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Mountain of Full Moons

A Novel

Published by She Writes Press
Distributed by Simon & Schuster

About The Book

Thirteen-year-old Elisha lives in a village near Shechem in the Land of Canaan in ancient Palestine. 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 he 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.

About The Author

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.

Product Details

  • Publisher: She Writes Press (April 14, 2020)
  • Length: 328 pages
  • ISBN13: 9781631528613

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Raves and Reviews

“Irene Kessler captures the flavor and feeling of the ancient world and makes the spiritual journey of a remarkable woman into something alive, earthy, and incredibly vivid.”
—Joyce Sweeney, author of Headlock and The Guardian

“A powerful and compelling story—a life-changing journey for the reader and for Elisha, compelling and enlightening. Kessler weaves together Elisha’s found courage, desires, faith, and her continuing path for survival in finding her true life’s purpose.“
—Lynn Nance, assistant editor at Ziff-Davis Publishing and advertising manager at Successful Meetings Magazine

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