Daniel Ridley and Marcus Johnson have completed their Christian Nationalist Evangelist missionary obligations. Daniel has been at the top of the class four years in a row. Marcus is Daniel’s best friend and roommate. He often worries and is frustrated with Marcus because he at times questions the wisdom of the leaders. He also believed Marcus knew things and Daniel didn’t want to know about them. Marcus also kept in touch and took unschedule visits to his family. But Daniel has his own sin to deal with. Same sex attraction has plagued him, but he puts his faith in God that he will be changed.They have been attending the South Carolina, Sangre de Cristo Missionary College and leaving in the spring for Boston. Marcus had heard there was more violence at the polling places in Boston. They will go to Boston and preach for political progress that everyone will accept Jesus and the Christian Nationalist Religion. Their sacred mission will take them out into a world they think they are familiar with. As they watched the Good News Network it always showed celebration and cheering crowds and they listened to Pastor Logan. They are also on a secret mission for Pastor Logan.Jaxtyn, Sylvie and Skylar are roommates and attend U Mass Boston. Jaxtyn loved to meditate and leads a group. He works part-time at the library to help with rent and spending money. Jaxtyn believed in science that the universe is made of invisible particles of vibrating energy. He felt the foreboding in this election with the control of congress, it would be the end of a union and the establishment of religion governed in separate states. The Christian Nationalist Evangelical missionaries or CeeNees showed up everywhere and were avoided by many. The CNE wanted their religion adopted and it would be forced on all of society.As Jaxtyn and Sylvie were making their way through the long lines at the polling station tragedy struct. There were pops and a loud boom and the polling station was in chaos. Back at their apartment, the three roommates watched the tablet feed. Nine dead and dozens injured. Drones footage showed CeeNees pulling guns from under their red coats and one attacker killed by security. The CNE were recognized by what they wore red shirts and white slacks and they carried guns. Jaxtyn didn’t believe the violence was the way of the CNE. He believed they were confused, misguided and wrong but not killers of innocent people. He believed there had to be a way to connect with them if the country was to survive.Six months after the election Daniel and Marcus are now on their way to Boston, they find it difficult at times. Every layover they repeatedly had to show their ID and tickets. Their clothing is very recognizable and carries a reputation. The terror attacks had increased and Marcus and Daniel wished they could have their guns that were checked into containers, even Marcus’ empty holster needs to be contained. They aren’t welcomed in Boston and repeatedly told that “no one wants trouble.”On a layover to Boston they are approached by Sylvie and she humiliates them, but Jaxtyn is there to stop her. He knows she had drank too much and the excitement of the protest were urging her on. Daniel becomes interested in Jaxtyn and the tattoo on his neck. On the next layover Jaxtyn actually talks with Daniel and introduces himself. They have a discussion and Jaxtyn tells him of the Open Lotus.The longer Daniel and Marcus stay in Boston and connect with Jaxtyn, Sylvie and Skylar they begin to learn not everything is what it seems. What have they gotten themselves into? There will come a point when danger finds Daniel and Jaxtyn.John Patrick creates a story that will leave readers with some heavy thoughts with “Into the Lions Den.” The novel is very intense, intriguing, suspenseful and filled with deception, brain washing, violence, forceful politics and different beliefs.For me, the interaction between Jaxtyn and Daniel is very important. It seems to send the message that society “can agree to disagree” without violence and hatred. Society can remain friendly, respectful and even those with close relationships can still work with their differences. As for Daniel and Jaxtyn they share some very interesting opinions. Daniel, first and foremost, want’s to bring people to Jesus and God. He’s very trusting and naive in a sense. Because of the Christian Nationalist religion he has a mind set about different topics.The more time he spends with Jaxtyn he starts to accept some topics differently. Jaxtyn really tries to get Daniel to see that not all of life has to do with religion. As frustrating and difficult as it is at times, Jaxtyn stays open-minded and discusses different opinions with Daniel. The topics range from: religion, racism, homophobia, abortion, even tattoos and more.I felt with the characters of Daniel and Jaxtyn the author was able to bring out some very interesting and different insights. The content of the story doesn’t feel like its all one-sided and it really brings out the importance about being able to share in opinions or beliefs without hostility.I want to give recognition to all of the characters as they all brought something to the discussions: Marcus and his parents Walt and Cassy, Sylvie, Ruth, Skylar and the New Riders.I highly recommend “Into the Lions Den” it is written in such a way that it never failed to hold my interest. All the topics discussed were very thought provoking. As Daniel and Jaxtyn discussions become deep in ideas and thoughts the novel became thoroughly entertaining. I’ve read several of John Patrick’s novels and once again, he did outstanding with this new novel.
