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Emmanuel
"Make safe the way that leads on high, and close the path to misery. . ."
In dystopian America, with civil unrest and wars among the states, illegal activity is rampant and only the strongest survive. Reese Burns is one of the strong fighters. He doesn’t need Jesus to fight, either.
Ezekiel, a ten-year-old child living in a fight dome, insists he get the answer about the story of Christmas. On Christmas Eve, Reese sets out to find the boy the best gift he’s capable of giving. The story of Jesus. The story only brings Reese pain at first, but then he’s forced to make a choice when a miracle happens. Can Reese choose faith in an unseen God in the midst of chaos?
An Infidel Books short story prequel.
In dystopian America, with civil unrest and wars among the states, illegal activity is rampant and only the strongest survive. Reese Burns is one of the strong fighters. He doesn’t need Jesus to fight, either.
Ezekiel, a ten-year-old child living in a fight dome, insists he get the answer about the story of Christmas. On Christmas Eve, Reese sets out to find the boy the best gift he’s capable of giving. The story of Jesus. The story only brings Reese pain at first, but then he’s forced to make a choice when a miracle happens. Can Reese choose faith in an unseen God in the midst of chaos?
An Infidel Books short story prequel.
ebook
Published December 1, 2018
1 person is currently reading
46 people want to read
About the author
Angela R. Watts
67 books232 followersANGELA R. WATTS is the bestselling and award-nominated author of The Infidel Books and the Remnant Trilogy. She’s been writing stories since she was little, and has over 28 works published. She also writes articles for a few magazines and publishers. When she’s not writing, Angela is a freelance editor, blogger, anime-lover, and artist. She lives in Tennessee with her family and many pets. Angela loves connecting with readers, and you can follow her on social media to stay up-to-date with releases, or contact her through her website. angelarwatts.com
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
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December 12, 2018This'll be released very soon! =) And, surprise, the first book of The Infidel Books will come out in 2019! *gasp*
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December 14, 2018I was privileged to beta read this sweet and painful short story. The author did a great job packing so much into such little room... that's hard! I appreciated that the characters weren't perfect. The background was harshly well written, but Angela did a good job of offering hope and innocence even in the midst of that. My biggest complaint is that I want more! Who exactly is Jay? What happens to Ez and Reese? And though Angela does give a conclusion to the story and Reese's struggles, I want to know more of how he heals. :)
February 20, 2022
Golly, that broke my heart in the most amazing way. <3 I had the pleasure of beta-reading this story for Angela, and gracious, it was good. I'm usually not one for dystopian, but Emmanuel was fabulously done and I'm looking forward to the Infidel Books.
December 25, 2018
I'm not sure I have the words to properly capture this profound little story. It is not your typical fluffy Christmas story. The world in which these characters live is cold, cruel and dark, but it is in that darkness that the message shines brightest. I am glad to have read this story, and I completely recommend it.
December 30, 2018
Very good job, Angela! This story is a great way to whet an appetite for the new series coming out in 2019, because I definitely want to read more about these characters and find out why they’re trapped in this fight dome thing. And this is coming from someone who rarely ever reads anything remotely dystopian! Great job in transcending genre with solid writing and engaging characters.
December 9, 2019
oh my word this is so PURE
December 15, 2018
This was really good! Even though there was bits of dystopian things in it and I don't usually read that genre, it was a really good short story! It had the wonderful message of Jesus' bird and the salvation He offers!
Reese and Ezekiel were great characters! Their individual stories drew me in, wanting more!
This is a great Christmas short story to read anytime, but especially this month!
Reese and Ezekiel were great characters! Their individual stories drew me in, wanting more!
This is a great Christmas short story to read anytime, but especially this month!
December 29, 2020
You can now snag a copy from Amazon here!
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07LD3PF4C/...
If you like it, feel free to review it on Amazon. ♥ MERRY CHRISTMAS, loves!
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07LD3PF4C/...
If you like it, feel free to review it on Amazon. ♥ MERRY CHRISTMAS, loves!
December 13, 2018
Wow!!! What a great story!!!
First things first- Thank you SOOO much to Angela for letting me beta-read and review her work of art!!! I enjoyed reading this gem:)
The storyline was very sweet. Reese and Ezekiel come from a rough place, as they are slaves. Their friendship grows as Reese shares the gospel with little Ezekiel. Through an amazing turn of events, both of the boys become saved by the end of the story!
