Summary

Join the original cat and dog pair from Noah’s Ark as they journey through history!

Humorous, whimsical, and thoroughly researched (as the extensive bibliographies and long notes from the writer testify), these books talk at a child’s level without talking down to them. Currently contains eight books in the series, with at least five more slated to still come. Stories cover Noah’s Ark (The Ark), the story of Joseph (The Dreamer), the Messianic prophecies and the birth of Christ (The Prophet), the composition of Handel’s Messiah and the life of Christ (The Roman), the first half of Acts (The Wind), the second half of Acts through John’s time on Patmos (The Fire), and the America Revolution (The Voice & The Declaration). 

Stats

Genre: Midgrade (8-12 years) historical with a fantasy twist

Series length: Currently eight books and counting...

Violence: Light to moderate, depending on the story. For example, while the author is not graphic in her portrayal of the slaughter of the Bethlehem babies or the crucifixion of Christ, neither does she skip or ignore the darkness and violence of these events.

Magic/Supernatural: Light to moderate supernatural. Most of the supernatural elements come from the biblical miracles, the immortality of the animal protagonists and the abilities that go with that (e.g. time traveling), and their evil counterparts. 

Romance: Light--mainly tied to historical characters who get married. 

Christian/spiritual element: Overt elements

Recommendation: Great for young voracious readers (most books have 400+ pages) and those who love animals. (Although this series has so much meat, it is a worthwhile read for older readers, even adults). It also works well as a read-aloud or team read.

You might like this book if you liked... 
The Warrior Series by Erin Hunt or The Redwall series by Brian Jacques

To Purchase

---

Opening Lines: 

The roar of thunder was deafening. The ground itself seemed to shake from the angry skies lashing out above. Nothing was beyond the reach of the storm. The lightning cracked in all directions, looking like the skeleton of a dead tree in the sky. The shadows of the unknown appeared for brief moments at a time, taunting him, serving only to make the dark night more terrifying. Why did dark shadows grow larger than their otherwise normal objects, turning them into grotesque beasts? He was breathless as he bolted out from under a tree after lightning struck nearby. The lightning was after him, or so he thought. 

He ran until his lungs ached from the effort. Where was he running? He knew of no safe place out here...

The Ark, the Reed, & the Fire Cloud
(The Amazing Tales of Max & Liz, Book 1)
by Jenny L. Cote

Max, a Scottish terrier, takes his usual morning trot down to the loch where he hears a mysterious Voice humming in the reeds saying, "Come to Me...follow the fire cloud." He embarks on an unknown journey from Scotland, meeting other animals along the way including Liz, a brilliant, petite black cat from France. Max and Liz become the brave leaders for their group, and eventually, for the entire ark. The mysterious journey, filled with danger, humor, trials, and triumphs, leads them across Europe to the Middle East. The moment of arrival for these animals is spectacular as the ark is miraculously transformed into the animals' natural habitats.

Throughout the previous one hundred years, Noah and family have endured ridicule from villagers while building the ark. Now this family must painfully witness the loss of lives and total destruction of the earth through the mighty flood.

After the journey to the ark, the voyage in the ark begins. Liz finds ways to keep the animals occupied, including daily exercise led by the flamingos and a talent night where the animals entertain each other with their natural abilities. But a sinister plot develops Someone is out to kill Noah and his family. Liz follows clues that lead her to discover a stowaway who has deceived them all. Max and Liz foil the plot, but at a high price. The end climaxes with unexpected twists and turns, taking the reader from despair to hope.
​
Review of The Ark, the Reed, & the Fire Cloud

---

Opening Lines: 

Weightless. He felt utterly weightless. Joseph stretched his arms out wide, feeling at one with the vast expanse surrounding him. He closed his eyes and lost all sense of orientation. There was complete silence. Suddenly he felt warmth on his back and a gentle breeze blowing the hem of his multicolored robe. It was soothing and inviting. He slowly turned without effort to see the source of the warm breeze. It was the sun, shining in all its glory. Wisps of fire escaped the turbulent ball of red and orange. Strange. how small it looked! He felt close enough to reach out and cup it in the palm of his hand.

