The premise of my debut novel is to suppose what might happen if faith was removed from the world. Specifically, how would it affect those that needed it most in their lives? How would they cope? How would their view of existence change? We need] somewhere people can flourish. Not dwell on our sins or place our hopes on the doctrines and dogma of texts written millennia ago, but to recognise the honest goodness in humanity, and build bridges from our fears to reason, humility, kindness and, ultimately, other people.’ The son of an immortal god and a mortal princess, Dionysus’ role forged a crucial link between humanity and the divine, serving as a force of cyclical, unbridled nature who drew men and women out of themselves through intoxication. In that sense, Dionysus, a genial but wild and dangerously ravishing intermediary, represents one of the enduring mysteries and paradoxes of life. In an event that causes all the people of the world to lose consciousness for but a moment, faith is gone – everyone is an atheist, and anyone who hadstrong faith before is left bereft. The event’s cause is unknown, but some believe it’s the doing of a powerful External Force, and are willing to commit acts of violence in its name against those who still bear symbols of religion… You choose the pain, the euphoria, the joy, the sorrow, the glorious chaos of life. Or you choose the painless nonexistence, the return to nothingness.’”

Pretty bleak, huh. There are people in real life who have these thoughts. Sadly, because there has been abuse in the church, which is contrary to anything the Bible teaches. And sadly, there has been violence surrounding really all religions. Incantation of the Two Fingers' faithful. Alleviates poison buildup and cures poison. This incantation can be cast while in motion. The Two Fingers has high hopes for the Tarnished; that even if they should be wounded, even should they fall, they will continue to fight for their duty. During these six weeks, compounded upon Hurricane Ian's damages to our home, I had let myself slip into a state of worry. I have gone through most of my life not worrying about too much. Even though my major life issues had amounted to the loss of a ministry and my health issues (shingles, doctor-induced overdose of medicine for shingles that physically damaged my heart, complete thyroid removal, ministroke, encapsulated cancer in my face, and right knee replacement). There are more life issues to add, but you get the idea. These past few weeks weighed me down, down into a state of worry. A place where I wouldn't normally be found. I had very little focus and lots of worry. I lost my drive. I was exhausted both physically and mentally. My Failure. Incantation of the Two Fingers' faithful. Heals a small amount of HP. This incantation can be cast while in motion. The Two Fingers has high hopes for the Tarnished; that even if they should be wounded, even should they fall, they will continue to fight for their duty.

Wanderings and wine

The lore was also a highlight. When it comes to plot-lines with such an extensive universe - involving terrible and godlike entities - my imagination goes into overdrive. I just want to know more of everything; I want the author to feed my fascination. I guess I'm just a fan of the cosmic side of the genre, and with a crazy religious cult thrown in, I was in my element. This was a prime example when religion added to the story, made it all the more captivating. In the past I've had the displeasure of reading personal statements disguised as horror, but Hayward wasn't preachy, and he certainly didn't have an ulterior motive other than to entertain. One particular aspect I enjoyed was the shifting mentality of said cult - they were just people, their humanity oftentimes showing through in their cowardice.

In an event that causes all the people of the world to lose consciousness for but a moment, faith is gone - everyone is an atheist, and anyone who had strong faith before is left bereft. The event's cause is unknown, but some believe it's the doing of a powerful External Force, and are willing to commit acts of violence in its name against those who still bear symbols of religion... Karl sneered and advanced towards Paul. Don’t you be judging me – you’re no better. You run with those church freaks now but it’s all the same. Just another way to numb the pain of all this shite. Cured of his madness, Dionysus continues to travel, and he is not alone. In many of the tales surrounding him, he is accompanied by an entourage who worship Dionysus in a state of drunken revelry, holding lavish festal orgia (rites) in his honor. Among them are nymphs called maenads—also known as the Bacchae, or bacchantes, who form the crux of his traveling retinue (the thiasus). Not yet. The only news we’re receiving are these short alerts. There was one before from the government telling people to keep calm and not panic. Seems the emergency services have been overwhelmed so we’re on our own. Keep calm and carry on, Paul. That’s the best advice they can give us right now. Keep bloody calm.

The clarity that your time is all you have is the greatest gift anyone could eve receive. It puts you in absolute control. Without higher power, your fate and destiny are in your own hands. That is true freedom.’ Last month's madness will continue right into March. It has nothing to do with the college basketball playoffs coming up. The madness continues five months after Hurricane Ian for those who live in Southwest Florida and still suffer from the storm's damage. Repairs to our home are not completed. We need your prayer. Life's Burdens. My Failure. Encouragement! Life's Burdens. The chorus of Euripides’ tragedy The Bacchae, written around 405 B.C., evokes the Dionysian mystery rites: Paul, a middle-aged widower and recovering alcoholic, leans heavily on his religious belief to deal with the grief after the loss of his wife. But when he starts to see her again after the event, she takes him to a place of significance ? a Welsh coastal village where they spent a perfect day on their honeymoon decades earlier. I rejoice to say that all of the stolen funds have been returned. The culprit however remains free to steal money from others.

I also have to say it is very rare that a novel leaves me feeling "choked up" at the end. I have to warn that the end of THE FAITHFUL will have some of the most stalwart readers reaching for a Kleenex box.

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Good books explore good ‘what if?’ questions. This book started with one- What if a cataclysmic event caused everyone to lose their faith and everyone was suddenly an atheist? Taking God at His Word: Why the Bible is Knowable, Necessary, and Enough, and What that Means for You and Me by Kevin DeYoung (why we can/trust believe the Bible) One of the incantations of Dragon Communion. Transforms caster into a dragon to bite enemies before them. Incantations of those who have hunted dragons and feasted upon their hearts. Theirs is a pure and overwhelming power. A fear that none of it matters— the choices we make and the types of people we decide to be. It’s all aimless.’