Lin Wilder Presents Plausible Liars - A Dr. Lindsey McCall Medical Mystery! This is the Best Book Written Thus Far by An Outstanding Author!

Selected

Plausible Liars Finalist Book Excellence

Medical Fiction 2023

"Father John said, speaking into the silence, “I’ve learned that it is best to first understand the consequences when seeking to rescue another person.”

University of Texas School of Public Health at Houston Doctorate in Public Health, Medical Ethics 

Boston University Boston University MS, Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration

Dominican College Bachelor's degree, English Language and Literature/Letters

This latest book is the 5th in Series. It also includes A Price for Genius (3) Malthus Revisited (4) Do You Solemnly Swear (2) and The Fragrance Shed by a Violet (1)

This novel may be as important to you, as it was to me. In fact, I included information on the author's credentials. To me, knowing the background of a writer often allows me to evaluate what is covered in the book and whether the writer has the credentials to have done so. I know that I usually reserve this for non-fiction books. However, this book in many places reads as a non-fiction book and, in my opinion, the author's inclusion of documentation was needed to make this book, in my opinion, the best book that I have read by this author, and, the best coverage of a sensitive issue that must prove that the information is Truthful...

Plausible Liars is a Must-Read. Given the state of America where lying has become acceptable, even by our highest office holder, this could be the most important book written by the author, thus far.

Many of us will remember the sensation when Bruce Jenner, named as the greatest athlete suddenly proceeded to move toward become a transgender woman. And letting the world know about it... Let me very clear, Gender Identity is now a choice that is covered under Federal Government Laws. BUT Bruce Jenner was in middle age when he moved forward by choice... I support the coverage, just as I support laws that cover those of us, such as me, as a woman who has been discriminated against, is covered...under the phrase All Are Created Equal.

BUT, as we also all have seen, those who are prone to "hate," often may be those who have been torn apart by hatred, discrimination, prejudice, and often find  themselves in trouble, through no action or fault of their own. In fact, many have found that only through pushing for recognition are they able to be the person that they really are... For me? I believe this is a matter between the individual and God... and possibly family, if age is relevant.

Plausible Liars is a fascinating, heart-breaking story of people who have been influenced by their past and, many more than the average individual, have formed either a tough skin, or a world of pain in which they must live. Even Bruce Jenner in the early video above, expressed that what he felt inside was what he had always felt... Key issue is that he was old enough to make that decision himself, perhaps through counseling, religion, or just spending years reviewing what he knew about himself and what he was willing to do about it.

I felt compelled to provide basic groundwork before I proceeded. Because this very important book is about gender identity... And there are so many misconceptions, disinformation, and confusion in knowing what is true or not... Why? Because we already know that many are using religion to promulgate hatred, divisiveness, and violence...

Note:  These two cases, in my opinion, are quite different from the two in the book, although there would be some, as is seen, that have strong opinions about what is happening... I welcome further discussion through the comment section immediately after each post... We all have the right to have opinions, as long as we remain open for receiving further information and listen to opposing views. How else are we to learn and better understand each other?

~~~

I have seen this over and over and over. The government announces a new policy... Yet does nothing to ensure implementation and training... One of the major issues I got involved with is when the new American Disabilities Act was approved. An Important Act, but little guidance was given for actual implementation. They put out some specifications about measurements, but, especially in classrooms for which I was responsible, they stuck an empty location in the front of the room in case somebody was in a wheelchair. That's it! Nothing about hearing or seeing limitations were even considered, yet there were undoubtedly more of those problems than with somebody in a wheelchair. And what if that individual who was expected to sit in the front, yet could not see over the demonstration bench for labs, which was the instructor's location for teaching? The thing is that America has gotten into a very bad habit--we stereotype anything and everything that we either don't like or that we have not taken the time to think through the ramifications and actually establish a plan of action or indeed a solid breadth and scope of knowledge for any given issue. It was my job to be responsive to all ADA facilities issues, particularly in classrooms, and later in facilities planning of all facilities.

I include this trailer by a book review agency. The emphasis on drugs, in my opinion, sadly misses the full impact of the book. For surely, how drugs are being prescribed is very important, but, in my mind, the impact of possibly allowing a sex change to take place... is the primary topic of the book, even if drugs are in some way, related or, at least covered in equal weight. Disinformation? On Purpose? We can't be sure, can we?

Please note that when something has been made a law, some division is responsible for implementation. Certainly, we all expected the past president, when he initiated the Covid vaccine with pharmaceutical companies to also begin planning for implementation and distribution. He did not. In fact, he began to cause problems related to masking even as his own administrative departments were giving tight regulations for Americans... causing mass infighting rather than allowing the major concern to be to save all lives if at all possible.

And certainly when gay marriages were made legal, if regulations and procedures had been distributed--perhaps they were?-- then we would not have had court cases, such as having to decide whether to bake a cake for a gay couple getting married. If you choose to work as a service provider, then you should do the job fully. Your religious concerns has no place in doing a job, but that's my opinion, maybe because I believe that doing your job is an act of service to Him.

Somewhere along the line, individuals started making a choice based upon their own life. They felt more like boys than girls (or vice versa). For instance:

Lili Elbe (born December 28, 1882, Vejle, Denmark—died September 13, 1931, Dresden, Germany) Danish painter who was assigned male at birth, experienced what is now called gender dysphoria, and underwent the world's first documented sex reassignment surgery. Born Einar Wegener, Elbe lived nearly her whole life as a man.

These changes began and were considered new options until around 1969 when they became more normalized... And it was in the mid-1980s when the government recognized these individuals and allowed the surgery... Later the Supreme Court merely added sexual identity to be covered under a current law on discrimination. 

But as the author, Lin Wilder, determined that she would write the book she had been asked to write, she realized that she would have to dig deep into her characters--to be more empathic, perhaps, than she had ever been before. Readers will know this as her main character, Dr. Lindsey McCall, shares both the internal thoughts of those involved--yes, from both sides of the story... I was especially impressed with this, because it reflects the maturity of the author in ensuring her complete story is told--even when we, as readers, may understand the why of the "villain" in this case, but know that his decision was based upon his personal past and should never have been used to advise and counsel others... Shall we, then, begin...

