Scavenger Hunt Featuring Caryl McAdoo

 

Welcome to the Celebrate Lit Scavenger Hunt featuring books by Caryl McAdoo! Today I am sharing with you A Little Lower Than the Angels, a novella from the Generations of God series. Make sure you check out the excerpt and enter the giveaway at the end of this post. You’ll need to know what my word is for today – but I’m not telling you just yet!

 

About the Book

 

 

 

 

For earth’s first couple, obedience trumps rebellion then leads to redemption. But what of their children? Seduced by evil, Cain kills Abel then flees east with his sister to the land of Nod. Bereaved of all their children in one day, Adam and Eve are heartbroken and forced to start over. Not until God allows both a vision of Abel in Paradise with their childhood pets Lion and Lamb does Eve find the strength to wait upon the Lord for His blessing. Though dead, Abel’s soul lives on in Paradise, resting, learning from the old Cherub who God sent to teach the murdered son of Adam. He listens to the war songs the legions of angels sing that battle for his brother and sister and even his mother’s soul. But best of all, the angel elder tells him stories of Heaven and how one day, man and God will be reconciled. Again the first couple is tested, and must wait upon the Lord’s blessing to begin again. Can they walk in obedience for seventy long years? And Cain’s offering is finally accepted, but by whom?

 

 

 

 

 

Excerpt

Cain’s eyes blazed, and he balled his fist. Abel braced himself, but the blow never came.

The fire in his twin’s eyes cooled to a cold stare before he patted Abel’s shoulder, and in those silent moments, a concern for his mother and sister gripped Abel, as if their hearts suffered some unknown great pain.

How strange.

Why would that be?

His brother’s voice brought him back. “Yes, you may be right. It’s worth a try. Let’s go fetch a yearling.” He nodded with an odd smile. “But hurry. There’s something I must show you first.” He spun around and trotted toward his furthest field.

Abel ran after. “But Brother, can’t it wait? Our father is still at the high place. You must make a blood offering and be accepted.”

Cain offered no response until he reached the field’s edge. “This won’t take long.” He pointed toward a spot not fifty strides away. “See? It’s there.” He strode toward the place.

“What?” Nothing worth a delay came to view. “What’s so important? We should hurry to my flock.” He followed his brother to the middle of the field. Cain knelt, picked something up, then swung around.

The fire returned to his eyes and with it, an evil Abel had never seen before.

His brother’s words escaped through clenched teeth, though his volume could barely be heard over the screaming eagle overhead. “Never again will you take my place.”

“Brother, what do you mean?”

Suddenly Cain roared. “I am the firstborn.”

“Of course, you are. I know that.” Abel held out both hands, palms up. “Why do you think that? When have I ever tried to take your place? What have I done?”

“I hate you!” Cain lowered his shoulder and charged.

Abel balled his own fist then consciously relaxed it. He would not, could not, fight his brother again. The Lord’s peace, carried from the high place, still enveloped him, though confusion now warred against it.

With each step, it seemed Cain ran slower and slower. A crazed expression twisted and contorted his face. He raised the rock in his hand above his head as he advanced, but it made no matter. Abel would not defend himself. “God said you must master –”

The impact slammed him to the ground, forcing the breath from his lungs. His brother’s weight impeded another. Though Cain held the stone above his head, God’s peace still permeated Abel’s soul. He looked into his brother’s eyes.

How could there be so much hate and anger there?

The rock crashed down.

Pain exploded then vanished. His eyes lost focus. Blackness engulfed him as he closed his eyes as if to sleep. The sensation of great speed carried him toward a bright light then consciousness came again.

A brilliant golden glow encompassed him.

He floated peacefully downward. Where had the pain gone? He traced his hand over his head. No blood? Neither any wound. But how?

“Cain? Where are you, Brother? Put that rock down. We must hurry and choose a lamb.” The words formed in his mind, he spoke them, but where could the sound of them be?

The light dimmed as strong arms wrapped around him then set his feet onto firm ground.

He stood in the midst of a meadow, a place he had never seen, but recognized from his parents’ stories. Released, he turned and faced a winged being.

The odd-looking man stood half-a-head shorter than he and wore a long white robe with a band of golden cloth across his chest.

“Who are you?” Again, no audible words came forth.

“I am called Namrel.” The being’s smile seemed understanding. This speaking without benefit of sound puzzled Abel though.

“Is this my parents’ Garden? Eden?”

The birdman chuckled and shook his head. “No, my new friend. You are in Paradise.”

 

My Perspective

This is such a unique take on a familiar Bible story. Ms. McAdoo has a great imagination that carried into this novella. Like with any embellished historical fiction novel, you have to understand that the author is taking the known bible story and adding to it for our entertainment. Adam, Eve and their children are the start of creation and sin. We all know their story right from Genesis. What Ms. McAdoo has managed to do is take this story and bring to light some things we glaze over when we are reading it, and it makes you want to dig a little deeper into their story. I love it when a book does this, because not only am I enjoying it for fun, but I’m digging into God’s Word to see what else I can find out. Although I have read other books by Caryl McAdoo, this is the first biblical fiction one. I found it to be so different, fun, engaging, and thought provoking. I encourage you to give it a try!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a favorable review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

 

 

About the Author

 

 

Simon & Schuster Christian hybrid author Caryl McAdoo is currently writing three series: her historical Christian Texas Romance; the contemporary Red River Romance; and The Generations, Biblical fiction offerings. The novelist also sings new songs the Lord gives her and paints. In 2008, she and her high school sweetheart-husband Ron moved from the DFW area—home for fifty-five years—to the woods of Red River County. Caryl counts four children and fourteen grandsugars life’s biggest blessings believing all good things come from God. Praying her story gives God glory, she hopes they books will also minister His love, mercy, and grace to all their readers. Caryl and Ron live in Clarksville, the county seat, in the far northeast corner of the Lone Star State.

 

 

Connect with Caryl

All Books   –        http://tinyurl.com/CarylsAmazonPage

A Little Lower Than the Angels http://tinyurl.com/ThanTheAngels

 Website       –        http://www.CarylMcAdoo.com (All First Chapters are offered here)

Newsletter –        http://carylmcadoo.com/sign-up-to-the-caryler/ (Get FREE books for subscribing!)

Reviewer?   –        http://carylmcadoo.com/christian-evaluaters/ (Join Caryl’s Street Team!)

Facebook    –        http://www.facebook.com/CarylMcAdoo.author

Blog            –        http://www.CarylMcAdoo.blogspot.com

GoodReads –        http://tinyurl.com/GoodReadsCaryl

Google+       –        http://tinyurl.com/CarylsGooglePlus

Twitter        –        http://www.twitter.com/CarylMcAdoo

Pinterest     –        http://www.pinterest.com/CarylMcAdoo

 

 

Blog Stops

http://www. celebratelit.com/mcadoo-hunt/

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Janices book reviews, April 19

Jeanette’s Thoughts, April 20

Carpe Diem, April 21

A Baker’s Perspective, April 22

Simple Harvest Reads, April 23

Pursuing Stacie, April 24

Bigreadersite, April 25

Quiet Quilter, April 26

margaret kazmierczak, April 27

 

Giveaway!

As part of the celebration, Caryl is giving away a $50 Amazon Gift Card! Find out how and enter to WIN at

 Caryl McAdoo’s Scavenger Hunt Giveaway.

Key Word from this stop: OFFER