Kirjahaku

This collection of published stories by novelist Carole McDonnell bring together multicultural concerns, spirituality, and speculative fiction. The fantastical elements in these tales range from contemporary worlds, to days of courtly love, to fairytales and to worlds not yet discovered. Carole McDonnell is a Jamaican-American writer of Christian, speculative fiction, and multicultural stories. She is the author of Wind Follower, which was nominated for the Clives Staples award for Christian speculative, and The Constant Tower, among other books. The stories in the UPDATED kindle and paperback collection include newer stories that were not included in the Audible recording. Review from Marvin Katzoff: These short stories are one terrific "read " Whatever the setting for each story, Carol McDonnell (one of our most gifted authors) manages to imbue each of them with a sense of humanity and compassion that shines through on every page. You'll love them I especially enjoyed "As in the Days of Noah," which builds terrific suspense in its story of a man on his wedding day, who comes to realize that something ominous may be about to occur to all of us; "Black is the Color of My True Love's Hair," about a knight returning home to his beloved wife, who's joined by a spirit; and "Housewarming," a lighthearted tale of a harried hostess who has to deal with a pesky ghost at her dinner party (don't you just hate when ghosts show up uninvited?) This wonderfully humorous tale clearly shows that having a ghost hanging around a dinner party doesn't exactly help a harried hostess - especially when he turns out to be a demon Fortunately our heroine knows how to handle a pesky spirit. "So Far," great story about a man who doesn't appreciate his wonderful wife due to his desire for the "other girl." As the story is related in the second person of "you" rather than the first or third, it enables the reader to more readily identify with the lead character. The decree that each family should have only one child reminded me of China; and the baby girls being killed reminded me of India and other poor nations where baby girls are often put to death. "Lingua Franca" - interesting perspective on how what we would consider a "gift" - the ability to hear and speak - is seen by Mist as a threat to her way of life. Give new meaning to the term "cut throat." "Black is the Color of My True Love's Hair" - wonderful story. "The Gleaners" - nice to see spirits who want to help the starving inhabitants of a poor village. I like how it shows the power of forgiveness at the end (even with such a villain). "The People of the Dark Mirror" - an interesting parable on segregation, and how people can't stand to see the evil in themselves. Meat For the Journey -- Wonderfully spooky story, with Father Giorgiou trying to save the soul of the dying Louise. Changeling -- This story is a classic, beautifully showing what jealousy and greed can do to families, even royal ones

Struggling with grief, her impoverished life, and a needy family, Jamaican-American Denise Higgins accepts a job opportunity as a sober companion. Her job is simple: keep the wealthy French-Korean Ben Moreau away from drugs and his druggie friends. She is also to report back to his parents - something Ben is not aware of and would not appreciate. Ben Moreau, despite being three years Denise's junior, proves to be far more alluring than she ever thought possible. Not only is he gorgeous with an ever so charming personality, he is also generous and willing to befriend her so long as he can have her loyalty. Following her heart may only bring her grief, and ignoring it is certain to because while Denise is a staunch Bible reader and seer of visions, Ben is a jaded profligate surrounded by drug-taking friends. Denise has more than a few hurdles to overcome. Least of which are Ben's money, Ben's ability to manipulate her, her own growing infatuation with him, a shared ongoing secret between Ben and his friends and an ancient curse that hangs over Ben's family line.Her destiny is interwoven with Ben's, and in this bittersweet story that follows the spiritual development of cynical but sensitive Denise and contemplative but loving Ben, that destiny will be sorely-tested. Their backgrounds could not be more different, both in culture and background as his wealthy Korean and French proprieties conflict with her poor Jamaican Christian upbringing. But the prejudices of the well-to-do, and of Christian parents and pagan friends will challenge Denise's expectations and what she believes about herself. Together with Ben, and with his sweet wit and selfish but kind heart, these lovers will grow to discover a fuller and richer life.

Do you want your spiritual life to be more productive? Do you feel as if New Age practices get you better benefits than Christian prayers? Do you feel as if you are not quite getting the instructions right and are somehow missing the mark? Do you believe that either Christianity is failing you or that you are failing Christianity? Are you tempted to leave the ancient paths of Christianity and to find other more productive, and efficient spiritual help? Or, do you think that there is no difference between Christianity and New Age practices?There are definitely similarities and differences between the Law of Attraction and the Christian Faith Walk. As it is with the various currencies throughout the world, so it is with spiritual currencies, spiritual truths, and spiritual wisdom. Thieves never counterfeit bad or unreal things; they only counterfeit the good and the real. The only way to truly discern the similarities and differences between the Law of Attraction and the Christian Faith Walk is to truly know the Bible. Not someone's interpretation of the Bible. Not some denominational doctrine. Not a trendy pop culture belief. The Bible.To the best of my ability, I want to show that the Judeo-Christian Scriptures do promise blessings, wonder, and supernatural help. And we must do what God commands and believe and speak God's word in order to see these blessings, wonders, and supernatural help in our lives. The most important aspect of the kingdom is that the kingdom will take care of you if you follow the rules of the kingdom and seek first the kingdom of God. This book is written to help the reader examine himself and his obedience to the conditional promises given in God's word. In order to help self-examination, I've filled this book with questions we should prayerfully ask ourselves. I hope this book will be a blessing to Christians of all denominations and spiritual maturity.