| Marcus and the Emperor’s Coin is an exciting adventure in the Ancient Roman Empire at the time of Christ. Eight-year-old Marcus and his father are on a mission for the Emperor and visit a mine and a mint where coins are made. Marcus himself makes a denarius, a coin with the emperor’s image. Marcus goes to Jerusalem where he sees Jesus hold a denarius saying, “Give to the emperor the things that are the emperor’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” What will seeing Jesus mean for Marcus, and will he ever be the same again? Genre: Christian Children’s Picture Book Release date: December 2, 2023 Click here to get your copy! |  |
Interview with Dennis
What was the inspiration for this book?
I was with a group of other writers. One man did not like a story I read, and he told me so.
He said that he did like the part where Jesus said, “Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and unto God the things that are God’s.”
His suggestions kept rolling around my head. I prayed about it, and God lead me to write the story about Marcus and the Emperor’s Coin.
I was with a group of other writers. One man did not like a story I read, and he told me so.
He said that he did like the part where Jesus said, “Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and unto God the things that are God’s.”
His suggestions kept rolling around my head. I prayed about it, and God lead me to write the story about Marcus and the Emperor’s Coin.
How did you name your characters?
For Marcus and the Emperor’s Coin, I found a list of ancient Roman boy’s names online. I learned Marcus was a popular name at the time of Christ.
For my first book, The Two-Cent Piece, I did an online search for popular girl’s names during the American Civil War. The main character, Anne’s, name was near the top of the list.
For Marcus and the Emperor’s Coin, I found a list of ancient Roman boy’s names online. I learned Marcus was a popular name at the time of Christ.
For my first book, The Two-Cent Piece, I did an online search for popular girl’s names during the American Civil War. The main character, Anne’s, name was near the top of the list.
Tell us a little about yourself, your family, friends.
My wife, Diane, was a college professor. We taught ten summers overseas. In October 2019, everything changed. Diane fell, hit her head, had a brain bleed, and needed brain surgery. She survived and thrived for the first six months after surgery. Then the traumatic brain injury impacted her memory, so she now has dementia and lives in a senior community with memory care. If you read this, my message to you is to love and value your family. Be thankful for the little things. Maybe there is someone you have been meaning to call. Do it. For now, I am praising God because Diane can still pray, sing, and she knows me.
My wife, Diane, was a college professor. We taught ten summers overseas. In October 2019, everything changed. Diane fell, hit her head, had a brain bleed, and needed brain surgery. She survived and thrived for the first six months after surgery. Then the traumatic brain injury impacted her memory, so she now has dementia and lives in a senior community with memory care. If you read this, my message to you is to love and value your family. Be thankful for the little things. Maybe there is someone you have been meaning to call. Do it. For now, I am praising God because Diane can still pray, sing, and she knows me.
What one piece of advice would you like to give readers?
I used to teach writing at the college-level. It seems that almost everyone has a story to tell. My advice: Why not take some time to write about an event in your life or a short story? You don’t have to write a lot. Even a series of hand-written letters can leave an important legacy. My advice: Write something to share with loved ones.
I used to teach writing at the college-level. It seems that almost everyone has a story to tell. My advice: Why not take some time to write about an event in your life or a short story? You don’t have to write a lot. Even a series of hand-written letters can leave an important legacy. My advice: Write something to share with loved ones.
Share with us a thought, Bible verse, whatever is on your mind/heart.
My books are part of the In God We Trust series.
I like Proverbs 3:5-6 (English Standard Bible).
My books are part of the In God We Trust series.
I like Proverbs 3:5-6 (English Standard Bible).
Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths.
and do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths.
Do you have any free resources to support the topics you write about?
Yes. Readers can visit https://dennisconradauthor.com and learn how children can become Junior Coin Collectors and get free Activity Sheets (like a crossword puzzle) each month. Activity sheets also include a “Coin Hunt” section that encourages young people to search for and find coins in change, and a “Vocabulary Builder” that teaches words related to coin collecting.
Yes. Readers can visit https://dennisconradauthor.com and learn how children can become Junior Coin Collectors and get free Activity Sheets (like a crossword puzzle) each month. Activity sheets also include a “Coin Hunt” section that encourages young people to search for and find coins in change, and a “Vocabulary Builder” that teaches words related to coin collecting.
