An Excerpt from the Upcoming Sequel to House of Lies

An excerpt from the upcoming sequel to House of Lies…

     Tess depressed the button that made the back of her hospital bed sit up a little straighter and then narrowed her eyes at Shane.  “All you wanted to do was steal my joy.  I was happy until you started nosing around in my business!  What concern is it of yours anyway?”

     Shane swallowed hard because she didn’t want her answer to come from a place of anger, but from the love that she felt deep down.  “I want nothing more than your happiness and I’m sorry that you think I have somehow robbed you of joy.” 

     Rising from the bedside chair, Shane turned toward the door.  Maybe Braznovich was right.  Maybe it was time to give up the fight to save her sister.  No!  Not yet!  Her inner voice screamed and taking only two steps, she whirled back around to face Tess.  “It was my concern because I love you.  I looked into what you were so deeply into because I cared for your wellbeing.  I saw it destroying our family and your life and all I wanted you to do was open your eyes and see what was happening before it was too late.” 

     “You wouldn’t have been happy until I gave up everything that was important to me!”  Tess seethed.  “I’m not going to do that.  I’m never going to do that, no matter how horribly you persecute me!” 

     Shane fought the lump rising in her throat and tried to calmly continue.  She silently reminded herself that her sister was brainwashed and that the deception she had been living under would not be undone overnight. It was going to take time.  “I didn’t ask you to stop believing what you believe or even to stop doing what you do.  I only asked that you would take some time to study it from an objective perspective so that you would fully understand the hold that it had on you.  The hold it obviously still has on you.”

     “I don’t feel that God is telling me to study it,” Tess rebutted.

     Shane had heard this excuse one too many times and it grated her like nails on a chalkboard.  She stormed to the other side of the bed, pulled open the bedside table top drawer and took out the Gideon Bible.  Tossing the Bible unto Tess’s bed, Shane blurted, “Look up James 1:5.”

     “I don’t need to look it up.  I already know what it says,” Tess spat.  “‘If any of you lacks wisdom let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach; and it will be given him.’” Tess gloated.  “I don’t lack wisdom.  You do.”

     Shane’s breath caught in her chest as a realization rushed over her.  She wasn’t talking to her sister.  Not really.  She was talking to the demonic, blinding stronghold that had taken over Tess.  She could see it in the hollow stare of her sister’s gaze.  Tess’s body was here but whoever or whatever was peering from behind her eyes was not Tess.

     Slowly backing toward the door, Shane fought to keep her composure. “Maybe you’re right.  Maybe I should go and ask God for more wisdom.”

     An evil smile spread across Tess’s face and sent a chill darting up the back of Shane’s neck, the same chill she had felt when she stood face-to-face with Maxwell Sagan.  ~

If it Scares You...

There are times when I am tempted to play it safe, take the path most traveled and lean toward the conservative side when writing; and then, I stand up at my desk, jump up and down three or four times and shake it off.  When I feel this stagnation coming on in life, I jump from a plane, skinny dip or do something else exhilarating to liven things up.

I try to make a conscious effort to live on the edge on paper and in life.  That doesn't mean live dangerously, but purposefully.  It doesn't mean to live carelessly, but care-freely.  I think it means to embrace every chance you're given and whenever you can, choose the path less traveled and leave a piece of yourself on the trail.  That is to say, pour a little bit of yourself onto the pages even if it's scary. 

Writing my novels has taken me into some dark places.  For the Just Call Me Angel series I studied the Mafia and for House of Lies I studied cult groups, past and current.  Writing The Candy Shop took me to a new precipice, as I studied the psychological profiles of serial killers.  It was uncomfortable and, at times, downright creepy.  I dove in nonetheless and I'm thankful I did.  The newly found knowledge I embraced added a depth to each story that otherwise would not exist.  It scared me, but the positive reviews have made those fearful moments worthwhile.  :) 

Trying something new or looking at something from a new perspective can cause trepidation.  Those feelings are normal.  If it scares you a little... you're on the right path.  ~

Sequel for Certain

I received several emails regarding my book, House of Lies, asking if there is going to be a sequel and when it will be released.