~~~

"The beauty around her pushed back the malicious darkness of social engineering and the insanity of a world led by people who deified humanity while wholly unconscious of consequences."

“The story, tell me the whole story.” Kate smiled and wiped away her remaining tears. “Because three-year-old Danny Sugarman decided he no longer wanted to be called Danny but Susan, Addison Meeks, the preschool teacher, bought Danny/Susan a chocolate cake with the name ‘Susan Sugarman’ written on it. Then Addison took all the kids outside to circle Danny and sing, ‘Susan, come out.’ Danny removed his pants and put on a skirt Addison had purchased. 

Since I was getting JH early for once, I got to see and hear the entire bizarre party. “After I parked, I sat and watched because it looked odd. The kids were outside, and Danny Sugarman was in the middle of their circle, looking at a cake. Curious, I got out of the car and walked up the driveway. When I got there, Danny began crying hysterically, screaming that he didn’t want to be Mia, over and over. The other kids, including JH, started to cry, too. So, I asked Addison if I could help. When she said I could, I picked up Danny, swapped the skirt for his trousers, and he stopped crying instantly. Addison didn’t care for that. She asked me what I was doing and why. “Instead of answering her, I suggested we get all the children back inside the kindergarten. I hoped the situation could be managed before the other moms and nannies arrived. So, I had JH take Danny and two girls inside the kindergarten without waiting for Addison to say anything. 

Meanwhile, Addison asked me again why I’d changed Danny back into the trousers he’d been wearing before he ‘came out.’ “‘Addison, you heard Danny screaming because he didn’t want to be like his older sister, Mia, right? And now he’s no longer screaming. You see this, correct? In fact, he’s acting like any other three-year-old little boy, chasing after JH and the others.’” Although it had been months, Kate shook her head, still trying to process what seemed like wholly irrational behavior on the part of the young teacher. “Addison nodded as if she agreed and started to say something, but I cut her off and asked her why she would treat a three-year-old child as mature enough to decide that he wanted to be a girl and then to treat him as if he were a transgender male to female, even ceremonially changing his name and clothing. Why would she do such a thing? Then I asked if Danny’s parents had told her it would be OK with them.” Listening to Kate’s objective and straightforward story, Lindsey was impressed with how she’d handled herself. She had covered all the angles, even the unlikely possibility that Danny’s parents would approve of him transitioning to a girl. 

“Acting huffy, Addison said that she’d studied under Dr. Matt Heathcock, one of the theorists who brought the diagnosis of gender dysphoria into the twenty-first century. He also wrote and passed the transgender education legislation pioneered in California.” Kate smiled sardonically. “Another step forward for humanity from Sacramento.” Lindsey shook her head, impressed by this gutsy, levelheaded woman. “According to Addison, Danny has the right to decide his gender,” Kate continued. “Since Danny had been calling himself a girl for the last couple of afternoons, Addison felt obligated as his teacher to ‘affirm’ his gender identity. She said that, unfortunately, parents are frequently too ‘emotionally involved’ to help their children become who they are meant to be. “Once we got the detritus of the cake cleaned up and all twelve of the kids back inside, Addison thanked me for my help. For a moment, I thought she was having second thoughts about what had happened. So, I asked Addison if she planned to speak with Danny’s parents about the party and what had happened. Then you’ll never guess what this twenty-something-year-old child did. She smiled at me and said, ‘Kate, you mean Susan’s parents, not Danny’s, right?’” 

