Welcome to the Blog Tour for Lion of Judah by Henry O. Arnold, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!
About the Book
Title: Lion of Judah
Series: The Song of Prophets and Kings #5
Author: Henry O. Arnold
Publisher: WhiteFire Publishing
Release Date: May 15, 2025
Genre: Biblical/Historical Fiction
The new king is crowned in triumph…
But his pride proves to be a fatal flaw…
And from out of his own house calamity falls upon him
Once a shepherd, a captain, and a fugitive, David is now king. He left behind the dangers of life on the run and embraced the comforts of living in the palace. No longer known as the “giant-slayer,” but as the “lion of Judah,” King David enjoys the popularity and prosperity brought on by his victories.
But peace in the nation of Israel has a double-edged sword. David’s pride subverts his judgment, and his desires overwhelm his heart leading him down a dark pathway. The king will go to any lengths to cover up his crimes, but disaster falls upon the House of David bringing this broken and contrite king to cry out to Yahweh for mercy.
Lion of Judah continues the tale of triumph and tragedy, deepest love and burning rivalries; the new epoch is given a voice…and it is The Song of Prophets and Kings.
PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | WhiteFire Publishing | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop
Excerpt from Lion of Judah
She lifted both goblets and held them above the firelight. Only two residents would be on this terrace tonight. They had enough food and drink to satiate appetite and thirst for several days and nights without being disturbed.
So much time had been lost. So much to restore.
This elaborate setting was not her doing. Mikal had not ordered servants or handmaidens to decorate this balcony and prepare this feast. She did not have servants. She could not claim the handmaidens who had bathed and dressed her as hers to beckon or command. This terrace had been prepared for her by the one with whom she would share it. David had thought through this evening, down to the last detail. The king had been thinking of her.
The harshness of long years of separation were receding as she gave herself over to the fantasy of what the rest of the evening could be—all pleasure, all delight, the luxuriant warmth of her husband, the satisfied tenderness of his love.
More In This Series
About the Author
Mr. Henry O. Arnold's career as an actor/author spans over five decades with multiple stage and film credits. He has recorded over one hundred audiobooks and is the author of the Urban Chronicles suspense series and the multi-volume biblical/historical fiction series entitled The Song of Prophets and Kings (available in all formats wherever books are sold). When not writing, he can be found hiking on a trail somewhere in the world. He and his lovely wife Kay have two beautiful daughters, married to two handsome men, with three above-average grandchildren.
Connect with Henry by visiting henryoarnold.com to follow him on social media and subscribe to email newsletter updates.
Author Interview
Henry: Lion of Judah is the fifth and final novel of The Song of Prophets and Kings series. The inspiration for writing all of these five volumes was not only a desire to honor God, but to take these ancient stories and offer a glimpse into our own modern story. I believe the biblical past illuminates our present day. I believe we can read the stories of David and Mikal (marriages), Bathsheba and Solomon (mothers and sons), Nathan and Gad (dear friends), David and Solomon (fathers and sons), and Absalom and Tamar (siblings), as our own story. These stories, indeed, all biblical stories, are our stories. This has been my greatest reward as I conclude this series.
Q: How long did it take to write this book?
Henry: I would say a decade or longer when I began the early process of research and testing out storylines for The Song of Prophets and Kings series. I was a good three years into the writing before my agent found WhiteFire Publishing who signed on to publish the series. I needed to do some major rewriting before the first volume, A Voice Within the Flame, was ready for publication in 2020. Lion of Judah, the final volume, took about eight months for me to turn in a complete the first draft. It has been a long but wonderful process.
Henry: I enjoy the research almost as much as the writing. I do a general level of research before jumping into the writing but will inevitably pause to investigate any historical detail that fascinates me and that I might want to incorporate into the story. For example, what is the recipe of spices and oils that go into the ointment for anointing the king? This process not only expands the storylines but adds deeper dimensions to the characters. Knowing as much as I can about the time period (religious and cultural practices, politics, economics, warfare), informs the choices for my characters and enriches the narratives.
Q: Do you have a favorite quote from Lion of Judah?
Henry: That’s a hard one to pick, but after David is convicted of his sin against Bathsheba and the murder of Uriah, I have David come to the Tabernacle to utter his great confession of Psalm 51.
“David stopped between the Altar and the Laver. He gazed at the closed curtains that concealed the Holy Place and its sacred furnishings. Just beyond was the Holy of Holies where that most sacred of objects resided, the Ark of the Covenant with the winged cherubim of the Mercy Seat that fashioned the throne of Yahweh.
He had danced before the Ark while it was paraded through his city and upon the mountain of Yahweh where Abraham had come to sacrifice his son Isaac. He was now the sacrifice. He was now the one who would willingly throw himself upon the altar. David was the one in need of mercy, forgiveness, of the great compassion of Yahweh if only it might be available. He had thrown off all restraint and broken covenant. What he had done could not vanish like a mist by the divine breath of Yahweh just by rote confession.
David raised his arms, but that was not enough. He took the crown from his head and tossed it to the ground, but that was not enough. He rent his garment, but that was not enough. He dropped to his knees, but that was not enough. He began to weep, but that was not enough. He fell upon his face digging his fingers into the earth and pouring the dirt granules upon his head, but that was not enough. Nothing was enough. Nothing he could do was enough. Only Yahweh was enough.”
Q: When did you first know you wanted to be an author?
Henry: I began my professional acting career in 1970. I was in love with the language of the theatre and how playwrights used language to tell stories drawing out emotions and truths that could touch the hearts of people. A few years into my career I set out to try my hand at writing stories, plays, screenplays, and novels. It has provided me much satisfaction when I know something I’ve written has touched someone’s heart.
Q: Would you share something about yourself that most readers wouldn’t know?
Henry: I love mowing our lawn with my zero-turn mower.
Henry: Walking on Water by Madeleine L’Engle and A Swim in a Pond in The Rain by George Saunders.
Henry: It depends on my mood: Literary fiction and action adventure, but I read all types of genres.
Henry: I love outdoor activities. I love gardening. I love sauntering on a trail. I love traveling and exploring in other countries. And I love doing all of this with my wife Kay, my best friend of forty-six years.
Q: What is your favorite season and why?
Henry: Fall because of the colors.
Winter because of the cold and bareness of the forests
Spring because of the world coming back to life.
Summer…you can have summer.
Tour Giveaway
(1) winner will receive a print copy of Lion of Judah & $20 Amazon Gift Card plus a print copy of The Mercy Seat, also by Henry O. Arnold!
Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight June 2, 2025 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on June 9, 2025. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.
Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.
Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!
Im looking forward to reading this book. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI liked the interview.
ReplyDeleteGreat interview!
ReplyDeletei enjoyed this Q&A! Thanks for being on the tour :)
ReplyDeleteSounds like a great read.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed the interview
ReplyDeleteGreat interview. My favorite season is fall, as well.
ReplyDeleteI am really excited to check this book out.
ReplyDelete