The Roman, the Twelve, & the King by Jenny L. Cote

Book 4 of 9 of Epic Order of the Seven (Book 2)

Summary:

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:

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.