“I shouldn’t be surprised or so bothered by it,” Anna says, “but . . .”
“What?” I say.
It is evening and we are walking down Main Street, pushing Taylor in her stroller at a pace that is enjoyable but could also be considered exercise.
“Just that Tommy gets so much more compassion and understanding and forgiveness than Megan,” she says. “People—some of whom contributed to her death—believe she is burning in hell right now while Tommy is a saint who just made a momentary mistake.”
“Conditional love,” I say, “fed through dogma and indoctrination. Try just suggesting compassion or understanding for Bobby Lee Banks.”
“Hell, even I have trouble with that,” she says.
Memorial Day has just passed and American flags are still flying from every light pole, flapping in the early summer evening breeze.
“It’s so beautiful here,” she says.
“More so since you moved to town.”
“Have I ever told you how much I appreciate you taking every opportunity you get to say sweet things to and about me?”
I smile.
Back at our home on Lake Julia, steaks are marinating in anticipation of the arrival of Merrill and Dad, Merrick and Reggie, Michelle, and maybe even Megan’s mom, though she was noncommittal when we called to invite her.
“Only three days until Johanna is back with us,” she says.
“Counting the minutes,” I say.
“It took us a while,” she says, “but . . . we finally have the life we both always wanted.”
“Yes, we do,” I say.
“And the work you do gives us constant reminders of how very precious and fragile it is.”
“It does,” I say. “But I don’t think we need them.”
“No,” she says. “I don’t think we do.”
And she reaches up to where my hand is on Taylor’s stroller and puts her hand on it.
In that moment that is not enough for me, so I stop in the middle of our new little town, take her in my arms, and kiss her as if it’s the first time.
“You did it again,” she says, voice hoarse, hand over her heart, breaths coming rapidly.
“What’s that?” I ask.
“Kissed my soul,” she says. “You kissed me down to the very depths of my love-drunk soul.”
FOR A LIMITED TIME: Join Michael's Readers' Group and Get the First 3 John Jordan Mysteries for FREE!
FOR A LIMITED TIME: Join Michael's Readers' Group and Get the First 3 John Jordan Mysteries for FREE!
Books by Michael Lister
(John Jordan Novels)
Power in the Blood
Blood of the Lamb
Flesh and Blood
(Special Introduction by Margaret Coel)
The Body and the Blood
Blood Sacrifice
Rivers to Blood
Innocent Blood
(Special Introduction by Michael Connelly)
Blood Money
Blood Moon
Blood Cries
Blood Oath
Written in Blood Volume 1
Written in Blood Volume 2
Six John Jordan Mysteries
In the Blood: A John Jordan Companion
(Jimmy “Soldier” Riley Novels)
The Big Goodbye
The Big Beyond
The Big Hello
The Big Bout
In a Spider’s Web (short story)
The Big Book of Noir
(Merrick McKnight / Reggie Summers Novels)
Thunder Beach
A Certain Retribution
(Remington James Novels)
Double Exposure
(includes intro by Michael Connelly)
Separation Anxiety
(Sam Michaels / Daniel Davis Novels)
Burnt Offerings
Separation Anxiety
(Love Stories)
Carrie’s Gift
(Short Story Collections)
North Florida Noir
Florida Heat Wave
Delta Blues
Another Quiet Night in Desparation
(The Meaning Series)
The Meaning of Jesus
Meaning Every Moment
The Meaning of Life in Movies
FOR A LIMITED TIME: Join Michael's Readers' Group and Get the First 3 John Jordan Mysteries for FREE!
Things you should know about the John Jordan Series
This award-winning series is one of the most unique, respected, and well-reviewed mystery series being published today.
It has received several Starred Reviews from respected journals such as Publisher’s Weekly and Kirkus, won a Florida Book Award, and counts among its many fans Michael Connelly, Lisa Unger, Margaret Coel, PJ Parish, and Julia Spencer-Fleming.
It features a conflicted detective—an ex-cop with ties to Atlanta who works as a prison chaplain in Florida. He’s a man of mercy and justice, a compassionate, open-minded minister and a smart, relentless detective.
These are not religious books. They are crime novels. If you are a religious Fundamentalist and/or are turned off by realistic depictions of criminal investigation, law enforcement, the prison experience, and adult life in general, this series is not for you.
