Jesus didn't flee the sinners for higher ground; he dwelt amongst them to save their souls. He is still here.

Have you ever felt that a person in your day was sent to you by God to help you just when you needed it, to guide you or carry you? People say that God no longer acts, but when we open our eyes we can see him everywhere. This book is about that presence in our lives. It is about what it sometimes could be.

An excerpt:

He stood in the abandoned house as the sun rose, staring out its attic window, in awe of its orange brilliance on the horizon. Every time, he thought. Every day it is so beautiful. He looked around at the bookshelves lining the attic walls and a long unused birdcage that sat in the corner of the room. He remembered seeing it when it had been in use; such a beautiful space; such a wonderful man who owned it in that man's time. Focus, he thought. The day is young but it will go quickly. He mentally made a checklist of everything on his person, three shirts on his back, three pair of pants, multiple socks and a set of gloves. A bag stuffed with money was tucked inside his shirts and a heavy coin purse hung to his side. The book, he thought and went to the musty bookshelves. He traced his fingers along their bindings, stirring a thick layer of dust before he found the tomb he desired, pulled it from the shelf and blew the dust off. Yes, he thought and placed it in his large pant pocket. Oh, and I almost forgot. He took several steps across the room to where the birdcage rested. Beside it was a bottle with a letter in it. You will do. He stuffed it in the pocket of his other pant leg.

"Great short story. Perfect for a layover." When I logged in to Amazon today to check my books' stats and to see if I had any fresh reviews this review of Hearts of Avon was waiting for me. It's short, yes, but it meant a lot. As an 'Indy Author' there is a big thrill to know that others are reading my works, and to think about this gentleman sitting in an airport reading Hearts of Avon and immersing himself in the world of the book while he passes his time. Reviews of Independent books serve two purposes. First, they help future readers make the decision to pick up the book as well. But also, the authors of Independent books check to read your reviews. It means a lot to know what our readers think and that pushes us in our drive to publish more books for you to enjoy. I'd like to say thank you to Raymond Fleming for his support and review and say thank you to all my readers. Have a wonderful day, and if you haven't yet read one of my books, I would love to hear what you think in an Amazon review when you finish!

- Scott

Drop down drag out FIGHT for the existence of a sequel! Come one! Come all! VOTE on which book you'd like to see expanded into a second book! Romantic Suspense/Christian V.S. Fantasy/Christian!

If you've read one or both, or just want to vote, Scott J. Toney wants to hear from you! Whichever book has the most votes by this Sunday, 5/17, is the winner and will have a sequel published by the end of 2015!

Let the bout begin!!!

Vote in the comments section below!

1. What inspired you to write the book?

Lazarus has always fascinated me. Here in the Bible we have the miracle of Jesus bringing him back from the grave, but  the question I always had was what was his life after being brought back like? There is little known, and so I was driven to take what we do know from various sources and write a possibility for the days beyond when Jesus  brought him back. To us it is such a beautiful miracle, but I approached Lazarus as a man who feels lost and uncertain after returning to the living, especially after Jesus' crucifixion. I approached him as a person like the rest of us, who in that deep moment of darkness, turns to God
to heal him and show him his path. 

2. How did you come up with the names of your  characters?
 
Most names have been taken directly from the Bible, but for those names of created characters I just jotted down names until I had one with the right fit.

3. Other than writing what else do you like to do?

Sing, I love to sing, and I love to help others in any way I  can. And my family is my world.

4. Are you inspired by people you know for your stories? 

I am inspired by the love others show me  and by God. I find that if I follow God's direction and let him lead my pen,  then my writing will follow the path it was meant to follow. I pray a lot, no matter what I am writing.

5. What message were you trying to  impart to the reader?

When you feel the darkness the greatest, that is when God is strongest by your side. The
characters in the Bible were just like us. They felt pain, doubt and despair. We are all 'Man'. Turn to God and he will cherish and guide you.

6. Who is your favorite Author? 

Tad Williams, he writes Fantasy and I am a huge fantasy fan.

7. What is your favorite book?

The Dragon Bone Chair by  Tad Williams

8. How old were you when you started  writing?

It all began as a youth, around 10, when I wrote tales to go with the computer game Oregon Trail, creating stories to go with Jimmie getting typhoid or Susie getting small pox.

9. Are you  planning on writing more books?

I have 4 planned now. They may never stop. I am currently writing a Sci-Fi novel titled Bishop. Then I'll be writing 'The Book of Esther' done much in the style of Lazarus, Man. I'll also eventually be tackling sequels to Hearts of Avon and The Ark of Humanity.

10. When readers criticize your book does it give you pause about writing again or are you encouraged?

As writers we must have tough shells. Someone people will always criticize. Some criticism should be taken to heart and put in place to better our current and future  works, and other criticism is not valuable and is not worth worrying about at all. A writer has writing in their blood. I will never stop writing. I  just don't have that in my blood.

11. What advice would you give  those trying to write a book?

Write it now. Begin tonight. I write one  single spaced page per day. You'd be surprised how fast that adds up and how  much it will mean to you once you've finished your first book. And I just  can't tell you how much my readers' reviews have meant to me. Begin your book now. There is no day like today.

To view Lazarus, Man or another of Scott J. Toney's works visit the site link below.