Ezekiel was my favorite:) His trust in the Lord was encouraging, and his positivity was a bright light in the dark situation.
I am looking forward to reading more of your work, Ms. Angela! Thank you again:)
First things first- Thank you SOOO much to Angela for letting me beta-read and review her work of art!!! I enjoyed reading this gem:)
The storyline was very sweet. Reese and Ezekiel come from a rough place, as they are slaves. Their friendship grows as Reese shares the gospel with little Ezekiel. Through an amazing turn of events, both of the boys become saved by the end of the story!
Ezekiel was my favorite:) His trust in the Lord was encouraging, and his positivity was a bright light in the dark situation.
I am looking forward to reading more of your work, Ms. Angela! Thank you again:)
December 12, 2018
This was a beautiful story. I grew to love the two main characters very quickly and enjoyed reading about them! I only wish that this is a full-length novel!
There are wonderful Christian aspects to this book, and the fact that young Ezekiel held on to hope during the dark times really encouraged me!
Overall, five stars. :)) 100% recommend this little short story to you this Christmas!
There are wonderful Christian aspects to this book, and the fact that young Ezekiel held on to hope during the dark times really encouraged me!
Overall, five stars. :)) 100% recommend this little short story to you this Christmas!
December 8, 2021
Wow. What a mood-switch. I went from a Hallmark-y Christmas book to this and I didn't really know what to expect.
Emmanuel was intense and heavy, but so good. It's set in the future and revolves around a slave who is forced to fight other slaves who often kill each other. The slave, Reese, has knowledge of God, but doesn't trust him. When a little boy living a rough life discovers there once was a thing called Christmas and asks Reese about it Reese shares the gospel with him. It ends up not only changing the little boys life, but Reese's too.
This short story definitely piqued my interest in the Infidel series. I've stayed away from it for so long because it's not the typical genre I read, but after getting to know a few of Angela R. Watt's characters and what their world looks like I might give it a try.
Emmanuel was intense and heavy, but so good. It's set in the future and revolves around a slave who is forced to fight other slaves who often kill each other. The slave, Reese, has knowledge of God, but doesn't trust him. When a little boy living a rough life discovers there once was a thing called Christmas and asks Reese about it Reese shares the gospel with him. It ends up not only changing the little boys life, but Reese's too.
This short story definitely piqued my interest in the Infidel series. I've stayed away from it for so long because it's not the typical genre I read, but after getting to know a few of Angela R. Watt's characters and what their world looks like I might give it a try.
December 20, 2018
Rtc later
January 1, 2019
The first book of 2019 has started with great story. Love this short story. 💖😍
December 21, 2018
Whoa. What an incredibly powerful story!
Even with very little stage-setting or backstory, the dystopian setting felt absolutely real, stark, and menacing. It's obvious there's a lot of rotten stuff going on, but I felt like those angles weren't played up just for shock value or made into more than they needed to be.
And the characters--wow. Reese was so complex and so lovable through his tough exterior. Ezekiel was a heart-melting/breaking mixture of childish innocence and abused hardness. The scene where he makes Reese tell him the story of Jesus was so funny and sweet and pathetic all at the same time! And I loved seeing the tiny baby steps of changes beginning in both of them--and in more than just them...
I don't know whether to be excited for the series (since the setting and characters have me hooked) or scared (because I have the feeling my heart is going to be ripped to shreds), but this is definitely a powerful introduction! And yet it stands on its own very nicely. Beautifully done!
4.5 stars
Content--references to fights, injuries, deaths, and other realities of life in a futuristic fight dome; mentions of drinking, smoking, and gambling; mentions of a child being abused and beaten; mentions of a man wanting to kill an abuser; short mention of virginity (in a conversation about Jesus' birth); some insults, including "stupid", etc.; a horrible place referred to as "hell"
Even with very little stage-setting or backstory, the dystopian setting felt absolutely real, stark, and menacing. It's obvious there's a lot of rotten stuff going on, but I felt like those angles weren't played up just for shock value or made into more than they needed to be.
