CHRIST THE LORD: The Road to Cana
Readers' Reactions

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Mrs. Rice expresses her deepest gratitude to these readers, who have so kindly agreed to have their personal words shared with others.

To send Mrs. Rice your thoughts on Christ the Lord: The Road to Cana, please e-mail her directly at anneobrienrice@mac.com.

Posted 7/14/08

Dear Anne:

Greetings from New Orleans.  I wanted to thank you for the beautiful work of The Road to Cana.  It touched my heart as much as the first book, and has once again enflamed my love for Jesus (Yeshua) in a personal way.  Your portrayal of his heart and mind are extraordinarily rich and beautiful.  I have been reflecting for the last few days on the ending paragraphs where Jesus explains that he will not use military might, but rather conquer heart by heart.  This quote by Mother Teresa reminded me of that insight...
 
Jesus said love one another. He didn't say love the whole world.
Mother Teresa

It is Christ's personal love that saves us from ourselves, and a personal love for one another that saves the world one heart at a time.  Thank you for that insight.  Again thank you for your work in bringing our beloved Christ and his family to life through your novels.  It is truly blessed and inspired.
 
In Christ, for Life,
Dorinda

Posted 7/14/08

I have just read this marvelous book and I have to tell you that I have read Chapter 21 over and over. I can’t keep thinking about it.  I have never had such a sense of God’s love as you made possible to me.  I think your insight is profound.  Thank you.  

Barbara Kingsley.

Posted 7/14/08

Anne,

I posted a review on Amazon for The Road to Cana, and it's been placed in the top three, receiving many positive votes. I absolutely loved what you did with this book. Without exaggeration, it's the best book I've read in the past year.

I am a Christian, born Catholic, raised Protestant, and no longer worried about those titles so much as knowing Jesus. You present his life in The Road to Cana with such a beautiful balance between his deity and humanity. The temptation in the wilderness is amazing, and the follow up to the deliverance of Mary Magdalene was an awesome transition. I could go on and on, but I wanted to thank you for this poignant book.

I tried to read scenes to my wife, and kept tearing up.

You are more than welcome to share my comments on your site, but they are truly meant for you as an encouragement from a fellow writer, believer, and human being!

Eric Wilson, author of FIELD OF BLOOD and the novel of FIREPROOF and FLYWHEEL

Posted 6/26/08

Dear Anne:

As a life-long practicing Catholic and avid rosary advocate, I feel compelled to tell you how Christ the Lord, Out of Egypt and Christ the Lord, The Road to Cana have embellished my spiritual growth. I work as a nurse practitioner both in an Internal Medicine office and the emergency room. In order to fully serve these difficult populations, I keep my spiritual needs fulfilled through prayer and inspiration of the daily rosary.  Since reading the above two books, focusing on the mysteries has been a pleasure rather than a chore. Your descriptions of Jesus and the historical/political backdrop during the Presentation at the Temple opened up a visual picture in technicolor!  I will never think of the Luminous Mystery at the Feast of Cana in the same way, simply of Jesus obeying His Mother! His human need for love and self denial of found love racked me to the core.
I really have trouble understanding the need for priestly celibacy and have tried to dig deeper into biblical/historical reasons for celibacy. Do you have any suggestions for reading materials? Will you be addressing celibacy, perhaps from the apostle viewpoint, in your next book?

I am also writing to ask you to write a rosary guide, using stories and historical facts that are available to you through your research.

My prayers are with you as you lead us in spiritual growth through your research and writings. I am sharing your books with all of my Catholic friends.

Kathleen Moreau Smith

Oh, please, when is the next installment due out?  Soon, please, please, please?
 
Finally, someone has approached the life of Jesus with a sense of reverence, humor, and wonder, along with a true-to-life realism. That is, a realistic look at a youngster, then young man, trying to come to grips with this unbelievable power He had been entrusted with. I especially loved the clay birds coming to life, the striking down and subsequent resurrection of the young friend; and, of course, starting and stopping the rain.
 