The Dreamer, the Schemer, & the Robe
(The Amazing Tales of Max & Liz, Book 2)
by Jenny L. Cote

After saving Noah and family from the evil stowaway Charlatan aboard the ark in The Ark, the Reed, & the Fire Cloud, heroes Max and Liz, along with faithful mates Kate and Al, earn immortality and a directive from God to serve as His envoys for pivotal points in human history. They have waited for centuries for a word from the Maker; now they learn they are to work behind the scenes in the life of Joseph. In The Dreamer, The Schemer, & The Robe the fate of an entire nation rests in their paws.

All looks hopeless for the young teenager as Joseph s brothers sell him into slavery in Egypt. Has Charlatan returned to Egypt to once again stop Max and Liz from accomplishing their mission? With the help of two new characters, a British archeologist mouse and a forlorn camel, they must combat the forces of evil that are out to thwart their plans, leading them into mysterious adventures with pyramids and mummies. If Max and Liz fail in this mission, all of Egypt will suffer from famine, and the Hebrew nation will never be born.

Abounding in life lessons on struggle, enduring trials, forgiveness, and redemption, The Dreamer, The Schemer, & The Robe is a nonstop thriller filled with twists and turns, side-splitting humor, treachery and heartache, hope and redemption.

---

Opening Lines: 

Marcus Antonius gritted his teeth as he hastily removed the sword and dagger from his belt, gazing at them with disgust. He carelessly tossed the weapons on the table with a clank and walked over to the marble basin of tepid water, hoping to wash away all that had happened.

The low rumble of thunder in the distance made the Roman centurion give pause and wonder if the gods were angry over the day's events. The sky was dark, yet it was only mid-afternoon. How could the gods not be angry? He shuddered as he realized only evil itself could not be angry about this day. 

The Prophet, the Shepherd & the Star
(Epic Order of the Seven, Book 1)
by Jenny L. Cote

The Prophet, the Shepherd, and the Star launches the Epic Order of the Seven series, picking up where The Amazing Tales of Max and Liz left off. The Maker has been building a team of animal friends for thousands of years to be his envoys for pivotal points of history.

With this new, critical mission, the team will finally be completed by Messiah and known forevermore as the Order of the Seven. A talking, musical scroll, a pigeon-flying-and-camel-driving mouse, a writing cat, a courageous lamb, and two lion-fighting dogs provide non-stop action in this adventure that brings the Christmas story to life as never before. You will be astounded at the accuracy and perfection of the prophecies and God’s unfolding plan to bring Jesus into the world.

The seven hundred–year mission begins long before the Nativity, as animal friends Max, Liz, Al, Kate, and Nigel work with Isaiah, who prophesies about the coming Messiah. The team intervenes with the Assyrians that threaten to take Jerusalem and prove Isaiah’s prophecies false. They go with faithful Daniel and friends into the Babylonian captivity for the heart-pounding thrills of the fiery furnace and the lions’ den. They meet Gabriel as he appears to Daniel, and hide a secret scroll of prophecy for the wise men to someday discover as they study the Star. The book climaxes with the unfolding Christmas story as the animals once again see Gabriel with Zechariah, Mary, Joseph, and the shepherds.

Experience the hardships of Mary and Joseph as they obediently accept their calling to parent Messiah. Joyfully watch God provide for their every need through a lovable Jewish rabbi who dares to believe them and an unlikely Roman soldier who protects them. The shepherds and the wise men never know their steps are guided by these small animals that lead them to baby Jesus. Relentless in his pursuit is the evil lion, who seeks to devour them and stop the unfolding events leading to Messiah’s birth.

---

Opening Lines: 

Armandus Antonius stood as motionless as a Roman statue while bloody mud splattered his feet. Stinging rain pummeled his face, but he felt nothing. Nothing, that is, except confusion and despair. 

Oddly opposing sounds swirled around around him. How could both cruel laughter and gut-wrenching wailing be observed in the same day's events? The Roman centurion clenched his jaw as he watched the mother fall to her knees with arms raised, eyes pleading as she cried, "Please, with care, with care!" He instinctively took a step toward to offer aid, but others rushed to her side, supporting her there on the filthy ground. Armandus remained where he was, but anger consumed him as he turned his gaze upward to see the work of his soldiers. 

