COLDWATER, Mich., April 22, 2003 (PRIMEZONE) -- Shirley Faunce has always been fascinated by the story of Jesus and the children. "It seemed to me that anyone who had actually been touched by him would be touched for life." Her new novel, entitled Suffer the Little Ones (available from 1stBooks Library), brings the story of Jesus and the children to immediate and touching life.
In Suffer the Little Ones, Flavia is a young crippled Roman girl living in Judea with her parents. A selfish, spoiled child, who has always had what she wanted, Flavia is unprepared for her first encounter with "the most remarkable man." Humble and without even the support of her crutch, Flavia comes for the first time to the sight of Jesus of Galilee. "Suffer the little children to come to me and forbid them not," he says, looking kindly into her eyes.
From that moment on, Flavia's heart will be changed forever, but the world remains in chaos around her. Flavia and her slave girl, Merriam, are captured by outlaws and Flavia is separated from her parents for many years. The child will find herself in Rome, where the famous figures that influence her life are plentiful, from Caligula to Claudius to Pontius Pilate himself.
Faunce is now retired, after spending 45 years in the business world. She has always had an urge to write, and after her first husband's death, she began the research for this novel, aided by a very special trip to the Holy Land, the author notes.
ABOUT 1STBOOKS LIBRARY
The only profitable print-on-demand and eBook publishing company of its kind, 1stBooks Library was founded in 1997 and has helped more than 7,000 authors publish their works. For more information, visit www.1stbooks.com and click the "Media" image at the top of the page.