The answer:  A RESOUNDING YES

There is definitely going to be a sequel and it will be released in the fall of 2014. 

The book has yet to be titled, but I will keep you posted as the release date nears.  If you haven’t yet read House of Lies, I recommend reading it before the sequel.  You can get a copy in either print or Ebook from the following retailers:

BARNES & NOBLE

SMASHWORDS

AMAZON

 

 

 

 

 

As always, thank you for your letters and for your interest in my books.  It means the world to me.   ~

Before Jumping Into Bed

I received an email over the weekend and in it the writer asked if I thought it was better to self-publish than to sign with a small press publisher.

This is a tough decision and one each writer must make for themselves.

I never wanted to self-publish, not because I thought there was anything “wrong” with it, but simply because I needed a stranger, a publisher, to believe in my work.  I needed that extra-confidence-boost to tell me I was a good enough writer to be published.  So, in 2010, upon completion of my first novel, No Easy Way, I sought out Agents and Publishers.  That’s when Vanilla Heart took interest and offered me a contract.  The fact that a publisher deemed my work good enough to market and promote motivated me to continue to write, which is how I produced eight books in less than three years. 

Other authors don’t need the self-esteem boost that I did.  They feel confident and secure enough to stand alone and thus self-publishing is the perfect path for them.

In the past, self-publishing bore a negative stigma that a writer wasn’t “good enough” to be contracted by a publishing house; but that stigma has begun to fade.  Readers can tell the difference between someone who writes poorly and someone who writes well.  They know that in purchasing a self-published book they run the risk of stumbling upon a lessor quality novel.  However, they also realize that there are self-published authors who write really good books; gems yet to be discovered.  Many readers today are willing to take that risk, especially with the ease and affordability of the Ebook download.  If they download a book for $0.99 and don’t like it, it’s not a big financial loss; but if they get a great one for that price, what a bargain!

If you decide to go with a small press publisher, meaning any publishing house outside of what has now become the Big Five, do your homework before signing anything.  I cannot stress this enough.  Talk to other authors about their experiences with small press publishers.  Interview authors who are currently under contract with the publisher you’re considering.  Ask questions.  Understand that any publisher that is on the up-and-up will be able to give you timely sales and royalty reports and timely payments.  Do not be pressured into signing right away.  A legitimate publisher will not have any reason to pressure an author into an immediate contractual agreement.

Research the Preditors and Editors listing and Writer Beware.  Contact the Better Business Bureau and the Attorney General for the state in which the publisher is located.  If there have been complaints about the publisher, they will be made available to you.  Run a background check on the publisher.  Be thorough.

If you do sign a contract, hold that publisher accountable at every turn for every item.  A legitimate small press publisher will not give excuses for late payments, no payments, late reporting, no reporting, etc.  Except NO excuses.  The contract that you sign is a business agreement and it must be upheld by both parties in an ethical manner.  One lie breaches the agreement.  Period.

One advantage to self-publishing is that the author receives sales reports directly from the distributor and a royalty payment that is never late.  There are no lies or hidden agendas if you go the self-publishing route.  This is a huge advantage to the author and one you should seriously consider prior to signing a contract with a small press publisher because there are many ways in which an unethical publisher can take your money.

Not only did my ex-publisher (Vanilla Heart) defraud statements and steal thousands of dollars, but she also blatantly lied about the number of books that were downloaded for free so that she could pocket the money.  I have emails from her to substantiate the falsification of the reports she gave me and the outright lies she told.  For example:  My novel, House of Lies, came with a bit of controversy as three weeks after its release there was a similar murder in the exact area where the story had taken place.  This generated media interest, both negative and positive, and also generated book sales.  Kimberlee Williams of Vanilla Heart told me that someone had gotten a hold of the Smashwords coupon code for House of Lies and 60 copies were downloaded for free.  I couldn’t believe it.  That was royalty money the publisher and I would never see…or so I believed.  After subpoenaing sales records directly from the distributor, the truth was that only 13 copies of House of Lies had been downloaded using a free coupon code. (All 13 of which I identified as contest winners, book club leaders or reviewers because I had given them the free code.)  The other 47 downloads were bought and paid for.  This was money the publisher kept and I never saw.  Unethical.

