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Occasional reflections on things that come into my mind — plus links to episodes of my radio show / podcast, “Free Expression”

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“Can’t Put It Down”

By 2 Comments

REVIEWERS AGREE THAT
MBK IS A PAGE-TURNER

A couple of posts ago I shared a review of my novel about the family of Jesus — MY BROTHER’S KEEPER — from Catholic author Deanna Klingel, who described it as…

“a story well-told, well-researched, easy to read, with fresh imagination, and beautifully written …. Here’s a book you’ll be glad you’ve read; a book of substance, a book that will leave you wanting more.”

Now Virginia Lieto and Kelly Thatcher, two Catholic writers / bloggers with their own wide followings, express the conviction that this is a book that compels you to keep reading.

Virginia Lieto calls it “a masterpiece worthy of your time.” And she offers these tantalizing tidbits to suggest why…

“What stance will James [Jesus’ stepbrother] take? Will he challenge Jesus on the interpretation of the Law? Or, will he put aside all he knows about the Law to save his brother? Will he hold fast to his Pharisee roots, or toss aside years of work in building relationships with the Sanhedrin and the priests?”

Sound interesting?

Kelly Thatcher observes that MY BROTHER’S KEEPER has…

“everything a good read should have. Suspense. Humor (and I’m talking about laugh-out-loud humor!). Tragedy. Sorrow. Joy. Education (you really learn stuff you didn’t know before). Even a bit of romance.”

I couldn’t ask for more enthusiastic endorsements than theirs. And I’m grateful to these three wonderful ladies for their willingness to delve into my writing and offer some very thoughtful reflections.

Take a few minutes to read their reviews and check out their own literary contributions…

 

Virginia Lieto is an author and inspirational speaker based in North Carolina. Her review of MY BROTHER’S KEEPER can be found at…

http://virginialieto.com/my-brothers-keeper-bill-kassel/#.WVEG9suWz3j

 

Kelly Thatcher shares her insights about good literature from Boston. Read her thoughts on my novel at…

http://pewlady.blogspot.com/2017/06/my-brothers-keeper-by-bill-kassel-hint.html

(I was amused to discover that the name of her blog has such a familiar ring.)

 

And, in case you missed it, here’s a link to Deanna Klingel’s review of a few weeks back (she too is a denizen of North Carolina, incidentally)…

http://booksbydeanna.com/blog-selling-books/mini-blog4303378

 

If you’ve had the opportunity to read MY BROTHER’S KEEPER, please come back and give me your own thoughts about the book using the comments section below. I’d love to hear what you think of it.

 

 

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Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: Deanna Klingel, Kelly Thatcher, My Brother's Keeper, Virginia Lieto

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Barbara says

    June 26, 2017 at 12:18 pm

    Matthew 6:1

    Reply
    • Bill Kassel says

      June 26, 2017 at 2:15 pm

      Barbara,

      Your comment is incisive and appropriate. Matthew 6:1 tells us…

      “Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.”

      And this highlights the dilemma faced by an author:

      He believes his writing speaks for itself. But it will never get to speak unless he sells some books.

      The best way to sell books is on the recommendations of others. But those recommendations will have no effect unless potential buyers read them.

      So there’s a time when he must set humility aside — at least for awhile — and draw attention to the complimentary things others are saying about his writing.

      It’s an uncomfortable life situation. But it’s an unavoidable aspect of book publishing.

      Thank you sincerely for your expression of concern about my soul.

      Bill

      Reply

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My Brother’s Keeper — Comments from Readers…

From the opening words of Bill Kassel’s novel we are drawn into the complex and colorful world of first century Israel. The reader is caught up in the drama of Christ through the eyes of Jesus’ natural family. Kassel’s work is unconventional, exciting and controversial, offering fresh insights and inspiration for believers and non believers alike.
—Fr. Dwight Longenecker
Blogger and Author

My Brother’s Keeper was, for me, a most gratifying reading experience. The book is beautifully written. And even with my limited early Christian history knowledge, I could tell that it had been exhaustively researched. I consider it a significant literary achievement. It was a privilege to read it.
—Gordon Boardman
Kalamazoo, MI

It makes the Gospels come alive in a new way. I loved it.
Frank Berkemeier
Jackson, MI

This was a fascinating book! It was not what I thought it was going to be. I thought the main character, James the Just, was going to turn out to be one of Jesus’ Apostles and the book would describe what it was like to spread the Good News. Instead, it came from the perspective of a family member who was not 100% sure that Jesus was the Messiah. Not only that: James the Just had a sort of friendship with Pontius Pilate. The entire book put you in the Holy Land while Jesus walked. It was a fascinating read. I would recommend it, and already have!
—Carol McHale
Reviewer for
Good Reads

