4/17/20 MOUNTAIN OF FULL MOONS By Irene Kessler

• Print Length: 328 pages
• Publisher: She Writes Press (April 14, 2020)
• Publication Date: April 14, 2020
• Sold by: Amazon.com Services LLC

Thirteen-year-old Elisha lives in a village near Shechem in the Land of Canaan in ancient Israel. She wants to be like other girls but is unmarried, speaks to an angel, and composes and sings her own songs--a pursuit her parents disapprove of. When she tells the village women to stand up for themselves, the men are outraged and the tribe banishes her.

After journeying alone through the desert, escaping bandits, wild animals, and men who would sell her as a servant, Elisha makes it to Jerusalem, where the angel guides her to study with Abraham and Sarah. She learns much including reading and writing, and Abraham even gives her Doron, his servant, to accompany her as she sings her songs throughout the country. Doron becomes her lover and her songs are well accepted--until she sings one about equality for women.

Mountain of Full Moons explores how we overcome our fears, go out into the world, and gain the courage to speak up and be whom we choose to be.

THOUGHTS/REVIEW:

This debut Historical Fiction novel Mountains of Full Moon was a mesmerizing read that caught my attention for its captivating story line about a young girl, Elisha. 

The story was set some 5,000 years ago in ancient Israel. Elisha - strong willed, and a wonderfully written character has unique gifts and talents. She endured hardships in a life filled with challenges and difficulties. Ousted from her village, her guardian angel lead her to Jerusalem where she was taken under the wing of both Abraham and Sarah. 

The author wrote an enthralling and vivid story that I thoroughly enjoyed that weaved themes of survival, determination and strength in order to overcome obstacles in this spiritual and inspirational journey. 

AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT:

Born in New York City, Irene Kessler is a Jill of many trades. As a single mother of three, she was the Polaroid Camera Girl, sold jewelry, and held makeup parties to supplement her alimony. She moved on to sing minor roles at New York City Opera, the Metropolitan Opera, and the Teatro Principal in Barcelona, Spain. Irene received her master’s degree in psychology, moved to Florida, and became an eating disorder specialist at Glenbeigh Hospital. She completed her PhD in 1997 and went on to work at the Radar Institute and Renfrew Center. She was in private practice for over thirty years, during which time she also joined a local quartet that performed opera, operetta, and Broadway tunes at venues in Broward and Palm Beach counties. She was inspired to begin writing after attending a presentation by writer and teacher Joyce Sweeney. Born and bred in the Bronx, New York, Irene is the mother of three, grandmother of four, and great-grandmother to the happiest baby boy. She sang opera in both the U.S. and abroad, then worked as a psychologist in hospitals and private practice for thirty years before turning her hand to writing. This is her debut novel.