 

Sadly, it didn’t just happen with House of Lies, but with several of my books from the Just Call Me Angel series and No Easy Way.  Had I never left and had the sales reports sent to me directly from the distributors, I would have had no way of knowing just how deep her deception ran and how much money she had stolen.  Sadder still is the fact that I'm not the only one she defrauded.  

The morale of the story is:  Be careful.  As an author, you’ve poured your blood, sweat, time and tears into your book.  It’s your creation, your baby.  Don’t be hasty to get it out there and settle for something less than what your work deserves.  Look at the quality of work the publisher is putting out.  Are there typos and formatting errors strewn throughout their author's books?  If so, don't sign with them.  That's a red flag.  Are the book covers unprofessional looking?  Are their video trailers novice and unprofessional?  (I don't know the correlation, if any, between video trailers and book sales, but Vanilla Heart's trailers were so awful that I never marketed using theirs and had my own made instead.) 

There are ethical small press publishers.  They’re out there, but companies like Vanilla Heart are sadly giving them a bad name. Companies like Vanilla Heart are tainting the world of small press publishing.   If we turn a blind eye and continue to allow the unethical ones to exist and flourish, we are only hurting the ethical publishers, each other and ourselves.

This is OUR industry and it is OUR responsibility to protect it. 

 

The long and the short of it is this:  If you are in a hurry to get your work out to the masses, then my advice is to self-publish it rather than jumping into bed with a publisher that is literally going to emotionally, mentally and financially screw you. ~

 

 

Mother's Day Mystery

Looking for a last minute Mother's Day gift?  How about giving her the gift of mystery and suspense?  S.R.Claridge novels are available in all downloadable formats from Smashwords.  It's immediate.  It's easy.  And Mom is sure to love it!

Start her out with a romantic suspense, like No Easy Way.  Or start her on the Mafia thrill-ride of the Just Call Me Angel series.  If it's political cult action she craves, House of Lies will keep her on the edge of her seat.  Or Petals of Blood is sure to wet her whistle and make her long for more.  Whichever you choose, or choose them all, you're sure to make this Mother's Day great!

Lost in the "Other" File

I recently discovered that there is an “Other” tab on my Facebook message page.  It sits in the upper left hand corner right next to the bolded tab that reads:  Inbox.  Who knew, right?  Between my author account and my personal account, there were over two hundred emails in my “Other” file.  I started wading through them, one-by-one, deleting the announcements of events already gone by and the advertisements.  I get the feeling the “Other” tab is similar to a “Spam” folder on yahoo. 

After I had narrowed the list to fifty-seven emails, I began to read them.  Twenty-two of them said they “liked my smile”… that must be a common pick-up line in the Facebook world.  Seven of them wanted to know if I was single and explained how it would be beneficial for us to chat online.  Three said they wanted to have sex with me…which, I took as a compliment.  After all, it’s not every day that someone just blurts out, “I’d like to have sex with you.”   And two were from women who were hitting on me.  They obviously hadn't read my profile to see that I am a heterosexual female, but I was flattered nonetheless.  Always good to keep one's proverbial options open.  :)


The remaining twenty-three emails were very personal and I felt terrible that some of them had been sitting in this “Other” file for well over a year.  These people must have felt that they poured out their heart to a stranger who didn’t even care enough to acknowledge them.  I am so sorry for this oversight.

If any of you are reading this blog, please know that my tardy response was caused by ignorance and not an intentional disregard for your feelings. 

I want to share a small portion of one of the emails from my "Other" file because it touched me.

