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Reader responses to Deadline's sequel Dominion

The research that went into Dominion is outstanding and it's hard to believe the sentiment that you've captured! I love your character build-up and attention to detail. Thank you for loving the Carpenter and presenting Him in a way that's enjoyable and life-altering. - B. T.


I just got a copy of your book Dominion. I have to admit that when I read the cover, I thought..."Who is this white man who thinks he can write from a black perspective?" You see, I am a black woman. And, as a black woman who could never explain to my white friends what we mean by equality, I thought your book would be a condescending disappointment. But the Spirit of the Lord kept urging me to buy the book. I have to say that you did a most excellent job of treating the story about as even handed as someone who is not black could do. - L. W.


I just finished Dominion and I have to say that it was wonderful. I was a bit skeptical at first (as a Black man) about your ability to write from a Black perspective. But I was amazed by your ability to capture so many of the concerns, values, thoughts, practices and "stories" of our community.

I was even more impressed by your ability to capture the essence of the issues surrounding reconciliation within the church. But I have to say that your vision of Heaven was astounding.

I had my first fictional glimpse of the unseen in Frank Paretti's This Present Darkness years ago. Ever since then, the idea of the Hosts of Heaven has been more real to me. But Dominion made Heaven so real and vivid to me that I'm carrying a strong sense of "that Land" with me through many circumstances here and now.

God bless you for writing such a well-researched, balanced and inspirational work. It's so validating to know that someone cared enough about our story to commit to writing it so well. You have touched my mortal soul with your story and you've influenced my eternal soul with your commitment to the Lord. - K. S.


Being a southern white woman I was raised in segregation. During my teens I had a best friend who was Indian and I was not allowed to go anywhere with her. It breaks my heart what my black brothers and sisters have gone through. Being hearing impaired, I was always picked on and had a hard time finding jobs because they thought I couldn't do it. I know a little about discrimination. Maybe that's why I relate to the black tragedy. Dominion was my first book and I am looking forward to reading more by you. - R. J.


I just wanted to take a minute and tell you how much your book Dominion has changed my life. I was born in 1963 and was given up for adoption. I was raised in a typical home, but without much spiritual attention. In college I was a self-proclaimed atheist. But in 1996 I went through a divorce and in the lowest point of my life I accepted the gift of salvation from Jesus, thanks to some people who witnessed and prayed for me. I began to consume the Word of God and raise my daughters in it.

In 1998 I read your book and the scenes of heaven and of meeting past generations enthralled me. For the first time ever I began to be curious about my natural family. I decided not to wait until I got to heaven to meet them and, not knowing if they would even be there, I hoped God would use me to help if necessary. I was able to obtain records and did some researching and found my mother's address. I wrote to her and opened the door for us to begin to know each other. She wrote back and I found that I had three half-siblings.

We wrote often and on Easter Sunday 1999 we met face-to-face for the first time. It was amazing. I have since then met my two half-sisters and my half-brother. I was re-married in August 2002 and my half-sister was my maid of honor, my half-brother was my groomsman, and my mom brought my grandma as an extra special surprise. So please, when you write your novels do not think they are unimportant. Every time I tell the story I still get the chills and I always give Dominion the place it deserves......God's starting block for a life-changing experience. - M. E., Casper, WY


"My words are not adequate to express to you what reading Deadline and Dominion have done in my life. I am a mystery book reader and you captivated me, then you gave me a glimpse of heaven that I will never forget.

Your appreciation for the unborn and those who by earth's standard are not perfect was so moving—so much so that I copied the section on the Down Syndrome child/man (Deadline) in heaven and mailed it off to my Christian friends who have just had a Down Syndrome baby boy. I saw them recently and they said that is the vision that God gave them of their son.

Dominion changed me too. You write like you are a black man. I read it like that too. I was raised in New Orleans, and was a young white girl with a black housekeeper. I remember the things people said and sitting on the back of the bus with my Tina.