But the attitude of all those around the “sinless one” (mostly family) is what makes it all such a tragically human story.
 
Thank you, thank you, thank you, Ms. Rice. Oh, please release further installments as soon as humanly possible
 
Leon Descoteaux
Lowell, MA

Anne,

I am the father of Chloe.  I have written you before with regard to her comments on your first CHRIST THE LORD novel and appreciated your warm response.

I have just completed reading CHRIST THE LORD - ROAD TO CANA.  It was wonderful. The first two pages are the ones I still love the most.  I read them to my (now six-year-old) daughter up through the words, "...a maiden who became in the easy tumult of dreams my Avigail."

Then I asked her what she thought. Here is her response, a paraphrased version of which is now my email trailer for every email I send:

"Well, I think that everybody has to love someone."

By the way, congratulations on another wonderful novel.  I continue to be dumbfounded at the audacity of your mission, with so much set in stone and immovable about the life of Christ by revelation and tradition.  But you have succeeded in finding the story where few could honestly dispute you...on the Inside.

Peace and love,
Jim T

Posted 5/23/08

Dear Ms. Rice,
 
I simply cannot find the right words to truly express my gratitude for your beautifully written novel, “Christ The Lord: The Road to Cana”.  I just finished it last night, and I hated to come to the end. I enjoyed “Out of Egypt”, and was looking forward to the next in your series.
 
It far exceeded my expectations.
 
The way you have written from Christ’s perspective has given me renewed strength in my own faith.  While I was reading the section that described his time in the wilderness, and how he came to perceive the collective thoughts and feelings of an entire world, I had to put the book down as I couldn’t read through my tears.  It truly brought home to me just how much Jesus has taken on in order to save us.
 
While I thoroughly enjoyed reading your Vampire Chronicles and the stories of the Mayfair Witches, this….this is truly a masterwork.  My most sincere congratulations and deepest thanks!
 
Sincerely,
Jennifer Faneuff

Posted 5/20/08

Dear Ms. Rice,

I purchased your book Christ The Lord , The Road to Cana last week.  I was hesitant to pick it up and begin reading as I knew I would blow  right through it as I did CTL, Out of Egypt. I am a slow reader and have  been so all my life. But your amazing gift of giving life to words on a page  is a wonder. Sure enough, I began reading  yesterday and finished it today.

As I read the the part where Jesus and Avigail are in the grove and Jesus  is trying to protect her from the mob, he calls to  the Father and requests "Father, send the rain".  I was  suddenly back in the Out of Egypt passage where as a child,   Jesus wraps his arms around Cleopas in the river and begs the Father  to let Cleopas be with him as is His will. I don't know what took me  there but I believe it is the innocence reflected in both requests and  your ability to project that laying somewhere dormant in His mind the  power to make this happen exists in Him but acquiesting to the Father as  he was still being shaped by Him.

Later, I was enthralled at how you wove the temptation in the desert. We  all know the short version but your God given ability for the  written word, transported me there and held me in place. I felt I was standing  next to Jesus watching this all unfold. Feeling his strength  and loving Him more when he told Beelzebub to blow off (obviously, my  words).

As I finished the book I felt a sense of loss that it had come to an end.  Having said that, I look forward with anticipation to the next book(s) in this  series. I know they will come as it is His will that you bring more souls to  him with your heart and gift of the written word. Thank you.

Elisa Janes

Posted 5/20/08

Hello, Ms. Rice.

Recently I finished your book, "Christ the Lord: the Road to Cana." I enjoyed it very much. Don't take this wrong, but occasionally I am struck with presumptuousness of a novel about the Son of God being written in first person. But then, the point behind the Incarnation is that of God becoming man, beheld by human eyes and touched by human hands--in time. The two natures in Christ, portrayed in word, is iconic.

