books from Ilyon Chronicles will be discounted. You can even get the prequel novella for free! So be sure to check them out on Amazon.

About the Author

Jaye L. Knight is an award-winning author, homeschool graduate, and shameless tea addict with a passion for Christian fantasy. Armed with an active imagination and love for adventure, Jaye weaves stories of truth, faith, and courage with the message that even in the deepest darkness, God’s love shines as a light to offer hope. She has been penning stories since the age of eight and resides in the Northwoods of Wisconsin.

You can connect with Jaye on her website, blog, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Etsy.

About the Narrator

Lance Rasmussen is an audiobook narrator and actor based in Denver, CO. A graduate with a BFA in Acting from Utah State University, and an MFA in Acting from Louisiana State University, he now narrates and produces audiobooks from his home studio while working at various regional theaters across the country. More information can be found at www.lanceras.com. Follow him on Instagram at @LCRasmus. 

Giveaway

Share in the excitement of the release and enter to win one of 3 copies of the Resistance audiobook! Winners will receive a free download code to use on Audible. Open internationally!

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The Secret Life of Sarah Hollenbeck- Bethany Turner

My Rating: 3 Stars

Description: Becoming a Christian is the best and worst thing that has ever happened to Sarah Hollenbeck. Best because, well, that's obvious. Worst because, up to this point, she's made her very comfortable living as a well-known, bestselling author of steamy romance novels that would leave the members of her new church blushing. Now Sarah is trying to reconcile her past with the future she's chosen. She's still under contract with her publisher and on the hook with her enormous fan base for the kind of book she's not sure she can write anymore. She's beginning to think that the church might frown on her tithing on royalties from a "scandalous" book. And the fact that she's falling in love with her pastor doesn't make things any easier.

With a powerful voice, penetrating insight, and plenty of wit, Bethany Turner explodes onto the scene with a debut that isn't afraid to deal with the thorny realities of living the Christian life.

My Thoughts: As with the last book of Bethany's which I read, this book tackles the issue of sexual tension between a couple before marriage. However, this one starts with a woman who wrote adult romance (with sex) before becoming a Christian as a means of fulfillment and attention. And afterward, she had to find a way to live out her Christian principles when most everyone judged her for either her past or her present.

That first part, before her conversion, plays out rather rapidly with most of it being a direct address from Sarah to the audience. She starts with her divorce, runs down how she got into writing romances, the life she had doing that, and then quickly ties the backstory up with her conversion. The narrative slows down quickly after this point, letting the reader in on her relationship with Ben, her friendship with Piper, and the tumult of convincing her agent (and her audience) to let her write clean romance.

However, it was that first portion of that book which made it difficult for me to dive in. I didn't like the summary of years of her life or the suddenness in which she decided become a Christian after getting in a fight with her Christian friend about the kind of books she wrote.

I like that Bethany portrays real life situations that Christians can find themselves in. She doesn't shy away from topics that we wouldn't have seen years ago, and I know that there are many authors who have gone through just the kind of experience which she described. I just wish the story had been told a little differently.

I have provided an honest review after receiving a copy of the book through JustRead's Blind Book Tour.

A Christian's Carol- Wayne Thomas Batson.

My Rating: 4 Stars

Description: Ebenezer Krow is a relentless man who charges through life, holding himself and everyone else to the letter of the law. Krow’s nephew, his employees, his business associates—even mankind in general—all feel the castigating burn of Krow’s glare. One night, on Christmas Eve, Krow is visited by his long-dead business partner, Marley Chastain. The ghost warns Krow that three spirits, one of them a devil, will assail him throughout the night. But will the harrowing experience be enough to tear the scab from his sin-scarred soul? Or will the lessons of Christmas and Krow himself be lost forever?

In this faithful but modern retelling of Dickens’ classic tale, Batson offers readers a thought-provoking “ghost of an idea” to haunt our homes and churches pleasantly for many years to come.

My Thoughts: Listening to this was a delight. I've never read the original A Christmas Carol, but I have seen numerous adaptations. The voice actor chosen for this fit the story perfectly, and I was hooked into the narrative the moment I heard him imitate Marley Chastain's voice.

The story beats of this novel follow closely to those of the original, though with a modern twist and a few obvious differences. Those differences make this story far more of a challenge for modern readers. One plot point in particular gave me pause, though at the end I'll say that I agreed with the outcome, at least so far as it played out in this story.

