Living in the first century was far from easy, especially for those living in Jerusalem and surrounding cities, now occupied by the Romans. Hardships were no stranger to the men and women who lived during this time. With Romans, Samaritans, and Jewish people existing among each other with vastly different routines, it was often hard to gain peace. Hatred and violence spread rampantly on the streets and entered homes. Three men, Cassius, Maximus, and Johnathan, of diverse backgrounds, have their lives intertwined as they try to push through their hardships and pain. After meeting a humble carpenter from Galilee who impacts them all and opens their hearts, they must decide if they can forgive and move forward or stay in the darkness of the past. Find out more in A Man in Darkness by Foster Nash.

A Man in Darkness: Finding Courage to Forgive by Foster Nash is an incredible story with a well-developed plot and characters. Those familiar with the stories and messages of the Bible will recognize the names, places, and events within. Nash has done extensive research and the details regarding the dress, activities, and mannerisms of Roman soldiers, Jewish people, religious leaders, and even beggars on the street are accurate. Nash wrote the story with the intent to spread the message of forgiveness, a concept that has not stalled in the first century where the story takes place but continues into the present day. A wonderful and thought-provoking read, I would recommend it to anyone interested in stories from this era.

What is forgiveness? We are taught that through forgiveness comes forgetting. Is it easy to forgive and forget people who have constantly wronged us? A Man In Darkness: Finding Courage to Forgive by Foster Nash is set in 16 AD. At the time, there were constant attacks from the Jews, who could not understand how and why the Romans settled in their land and turned them into enslaved people. These altercations caused the loss of lives, oppression, and fear. Bracus and Cassius have grown up together since childhood, fulfilling their dream of being Roman soldiers, and are eventually promoted from guards to patrols. Life is everything they have dreamed of and they are proud of themselves. Unfortunately, Bracus dies during an attack by a zealot raid. Cassius is left devastated, angry, and blaming himself for not saving his friend. Meanwhile, Jonathan, a Jew who is only twelve years old, witnesses his father being murdered by a Roman soldier. He lives with the fact that he could not save his father and has to work extra hard to feed his family. With these detrimental events occurring in their lives, is there a possibility that they will gather the courage to forgive?

A Man In Darkness by Foster Nash is about forgiving those who have wronged us, despite it not being easy. Forgiveness gives one a peaceful, lightweight, happy, and loving heart. This theme is brought out clearly by the well-developed characters, whose traits portray the empathy that humans are expected to have. Their flaws make them realistic, relatable, and able to evoke our emotions so we can relate to the character's feelings, thoughts, and emotions. The story's steady pace helps us connect fully with the plot, which is pushed forward by the suspenseful and all-out action, making the reading experience worthwhile.

A Man in Darkness by Foster Nash takes you on a journey through the darkness of loss, pain, and hardship. However, a light shines and beckons us to take one more step; hope and a future are waiting. As a young boy in Tuscany, Cassius knew that one day he would be a Roman soldier. He does not know that his military duty will take him to Jerusalem. Matthias is a devout rabbi, but as things worsen for his people in Jerusalem, he becomes a zealot. Jonathan is the son and apprentice of his father, Joseph, a carpenter for the temple. Each of these men suffers a tragic loss, creating a dark void within them. Lost and alone, haunted by pain and failure, revenge and bitterness take root. Yeshua, a young man from Galilee, is drawn to Jerusalem. He also is familiar with pain yet he has the precious secret to freedom. When the paths of these men intersect, something miraculous happens. Yeshua, the carpenter of both wood and people, builds a foundation of hope and imparts the courage to forgive.

Foster Nash pens an epic story of the power of forgiveness in A Man in Darkness. Above the streets and the alleyways of ancient Jerusalem stand a Roman fortress and a Jewish temple. There is unrest, hopes and dreams, and hidden treasures within the city walls. Amid this diversity, the narrative unfolds. Nash reveals the essence of his characters. Each is unique, with a story of its own. As their lives unfold, they are intricately intertwined. Nash’s writing style allows us into the lives of his characters. The thoughts, emotions, and daily life are eloquently depicted. Being a horse lover, I enjoyed the relationship between Cassius and the powerfully beautiful Andalusian. I was also impressed by the creative liberties in the development of Yeshua’s character. Scripture reveals his adult life and ministry, but not much of his life growing up. Nash portrays the unknown life of the young Messiah in a delicately masterful manner. The point of view and location of the narrative change often, creating a parallel timeline of events. This technique propels the action of the plot creating a panoramic view of the conflict. The theme of courage and the power of forgiveness is integral from the beginning to the end. Nash weaves biblical references and ancient history into a profound story and I am looking forward to the next adventure in the Finding Courage series.

A Man in Darkness: Finding Courage to Forgive by Foster Nash is a Christian story that follows three protagonists whose lives slowly but surely intertwine with each other and with Yeshua. It opens in 4 AD Jerusalem which is under the rule of Rome, where our protagonists are struggling. Ancient Jerusalem is filled with judgment and isolation. In the midst of it all, Matthias wants to help his people, Cassius wants to find himself as he does his duty, and Jonathan hopes to survive after growing up fatherless. Little do they know, a carpenter named Yeshua will change their lives forever. All they have to do is keep their hearts and minds open for change and courage.

People who want to understand the life of Christ and his background will love this story. Foster Nash makes sure we get the background, history, and education all in one. This is the most humanly realistic approach to understanding Christ. Usually, writers make Christ appear a little unapproachable with their characterization. Nash ensures we can feel a connection with Christ and feel His calmness reflected through the words. The background building is amazing, and Nash makes sure we understand what each of the characters is going through. The development of the characters is realistic and also very encouraging. A Man in Darkness leaves a calm feeling in your heart as you finish reading it, and I cannot explain it any better. This is a great story for people who want an introduction to Christianity and Christ.