Future Spiritual Warfare Fantasy

I am excited to announce I am working away on my latest spiritual warfare fantasy: Guardian Watcher. I wanted to share a sneak peek with my blog readers. Are you ready for "Josh" who may or may not be an angel? 

 Here is the back blurb from the book:

Angel? Demon? Superhero? Or something else altogether? 

“Josh the Angel” isn’t sure what he is or where he came from. The only thing he knows for certain—he has a mission: Help humans. 

There’s no doubt, those near replicas of him, minus the massive wings, need serious help. If only he could stop blacking out and uncover the memories he somehow managed to misplace. 

Considering his bestfriend is a coyote; his current home an underground bunker; and his favorite mode of transportation (after flying, of course) a customized Harley Davidson; he’s an anomaly. Toss in a few murders he may or may not have committed and Josh just might be crazy. He’s definitely coming unglued, despite his physical prowess and supernatural skill-set.

Between seeking clues about his past, saving people from danger, and avoiding public scrutiny, becoming someone’s personal bodyguard is the last thing he needs, but Piper Pruitt is magnet for trouble—big trouble. 

She’s also a magnet to him. 

Protecting her turns into a full time job, a job he likes far more than he should, because keeping Piper safe comes with a price tag, and the price may be too high for either of them to pay. 

The cost continues to grow when Josh and Piper risk their lives to team up with an elite FBI team and a wayward pastor, on a quest to stop a serial killer that isn’t quite human. Together they must fight spiritual forces that shouldn’t exist. Forces that will destroy their city if allowed to reign unchallenged. 

Despite their best efforts to defeat the darkness, unimaginable secrets are revealed, hearts broken, souls lost, and beliefs shattered. 

For when you attempt to “do” God’s work by manipulating truth and depending on lies, someone always loses.  

Please note: This is a standalone, spiritual warfare fantasy and suspense adventure, with a touch of romance, no cliffhanger, and ultimately, a happy ending. It is not part of the Soul Defenders’ Series, also by Carol Van Atta.

  
I am really looking forward to this and to finally, after being "off" my writing schedule for a few years, to finally complete Reign Real: Becoming a Princess Warrior for Christ, which might be getting a new cover! 

I'd love to hear from you! What books are you enjoying right now? Would you like to be on my list for Guardian Watcher (fiction) and/or Reign Real (non-fiction/women)? Just drop me a message. 

Remember: Follow your dreams and Never Never give up. You are a daughter of the most high God and King. With Him all things are possible!

Exciting News!

I am excited to share that I will be releasing a new book soon. This story is a bit different from the other spiritual warfare, Soul Defenders' series. Guardian Watchers is more fantasy/speculative fiction/with a touch more romance. I think guys will still enjoy, but it is definitely a book women will  relate too. 

As with the Soul Defenders' books, the foundation is based on God's truth and has a great deal to do with trusting in Him. 

Think of Abraham and Sarah. They got tired of waiting and attempted to use her servant to force God's promise for a child, pushing for the birth to take place in their time-frame not His. The results, as I'm sure you recall, ended up rather 'messy,' to say the least. 

God knows what He is doing. 

When we try to interfere, imposing our will (as if we can actually do such a thing) on God's divine purpose, we will never come out ahead. 

Guardian Watchers takes this theme to a whole new level. Let your imagination run wild!

I promise I'll share more teasers and tidbits as the release date draws closer. The next step will be the big COVER REVEAL. I'll have some fun contests and other giveaway goodies down the road as well. 

The third installment for the Soul Defenders series, subtitled Cartel, is on the table, as well as, the long overdue Reign Real: Becoming a Princess Warrior for Christ (non-fiction). If you read my previous post, you will know why these projects are so delayed.

The book covers for Soul Defenders: Cartel and Reign Real have been revealed already, so take a peek!

Win a copy of Soul Defenders!

Goodreads Book Giveaway

Soul Defenders

by Carol Van Atta

Giveaway ends December 11, 2012.

See the giveaway details at Goodreads.

Enter to win

Soul Defenders: Now Available in Paperback!

I am so pleased (thrilled) to announce that Soul Defenders is now available in paperback. I'll share the link in a moment. 

First I want to share with you about the power of a story. The Bible is filled with stories, stories about people, people like us, people who make mistakes and fall short of God's glory. Thankfully, these same people find mercy and love in the Savior, our Savior, Jesus Christ. Through fiction, although its fiction, spiritual truths can be found, especially if that is the intent of the author, which indeed was my intent. Nuggets of truth are often buried in the words of a story, treasure waiting to be found by the reader. I know I've found my fair share of jewels between the pages of a book. In fact, as a new believer, I read a great deal of Christian and inspirational fiction. I found myself eager to see what The Word had to say about what I was reading. I was drawn closer to our King through the stories authors were faithful to write.

I, too, wanted to reach wounded warriors and our yet-to-be embraced friends, who do not yet know our Savior, through my writing. That's why the following comment on Facebook touched my heart. This is a gal who  I mentor. She has no consistent spiritual upbringing, and has never really wanted to talk about Christ with me. I gifted her this book for her Kindle Fire, knowing she loves to read. Here's what she said: "YYYYYYAAAAAAAAYYYYYY!!!!! Read soul defenders. it is awesome and defintely inspiring. I prayed after i read it."

That's how God can use our stories, even fiction, to touch others and change hearts. I'm looking forward to my next meeting with this lovely sixteen-year old girl who God's placed in my life. We'll have a lot to talk about. 