Lindsey studied Kate. “What? You’re looking at me as if I’ve developed a third eye or something, Lindsey!” “I’m just flabbergasted at this story.” She picked up the second scone and broke off a piece. Without picking it up, Lindsey said, “And I can’t express how very proud I am to be your friend.” Toying with the piece of scone, Lindsey popped it into her mouth, swallowed, and said, “So many of us would have just grabbed our kid and walked away. And tried to forget what had happened. Even pretend it didn’t happen.”

~~~

I love all the characters in this book, especially the two female lead characters who are also friends, Lindsey McCall and Kate Townsend, the latter being a Pulitzer Prize winning Investigative Journalist. Kate had just completed a series of articles for her newspaper, while Lindsey has been counseling a local teenager at his request while he volunteered to care for dogs in her clinic... The book opens as Lindsey and Kate have just been let out of jail on bail for wrongful death of a minor... The teenager had died...

Readers then begin to hear from two successful and involved women, first, separately, and then together, in participating in issues which directly affect the children of America... Kate had already finished with the last in a series of articles concerning transgenderism. 

While Lindsay had only become involved because the young teenager was a friend of a young student living with Lindsay's family. I will quickly point out that Morgan, the involved friend has Autistic spectrum disorder … Asperger’s, high-functioning autism, with high perception abilities who knew what was happening with her friend before anybody else... I was pleased to see her character since I've had the pleasure of living with a great-nephew who exhibited the traits I was reading in the book, although Morgan has a paranormal ability as well... Cool, right?!

"Once again, Lord, there are no coincidences with you, are there? Father John had acted as consultant and advisor to their mutual friend, Kate Townsend, for the last few months..."

You see, a triangle of faith had been made by that time and when either of the women felt a need for guidance, they called Father John. Lindsey had called him about the young teen, but during that conversation, Father John was able to tell Lindsey all about the work of Kate, with whom she had not been in contact with for some time... Surely, this was a sign, a God Incident, where concern for His children, was brought forward for His faithful to help correct, but for one, it was too late, sadly...

Kate had had a hard time getting into what she needed to write. She kept seeing the results of what could happen allowing children to choose a sex change. Surely everybody should know this, right?

Wrong... for one reason or another, an individual can become so immersed in their opinions, their beliefs, that they may feel like they are acting as they should. The woman in the above video, also a teacher, thought she was being responsive to the child... However, the teacher in Kate's experience had pointed out her training, her indoctrination of an important issue and chose to act immediately and extremely with the child she was now teaching. Based upon the teachings she had received from an individual with skewed and strong negative thinking of what his own life was like--and, actually, thinking that he, too, was helping children...

Where and How Did We Come To This? In my personal opinion, when we fail to place Love Your Neighbor, whoever they are, as primary to our decisions, then our children are those who suffer and grow to be what they may become, based upon, even, sometimes religious beliefs... Children must learn through what they see, what they are taught nonverbally as well as verbally. And, when parents aren't prepared--if teachers aren't prepared--if religious leaders aren't prepared-- only then, it seems that laws came into existence to protect those damaged by actions that are based on wrong information...

While Kate was highlighting concerns about teachers with access to young children too young to make any decisions, Lindsey had been working with a teenager who was being prepared for a sex change from female to male. From an early age. But then her body was maturing, she started binding her breasts! The medication was causing major problems for her and she on her own had started to slow down taking the meds. In other words, she was already prepared and needed to talk to somebody to prevent an operation that was already scheduled... Lindsey was that person who had been helping her. But the damage was already too far along...

Now here's a key factor for me and I believe readers as they begin to digest this important novel. Remember what I said about love? For thousands of years, people have not been satisfied with working together. Many, such as the early slaves brought to America against their will, were abused and started to fight back. Many wanted money and power and did anything to get that. You will see that the characters in this book are either loving and concerned, or they are mentally skewed, not able to see the children as somebody to love and protect... Unfortunately, at this point, our children are getting the brunt of those in power wanting to continue in power, regardless of concern...for...anybody... Think separation of children from parents at the border years ago that still haunts us because many have never been reunited... Or think of the children who have died by gunfire, because republican politicians refuse to take certain guns away!

Those who are loving are forced into legal battles such as both Kate and Lindsey were placed. Laws are only as good as the people who forced laws to be made are. Meaning, they can't force everybody to love one another. The world is in a crisis made by those who have no concern for anybody but themselves. Our children, God's children are suffering.

What do we do? Well, as you know, I read and talk about what I read. Writers are writing about what they see and learn about. They do the research and present both fiction and non-fiction for all of us to learn from, to begin to understand more about what those who place themselves above the law as well as above Love for more than themselves, is doing to the world we live in.

In my opinion, this book is the most important book thus far written by Lin Wilder. She strikes deep into a subject that is not only confusing and hard to understand for those of us who don't truly have those feelings... and, which, is being used by political power thirsty individuals who... really... don't... care... about... anything... but... staying... in...power... When you see things like transgenderism, which is normally a small percentage--a small group of people who have these feelings... AND... Are Adults... suddenly become a visible "issue" of politicians, then we need to be prepared to participate and logically talk about it. Certainly it is in schools. Teachers who have never had training or bad guidance based upon disinformation; i.e., information that is purposely skewed or falsified in order to have acceptance by the listener... Just like Physicians who have had training but are being threatened with jail for trying to help those desperately in need during difficult pregnancies... This is Crazy!

Then, my readers, you have a world of chaos and such great turmoil that we can not even trust our courts to be truthful and concerned for all of our citizens... If you have children, read this book! But, more, read books or movies like God and Country, to begin to understand and realize that we must all be involved.

Because, there is no way around it. Following God's guidance in placing Love--for Him--and for our neighbors--first, or we will possibly lose our great nation. Be diligent, force yourself to watch multiple news, not just what makes you feel comfortable... If you are not up to date on the hate and violence that is occurring daily in America and across the world... Then, you really have no reason to ever make any personal statement, even for voting... If you do not Love... If you seek only violence, power, and hatred of all those who are different from you... then, we, the world of Love will reject you...Humans are different from God. God may forgive you at the final hour... But a mother who has lost a child to guns, to disinformation, to hate... will never forget what those who choose Hate have done to our country...

And, thank you Lin, for taking the challenge and writing this book! Indeed it is clearly a book inspired by God...

GABixlerReviews

Open Memoir: Emotionally Damaged - I Believe in Evil But--Is it The D....?

 

This is meant to be satiric...I thought I'd better say that up front today--yes, I guess it is today even though, once again, I got up in the middle of the night... You know, folks, I wouldn't say that I've spent a lot of time expanding my vocabulary, because, simply, I want to know what each word means when I use it... I call myself a literalist... Actually, I didn't even know that word was "real" before I checked... What I meant when I made myself a literalist was that I take words in a literal fashion...