The John Jordan mystery series has it all—character-driven, realistic and gritty mysteries, thoughtful thrillers, and the hero’s journey of a good man trying to be even better, as he helps others along the way. It’s a dynamic, electrifying series in which no two books are the same.
Like John Jordan, the author, Michael Lister, was a prison chaplain with the state of Florida before leaving to write full-time.
Though the author loves all the books in the series, some of his personal favorites are The Body and the Blood, Innocent Blood, Blood Sacrifice, Blood Moon, Blood Cries.
Power in the Blood was the first fiction author Michael Lister ever wrote. It came out nearly 20 years ago. We beleive, as does the author, that each book in the series gets better.
Though it’s recommended, the books in the John Jordan series don’t have to be read in order.
All the books in the series are novels—mystery, thrillers, whodunits—except for Flesh and Blood, which is a collection of short stories featuring temporal and metaphysical mysteries. If you don’t care for short stories, feel free to skip Flesh and Blood and continue with the novels—starting with the fourth and one of the author’s favorites, The Body and the Blood.
The 7th book in the series, Innocent Blood, is a prequel going back to John’s very first investigation. Though the 7th in the series, it can be read first or seventh since it’s a prequel.
The 10th book in the series, Blood Cries, is the second in the “Atlanta Years” series within a series following the 7th book Innocent Blood. It can be read 2nd or 10th.
The 11th John Jordan novel, Blood Oath, brings many new changes.
All of the John Jordan novels are available in high quality hardback and paperback editions. Blood Sacrifice is also available in audiobook. All John Jordan titles will be available in audiobook editions soon.
Be sure to join Michael's Readers' Group for news, updates, and special deals on the John Jordan series.
We hope you will enjoy all the books in the John Jordan series, and like us, eagerly await each new one.
FOR A LIMITED TIME: Join Michael's Readers' Group and Get the First 3 John Jordan Mysteries for FREE!
Books by Michael Lister
(John Jordan Novels)
Power in the Blood
Blood of the Lamb
Flesh and Blood
(Special Introduction by Margaret Coel)
The Body and the Blood
Blood Sacrifice
Rivers to Blood
Innocent Blood
(Special Introduction by Michael Connelly)
Blood Money
Blood Moon
Blood Cries
Blood Oath
Written in Blood Volume 1
Written in Blood Volume 2
Six John Jordan Mysteries
In the Blood: A John Jordan Companion
(Jimmy “Soldier” Riley Novels)
The Big Goodbye
The Big Beyond
The Big Hello
The Big Bout
In a Spider’s Web (short story)
The Big Book of Noir
(Merrick McKnight / Reggie Summers Novels)
Thunder Beach
A Certain Retribution
(Remington James Novels)
Double Exposure
(includes intro by Michael Connelly)
Separation Anxiety
(Sam Michaels / Daniel Davis Novels)
Burnt Offerings
Separation Anxiety
(Love Stories)
Carrie’s Gift
(Short Story Collections)
North Florida Noir
Florida Heat Wave
Delta Blues
Another Quiet Night in Desparation
(The Meaning Series)
The Meaning of Jesus
Meaning Every Moment
The Meaning of Life in Movies
FOR A LIMITED TIME: Join Michael's Readers' Group and Get the First 3 John Jordan Mysteries for FREE!
FOR A LIMITED TIME: Join Michael's Readers' Group and Get the First 3 John Jordan Mysteries for FREE!
Things you should know about the John Jordan Series
This award-winning series is one of the most unique, respected, and well-reviewed mystery series being published today.
It has received several Starred Reviews from respected journals such as Publisher’s Weekly and Kirkus, won a Florida Book Award, and counts among its many fans Michael Connelly, Lisa Unger, Margaret Coel, PJ Parish, and Julia Spencer-Fleming.
It features a conflicted detective—an ex-cop with ties to Atlanta who works as a prison chaplain in Florida. He’s a man of mercy and justice, a compassionate, open-minded minister and a smart, relentless detective.
These are not religious books. They are crime novels. If you are a religious Fundamentalist and/or are turned off by realistic depictions of criminal investigation, law enforcement, the prison experience, and adult life in general, this series is not for you.
