A ROLLER COASTER RIDE

Did you ever read a book that took you on a roller coaster ride of emotions?  The Reluctant Spy by Dee Ready did just that.  Dee is a friend and fellow blogger who is also an accomplished author. Her blog Coming Home to Myself can be found here.

Dee has written several books. She is a former Catholic nun and her book Prayer Wasn't Enough  took us into her life as a nun in a convent and her struggles with the decision to leave. That too was an excellent book.

This book The Reluctant Spy, is set in first century Palestine and takes you inside the lives of Yeshua ( the Hebrew name for Jesus), John the Baptist, and the Apostles.  Her writing is so good you will feel you are actually there munching almonds with them.  She skillfully lets you taste the food, hear the cities, and feel the dirt in your sandals. She also lets you look into the daily lives of the people of that time. It is a different look into the New Testament.

Found at Amazon

The main character Jonathan was an educated scribe who was often caught up in the problems of his own making.  He was a decent father and husband but was plagued with feelings that he had been over looked by God.  He wasn't happy with his station in life.

Jonathan  committed a sin that could ruin his honor if made public and thus  made him vulnerable to blackmail. Daniel, his childhood friend who became his enemy, learned of this sin. Threatening him with exposure, Daniel forced Johnathan  to spy on John the Baptist and Yeshua in hopes of proving they were a danger to the Hebrews and might cause the Romans to retaliate violently. I didn't care for the part of Jonathan that accepted his role as spy. He hadn't yet won the battle with his conscience nor with God. 

What kept my fingers to the page was Dee's wonderful writing. The book is obviously well researched. Dee adds the human element as we look into the lives Yeshua and the Apostles.  She also helped me to understand Hebrew culture.

I was so pleased by Johnathan's redemption as he comes to know Yeshua. The man I had sometimes been annoyed with slowly evolved into someone I could really like and care for. The upside of the roller coaster.

The story is complete and will keep you turning pages. She did her research and her writing is very engaging and beautiful.  Hope you give it a shot and that you will enjoy the ride as much as I did. It isn't a quick read but a rewarding one. I am a bit sad that I have finished the book and I won't be visiting Palestine tonight.