As I mentioned earlier, I had decided to read the latest book from Lin Wilder--a writer I much admire. So, when in the front of the book, I read this:

Writing Plausible Liars has reintroduced me to the inescapable fact that delving deep into what we know is unnatural and indefensible forces a plunge into the problem of evil. What is it? Why does it exist? Then we must look at it and name it.

Evil - It even sounds "bad." And, placing a D in front of the word, well, that zoomed me back to Sunday School, maybe around 7 or 8--old enough to think about things, but too young to really know for sure...

There was a song that we children would sing--"Let the Sunshine In..." I got to thinking about the words to that song... I decided then and have never changed my decision, that questioned: Why in the world if the D was so bad, would you sing about him? I decided then and there that I would never even want to even say the word! And I don't!

Something happened yesterday. I think I'll write about it separately... But I found myself asking "Again?" Why? Is the world really going downhill so much--from an educational/training basis that our culture is, indeed, being dumbed down? Of course, I didn't say those words, even in my mind, but I had to "find" the right words to share my story. OK? Anyway, given that my disability came about from Job Burnout, I was finding it more and more difficult, even fearful, that I could be pushed into rage so easily--and often--when something "inefficient" happened... And it seemed to be happening more often...

And, then, just as the children's song had come to me, so, too, a voice from the past came with "You can tell if you're working for God, if the D has taken notice..."

Ok, you can laugh at that, 'cause I at least smiled... Was that D watching all that I'm trying to do in my reading certain books and sharing them? And then, folks, I grinned broadly and the tension eased from earlier... And my mind pulled up the time I became a whistleblower for the good of the university, even though it could have led to what happened later... In any event, for the first time in my life, I was able to recognize that I needed to go back and start reading Lin's book again and pay attention... I didn't want to have my mind cluttered or confused... for it's an important book, I believe, about our children...

But beyond that decision, I also started looking perhaps differently about what is happening in America and "how" and "why" it is being done. In my opinion, honestly, I don't think we can use Mr. D as the reason. I believe that each of us chooses to be who we are... Or, if we didn't choose, we were influenced by early events in interactions with others. I knew this to be true for me; and what I've read so far in Plausible Liars, I could see where this was also playing a part in Lin's book... Although I would admit I do accept that there are supernatural elements in  this world, even if I don't want to name one of them...

I've included two political videos that, in my opinion, supports my opinions. In Mary Trump's first book, she provided background information on the Trump family and, specifically, Trump's father. It appears that early on the family began to "use" government funds in any way possible to gain income... Could this have been a lead-in to where he is now? Certainly, money appears to have been the god of their lives... 

Then the other for Fox News which has a longer reputation, but is illustrative of those agencies who chose to support conservative "issues" because of, shall we use the word fanaticism, at least for some people, in their learned beliefs and those people wanted to watch programs that supported what they believed... Maybe not simple to imagine, but we must know that money and power, as well as prejudice are often chosen in making daily decisions--bad or good.

I remember when I was young, I had a friend who lived nearby and later married who I learned was in the KKK. I remembered my friend as being gentle and kind...Had her husband changed her by his racist actions? But that was a time when nobody really talked about it and, therefore, it was gossip and we had no idea whether the people were actually acting on that prejudice. Still, the memory lingers as I began to meet when I traveled by bus to another town for school in 7th grade and made my first Black friend and a Catholic girl. Those were the days of Archie Bunker and Movin' on Up shouted out that we were a nation where Black people were our neighbors... Marian, Carolyn and I remained close friend through graduation from high school... 

Now I look back and can realize that even though there was talk or reference to discrimination; i.e., "don't date a Catholic boy..." I didn't pay attention to the innuendos...  I would live my life in this same way, meeting each person on a level field and treating them with respect and courtesy, even when personally I felt an aversion... And when did that happen? Well, mostly when rudeness, disrespect and downright nastiness took place...

For when, as a child I had song the song, Into My Heart, I took it literally and believed He was now a part of me... (long before I had experienced the Baptism of the Holy Spirit) And, during those long nights deep into depression, when I tossed and turned, I would sing those songs I had learned as a child--His child until I fell asleep... This, then, perhaps, is a beginning of true healing for me... I don't know what that means, even as I write it, but I can feel, and know...

Watch for God & Country - I believe it May be a Film We all Need to see...

Jesus Loves His Children

Gabby

I, Claudia, Just Out! Latest by Author Lin Wilder!

While he was sitting on the judgment seat,
 his wife sent him a message, saying,
“Have nothing to do with that righteous Man; 
for last night I suffered greatly 
in a dream because of Him.” 
—GOSPEL OF MATTHEW, 27:19

“M’lady, M’lady, are you all right?” I could hear Antonia’s concern. She knew how I had dreaded this journey, how fervent had been my prayers for some miracle to forestall what I knew was destiny—his, mine, and the world’s. Unlike the others, Antonia had known me almost since birth. 

“I’m fine, Antonia, fine. Please do not worry, I am just drained. We have been traveling now for more than thirty days. The heat makes it almost impossible to sleep at night—it never cools off here.” It was still only midmorning, and yet the temperature had to be over ninety. The fall weather in Athens had always been gloriously cool, crisp, wholly different from this unrelenting, insufferable heat. Antonia wasn’t fooled by my reply, in spite of my attempt at a smile. I did not blame her. I knew that the upturn of my lips was more rictus than smile...and with good reason. We were heading toward a doom of the kind the world had never seen, and I knew there was nothing I could do or say to stop it. 

Surveying my surroundings, I felt no relief at the unchanged jubilance, the joyous expressions on the faces of the crowds. It would come, and soon. I am nearing the end of my life. Seventy-nine years lived as a shadow, a face behind a curtain, whispering the residues of a dream. Insubstantial, unheard. But my time of silence is done. It is time to write the truth for those with ears to hear it. 

I am Procula, wife of Lucius Pontius Pilate. My husband has been dead for several decades now. Like me, Lucius is the subject of vast ignorance, lies, and injustice. The very name Pontius Pilate has become synonymous with cowardice and betrayal. Those who claim to know the substance of my dream believe it emanates from evil. Others insist that those words that will be recited by Christians, “Suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, and died,” were the source of terror in my dreams. I was told by the Oracle that those eight words would echo throughout the centuries and be memorialized in something that would be called the Apostles’ Creed. 

Most of the people reciting the Creed would mindlessly overlook the word under and believe that the Righteous One was crucified by my husband. 

The slanderous claims, and all others like them, no longer break my heart; they are merely annoying. I often think of the writing of Socrates, a man I consider a good friend though he died before I was born. His wisdom and humility await those rare searchers of truth. “I know I am intelligent because I know I know nothing.” 

I was born in Delphi, daughter of the last of the Oracles of Pythia. It was a time of disorder, chaos, terror, and the death of nations. My mother broke her vow of virginity in lying with my father. She feared for both our lives, because what she had done was punishable by death—hers and mine. The time of the Oracles was coming to an end.

Men no longer listened to the whispers of the prophets, certainly not to the women—not even when we had the words of the gods on our lips. 

I survived, but my mother did not. I was taken to Athens, where I was raised by Adrian and Sabina. Only they knew that I was the last Oracle; my true identity remained a secret to all others—although my husband speculated as much, due to my foreknowledge of so many things.

