Bestselling Author Jack Billups Announces New Christian Fiction Novel, Christian's Walk: The Journey, Will Be Available At No Charge In Ebook Form February 1 Through February 3, 2023
Billups' first book, 'My Vietnam' was a bestseller in the Vietnam War Memoir category. The new book was inspired by John Bunyan's immortal classic, Pilgrims Progress
WILMINGTON, NC, January 26, 2023 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Jack Billups, bestselling author of 'My Vietnam', has announced the release of a new Christian Fiction novel, 'Christian's Walk: The Journey'. The book will be available for a limited time at no charge in ebook form from February 1 through February 3, 2023.
'Christian's Walk' blends the remarkable insights of John Bunyan's immortal classic, 'Pilgrims Progress' with illustrated storybook imagery. Christian's Journey is your journey; hosting danger, excitement, fears, doubts, tragedy, victories, and blessings. Biblical truths are presented in such a way that anyone can relate to and understand. Insightful, Chris's story penetrates the heart with reflection, conviction, guidance, comfort, and purpose.
'Christian's Walk' brings pertinent scriptures to life as the King's children travel through a confusing and turbulent world. The characters of Christian Walk become our mirrored images revealing the thoughts and intents of the heart.
"I decided to write this book," Billups stated, "because of this passage in the Bible: 'How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher?' Although I do not see myself as a preacher, I do have a passion for sharing my faith in Christ with a confused, obstinate, and hurting world.
"With America rapidly turning to paganism, genuine Christianity is now scorned and despised. Church attendance is in decline, and the populace has deafened their ears to the invitation Christ spoke, 'Come to Me all who are weary, and burdened, and I will give you rest.' I believed a different approach would be an effective way to present Christ.
"With a colorful cover and 38 pencil illustrations, I created a fictional story parallel to John Bunyan's 'Pilgrim's Progress'. Keenly adapted to our culture and times, the characters in 'Christian's Walk' become a reflection of us. This is not a typical dry Christian publication that feels like Churchianity, but, at the same time, there is no watering down, or compromising the scriptures.
"The appearance and storyline make 'Christian's Walk' appealing and palatable. Like my first book, 'My VIETNAM: A Gift to My Daughter', I'm optimistic 'Christian's Walk' will soon reach a bestseller ranking. I am pleased that both books are bringing to the table a message of understanding and hope."
Billups' bestselling first book, 'My Vietnam: A Gift to My Daughter', is a stunning piece of writing that will likely take its place as one of the best Vietnam memoirs ever written.
'My Vietnam' is, at its core, a love story, combined with a dramatic and searing account of the Vietnam War experience. That experience is shared with a family member, in the most intimate way possible - a return trip to the battlefields of Vietnam.
Billups' memoir puts the reader into a pair of combat boots, and allows them to see, hear, smell, taste, and touch the Vietnam combat experience in vivid detail. That is but part of the story.
"Hey Dad, please share your Vietnam experiences?" Naomi's request set into motion a journey, 50 years into the past, as a "grunt" in the steamy jungles of Vietnam. Four months later with his memoir completed, Naomi asked, "Dad, let's go to Vietnam, just you and me?" Could the ghosts of Vietnam past morph into a father and daughter blessing in the present?
George C. Colclough, Col. Inf (retired) US Army, former president, and CEO of Smith & Wesson, stated in the introduction to the book, "Just another Vietnam War book? Certainly not, Jack takes you down two roads as he embarks on one remarkable journey with his daughter. First, Jack effectively articulates his story in such a way that puts the reader into the boots of a grunt, causing them to feel what he felt, and understand the daunting challenges of those who traveled the Vietnam jungle.
"Secondly, Jack and his daughter continued this remarkable adventure as they traveled back to Vietnam to return to the places where her father had so many vivid experiences. A wonderful story!"
What really sets this bestselling memoir apart is Billups' writing style. There is no pretense; nothing feels forced or contrived, made up or embellished. Billups presents his real-life characters in such a way as to make the reader feel intimately familiar with each of the members of his very young band of brothers, warts, and all. Billups tells it exactly as it was.
His style holds through the second part of the book, describing his return to Vietnam and the jaw-dropping changes now evident in modern day Vietnam. One of the highlights of the second part of the book is the reunion, bringing those somewhat innocent young men back together many decades later as mature men. Readers will get a vivid look, from many points of view, at how the Vietnam experience changed the lives of those who lived through that experience.
It is also a compelling memoir that reconciles America and Vietnam, then and now, including the culture shock of seeing Vietnam as it exists today. It offers a heartfelt and heartwarming message to the people of both countries, and a greater understanding of what the old song "Ruby" called "that crazy Asian war."
Readers and reviewers alike have praised 'My Vietnam: A Gift to My Daughter'. It has been called "A beautiful journey to healing," and "A thought-provoking and introspective Vietnam memoir". One reviewer said, "The book was so good, I was sad when I finished it." Another stated, "Jack's memory of his time in Vietnam has been beautifully detailed in his book. Not everyone wants to relive such a terrible page in our American history, but Jack was able to do a remarkable job talking about actual events that he lived through and came back home in one piece to give such a wonderful gift he has given to his daughter."
Another wrote, "The book delivered on my husband's hopes for a healing response to what our Armed Services faced over there. My husband usually can't read much Vietnam War material due to PTSD. He read this in just a few days; it was that good. Our thanks to the author for undertaking this topic and telling his story."
The book will make for an engaging read for veterans, spouses and children of veterans and others who have been impacted in any way by serving in any branch of the military, as the memoir includes the years leading up to, and after his service in Vietnam, including the effects his tour in Vietnam had on his family.
Jack Billups is available for media interviews and can be reached using the information below or by email at jabillups49@gmail.com. 'Christian's Walk: The Journey' is available in ebook and paperback at Amazon. 'My Vietnam: A Gift to My Daughter' is available at Amazon in Kindle, paperback and audio formats. More information is available at Billups' website at https://myvietnambook.com.
About Jack Billups:
As a 19-year-old Army volunteer, Sgt. Jack Billups received the Bronze Star with the V attachment. He was awarded the Air Medal, which went to those who participated in combat aerial missions. Assigned to the 1st Air Calvary infantry as a M60 machine gunner, Jack served in the steamy jungles near the Ho Chi Minh trail along the Cambodian border.
Jack grew up during the 1950s and early 1960s in a peaceful Southern California community populated by many senior citizens and dotted with chicken ranches. He is a dependable and talented "everyman" who makes no claim about his service in Vietnam except for being a patriotic American who did "the right thing" as he saw it. He maintained that attitude throughout his life. Asked to talk about his military experience by his daughter, he began writing it out, and ended up exposing 50-year-old forgotten memories and emotions about the jungle war, concluding with a trip back to Vietnam with his daughter.