If you love A Christmas Carol, and are looking for a version of it with a few twists, I do recommend this. I especially recommend listening to it. The author's prose is spot on and the narrator really brings it to life, both combining to give the haunted Christimasy tone of the story.

I have provided an honest review after having received an audiobook copy from the author.

The Girl Behind the Red Rope- Ted and Rachelle Dekker

My Rating: 2.5 Stars

Description:  Ten years ago, Grace saw something that would forever change the course of history. When evil in its purest form is unleashed on the world, she and others from their religious community are already hidden deep in the hills of Tennessee, abiding by every rule that will keep them safe, pure--and alive. As long as they stay there, behind the red perimeter.

Her older brother's questions and the arrival of the first outsiders she's seen in a decade set in motion events that will question everything Grace has built her life on. Enemies rise on all sides--but who is the real enemy? And what will it cost her to uncover the truth?

For the first time, bestselling authors Ted Dekker and Rachelle Dekker team up and deliver an intense, tightly focused ride through the most treacherous world of all.

My Thoughts: For me, its been a while since I have read one of Ted Dekker's books and the first time reading one by Rachelle. I've heard glowing reports of both authors' works and thought upon hearing that this was a mystery/suspense, that it would be just like Boneman's Daughter and The Bride Collector. Both of which had been some of my favorites of Ted's books. Instead, this had reminded me more of Forbidden or The Angel's Share (the latter of which is by a different author).

Both of those books I enjoyed, even though the allegorical styles were not my favorite compared to others. However, this one didn't capture my attention as well as those had. I hadn't felt drawn into the mystery, instead feeling like I had a pretty good grasp of everyone's roles and the story's outcome from the start.

The fear that is supposed to be prevalent in this book is more of an anxiety; a fear of messing up and doing the wrong thing, of being caught, of being judged and punished. And the story does a good job of showing that in this setting, and the red rope was a great picture of what the story was getting at. However, even though I also deal with anxiety issues, I didn't connect with this story or most of its characters.

Part of this could have been due to what felt like holes in the world building. The Fury are purposefully left vague, in my mind a little too vague so that I didn't see enough information to personally find them intimidating. And then there was the in-business general store for a small, completely cut off from the world community, as well as a long abandoned gas station with still running water. Those details, and others like them, might have had explanations, but the story world wasn't developed to a point that it did so.

This book had its strengths, but overall I felt that the weaknesses out weighed the rest. The novel is a fairly easy read, one that could still be enjoyed by the Dekkers' fans as well as those looking for stories like the two I named above. However, with the confusion I have seen over what genre this book truly falls into, it will not be for everyone.

I have provided an honest review after receiving a copy of the book from the authors and publisher.

Romanov- Nadine Brandes

My Rating: 4 Stars

Description: The history books say I died.

They don’t know the half of it.

Anastasia “Nastya” Romanov was given a single mission: to smuggle an ancient spell into her suitcase on her way to exile in Siberia. It might be her family’s only salvation. But the leader of the Bolshevik army is after them, and he’s hunted Romanov before.

Nastya’s only chances of saving herself and her family are to either release the spell and deal with the consequences, or enlist help from Zash, the handsome soldier who doesn’t act like the average Bolshevik. Nastya has only dabbled in magic, but it doesn’t frighten her half as much as her growing attraction to Zash. She likes him. She thinks he might even like her.

That is, until she’s on one side of a firing squad . . . and he’s on the other.

My Thoughts: When I had looked at my shelves the other week, I had been in the mood for something fun and easy to read. Romanov stood out, and I quickly devoured it in a couple of late nights. Nadine's writing is smooth and gripping, bringing about an engrossing story.

Being familiar with the story of Anastasia, I was prepared for certain aspects of this story which I know have taken other readers by surprise. However, there were still a few twists for those who think they might already know how this story plays out. And that's always a nice surprise when it comes to historical retellings.

The main draw back to this novel was that there perhaps could have been more too it. Compared to many other books in the genre, this is rather short and that affected the story in some regard. I felt that there was much more I wanted to know about the magic system, as well as how this story ending would have affected this version of history beyond what occurs in this book.

However, rather than causing me to dislike this story, it just created a hope that maybe Nadine will decide to write a sequel. One that perhaps is from the perspective of another character who might have a story to tell and can build upon what this book started.

I have provided an honest review after having received a copy of this book through the Fiction Guild.