As Peter Kreeft relates, your description of the temptation in the wilderness was wonderful. Satan looking like Christ was a nice touch; it reminded me of the story of St. Antony where the devil took up the physical image of Jesus, but the great saint was not taken in.

My favorite lines from the book: 'I want an innovation that will ignite the world. That wine [from the wedding at Cana] is no less than the blood inside my veins. I come to bring the Face of the Lord--to the wohle wide world!'   

Thank you for your efforts.

Jeff Henry

Posted 5/20/08

Hello Ms Rice,

I have been reading your novels for many years.  "Road to Cana" is the first book that I have read twice.  I am not a church-going Christian but I am very interested in the life of Jesus, as I was a church goer in my youth.  The Christ Series took great courage on your part to attempt.  Cana is an amazingingly successful book.  Congratulations to you for this beautiful testament. I am trying to convince friends to read it, and it is a tough sell given the premise.

Thank you for writing such beautiful books.  I just fininshed re-reading "Interview with the Vampire" as well.  I'm on a bit of a spiritual journey myself at the moment and it is very interesting to go back and read your first Vampire book after reading Cana.  Your journey is all over these pages.  Thank you for opening yourself up like that.  These books mean a great deal to me.
 
Warmly,

Jeff House

Posted 5/20/08

Dear Anne,

I was absolutely delighted to see that I could email you! It is not everyday that one has the opportunity to thank someone famous for all the joy they have given them.  I have been reading your novels for years and will proudly admit to reading them over and over! You are truly one of my favorite authors and I adore your style of writing. Many of your novels have given me cause to re-examine certain thoughts I have had and also consider new ideas. I fell in love with a city before I even went there and when I got there (New Orleans), I never wanted to leave.  Most importantly, I want to tell you how surprised I am at my reaction to the "Christ Our Lord" novel. When it first came out, I thought to myself.."what has she done?" I did not buy it. Then one day I decided to and it promptly sat in a pile of "to read" books for some time. I just finished reading it. Once again your writing has made me think.  This is the first time in years I have given thought to God without some form of doubt and/or malice. And for this I thank you. Your words have given me pause to consider certain things I have chosen not to entertain for some time. This is all very difficult for me to even try to explain, but lets just say I think life and death can take it's toll on us and I have been tried.  I am eager to read your next novel and will very soon! Thank you again for taking me to different places through out the years and mesmerizing me with your writing. You are truly an amazing writer and I look forward to anything you write! When I read your novels over and over again, it is like visiting old friends.....

Sincerely,  Michelle

Posted 5/13/08

Dear Anne, Thank you for the “Christ the Lord” series. Since a young age I have been told that when I pray to Jesus, He understands. For the most part I wondered about that because prior to His ministry we know very little about his upbringing. From the New Testament we know that Jesus was born in Nazareth – then the family fled to Egypt – then at age 12 Jesus was left behind at the Tempe, then we meet Him again being Baptized and at the wedding in Cana. You have filled in the gaps for us.

The vast research you have done for this series, including many New Testament Scholars and historians of Jesus’ time like Josephus lends a real credibility to your books. Giving us N. T. Wright as a reference to go to is an extra gift along with your books.

We have probably all wondered from time to time – how did Jesus prepare to fulfill the mission His Father had for Him.

You have made it quite simple really – He lived life. He was part of a loving and responsible and religious family. He was a fine craftsman, he was a peacemaker, He was a man trying to determine who He was, what He was to do and He was a compassionate man never backing down from doing the right thing. We see the pattern forming of Jesus going away to be alone to pray – basically He teaches us how to pray to His Father. Jesus knew He was called to be celibate and struggled as all humans struggle with sexual temptations.

