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The Prophet and the Dove
You know the Bible lessons and children’s stories, the myths and legends. Now take a historical look at the Old Testament prophet Jonah, a gripping tale of war, sacrifice, treachery, and love. "The Prophet and the Dove" is the first novel in The Jonah Cycle by Kirby Lee Davis. Available in Kindle, paperback, and hardcover editions, this exciting book reveals a mission of heroic power, supernatural mysteries, and divine grace. We hear of Jonah’s epic journey from an elderly witness, a teacher who endured these events while a young fugitive slave:
“It seems many lifetimes ago� a dreadful age when time bore no life to speak of, and I, ever stalked by death, considered all talk of the Lord nothing but vicious lies. Much has happened since, more than any man should endure, and yet I have, as was my calling. For I was born to witness the dawn of a new age.
“But you don’t care about that, do you? Thrills, adventure, death! Yes, that’s what you came to hear! The knife at my throat!
“Oh, I have many such stories to share. Kings I have counseled, and warriors I’ve led. These hands drove a chariot surrounded by the enemy! These feet strolled the Nile shores! These eyes gazed upon the ruins of Jerusalem!
“But all that pales before my witnessing the Jonah Cycle. For who would have dreamt a man could live beyond his death? Certainly not I! But with Jonah, our Lord had a special need, and it changed the world.
“Come closer now, as I tell the tale. I have little breath left to speak above these Nineveh winds�.�
Excerpts from reader reviews: “I grew up hearing the story of Jonah from the Bible, but it had never come to life for me as it does in this fictional tale�... “This book is at once historical, dramatic and exciting�... “The vivid characters stir the imagination�... “The story brought the reality of ancient days and the struggle of proclaiming God’s truth along with a message of hope for future generations�... “It’s an epic read.�
All three editions feature an afterward and glossary of key terms. The hardcover includes a study guide that breaks down each chapter’s biblical and historical roots, evaluating key plot elements while posing discussion questions. In this way, the novel and study guide may serve as a Bible study, a Sunday school lesson series, or a package of devotionals. The study guide also is available at the author's website.
CLASSIFICATIONS: Historical fiction, Christian fiction, religious, spiritual
“It seems many lifetimes ago� a dreadful age when time bore no life to speak of, and I, ever stalked by death, considered all talk of the Lord nothing but vicious lies. Much has happened since, more than any man should endure, and yet I have, as was my calling. For I was born to witness the dawn of a new age.
“But you don’t care about that, do you? Thrills, adventure, death! Yes, that’s what you came to hear! The knife at my throat!
“Oh, I have many such stories to share. Kings I have counseled, and warriors I’ve led. These hands drove a chariot surrounded by the enemy! These feet strolled the Nile shores! These eyes gazed upon the ruins of Jerusalem!
“But all that pales before my witnessing the Jonah Cycle. For who would have dreamt a man could live beyond his death? Certainly not I! But with Jonah, our Lord had a special need, and it changed the world.
“Come closer now, as I tell the tale. I have little breath left to speak above these Nineveh winds�.�
Excerpts from reader reviews: “I grew up hearing the story of Jonah from the Bible, but it had never come to life for me as it does in this fictional tale�... “This book is at once historical, dramatic and exciting�... “The vivid characters stir the imagination�... “The story brought the reality of ancient days and the struggle of proclaiming God’s truth along with a message of hope for future generations�... “It’s an epic read.�
All three editions feature an afterward and glossary of key terms. The hardcover includes a study guide that breaks down each chapter’s biblical and historical roots, evaluating key plot elements while posing discussion questions. In this way, the novel and study guide may serve as a Bible study, a Sunday school lesson series, or a package of devotionals. The study guide also is available at the author's website.
CLASSIFICATIONS: Historical fiction, Christian fiction, religious, spiritual
286 pages, Paperback
Published December 1, 2019
1 person is currently reading
2 people want to read
About the author
Kirby Lee Davis
7books4followersKirby Lee Davis is an award-winning storyteller. Born with the desire to weave tales, Davis wrote and illustrated his first book at age 5� or was it 8? Somewhere around there. The first novel flowed from his typewriter during his second year at Mustang (OK) High School. The following year saw his entry into journalism and the editor's post at his student newspaper. This1982 University of Oklahoma graduate formally brokeinto the professional ranks asan entrepreneur, syndicating filmreviewsto eight different publications. His byline, photos, and graphics have since appeared in multiple print and wire services, earning dozens of awards from the Associated Press, Donrey, Dolan Media, and other organizations.These endeavors also led Davis into video production, website development, game design, stage work, and songwriting, his tunes sometimes shared in charity guitar performances. In 2017, Davis started providing freelance communications consulting services. The next year he published his parallel illustrated novels "God's Furry Angels" and "A Year in the Lives of God's Furry Angels." Other books followed: the dark comedy "The Road to Renewal," his epic adventure "The Prophet and the Dove," which led him into The Jonah Cycle, and the 40th-anniversary edition of "The Spawn of Fashan" roleplaying game rulebook, which became a bestseller in Japan. More details may be found at kirbyleedavis.com
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
August 16, 2020
Biblical fiction isn't as popular as it used to be, which is regrettable. (If it just inserts dialogue into a Bible lesson, the results can be hideous, but that's true of any genre badly done.) At its best, it stirs the imagination and helps you to see a familiar story in new ways. And it's a reminder that biblical characters are not sacred personages who walked around with halos, striking poses for stained-glass windows, but actual human beings.
