The Prayer Warrior
by Traci Wooden-Carlisle and D. Tina Batten
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GENRE: Speculative fiction
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BLURB:
There is a thin line between the natural and the spiritual realm.
Ms. V., a humble servant of the Lord, has been placed on assignment at Center of Hope Christian Academy.
By day, she serves as a trusted counselor for students, giving them a safe haven to pour out their innermost feelings while providing professional and honest truth wrapped in a firm kindness and love that inevitably draws them closer to Jesus. Not to be outdone, the faculty also bends her ear from time to time.
By night, Ms. V. enters the spiritual realm and takes her place on the battlefield as one of God’s faithful prayer warriors. She wields her whispering sword, slicing through the enemy’s plans to bind the precious hearts under her charge.
Her assignment’s burden on her physical body is taxing, but can she withstand the strain and remain victorious?
Saving souls is her true mission, but at what cost?
Readers are in for a journey of spiritual intrigue and biblical insight as they experience the ramifications of each character’s life-altering decision.
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Excerpt:
The mist settling over the earth was about five inches high. It nearly obscured the ground in front of her as far as her eyes could see. She was reminded of mud-covered battlefields with little to shield one from enemy fire.
The clouds hung low, making the whole scene look like something out of an apocalyptic dream. The fallow ground before her was vast. It was a wasteland, offering only the promise that nothing would ever grow there again. The desolation could have gone on forever, except for the demonic presence that lined itself up like a dirty barrier of windows used to dim and conceal what was on the other side.
She felt them, though. She felt each and every one of the children held in bondage on the other side of that transparent demonic force. The thought brought to mind a scripture, and she looked down at the writing on the sword in her hand. She could have spent time thinking about how odd it was that she didn’t remember taking a sword with her, but there were more pressing matters, and she was happy to have the weapon to wield.
She began reading the inscribed scripture out loud, her voice ringing across the barren land slick with mud. “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood,”
As the words left her lips, they solidified in the atmosphere, charging toward their mark like a spear. They reached the barrier, causing it to shift and ripple but not tear.
Surprising Disclosures about The Prayer Warrior
Traci Wooden Carlisle
When I was a teenager I loved to read a (new at that time) series of books called Choose Your Adventure. You would start the book just like any other but as the story progressed you were given a choice of which way the characters could continue forward in the storyline. You could lead them down different roads or have them interact with different people or obtain certain items you think they may need down the line. You could potentially read 13 stories between two covers depending on your choices. Imagine, one book could take you hours to read and give you several different stories.
It was a desire of mine to one day create a book with several different scenarios that would form with one choice. In The Prayer Warrior, as my co-author and I moved through the story regarding Ms. V. and the challenges she was having, I thought it would be fun to add a second twist to the big one that came at the end of the story. What if we could give the readers a choice about how Ms. V.’s story ended? Whichever way the reader chose first they were more than welcome to go back and choose another path, thus giving them the opportunity to read both endings and decide which one they liked more.
We like to ask our readers from time to time, which ending they like best; the one that takes the more spiritual path or the one that takes the more natural path.
Without any spoilers, I would like to say that Ms. V.’s path was very unique. She felt compelled to use the gift God gave her no matter the cost, even if He didn’t request the price she was willing to pay. Although my co-author, D. Tina Batten and I outlined each of the chapters, we were surprised by the curves the storyline took and the depth of the development of the characters. Here is an example of one such scene.
Myra began talking again, her voice growing louder and louder until there was no room for any other conversation in the lounge.
“You are amazing. Scratch that. You are ridiculous, but your ignorance is amazing.” Myra finished at a near growl. She paced back and forth, obstructing the path to the counter that housed the coffee machine, plasticware and microwave.
Mr. McNeely watched Myra with an intensity that rivaled the concentration she’d seen on children’s faces when playing video games.
He waited until Myra reached one end of the counter, then he hopped up and dashed towards the plasticware to swipe a spoon from the organizer, just narrowly escaping before Myra walked back. It reminded Ms. V. of a game of double Dutch, where a person had to wait for the rope to reach the perfect position before they could jump in. Mr. McNeely was that person.
