Lyrical Novel About the First Christmas

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IN PRAISE OF STAR SONG

JEAN WILLIAMS, AUTHOR contributor to eight book anthologies.  I got goose bumps and tears in my eyes. Fantastic!  I’m telling you this is pure genius. Katheryn Haddad’s book is breaking molds, and she may be a leader of this type of book.

MARY CHATHAM, AUTHOR of Secret Promise, Courtship of Miss Loretta Larson, Dream Bucket, and Abi of Cyrene: I’m awed by the author’s writing skill. It is evident that she is a seasoned writer with great talent. Katheryn Haddad delves into the inner thoughts of Mary and Joseph on a personal level. By including modern concepts with authentic details of New Testament times, she demonstrates the relevance of the events of Christ’s birth. The author tells the story of Jesus in such a way that those who may not know the details of the scripture will be lead to read the gospels and those who are Bible scholars will hunger and thirst for the insights found in Star Song.

ANNA GABOCZI EVANS, AUTHOR of Scorched Earth, Death or Matrimony, The Homesteader, My Tale of Hijabs, Witchcraft Circles, & the Cross: In Star Song, Katheryn retells the story of Jesus’ birth in poignant prose. The story starts with the birth of Mary and makes the reader feel the desperation of the Jews at that time as they were oppressed by Roman rule. Told in a refreshingly relatable way, you will worry with Mary as she arrives home from Elisabeth’s house to announce her pregnancy to her betrothed. And feel for Joseph as he is cut to the heart by his love’s apparent betrayal. A delightful read, Star Song will help you picture the Christmas story in a way you never have before.

ROGER BRUNER, AUTHOR of Impractically Yours, The Devil & Pastor Gus, Found in Translation & Lost in Dreams: This book is a fascinating and compelling combination of Bible facts, careful historical research, and stunning imagination. The present tense writing made me feel I was right there watching and listening to everything that was happening. The author has challenged me to consider many things I had never thought that much about before–how Mary felt about being pregnant with the Son of God, for example, and how God might have felt about choosing Joseph as His Son’s earthly father. Star Song has provided a real boost to my enjoyment and appreciation of what the Christmas season is really all about.

KIERSTI PLOG, AUTHOR of Beneath a Turquoise Sky and Remember the Wind: The first in an eight-volume series, Star Song is a beautiful walk through both the history and the heart of the coming of Jesus Christ to earth. Katheryn Haddad takes us into the inner journey of people present at His advent—Mary, Joseph, Anna, Simeon, Elizabeth, and others—and reminds us how they had much reason to doubt, yet chose to believe. I enjoyed the author’s imaginings of the various characters in this true story, but the way she brings to life the tumultuous historical context into which Jesus came touched me most. People just before the coming of Jesus must have felt the same, yet Star Song struck home to me that it is exactly in turmoil like this that God can and does do His greatest work…just not often in the way we expect Him to. Perfect for discussion groups and Bible studies, Star Song includes life application questions and a list of Scripture references at the end of each chapter. Read with an open heart, and be blessed.

SYLVIA NASH, AUTHOR of The Missing Calico and Benjamin’s Ghosts: Star Song presents the stories of the people in Jesus’ life in such a way that the reader cannot help but identify with them and cannot help but feel what they must have felt. It goes a step beyond that in the application sections, though, by encouraging the reader–young or old–to think on and then act on the messages that unfold along with the story.

KENNETH F. MADDOX, USN RETIRED: “It’s dynamite!”

CHERYL LEVERETT, REGISTERED NURSE: In similar style of her other books, Haddad transports the reader back to the first century with highly imaginative musings. Star Song starts with the life of Mary and gives us a glimpse of what it must have been like growing up Jewish in the first century. From wicked Kings to faithful Jews, we’re led to discover what it was like back then. Intriguing, Haddad develops the characters with lots of personal detail to give us insight into the earthly person and family of Jesus.