I have friends from church reading Deadline now and I can't wait for my husband to read Dominion so we can discuss it. Thank you so much for obeying the Lord and writing such wonderful words, words that change people and bring them closer to our Lord." - C. K., New Orleans, MS


My wife encouraged me to read your novels and I am so glad she did. I am a 23 year veteran of the FBI in LA and have truly enjoyed Deadline and Dominion. I worked gangs for over 5 years and you were right on point with your research. I felt like I was right there amongst the homies at Five Deuce, Eight Treys and the rest.

But I really want to thank you for hitting me over the head with the spiritual message in each of the books. I hope you are planning other novels. We need good Christian fiction that men can read and relate to. I have actually given your books to non Christians at work encouraging them to learn more about the particular crime scene or culture and of course the valuable message behind each book. - B. H.


"Fans of Alcorn's novel Deadline will be pleased to know that his new book is even better than its predecessor. Alcorn's writing remains top-notch, and he fills the pages with enough tension to cause ulcers." The Bookstore Journal, November 1996


"I loved Dominion. I thoroughly read every page . . . I didn't want to miss anything!"


"The descriptions of heaven, gang-bangers, guns, everything-it's so real! I could tell how much time you spent in research. Thank you for books that minister and make you think!"


"What an incredible story! I feel as though I've been on a life-changing journey. (I'm sorry it's over, but my family is glad to have me back.) Following Clarence through his heartbreaking tragedies and his search for truth was an eye-opening and absorbing experience I wasn't prepared for. I thought I knew enough about racial issues, but found in reading Dominion that I actually understood next to nothing. Dominion has changed forever the way I view my black brothers and sisters. Never have I been so unwilling to let go of a fictional characters as I have been Clarence and his family."


"Just finished Dominion. Wow! It was great! Gave me lots of food for thought, as well as a new perspectives on heaven. I have a fresh feeling of anticipation for the surprises in store for us."


"I have just finished reading your novel Dominion, and I believe it has changed my life. I have struggled for years with racism. I have been torn and angry. Your book has opened my eyes to so much. I am crying as I write this because I cannot express what I feel in my heart. I long for the day when we will meet in heaven and there will be no barriers."


"I have read Deadline and Dominion. Both books kept me in suspense, and I feel as if these are real people I now know personally. I have never read books like that before. They have given me a new perspective on things I never thought about before. Both books have been incredibly life-changing. My deepest thanks to your for writing these books."


"I loved Dominion as much as Deadline, maybe even more. I am of mixed race and your book really touched my heart. Please keep writing. Thank you for Deadline and Dominion, which are in my opinion, with the exception of the Bible, the best two books ever written."


"I just finished Dominion and thank you so much for the understand you gave me regarding blacks and their feelings. I remember once shaking hands with a black man and then wiping my hand off on my skirt. This brought me up and made me realize there was prejudice in me I hadn't been aware of. After reading it, I told a black man in my church some of the things I learned through your book and he said 'thank you.' How much more understanding everyone could have if they would read this book."


"Finished Dominion today and immediately paused to thank the Lord for this powerful book. The message was anointed. So much food for though, so many wonderful characters and profound statements."


"Just finished Dominion-thank you for writing another excellent book. I work at a Christian bookstore and half the employees are reading it, and just raving about it! You've got a fan club here in Missouri!"


"You make your characters come alive-how I enjoyed Clarence. What a real man!"


"I am an African-American and I must let you know that no book I have read in a long time has affected me like Dominion. I really enjoyed Deadline, so I knew I was in for some good reading, but I had no idea. It is amazing to me how you are able to get inside the mind of an African-American male. The result of your hard work is a believable story about believable people that will hopefully continue the trend of racial reconciliation. It certainly has sparked much discussion among myself and my co-workers. I'm very much looking forward to a sequel!"


"The spiritual and moral truths, the research, the insights into gang life . . . Dominion was enjoyable reading with an impact-rare these days."


"I can't tell you what an impact Dominion had on me. How you got into the mind of black Americans has to be from the Lord. I pray this book will have an impact on thinking people everywhere."


"I'm two thirds of the way through Dominion and can hardly stand to put the book down long enough to write this message. It is so good! I didn't think you could outdo yourself after Deadline, but this does it. My only sadness is to know that the book will end soon, and I'll have to wait for the next one."


