Essence of Evil by Barbara Ann Derksen

Read about prolific author Barbara Ann Derksen's latest novel, Essence of Evil!

This book was the natural next link in the series that started out as a mystery to find the killer of her parents, but Christine chose to be a finder of missing children as well. Her profession takes her into the world of human trafficking, a place uncomfortable for her. When I started the series, I did not know I was going to delve into this cultural issue but God is using the series to make more people aware that this is an issue prevalent around the world, even in our own back yard. Book three in the series will be released spring 2015.

The Universal link for the first in the series, Shadow Stalker, is http://smarturl.it/llfqfy where you will also be able to find Essence of Evil from any country.

Essence of Evil,  Amazon.com http://amzn.to/1u4G6D9

$4.99 Kindle

$15.00 paperback

Watching the expressions on the faces of her readers, as well as answering questions about her characters, is what drives author and speaker, Barbara Ann Derksen to write yet another book and another. Her favorite genre is murder mystery but each book brings forth characters who rely on God as they solve the puzzle in their life.

Barbara’s devotionals are sought after each year when she publishes a new one that reflects what God has placed on her heart. From Straight Pipes, her first, to More Than Bells, Preparation for Prayer, the latest, Barbara’s devotions take people to the place where God can touch their heart and leave a lasting impression. When people stop by her table for the latest, they talk to her about using the devotions in their chapter meetings, or their personal devotions. Some men return at their pastor’s request because the books are used as launch pads for men’s bible study. Many copies have been passed on to new believers as discipling tools.

Born in Canada, Barbara lived in the US for 12 years. There her writing surfaced as she worked under contract as a journalist for six years with over 2500 articles published in newspapers and magazines during that time. Meeting and interviewing people, digging for the hidden gems in their lives, made those years informative as well as instructive. She began attending Colorado Christian Writer’s Conferences and each year, under the tutelage of great Christian writer’s like James Scott Bell, Angela Hunt, and others, she honed her skills.

Barbara has developed a speaking platform and has spoken across the US and in Manitoba, Canada for women’s groups and in church services on topics such as The Writing Experience, working in the ministry of Christian Motorcyclists Association, Love, Parenting, Time Management, and a host of others.

With 17 books to her credit, one currently inactive and awaiting revision, each one surpasses the last, according to her readers. They look forward to discovering the new characters in a new series Finders Keepers. Book One – Shadow Stalker – will be released mid-May, 2013

Writing, however is simply a tool to be used in the ministry she shares with her husband. With his gift of music (he sings country gospel), Barbara and her husband operate CatchFire Ministries, a ministry to bikers through Christian Motorcyclists Association. They travel for four to five months every summer in the US and the rest of the time in Canada where they seek to inspire, encourage and invite people into a deeper ministry with Jesus Christ. They also minister at Veterans Homes and churches along the way and are about to begin a ministry to Juvenile offenders incarcerated at Manitoba Youth Center. The mysteries include a gospel message that opens her readers to the possibility of reading books written from a Christian World view and supply funds for CatchFire.

Wakulla Book Review: SCARS by Patience Prence

Prisoner Review

By Bob.

 SCARS:  An Amazing End-Times Prophecy Novel

Author: Patience Prence

I have in front of me at this time an excellent book about the experiences of an extremely young girl. No matter how hard you try, a person cannot stop themselves from becoming part of this girl's life.

Ms. Prence takes us from the beginning to the very end of the book with you wanting more. I personally feel that Ms. Prence should have been more explicit at the end about what happened to her father and brother.

Ms. Prence did an outstanding job on this book and I was very fortunate to have been allowed to read it. She did an extremely good job on the book and it shows she is a Christian to boot.

This is one of those books that’s meant to be read again, soon.  To believe, because for you not to believe, as this lady says, then you may just have a problem.

Thank you for this book.  I look forward to reading more of her books.  It was a bone-chilling hair-raiser, but worth every minute I spent reading it.  A very hard book to adjust to, but worth it. Thank you.

To purchase Scars from Amazon, please click here. 280 reviews with 4.4 stars!

Each Tuesday, we are posting reviews from Wakulla Correctional inmates of John 3:16 books. 

The Wakulla Correctional Book Review Series is part of 

Our Vision: "Changing Lives to Ensure a Safer Florida" 

The Lighthouse of Asaph video book review

The Lighthouse of Asaph

Buy on Amazon US
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Enjoy this video book review.

Roberto Ornan Roche is from Cuba.

Writing Self-Help: How Should Authors Portray the Protagonist in Young Adult Books?

by Lorilyn Roberts

For a book to make an impression on me, I must be able to identify with the protagonist. I think that is even more true with young adult readers. I remember reading a book by Randy Alcorn where the main character was a black man. I wondered if I would be able to relate to the protagonist. Mr. Alcorn did such a great job, I found myself fighting in the Vietnam War, being injured, and dealing with all the issues that the protagonist brought into his life from that event. 

I read the book for pure enjoyment, not knowing one day I would go back to school to get my Masters in Creative Writing. That book made an impression on me that never forgot. I realized that if a book is well-written, a reader should be able to identify with any kind of protagonist, and for me that even included a black man who fought in the Vietnam War.

Another example of a memorable protagonist is Scarlet O'Hara in Gone with the Wind. I read the book when I was a young seventeen-year-old. I went to Margaret Mitchell School and grew up in Atlanta. I had frequently been to the area called Tara and knew the historical setting well. But it takes more than that to create a relationship between the protagonist and the reader. Why did I identity with Scarlet O’Hara beyond the obvious?

The author, Margaret Mitchell, created a main character that was believable, endearing, and unpredictable. Scarlett represented a strong woman who was determined, smart, beautiful, passionate, and full of envy and jealousy. 

When I read Gone with the Wind  as a young adult, I wanted to believe I was like her. I admired her, particularly her strong will, determination, and self-confidence that I lacked. I actually did possess many of her qualities; even the hard-headedness and being too independent. It caused me many issues just as it was Scarlett’s downfall. I could relate.

Young readers today, typically young ladies, are very much like Scarlett O’Hara in many ways. The women’s movement has done much to propel women in the direction of Scarlett. Plus, human nature doesn’t change. We might live in different eras and face different problems, but the way a protagonist tackles those problems is what makes the story marvelous and memorable. The conflict, the twists and turns in the plot, the emotional turmoil, the uncertainty, with sub-characters who bring out the best and the worst in the protagonist, makes for a great story.

A classic is one that has staying power and can be enjoyed by multiple generations. No matter how many times I read the book or watch the movie, the final scene is etched in my memory when Scarlett asks Rhett, “Where should I go, what should I do?” and Rhett replies, “Frankly, my dear, I don’t give a damn.” What an awesome way to end a six-hundred page book.

Above all, authors need to make the protagonist reader-friendly, especially in young adult books. I've read several negative reviews by readers on Amazon who simply didn't like the protagonist. Perhaps she was too self-centered, too immature, or too flawed. Young adults want to read about heroes and heroines. Give the reader a flawed main character whom he or she cares about, put the protagonist in a life or death situation, add a little bit of magic (young adults love that), and chances are you will hook your reader all the way to the last page. Of course, it's easier said than done, but someone will write that next best best-seller, and it might as well be you.

A great book to help with character development is: Creating Unforgettable Characters, by Linda Seger. You can purchase it on Amazon here.