Davis retells the Jonah story, familiar in its outlines at least to most people, through the persona of Benjamin, who becomes (at first unwillingly) an assistant or apprentice to the prophet. The book opens, in the tradition of epics, in the middle of the action with Jonah's being thrown overboard to quell a storm, and introduces the main theme of the book, God's concern for those who are not part of the Chosen People.
The author includes information at the end of the book about the sources of his information on the Assyrian Empire for those who want to follow up on the time period, and - I wish I had found this sooner - a glossary. Many Assyrians have long names that can be hard to tell apart, kind of like a Russian novel, so the list is handy.
Highly recommended.
Davis retells the Jonah story, familiar in its outlines at least to most people, through the persona of Benjamin, who becomes (at first unwillingly) an assistant or apprentice to the prophet. The book opens, in the tradition of epics, in the middle of the action with Jonah's being thrown overboard to quell a storm, and introduces the main theme of the book, God's concern for those who are not part of the Chosen People.
The author includes information at the end of the book about the sources of his information on the Assyrian Empire for those who want to follow up on the time period, and - I wish I had found this sooner - a glossary. Many Assyrians have long names that can be hard to tell apart, kind of like a Russian novel, so the list is handy.
Highly recommended.
April 28, 2020
The Story of Jonah Fleshed Out
I grew up hearing the story of Jonah from the Bible, but it had never come to life for me as it does in this fictional tale. Through the eyes of the young narrator Benjamin, we grow to understand much about the possible details of Jonah's thoughts and actions concerning God’s leadings and expectations for obedience. We also learn about the Israel and Assyria of that time. In the process, Benjamin grows from having no faith to a faith that is seemingly stronger than Jonah's. Quite a good read!
I grew up hearing the story of Jonah from the Bible, but it had never come to life for me as it does in this fictional tale. Through the eyes of the young narrator Benjamin, we grow to understand much about the possible details of Jonah's thoughts and actions concerning God’s leadings and expectations for obedience. We also learn about the Israel and Assyria of that time. In the process, Benjamin grows from having no faith to a faith that is seemingly stronger than Jonah's. Quite a good read!
February 1, 2020
The Prophet And The Dove by Kirby Lee Davis is an epic story of the familiar biblical tale of Jonah. It is the first book in The Jonah Cycle.
Kirby Lee Davis has put legs on the well-known story of Jonah. Extensive research enables the tale to come to life. There is much that is familiar and with comprehensive descriptions the reader ‘walks� through the action.
We learn about the heart of God and the importance of obedience. “When the Lord says go, you do not cast off His hand for lack of directions.� God will provide enough light for the step we are on. We can trust Him to guide us the rest of the way in His timing.
Wicked men come under the scrutiny of God. The Old Testament has some brutal and blood thirsty scenes.
“It was the way of the world� But it was not God’s way.� God has a different schedule to men. He builds His kingdom on love, grace and forgiveness. We need to emulate Him. “Our faith is founded on peace, bound by love”� I just love that.
The Prophet And The Dove was a powerful tale that is not meant to be read instead of the Bible but alongside it to aid us in our understanding of sometimes confusing Old Testament tales. It’s an epic read.
I received this book for free. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.
Kirby Lee Davis has put legs on the well-known story of Jonah. Extensive research enables the tale to come to life. There is much that is familiar and with comprehensive descriptions the reader ‘walks� through the action.
We learn about the heart of God and the importance of obedience. “When the Lord says go, you do not cast off His hand for lack of directions.� God will provide enough light for the step we are on. We can trust Him to guide us the rest of the way in His timing.
Wicked men come under the scrutiny of God. The Old Testament has some brutal and blood thirsty scenes.
“It was the way of the world� But it was not God’s way.� God has a different schedule to men. He builds His kingdom on love, grace and forgiveness. We need to emulate Him. “Our faith is founded on peace, bound by love”� I just love that.
The Prophet And The Dove was a powerful tale that is not meant to be read instead of the Bible but alongside it to aid us in our understanding of sometimes confusing Old Testament tales. It’s an epic read.
I received this book for free. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.
February 1, 2020
“The Jonah Cycle: The Prophet and the Dove� is a dramatic, exciting exploration of the life of the prophet, Jonah. While there have been many Bible studies and outlines published over the years about the Old Testament Prophet, Jonah, I have not previously found a novel delving into the life of Jonah. I have been curious about the person, Jonah, and in this book, I was thrilled with an exciting story telling style accompanied with a depth of reliable source material. Thrills and adventure provided a gripping backdrop to the Biblical account. I was highly motivated to read this exciting narrative in “The Jonah Cycle: The Prophet and the Dove� expeditiously as possible.
This account presents in vivid detail a realistic historical perception of Israel and Assyria in the time in which Jonah lived. The “Prophet and the Dove� narrative helps one feel in a physical, sensory way the footsteps of the prophet and his follower. This book is at once historical, dramatic and exciting while also presenting a message of love which I strongly suspect will lead neatly into the second book. Great book. I strongly urge everyone to read this book.
This account presents in vivid detail a realistic historical perception of Israel and Assyria in the time in which Jonah lived. The “Prophet and the Dove� narrative helps one feel in a physical, sensory way the footsteps of the prophet and his follower. This book is at once historical, dramatic and exciting while also presenting a message of love which I strongly suspect will lead neatly into the second book. Great book. I strongly urge everyone to read this book.
January 30, 2020
I could not put this book down once I started reading it. The boy following the prophet as he struggled against God's instructions makes me think of my own struggles sometimes.
February 19, 2024
This is an interesting and captivating read. Not what I expected at all. Full of details from the biblical period in which it takes place. You will get more than you expect when you read this book.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
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