What readers are saying about...
“Author Debra Diaz elegantly and beautifully weaves an unforgettable story of true love…you’ll not want it to end. A true masterpiece…Take a journey through the very portals of time, back through the centuries and experience the thrill of entering a never-ending tale of undying love that will grip your very soul.”
Christian Book Reviews
“Simply wonderful! This is a captivating story…I am going to download another one of your books right now!”
--- Jen
“Very good…did not want to stop reading to get to the end.”
--- Susan
“Thoroughly enjoyed this book. Well written and I was desperate to see if Paulus and Alysia would finally get together…”--- Edwina
“This book was so dull…so boring and so trite that it made my head hurt!”
--- Amanda K.
“It wasn’t until just after halfway that I realized who the reference in the title was and it became clear that I was not going to get what I expected from the book…the historical aspects were well researched and the technical aspects of the author’s writing style were spot on. I walked away feeling like I learned something about the time period that I didn’t know before and in a way that was almost poetic…”
--- Danie
“…I found the history to be accurate…the author expanded the characters and made them real and enjoyable…”
--- Margie P.
“Interesting story and well researched. There are plenty of adventures to keep the reader intrigued…”
--- Daisy
“History comes alive with your exceptional handling of the Biblical characters, geography of the time period…I was not able to put my iPad down until I finished the story…”
--- Ray U.
“This book surprised me in more ways than one. I loved the way the book showed us a more realistic story of love and forgiveness…”
---Kasabella22
“I would like you to know that I am a very avid reader…I am a hospice nurse and sit with people who are dying…your book has changed my life. It is the best book I have ever read! …I felt like someone put me in a time machine and sent me everywhere the book took me.”
--- Shelly P.
“…a very well written love story, embedded in a much bigger love story!”
--- S. E.
“It is a great story that flows really well and gives you some things to think about in the end.”
--- Two Monsters
“This story captivates you from beginning to end with its theme of forgiveness and redemption, entangled in a beautiful and sometimes turmoiled love story…”
--- L.C.
“…was not what I expected, however could not put it down!”
--- A Customer
“All I can say is WOW! I had trouble putting my iPad down…”
--- Chuck L.
“I will admit I didn’t like the main character, Alysia, at first. She seemed so haughty, self-centered and just plain determined to cause trouble. She did, however, grow on me as I read the book…I enjoyed this book and applaud the author for a job well done.”
--- Kindryll
“It was an exceptionally well written book with such a realistic description of the era… that had romance…and all the things that keep you turning the page.”
--- Jeana
“This book blew me away with the breadth and magnitude of what the author took on…my deepest thanks for such a book…”
--- Sharon
“I am almost through with the book and had to tell you that I really appreciate your writing…I am 77 years old, have 3 children and 10 grandchildren who I am going to tell about this book.”
--- Bill F.
“I had to go and reread the summary to make sure it was not my fault I did not like this book…terrible!”
--- Dawn
“…it’s so hard to follow and I’m getting a very religious feel…”
--- Maxine
“The first few pages made me think I might not enjoy this book, but I ended up enjoying it very much!”
--- Doris K.
“Masterfully weaves the lives of an Athenian girl, a Roman soldier, and the story of Jesus into a compelling historical fiction…that I enjoyed through every one of its pages…”
--- S. Hahn
“I just finished reading Woman of Sin on my Kindle –– fantastic book and told from a very interesting and novel perspective!”
--- Aron
“This is a great romance…with interesting Biblical history. It was hard to put down once I started reading…”
--- Frito
“This is a great and extremely well-written book…I better understand the politics, motives and behaviors of these Biblical characters…”
--- Nancy B.
“I loved Woman of Sin. When I downloaded it to my Kindle, I just assumed it was an inexpensive historical novel…I was very delighted.”
--- Angela M.
“This is a decent book that suffers from a terrible title…I was sure I was getting a brainless, sordid tale that would be a “break” in between more serious literary pursuits. I was wrong. This is a good book in its own right…”
--- Indy 25
“If you are looking for romance look elsewhere unless you are looking to fall in love with God.”--- S. Scott
“I was blindsided when I began reading this book but it’s intersecting under story drew me in, and it was difficult to put down after that.”
--- Roland B.
“It is terribly inaccurate as historical fiction…it also falls far short as a romance; there simply isn’t any…I have no interest in religious moralizing in a fiction novel.”
--- Miss Vickie
“I believe the author made every effort to keep the historical background as accurate as possible. The ending…leaves plenty of room for a second story of the lives of Alysia and Paulus.”
--- D. Davidson
--- Lnzy
--- “Software Monkey”
"...one of the best portraits of Jesus I have ever known...I was truly touched for a lifetime."
---Becky D.
