A Clarion Call

The Crowning Crescendo #2

by Rachael C. Duncan

A compelling Christian romance reverberating with the power of God’s mercy and faithfulness.

Jerusalem is in turmoil as the ministry of a mysterious traveling Rabbi explodes in Galilee and Judea. Intrigued, Julia and Melina seek to discover the truth behind this controversial character who has single-handedly turned the world upside down. Is he truly the long-awaited Messiah, whom many claim him to be? Or is he simply another skillful magician entrancing a conquered nation desperate for the slightest glimmer of hope?

Together, Julia and Melina wonder if this Jesus could possibly be the answer to their increasingly dire circumstances. Julia – trapped in the disillusionment of a loveless marriage, longs for healing as her husband recklessly pursues the Zealots’ cause, while Melina seeks assurance and stability in her newfound faith even as political plots and intrigue swirl about the palace, threatening to snuff out even the slightest glimmers of hope. Meanwhile, Malchus agonizes as the woman he loves further aligns herself with the followers of this controversial teacher, as persecution and strife trail behind this new and disputed Rabbi wherever he goes.

Despite desperate circumstances and mounting obstacles, Julia, Barabbas, Melina, and Malchus must make a decision and take their respective stands. Will they accept the call? The call to faith? The call to action? The call to healing? A clarion call.

Genres: Christian Romance

558 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 10, 2021

About the author

Rachael C. Duncan is a passionate follower of Christ. She believes that God has gifted each of His children with different gifts to be used to strengthen the body of Christ and fulfill the Great Commission, and her desire is to share God's love through the gift of writing.

Reviews

[Donadee's Corner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rachael Duncan – Crowning Crescendo Bk 2 – A Clarion Call – Reviewed 11/18/21 – Read 11/10-11/21

When the call comes will Julia, Barabbas, Melina, and Malchus be ready to accept?

Here we are in Jerusalem, and we find Julia having just married Barabbas and life is not what she thought it would be. After a time, she meets her neighbor and begins to understand that she needed to rethink what her life had been like before, being a pampered rich man’s daughter did not prepare her for the position that she was in now. Nor did it complete her learning about what Christianity meant. Daily they worked together, and she began to understand. She also began to understand that her husband was not who she thought he was. We follow along with Julia, Barabbas, and their friends in their journey to finding their faith.

Join Julia as she searches for the images in her dreams and where they will lead her…

What did I like? I found this to be a wonderful and sweet read that gave me some interesting things to think about. Having read similar books in the past but not as a very rewarding romance made it so much more fascinating.

What will you like? Stimulating, thought-provoking, curious, romantic, and exciting. The characters are interesting and attention-grabbing. The storyline weaves a historical event in the biblical past that we all know but from the POV of the characters and how they each face the issues at hand. I found this a fascinating way to tell a story than I have seen before, and I liked it. I think you will like it too! Rachael Duncan’s second book in The Crowning Crescendo series, “A Clarion Call” is available NOW!!!

• ASIN: B09HNDZSLM
• Publisher: CKN Christian Publishing
• Publication Date: 11/10/2021
• File Size: 3800 KB
• Print Length: 480 pages
• Genre: Ancient World Historical Romance, Historical Christian Romance

[Janna K · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book held my attention, but……..

I felt I had not read the rest of the story. The characters aren’t finished and I don’t know if they will be in my imagination or in the pages of book 3.

There are so many descriptions of the starry sky, sunsets and dusty streets, I get frustrated. I had the picture in my mind before it was repeated so many times.

After saying these negative things one might think I didn’t enjoy the book, but I did. Familiar scripture appears on many pages to guide guard and direct believers and nonbelievers alike. The Word of Almighty God has been calling out to each of us for centuries and a good many have opened their hearts and minds to accept the truth in the Word. Many haven’t accepted it yet. Prayers for those.

[Amanda Hopson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Moving moments

I am enjoying this series, setting aside expectations and taking it for what it is. I think the writer is very good at creating emotional moments and drawing you in during those times, which are many. In between, there can be some less engaging text but its not bad. I do feel much of the religious language\jargon used is not likely to be accurate and the reference to the salt in the air at the Sea of Galilee is definitely not correct since it a fresh water lake. I do wonder how well researched this author is but I am putting that aside and trying to enjoy it nonetheless.

[Cathy B · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok read

Short story interwoven during the time of Jesus' ministry. The reason I call it a short story is because its mainly a brief storyline that is taking place between weekly meetings of 3 people who speak of prophecy and their beliefs. So pieces of a story between times when the 3 meet and discuss Scriptures, which is amazing. Some of the Scripture mentioned hadn't been written yet,like when John 3:16 is mentioned. Not sure if I'd label this a Historical Christian Romance, but the conversation that takes place between the friends is......interesting.

[Carol Pummell · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Call to Action

What a gift our Father has given Ms.Duncan!
She weaves a story of love, hope, and redemption.
Her characters are real and believable. Ms. Duncan are put a fire in me for my God! I love the still smell voice that calls to us to Love and Praise our Heavenly Father and His Beloved son, our Savior Jesus! Oh how I love to know Him as the characters in this series!

