Monday, November 18, 2019

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.

The Reluctant Spy: A Novel Set in 1st-Century Palestine by [Ready, Dee]
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.

29 comments :

  1. What a wonderful review! I read Dee's other book you mentioned and loved it, but this subject matter/time frame seems too heavy for my reading tastes, especially now when I'm too distracted for any reading. But I'm happy to hear of her success in pleasing readers with this book which I know she worked on for years.

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    1. Jean,
      Thank you. Totally understand. Normally this would have been a bit heavy for me as I am pretty much into cozy books. The story did get to me though and I am so glad I dove in.

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  2. Haven't read any, but I'll give it a look. I'm always looking for new writers.

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    1. Carolyn,
      She is a very good writer and think you will like her. She also wrote some lighter books about her pets.

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  3. Sounds like a very interesting read. If I read books I would definitely pick this one, but I don't have the attention span for literature anymore.

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    1. robin,
      I understand. You probably got your fill in college.

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  4. How wonderful to find a book that has you gripped.

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    1. Fun60,
      Yes it is. I usually go for light reading so this one surprised me.

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  5. Sounds very interesting - I'll keep an eye out for it.

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  6. If I like a book an awful lot I will go back and read the ending again.

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    1. Mage,
      Wish I could reread a book but maybe I'll try just the ending like you say. Never done that before.

      Delete
  7. While I admit this type of reading isn't exactly the stuff I go for, I always enjoy seeing a new blog on your page, Patti--and you got me curious enough to check out your friend Dee's blog. I've been enjoying reading her posts, so thank you. :)

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    1. Doug,
      Different tastes are what makes our world interesting. So glad you checked out Dee's posts. .

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  8. Oh boy...I LOVE to read! And, actually, BOTH BOOKS sound deliciously moving, mysterious, and if researched a lot, I' m sure I would enjoy them. Are they available thru Amazon? Guess I'll check your links! Duh.

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    1. Ps, I see now Amazon under the 2nd book. Blond roots showing.

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    2. Anni,
      So glad you were able to track my links. Hope you enjoy the books and that wasn't "blonde" at all:))

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  9. Great review. Hope both are available for Kindle.

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    1. LC,
      Thanks and yes they are. I do almost all my reading on Kindle. Think I am addicted.

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  10. Thanks, Patti, for the review. I am halfway through the book but put it down when I got disappointed in Jonathan's actions. Now I know I will finish it, because it all turns out okay in the end. And it's definitely well written! :-)

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    1. Djan,
      I know how you felt about Jonathan. I was afraid I was being too critical of his character but he really does try to make amends after he gets to really know Yeshua. I was so glad I hung in. Hope you will be also.

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  11. I've read a lot of books in my life, Patti, but one in particular left a great impression. In fact, even though it was fiction, I sympathized with all the larger-than-life characters and often wonder how they are doing now as if they really exist. The book is "A Fine Balance" by Rohinton Mistry. It won the Giller Prize.

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    1. Florence,
      Darn, I checked my library for that book and they only have the audio. I put in a request for the Kindle version. Thanks for the heads up.

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  12. Sounds like something I'd like to read. I'll check it out. I love books that I cannot put down. I'm reading one right now, a psychological thriller that is making me guess who is the bad guy.

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    1. Snickelfritz,
      Hope if you find it you enjoy it.
      Like those kind like you are reading now also. Hate it when I figure it out right away.

      Delete
  13. What a wonderful book review. Dee would be very proud of what you wrote here.

    Thank you for visiting my Blog today, Patti, and taking the trouble to let me know you enjoyed my book. I am honoured.

    God bless you.

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    1. Victor,
      Thank you and thanks for stopping by.
      I just had to let you know how much I enjoyed your book. It came at just the right time and really gave me a lift. I will be looking into your Father Ignatius series.

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  14. I don't usually read books that make me think too much about the content, I'm happier with lighter stuff where I can get lost in the book without dissecting meanings etc.

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  15. Patti, I read Dee's book, "The Reluctant Spy" also and wrote her a review on Amazon. It really is a good story, well written, and well researched. I found the prospective of looking at the story of Jesus through the eyes of a friend during that time fascinating.

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