The Roman, the Twelve & the King
(Epic Order of the Seven, Book 2)
by Jenny L. Cote

Time-travel thrills, Dangerous Intrigue,
Heartache and Humor, Exquisite Grace and Love,
and Mind-Blowing Truth

The Roman, the Twelve, and the King is the second book in the Epic Order of the Seven series that picks up where The Amazing Tales of Max and Liz left off. The Maker created this team of animal friends to be his envoys for pivotal points of history. This will be their most important mission ever: to be with Jesus throughout his childhood, ministry, passion and resurrection. The story of Christ is told as a story within a story: as George F. Handel writes the greatest music to ever be written in London 1741—Messiah.

This action-packed adventure opens in 1735 London when famous composer George Friedric Handel is upsettingly passed over by the King of England for the most important musical post in the world. Little does Handel know that God has a far greater assignment - the writing of the most important piece of music of all time: Messiah. In order to fully inspire Handel, the Order of the Seven revisits the life of Christ, working behind the scenes from Jesus’ childhood to adulthood where he begins his ministry. The team follows Jesus and his twelve disciples through the joy and controversy of Jesus’ ministry leading up to the painful purpose of his coming: the Passion. The Enemy tried to prevent Messiah’s birth – now he will stop at nothing to ensure his death through the Pharisees, Herod, Pilate and Judas. But everything becomes clear as to why the Cross is the Divine Plan all along. Follow Jesus’ disciples and once again visit the Roman family of Antonius, all of whom play a pivotal role in the events of the greatest story ever told.

​The animal team was with Isaiah when he wrote the words, now they will be with Handel as he writes the music. They must retrieve three items from their time with Jesus to bring back to 1741 London, crucial for Nigel to play his mouse-sized violin in Handel’s ear every night to inspire the music of Messiah. The climactic ending takes readers to the London premiere of Messiah where the King of England realizes that the King of Kings reigns supreme, and unbeknownst to him, is present at the premiere of Messiah as well.

---

Opening Lines: 

"No more for you, old man!" The Roman soldier backhanded the prisoner on the cheek, causing the elderly man to crumple and fall back onto the ship's deck with a muffled groan. The wooden cup fell out of the prisoner's hand and tumbled over to rest at the angry soldier's feet. The Roman picked up the cup and gripped it tightly as he leaned over the prisoner with a snarl on his face. "You and your kind have been nothing but trouble for Rome," he growled. A rogue wave suddenly splashed over the side of the ship, soaking the prisoner and this hardened soldier. The Roman grabbed the railing to steady himself, wiping the sea spray off his face. He looked out to sea and glimpsed the island looming larger on the horizon. A cruel grin grew on the soldier's face as he looked down at the shivering, wet prisoner. "It's your misfortune you didn't die quickly in Rome. A slow death from hunger and thirst will teach you Christians to defy the emperor." 

The Wind, the Road & the Way
(Epic Order of the Seven, Book 3)
by Jenny L. Cote

Eleven terrified disciples cower in the Upper Room, wondering what is to become of them. Jesus is dead, crucified on a cruel Roman cross. It’s only a matter of time before the Jewish leaders come after them to crush what their self-proclaimed" Messiah started with ‘The Way’ movement. Little do these men know that soon they will boldly turn the world upside down as they fulfill Jesus’ Great Commission. A self-righteous, model Pharisee named Saul sets out on a zealous quest to arrest and murder as many followers of ‘The Way’ as he can, beginning with Stephen. Little does this Christian killer know he’ll soon be stopped in his tracks on the road to Damascus to become the greatest Christian that ever lived. Through his pen he’ll prove that no one is beyond hope: ‘if any man be in Christ, he is a new creation.

After a brief, joyous reunion with Jesus and the exhilarating arrival of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, the Order of the Seven animals split up for multiple missions as Christianity explodes onto the world’s stage. Max, Liz and Nigel set off with Paul as he faces beatings, rejection and imprisonment to bring the Good News to the world. Al accompanies his favorite fisherman-turned-Apostle Peter to find the first Gentile convert while creating a perfect secret symbol for the Way. Kate is blessed to protect Mary and John in Jerusalem where the Church gets its start. The team must face a dark, pagan world riddled with false gods, arrange crucial introductions, assist with jail-breaks, and plan risky escapes while overseeing the writing of a New Testament that will inspire and guide believers for centuries to come. But they still find time for fun and games with a monkey named Noah and a lizard named Nate as the Animalympics are born during the human Isthmian Games.