[DEBBIE AGUILAR · Rating 5 out of 5]

What A Blessing!!

This Author has brought us thru Historical Bible teachings with love stories added , I so enjoyed these in Crowning Crescendo Series. Melina & Julie are wonderful Characters so full of peace from the Lord with his love and patience and it's kindness . Well written!!!

[Lisa Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent book, I honestly loved reading this second book in the series. The only reason I gave it 4 stars instead of 5 is because there were so many story lines, sometimes I’d get lost in them or not hear enough about the different characters to suffice my own mind. Nonetheless, this book/series has been refreshing and convicting at the same time.

[Roxane White · Rating 5 out of 5]

Praise

The following of the Bible throughout the series has given the story more glue to hold this series understandable and hopefully a better understanding to God's Word. Blessed are we. Amen

[Barbara Keigher · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this 2nd in the series. I can relate to so much of it. A lot of scriptures!
A lot of helpful information like:
"One cannot make himself an enemy of God for fear of man"

Malchus wants peace and does not want to rock the boat or put himself in any harm's way.

[Daverly Whitescarver · Rating 5 out of 5]

awesome!

I love the story around the scriptures. I understand that it is a story but this authoress has a beautiful way of telling the story that make me read the Bible stories again.

[Martha J. Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

So like breathing in a fresh breath of Life!

This series of Christian Novels is a keeper you was to put in everyone’s hands you meet! They are so profoundly inspiring and amazing message we all need to hear, live and share!

[Cheryl Mingo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Again, I loved the practical application of scripture to the characters. The only criticism would be using NT scripture as part of dialog when the NT had not yet been written. Otherwise, well written and engaging.

[Karen Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm in love with theses books

Thank you for these lovely faith filled stories. The stories are wonderfully written and I soak in, hungerly feast on the verses about our Lord. I look forward to each book.

[Elizabeth Flanagan · Rating 5 out of 5]

As good as the forest

I enjoyed this second book in this series and I am looking forward to the third. I recommend them all.

[Martha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Created characters..

Mixed with real ones, this story is well written and keeps you reading. You want to know whether they will triumph in their faith or not.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

A continuation of the forst book, the story of Julia, wealthy and spoiled, who married in haste and repented at leisure, as the saying goes. Unequally yolked to a selfish and violent man who forbids her companionship - except for the neighbor woman who teaches her cooking, marketing, and minor repairs - she has gone from servants waiting on her hand and foot to learning to deal with living in relative poverty. Yet, her spirit is strengthened through the influence of a Godly father and a Godly neighbor. And Melina, the Greek sold into servitude in Herod Antipas's household, assigned to serve the impetuous, selfish, mercurial Salome, daughter of Herodius and her ex, Philip, and stepddaughter of Herod Antipas. Beaten by the first overseer, Melina has gotten relief when Chuza, steward of the palace in Tiberius, is placed as the new steward in Jerusalem, a believer and his wife, both followers of Jesus. And Malchus, sold into the service of the High Priest when his prophet father angered enough people that their small house was burned to the ground, his parents with it, and he was rescued by a man dressed in white. Taken under the wing of Mara, who runs the kitchens & was like a big sister/mother figure to him in his early days. Now at odds with Mara over her relationship with a Roman soldier, both feel the pain of their broken friendship but neither will budge. The High Priest, Caiaphus, is a scheming and violent man whom no one crosses without severe retribution - more like Herod Antipas than God's high priest. Malchus has lost his faith but recalls its teachings, so when Melina is seeking, he can supply the scriptures, but he no longer believes, and Caiaphus is a big reason why.
The 3 stopped meeting because of Julia's marriage - her attitude needed adjustments, for one thung, and Barabbas keeps her as a virtual prisoner. Melina believes she has offended Julia, but the trio finally gets together. Malchus has had Melina all to himself for a while and is not wild about Julia rejoining them. He also wants to marry Melina, but Melina senses the Lord telling her to wait and pray.
Something unusual is happening, though - increasing reports of a Man Who heals, teaches the Scriptures with authority, and dislikes all the extra rules the clergy have piled onto the Israelites that have nothing to do with how God gave the Law to Moses. Will any of them meet this Man Whom so many believe is the Messiah? And which Messiah - the one the clergy claim will put all Israel's enemies under its feet, or the one whom Isaiah says will be beaten and die to set the world free from sin?
There is a 3rd book in the series that follows this one as God works in the hearts of those His followers treasure, at their request.
Although the book is engaging, there are too many repetitive similes, such as, "The tension could be cut by a knife." There are others. If their presence was this numerous in the first book, I missed something, but I don't believe it was as bad. There are other ways to express this, such as, "The tension was palpable," or, "Things were so tense even walking across the room felt like struggling to wade through mud." Perhaps I am oversensitive to that - it was a bad habit my senior advanced placement English teacher trained me to avoid back in the 1969-1970 school year (which means it may not be taught now at all). It is distracting to me, but may not affect others.

[Mr John Callaghan · Rating 5 out of 5]

another great novel

Enjoyed the ongoing stories of Melina and Julia. The details Rachael includes about Jewish practices and biblical prophesies are amazing. Has left
Me wanting to know more!

By Penny Callaghan