Dear Author S.R.Claridge, I’ve read House of Lies and I can’t stop thinking about you and the story you wrote.  I’ve come out of a cult group and am still haunted by everything I saw and experienced while there.  When I close my eyes to sleep at night, I still see the demons and hear their chanting.  I can hardly pray without unconsciously swaying back and forth and slipping into a dark place.  Sometimes the fear takes hold of me to the point that I can’t move in my bed and it feels like its pushing me down deeper into bed.  I can’t tell anyone because they’ll all say I told you so, or think I’m going crazy, but I know after reading your book that you understand.  I know you’ve seen it and that you know what’s happening.  I was at [cult group name deleted] for almost 14 months and I saw the deception you wrote about.  It’s real and I’m praying for you because I know you’ve been attacked by the demons too and I know they’re after you.

This letter sat in my “Other” file since November 2012.  I responded to it today and am hoping my response isn’t too late.  This woman was reaching for help, and I wasn’t there.  This woman was desperate to find someone who understood her, and I was absent.  Though I am a stranger to her, this woman needed me, and I wasn’t paying attention.  I’m praying for her and hoping she writes back to tell me that she has found freedom and is no longer tormented by her involvement with this cult group. 

 

If I have missed any other letters….if I have failed to respond to you…please write to me again.  My lack of response is not intentional.  If I have ignored you, it is because I have not seen your letter, so please re-send it.  I will never ignore a heartfelt outpouring nor a stranger’s plea for help.

I’m here.  I’m listening.  I understand and I care.  I promise I will write back. ~

 

 

A Novel & A Bottle

I have recently learned that George Clooney has released his own line of high-end Tequila, called Casamigos. It is a small batch of ultra-premium tequila that has been tasted and approved by not only a master distiller, but by George himself.   The batches are numbered and signed. 

I love the name...a simple combination of Casa (home) and Amigos (friends).  The name alone makes me want to invite some friends to my home and drink up.  

 

Another idea...why not sit down with a good book and a bottle of Casamigos?  Lose yourself in the suspenseful twists of a Claridge novel and the passionate throes of a Clooney bottle. 

What can I say… he’s a man after my own heart.  Cheers, George!

Five-Star Reader Reviews

It is always exciting to find positive reviews of my work.  It thrills me to hear that people enjoy my novels and this type of feedback motivates me as a writer to push-on through the dry spells and overcome the obstacles.  To all of my readers, thank you.  You give me strength and you make my heart smile.

Here are three Five-Star Reviews of my political cult suspense, House of Lies, that I discovered this morning.

“I don’t normally read novels that have romance in them so I was hesitant when I saw that this was labeled a “romantic suspense” but it came highly recommended so I gave it a shot and was pleasantly surprised.  There was more action than romance by far and I would even say that even though the book’s main character is a woman, it suits a male audience well.  Skylar is stubbornly likeable and I enjoyed the humor between Braznovich and his pal, Ernie.  I’ve read the controversy surrounding this book as far as whether it speaks truth about the house of prayer cult movement in the United States or whether it is purely a work of fiction, and the idea that the author could weave fiction and fact into such a suspenseful plot fascinates me.  It’s a great read with plot twists that surprised me at every turn and it’s the kind of story you’ll find yourself thinking about long after you’ve put it down.”  WyatteJ

 

“My only complaint about this book is that it ended abruptly and left me hanging, sort of like watching the Keiffer Sudderland tv series, 24.  It’s that action packed but has a great blend of romance and wanting, though it’s way more about action than romance.  I was worried Skylar was going to be a needy character but she stifles tears and attacks when needed.  She has trouble following instructions sometimes, but that was something I could relate to.  And Braznovich is the protector and lover every woman dreams of having.  This book is different from anything I’ve ever read because it felt like there was truth in the story, like these things really happen right under our noses and there really are people trying to save their loved ones from dangerous cult groups.  My favorite character is chain-smoking Ernie who always has a funny remark to add to a tense situation.  I highly recommend this book.  It’s suspenseful, funny, romantic and wildly action packed.”   StephanieLovesReading

