I get along with a whole lot of help from my friends! One of my best book buddies helps me out with guest reviews from time to time. Carrie is a great elementary school teacher who takes reading very seriously. If I had had her in school, she would have been my favorite teacher! She recently read Jarm del Boccio’s MG historical novel, The Heart Changer. Thanks, Carrie, for helping me and my readers today!
Can an Israelite captive, wrenched from all she loves, serve the very man who destroyed her village?
Miriam is asked to do the impossible: serve the wife of Naaman, commander of the Syrian army. Clinging to treasured memories of home and faith, Miriam faces captivity with worry and bitterness. Little does she know the Heart Changer is wooing and preparing her for a greater mission far beyond what she could imagine.
This middle-grade historical novel reflects the heartache and angst of a young refugee in a foreign land where all hope seems lost.
Jarm Del Boccio (‘J’ pronounced as a ‘Y’) finds her inspiration in everyday life, but in particular, when she travels the globe, observing the quirky things that happen along the way. Focusing on lives of characters from the past, Jarm is devoted to breathing new life into the pages of history.
Jarm has a background in elementary and high school education, and served for seven years as a school librarian. Grateful for the opportunity, she taught three missionary kids in an isolated area of Papua New Guinea. She is part of SCBWI and American Christian Fiction Writers, and has published articles in “The Old Schoolhouse” magazine.
The Heart Changer, her debut MG historical/biblical fiction, released with Ambassador International April 26th 2019. Jarm is content with the journey God has placed her on, and lives with her husband and adult son and daughter (when they are not away) in a tree-lined suburb of Chicago.
CONNECT WITH JARM: Website | Facebook | Twitter
Carrie’s Thoughts:
The Heart Changer is a Biblical fiction book based on an unnamed girl from 2 Kings. Jarm Del Boccio adds names to create a story of the young girl taken from her home and made to serve Naaman’s wife. As she tries to adjust to her new life she struggles with the God she has always served — but has she truly trusted in Him? Through the fears and unknowns in a new land without family and friends to support her, Miriam learns to trust in Jehovah completely and tells of His miracles to her mistress. Through these conversations her faith is renewed and strengthened and she not only learns to trust but helps Naaman in a powerful way, both physically and spiritually. Miriam faces many questions and struggles that people in present times face, not only religion, but dealing with people and helping others, making this book relatable in numerous ways. The Heart Changer will challenge its readers to go back to several Old Testament places to reread stories and see just how powerful our God truly is.
Audience: middle grade readers.
To purchase, click HERE. (It is currently 99 cents on Kindle!)
(Thanks to the author for a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)
Thanks so much for your review of my novel, Carrie!
🙂