NEW FROM JULIE HAYES--REVELATIONS

Hello, Julie,

I understand you have a new one for us hot off the press. I'm glad you are allowing me to introduce this book to the readers out there.

Before I display the cover, why don't you give us a blurb and exerpt first.
Then I understand you have an interview with the characters to share with us. Well....let's jump into it now.

Blurb:


Judas has never been very popular, not in any incarnation that he and Jesus and the others have lived through. But he doesn't care about that. All he cares about is following the instructions of God as set forth in the script that they follow. And Jesus. For Judas has secretly loved the son of God for over two thousand years.

 But now he decides that enough is enough, and he's tired of watching Jesus die far too early, and for what? This time Judas is determined to see that Jesus lives a long and happy life, no matter what price he has to pay to accomplish it...no matter if he has to make a deal with the devil himself.

 Revelations is a story of what could be, told by those who play it out, time after time after time, unbeknownst to the rest of mankind.  They've come back again, for yet another round.  But this time is going to be different.  

Excerpt:

Prologue: God

            It's not always easy to sit on the sidelines and watch what is happening, to resist the urge to intervene in his best interest.  My son's that is. Jesus. But I do so, because I know it's for his own good.  As well as for the good of mankind. I can't let my concerns as his father override my vested interest in the fate of man. But sometimes that is easier said than done.

                 This morning I am not alone. Someone else is with me, someone with his own agenda, although we are not as diametrically opposed as some would imagine us to be. Good and evil aren't the simplistic concepts some would portray them as being—there are more grey areas there than you might think. And rightly so.

            He smirks. Too much for my taste, I have to admit, but sometimes he does have his moments, and he too has a part to play in what is happening in the world of men. Someone needs to fill the role of the villain, after all.

            The stage is being set for the third act, the scripts have been handed round, and the actors are taking their places. Will this time end any differently than the others? That depends on my son, on Jesus. I'm thinking this will be the time when he'll make the change.

            "He'll change nothing," Lucifer interjects, although I've asked him nothing, certainly not inquired as to his opinion. 

            I glance at him. He's dressed to within an inch of his life, and wears the most ridiculous sunglasses I've ever seen. I decide not to comment on his fashion sense. "I think he might, this time. I think he's ready for change."

            Lucifer snorts. "It's been two thousand years, and neither one has exactly caught on yet. Why should this time be any different?"

            "Care to put your money where your mouth is?"

            He eyes me carefully. "I would, but you see you have this whole mystic omnipotent God thing going on. Personally, I don't care for those odds."

            I arch an eyebrow. "I may be omnipotent, but Jesus does have free will  and he does possess the ability to make his own decisions. You think I'd stack the deck in my son's favor? Just to win a bet with you?"

            "Let's say I'm taking no chances." He smiles. "Tell you what, though—give me free rein.  Let me do what I want, and you not say anything or do anything to interfere with me? As far as they're concerned, that is."

            I open my mouth to object, he hastily interjects. "No killing, I swear to it."

            That's better. I still have some measure of control over the serpent.

             "So be it." I agree, turning my attention back to where it had been, to my son.  I'm smirking now. Openly.

            O ye of little faith, watch and learn.

 

***

 

NOW FOR THE COVER

 

Release date is February 8th from MuseItUp publishing.

Get your pre-orders in now.
 

 

Julie and friend Maggie now take us for an interview. Hang tight folks.

 

 

I watch in amusement as the usually thorny Judas bends over my friend  Maggie’s hand. Looks like someone’s taken his charming pill today. Good. Makes him easier to deal with. Maggie doesn’t seem offended, so that’s a good thing too.  His companion, who hangs back quietly and wears the most beatific smile, watches them, before turning to me with a wink and a grin. Jesus is not one who flusters easily. Understandably so, considering who his father is.

However, I am going to have to step in here, as I’ve promised to handle this interview, for that is indeed what it is. They’ve graciously agreed to help me promote my book, Revelations. Pretty generous considering it’s a rather intimate look into both their lives, as well as their relationship.

I can hear the questions now. Judas Iscariot and Jesus Christ in a relationship? Calm down, I’ll get there. But bear in mind I cannot give everything away, or else there’s nothing left to share when the book comes out.

We’re sitting in a tent. No, not the canvas and drawstring type that you might take with you when  you go camping, or even the vinyl kind that zips up. This one is prefabricated, and a decent size. Large enough to hold a revival in.

So, I suppose it’s best to get the preliminaries over with.  Maggie and I take seats opposite the two men, cradling our coffee, although there are space heaters nearby, but we are still basically outdoors, even if we are sitting in this shelter.  I’m tempted to ask for a blanket, but think better of my request.

“How long have you two known one another?”