 

“Great read!  It reads fast and furious.  There’s nothing but action, well, and a little bit of romantic play but the story focuses on the action, the romance is a sideline thing.  I liked the characters and could relate to almost all of them except for the bad guys.  It’s one of those stories you find yourself thinking about while you’re driving.  It just keeps popping in my head and I wonder how much of this sort of thing happens in real life and we just never know about it.  If you like suspense and not being able to figure out who done it, you will enjoy this read.”   BelkinBabe

Mail of Malice

As I’m wading through mounds of emails I thought I would take a moment and share with my readers some of the expressions of malice I have received as a result of my novel, House ofLies.  I don’t have any proof that these were sent to me by International House of Prayer (IHOP) members, however, my gut tells me they were, as previous emails of this nature have been from IHOP members; so I’m going to proceed in that manner.

 

“You have chosen to befriend homosexuals instead of the Lord and have mocked His people in House of Lies.  You mock our prophetic understanding and may God make an example of you and strike you down with the lightning of justice.”

 

“You would be better off dead than to cross the Lord’s work.  Read Acts and be warned.”

 

“If I were you I would watch my back.”

 

“Mike Bickle is a chosen apostle of the Lord and you are a fool to stand against him. Gods favor rests upon the godly.”

 

Yes, I am friends with homosexuals, heterosexuals, bisexuals and metrosexuals.  I don’t befriend nor defriend people based on their sexuality.  I don’t judge.  It isn’t my job.  It isn’t my calling. It isn’t the way I want to live my life.  Furthermore, if you want to pull out your Bible I’m quite certain you’ll find several verses in the New Testament that specifically tell you NOT to judge.

 

As far as the accusation of mocking God’s people in House of Lies, I do not see how this is relevant.  I don’t mock your “prophetic understanding” because there is no understanding to mock.  The prophecies upon which your cult group (IHOP) is built have been proven false.  (* Look up the KC Prophets, The Blueprint Prophesy, The Ernie Gruen Report) Your leader has openly admitted to the fact that the majority of prophesies coming out of IHOP are not accurate and he preaches that inaccurate prophetic words are acceptable.  For me to say this practice of false prophesy is bogus is not me mocking you….it is simply me stating a fact.  It is my personal belief that any prophetic word that comes from the Lord will be 100% accurate.  If there is even the slightest inaccuracy than the so-called prophetic word is not from God.  It's either all right or all wrong.  God doesn't deal in half-truths.

In addition, and not to tread on your arrogance, House of Lies wasn’t written about YOU.  It’s a fictional cult group with a fictional leader.  (The only reason IHOP members believe the book is about them is because an IHOP member's [Bethany Deaton] murder was striking similar to the story.)

Second, I’m not crossing the Lord’s work, nor would I ever.  I know it and He knows it and that's all that matters. 

Third, I have read the book of Acts and my backside is being watched...but thank you for your concern.

As for Mike Bickle… he is a self-proclaimed apostle of the Lord.  I don’t stand against him on a personal level.  I stand against ANY cult leader who manipulates Scripture, spews bigotry, spreads lies in the name of God and deceives the youth in an attempt to build an end-times army that has destroyed families, taken lives and has the potential to become ever-more dangerous.  I stand against that, not against one man.

You can continue to email me with your words of warning, but it would better behoove you to  spend your time researching IHOP for yourself, instead of settling for being spoon-fed lies simply because the acceptance of it all "feels" good.  Drugs "feel" good too, but they destroy you from the inside out.

 

Instead of pointing a finger at me, it sounds like you have some very tough questions to ask yourself...

...and to ask God.  Good luck.  ~

A Delayed New Year

I’ve been under the weather the past several days, which has delayed my jump start on the New Year.  Those of you who know me, know I don’t do sick well.  I can’t stand lying around doing nothing… especially when there is SO MUCH to be done! 