"I just finished reading Dominion and have to tell you it really challenged me. Just the other day I saw a black man in a nice sports car, on the phone, and I found myself thinking he must be dealing drugs. God convicted me and I thought of your book. I realized that although I've never considered myself prejudiced, it creeps into my subconscious. Thank you for challenging my thinking."


"I have never laughed, chuckled, cried and been pleasantly surprised so much as in reading Dominion. It's the little things that make your books so good! You may have to stop writing now-there's no way you can top this novel!"


Thanks so much for your two books-Deadline and Dominion. I laughed and cried and rejoiced with the characters as I shared their experiences. The visions of heaven in both books have expanded my conception of what the Carpenter has been preparing for those who trust Him-realizing that even your wonderful imagination is only a faint echo of Elyon's glorious plan! I look forward to your next book-if not here, then in that place of beauty and imagination where God is the center of all thought and action.


Dear Mr. Alcorn,
I received a copy of Dominion. I enjoyed it as much or more than Deadline. You opened my eyes to the other side of a lot of racial issues. Having grown up in the South (Houston), I have been exposed to a lot of prejudice and racism. As whites are a very small minority in the Texas prison system, they are often victimized there and, unfortunately, I had that experience when I went to prison in the 70's for drug possession.

I wish I could say things have changed in "modern" Texas, but the 1998 dragging death of a black man says it hasn't. I'm personally pretty disgusted with the climate of hatred and ignorance that still persists in many places here. Thank you for the book, I have circulated it tirelessly, to rave reviews from the other inmates (both black and white). Comments have ranged from "it changed my whole outlook on life" (a young black fella), to "the best book I have ever read" (from a 30ish white guy). - B.V., Houston, TX


Dear Randy,
Dominion is truly a great book, in fact it is going to be a reference book for my daughter as she presents a report on the Nation of Islam to her religion class. My husband, who is African-American, literally had to stop reading the book last weekend while we were at a gym watching the kids practice, because it brought him to tears. He looked at me with tears in his eyes and I said "I told you it is a great book!" He was born in Cabrini Green in Chicago and lived there in the projects for 10 years before moving to a "white" city in Indiana. He was the only black child in his school growing up for the most part...a drastic culture change and shock for one so young. The issues that Randy illustrates are so TRUE...we have been stopped by police both driving and while walking...for no reason other than my husband's color. Of course there are numerous other stories, but we do pray that God will use our insignificant family in some way to further His kingdom and help with racial reconciliation here on earth.

Anyway, again, I am recommending it to everyone I come into contact with. It is powerful! - D.P., Carmel, IN


Dear Mr. Alcorn,
I just now finished reading your book, Dominion. I just had to tell you what an enormous effect it has had on my life.
As a Christian, I never realized that I still harbored racial hatred and now thank God for inspiring you to write such a heart-wrenching testimony.
Once again, thanks so much, God bless and keep up the AWESOME work in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. - God bless, S.M., Philadelphia, PA


Dear Mr. Alcorn,
I just finished reading your book, Dominion. I thought it wasn't possible that you could exceed Deadline. Boy, was I wrong. I've never written to anyone to express my feelings in any area. I am still processing the impact Dominion had on me, the last of which is astounding. As an African-American I still can't believe the insight you had into our culture. Truly unbelievable! I found myself saying throughout the book, "But this guy is white. How was he able to capture so accurately the thoughts, emotions, vernacular and deeply-rooted scars of my people?" Never has a book, aside from the Bible, moved me as much as this book did. I found myself crying so much throughout this book. Oftentimes, for me as an African-American I've been ashamed to express a lot of the emotions expressed by the character "Clarence." You begin to feel as if you're using your ethnicity as a crutch. Or you'll be viewed as one of those that's always blaming injustices incurred as racism.
I don't believe we'll ever see an end to racism until Jesus returns. I do appreciate the candor and openness in which you approached this often uncomfortable topic. I applaud your efforts. And I look forward to the day as described in your book that we can humble ourselves first to Elyon, and then submit ourselves one to another as depicted in the footwashing ceremony. I praise God for you. Even as I'm writing, the tears are beginning to form, because I recognize the enemy doesn't want this message of yours to go out. Please stay faithful to the Lord. - Sincerely, Z.S., Canoga Park, CA


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