This heart-gripping, action-packed adventure begins a two-book saga that brings to life the events of Acts and the birth of Christianity while showing how each book of the New Testament came to be. The Wind, the Road, and the Way covers Resurrection morning through Paul’s second missionary journey. The Fire, the Revelation and the Fall (2015) completes the events in Acts, Peter and Paul in Rome, Roman Christian persecution in the arena and John’s Revelation on Patmos. Watch the miraculous rise of the Church through the fiery trials sent by an Enemy who will stop at nothing to kill anyone who dares to be called Christian.

---

Opening Lines: 

THE QUICK BROWN FOX JUMPS OVER THE LAZY DOG

Al wrinkled his forehead as he read the freshly inked parchment, the corner of his mouth drawn up in a confused expression as he cocked his head to the side. "Sure, and I think our little monk may be goin' off the deep end, Lass."

"Whatever do you mean, Albert?" Liz replied, jumping from a wooden stool ont the writing desk next to the window. A wooden triangular stand held the parchment, blank except for those words written vertically in the margin. Liz turned her head sideways to see what Al was reading.

The plump Irish cat pointed to the scribbled text with his out-stretched paw. "Even I ​know these words ain't in the Bible. Should i tear it up with me iron claw before he gets too far then?"

The Fire, the Revelation & the Fall
(Epic Order of the Seven, Book 4)
by Jenny L. Cote

Paul’s third missionary journey is underway as he heads to Ephesus where he’ll establish a ministry base for Asia, and as Max, Liz and Nigel work behind the scenes to make vital connections, uncover plots and inspire the formation of a New Testament. Little does Paul realize that his letters to the Philippians, Romans, and Corinthians will become the seminal letters of the Christian faith. Reunited with Dr. Luke, Paul uncovers a plot on his life by the Jews yet boldly travels on to Jerusalem where he is arrested and imprisoned in Caesarea for two years. Luke takes advantage of this time to interview Mary, John and other eyewitnesses of Jesus to capture in his journal the greatest story ever told. All the while murder plots and power struggles abound in Rome with the rise of the infamous Nero as emperor.

When Paul finally appeals to Caesar before Governor Festus, so begins a treacherous voyage to Rome and a surprising encounter with the next generation of the Roman family of Antonius, Julius the Roman Centurion. After months at sea and a harrowing shipwreck on Malta, Paul arrives in Rome yet must spend two years under house arrest before his trial before Emperor Nero. Julius arranges for his brother Theophilus to be Paul’s legal counsel in Rome, and Luke writes two letters (Luke and Acts) to help him prepare Paul’s case. Hope abounds when Nero releases Paul and drops the charges of the Jews. He is finally free to continue his mission to spread the good news of Jesus. But the Enemy has other plans, and manifests once more as the evil lion Lucifer to come after the Christians. A wave of persecution sweeps across the Roman Empire as believers are forced underground and face horrific death through Nero’s cruel whims or in the arena with lions. Peter and Paul are finally arrested and sentenced to death in Rome, but not before they write several last letters to strengthen the church. Nero’s excesses spell his doom, and a new era of emperors is ushered in with the rise of the Flavian Dynasty. With the rise of Domitian comes increased  persecution of the church and the exile of John on Patmos. He laments being the last remaining disciple but his hope is restored by the Revelation and release from Patmos.

This heart-gripping, action-packed adventure concludes a two-book saga that brings to life the events of Acts and the birth of Christianity while showing how each book of the New Testament came to be.

---

Opening Lines: 

Liz sat on a bench in Battery Park, gazing out across the Hudson River, her golden eyes fixed on the upraised arm of the Statue of Liberty. A gentle breeze brushed her cheek, and she closed her eyes, smiling at the thunderous voice that forever echoed in her mind. "They see a land in which Liberty hath taken up her abode--that Liberty, whom they had considered as a fabled goddess, existing only in the fancies of poets. They see her here, a real divinity--her altars rising on every hand, throughout these happy states..."

Liz opened her eyes, squinting against the sun as her gaze drifted to the statue's patina crown. "Liberty, the greatest of all earthly blessings--give us that precious jewel, and you may take everything else." The sleek French cat sighed deeply as the voice continued to remind her of what was at stake when it first uttered those words. "When the American spirit was in its youth, the language of America was different: Liberty, sir, was the primary object." 