More from Dennis
James L. Rubart narrates Marcus and the Emperor’s Coin on Audible.
Rubart is the best-selling, Christy Hall of Fame, CAROL, INSPY, and RT Book Reviews award winning author of sixteen novels.
His voices for the characters make the story come to life.
When first released, Marcus and the Emperor’s Coin became a #1 Release on Audible.
The book by Dennis Conrad became a number one bestseller in two categories: Children’s Christian Historical Fiction and Children’s Christian Learning Concepts Fiction.
Marlene Bagnull, Author and Director of Write His Answer Ministries says, “This story behind the familiar Bible story of Jesus’s words about the coin someone handed him will hold the attention of boys and girls and encourage them to consider what they can give to God.”
Marcus and the Emperor’s Coin opens the door for teachers, parents, and grandparents to have the salvation conversation with the next generation.
Receive Monthly Activity Sheets
Want to encourage the child in your life to learn more about coins? Sign up at https://dennisconradauthor.com so your child can become a Junior Coin Collector. Receive free, monthly activity sheets like a crossword puzzle. There is a Coin Hunt section where children can search for and find coins in change for their collection, and a Vocabulary Builder section with coin collecting terms.
Rubart is the best-selling, Christy Hall of Fame, CAROL, INSPY, and RT Book Reviews award winning author of sixteen novels.
His voices for the characters make the story come to life.
When first released, Marcus and the Emperor’s Coin became a #1 Release on Audible.
The book by Dennis Conrad became a number one bestseller in two categories: Children’s Christian Historical Fiction and Children’s Christian Learning Concepts Fiction.
Marlene Bagnull, Author and Director of Write His Answer Ministries says, “This story behind the familiar Bible story of Jesus’s words about the coin someone handed him will hold the attention of boys and girls and encourage them to consider what they can give to God.”
Marcus and the Emperor’s Coin opens the door for teachers, parents, and grandparents to have the salvation conversation with the next generation.
Receive Monthly Activity Sheets
Want to encourage the child in your life to learn more about coins? Sign up at https://dennisconradauthor.com so your child can become a Junior Coin Collector. Receive free, monthly activity sheets like a crossword puzzle. There is a Coin Hunt section where children can search for and find coins in change for their collection, and a Vocabulary Builder section with coin collecting terms.
 Dennis Conrad | A former coin collector for over fifty years, Dennis combines his love for the Bible, children’s literature, and sharing stories about the history behind coins. Dennis retired as a professor of speech communications from Barstow Community College. He and his wife served as English and public speaking teachers ten summers overseas. Dennis became a sustaining member of the Numismatic Association of Southern California in 1979. He is also a life member of the American Numismatic Association. Dennis is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators and a Fellow of the National Writing Project. |
It's Time For A Giveaway!
To celebrate his tour, Dennis is giving away the grand prize package of
a $100 Amazon gift card and a signed hardback copy of the book!!
a $100 Amazon gift card and a signed hardback copy of the book!!
Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries!
Blog Stops
For Him and My Family, June 17
Life on Chickadee Lane, June 18
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, June 19
A Modern Day Fairy Tale, June 20 (Author Interview)
Mary Hake, June 20
An Author’s Take, June 21
Tell Tale Book Reviews, June 22 (Author Interview)
Splashes of Joy, June 23 (Author Interview)
Whimsy by Candlelight, June 23
Vicky Sluiter, June 24 (Author Interview)
Lots of Helpers, June 25
Texas Book-aholic, June 26
Locks, Hooks and Books, June 27
For the Love of Literature, June 28 (Author Interview)
Artistic Nobody, June 29
A Reader’s Brain, June 30
Life on Chickadee Lane, June 18
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, June 19
A Modern Day Fairy Tale, June 20 (Author Interview)
Mary Hake, June 20
An Author’s Take, June 21
Tell Tale Book Reviews, June 22 (Author Interview)
Splashes of Joy, June 23 (Author Interview)
Whimsy by Candlelight, June 23
Vicky Sluiter, June 24 (Author Interview)
Lots of Helpers, June 25
Texas Book-aholic, June 26
Locks, Hooks and Books, June 27
For the Love of Literature, June 28 (Author Interview)
Artistic Nobody, June 29
A Reader’s Brain, June 30
RSS Feed
