Unbroken Kingdom Read online

  Praise for Unbroken Kingdom

  Unbroken Kingdom oozes adventure and excitement, and Lorie Gurnett’s masterful storytelling, the nonstop action, and the many holding-your-breath moments keep you turning the pages in this engrossing tale. You will be blown away by the author’s creativity in developing imaginative, unique, and quirky creatures with magical powers, one of whom made me laugh out loud with his sarcastic sense of humor. However, beyond the excitement of this stunning fantasy and classic battle between good and evil are deeper threads running throughout the novel, which are based on Biblical truths. They highlight the complexity of human relationships, show us that fear and self-doubt can rob us of our true purpose in life, but courage and determination in the face of those fears can strengthen and refine us to be who we were created to be. We learn that forgiveness is freeing, there is hope for healing despite past hurts or trauma, we are stronger together, and love and righteousness are the ultimate armor. Unbroken Kingdom is a tour de force that you will not want to miss.

  Sandra E. Duclos, PH.D., Clinical Psychologist, Author: Waiting for Luigi

  You have no idea how much I needed this in my life- right now I am at a crossroads and I was not even aware. This book sparks so much life into my very daily life- this is an incredible and powerful book that has brought me to my knees in prayer! This is a God-given book. Holy as He is Holy. Thank you. Thank you for being His vessel.

  Heather Congo, Former Firefighter and Homeschooling Mom

  Lorie Gurnett’s second book in the Treasure Kingdom series continues the saga of faith and fantasy in her signature style as it uses Biblical references to support the gospel message through storytelling. If you are a believer who loves the idea of incorporating spiritual truths into daily life, and if you love the power of story, Lorie’s books provide hope and inspiration for you. Her characters are worth rooting for, and her messages lead to victory every time.

  Nanette O’Neal, Author: A Doorway Back to Forever series

  The first book, Treasure Kingdom, is a wonderful read … it has a fantastic purpose that every reader can find as they explore the story and relate it to their life. The second book has the same purpose– even more so. My only regret is that the story didn’t end—now I must wait for the next book to come out!

  John W. Schlitt, Lead Singer of Petra

  Fear can hold you in bondage, disorient you, and rob you of focus. Throughout this story of courage, determination, and battles within Lorie shows her readers there is hope in the shattered life of abuse by overcoming forgiveness and refining who you are. There is courage to be found as you face your fears, and this book will truly inspire you to do so.

  Niccie Kliegl, Owner of Fulfill Your Legacy Author, Speaker, and Talk Show Host of Living the Sweet Spot

  Lorie spins another gripping fantasy adventure that confronts real-life challenges and pain. She brings us memorable heroes who excel and fail, much like every committed believer in the battles of life. She employs Scripture throughout as the keys to unlock secrets and the Sword to win victories. Her characters remind us that we don’t need to be held captive by our weaknesses and mistakes; we can overcome by putting our trust in God and obeying Him. You’ll be blessed, challenged, and entertained by Unbroken Kingdom.

  Sandra Fram, Author: Wings in the Storm

  Woven around Biblical truths, Lorie shows her readers there is hope in the shattered life of abuse through forgiveness and by refining who you are. There is courage to be found as you face your fears.

  Kary Oberbrunner, CEO of Igniting Souls, Author: Your Secret Name, Day Job to Dream Job, Elixir Project, and Unhackable

  Unbroken Kingdom

  Lorie Gurnett

  Unbroken Kingdom © 2021 Lorie Gurnett

  Printed in the United States of America

  Published by Author Academy Elite

  PO Box 43, Powell, OH 43035

  www.authoracademyelite.com

  All rights reserved. This book contains material protected under International and Federal Copyright Laws and Treaties. Any unauthorized reprint or use of this material is prohibited. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without express written permission from the author.

  LCCN: 2021902268

  Paperback ISBN: 978-1-64746-714-2

  Hardcover ISBN: 978-1-64746-715-9

  Ebook ISBN: 978-1-64746-716-6

  Available in paperback, hardcover, e-book, and audiobook coming soon

  All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version, ESV. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblical, Inc. TM. All rights reserved worldwide.

  Book Cover Designed by: Jervelyn Bonifacio

  I dedicated this book to my mom, Doris Moir:

  you always believed in me even when I didn’t.

  Your prayers and support helped me to

  stay focused and to trust God for the outcome.

  To my mother in-law, Irene Gurnett:

  Your strength of character and servant heart

  remind me daily how important the human heart is

  and that everyone is worth fighting for.

  To my Husband Merv, my daughter, Aurora, and my son, Logan:

  Never stop living and pursuing your dreams.

  You will be surprised what God will choose to do through you.

  Acknowledgments

  Thank you to Mervyn and Logan Gurnett for your silly one liner’s, quirky sense of humour, and creative view on life. You truly made the creation of the silly new character of Chester and made him come alive. Thank you to Andrew Chambers for your inspiring messages of hope: you helped define the meaning of standing where it has already been burnt so life flames of discouragement, trauma, fear, and self-hatred will not harm you. You brought meaning to finding one’s courage as you face your fears. Thank you, Dan Sudfield, for faithfully speaking God’s truth every Sunday: you inspired me greatly through the study of Philippians.

