Daniel's Lot

by Mark Miller, De Miller (Screenplay)

Daniel Carr is a man who spends his days working a dead-end job and arguing with his wife. The answer to his family's financial struggles appears to be a valuable piece of commercial property Daniel has inherited, but a promise to his late father keeps him from selling until "the time is right." Losing his job and then his wife, pushes Daniel to the edge. Then a chance meeting turns Daniel in an unexpected direction. Daniel turns to God, but will that obedience cost him everything? A story of faith, love, and redemption, Daniel's Lot portrays the struggle to follow God's direction while fighting to keep one's family and integrity alive.

Genres: Christian Fiction

254 pages, Paperback

First published August 6, 2011

About the author

After spending almost 15 years in Florida, Mark has returned home to Kansas. He has achieved some success as a Kindle Best Seller and having one of his short stories selected as a winner in the Florida Writer's Association Short Story Collection.

Growing up in Kansas, Mark graduated from Sumner Academy of Arts and Sciences and received his Bachelor's in Film from the University of Kansas.

Mark has written numerous novels, screenplays, short stories and digital series. Inspirational stories with positive messages are his goal with everything he writes.

Reviews

[Giovanni Gelati · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am really enjoying Mark Miller’s versatility as an author. True, I have worked with him on a collaboration, ”A Prince in Trenton, Seriously?” part of The Author’s Lab/Collaboration Series, read his Empyrical Tales novels, and also his first installment of his brand new series “One”, “Meant To Be”, which I will post on tomorrow . My point in dropping all these titles is simple: Mark Miller is a talented author who is covering a lot of territory and doing it well; it is almost as if he is two or three authors. I love it. The crux of his writing for me is the emotion of it. The way he tries to get to the heart of the matter in such a careful, thoughtful manner. Not preachy, not disrespectful, not condescending, but as if he is having a one on one conversation with us, the reader. He is reaching beyond the page to touch, going right to the reader’s soul, their essence, bringing his well thought out points and ideas to us in a caring fashion meant to give us food for thought. Daniel’s Lot is going to touch you; it is going to make you think, it is going to make you reflect, and it is going to make you take pause and examine your life and what you are doing with it. If that is not a bargain for the $2.99 download, then I have no idea what is. Make an investment in yourself; grab this touching story, and take the journey,
Here is what you expect from this story and a little something on Mark Miller:
“Sometimes, our lot in life is just what we need. Meet Daniel Carr, a down-and-out man who divides his days between working a dead-end job and arguing with his wife, the owner of a failing real estate business. Though the answer to his family's financial struggles appears to be a valuable piece of commercial property Daniel has inherited, he remains bound by his promise to his late father to hold on to the land until "the time is right." Finally, losing his job, prompts his wife, Christy, to abandon Daniel and his "sappy Christian stuff."
A chance meeting convinces Daniel that he must be obedient to God's plan for his life, but will Daniel's obedience cost him everything? A powerful story about faith, love, and redemption, Daniel's Lot portrays the struggle to follow God's direction while fighting to keep one's family and integrity alive.
About Mark Miller:
A Kansas Native, Mark currently resides in Florida with his wife and four children. Since moving to Florida, he has pursued a lifelong aspiration of becoming a published author. He believes he has always been a writer and strived to follow in the footsteps of his namesake, Mark Twain.
His education started early as his father was a newspaper writer, editor and photographer for both the Kansas City Star and Kansan. Formal development started in high school writing classes at Sumner Academy where he completed the International Baccalaureate program. Additional teaching came from both Kansas City Kansas Community College and the University of Kansas. It was at KU where he received his Bachelor’s Degree in Film. Informally, he was educated by the writings of C.S. Lewis, Lloyd Alexander and as he matured Stephen King and Tolkien. His interest in fantasy did not end on the page as some of his favorite movies include The Dark Crystal, Excalibur, Star Wars and Krull.
Professional experience dates back to the 1990’s. Mark has co-written four screenplays, two of which were produced as ultra-low budget direct-to-DVD features by East of Hollywood Productions. Through his relationship with East of Hollywood, Mark also became co-creator of an educational and entertaining children’s program. The Kidz Klub Tree House used the talents of a local radio personality and a group of child actors to update classic fairytales and fables. Each of the episodes brought a twist to the familiar stories and conveyed a positive message. On his own, Mark has completed three other novels and a screenplay. The first two books of his Empyrical Tales have been published by Comfort Publishing, LLC out of North Carolina. Book I: The Fourth Queen and Book II: The Lost Queen are available now. Book III: The Secret Queen will be released in Spring 2012. He is currently lending his talents to a faith-based movie production company called Faith & Power Pictures, while working as a Teacher’s Assistant at a local elementary school.
He believes being a father of four makes him uniquely qualified to write The Fourth Queen, the first of an eight story series that comes out of his world of Empyrean. He hopes his writing sends a positive message. And every day is an adventure with his children as they continue to teach him as well. His two young daughters unknowingly provided the models that helped create the main character sisters in The Fourth Queen. Many of their phrases and behaviors are shared with their fictional counterparts.
Mark Miller is the author of The Empyrical Tales, available in paperback from Comfort Publishing. In addition to One with Trestle Press, Miller has participated in the Author’s Lab series. His turn with Giovanni Gelati, A Prince in Trenton, Seriously?, received high praise as a family-friendly story. Miller is also the author of Trestle’s upcoming release Daniel’s Lot. Daniel’s Lot is a novel adaptation of the faith-based movie of the same name starring Emmy Award winner Gary Burghoff (Radar on M*A*S*H). The movie is available on DVD from Bridgestone Multimedia.”

[Lillie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wavered between 4 and 5 stars, but the story was so compelling, I went with the higher rating. The reason for my hesitation was that at a few points, I felt like the story was straying into the area of the prosperity gospel. However, it wasn't blatantly so, and the importance of obedience to God was paramount.

I received a copy of the book from the author, but I voluntarily wrote the review, which expresses my honest opinion.

[Ronna · Rating 4 out of 5]

DANIEL'S LOT is a Christian fiction focusing on the importance of listening to, and obedience to God. Daniel lived his young life sharing days with his father. His father bought a corner lot, for $3.00, in a town sale of property. His father always said that he would know when God wanted him to sell that lot. Even when he died, he made Daniel promise to never sell, until he knew God told him that the time was right.

As Daniel grew up, his life and finances became strained. Troubles at his job, continuous fighting with his wife, and growing financial troubles made folks wonder why Daniel did not solve his problems by selling his lot. This story follows Daniel as he follows God's leading.

I liked this story a great deal, and would give it five stars, except for one big problem I had with this story. Obedience to God is definitely the best for all Christians, but God only guarantees peace within our life situations, prosperity or suffering. This book seems to be more of obedience brings prosperity----a false expectation of the Christian life. Definitely worth reading though.

[Theresea Wasson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book in exchange for an honest review. A great Christian read about the power of faith. This book is based on a play, based on a true story. Daniel has a good job, a beautiful wife and 2 beautiful daughters. He loves his family dearly, but his wife's job selling real estate has not been working well, and they are 4 months behind on their mortgage, so they are always arguing. After Daniel loses his job, things really begin to go downhill. Then he hears a voice. What happens from there changes his life and the lives of the entire community. I would recommend this book to everyone.