~~~

I, Claudia

By Lin Wilder

Having read a number of Lin Wilder's books, I have loved each one of them. When she announced her new book, a literary historical novel set in the distant past, I confess I didn't think too much about it...Wilder writes continuously and in various genres. 

Nothing, however, could have prepared me for I, Claudia--not even the book description. Quite simply, I am honored to be one of readers of a novel so insightful, so fulfilling and inspirational, and, yet, so well written, that readers immediately sink in Wilder's choice of words, knowing that much research has had to be done to be able to emulate and expand upon one of the most famous stories ever told. Wilder's decision to write from the perspective of the wife of Pontius Pilate, and thus her husband's role in the crucifixion of Christ, allows readers to move away from the obvious spotlight on Jesus Christ, to those individuals that were actively involved in the background. Those individuals who were destined to be part of a murder--and yet not a murder--but a fulfillment of God's plan.

The key to the manner in which this book is distinguished from others, is that the story, I Claudia, seamlessly blends what historically is fairly well known to those who study theological history and in particular from the Bible. I appreciated greatly Wilder's inclusion of a reference to the writing of Karl Rahner, noting:

Karl Rahner who coined the phrase “anonymous Christian” to describe men and women of “good will” who have not been catechized. Rahner’s categorization provided the solution to a problem that had plagued me for much of my life. Whether because of culture or ethnicity, these are people who have never encountered the Gospel, but who, through some mysterious and unknown power known only to Christ, merit salvation. The phrase anonymous Christian describes men and women like Lucius, Claudia, and Quintillus: people who follow their conscience and live lives of redemptive faith, not mere belief.

For me, as with the author, this was a welcome answer to something that has bothered me all of my life... Thus, discovering that our main character, was the last Oracle born, and that she had special knowledge through her dreams, known to be directly from God, was not surprising...

By Albert Tournaire - École nationale supérieure des Beaux-Art (http://www.ensba.fr/ow2/catzarts/images/E_084_07-25544.JPG), Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=40736158

The only place I knew as home echoes in my mind and heart still, after almost eight decades of absence. The Delphian air is purer, the sky bluer, and the mountains redolent with wisdom. Scrambling through the tunnels beneath the Treasury of Athena kept me safer than I’d have been in a nanny’s arms, and infused me with more knowledge than did my later tutors. It was there, crawling alone around and under those sacred stone structures, that the unreliability of the senses, the language of the Forms, the highest Good, transcendent and absolute, impressed themselves into my very being. That there was just one god, not many, was a certainty I shared with the Hebrews.

~~~

The mystical, the supernatural force of God is emphasized through Claudia's life and her continued connection to Delphi, even after she had married Lucius Pontius Pilate... In fact, the merger for marriage between Claudia's uncle and Pilate, took place at their first meeting when Claudia was just 5 years old. 

And the meeting of Lucius and Claudia on the date of their marriage, both falling immediately in love, lent a further mystical experience to their time together as husband and wife. Reading about their love affair marriage, even while often separated due to his position, was a lovely addition, in my opinion.

They had been married five years when Jesus arrived on the scene. Lucius Pontius Pilate had been specifically placed because of the difficult problems between those of religious faith who were also responding to the King.

Almost immediately after their wedding, Lucius was summoned by Caiaphas and, of course, when he had first arrived, "the game began..." Lucius knew what he would face and, in marching into town fully protected by his vast army, he had chosen to send them away and take a stand...

Striding forward until I was practically on top of the man, I extended my right hand. “Hello, Caiaphas. My name is Lucius Pontius Pilate. Emperor Tiberius has appointed me the new Prefect of Judea.”

~~~

Nevertheless, the priests did everything possible to bring turmoil to the new Prefect, to provide justice... even while graciously thanking him for his protection... But it was when Caiaphas decided what to do when the Christ became so popular... that Lucius knew he might not be the Prefect afterward...

Wilder paints a kinder, gentler Lucius Pontius Pilate than most of history has colored him. Interestingly, the same words may be used, but the tone, setting, and background of the occasion has completely changed as we learn what happened from the viewpoint of Claudia, Lucius' wife... Given the foreknowledge and understanding of Pilate as he accepted his position, together with his life with Claudia and their love, It is quite acceptable, actually believable from the tone set for the book, just how much Pilate hated what he was being forced to do...

If I'd had a chance to think about it, I could have imaged how Wilder would end her book. Still, it surprised, and completed out the lives of the couple who had been separated after only five years. Claudia had been told by the Oracle that would be happening, but she had never shared her knowledge with Lucius. But, in the end, both knew how it would have to be after Jesus had died... The law was the law--and could be used to justify anything if manipulated by those in power...

It's been awhile since a story has been so well written that I felt like I was right there, having entered into the book, visited the places where our characters traveled... Some characterization of those who have been earlier written about could be expected to be recognizable. However, most readers will not know what is based on fact and what has been creatively hypothesized based upon research. The book is magnificent in every way. Each of the main characters presents a unique perspective that dramatically improves the basic story of Jesus' death and resurrection. I cannot find the words to express my emotional response to Lin Wilder's story. I can only say thank you...it was wonderfully inspirational for me...