My Christmas lights are still up, as is the tree and my list of resolutions sits idly by, awaiting the moment when I am able to begin checking them off.  UGH!

Alas, it has given me time to reflect on those items which I have resolved to improve upon or entirely change during the course of 2013. 

 

 

1.     Work out a minimum of 3 times per week.

2.     Prepare meals in advance so we are less tempted to eat out when our schedule is tipping the red zone of the chaotic-ometer.

3.     Eat healthier.

4.     Lose 25 pounds and several inches and tone the wiggly areas.

5.     Have more sex... with my husband, of course.

6.     Save more money… budget better.

7.     Write 3 novels. (The fifth in the Just Call Me Angel series; the sequel to House of Lies; and another independent mystery.

8.     Re-paint the bathroom.

9.     Schedule more book tours this year than last.

10.   Stress less and enjoy my family, my friends and life in general more.  After all, the very fact that we are living is a gift, and gifts are meant to be enjoyed.

These are just ten of the twenty-five items I’ve listed.  I am beginning the year hopeful that I will be able to tackle these head on and make some positive changes going forward.

May 2013 be a wonderful year of health, happiness, success and prosperity for all.  J

 

 

A STuNNinG Gift

I received some great Christmas gifts this year and for each, I am thankful.  There is one gift, however, that stands apart from all of the rest.  It isn’t something I can wear to make me look or smell prettier.  It isn’t something I can use in the kitchen to help me whip up a gourmet meal.  It isn’t even something that adds decorative flavor to my home. 

Instead, it provides security.  It gives me a sense of safety.  It gives me the power to protect myself and my loved ones.  No, it isn’t a German Shepard guard dog.  It isn’t a new gun to rival the double-barrel shot gun I already possess.  It’s easier to conceal and easier to use.

It’s The International Body Guard Stun Gun and it packs quite the punch with 6.2 million volts.  They say it won’t kill an attacker instantly, unless they already have a heart condition; but one blast will knock down a 300 pound person, leaving them dazed and confused.  Imagine what two blasts will do!

This little beauty was a gift from my parents, and I can’t think of a more appropriate or loving thing to give a daughter than the ability to protect herself; especially in these tumultuous times. 

See, as good as the police are, and as much as I respect all that they do, they cannot be everywhere. In our world today one’s safety is a matter of personal responsibility.

So… to all of the cult group members and hate group members who have sent me notes warning me to “be careful” or “be quiet before someone makes me be quiet”…. to all of you who are so concerned with my well-being that you have written to tell me to “watch out” or to inform me that “wrath is coming”… to all of you who have told me I would be “better off dead”…  I have taken your advice.

I am armed and I will not hesitate to use my new, ELeCtRiFyinG friend, just as I will not hesitate to use my double barrel shot gun.  

 

What’s more….your threats have only empowered me toward action.  You will never silence my words.   ~

 

AnonBerean12 - Dwelling in a House of Lies

I received the following message last night from someone who calls themselves "anonberean12."  Here is the message:

S.R.Claridge, I have read your blogs about IHOP and your book House of Lies. I know it's written about IHOP but your information in the book isn't accurate. You tried to make your character Max Sagan be like Mike Bickle, but Bickle is a true man of God and a true prophet. You are going against God and God will not allow you to spread lies about His chosen people. You are offended by what you don't understand and you're mocking people you shouldn't. If I were you I'd be careful. 

 

This isn't the first message I've received from an obvious IHOP member and I am certain it will not be the last.

 

IHOP cult members are obviously upset about my book.  They are angry because they think it was written about their cult group and at the same time, they accuse me of not accurately depicting IHOP.  I find this humorously ironic. 

 

House of Lies is a fictional story.  The fact that it has similarities to what has happened in the Bethany Deaton murder or the fact that people are drawing similarities between characters in the book and real-life cult leaders is coincidental.  As I have stated many times, I studied five cult groups before writing House of Lies.  IHOP was merely one of those five.

