Book Review and Giveaway: Next Year in Jerusalem by Dr. Barbara Becker Holstein

We had a Guest Poster yesterday from Dr. Holstein, 

and today we have a review of her latest book!

Synopsis:  Natalie and Maggie, best friends since college, find themselves in Jerusalem when Natalie’s husband, David, arrives for a short sabbatical.

A mysterious woman named Chaya Sarah soon captivates both women with spiritual and traditional religious experiences. However, her actions and secrecy about herself baffle them, and they become concerned that Chaya Sarah may be involved in more than meets the eye. The mystical energy of Jerusalem along with the reality of terrorism compounds an already intense experience for both women.

The reappearance of Jack, Natalie’s old boyfriend, further heightens their emotions when he insists on taking them out on the night David must be in Haifa. Natalie is surprised that night by the intensity of her feelings for Jack, after more than 25 years. Menawhile, Jack’s colleague Raji — tall, dark and handsome — intrigues and arouses Maggie, a divorcée with a new romance back in Manhattan.

Where does it all lead in the mystical, mysterious city of Jerusalem?


Quick Author Question:
You may be wondering why I chose the title Next Year in Jerusalem! for my new novel.  Why not Forbidden Romance or Romantic Travel or Spiritual Awakenings or Lust, Memories and Old Friends on Facebook?  After all Natalie and Maggie are two women, both caught up in issues that many of us face: a somewhat dull but faithful husband; a bad marriage leading finally to a divorce; a desire for adventure; unsatisfied spiritual longings.  They have a great friendship with each other, something research keeps confirming, keeps us young and emotionally happy, but life is far from easy for either women.
So again, why would I focus on a strange title that comes out of a book written thousands of years ago?

Here is one of the reasons.  'Next Year in Jerusalem!' is actually a phrase that shows up at the end of the Haggadah.  Those of you who are not Jewish may wonder what that is.  The Haggadah is a book that the Jews have used for thousands of years to celebrate and relive the Passover experience.  Many people know that the central theme of the story is how the Jews, who were slaves in Egypt, were finally able to escape and began their long journey of 40 years to get to the promised Land, which was Israel.  However, what a lot of people don’t realize is that this theme is universal and can be taken metaphorically for all of us.  That is why when the Haggadah ends with the fourth glass of wine being drunk, and the words, 'Next Year in Jerusalem!' the phrase becomes so significant.



Review: I finished this ebook in one sitting and honestly I was pretty stunned at the ending. The author does an excellent job in getting you wrapped up into Maggie and Natalie's lives and life in Jerusalem, and then suddenly it stops. Like you hit a wall when you turned the page. That 'arrrgghh' you heard at 1am was when I turned that last page! The author is promising more book(s) in the series, and I definitely can't wait to read the next one! She has even created back stories for the characters on her blog page! 

If you are wondering about visiting Jerusalem, or knowing about Jewish traditions, this is an excellent primer book! The author presents everything in an easy manner, so it is understandable. The sense of adventure the characters are being dropped in makes this an all around read. I just wish the author had made the books into one, because I like completed tales! But otherwise, it is a very enjoyable read!


About the Author: Dr. Barbara Becker Holstein is an internationally known positive psychologist.  Dr. Holstein received her Doctorate in Education from Boston University and her BA degree from Barnard College. Dr. Holstein has been a school psychologist and taught first and second grades. She is in private practice with her husband, Dr. Russell M. Holstein, in Long Branch, New Jersey. Find her at www.enchantedself.com
and www.next-year-in-jerusalem.com.  This is her fifth book.

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Disclosure / Disclaimer: I received this book for review purposes, free of charge, from the author, via the Pump Up Your Book! No other compensation, monetary or in kind, has been received or implied for this post. Nor was I told how to post about it.