GABixlerReviews

Lin Wilder holds a Doctorate in Public Health and has published extensively in fields like cardiac physiology, institutional ethics, and hospital management. In 2007, she switched from non-fiction to fiction. Her series of the medical thrillers include many references to the Texas Medical Center where Lin worked for over twenty-three years. 
Her first novel, The Fragrance Shed By A Violet: Murder in the Medical Center, was a winner in the 2017 IAN 2017 Book of the Year Awards, a finalist in the category of mystery. The Fragrance Shed By A Violet was a finalist in the NN Light 2017 Best Book of the Year Award in the category of mystery. Malthus Revisited: The Cup of Wrath, the fourth in the Dr.Lindsey McCall medical mystery series, won Silver/2nd Place award in the 2018 Feathered Quill Book Awards Program for the Women's Fiction category. Malthus Revisited: The Cup of Wrath was selected for the NABE Pinnacle Book Achievement Award Winners for Winter 2018 in the category of thrillers.
Finding the Narrow Path is the true story of why she walked away from -then back to God. I, Claudia is her latest nove. All her books are available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble and at her website, linwilder.com where she writes weekly articles

Note: Videos were selected based upon how close the words fit the novel and are not from any one musical selection. 

Read Along With Me... Check out Lin Wilder's New Book!

When I'm asked to review a book, I do not want to read more than the book description before I start to read--no reviews from others...no excerpt or beginning chapters...

But when I've heard about a book that will be soon published, before i buy, I want to know more--the only exception is if I already have read books by the author. I have read Wilder, but this book will be entirely different from the mystery series I have loved. So, when I learned about I, Claudia, I asked if I could share a sample of the book for readers here at Book Readers Heaven.

Knowledge has three degrees─ opinion, science, illumination. 

The means of instrument of the first is senses, the second, dialectic; of the third, intuition. --Plotinus 

The greatest blessings come by way of madness, indeed of madness that is heaven-sent. --Socrates on the Oracle at Delphi 

While he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent him a message, saying, "Have nothing to do with that righteous Man; for last night I suffered greatly in a dream because of Him." --Gospel of Matthew 

The Christian of the twenty-first century will be a mystic-one who has ‘experienced’ something or he will not be Christian. --Karl Rahner 

(I enjoy books which have quotes at the beginning. I read them and wonder how and why they have been used to support the upcoming words...The third one is obviously by Claudia to Pilate...while the first two engenders contemplation, don't you think... The last one is provocative to me, having never read anything like this, and yet, I find it quite interesting! What do you think it means?)

Prologue 

They were the faces of my dreams. Men, women and children, mouths open in joyous shouts made soundless by the din of hundreds of marching feet. The people lined the narrow streets, the wealthier watching from their palace rooftops, their children tossing brightly colored scarves upon the phalanxes of soldiers. The lead Centurion held the shield of Tiberius steadily aloft: S.P.Q.R. Senātus Populusque Rōmānus (The Roman Senate and People.) The Legionnaire moved it only when an errant puff of color landed on the scarlet standard, momentarily obscuring the golden eagle glittering in the bright sunlight. 
“He has had his arms raised for how many hours now? Shouldn’t there be a Joshua to help this Moses?” I suppressed a smile at my wittiness, knowing better than to voice the thought aloud. My ladies would be shocked by my allusion to the great Jewish prophet. 
Well aware of my reputation as an empty-headed nitwit among those who served my husband, such low expectations had served me well. Best to maintain the fiction. Soft pinks, yellows, reds, and blues of all shades drifted lazily down the still, hot currents of desert air. At first, they resembled butterflies until our carriage drew close enough to see the scarves. I looked out the window to see some of the soft cloths puddling on the dirt streets only to be trampled by the next column of tightly grouped soldiers. The morning sun turned the helmets and shields of the marching men to a radiance so bright it could not be withstood by the naked eye. 
I closed my eyes tightly against the glare and in vain hopes that these familiar faces of the onlookers were just another dream. Terrified that when I reopened them, I would see those same faces filled with hatred, mouths now joining in the monstrous roar of malevolence, commanding the death of the righteous one. 
“M’Lady, M’Lady, are you all right?” I could hear Antonia’s concern. She knew how I had dreaded this journey, how fervent had been my prayers for some miracle to forestall what I knew was destiny. His, mine and the worlds. Unlike the others, Antonia had known me almost since birth. 
“I’m fine, Antonia, fine. Please do not worry, I am just drained. We have been traveling now for over thirty days. The heat makes it almost impossible -to sleep at night--it never cools off here.” Only mid-morning and the temperature had to be over ninety. The fall weather in Rome had been glorious. So different from this unrelenting, insufferable heat. 
Antonia was unfooled by either my reply or my attempt at a smile. I did not blame her. I knew the motion of my lips was more rictus than smile...that we were heading toward a doom of the kind the world had never seen. 
I knew that there was nothing I could do or say to stop it. Upon opening my eyes, I felt no relief at the unchanged jubilance, the joyous expressions on the faces of the crowds. It would come, and soon. I am nearing the end of my life. Seventy-nine years lived as a shadow, a face behind a curtain, whispering the residues of a dream. Insubstantial, unheard. But my time of silence is done. It is time to write the truth for those with ears to hear it. 
I am Procula, wife of Lucias Pontius Pilate. My husband has been dead for several decades now. Like me, Lucius is the subject of vast ignorance, lies, and injustice. The very name of Pontius Pilate has become synonymous with cowardice and betrayal. Those who claim to know the substance of my dream believe it emanates from evil. Others insist that the words recited by Christians for the last thirty years, “suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified and died,” had terrorized me in my dream, echoing as I know they will, as I have seen in my visions, through the centuries. To be memorialized in something that will be called the ‘Apostles Creed.’ 
These slanderous claims, and all the others like them, no longer break my heart; but are merely annoying. I often think of the writing of Socrates, a man I consider a good friend though he died before I was born. His wisdom and humility await those rare searchers of truth. 
“I know I am intelligent because I know I know nothing.” I was born in Delphi, the last of the Oracles of Pythia. It was a time of disorder, chaos, terror, and the death of nations. My mother broke her vow of virginity in lying with my father. She feared for both our lives, because what she had done was punishable by death. Hers and mine. The time of the Oracles was coming to an end. Men no longer listened to the whispers of the prophets, certainly not the women. Not even when we had the words of the gods on our lips. 
I survived, but my mother did not. I was taken to Athens, where I was raised by Demetrius and Sabina. Only they knew that I was the last Oracle. My true identity remained a secret to all others —although my husband speculated that to be the cause of my foreknowledge of so much. I ask that you permit a conceit. 
This book will be told in two voices. My own and that of my husband. Perhaps that seems presumptuous? Or worse, specious? 
Near the end of his life, almost daily, my husband told me that I knew him better than he knew himself. And he talked incessantly about how close he had come to refusing the thunderous command of the Jews. 
When Lucius gave me his diaries, including the letters exchanged with Seneca, this book designed itself. Could I have intervened? When the famed Stoic philosopher directed his every thought? Incited a hatred toward the Jews that cost him and the world no less than everything? You decide.

