DISCOVERING THE CITY OF SODOM - Latayne C Scott - One Free Book

Once again, readers, we're featuring a fascinating non-fiction book many of you will enjoy. Because this author also writes fiction, it's an interesting read.

And don't forget that you have to follow all instructions at the bottom to be included for a chance at the giveaway.

Welcome back, Latayne. What would you like for our readers to know about you personally?

I am not a woman who decided to write, I was a writer long before I was a woman. I won my first award for writing – an essay on fire prevention—in the third grade. My passion, or even need, to write has come to the forefront recently. Because of a serious illness my husband has, I’ve not been able to work on anything other than short writing projects for over a year. My soul is thirsty right now for solitude and writing.

Tell us about your family.

I’ve been married for almost 40 years, and we have two wonderful adult children who have shown their impeccable wisdom and their love for me by giving me the most adorable four grandchildren in the world.

Have you written other nonfiction books?

Yes, I have. My first book was published by Zondervan in 1979. It told the story—and the reasons—behind my departure from Mormonism. This book, The Mormon Mirage, is unique because it has gone through three highly-updated editions and is still in print now, 35 years after its first edition.

In addition, I have had about fifteen other non-fiction books published. I say “about fifteen” because I’m never really sure how many—whether you count as a single book the ones which have been revised and published under other titles, for instance, which is the case with several of my books.

Do you have any other books in the works right now?

My first full-length work of fiction, Latter-day Cipher, was released in 2009—and you were one of the first and most enthusiastic reviewers of it, Lena. I’ll always be grateful to you for that. For those not familiar with it, I could describe Cipher as a literary suspense novel centered around murders involving Mormonism and its secret codes and practices.

I guess you could say I got “fiction fever,” for, although I next published a non-fiction, I have written part or most of five other novels which are yet to be published. One of them is the novel, A Conspiracy of Breath, that I believe is the crowning achievement of my life, but it’s controversial and may never be published by a traditional publisher.

What kinds of hobbies and leisure activities do you enjoy?

I enjoy “soft” science fiction movies, especially those about time travel and parallel realities. I guess that’s because I would love to have several aspects of my life reversed. And one of the reasons I cling to my faith in Jesus is that I believe He and He alone can give me back years that locusts have eaten and literally change my sinful past by His blood.

Why did you write the featured book?

My co-author, esteemed archaeologist Dr. Steven Collins, has been a colleague and friend for years and has met with me about once a year for several years telling me we should write this book together. So we finally did! And what a pleasure and joy it was.

My husband is reading it right now and loving it. When he’s finished, I get my turn. What do you want the reader to take away from the book?

Lena, I hate to suppose this, but I wonder if more people aren’t looking at and talking about this book because they don’t want to be labeled as homophobic. Of course, anyone who reads it finds that it is about archaeology, not about social issues at all. In fact, the discussion of the sexual practices of the Sodomites takes up only a couple of sentences in the 75,000 words of the manuscript.

I don’t think the Christian world has “gotten it” in terms of how game-changing this book is. The book chronicles a major archaeological discovery, that of the biblical city of Sodom. Biblical Archaeology Review just ran an article about it. What is so amazing is that the massive city has been in the same place for centuries, but for the last hundred or so years of professional archaeology, nobody looked where the Bible said it was because of other “theories.”

What’s the take-away? If the Bible can be shown to be reliable in its geography, maybe the world should take some of its doctrines and teachings seriously, too.

Since I love your writing, I know this book will be a very good read. Where on the Internet can the readers find you?

Well, the ladies of www.NovelMatters.com (five other Christian fiction writers) and I blog together, and we also have over 6000 followers on Facebook. But if you’re interested in my writing alone, you can find out about Mormonism, writing, and other subjects at www.Latayne.com .

Come see me! Ask me questions!

Thank you, Latayne, for sharing this important book with us.

Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
Discovering the City of Sodom: The Fascinating, True Account of the Discovery of the Old Testament's Most Infamous City - paperback

Discovering the City of Sodom: The Fascinating, True Account of the Discovery of the Old Testament's Most Infamous City - Kindle


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