Bobby Rukeyser, a PhD candidate in computer science, is developing advanced AI avatars. During the COVID pandemic, while temporarily living with his uncle—an evangelical pastor struggling with low church attendance—Bobby has a brilliant idea: to populate the church’s virtual services with his avatars to create the appearance of a lively congregation. But the AI evolves beyond Bobby’s expectations, and soon the avatars develop a spirituality of their own.
In a world where AI dominates headlines, Stones of Abraham offers a fresh and compelling perspective. AI is often portrayed as ominous or threatening. But imagine a different possibility—what if AI became more moral than us? What if AI could heed the “better angels of our nature” more faithfully than we do?
The Saint of El Camino Real is the third novel in Harry Steven Ackley’s series about angels. The story focuses on the character of Heather Campbell as she begins the fall semester of her third year of college. Moving from Poughkeepsie, New York and transferring to Santa Clara University in California was supposed to mark a new start for Heather, away from her mother and the strange religious experiences of her past. However, as Heather quickly discovers, the things of the spiritual realm have little regard for time or geography.
The Prophet of Shattuck Avenue
Dr. Victoria Branham, a professor of ancient languages in Berkeley, California, has just turned sixty. Comfortable with her life, she looks forward to another decade of academic work, then retirement, travel, and perhaps even romance.
Just as the new school year is about to begin, the rhythm of Victoria’s world is shaken when she receives a call from her brother Mark, a U.S. Senator serving on the Armed Services Committee. An archeological discovery has been made at a remote location in the Syrian Desert — something having to do with ancient languages. Victoria is asked by her brother to secretly fly to the Middle East and provide an unofficial opinion on what’s been found. Victoria is reluctant but, with the encouragement of her Dean, she decides to go.
Once on the scene, the nature of the discovery impacts Victoria in unexpected ways, stirring up memories from her strange days as a child evangelist and causing her to start perceiving things in the spiritual realm … to begin to understand a forgotten mystical language, and to question the “humanness” of certain people she encounters.
The Prophet of Shattuck Avenue is the exciting sequel to Steve Ackley’s first novel, Our Lady of West 74th Street. If you enjoyed Ackley’s fast-paced tale of angels, demons, and stolen art, get ready for the ride to continue. The Prophet picks up where the Lady left off.
While doing research for a book on the paranormal, anthropology professor Emily Campbell investigates recent events at a New York City day care center. Her findings, along with developments in her own life, cause Emily to question long-held opinions and to see her past in a new light.
But Emily is not the only one whose world is changing. She is only one player in a drama that has been unfolding for centuries — a spiritual tug-o-war surrounding an ancient object with the power to transform the hearts of humankind. As Emily tries to understand the signs around her, others are attempting to make sure she never does.
Harry Steven Ackley 