TBT Book Spotlight + #Giveaway: Blood Moon Redemption

1492, SPAIN

Terror. Fingers of fear constricted her throat. “Papa.” The word barely escaped Lydia’s lips.  Papa scooped her up, eyes wide, and held her close. The smell of anger filled the air. She did not understand it. The warm summer evening now held a chill that penetrated her.

Never had she known her little home to be full of people shouting. Her father’s ever-present prayer shawl slipped off his shoulder. Lydia grabbed the tassel as he pulled her closer. Men—angry men—shoved Papa and Mama out the door.

Lydia took one final look at the home she loved, the place she felt safe and free, the place where now people broke windows and smashed furniture. The men yelled and yanked the prayer shawl. They ripped and tore it and laughed. Lydia buried her head in her father’s chest. His heart beat so loudly, but he said nothing. She gripped the tassel still wedged between them as the awful men shoved her Papa again, and her family stumbled away.

When she finally felt Papa’s hold on her lessen, the darkness of late evening settled around them. They were in the woods with a gentle rain falling as if the sky didn’t feel the fear. Lydia screwed up her nose. The smoldering smell made her feel a little sick. She tried to understand the events of this day.

In recent weeks fewer people walked the streets and visited their home. Usually guests came often to counsel with her father, the rabbi. She asked her father why one day. He told her times were hard and many moved away. Papa always spoke with calmness and strength, and his answers satisfied Lydia’s curiosity.

But nothing made sense now. Just a few weeks before she and her best friend Gabe whispered that everyone appeared fearful. Where they played they saw broken windows and scattered furniture. Soon she was confined to playing at home, seeing Gabe only at Shabbat. Plus, Shabbat wasn’t even in the synagogue any more since a fire had destroyed their lovely building.

“Papa, where is your prayer shawl?” “Oh, sweetheart, they took it, but God’s Word is in our hearts and we are alive.” His deep brown eyes looked sad, but Lydia, even in the dark, could see the ever-present peace she loved.

Judy DuCharme grew up with Lake Huron next to her back yard and has always loved the water. She, her husband, daughter, and son moved to Door County in 1984. After teaching 5th Grade at Gibraltar School for 22 years, Judy followed the calling that tugged at her all her life to write. Lainey of the Door Islands is her 7th published book and she is the recipient of numerous awards. She also writes for Guideposts Magazine. If you visit Door County, you may find her hiking in the woods, jet skiing on the bay, worshipping at her church, teaching a Bible study, cheering for the Green Bay Packers, playing with her amazing grandson, or sitting outside enjoying the beauty around her.