 CHAPTER ONE 

Claudia Procula. They say it is impossible. I was, after all, barely two when we left Greece. But I remember Delphi. The only place I knew as home echoes in my mind and heart still after almost eight decades of absence. The Delphian air is purer, the sky bluer and the mountains redolent with wisdom─scrambling through the tunnels beneath the Treasury of Athena kept me safer than a nanny’s arms and infused me with more knowledge than did my later classical tutors. It was there, crawling alone around and under those sacred stone structures, that the unreliability of the senses, the language of the Forms, the highest Good, transcendent and absolute, impressed themselves into my very being. That there was just one, not many, God, was a certainty I shared with the Hebrews. 
Too young. Absurd. Inconceivable. I know. I think that too as I write these many years later. But the truth is this. By the time my kind adopted parents had decided I was old enough at nine to study philosophy, mathematics, rhetoric, classical Latin, and Greek, Sabina hired tutors. The best in Athens. And could not understand why they lasted just days. 
“Claudia Procula! Alejandro has quit. He is the third tutor in three months. I had to pay him for a month’s wages even though he was here for only five days!” 
I looked up from the scroll of Plato’s Republic I was reading. Sabina stood looking down at me, her expression a mixture of puzzlement and something else. I wasn’t sure what. 
Without thinking, I retorted, “You and Uncle Adrian could have saved a substantial sum if you would have listened when I asked to spend my days in the Aristotle Library.” 
The color in her cheeks rising, Sabina worked visibly to control her anger. She must have been over forty because she had been Mother’s older sister by ten years but her beauty remained. Sabina had competed in the Heraean Games twice and won laurel crowns each time for her long-distance marathon races. Her shape had changed little since those days. Her stola was dark violet with a light lavender shawl tied at her narrow waist with gold braid. A gold armband served as Sabina’s only jewelry. Touching her long blonde braid, her expression and her voice softened. 
“Why do these men quit tutoring you Claudia? What happens to make them want to leave so suddenly? Alejandro could not leave this home fast enough. It was almost as if he thought you...” Abruptly, she covered her mouth momentarily then let the long slender fingers drop back down to her side then Sabina closed her eyes and murmured the prayer I had heard since childhood. 
“Clear-eyed Athena, unrivaled in wisdom, daughter of Zeus and Metis whose craft and wit excelled among the mighty Titans: Athena, I pray to you. Wise in all things you are, goddess; your cunning and guile are well known. In time of war you have no equal in tactics or in strategy; many armies have you guided to victory. In time of peace your blessings fall on those whose work is of the mind–friend of the philosopher, the scientist, the student. Advisor of kings, patron of clever heroes and bold-hearted adventurers, defender of the thinker, mistress of reason and understanding, goddess to whom a strong arm and a sharp sword are nothing without the sense to wield them well and the insight to know when words are worth more than weapons. 
Athena, grant me a sound mind and steady temper, bless me with good judgment, show me the long view.” The moment the words came out of my mouth, I wanted to reach into the still, warm, summer air, grab them and eat them. 
“The words are beautiful, even wise, Aunt Sabina, but Athena is just an illusion. Her mouth produces no words, her mind no thoughts and her heart does not beat. Your goddess is merely an instrument on which to hang human weakness.” 
My aunt swayed, ever so slightly, from side to side. Those turquoise eyes hardened into flint. 
“You have no right. Even with all of your mother’s gifts, never...ever... did she speak cruelly. Know this Claudia, utter one more viperous word, and you will be out of this house.” Impossibly, her eyes grew colder. “Someone as wise as you surely knows what would become of an abandoned female ten-year-old does she not?” 
I learned on that sultry afternoon just how massive a burden was the supernatural knowledge that I had done nothing to merit. I also learned that once loathsome, pitiless words were uttered, no power in this world or in another could cauterize the wounds they made. They bled into eternity. 