Jesus was part of a family, a very large family. Knowing about His family puts a lot of pieces together. Jesus endured sibling rivalry, family conflicts, family struggles and just about everything else that all of us struggle with everyday. I can now see how influential, Mary and Joseph were in forming the human personality of Jesus. Jesus also was raised during a time of turmoil and civil unrest. His life with Mary and Joseph prepared Him to be a compassionate person, unafraid to show compassion to women when it was not “allowed”. Jesus also learned early on from Joseph that there are two ways to fight against tyranny – peacefully or forcefully and He was raised to face conflict peacefully.

You have given us a real feel for the family of Jesus – not just Mary and Joseph but His extended family of step-brothers and sisters, aunts, uncles, cousins. Jesus was a son, a brother and an uncle. He was a carpenter who took great pride in His work. We also learn about family customs and traditions at the time Jesus lived. Your portrait of the lives of Joseph and Mary and all that they did within the family sure makes it easier to follow in their footsteps. Learning more about James, the son of Joseph, makes reading his letter in the New Testament seem more personal. I feel I know him.

I know that some people are bothered by and think that if we look at the humanity of Jesus we lessen His being the Son of God. Definitely not so. There is no question in my mind that Jesus is the Son of God. Looking at Jesus only as the Son of God makes it hard for us humans to relate to Him in everyday life - family life, personal trials, work problems and civil matters. Well thanks to your writing, I can now really feel that when I pray for help in my everyday trials and concerns for life and peace today that Jesus does understand, because He lived through it. By seeing and getting the feeling of His human side, His upbringing and family life, I can relate more to Him as the Son of God who truly does understand my daily human life of struggle.

How interesting to realize that Jesus was familiar with Pontius Pilate before being brought before Him during His trial. Jesus refuses to join the crowd going to challenge Pilate – showing us again and again, that we must try to resist peacefully. Jesus also saw how Pilate would react to the masses of people regarding their religious matters and how he would eventually give in to them.

Jesus struggled early on with who He was and wanting to know His Father’s will for Him. That is so familiar to us Christians. Also, Jesus was not afraid to “break custom” when it had to do with being compassionate. His caring for Avigail after she was assaulted by the brigand was an early sign of how He would treat women in the NT. Interesting also is that Jesus had to wait for God’s timing to begin His ministry, just as we always have to wait for God’s timing when praying for help or resolution to problems. His step-brother James pushed and pushed Him to “get on with it” but Jesus prayed for God’s Will.

You helped me to realize that Jesus must have been aware that He had special abilities as He was growing up and He struggled with it. It’s not realistic to think that all of a sudden He was transformed from an everyday person to ministering as the Son of God. I find that comforting. Most of us struggle at one time or another about what to do with our gifts and are we doing God’s will.

You also answered the question about John and Jesus. You made it easy to see that they both always knew there was a connection between them and to see it to its fruition when John began to Baptize and Jesus realized that His time was coming. From the moment of Baptism, when His divinity was made know, things happen quickly – I like the way you have Him facing off with the devil, then He calls His first Apostles, and then performs His first miracle at Cana, as always surrounded by His family.

Many things in the two books will stay with me, but two things that touched me in a special way: from “Out of Egypt” as they were approaching Jerusalem, Joseph put Jesus up on his shoulders so He could see the temple and in “The Road to Cana” when Jesus says “I loved the faces of old men”. Can’t wait for your next book in this series.

Mary Ann O'Brien

Posted 5/9/08

Dear Mrs. Rice,

I purchased your newest book, The Road to Cana. After letting it sit for a mere 1 day, I began to read. I was mesmerized by the sheer fact that you have the uncanny ability to take me and my imagination back into a time before time. The story was wondeful. The manner in  which you manage to make Christ a human with human qualities, probably did more for my faith than you will ever know.

 As my mom is very ill, I have continued to turn to God for answers that don't seem to appear in my time, but I do know the answers will be available to me in Gods time.


I guess I really wanted you to know, from the short little white girl from texas, your books touch a special place within me and I thank you.

