Welcome!

Introducing Terry Garner!

Former Marine, manufacturing, and finance executive turned writer. Terry is married to his wonderful wife Sherry; they have three children and five grandchildren. He currently lives in Norman, OK, but has lived in Indiana, Illinois, Texas, California, North Carolina, and even Suzhou, China. He became a follower of the Lord late in life, at the age of fifty-one. God blessed him greatly, and he was discipled by some wonderful men. He studied diligently, and in a few years, he began teaching in the College Ministry of Trinity Baptist Church in Norman, OK. The teaching ministry led him to write commentaries on Isaiah and Judges, and God gave him a heart to teach the Old Testament, especially the prophets. He loves to read historical fiction, play golf, and take long walks with his wife.

Social Media Links:

https://www.facebook.com/terry.p.garner/

https://www.instagram.com/tgarner47/

Interview with Terry

What was your favorite book when you were a kid? Did it play any part in your writing style today?

My favorite was “The Blue and the Gray” by Henry Steele Commager. I had a love for studying history from the age of nine. I loved history and read the biographies of everyone I could get my hands on–George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, even Mustafa Kemal Ataturk. But my writing style was influenced more by James Michener and Leon Uris.

What book is currently on your bedside table?

Future Grace by John Piper

Is writing your full-time career? Or would you like it to be?

I write full-time and have for the past year.

Have you always wanted to be a writer?

I never thought of becoming a writer, but when I lived in Suzhou, China in 2013, God put it on my heart to tell the story of His Holiness, Justice, Love, Judgment, and Redemption, as told by Isaiah.

What has been your favorite part of the publishing journey?

I have loved the writing journey. My favorite part has been the mentoring I received from Teresa Crumpton of Author Spark, my editor. What a wonderful person and teacher. I had no idea how little I knew about writing until Teresa sent me her edit, and I implemented 99.9% of her corrections and recommendations. There would be no Magi Journey–Babylon without Teresa.

If you could travel anywhere or any when for research where/when would you go?

My greatest regret is that I was unable to travel to Israel before writing Magi Journey. It would have been wonderful to see the sites that I write about in the book. It is still a trip I plan to make.

What books or authors have most influenced your own writing?

The historical fiction authors that influenced me the most were Mike and Jeff Sharra, Leon Uris, James Michener, Patrick O’Brian, Conn Iggulden, Wilbur Smith, and even Naomi Novik, who managed to put a dragon corp into the 100-year war–odd but wonderful.

What comes first for you — the plot or the characters — and why?

The plot comes first for Magi Journey because it is historical fiction, and I am writing to convey a specific message about God’s judgment, hope, and redemption. That message is primary, and the characters and scenes support the message. But, having said that, I love the characters I have created. You spend so much time with the characters by the time you finish a 110,000-word novel; they become real to you.

Can you share with us something about the book that isn’t in the blurb?

The book has two plot lines–plot one, the journey of the Magi from Persepolis, Persia to Bethlehem to worship the Messiah, and plot two, the judgment carried out against Israel and Judah by the Assyrians. The characters in Plot one tell the story of Plot two. Plot one, in my mind, was always secondary to plot two. The book was to be about the history of the judgments on Israel and Judah. But, as it turns out, that is not what God intended. The Magi Family in plot one is the story of a Family of faith. They are the first believers. According to Matthew 2, the Magi had one purpose, to worship the Messiah. These pagans traveled 1,000 miles to worship the Messiah. The Messiah was a baby, He had not taught, He had not healed anyone, He had not died and risen again, and yet they believed. The story of their faith and hardships turned out to be as equally compelling as the story of the Assyrians.

What was the highlight of writing this book?

The highlight of writing the book was the people it brought me into contact with, my editor, Teresa Crumpton, my content readers, the support of the American Christian Fiction Writers, and other authors who have come alongside me and mentored me, and the many people who have visited my website. I had no idea how God would use this journey to bring so many new people into my life.

What is the key theme and/or message in the book?

God would that none would perish. God punishes sin, but he freely offers redemption. God sent the prophets to warn the people, judgment was coming, but in Isaiah 1:18-20, God offers salvation to those who would repent. Judgment was still coming, but there was hope for those who would believe. The message is just as pertinent today. Judgment is coming, but there is hope through Jesus Christ. That is the message of Magi Journey.

Where can readers find out more about you and your books?

To find out more about Magi Journey – Assyria, visit my website at www.magijourney.com

Any current or upcoming projects you’d like to tell us about?

I am 12,000 words into Magi Journey–Babylon, the sequel to Magi Journey–Assyria. Book two tells the story of the fall of Babylon, the campaigns and deportations of the Jews of Judah and Jerusalem by the Babylonians, and focuses on the prophets Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Daniel. Book two also continues the story of the Magi Family as it travels from Persia to Israel.

About the Book

Name of Book: Magi Journey-Assyria

Genre of Book: Biblical Historical

Name of Publisher: Bookbaby

Release Date: November 18, 2021

Back Cover Blurb:

MAGI JOURNEY – ASSYRIA is the first in a three-book series that follows a Family of Chaldean Magi from the court of Tiglath—Pileser III, King of Assyria in 734 BC, to Bethlehem in -0- BC. Through the eyes of the Magi, we see the history of prophecy, judgment, and redemption unfold. In book one, the Magi recount:

Meeting Isaiah, King Ahaz, and King Hezekiah of Judah.
Campaigning with King Tiglath-Pileser III and King Sennacherib as they subdue the Levantine States and deport the people of Israel to Assyria.
Creating the Magi school that will survive the Assyrian, Babylonian, and Persian Empires and serve as the foundation of the Magi Family of faith.

As the Magi Family journeys from Persepolis, Persia, to Bethlehem, four young men grow in spiritual maturity. It is the story of their struggle to find God and learn what it means to be a Godly man.

It is the story-

Of a grandfather and father who seek to serve God and lead the Magi Family.
Of two young couples learning to build a Godly marriage.
Of women of faith who love, teach, lead, and fight when necessary.
Of the heartache of two brothers separated by jealousy and envy and their struggle to reconcile.
Of God’s love, mercy, judgment, and redemption as seen through the eyes of the Magi.

Purchase Link: Unavailable

Excerpt

Navid’s mouth was so dry, his tongue stuck to the roof of his mouth. He could not speak. Around him, the elders stood in silence. It had to be unanimous; he knew that. They waited for Navid to speak, to give the final confirmation of what they already knew. “It’s ‘possibly’ the sign for which we have long waited. The coming of the Messiah.” They all knew the prophecy of Balaam, recorded in the book of Numbers, “A star shall come out of Jacob; a Scepter shall rise out of Israel.”[i] In Isaiah, they read, “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light.”[ii] These men knew the prophecies.

Giveaway

Sign up today for a chance to receive a free, signed, first edition of Magi Journey–Assyria. There will be a drawing of three books for each one hundred registrations. Be in the first 1,000 to register for a chance to win a book. Up to thirty books will be given away. Enter here: https://magijourney.com/