And the characters--wow. Reese was so complex and so lovable through his tough exterior. Ezekiel was a heart-melting/breaking mixture of childish innocence and abused hardness. The scene where he makes Reese tell him the story of Jesus was so funny and sweet and pathetic all at the same time! And I loved seeing the tiny baby steps of changes beginning in both of them--and in more than just them...
I don't know whether to be excited for the series (since the setting and characters have me hooked) or scared (because I have the feeling my heart is going to be ripped to shreds), but this is definitely a powerful introduction! And yet it stands on its own very nicely. Beautifully done!
4.5 stars
Content--references to fights, injuries, deaths, and other realities of life in a futuristic fight dome; mentions of drinking, smoking, and gambling; mentions of a child being abused and beaten; mentions of a man wanting to kill an abuser; short mention of virginity (in a conversation about Jesus' birth); some insults, including "stupid", etc.; a horrible place referred to as "hell"
December 25, 2021
Such a sweet story and wonderful reminder that no matter how bad things get, God and Jesus are always there and care more than we know.
Content: people are slaves/not treated well; blood; mentioned violence (not shown); a character nearly freezes to death
Content: people are slaves/not treated well; blood; mentioned violence (not shown); a character nearly freezes to death
December 10, 2019
Unexpected.
Short but very impacting. I didn't know what to expect when beginning this book, but it was wonderfully surprising. :)
The message was beautifully portrayed....especially from the perspective of a character who's not saved. I love how the setting intertwined with the plot and character's decisions. >.<
However, I'm not satisfied with the answer given for the reasoning behind Ezekiel's near frozen death. Why did he go into the blizzard? How exactly did he see Jesus and the Angels? *scratches head*
Anyways....I did enjoy this and I hope to branch into the series soon and gather some more understanding for the setting and characters. :D
Short but very impacting. I didn't know what to expect when beginning this book, but it was wonderfully surprising. :)
The message was beautifully portrayed....especially from the perspective of a character who's not saved. I love how the setting intertwined with the plot and character's decisions. >.<
However, I'm not satisfied with the answer given for the reasoning behind Ezekiel's near frozen death. Why did he go into the blizzard? How exactly did he see Jesus and the Angels? *scratches head*
Anyways....I did enjoy this and I hope to branch into the series soon and gather some more understanding for the setting and characters. :D
March 3, 2020
I enjoyed this short story. The characters were gripping and heartfelt, and the setting is unique. It's just a little too short for me to have loved it, I guess. I am looking forward to the next book to find out more of the story!
December 28, 2018
This story was so short and sweet......I honestly can’t express how amazing it was!!
December 20, 2018
So, I want to say, wow! This short story was amazing! It wasn't cliche like so many, and it wasn't cheesy! It was awesome!!
I loved the characters. The way Angela wrote Reese, and what she uses to bring him to Christ is awesome. The little kid was not a cliche cheesy kid either. He was really neat and developed well!
The story was quite touching, and I really, really like it!
I loved the characters. The way Angela wrote Reese, and what she uses to bring him to Christ is awesome. The little kid was not a cliche cheesy kid either. He was really neat and developed well!
The story was quite touching, and I really, really like it!
November 30, 2019
The setting of this story was not at all what one would expect of a “Christmassy story”, but I really liked it! Angela R. Watts shows how Jesus and the miracle of Christmas can transform anyone.
Quote: I felt God, Reese,” Ezekiel whispered gently. “The pain doesn’t all go away, but He helps.”
How Reese felt he could have the faith of a child.
Star rating: 4 ½ from 5
Quote: I felt God, Reese,” Ezekiel whispered gently. “The pain doesn’t all go away, but He helps.”
How Reese felt he could have the faith of a child.
Star rating: 4 ½ from 5
July 23, 2019
Great Little Read!
A nice short read that hints at a lot more to come. I love the post-apocalyptic world Angela has set up and I can't wait to read more!
A nice short read that hints at a lot more to come. I love the post-apocalyptic world Angela has set up and I can't wait to read more!
November 15, 2020
A very sweet story to read leading up to Christmas!
November 28, 2019
I liked the book, first and foremost. I think it's a great start for a dystopian America book series where faith seems dead, humanity might just be at its worst, and nothing seems hopeful on the horizon. Even there, as the author suggests, there is hope, and that hope is in the gospel of Jesus Christ. I like that idea a lot.