Bill Kassel has taken a very different approach to the Christian story. His is not the conventional Christmas card portrait of the Holy Family. Rather, he has delved deeply into the earliest writings in Church Tradition and offered some compelling suppositions about what was going on around Jesus and how the people closest to him might have been effected by it. He has crafted a plot that’s engaging to the modern reader and, surprisingly, doesn’t contradict Scripture.”
—Fr. Joe Krupp
Columnist
Faith Magazine

If I lived in the time of Jesus, who would I think He was? What would I have believed about Him? Would I have espoused His teachings? It wasn’t like being raised Catholic in the 20th century. My Brother’s Keeper made me realize in a fresh new way how hard it was, in Jesus’ time, for many people — especially Jews — to believe in Jesus and how amazing His mission really was.
—Cheryl Nael
Ave Maria Radio

This book is one of my favorites. My Brother’s Keeper, from page one, invites you to go deeper into the daily life and time of Christ. Most of us are very familiar with the scriptures that give us an account of his life. This book takes you to a personal level that creates a very real image of not only the people but how Christ’s relationships and decisions created a life outside of themselves. How Jesus related to his family, and how his family saw him, bring a very realistic aspect to his life, and created the beginnings of a more personal understanding of Christ in my own life.
—Chris Hoyt
Osseo, MI

Well worth reading. Kassel Takes Biblical facts, Historic facts, Jewish facts and traditions, and weaves them into a compelling narrative. The dialogue is believable and enlightening. You really feel like you are there it is so well written and believable. I honestly couldn’t put it down even though I know the end as the Bible tells it. Kassel captures the emotions of the characters and they are believable. A very compelling and enjoyable read.
—D. Clark Wonderland
Reviewer for
Amazon.com

Bill Kassel has created a vivid landscape for his characters that can be clearly seen felt and almost touched. The Interaction between the characters is understated and dutiful with silent respect. The reader can almost hear their thoughts in humble reverential tones. The relationships between the characters comes across as genuine and the narrative moves along smoothly. And the storyline in engaging. All in all a very good read.
—Al Ferber
Poet & Author

The subject matter and historical period are interesting to me so I find this a good read. I am Catholic but I think the book would be of interest to any Christian who would like to read a fictionalized rendering of what life might have been like for Jesus’ brother, James.
—M.D. Garnett
Reviewer for
Amazon.com

Read this book. ’Tis a very interesting speculation about the family of Joseph, James and Jesus as the Jewish foundation to the Catholic faith.
—Ralph Wasche
White City, OR

“…a book of history, and, yes, entertainment. Even though we all know how it will end, I can’t put it down! It’s one of those stories you find yourself thinking of when you go about your daily routine …. Whether you are a Christian or not, this is an awesome read.”
—Nancy Ryan
Book Reviewer
Simply Hers
Magazine

Bill Kassel explores the impact Jesus’s birth and ministry had on his family, specifically Joseph and Joseph’s son James. Diligent research vividly describes the geography of the region and portrays the culture and politics of Judaism at that time. Not the typical retelling of the story of Jesus. Kassel poses questions that challenge the reader to rethink basic premises and meditate on new perspectives and their impact on the reader.
—Christine DeNuccio
Reviewer for
Amazon.com

Fantastic! Transported me back to Jesus’ time. And a new perspective on James. Great read.
—“Book Bug”
Reviewer for
Barnes & Noble

Reading “My Brother’s Keeper” is like being part of the part of the crowd at the crucifixion. Mr. Kassel transports you into the Word. I was there and understood the life of Jesus and his family situation.
I am a Protestant, and there are a few things I can’t agree with, but I thoroughly enjoyed the book and Mr. Kassel’s grasp of the English language. I was there with my Savior.
—Gail Gioia
Upper Black Eddy, PA

Kassel relates the life and ministry of the Savior of the world through an inspired, historical, and personable lens… His faith, research, and talent shine through the portrayals of the characters James the Just, Simon Peter, Joseph of Arimathea, Mary the Mother of our Lord, Pontius Pilate, and various others. I commend his authorship and recommend “My Brother’s Keeper” to any seeking to kindle a love for those who shared in the Master’s mortal life and ancient Israel. Kassel adheres to the biblical accounts of Christ’s life, expounding with full creative license potential causes, emotions, and situations that might have occurred among the ancient Jews. I pray that you enjoy the story of James the Just, and join him in discovering a greater love for the Son of God, and our fellow men.

—Drew Hooper
Reviewer for
Amazon.com

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