Holly Hoffman

Posted 5/9/08

Ms. Rice-

I have to admit that I have avoided your book Christ the Lord- Out of Egypt because, well, I just didn't think I would want to read what you had to say. I have never read your vampire books because the subject doesn't interest me. When I first heard about Christ the Lord, I was intrigued, but just didn't read it. I mean- you're the vampire lady, right?
 
Then almost two weeks ago I was at my library and saw it. I decided to give it a try. And oh- I am so very glad I did. I have been a Christian all my life. I can't tell you a time when I didn't know God. He has been part of my life as long as I can remember- there was never doubt he existed, just the fact that He was. I can remember as a child just knowing. Reading your book has brought a whole new dimension to my understanding and thoughts Christ. I can't even put it into words. I appreciate the historical detail, the vivid descriptions of the places and politics. I also love the way you show the different "brands" of Judaism of the times and how it's okay to be different. The way you painted a picture of Mary and Joseph ... sorry- I will stop because I truly can't put into words what this book means to me. I cried several times while reading it because it truly spoke to me in a way nothing else has. When I finished, I realized that it was true what I had been taught- Jesus is my comfort because He went through everything in His life as a human that I have gone through in mine- pain, happiness, sorrow, joy, desolation, loneliness, peace- He felt it all. That is why there is no friend in the world like Him.
 
So it is like James in Out of Egypt that I come to you and ask forgiveness. I have not had anger towards you, but I did pre-judge. I assumed because you wrote about one subject that is very far from Jesus' life that you couldn't possibly write about Him. I was so very wrong, and I am ashamed of being so presumptuous ignorant. Please forgive me.
 
I am going to buy my own copy of Out of Egypt and can't wait to get The Road To Cana. I have recommended it to many of my friends and will continue to do so. I teach Sunday School and will refer this to my students. I feel it is a true addition to my life of faith and has stimulated my mind- something which too many "religious" books nowadays don't tend to do.
 
I wish you joy and happiness in your continuing discoveries of God in your life. God bless you for writing these books.
 
Amy Bramblette
New Castle, KY

Posted 5/9/08

Good morning, Anne,

I finished your second book about Jesus last night. What a blessing it was. I wrote after I read your first book about my son and his girlfriend professing to be atheists. I am still praying for their salvation. Ironically, it was his girlfriend who
introduced me to the books. I bought the /Road to Cana/ . Thank you for writing these books. I have been a Christian since I was a child (now 58 yrs old) and although I have read the Bible through twice, I have learned so much about that period of time from your books. It has made my Lord seem even more real and has brought me closer to Him. I am impressed at how true to the Gospels your writing is.

Thank you again. May He bless you and continue to use you in building His Kingdom.

Gratefully,

Rosanna Kingsley

Posted 5/9/08

Anne,

I can't find the words to tell you how much these two books have moved me. I have been an ardent fan of yours for many years. I have read most, if not all, of your books. However, being a cradle Catholic who was away from the sacraments and going down the wrong road and having returned once again in 1998, I can so totally relate to your situation. I am now a Lay Carmelite and will probably make my final promises in August, 2010. I'm just mentioning this to let you know how passionately I came back to realize the truths of our religion. It never really leaves you. We just kind of bury it inside ourselves, that is until He calls us back.

Anyway, in reading these two books, I placed myself in His time in history and really felt for the first time how truly human he was, even though He is God. When I read the gospels now and say the Liturgy of the Hours, I remember your writing in these books and can really feel His presence.

Thank you so much. I am forever grateful to you for your writing. I can't wait for the next book to come out.

In Carmel's Love,
Rosemarie Antinore

P. S. The only thing I do want to mention is that I believe that both Jesus and Mary were at St. Joseph's side when he died. That's why he is known as the Patron Saint of a Happy Death (among other titles). Who wouldn't be happy with Jesus and Mary at their side on their deathbed.

