Chef/Owner of Wolfendales Restaurant in Sussex writes and publishes a novel of Christian fiction.

Chefs frequently author cookbooks to promote their restaurants, so how did Kurt Schuller, Chef and owner of Wolfendales Restaurant in Sussex Wisconsin come to write a novel about the Apostle Paul? "Good question," Schuller laughed.

And This restaurant chef/owner has a lot to be smiling about. The Midwest Book Review Just Placed "Except for these chains" in it's July issue of Small press watch.
According to Midwest Book Review
"Kurt Schuler's Except For These Chains: The Trials & Triumphs Of Paul Of Tarsus is a deftly presented novel of historical fiction based on the life and struggles of the zealous Christian Paul. Thoughtfully written, drawn from accounts in the New Testament Book of Acts, and presented in with vivacious detail and lively characterization, Except For These Chains is an amazing and recommended recreation of when Christianity was a struggling new religion, dependent upon people like Paul to be taught beyond the borders of its city of origin."

The idea for "Except for these chains", a novel of Christian historical fiction, based loosely on the book of Acts, came to Schuller as he listened to the Bible reading in his churches Sunday service.

"Paul was on trial in Ceasarea before King Herod Agrippa and Festus, the Roman governor. I was fascinated by the conversation between these three men. Festus 'yells' that Paul's great learning has driven him insane. Paul paints Herod into a corner with a skillfully worded question. As politicians still do today,Herod deftly dodges it by answering Pauls question with his own question."

'Do you think in such a short time that you can convince me to become a Christian.'

"I could just imagine the people watching this trial giggling at this remark. It was Paul's response that sent my imagination racing."

'It is my prayer that not only you but all those who are listening to me here should become just as I am, except for these chains.'

"This struck me as witty, defiant humor in the face of adversity. I started to imagine the kind of man who could display such courage in the face of an uncertain outcome. I began to wonder how Paul got to this moment in his life, and what events in his life helped to shape him?"

What happened next Schuller describes as spontaneous inspiration.
"I could not stop thinking about this, and in my mind I began to formulate a persona for Paul, a 'life' so to speak, apart from what we know of him from history and the Bible. Eventually thinking about it was not enough. I began to write an outline of the story that was filling my head. It was an incredible experience. The hours flew by very quickly and by the time I was done I had a 12 page outline covering the entire story.
I began writing the story that evening."

What happened after that is a story in and of itself, which Schuller hopes to present to area churches and Bible groups.

"The one thing I learned from this experience is that God has some wonderful and important accomplishments waiting for us to achieve. I hope that through witnessing my experience, I can help other Christians to find the great blessings that God has prepared for them."
Schuller may well get the chance to share this story with potential millions as he reported having sold the option for movie rights to a local media group who will attempt to bring this story of Paul to the screen.

Chef Schuller's book, "Except for these chains" is available at Wolfendale's Restaurant on Main street in Sussex 262-246-4601. It also can be found on the internet at www.exceptforthesechains.com