"Liberete is once again the primary object, mon​ Henry. Much is at stake now, just as it was then," Liz said aloud to herself...

The Voice, the Revolution & the Key
(Epic Order of the Seven, Book 5)
by Jenny L. Cote

Picking up where The Roman, the Twelve, and the King left off, with the 1743 London premiere of Handel's Messiah, the Order of the Seven animal team must split up for their next mission: the birth of a new nation. Team leader Gillamon tells them, "Each of us will be witness to a unique point in history because of a unique generation of world leaders. Most of them are just children now, or have not yet even been born. Take note of how important one generation of children can be. Marvel at each child and the power they have to change the history of the world for the good of all."

Liz, Max, Nigel and Clarie sail for the colony of Virginia to deliver a letter that will impact Liz's assigned human: Patrick Henry. Liz must help young Patrick find his
true purpose in life--to become the Voice of the Revolution. She begins her quest when he is a seven year-old boy who cares more about fishing and exploring the
forest in Virginia than about school. Her task will take time, as Patrick Henry will fail at everything he tries. Liz eventually leads Patrick to take up law, and finally accomplishes her mission when he finds his powerful voice in a courtroom. Little does Patrick Henry or the colony of Virginia know that his voice will set the ball of the American Revolution in motion. Henry will be the only one bold enough to first speak out against the tyrannical King of England, calling for the colonies to rise up and fight for independence. "Liberty or death!" becomes the battle cry to unite thirteen solitary colonies as one nation under God to fight the mighty British lion.

Meanwhile, Max must see to the protection of young George Washington, who inadvertently starts the French and Indian War. The enemy will mount continual assaults on Washington, from enemy snipers to treasonous members of his military staff. If he is lost, all is lost. Nigel goes on a high-flying kite assignment with Benjamin Franklin to ensure the success of an experiment that will impact the outcome of the war in ways no one could imagine. Al remains in London to live in the royal palace, gathering intelligence right under the nose of King George III. The simple-minded cat will be responsible for delivering some Common Sense to America. Kate is assigned to the richest orphan in France, the young Marquis de Lafayette, who is crucial to the entire quest for Independence. If he doesn't make it to America, the Declaration of Independence will lead not to liberty, but to death for America.

Review of The Voice, the Revolution & the Key

---

Opening Lines: 

Paul Revere stomped down Union Street, his mind feverishly racing with what he had just learned. He frantically searched his memory of the previous night, visualizing the faces of the Sons of Liberty huddled together in the dimly lit upper room of the tavern. Each man swore an oath on the Bible not to reveal anything about their activity to anyone but the group's leaders--namely Samuel Adams, John Hancock, Dr. Joseph Warren, and Dr. Benjamin Church. They gathered around the long, black tables ringed by sweating pewter mugs to discuss the latest intelligence gathered from the streets of Boston, any news from outside the city, and their next moves to undermine British authority. 

Revere was oblivious to the large puddle that drenched his shoes and muddied his white stockinged feet. Urgency pressed him forward, his heart now pounding as he considered the import of what Henry Knox had revealed to him moments ago: There was a spy in their midst.

The Declaration, the Sword & the Spy
(Epic Order of the Seven, Book 6)
by Jenny L. Cote

"THE BRITISH ARE COMING!" . . . but so are THE FRENCH!
 
A spy in the Sons of Liberty threatens to crush the patriot cause on the eve of war, but who will fire the first shot at Lexington and launch the American Revolution? The Marquis de Lafayette commits his sword to fight as France seeks to secretly support the American cause with spies on both sides of the Atlantic. Following Bunker Hill, George Washington faces the impossible task of driving the British from Boston with an undisciplined army and no gunpowder or cannons. As Congress debates Independence, Thomas Jefferson pens a Declaration—but it will never see the light of day if the vote isn’t unanimous. The Epic Order of the Seven animal team must assist the Founding Fathers with espionage and numerous miracles to win this war for American Independence while a new, evil enemy seeks to slaughter the patriots and their commander in the field. But which will be the more dangerous—the enemy without or the enemy within?
 
Covering the events from March 1775 to July 1776, this second book in Cote’s Epic Revolutionary Saga tells of the incredible yet lesser-known struggles of the war before Independence.

---