  Thank you to all my beta readers who helped with the flow, content, editing, and story plot in the creation of this novel: Cordie Moir, Heather Congo, Sandra Fram, Stacey Armstrong, Sandra E Duclos, April Gurnett, Monika Polefka-Proulx, and Rena Groot. Thank you for the endorsements: John W. Schlitt, Nanette O’Neal, Niccie Kliegl, and Kary Oberbrunner. Thank you to all my artists: Kimberly Maloy, Rosella Ormshaw, Veronica Zhenya, Zahidul_Joy, and thanks to Ae_Charters for creating my map for me. Thank you, Author Academy Elite, for supporting, training, encouraging, and believing in me and the message God has placed on my heart to share. Everyone can find their courage as they face their fears. As scary as life challenges may be, there is hope and truth to be found both within yourself and in the courage to keep moving forward. Never give up on yourself or your dreams.

  Contents

  Prologue

  Part 1: The Reckoning

  1. Deception Arises

  2. Divide and Conflict

  3. Graduation Day

  Part 2: Deceptions

  4. Deadened Valley

  5. The Rescue

  Part 3: Tested

  6. The Choice

  7. Cave of Exploration

  Part 4: Forgiveness

  8. Broken Bonds

  9. Sheol Mountain

  10. Deception Ignited

  Part 5: Healing

  11. Storms of Deceit

  12. Lost to Unforgiveness

  13. Forgotten Secrets Revealed

  Part 6: Unification

  14. The Called

  15. Farewell

  Part 7: Fighting the Darkness

  16. Greatest Strength

  17. Crosswords o
f Fire

  18. Two Worlds Collide

  Notes

  About the Author

  Also by Lorie Gurnett

  Prologue

  Life seemed so dark when death hung before them. Grief might win the battle unless they learned their true strength within and became an immovable force. Senora and Josiah risked it all as they found the greatest treasure and learned its value. Sam, the Red Dragon, and the Tall Bearded Man guided them through their adventure. They were reminded that friendship was a bond, but family was unbreakable and to never give up. The battle raged, and they were forced to choose sides. In a kingdom where good and evil are unrecognizable, who stood for truth, and who was only seeking power and control?

  As they fought to free Princess Delores, Queen Scarlett, Katerina, and Crystal from Lucas’s bondage, they learned the true strength they held within. Their hope grew even when darkness surrounded them like a veil.

  Part 1: The Reckoning

  1

  Deception Arises

  Robert paced the floor and stared impatiently at the clock as time seemed to crawl toward the end of his shift. He turned to busy himself with straightening some product on the gas station shelf. Robert stared out the front window at children playing street hockey and vehicles driving by, longing for his chance for freedom. Robert’s mind spun over the wave of emotions weighing him down. The bell rang as someone pulled up to the gas station. Robert ran out to greet them. “Need a fill?” Robert asked as he reached for the gas nozzle.

  Senora turned her head and smiled. “Hey, Bobbie, I didn’t know you were working today. I just need twenty dollars in the tank today. Just enough to last until payday. How are you doing? I haven’t seen you in a while.”

  “Nora? Yeah, well…” Robert stammered as he started to put gas in Senora’s vehicle. He nervously ran his fingers through his wavy hair. “I have been picking up extra shifts.”

  “Oh, it isn’t to avoid someone, is it?” Senora busied herself with digging into her backpack.

  “Avoiding someone? What do you mean?”

  “Isn’t your dad coming up on parole next month? Have you gone to visit him?” Senora searched Robert’s blank expression.

  He pulled the gas nozzle out and returned it to the pump. “Ok, that’ll be twenty dollars.” He nervously ran his fingers through his hair and shifted his weight.

  Senora handed him a twenty-dollar bill and an envelope.

  “What’s this?”

  “An invitation. I want you and your mom to attend my graduation.”

  “Huh. It’s that time already?”

  “It would mean the world to me.”

  “I don’t know. Will Jo be there?”

  “Of course, silly. Jo is attending with his new fiancée.”

  “That sly guy. He actually found someone to put up with him?”

  “Now, now. It takes a special person to do that.”

  “Special huh?”

  “Be nice! He would love to introduce you to her.”

  “So, you like her?”

  “She’s quite nice. They’re only able to come down for the week.”

  “Why only a week?”

  “Sylvia has a short break from nursing school.”

  “A nurse? That explains a lot.”

  “Oh, stop teasing. Jo took some time off work so they could attend. I don’t see them much. Please say you’ll come.”

  Robert shifted his feet. “I’ll have to see if I can get the time off. I’ll let you know. Oh, Nora, thanks.”

  “For what?”

  “For the invitation and for thinking of me.” Robert forced himself to make eye contact.