Posted 5/9/08

Dear Anne,

I have never written to an author before, and I hope you don't mind my message, but I had just finished your book, "Christ the Lord, Out of Egypt".  This is one of the most inspiring books I have read!  I have been a Christian all my life, and after reading your book and then reading how you left the Church and how you were led to return to the Church has left a wonderful feeling in me.  Although you are a Catholic and I am a Protestant, we are so close in our delight in Christ, God, and the Holy Spirit, that I do not see the differences.  Thank you so much for your devotion to research to make this possible.  I am going to purchase the newest book, and I hope there are many more to come.

Although I have read many of your novels and have enjoyed them, they pale next to this book.  God Bless you in everything you do.  I am also so sorry about the loss of your husband.

Most Sincerely,

Katherine Goldstein

Posted 5/9/08

Dear Mrs Rice,

My spiritual director has recommended that I write this brief note to you for your marvellous Christ the Lord novels. I read the first one last year and devoured The Road to Cana as soon as Amazon shipped it to me. As a teenager I recall borrowing several of your other novels from my local library. Your writing was so vivid and your stories so engaging that I loved them then; now, as a man studying to be ordained to the priesthood, I confess that my admiration for your gifts has grown. May God bless you for using your charism to help introduce the personalities of Jesus and his family to a wider audience.

In the first novel I was struck by your characterisation of Joseph, who is my family's patron saint. Joseph leapt from your pages into my prayers in a way that I never expected; my devotion to this great man was already cemented, but you have helped me colour in my prayers.

Likewise, in the Road to Cana Mary's quiet, joyful, resignation to
her son's mission took on a deeper dimension. The Holy Family often feels to me like old friends, and like old friends, it is easy to
take them for granted and difficult to be surprised by them;
thankfully you have given me a great gift and allowed me to meet
Mary, Joseph and the others in a new light.

Undoubtedly you have probably suffered greatly since beginning these novels, for the evil one loves to strike those who try to get closer to the Lord. If it brings you any consolation, please know that you have helped me improve my relationship with the Lord and his family.

I will continue to keep you in my prayers, may you continue to share your gifts with the rest of us.

Thank you and God bless you,

Shannon Donahoo
Seminarian for the Archdiocese of Melbourne, Australia

Posted 5/9/08

Dear Anne,
 
I just finished reading Christ the Lord, the Road to Cana.  It was absolutely amazing!  I had read Christ the Lord, Out of Egypt a year or so ago and had hoped that you would continue the writing of  this powerful story.  Though I am a life-long Catholic – and know the story of Christ.  I love how you write it – and find it helpful on my continuing faith journey. Both have been inspiring and life-giving to me.  
 
I hope you continue to write the story of Christ the Lord. You truly have a gift!  .
 
Best wishes and prayers,
 
Ann Mueller

Posted 5/9/08

Dear Ms. Rice:
I just want you to know I finished Christ the Lord: The Road to Cana today and it is brilliant. The area that hit me so hard is the Tempting in the Desert. I could see it in my minds eye.
You did an amazing job. The research was unbelievable. The story about Mary Magadalan (the Demon possesed woman I assume is her) was one I had never heard of but it makes sense, as much sense as her being the shamed, adulterous woman He saved from stoning later in the Gospels. Many things sort of came up in my reading like the words "They will hate you because of Me." The part where Avigail is imprisoned in her fathers house brought that bit of scripture out to me. Whether it was intentional or not I got that out of the whole episode.

Thank you so much for the tremendous effort you have endevoured on. I cannot imagine the stresses in putting together this story, the story of all stories together must be like.

With  warm regards,

Stephanie M. Janiczek

Ms. Rice:

When Christ the Lord - Out of Egypt was published, I read it and really enjoyed it. I recently bought two copies of Christ The Lord - The Road to Cana. I kept one for myself and mailed one to a friend for her birthday. Last evening, I finished CTL The Road to Cana and absolutely loved it. I could feel my soul being encouraged throughout the reading. What an inspiration! As one who loves Jesus Christ as my Lord and Saviour, I thank you for your writing about Him. What a blessing these books are to Christians. They add a new dimension to what we already know about Jesus. I am looking forward to your Christian testimony which I was told will be published in October.