The John Jordan mystery series has it all—character-driven, realistic and gritty mysteries, thoughtful thrillers, and the hero’s journey of a good man trying to be even better, as he helps others along the way. It’s a dynamic, electrifying series in which no two books are the same.
Like John Jordan, the author, Michael Lister, was a prison chaplain with the state of Florida before leaving to write full-time.
Though the author loves all the books in the series, some of his personal favorites are The Body and the Blood, Innocent Blood, Blood Sacrifice, Blood Moon, Blood Cries.
Power in the Blood was the first fiction author Michael Lister ever wrote. It came out nearly 20 years ago. We beleive, as does the author, that each book in the series gets better.
Though it’s recommended, the books in the John Jordan series don’t have to be read in order.
All the books in the series are novels—mystery, thrillers, whodunits—except for Flesh and Blood, which is a collection of short stories featuring temporal and metaphysical mysteries. If you don’t care for short stories, feel free to skip Flesh and Blood and continue with the novels—starting with the fourth and one of the author’s favorites, The Body and the Blood.
The 7th book in the series, Innocent Blood, is a prequel going back to John’s very first investigation. Though the 7th in the series, it can be read first or seventh since it’s a prequel.
The 10th book in the series, Blood Cries, is the second in the “Atlanta Years” series within a series following the 7th book Innocent Blood. It can be read 2nd or 10th.
The 11th John Jordan novel, Blood Oath, brings many new changes.
All of the John Jordan novels are available in high quality hardback and paperback editions. Blood Sacrifice is also available in audiobook. All John Jordan titles will be available in audiobook editions soon.
Be sure to join Michael's Readers' Group for news, updates, and special deals on the John Jordan series.
We hope you will enjoy all the books in the John Jordan series, and like us, eagerly await each new one.
Books by Michael Lister
(John Jordan Novels)
Power in the Blood
Blood of the Lamb
Flesh and Blood
(Special Introduction by Margaret Coel)
The Body and the Blood
Blood Sacrifice
Rivers to Blood
Innocent Blood
(Special Introduction by Michael Connelly)
Blood Money
Blood Moon
Blood Cries
Blood Oath
Written in Blood Volume 1
Written in Blood Volume 2
Six John Jordan Mysteries
In the Blood: A John Jordan Companion
(Jimmy “Soldier” Riley Novels)
The Big Goodbye
The Big Beyond
The Big Hello
The Big Bout
In a Spider’s Web (short story)
The Big Book of Noir
(Merrick McKnight / Reggie Summers Novels)
Thunder Beach
A Certain Retribution
(Remington James Novels)
Double Exposure
(includes intro by Michael Connelly)
Separation Anxiety
(Sam Michaels / Daniel Davis Novels)
Burnt Offerings
Separation Anxiety
(Love Stories)
Carrie’s Gift
(Short Story Collections)
North Florida Noir
Florida Heat Wave
Delta Blues
Another Quiet Night in Desparation
(The Meaning Series)
The Meaning of Jesus
Meaning Every Moment
The Meaning of Life in Movies
FOR A LIMITED TIME: Join Michael's Readers' Group and Get the First 3 John Jordan Mysteries for FREE!
About the Author
New York Times bestselling and award-winning novelist, Michael Lister, is a native Floridian best known for his literary suspense thrillers DOUBLE EXPOSURE, BURNT OFFERINGS, and SEPARATION ANXIETY, as well as his two ongoing mystery series, the prison chaplain John Jordan "Blood" series (BLOOD SACRIFICE) and the hard-boiled, 1940s noir Jimmy "Soldier" Riley Series (THE BIG HELLO).
The Florida Book Review says that "Vintage Michael Lister is poetic prose, exquisitely set scenes, characters who are damaged and faulty" and Michael Koryta says, “If you like crime writing with depth, suspense, and sterling prose, you should be reading Michael Lister," while Publisher's Weekly adds, “Lister’s hard-edged prose ranks with the best of contemporary noir fiction.”
Michael grew up in North Florida near the Gulf of Mexico and the Apalachicola River in a small town world famous for tupelo honey.
Read more at Michael Lister’s site.
Blood Oath: a John Jordan Mystery Book 11 (John Jordan Mysteries) Page 22