Judas looks at me as if he can’t believe I don’t know the answer to that. Jesus steps in and actually replies. “For over two thousand years now.”

Judas nods.

“That’s a very long time.”

“It is. Biblical long,” Judas quips. I can’t help but giggle at his words, and he gives me a knowing smile. As I watch, he seems to lean toward Jesus, as if drawn to him.

But he’s very right. Two thousand years. We’re talking New Testament here, naturally. Back to the days when Jesus was born to Mary and lived here on Earth for 33 years. I can hear you now: how can that be? Good question.

“How is it you’re that old? You don’t look it.” I’m teasing now, and they know it. I can hear Maggie giggle beside me.

“Let me explain,” Jesus offers. “I’m sure you’re familiar with the idea of the Second Coming?” He looks between us and we nod.   “As my father has explained it to us, it was never his intention to make a big production out of it, as so many people assume. The fact of the matter is that there has been a Second Coming. And many more besides.”

“How does that work?”

“By God’s divine intervention,” Judas replies. “He sends us out to do His will. To see what mankind has learned, if anything, and to try to teach him to do better. So we end up being reincarnated.  In a sense, we are that old, but in other ways, definitely not.”

“My father only desires that which is best for man,” Jesus adds. “He has mankind’s best interests at heart, truly.”

“When you say we, whom do you mean?”

Judas opens his mouth to reply, but Jesus lays a calming hand upon his arm and fields the question. Of course, I know why that is, but I don’t interfere.

“Besides myself and Judas, there is my mother, Mary, and there is also Mary Magdalene, and all of my other apostles.”

“Do you use your Biblical names?”

Judas snorts. “Of course not. Who’d believe us? And that would negate any good we do. No, we change our identities with each incarnation.”

“Makes sense,” Maggie murmurs and I agree. “What is your current identity?”

“We  have a band this time,” Jesus answers. “We named them The Apostles.” He darts a quick look at Judas before continuing. “The boys have made me their lead singer.” He laughs, a little self-consciously.

“That’s because you have a beautiful voice,” Judas quickly injects.  I notice Jesus’ cheeks take on a light reddish tinge, a smile turning up his lips.

“Thank you,” he murmurs.

“Oh save us from drowning in such sweetness.”

That’s a new voice now. I hadn’t heard anyone else approach, and I expect no one.  Standing beside us now is a very tall, very handsome man, with long platinum hair and eyes of a very cold blue. Breathtakingly handsome, he is.

Judas snarls at the intruder, but once again, Jesus calms him with a touch. “Please, Judas, do not upset yourself so.”

“What are you doing here, Lightbringer?” Judas barks, although he makes no move to rise, as I’d feared he might once I realized the identity of the other man.

“Welcome, Lucifer.” Jesus waves him toward a chair. “Since you are here, will you join us?”

I hear Judas mumble something about the devil you know, but he holds his tongue as Lucifer pulls up a chair.

“Don’t mind if I do. I had to make sure you told the story correctly. I assume you’ve not even mentioned me yet, have you?”

“Why the Hell—”

“Judas!” Jesus expostulates and the devil begins to laugh. Time for everyone to take a deep breath, I think.

“Gentlemen, I think we need to continue this later… I do believe an intermission is in order.”

To be continued…
Hey, here is the link to part #2 of Julie's interview> http://machurch00.blogspot.com/
Hop on over to Michelle's blog and read the next part.

“Thank you so much for allowing us to visit with you, Lorrie.”

You know I love having you on my blogs. What an inteview. Thanks so much for sharing with us. Here are some other links where you can find Julie.

My blog:  http://julielynnhayes.blogspot.com

My facebook: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=527332074

My Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3442231.Julie_Lynn_Hayes

My Publishers:

Museit Up Publishing:  http://museituppublishing.com/

Dreamspinner Press: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/index.php?cPath=55_222

Julie Lynn Hayes was reading at the age of two and writing by the age of nine and always wanted to be a writer when she grew up. Two marriages, five children, and more than forty years later, that is still her dream. She blames her younger daughters for introducing her to yaoi and the world of M/M love, a world which has captured her imagination and her heart and fueled her writing in ways she'd never dreamed of before. She especially loves stories of two men finding true love and happiness in one another's arms and is a great believer in the happily ever after. She lives in St. Louis with her daughter Sarah and two cats, loves books and movies, and hopes to be a world traveler some day. While working a temporary day job, she continues to write her books and stories and reviews, which she posts in various places on the internet. Her family thinks she is a bit off, but she doesn't mind. Marching to the beat of one's own drummer is a good thing, after all.  Her published works can be found at Dreamspinner Press, and MuseitUp Publishing, and she has also begun to self-publish at various places on the Internet.  

 

Julie and I would love to hear your comments on this new book. Don't be shy, say what you think. I'm sure there will be differing opinions.