CLARE WALIGORY, CIVIL SERVANT, STATE OF NEW YORK: Star Song is a wonderful and delightful book about the birth of our Savior. The author has a unique style which makes the reader feel as though they are a part of the story. It can be understood and enjoyed by a wide spectrum of people. I highy recommend it for both young and old.

REVIS LEONARD, LEGAL ASSISTANT: I thoroughly enjoyed what the author did with this story. I found this book bringing to life the day-to-day emotions, doubts, trials, etc. that Mary, the mother of Jesus, and others faced during Jesus’ lifetime. In other words, the historical story became “real”. The Life Applications at the end of the chapters included thought-provoking questions. This well-written story in novel form and will appeal to a range of readers.  I will be recommending this book to my friends.

VALERIE CARAOTTA, MIDDLE & HIGH SCHOOL TEACHER: Star Song is a uniquely written book with simply you and I in mind and how we have questioned and wondered about many Biblical happenings. As you come aboard this Christmas story you are encouraged to think and dream outside the box. Enter Mary, Elizabeth, Zechariah’s, Joseph’s and Jesus world and you will see characters come to life as never before. The uncertainties of tomorrow will intersect with confusion and rage, all wrapped up in a bundle of miraculous happenings. All events-raw and real.

DICK ELL, NEW AGE UNIVERSALIST:  The author has captured feelings that they must have had, and done it in a dramatic fashion. This is very interesting reading, capturing the fears, worries, doubts, obstacles in the lives of those that knew Jesus. Exciting to read. This is very good. She is a story teller and does it well.”

LINDA ASHLEY, LADIES RETREAT DIRECTOR, CANADA: I read it to the ladies…you could have heard a pin drop….I found myself pulled into it waiting breathlessly for the next sentence. It has all the earmarks of a great love story, with the beauty of the story of Christ, and the accuracy of the biblical perspective. What a treasure this will be to people everywhere.

LORI WOOTEN, LEGAL SECRETARY RETIRED: The author has done a fantastic job in this historical novel woven around the birth of Jesus. It gives historical credence to the major characters in the greatest drama ever played. It makes me want to look more into the historical background for the politics and events of the times. She made the greatest story come to life.

EDLYNN POWELL, ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TEACHER & REAL ESTATE AGENT: It didn’t take me long to become engrossed in the story. I began to feel the events surrounding Jesus birth and how his young parents must have felt and coped with the miraculous events. I hadn’t even thought much about the appearance and thoughts of all the people involved in Jesus’ birth, but they became real people. It was obvious how much research and preparation Karheryn put in to making this book as accurate as possible while making the story really come alive. I look forward to the other books that she plans to follow on all aspects of Jesus life.

VIRGINIA HELMDINGER, RETIRED IN FLORIDA: As I read this version of Jesus’ birth, I was touched by the unfolding events and awed by the author’s tremendous talent and ability to communicate so expressively. Such a moving expose.

           Come meet the people who met Jesus.  You are one of them  Probably you are several of them. Go ahead  and struggle with him as they did.  Laugh. Cry.  Do mental battle with him.  Emotional battle too.  Fight for your faith as they fought.  Pause to listen for what you’ve never heard before.  Then touch Jesus.

          This is the story of faith in the impossible.   Hope in the inconceivable.  Love for the invincible.  It is the dreams of youth, the desperations of infirmity, the hopes of age, and the song of eternity.

          Follow the suspense as each person in Jesus’ life comes to terms with who they are, and who Jesus is.  Jesus accepts them as they are.  But can they accept themselves as they are?  More than that, can they accept Jesus as he is?  Both God and man?  Both Creator and created?  Both King and servant?

          It is the story of doubts explained away, animosities melted away, misunderstandings cleared away.  It is your story and mine.  For deep within each of us is everyone who ever met and struggled with Jesus.        

BOOK 1:  STAR SONG. Mary was too young, Elizabeth too old, Joseph too gullible, the shepherds too smelly, Anna too senile, Simeon too idealistic, Salome too flippant.  The wise men should have minded their own business, Zachariah should have accepted he’d never have children.  King Herod dared control God, the Bible scholars dared interpret God.