The story begins with a boy named Ezekiel, or EZ, who is lives in a domed slave world in a very bad part of the broken country. We are then introduced to Reese, who isn't related to EZ in any way but seems to play a sort of parental role. The book details Reese, who has some knowledge of Christmas and its Biblical story, as he tries to teach the story to Ezekiel.
As it is a novelette, it needed to move quickly, and it does. We meet the supporting cast early on, understand the reasons for Reese's hesitation to believe the Christmas story (or to have hope, for that matter), and learn how the little boy helps God break down Reese's hard heart. Really good.
I was a little confused a little at the end, when Ezekiel talks about seeing Jesus, but it's not something that will ruin the story for anyone. Certainly didn't ruin it for me.
While the writing is good, I must point out that it could use a little tightening. Like, just a little bit. That's the only thing it could use though. Great plot, great characters, great story. I was happy to give it four stars.
The story begins with a boy named Ezekiel, or EZ, who is lives in a domed slave world in a very bad part of the broken country. We are then introduced to Reese, who isn't related to EZ in any way but seems to play a sort of parental role. The book details Reese, who has some knowledge of Christmas and its Biblical story, as he tries to teach the story to Ezekiel.
As it is a novelette, it needed to move quickly, and it does. We meet the supporting cast early on, understand the reasons for Reese's hesitation to believe the Christmas story (or to have hope, for that matter), and learn how the little boy helps God break down Reese's hard heart. Really good.
I was a little confused a little at the end, when Ezekiel talks about seeing Jesus, but it's not something that will ruin the story for anyone. Certainly didn't ruin it for me.
While the writing is good, I must point out that it could use a little tightening. Like, just a little bit. That's the only thing it could use though. Great plot, great characters, great story. I was happy to give it four stars.
August 3, 2023
5 stars & 5/10 hearts. 5 stars & 5/10 hearts. Okay... I love this story. It’s so dramatic and redemptive and... sweet. It’s my first of the author’s works but it makes sense and there was enough information for me to piece together the gist of what was going on. At first I was a little wary because Reese’s explanation of Jesus’ birth & of salvation was a little off... but then I realized that he didn’t know any better. I wouldn’t hand it to an unsaved person, but anyone who knows the Gospel would know where Reese’s theology had gaps. ;) I LOVED the ending... and I loved Reese and Ezekiel and Shiko... (Reese & Ezekiel’s relationship was so sweet!!!) and I loved how God’s power was revealed to Reese. I loved the message of the book. I just love this story so much and I want to read the rest of the series so badly!!
A Favourite Quote: "'I wish you could see them, Reese. I wish you weren’t so scared of dying and pain, that you can’t see Jesus and the angels.' ...
"'I will. One day, kid, I will.'
"'You did today.' ...
"'I…' Reese grew quiet. He had found Ezekiel as good as dead, yet, here the boy was, breathing and speaking of Jesus. Reese had faced ice and snow like a foolish man and hadn’t frozen to death. He had witnessed slave fighters work together for the first time to help save a life instead of take one.
"'I did see them.'"
A Favourite Beautiful Quote: "'Nothing’s ever that easy.' Ezekiel hugged his knees and stared at the papers, eyes heavy. His cold voice made Reese stiffen. Reese hated that look and what it meant. He wanted to give the kid some hope."
A Favourite Quote: "'I wish you could see them, Reese. I wish you weren’t so scared of dying and pain, that you can’t see Jesus and the angels.' ...
"'I will. One day, kid, I will.'
"'You did today.' ...
"'I…' Reese grew quiet. He had found Ezekiel as good as dead, yet, here the boy was, breathing and speaking of Jesus. Reese had faced ice and snow like a foolish man and hadn’t frozen to death. He had witnessed slave fighters work together for the first time to help save a life instead of take one.
"'I did see them.'"
A Favourite Beautiful Quote: "'Nothing’s ever that easy.' Ezekiel hugged his knees and stared at the papers, eyes heavy. His cold voice made Reese stiffen. Reese hated that look and what it meant. He wanted to give the kid some hope."
April 25, 2022
What a lovely short story. I wasn't sure about this book but thankfully I did.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews