Wolves Among Us

The year 1538 in Dinfoil, Germany. This is a dark time in history. It is a time when the Bible wasn't as available as it is today. There was no readily available translation of the Bible in a commoner's language. So most relied on whatever the church taught as truth. Most commoners couldn't read anyway.

It is a time when women were specifically banned from reading the Scripture. They were denied a voice in the church and persecuted for their distinct gender differences, so women frequently turned to folk magic for help.

Thus the book, Wolves Among Us by Ginger Garrett begins. We find ourselves in the small town of Dinfoil, Germany where we meet Stefan, the local priest of the church, who has a particular disdain for women. He truly believes all problems that befall a woman or her family is the result of her undisclosed sin. He insists that all of his people attend Mass daily and makes confession a requirement. He favors the men of the town and often overlooks their indiscretions once again blaming the women for men falling away in lust or getting drunk in town. The women must confess and repent.

Here we meet Mia who is the outcast of the town. She is the sheriff's wife and has no friends among the women. She is the only one who will not visit the "healer" on the outskirts of town in hopes of finding a cure for her daughter Alma who can't breathe most days and has a cough that will claim her life if Mia can't help her. The priest claims it's her sin of pride that is preventing her from getting well. However Mia will continue to pray as often as she can for God to heal her child. In addition, she cares for Marguerite, an ailing and deaf mother of her husband Bjorn.

The events in the story will lead to a crossroads of good and evil when two local townspeople are found murdered on the steps of the church. The priest believes that an unseen evil of witches has afflicted his town and sends for the Inquisitor who will reveal where the evil witches live and restore the town to holiness no matter what the cost.

I was captivated by this story that Ginger Garret has woven in the pages of Wolves Among Us using the details from the early days of church history to tell a heart pounding story of witch hunts in a small town and how the town will eventually turn against itself until Mia reveals the truth in her past. I received the book compliments of Christian Fiction Blog Alliance for my honest review. This one hands down scores a 5 out of 5 stars. This is the second book I've read of Ginger's and she truly has a master talent for weaving a story that will capture your attention and your heart.

This book is available in paperback. Here's even more information about the book, the author and where to get a first chapter glimpse of the story.

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Wolves Among Us David C. Cook; New edition (April 1, 2011) by Ginger Garrett
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Ginger Garrett is the author of the Chronicles of the Scribes series (In the Shadow of Lions, In the Arms of Immortals, In the Eyes of Eternity), Dark Hour, and Beauty Secrets of the Bible. Chosen: The Lost Diaries of Queen Esther was recognized as one of the top five novels of 2006 by the ECPA.

Focusing on ancient women's history, Ginger creates novels and nonfiction resources that explore the lives of historical women. A frequent media guest and television host, Ginger has been interviewed by Fox News, Billy Graham's The Hour of Decision, The Harvest Show, 104.7 The Fish Atlanta, and many other outlets.

A graduate of Southern Methodist University with a degree in Theater, she is passionate about creating art from history. Ginger resides in Georgia with her husband and three children.

ABOUT THE BOOK

This richly imagined tale takes readers to a tiny German town in the time of “the burnings,” when pious and heretic alike became victims of witch-hunting zealots. When a double murder stirs up festering fears, the village priest sends for help. But the charismatic Inquisitor who answers the call brings a deadly mix of spiritual fervor and self-deceptive evil. Under his influence, village fear, guilt, and suspicion of women take a deadly turn. In the midst of this nightmare, a doubting priest and an unloved wife—a secret friend of the recently martyred William Tyndale—somehow manage to hear another Voice…and discover the power of love over fear.

Dinfoil, Germany, 1538. In a little town on the edge of the Black Forest, a double murder stirs up festering fears. A lonely woman despairs of pleasing her husband and wonders why other women shun her. An overworked sheriff struggles to hold the town—and himself—together. A priest begins to doubt the power of the words he shares daily with his flock. And the charismatic Inquisitor who arrives to help—with a filthy witch in a cage as an object lesson—brings his own mix of lofty ideals and treacherous evil. Under his influence, ordinary village fears and resentments take a deadly turn. Terror mounts. Dark deeds come to light. And men and women alike discover not only what they are capable of, but who they are…and what it means to grapple for grace.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Wolves Among Us, go HERE