Fiction Friday: The Ephesus Pages

The Ephesus Pages

By MJ Elliott

I am so excited to write this post today. It has been a long time coming but the door for The Ephesus Pages: Mysteries in Ephesus is coming soon, and it’s better than it ever was before. To be honest and real for a moment, a big part of me never thought I’d be able to write and share this story.

As it was, everytime I tried to focus my attention on this second season, nothing went as planned. This weighed pretty heavily upon me. Whether it was struggles with my summer release, The Hope of Inheritance, the chaos of living life with ADHD, writer's block, or even the plot of this season, something was always there to pull me away from it.

That’s the beauty of being a self-publishing author, though. I don’t have a publisher forcing content; I can leave it in God’s hands and trust that those who truly matter… the readers… will be there when the door swings open. The way this season is turning out is something only God could have places in my chaos-driven mind, and I think you are going to find something truly memorable within its pages.

Before diving into the plot, I want to send a huge thank you to Linda Shenton Matchett for highlighting this post for me today! It was here that the world was introduced to part one, A Journey Begins, and it is only fitting that it is here that we introduce part two.

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The Recap from Season One and What’s Next in Ephesus

• In Season One: A Journey Begins, the story began to unfold as John Mark left Barnabus behind in
  
  Cyprus in search of reconciliation with Paul, his former ministry mentor. His journey to Ephesus was a spiritual awakening, and we met figures like Titus, Apollos, and Luke along the way. In Ephesus, Aristarchus was introduced, struggling through his own faith awakening while serving in Paul's growing ministry.
• In Season Two: Mysteries in Ephesus, these two seemingly separate worlds collide in unexpected ways:
• The Conflict: Rumors of a man endowed with miracle-working powers flourish throughout the city and cause strife among believers, leading to mysteries unknown.
• John Mark’s Reconciliation: Continuing his journey from Cyprus, he is motivated to do everything in his power to reconcile with his former mentor Saul, now called Paul.
• Aristarchus’s Mystery of Faith: Diving into the mystery of John Mark, he is mentored by none other than Priscilla and Aquilla who are tasked with helping him find his way through his own struggle with the unknown.
• The Ministry Under Attack: Introducing Timothy, and a young man named Gaius, along with others; John Mark and Paul must find a way to overcome the strange rumors about the false god Artemis, and her priests. All while dealing with the exploits of Sceva and his sons before they have their way.

Darkness is seeking to overcome the light in every direction. Hope seems lost. Fear lurks around every corner, and John Mark has found himself divinely placed amid all of it for such a time as this.

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The Road Ahead

Who are Sceva and his sons and what drives them? How will the believers respond to the chaos brewing everywhere in Ephesus? Will John Mark find the reconciliation he seeks? Will Aristarchus find a way to accept John Mark and overcome his own struggles with faith?

There is still so much of this story to tell before we find ourselves in the midst of the Riots of Ephesus that will conclude this epic story in Season Three. The struggles will be real, but the themes of faith and perseverance will shine through. Mystery looms everywhere and is woven into the very fabric of this season, and I can’t wait for you to read it.

I am aiming for an official release announcement soon, as the final date depends on my editor, and of course my own direction. I'll share that date exclusively with my email subscribers first! Sign up here to be the first to know when Mysteries in Ephesus finds its way into the public eye.

Which character's journey—John Mark's reconciliation or Aristarchus's investigation—are you most excited to follow in this new season? Let me know in the comments! 👇

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Author Bio

Matthew (also known by his pen names M.J. Elliott and E.M. James) is an award-winning, dedicated writer with a deep passion for sharing the word of Christ. He is married and the proud father of three wonderful children who continually inspire his faith and creativity. Through his writing, Matthew seeks to minister with love, equip others with encouragement, and help readers encounter God in real and meaningful ways.

Photo Credits:

Author photo and Book Cover: MJ Elliott

Road: Pixabay/Simon