online Category:  Historical Fiction Publisher: wolfendale press ISBN-10:  1931413703 Type: Fiction Pages: 227 Copyright: Sep 1 2001 A fictionalization of the life of the Apostle Paul, Except For These Chains, is an entertaining, moving and uplifting read. Like "Braveheart" and "El Cid" Pauls real life accomplishments are portrayed in an heroic fictional story. Action, adventure romance, passion and loyalty, love and self sacrifice. You won't want to put it down     Excerpt “Then I guess there is nothing left for me,” she whispered sadly. Her tone frightened Paul with its somberness. He began to fear what she was going to do to herself. “Rachel,” he cried. “I can’t let you leave with that storm raging outside. At least wait for it to die out.” She answered back with resignation. “It doesn't matter,” and once again headed for the door. A voice inside him screamed. “Don't let her go.” Not only did Paul fear for her life, but he really did not want her to leave him. He ran after her and caught her just outside the door, the rain quickly drenching them both. He turned her around and looked into her almond-shaped eyes, blinking furiously to keep out the rain. “I can't let you leave, Rachel.” Rachel looked into Paul's face with bewilderment at his expression. She had seen this look on men before, men that had said that they loved her. As the warm rain beat down on them there was another clap of thunder, and Paul could hold himself back no longer. The overwhelming urge to kiss her took him and all he knew was the sweet taste of her kiss, mixed with the salt of her tears and his heart thundering in his eardrums. Outside of these things nothing else existed to Paul, not his faith, his tradition or his conscience. His passion had overwhelmed everything else. Still locked in their kiss, Paul picked Rachel up and carried her inside to his bed. She offered no resistance. ********************************************************* 2ND EXCERPT As they grew closer, it seemed as if the demon became aware of Paul's presence, for she stopped and turned toward him, eying him warily as he approached. The demon drew a defiant stance and spoke in a voice that only hell could produce. “You have no business here, apostle,” she sneered, bits of drool running down her chin. At the sound of her voice, the throngs between her and Paul parted, as if they could sense a conflict about to result. The crowd around the square quieted as well, as more and more of them became aware that something was happening. Paul stopped his horse about ten paces from her and waited. Suddenly the demon began to shake violently and was transformed into the girl he had seen in his dreams. The crowd grew still as she began to speak. She pointed to said, “These men are servants of The Most High God, and they can tell you the way to be saved.” With that she began to shake violently and the demon returned, spewing, “Who let you out? Go back where you belong.” The fortuneteller examined herself to see if she had returned to her full demonic glory. Satisfied of this, she turned her back to Paul. “As I have said apostle, you have no business here, but....” she said, turning back to face him, lips curled into a hideous leer, “I am happy to tell you your future, free of charge.” The fortuneteller waved her arms as she closed her scaly eyes. And then, smiling evilly, she opened her eyes and hissed, “You die.”

From The Library Journal
Editorial Reviews
From Library Journal
Much as Walter Wangerin did in his novel Paul, Schuller attempts to explain the conversion of the Christ-hating Saul of Tarsus into Paul, one of the pillars of Christ's Church in the decades after his crucifixion. This fictionalized account traces the major events in Saul's life, including his persecution of the followers of Christ and his overseeing the stoning of Stephen, the first Christian martyr. As a trail of blood follows Saul throughout the Roman Empire, his devotion to what he perceives as his protection of God from false prophets is unwavering until one fateful day on the road to Damascus when Jesus appears before him and strikes him blind. While blind, Paul is cast down to the gates of Hell, where Jesus rescues him and offers him the chance to repent his sins. Weeping, he does and from that point on he never turns from his new path. While Wangerin's Paul covers a greater portion of the saint's life, Schuller's book captures a facet of Paul's personality his ability to shape the lives of others through his actions worth exploring. For most collections. [Further information on this book can be obtained on the author's web site, www.exceptforthesechains.com. Ed.]
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.