CHAPTER TWO

Lucias Pontius Pilate.  I was born to be a warrior. Until I donned the tunic, body armor and shoulder plates of the legionnaire, I had felt like a child. I knew upon grabbing the dagger, sword, javelin, and shield that this was my destiny. As a boy, I had been ungainly, all angles, awkward and fumbling. But as I placed the helmet on my head and joined my legion, I knew that time had passed. I would lead men. And soon. 
The march from Rome to the outskirts of Germanicus was dreadful. Our commander underestimated the effect of the northern winter and overestimated the strength and endurance of his legion. Over one hundred Roman soldiers had died from exposure and exhaustion before we met a single German. 
Stupidity. Incompetence. Inexcusable in a leader. My anger upon finally meeting our enemy whipped my speed, tactics, and deadliness into something manic, crazed, unstoppable. At the end of that first day, outnumbered by three to one, exhausted and improperly clothed, the Germans had fled. And the live Roman soldiers were cheering my name. “LUCIAS!” “PONTIUS!” “PILATE!” 
Our Tribune was dead. Overnight, I became Tribune at just twenty-eight years of age. Was it destiny too that caused Tiberius to ride into the blood-soaked German soil just as the men had hauled me on top of a human litter shouting my name?And was it fate that caused the next emperor of Rome to smile. Then reach behind him to grab a laurel wreath, remove my helmet from my head and replace it with the wreath? Wordlessly crowning me as Tribune, on my very first day of battle. All while the men were shouting my three names so loudly that the trees of that forest shook? 
Had I known Claudia then, and had she told me of my future, would I have turned away from the rapid rise in the best army in the world? Could I have become a lawyer like my brother? Or a physician like my uncle?

~~~

The most significant issue for me has been addressed in these first three parts of the book. Specifically, Wilder has taken me back to the time of Jesus and the Romans...but she has done sufficient and intelligent research which allows her to write this historical story in today's words...

We have learned that Claudia has supernatural power, given to her at birth, which is the beginning of the end of the age of gods and into God's world where He will soon bring forth His son... Claudia early believes in that One God...

Most who have some Bible reading in their past know of Pontius Pilate's role in the trial of Jesus... But did you know the important role Claudia played? I didn't--and certainly not that Claudia had been given gifts of the Spirit. In other words, my own knowledge about this major event in history gives me a desire to learn how Claudia played a part--what she did, both before and after her husband held the trial...

Thousands of years have past. But I believe there has been too much loss of the old, old stories... To me, when Lin started hearing Claudia talking in her head, as she shared to explain why she had moved from a successful mystery series to a historical novel, I call that a supernatural experience... that... just... might... be... very... important for today's world...

The book is not out...but I want to read it... It is also not available for pre-order either...so I'll try to keep everybody posted on its availability...

In the meantime, do you spend time considering whether you will buy a book? How do you decide?  Would love to hear from you!

Glenda

Guest Blogger Lin Wilder spotlights Importance of Book Covers

The Cover: 
   Why it matters.

Hi Everybody... It's great to be back at Book Readers Heaven--this time to share a little about my new book! I, Claudia!


I’ve been waiting for the new cover of I, Claudia eagerly. Even breathlessly. That’s always the case for me as I begin writing anew story. After writing the first few chapters, 3500 words or so, I need to see the characters- the entire story.  

And Nancy Cleary never disappoints. In fact, she--or maybe we--keep getting better!

Before I move into why I’m calling this post, “The Cover: Why It Matters,” a little background.

Our partnership began five books ago-just four years ago through a chance email conversation with a friend of a friend. Odd how those ‘accidents’ can change everything, right?

Nancy listened patiently while I described an altogether horrid experience with the publisher of the first book in the Lindsey McCall medical mystery series. And brushed aside all the ‘I should have known's’, kindly but firmly. I wanted to do a second edition but had signed a contract with this company-- my list of ‘what if’s’ was endless. 

Nancy’s advice was direct and practical. I had no doubt that I was working with someone who ‘got’ this chaotic, confusing business of 21st century publishing.

In reflecting about the colossal amount of learning I’ve done in this new career, it seems unimaginable that it’s been only four years. To my surprise, I realize I’ve no regrets. Even about that first decision to go with Tate. It’s true, that adage of GK Chesterton:

Anything worth doing is worth doing badly for the first time.

Four years ago, the vastness of the errors in the first edition overwhelmed me. As did my naivete about the ease of moving from the universe of writing and publishing non-fiction to that of fiction. And about the depth of the black hole of marketing.

Wow. Worth a few repeats when I ponder how differently the writing of this 6th book feels from the first one. Wowza!

Okay, now to my main point. Or more precisely, The Cover: Why It Matters. There are three quite simple reasons why.

• The adage, ‘Don’t judge a book by its cover is mostly wrong.’
• Covers are hugely persuasive in the decision to buy a book-- for me and I’d wager--for you. They attract or repel, evoke interest or not, almost subliminally.
• Nancy’s mock-up cover for I, Claudia provides just the right combination of intrigue, timelessness and mystery needed for this story.

Why?

For a couple of months, I’ve been immersed in a number of books about this infamous couple, Pontius Pilate and his wife, Claudia. The research needed for this book has of course, been extensive. But then that’s the case for everything I’ve done. And is the case for all writers, if we want to create something excellent.

The woman in the red is precisely how I see this woman. Alone, overpowered by the weight of a wisdom for which there are no words, and yet erect, undaunted, this is Claudia Procula. The confluence of ancient Greece, Rome and Israel in the background with a reddish hue of portent. Yes! Perfect, Nancy, another consummate cover!

As always, thank you for reading.

Lin, Talk about Wow! BRH readers Alert! This article is far more than one page...Check out each spotlighted link and you will find article after article! What a wonderful way to keep your important knowledge gained through experience and provided to readers who may have missed it in other locations. I certainly enjoyed sharing this "total package" with even a recommendation for an independent publisher provided! By the way, this was important to me because I had known about the bad reviews for Tate Publishing well over 10 years! It just shows that it is hard to find out good advice in this still-emerging, expanded publishing world!

Lin, like me, I am sure many of us never have even thought of Claudia, even though well we remember Pontius Pilate...

Seeing your beautiful cover, it entices us to learn of the story from Claudia's perspective... I admit I am quite curious!

Thanks so much for visiting!