I, too, am a writer and greatly appreciate your work.

Blessings and Christian love,

Holly Fox Vellekoop
"STONE HAVEN: Murder Along the River"

Posted 4/4/08

Dear Anne,

I have a little anecdote I would like to share with you. I’ve been a fan of your work since I was 12 years old. I was first exposed to Interview with the Vampire, the film. Immediately after, I bought the Spanish translation of Interview with the vampire, because my mother would not let me read it in English. She wanted to know what I was reading, since she admitted she immediately connected your writing, with satanic writing, due to the fact that you dealt with vampires.

Over the years, I’ve read your books, loving your exquisite, sensuous prose, and eye for detail. I wrote to you a couple years back, inquiring your field of study, while in the midst of an existential crisis I was going through in 9th grade. Thanks to you, and your characters— specifically Michael Curry, I will now be studying Fine Arts in Laguna College of Art and Design. Michael and Mona have truly been an inspiration to me, to better myself. Liberal Arts have ever since been my passion, and it’s something I’m thankful for.

On Friday, I had an essay to write for a simulation for the AP English Literature Exam. The prompt asked to write about a character who struggled to find identity, and purpose for his existence. The first character that triggered, was Louis de Pont du Lac, as well as Lestat— seeking purpose, and meaning, in a seemingly Godless world. To my misfortune, I couldn’t use either, because apparently The Vampire Chronicles don’t qualify for ‘AP Merit’. This really disturbed me, but regardless, I couldn’t really meditate on the thought while working under pressure, trying to find a novel that applied, and try to connect everything in 45 minutes.

The theme in the chronicles, then triggered the character of Mersault, in Camus’ ‘The Stranger’. Needless to say, I finished the essay on time, applying a book no one used in my classroom, provided the fact they all used Catcher in the Rye.

Well, during the car ride home with my mother, I started to tell her the story I just told you. And she was thoroughly impressed, in the literary value found in the chronicles. We got deeper and deeper into the conversation, to the point where I gave her a full blown analysis of the search for meaning in the chronicles, and how you literary wrote yourself back to God through your work.

After I commented on Christ the Lord out of Egypt, she said we should buy the book. I told her I’d bought it back in 2005. She said she wanted to read it, but she didn’t understand English. Yesterday, I went to the bookstore, and bought it for her in Spanish. I told her to first read your Author’s Note, to better understand the context of the book, and why your wrote it.

My mother isn’t much of a reader, but she is a very devoted Catholic. She tends to fall asleep just reading a magazine. She’s more of an audio learner, than a visual learner. Regardless, she read part of the note, and this morning, she came to me, after work, and she said how utterly impressed she was, and how she couldn’t possibly believe what you’d written— how you’d lost your faith when you went to college, and returned after so many years, and how all your extensive research, and your novels up to now, had only prepared you to take such a massive and complex project, such as writing a first-person account on the life of the Lord.

Needless to say, she has a completely different view of the material I’ve literally been raised with since the age of 12. I am now 18, and I’ve always considered you a mentor in terms of writing, the way you’ve always looked up to Dickens. She commented on how she can’t believe how well prepared you are, and how much effort, emotion, and research you put into everything.  She wanted me to email you, and tell you how impressed, and how thankful she is. She is now reading your book, and hopefully we’ll be going to the bookstore sometime soon, to see if they have the translated version of Christ the Lord Road to Canaan.

Up until now, she’d dismissed writing as merely a hobby, as sometime to kill time with. Now she understands the deeper meaning of it, and is actually, finally supporting me in my career as an aspiring writer.

Thank you for everything,

Claudia Clemente, Mexico

Hardback cover