If you have someone, maybe addicted to drugs, or who has run to the arms of our enemy for fulfillment, consider sharing this book. I believe it can make a difference. Do you have a book or books that touched your heart? - please share in the comment section. Just as important, do you have a story to tell? Maybe it is time for you to tell it too. 

Click on the link below to purchase a trade paperback copy of Soul Defenders. 

http://www.amazon.com/Soul-Defenders-Black-Orchids-1/dp/1479246964/ref=sr_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1347692552&sr=1-4&keywords=soul+defenders

Angels in Action

Hello precious princess warriors! It's been far too long. Once again, my life has taken on a life of its own, and I've been beyond busy. Not good -- at all. It's time to slow down, reevaluate my schedule, confirming that what I'm doing is in line what God wants me doing. Although, this time of year, every year, tends to take off at a very rapid pace due to my son's extensive baseball schedule. His games add three evenings of "baseball watching" to my already over-stuffed schedule. But I can't tear myself away from his games. Win or lose, they're always worth watching. And, yes, I like baseball.

Be assured, my Armor of God series will start soon. I promise. Tonight, however, I wanted to tell you about what I believe just might have been an angelic encounter. Really.

First, consider this fascinating scripture -- Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing, some people have entertained angels without knowing it. Heb. 13:2

I've always been awed by the possibility of an angel in my midst. Knowing that God cares enough about us to send supernatural helpers from heaven is more than a little exciting, and definitely thought provoking.

Anyway ... here's just a little background explaining why this encounter was so perfectly timed.

My daughter has been in the middle of a very uncomfortable situation with a friendship turned sour. The mother of the other girl has exhibited some frightening and erratic behavior, now focused on yet another mother who chose to stand for truth rather than being manipulated by an evil, cruel agenda. Of course, the ones suffering the most from the situation are the girls. They want to be friends and work things out, but, unfortunately, this one particular mom is not open to that possibility. Needless to say, it has been difficult for everyone involved. My daughter's dear friend, who is celebrating her birthday today, was extremely upset by some very hurtful comments this other mom made to her mother. She was tearful, confused, and unhappy. I don't blame her. The situation has been hard for me to deal with in a godly manner. Believe me, I'm praying -- a lot. More details aren't important, what's important is that God cares about our children. He cares about us.

I took my daughter and the birthday girl to a movie this evening. They were thrilled to go; yet a thin layer of grief, for changing friendships, seemed to cover the joy, diminishing its glow. As we took our seats, I noticed that my daughter's friend was carrying a large, rolled up, movie poster. It was one of those super fancy ones. You know, the actual movie poster, with glittered lettering to boot. Photographs covered both the front and back side making it an obvious collector's item.

This little girl was beaming. She said, "Some guy came up to me when we were walking in and said happy birthday, and then handed the poster to me." My daughter confirmed this brief encounter. We hurried to thank the kind man. He had vanished -- completely.

We hadn't told anyone at the theater about her birthday. No one but my family and hers knew where we would be (they didn't do it; I checked). No one else there had a poster. The whole thing was just plain strange.

Suddenly, a light (finally) came on and I blurted out what I believe still to be true. "Girls, do you know that God just sent an angel to bless you. You've had a really hard day. You're mom is standing against unkind behavior and feeling attacked. God cares. He knows you're suffering. He knows it's your birthday and that you would love this poster. So, I think He sent an angel to deliver it to you." The moistness in my eyes must have been contagious because they looked teary, too. I quickly called her mom and shared the experience. She, too, cried, believing the gift to be a very tangible gesture of His love for her hurting girl. Wow! Wow! Praise God!

For a just-turned eleven year old this was the perfect gift. God's love touches each one of us in a very unique way that is perfect for our needs. He knows. He cares. He loves.

So, have you ever suspected angelic intervention? If so, please, share your story. I'd love to hear it and share it with my readers. And remember, that there are angels among us. We should be careful to treat each person with dignity and love. God bless you.

Fear: False Evidence Appearing Real

Survivor Eva Hart remembers the night, April 15, 1912, on which the Titanic plunged 12,000 feet to the Atlantic floor, some two hours and forty minutes after an iceberg tore a 300-foot gash in the starboard side: "I saw all the horror of its sinking, and I heard, even more dreadful, the cries of drowning people."

Although twenty life-boats and rafts were launched-too few and only partly filled-most of the passengers ended up struggling in the icy seas while those in the boats waited a safe distance away. Lifeboat No. 14 did row back to the scene after the unsinkable ship slipped from sight at 2:20 A.m. Alone, it chased cries in the darkness, seeking and saving a precious few.

Incredibly, no other boat joined it. Some were already overloaded, but in virtually every other boat, those already saved rowed their half-filled boats aimlessly in the night, listening to the cries of the lost. Each feared a crush of unknown swimmers would cling to their craft, eventually swamping it.

"I came to seek and to save the lost," our Savior said. And he commissioned us to do the same. But we face a large obstacle: fear. While people drown in the treacherous waters around us, we are tempted to stay dry and make certain no one rocks the boat.

Any boat in your life that needs a good rocking?

Also, I was thinking about how God's Word states that He (God) will give His angels charge over us to help protect us. Sometimes, I forget that as a believer there is a heavenly army fighting on my behalf according to God's plan and purpose. The above painting so perfectly illustrates that truth. Consider the first words of the angelic encounters in the Bible: "Do not fear ... " Let us heed God's words. Fear need not paralyze us. We can step forward in faith, knowing that God is stepping with us.