Ms. V. shook her head at the absurdity of the moment. This woman was holding people hostage with her phone call and selfishness.
Myra stopped mid-stride. She bent over, with one hand on her hip and the other holding the phone in front of her face. She spoke into the phone as if she were staring down at the person on the other end.
“I want you to replace every penny you took from my account by the end of today, or you can take every scrap of clothing and personal item you own out of my apartment.” Her voice deepened to just above a growl. The next words were precisely measured, with an over-pronunciation of vowels and consonants. “Hear what I say. When I get home, your presence or complete absence will be my answer to whether or not I sue your…” Ms. V. closed her ears to the word she heard coming.
The gasps in the room were the only noises anyone had made during Myra’s conversation.
We were also pleasantly surprised by some of the messages God shared with us to share with readers even as they became clear through the dialogue and developing scenes. As a whole, “The Prayer Warrior” was a delightful and thought provoking book to write.
So, if you have read “The Prayer Warrior” or consider reading it, I invite you to let D. Tina Batten and myself know which ending you prefer by emailing us at authortraci@gmail.com.
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AUTHOR Bio and Links:
D. “Tina” Batten is a loving mother, wife, sister, daughter and Mima to her grandchildren. She is a gifted visual storyteller who is passionate about bringing encouraging messages of inspiration and hope to the world.
Tina Batten, a writer for over eighteen years of various dramatic works of performing art via stage, and film, encompasses unique ways of creating fascinating story concepts that touch the heart of most who view or read her work. She is both honored and thrilled to have teamed up with long-time friend, sister in the gospel and co-author Tracy on this phenomenal collaborative book project. With such a humble heart and desire to bring people together in love and unity, Tina Batten will continue her work as a visual storyteller spreading the good news of Jesus Christ one project after the other.
As Always, D. “Tina” Batten gives God All the Glory!
You can find her at the following social media platforms:
Website: http://www.sisterbatten.com
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/Sister-BattenCom-Sister-Batten-Productions-157650117630075/
FB: Tina Batten Profile: https://www.facebook.com/tina.batten.18
IG: https://www.instagram.com/sisterbatten/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/sisterbatten
Subscribe to Sister Batten YouTube Channel
shorturl.at/lsxA4
Walking in the Spirit Trailer
https://vimeo.com/ondemand/sisterbattenfilms
If Not For The LORD, Where Would I Be? Delicious Episode Trailer
https://vimeo.com/ondemand/sisterbattenproductions
Traci Wooden-Carlisle
Traci Wooden-Carlisle began writing to publish in 2011 and enjoys writing stories that provoke thought and evoke emotions. Her desire is to draw readers into the lives of her characters and share messages of God’s love, His faithfulness and peace. The messages in her books speak to her way before they speak to her readers.
Traci lives in San Diego with her husband, David. When she isn’t writing she does some light traveling or assists people with their physical fitness, creates graphics, designs pretty things for her jewelry business and swag for authors.
You can find her on the following social media platforms.
Website: www.tawcarlisle.com
Newsletter: www.tawcarlisle.com/subscribe
Amazon:http://www.amazon.com/Traci-Wooden-Carlisle/e/B00OIAS208/
Goodreads:https://www.goodreads.com/Author_TraciWCarlisle
Facebook: www.facebook.com/traciwoodencarlisle
Instagram: www.instagram.com/tawcarlisle
Bookbub:https://www.bookbub.com/authors/traci-wooden-carlisle
Twitter: www.twitter.com/traciwcarlisle
Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/tawcarlisle
Book Video: https://youtu.be/lw3DiS_-E0A?si=1DjRSVTB3Ggqg9pT
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GIVEAWAY INFORMATION:
Traci Wooden-Carlisle and D. Tina Batten will be awarding $25 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.
Enter here:
http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/28e4345f4689
Follow the tour:
https://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2023/08/nbtm-prayer-warrior-by-traci-wooden.html
