ѦѺ

and asked, "How much will you pay me to betray Jesus to you?" And they gave him thirty pieces of silver. - Matthew 26:15 (New Living Translation 2007)

i admit reading 30 Pieces of Silver rattled me. i was put in a dilemma - a spiritual one that i literally tossed and turned the very night i finished reading the book.
the contents are extremely and truly controversial. they make Dan Brown's The Da Vinci Code pale in comparison.
to remedy my unease, i had to email the author Carolyn McCray and honestly tell her what i thought. when she responded and i read what she said, i heaved a gratifying sigh of relief.
you see, i cannot deny my Catholic upbringing and all the beliefs and dogmas that i have lived with as a Christian all my life.
i also cannot deny that Carolyn has brilliantly written a well-researched novel brimming with non-stop action and rich details. she has expertly woven fact and fiction into a colorful tapestry so believable that i had to remind myself over and over that it was purely speculative.
i love my faith and hold it dear to my heart. though i have biases with the novel's plot, i have to confess that i have high praises and respect for Carolyn and her craft.
she is an effective and masterful story teller to make me feel this way - unsettled and questioning. notwithstanding my feelings, i am still giving her a place in my bookshelf next to two of my favorite authors - Steve Berry and James Rollins.

Disclosure of Material Connection: i received a copy of 30 Pieces of Silver from the author herself as part of the Bestseller For A Day promotion. i did not receive any payment in exchange for this review nor was i obligated to write a positive one. all opinions expressed here are entirely my own and may not necessarily agree with those of the author, the book's publisher and publicist or the readers of this review. this disclosure is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255, Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.