Scott J. Toney, Amazon.com

4 free copies of Scott J. Toney's audiobook, Eden Legacy, are now up for grabs! Check out the pitch below and visit Amazon.com to take a listen. There are only 4 free copies, so decide quickly and email the author at [email protected] to receive yours!

Thomas, the young King of Havilah, is drawn to a forest beyond his lands. Here he discovers seven figs, fruit from the long forgotten Eden.

In the land of Cush, Princess Lilya suffers under the rule of her father,
until the day when  young King Thomas of Havilah invites her away to his lands. There, she hopes to  find peace she has never known.

But Thomas has been drawn to a   foreign  land, to figs he hopes are from Eden and the Tree of Life. When he eats   them to  heal his wounds things change within him, distorting him in ways he   could not  predict.

Now Lilya must make a decision. Does she stand by Thomas's side  or act to dispel the evil
consuming his soul?

Amidst this world Lilya  has befriended a dragon. There are secrets within the beast that could determine  all their fates.

What others are saying about Eden Legacy

"...utterly believable and yet simultaneously fantastical! This is not unlike the styling of C.S. Lewis.
It is an epic, fantasy tale that will hit home with all readers, and when the last page is reached, leave them with a thirst looking for more of Scott J. Toney's writings!"
- Laura A. Diaz, author of Come What May

"This book is unique. It wasn't predictable at all which I really enjoyed. The relationships among the characters were dynamic. I found myself gasping a few times when events I never dreamed happened. It's a memorable work and the end makes you think."
- D.S. Hale, Interviewer on Amazon.com

Take a sneak listen to Eden Legacy in audiobook format now at Amazon.com and email Scott J. Toney at [email protected] to receive a promo code for your free copy today!

Eden Legacy / AUDIOBOOK

Thomas, the young King of Havilah, is drawn to a forest beyond his lands. Here he discovers seven figs, fruit from the long forgotten Eden.

In the land of Cush, Princess Lilya suffers under the rule of her father, until the day when  young King Thomas of Havilah invites her away to his lands. There, she hopes to  find peace she has never known.

But Thomas has been drawn to a foreign land, to figs he hopes are from Eden and the Tree of Life. When he eats them to heal his wounds things change within him, distorting him in ways he could not predict.

Now Lilya must make a decision. Does she stand by Thomas's side  or act to dispel the evil consuming his soul?

Amidst this world Lilya  has befriended a dragon. There are secrets within the beast that could determine  all their fates.

What others are saying about Eden  Legacy

"...utterly believable and yet simultaneously fantastical! This is not unlike the styling of C.S. Lewis. It is an epic, fantasy tale that will hit home with all readers, and when the last page is reached, leave them with a thirst looking for more of Scott J. Toney's writings!"
- Laura A. Diaz, author of Come What May

"This book is unique. It wasn't predictable at all which I really enjoyed. The relationships among the characters were dynamic. I found myself gasping a few times when events I never dreamed happened. It's a memorable work and the end makes you think."
- D.S. Hale, Interviewer on Amazon.com

Take a sneak listen to Eden Legacy in audiobook format now at Amazon.com!

Eden Legacy / AUDIOBOOK

This is the story of Lazarus of Bethany, told through tale and tribulation. 
 
Darkness. Nothing. There was a void in the world around  him, without light or sound. A heaviness weighed on Lazarus' soul as he grasped  for being. He sensed in the darkness there had been
light only moments before  but he could not grasp what that light was.
Suddenly he felt a pulse in his  chest. Something heavy held  his body firm. Memories flooded through his mind of  heat, cattle...family. The world was somehow wrong.

He  tried to move but found he could not, could not raise the heaviness above him.  He smelt Earth. Then, with a thrust, he pushed his bound arms out of the cave  soil he was buried in and braced them on the Earth, using his weakened strength  to pull upward. Earth caved in about him as he rose from his grave, his  arms  and legs bound with bandages. There was a cloth over his face he could not remove. He saw a faint light before him through the cloth.  

"Lazarus, come out," a voice beckoned. He walked slowly in his bandages toward the light and could feel a warm breeze move about him. The  sun radiated in the cloth over his eyes. "Unbind him, and let him go," the voice  returned. He  felt coarse hands on his arms as bandages were unwrapped from him.  Coolness came  over his skin where they had been. Lazarus breathed heavily,  unsure of what was  happening. 

He had a vague memory of  being sick before this. He was barely aware of who he was. The cloth over his  face was pulled away and he squinted as sunlight blinded him. A bearded man with  long, wavy hair stood in the light. Jesus, he thought in disbelief as the man  approached, placing his palm on Lazarus' forehead. "You are healed, brother,"  Jesus told him as Lazarus' sisters rushed to his side. "You are still needed in this world."

What others are saying about Lazarus, Man

"Scott adds a context around the existing scriptures that helped me to think about what it would be like to be Lazarus... the danger, the  fear, the uncertainty about being given a second chance."
- Julie Van Meter,  author of A Beautiful Gift

"This book takes us through the events  after Lazarus' rising from the grave and his feelings of being lost, disoriented  perhaps. This brings a very human aspect to the miracle."
- CMTStibbe,  author of Chasing Pharaohs

Take a sneak listen to Lazarus, Man in audiobook format now at Amazon.com!

Lazarus, Man / AUDIOBOOK