 

I have not "accurately" depicted IHOP because the book is not written about IHOP.  It is a story about a fictional cult group named P3.  The character of Max Sagan, the leader of P3, was designed to be a cult leader to which people could relate, a leader from which readers would sense a spirit of evil and deceit. It is obvious that on some level IHOP members are relating to Max Sagan.

 

If you are drawing similarities between the fictional Max Sagan and IHOP founder, Mike Bickle, those are your own personal conclusions and not a connection I have made.  If you are connecting the two then perhaps you should take a deeper look at the leader you are following.  Bickle, like many of the others I have studied, is a "self-appointed" prophet of God, and if you study his history you will find that not even one of his prophesies has come into fruition.  He disbanned the Kansas City Prophets because they were publically proven false.

Bickle claims to have visited heaven twice and says he has been chosen to change the face of christianity as we know it.... perhaps he is doing this by replacing God with his own ego (?)  Perhaps this egotism is the similarity you see between Bickle and my fictional character, Sagan (?)

I would ask you to compare Bickle to the real prophets from the Bible.  They were nothing like what you see in your cult movement today.

 

I am not "offended" by what I don't understand.  I am cautioned by what I do understand.  I am not the one who has jumped into a movement without studying it from the roots up.  I am not the one who has adopted an elitist attitude, one that refers to oneself as God's "chosen people," with the implication that others are not His chosen. (I am quoting from the above message sent to me.)

 

I am not mocking Mike Bickle nor any IHOP members.  I am saddened by him and by this cult group, just as I am saddened by other cult groups with similar beliefs and heresies. 

 

You want to point a finger at me because deep down you know I have struck a chord of truth, and when you allow yourself to ponder it, it reverberates through your fickle foundation; and you fear if it cracks beneath you, you will fall and when you fall there will be nothing left.   

 

What you need to understand is that it is only when you let go of the cult group that you will truly realize the depth of God's love and mercy for you.  He will not let you fall.

 

You can continue to threaten me, but your time would be better spent studying the movement to which you have devoted your life.  I will "be careful" as you said.... careful to examine every group from the roots up, looking at the fruit and making sure it is not dripping with judgmentalism, deception and utter falsehood.  It is my hope that you will do the same.

 

I will end this blog by asking you one question:  Could it be that House of Lies offended you because deep down you know you are indeed dwelling in a house of lies?  Could it be that it is just too close for comfort?  ~

 

 

Your Voice Matters

A letter from a reader:

 

"Dear Susan, I don’t normally write to the author of books I read but in this case I felt I needed to send this note.  I read House of Lies and it brought me to tears because I know exactly what the book is talking about.  I’ve been in that prayer room, I’ve listened to the bigotry and the hate in the name of our Lord, I’ve seen the hollow stare in member’s eyes and shamefully, I’ve participated in wrangling scripture in my own mind and in front of others.  I felt convicted in my soul when I read how Skylar was fighting to save her sister, because my family fought to try and save me. I realized how much they went thru and the pain they went thru and how poorly I had treated them all that time.  I know you said House of Lies isn’t about IHOP, but for me it is.  I was with IHOP for almost two years and during that time I saw things that I wish I could forget.  Your descriptions of the demonic activity and the hypnotic chanting and the twisted scripture is very real, and how you describe the journals being used to administer fake prophetic words is very real.  Even the leaders like Lou and Mike and Misty are shown accurately and I felt like I was back in that place when I read the story. Lou rocks back and forth on stage and screams into the microphone and Mike lies and uses false doctrine to scare people into believing his way is the only way. The whole thing is a lie from the ground up but from the minute you walk in the door you are taught to not question Mike and he answers every question before you even ask it, so when it comes up you dismiss it because it’s already been answered.  He teaches us to expect to offend others with our love for Jesus, and that is deceptive because it was never my love for Jesus that offended anyone.  It was my elite attitude and arrogance that told my loved ones that something was wrong.  Even the conversations between Skylar and Tess in the book made me think of things I said to my own family. I argued almost verbatim as the book and defended the false prophecies just like Tess does to Skylar.  I was arrogant and believed I was chosen but I couldn’t see it at the time.  Now the elite-ness makes me sick and I see that I was just like a drug addict, just like the book says, it felt good at first but the deeper I went into it the more I began to see that something wasn’t right.  I have prayed for forgiveness and asked my family for forgiveness and I know God is so good and gracious and He has forgiven me.  When I left IHOP I was like cast out and they acted as if I never even existed or was a part of them.  They said I was deceived because they truly believe and I did too that everyone else is deceived and not a part of God’s plans.  A part of me wishes Skylar were real and she and Braznovich and Ernie and all the townspeople of Grandview would really blow the place up without anyone getting hurt of course.  But that’s not probably going to happen because people in Kansas City are too afraid to go against them.  They’re very powerful and not only do they have weapons there but they have eyes and ears everywhere.  I wanted you to know that your book is real to me and will be real to anyone who has been inside IHOP.  Just like in the book, IHOP looks good from the outside and feels good for a while and then the darkness of its foundation begins to seep upward and wrap around ankles like thick clay, holding them down and even pulling them down like quicksand.  I am praying your book, even though it’s just a fictional story, will reach people and show the world what IHOP really is before its too late.