  “Of course. You’re like family to me. You’ve taken on Trevor’s role in my life. Especially since Jo went off to college. Thank you.”

  “For what?” Robert wiped some sweat off the back of his neck with a paper towel.

  “Looking out for me.” Senora started up her car and drove away. Robert watched her until she drove out of sight. He frowned when he saw Mark pull up in his clunky, old truck.

  “What’re you doing? Just standing around? My dad doesn’t pay you to stand in the sun.” Mark barked at him.

  “Hey, Mark. I just finished gassin’ someone up.” Robert said, “Are you here to take over?”

  “Whatever. I guess so. You should stop being lazy,” Mark said as Robert followed him into the gas station.

  “What? Lazy? I’ve been working steadily all day. Yeah, it’s been slow, but I’ve kept busy.” Robert flexed his muscles and pursed his lips into a thin line.

  “Yeah, right. Look how dusty this place is.”

  “Dusty! You do realize it’s May? Everything’s dusty in May.”

  “That’s no excuse,” Mark replied with a sly smirk, almost daring Robert to say something.

  Robert hung his head in defeat and slumped his shoulders. “Fine, Mark.”

  “You may go. See you tomorrow.” Robert clenched his fists as he marched out of the gas station. He turned to the side of the building, out of sight, his rage ready to blow a gasket and punched the stucco wall several times. Each punch sent several small rocks cutting and embedding themselves into his knuckles. Taking a deep breath, he climbed into his truck and failed at cleaning his hand with a napkin he pulled from his glovebox. He pulled out of the parking lot and headed for the local diner.

  As he entered The Diner, he could see Senora sitting with some friends in a booth. He tried to sneak past her without being seen. Senora jumped in front of him and stared. “What happened to your hand?”

  “Oh, stop your fussin’,” Robert snapped and pulled away from her. “I can take care of myself.” He turned and stormed into the men’s bathroom, leaving Senora worried and puzzled. She slumped back in her seat, her face showered with frustration.

  “Why do you bother with that nut case?” Gloria asked as she twirled her finger around a strand of red curly hair. She reached for a French fry and carefully took a bite, trying to avoid getting it caught in her braces.

  “You take that back. He’s not a nut case.”

  “Whatever you say. All I know is he’s always ready for a fight, and he never lets anyone close. Why do you even bother with him?”

  “There’s more to him than you know. I know him better than any of you. I’d do anything to help him. I only wish I knew how.” Senora stared at the bathroom door, looking for the right words to reach Robert once he came back out.

  Robert stomped toward the bathroom sink and turned on the water. He rubbed and pulled the embedded stones from his hand. “Stupid Robert, you did it again. You need to get your anger under control.” Looking up at his reflection he thought, I hardly recognize myself anymore. So much has changed over the last two years. I know Nora means well; I would die to protect her. She’s like the little sister I never had. I’d fight for her for Trevor’s sake. He slammed his fist on the counter, instantly regretting it as more pain rushed up his arm. He pulled out handfuls of paper towels from the dispenser, wrapped his hand with them, and took a deep breath. At least pain reminds me I’m still alive. He winced and turned toward the door. Pulling the door open he sighed. Well, here it comes. Time to face Nora. He pulled the door open as Senora jumped to her feet.

  “Bobbie, can we talk?” Senora asked as she approached him cautiously.

  “I guess so,” Robert replied as Senora motioned to a nearby empty booth.

  “Don’t mind her. She has her own issues.” Senora waved her friend off.

  “Gotta love fiery redheads,” Robert responded, attempting a chuckle.

  Senora rested her elbows on the table and stared at Robert. “So, you going to tell me what happened?” she asked as she stared at Robert’s hand.

  “You know, the usual. Mark being Mark and me being me.”

  The waitress approached. “What can I getcha, or do you want menus?”

  “I’ll just have an iced tea,” Robert said.

  “Ok, one iced tea, what about you? Or are you just taki
ng your order from the other table?” The waitress asked as she turned to Senora.

  “I have my peppermint tea, but can I have a refill on my hot water?” Senora asked, sending a pleasant smile her way. The waitress just winked and walked away.

  “I don’t want to take time away from your friends,” Robert said.

  “Nonsense. I can see them all day at school. What’s really going on? Is it your dad?”

  “Why do you keep bringing that loser up?” Robert yelled and instantly regretted the idea as he looked around The Diner. All eyes shot in their direction.

  “As you were. Nothing to see here. You all have your own lives to worry about,” the waitress announced as she handed Robert his iced tea and Senora a fresh kettle of hot water.

  “Thank you,” Senora whispered as everyone returned to their conversations. The waitress smiled and mouthed the words you’re welcome.

  “Sorry for yelling. You know the pain and chaos that man brings. He destroyed my life and yours,” Robert grumbled.

  “Yes, but he has been in prison for his crimes.”

  “Not all his crimes. Mom never came forward about Trevor’s death. He’s only doing time for armed robbery. He deserves as much pain as he caused. I hate him.”