"The Kids' Pit"

Faced with disappointment, abuse, and an unexpected pregnancy, two teenage girls are on the run from their parents, future … and God. Will someone pull them from their pit before it’s too late?

"Sarah slipped into her pit because of everything going on with her dad. Chelsea’s in her pit of being pregnant at age sixteen because of the criminal actions of her coach. How did we get here? But more importantly, how can we help get them out?"

– Kathy Glassman in “The Kids’ Pit” 

A Pastor's Pit

Can a Pastor in the US be indicted for the crime of religious hate speech simply for preaching from the Bible?

“I haven’t murdered anyone, or stolen money, or used drugs... But she said I’m about to be indicted. Why? What can I do?”

– Pastor Preston in A Pastor’s Pit

Award-Winning Christian Thriller

Indies Today, Semi-Finalist Award Winner

American Fiction Awards Finalist for 2023

Pinnacle Book Achievement Award

The Bookfest Award, Second Place for Fiction-Christian-Suspense 

Available now

The Kids’ Pit

Winner of the Pinnacle Book Achievement Award
Second Place for Fiction-Christian-Suspense of The Bookfest Award
American Fiction Awards Finalist for 2023
Semi-Finalist Award Winner of Indies Today 

Sarah and Chelsea, best friends in high school, find themselves in seemingly overwhelming circumstances. Sarah’s friends have abandoned her due to the constant media attention following her father’s conviction of criminal hate speech. Chelsea’s soccer coach has demolished her happy teenage world. They both must get away – they can’t stay in their homes with all the problems they have! They want nothing to do with God or their parents. Can they survive life on the run as two teenagers with no street skills? Can God provide people and a way to bring them back to Him and their families?

This sequel to “The Pastor’s Pit” is a thrilling tale of forgiving incomprehensible wrongs, overcoming adversity, and helping hurting people find a path back to God and family.

Available now

A Pastor’s Pit

How can a pastor be indicted and tried for the “crime” of preaching from the Bible? A pastor in Oregon is indicted and tried for the crime of “religious hate speech” because his Biblical sermons were offensive to some. His best friend from high school is a Texas attorney and agrees to represent him through the twists and turns of trial and his appeals to the US Supreme Court where the constitutional issue of religious liberty is addressed by the high court. This case presents the threat to people of all religious faiths that their religious rights are at risk.

About the Author

Judge Roy Sparkman

Judge Roy Sparkman was a District Judge in Texas and tried many felony (including capital murder), civil and family law cases. As a practicing attorney, Judge Sparkman had his interest in religious liberty peaked when he represented a pastor that was subpoenaed as a witness for a deposition and trial testimony based upon that pastor’s sermon attacking books in the children’s section of the public library as being contrary to the Bible. Judge Sparkman’s legal background including religious liberty issues was combined with his religious background as having served as a deacon in his local church, and also on the national level as an Executive Committee Officer for the Southern Baptist Convention. Judge Sparkman was also a Director and member of the Executive Committee for the State Bar of Texas. Judge Sparkman previously served 12 years as a Trustee (Board Member) for the Wichita Falls TX School District (including serving as President for 7 years).

"I have been following religious liberty issues for a number of years and A Pastor's Pit clearly presents the next realistic attack on those freedoms."

Bobby Albert
Author of 3 books including The Freedom Paradox; President of Values-Driven Leadership, LLC

Judge Roy Sparkman
2021-01-28T17:19:17+00:00

Bobby Albert
Author of 3 books including The Freedom Paradox; President of Values-Driven Leadership, LLC

"I have been following religious liberty issues for a number of years and A Pastor's Pit clearly presents the next realistic attack on those freedoms."
"This book is a must-read for those who cherish religious liberties—and also enjoy a fascinating story!”

Dr. Robert Jeffress
Pastor, First Baptist Church, Dallas

Judge Roy Sparkman
2021-01-28T16:31:44+00:00

Dr. Robert Jeffress
Pastor, First Baptist Church, Dallas

"This book is a must-read for those who cherish religious liberties—and also enjoy a fascinating story!”
"Is the religious liberty upon which this nation was formed slipping away? For an intelligent, compelling, thought-provoking examination of the topic, I strongly urge you to pick up A Pastor’s Pit — it’s wonderful storytelling, but also so much more."

Jim Alkon, Book Trib Review

Judge Roy Sparkman
2021-06-25T16:38:14+00:00

Jim Alkon, Book Trib Review

"Is the religious liberty upon which this nation was formed slipping away? For an intelligent, compelling, thought-provoking examination of the topic, I strongly urge you to pick up A Pastor’s Pit — it’s wonderful storytelling, but also so much more."
"A clear warning for all of us who hold our religious liberties near and dear.  Read it...and reap!”

O.S. Hawkins PhD
Author of the best-selling Code Series of devotionals including the Joshua Code and the Jesus Code.

Judge Roy Sparkman
2021-01-28T16:33:38+00:00

O.S. Hawkins PhD
Author of the best-selling Code Series of devotionals including the Joshua Code and the Jesus Code.

"A clear warning for all of us who hold our religious liberties near and dear.  Read it...and reap!”
“At a time when religious liberty battles are raging across America, I am grateful Judge Sparkman is not only producing a story of fiction to capture your imagination, but one focused around the crucial battle of our day.”

Kelly Shackleford
President/CEO, First Liberty Institute

Judge Roy Sparkman
2021-01-28T16:32:52+00:00

Kelly Shackleford
President/CEO, First Liberty Institute

“At a time when religious liberty battles are raging across America, I am grateful Judge Sparkman is not only producing a story of fiction to capture your imagination, but one focused around the crucial battle of our day.”
"A story that is real life captured in the court room drama and the pastors pulpit and the Supreme Court."

Bob Osburn
A Texas Trial Lawyer

Judge Roy Sparkman
2021-01-28T17:20:37+00:00

Bob Osburn
A Texas Trial Lawyer

"A story that is real life captured in the court room drama and the pastors pulpit and the Supreme Court."
“I strongly recommend A Pastor’s Pit for anyone who values our constitutional right of religious liberty!”

Dr. William S. Spears
Founder and CEO, Cenergistic LLC

Judge Roy Sparkman
2021-01-28T17:22:08+00:00

Dr. William S. Spears
Founder and CEO, Cenergistic LLC

“I strongly recommend A Pastor’s Pit for anyone who values our constitutional right of religious liberty!”
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Judge Roy Sparkman

Thoughts on writing, religious liberties, and more

Author’s Ramblings

Hold on! God’s Got You!

During the dark days of World War II, Winston Churchill is credited with saying, "Never, never, never give up.” It’s easy to “give up”. Life gets hard and it is easy to be discouraged. In “The Kids’ Pit”, Sarah and Chelsea – as teenagers – felt they had no hope and no...

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Protection

As a retired judge (who still sits by assignment or for a judge who needs to be away from court), a recent TV news story caught my attention. It occurred in a Las Vegas courtroom as a judge was about to sentence a young man to prison. Before the pronouncement could be...

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Balancing the Scales

The scales of justice reflect that Lady Justice is blind and demonstrate how easily the scales can swing one way or the other. While we want Lady Justice to be blind to improper influences, being blind to establishing proper priorities in life can have devastating...

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In the News

Literary Titan Book Review

A Pastor’s Pit NOV 8 Posted by Literary Titan Preston Curtis could not have predicted the hint of what awaited him in the name of the city when he accepted the pastorate at Grace Bible Church in Pitfall, Oregon. Being a passionate believer in the Bible’s truth, he has...

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