Praying God’s blessing on you,

Tina"

 

I read this email and my heart ached because this is just one of many, many letters I have received sharing the same things.  It makes me happy that people are able to relate to the story of House of Lies; but it also makes me sad…. sad that organizations like IHOP and Westboro (to name a couple) spread a message of hate in the name of God. 

[IHOP is not nearly on the same level of hate mongering as Westboro Baptist Church; but in listening to Lou Engle preach and push his anti-gay and anti-abortion agendas, there are nauseating similarities.  For example, Lou Engle announced to the media that the “Joplin, Missouri tornado was God’s punishment for abortion,” and that "Hurricane Katrina was God's punishment for homosexuality."  This statement is not far from the statement made by Westboro that the “Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting was God’s punishment for homosexual marriage.”  Having family involved in IHOP, I hate that there are any similarities between IHOP and Westboro; but, sadly, there are.]

Each letter I receive confirms that there is a problem and that the problem is growing bigger. 

To everyone who has been involved in IHOP or any other cult group, you are not alone and there are people and resources out there to help you.  Here are a couple:

http://www.christianrecovery.com/

http://www.recoveryfromabuse.com/

It takes courage to write me a letter and to speak up, and I admire that courage.  I want to encourage everyone who has written me to take your story and share it to a broader audience.  Every time you tell the truth about your experience with IHOP or another cult group, you could be stopping someone else from enduring the same fate. 

Blog about your experience.  Share it with friends, family and other churches.  If you witnessed or went through any form of abuse, report it to the police.  You can file a police report without taking action against the cult group.  A report is simply a written record of what occurred. 

Lastly, consider taking your story to the media.  Your experience can empower the media to investigate further and could stop abusive action from happening in the future.  Your voice matters.

I know it is scary, but you are not alone.  In speaking out, you are protecting others.  If more people had spoken out, maybe Jeremiah Candler would still be alive and maybe Bethany Leidlein Deaton would still be alive.  How many others will die before we have the courage to stand up together and say this is wrong.

If you are in the Kansas City area and if you have witnessed or experienced any type of abuse from IHOP or any other cult group, consider sharing your story with these people.  They will listen and will not use your name unless you give them express permission.  If you know anything about the Bethany Deaton murder, contact these reporters.

Kansas City Star

Joe Robertson
Donald Bradley

Fox 4 News Kansas City

Gia Vang
Sarah Clark

New York Times

Erica Goode

To everyone who has written to me…. Thank you.  Your letters mean a lot and I hope you will consider sharing your experiences with a broader audience.  Your voice can make a difference in someone's life.  ~