Meet Avery Renshaw, our main protagonist and analogous to Mary in the Nativity story
What if the Nativity Story hadn't happened until modern times?
That's what my breakthrough novel explores. While we know the Savior of the world made his mortal appearance 2,000 years ago, isn't it intriguing to wonder how our modern world and society might respond to those same events?
The controversial birth? The miracles? His teachings?
That's why I wrote The Beckoning.
I became obsessed with exploring what it may have been like to have a ringside seat to the people and events that would go on to spawn global religion.
After six years of writing, I finally finished it!
The story could be viewed as having three parts:
1. Avery's experience in high school as a pregnant senior, and everything leading up to her son's birth.
2. Ahmyn's childhood and Avery's yearning to understand who he is and what his role is.
3. Ahmyn's adulthood, earthly demise, and subsequent return.
Geographically, the story transpires in the United States (known in the novel as the Western Republic). You see, if Christ hadn't been born when He was, the geopolitical domino effect caused by the rise of Christianity would never have occurred. Politically and religiously, the world would be vastly different. Probably unrecognizable. The world's languages would likely be different as well. I don't elaborate on this in the book, but find it fascinating to reflect on.
The novel is set in our society, with our modern technology, and the reckoning of time is measured from the Fall of Rome. It's really only made mention of in passing; there are years engraved on a gravestone in the novel that have confused some readers.
Ultimately, I was simply trying to convey the idea that our reckoning of time would have been different if Christ's birth had been delayed.
While it's impossible to know if (or when) Rome would have fallen in the absence of Christ having been born four centuries earlier, I determined to leave Rome's fall as a frame of reference for the reckoning of time.
While I did go out of my way to approach the story with reverence and respect, some readers have found some of the portrayals of Ahmyn's adulthood too analogous to the biblical accounts. This didn't surprise me, nor does it bother me.
I truly believe our Redeemer could have been born at any time, but a time and place had to be chosen (according to God's infinite wisdom), and it just so happens that none of us had the great pleasure of being there when it did.
Writing The Beckoning helped me to reflect on the life of Mary and her Beloved Child in a unique and intimate way. I'm so glad I took the time to uncover this story.
It's truly one of the great achievements of my life.
The controversial birth? The miracles? His teachings?
That's why I wrote The Beckoning.
I became obsessed with exploring what it may have been like to have a ringside seat to the people and events that would go on to spawn global religion.
After six years of writing, I finally finished it!
The story could be viewed as having three parts:
1. Avery's experience in high school as a pregnant senior, and everything leading up to her son's birth.
2. Ahmyn's childhood and Avery's yearning to understand who he is and what his role is.
3. Ahmyn's adulthood, earthly demise, and subsequent return.
Geographically, the story transpires in the United States (known in the novel as the Western Republic). You see, if Christ hadn't been born when He was, the geopolitical domino effect caused by the rise of Christianity would never have occurred. Politically and religiously, the world would be vastly different. Probably unrecognizable. The world's languages would likely be different as well. I don't elaborate on this in the book, but find it fascinating to reflect on.
The novel is set in our society, with our modern technology, and the reckoning of time is measured from the Fall of Rome. It's really only made mention of in passing; there are years engraved on a gravestone in the novel that have confused some readers.
Ultimately, I was simply trying to convey the idea that our reckoning of time would have been different if Christ's birth had been delayed.
While it's impossible to know if (or when) Rome would have fallen in the absence of Christ having been born four centuries earlier, I determined to leave Rome's fall as a frame of reference for the reckoning of time.
While I did go out of my way to approach the story with reverence and respect, some readers have found some of the portrayals of Ahmyn's adulthood too analogous to the biblical accounts. This didn't surprise me, nor does it bother me.
I truly believe our Redeemer could have been born at any time, but a time and place had to be chosen (according to God's infinite wisdom), and it just so happens that none of us had the great pleasure of being there when it did.
Writing The Beckoning helped me to reflect on the life of Mary and her Beloved Child in a unique and intimate way. I'm so glad I took the time to uncover this story.
It's truly one of the great achievements of my life.
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Supplemental art for The Beckoning
Allison, Avery’s adoptive mother, in the opening scene as she learns of her daughter’s impossible pregnancy.
Avery, as she recovers from a rock climbing accident; she reflects on the confusion and unfairness of her seemingly unexplainable pregnancy.
Avery breaking the shocking news of her pregnancy to her boyfriend Taylor. He’s astounded for more than one reason, not the least of which is she has no idea who the father is.
Taylor speeding away from the hospital when Allison accuses him of being the father of Avery’s unborn child.
Avery throwing the Prom dress Taylor bought for her onto the floor in frustration.
Avery working her uncommonly talented skill in ceramics class.
Avery making her weekly visit to her biological mother Kendra’s grave.
Avery with Erik at the Prom, enjoying a serene and intimate moment.
Allison helping Avery into the airport-bound taxi on a very fateful evening.
Trevor the taxi driver assisting Avery in a moment of dire need.
Avery and Ahmyn.
Mother and child are illuminated by a new vibrant star named Grace, which appeared the night Ahmyn was born.
Ahmyn’s shoes are found on the playground on his first day of Kindergarten.
The boy Ahmyn following his intuition.
Praise for The Beckoning
I loved this book!
I AM SO GLAD I READ IT. I would recommend this to those who are having struggles in their faith, whatever it is. It's the only book I've read that has left me wanting to be kind and loving. There were a couple of times I questioned the time and place so perhaps a preface for the reader to establish a foot hold would be beneficial. There are great parts, I won't give it away, that I thought the author was so descriptive in the events that I felt I was right there amongst the characters. It was heart wrenching at times and the tissues came in handy. You will all love it!
Page turner for sure!
I don't take time to stop and read a book very often. So with that being said I really couldn't put this book down. It kept you wanting to turn the page and read what was going to happen. I did notice throughout the book the author mentioned colors of clothing or anything of cloth. Not sure if there was a reason behind it and I just didn't pick up on it? I also felt like it was a different twist on a son of Jesus and in this day and age of our world. I would read another one of B.K. Peterson's books and recommend for others to read.
Thought Provoking
I enjoyed this novel by B.K. Peterson. The idea to take a real life from 2000 years ago and imagine Him born in modern times made for a quick read but interesting idea and thought provoking. I found that I kept thinking about the events and referring back to the bible to compare how the real miracles took place vs. the way Peterson imagined them in today's setting. I will look for more from this author.
It was easy to imagine it all happening this way...
The Beckoning was a captivating story and held my interest. The events in the story were unpredictable but very feasible in our world today. It was easy to imagine these things happening had the Savior of the world been born in our time.
I was also impressed with the author's writing style and vocabulary. I recommend this book as enjoyable and causing one to reflect about life.
Better than expected!!
I started reading this book because I've known the author for years and was curious about his writing. Personally, the author is very engaging to talk to and always comes up interesting topics of discussion. I first read the synopsis of the book and thought, "Wow, how is he going to pull this off?"
He just did.
I absolutely loved this book and would recommend it to anyone who is looking for a book you can get lost in (I finished in two days). The dialogue was humorous, emotional and real; each character had their own voice. I thought the book would be boring and overdone because it's a subject that has been approached a thousand times, but he rewrote it in such a way that made the story come to life. He finished the book but his words helped continue the beautiful story in my mind.
Maybe pieces did happen as wonderfully as he described...
Thank you, Bryce. I look forward to the next one!
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