“I really appreciate the way you wove the historical facts around your characters. It made me want to read more about this event/time period, which I have begun doing through links on your website…”
--- Avid Reader
“I just wanted to write and tell you how very much I loved Place of Peace…It was beautiful…”--- C. Kennedy
...a few chapters were boring...I still enjoyed the book and believe it is very relevant to the times now with natural disasters happening all over and people losing faith.--- S. Harris
"I wanted to like this book, but was deeply distracted by unlikable characters and a lack of cohesion to the story..."--- Radella
"Complex characters and good historical detail."--- ebooklover
"The reader travels the post war roads of Tennessee, eventually witnessing the aftermath of the war in the advent of the yellow fever epidemic. We experience the sights, sounds and smells of this horrfying time period as seen through the relatively innocent eyes of Genny, who finds herself in a situation that she cannot manipulate with her beauty or resourcefulness. The book reveals only gray shadows of the former South and concentrates on the events of a country turned inside out. It explores the spiritual and emotional crises of its leading characters and makes us thankful that our nation survived that time period."---James
"Loved it from the start--best book--totally recommend it."---Anonymous
"...The book description really only sums up the first part of the book...the other part...is actually more about the yellow fever outbreak in Memphis in 1878--something which I had never heard much about, so it was interesting to learn more about that and it inspired me to read additional information..."
---Bethany
Book Blurbs:
“Kudos for Debra Diaz. With a fine eye for detail and a keen ear for nuance, she brings the South to life in a mesmerizing tale set in the dark days of the Civil War. Diaz creates a lovable heroine and adds enough surprises to keep you turning pages. Shadow of Dawn is a "must read" for history buffs...and for anyone who loves a good story chock full of love, honor and courage.”
--- Peggy Webb, best-selling author of Where Dolphins Go
“In the finest tradition of southern writers, Debra Diaz has crafted a great story of historically-authentic fiction and tells it well. Shadow of Dawn is a masterfully written, gripping tale of romance, intrigue and espionage set in the turbulent days of the Civil War.”
--- Michael Warren, Ph.D.
“With the detail of historical fiction, the action of a spy thriller, and the passion of a romance novel, Debra Diaz's Shadow of Dawn transports the reader to Richmond, Virginia, at the height of the Civil War. The unexpected twists and turns of the plot result in a real page-turner ...The faith, courage and determination of so long ago still speak to our age.”
--- Dr. Carl M. White
COMMENTS FROM READERS
“When I waked the morning after I read half the night...I thought I was in the Henderson's house! I felt I was actually in the room with those people. I could hear them speak. I could feel the wind, hear their footsteps, hear the doors open and close. I was on the edge of my seat the entire time...I was totally transported back in time to the Old South...”
--- Melba C.
“I have very low vision but with the use of magnifiers I read the book as quickly as I could...Since the loss of my vision I have not wanted to read but now you have piqued my interest with your book. I could not put it down.”--- Brenda W.
“I loved the book...I couldn't put it down.”
--- Jan C.
“I'm an avid reader, and it kept me guessing as to how it would end...”
--- Janet T.
“I wanted you to know that I lost a night's sleep last night. I was so engrossed by the book that I absolutely could not put it down! I closed my book...as the birds began to sing and the light began to break on this Saturday morning...”
--- Teresia C.
“When we arrived home from work my copy of Shadow of Dawn was in the mailbox. I started reading it last night and read about half of it. Just finished reading the other half tonight and I am absolutely blown away. My favorite reading is Historical Fiction and I can't begin to tell you how many books I've read over the last ten years but don't know when I have enjoyed a book as much as I did yours. I can hardly wait for your next book!”
--- Cheryl R.
“We went on a ...trip and while my wife was driving I decided to start reading your book. I read the first thirteen chapters before I had to make myself put it down so that I could take my turn at driving...Can't wait for the next book to come out.”
--- Barry C.
“...I couldn't stand to put it down for anything. When I had to, I would be thinking of it the whole time, trying to figure out what could possibly happen next...”--- Christy K.
“The book was wonderful! I felt like I was actually in the Civil War era...”--- Lisa H.
“I have read thousands of books in my lifetime and some I struggled through and some I could hardly put down. Yours falls under the last category...Hope to get to read some more of your books in the near future. At my age sooner than later!”
--- Waymon T.
“Several days ago I came across your book and decided to read during my lunch period every day. Let me tell you, I could hardly put the book down whenever my lunch was over...”--- Rita P.
“This book was one of those little surprises that you just love to get. I expected a sappy romance but what I got was a novel set in the Civil War era with twists and turns that you will not see coming…I would say that I enjoyed this book as well as I did Gone With the Wind. It might be on a smaller scale but the storyline is a huge success.”
--- Frankie S.
"This is one of the best historicals I've read in a long time...Every scene is a got-to-read-till-it's done!"
"It grabbed me right from page one...there is romance, history, suspense, and it is written in such a way that you don't even realize all the time speeding by as you read---unable to put the book down."
---Anonymous
"I thought the book was fantastic and I knew I had instantly fallen in love with your work...
---Jessica S.
"Totally unrealistic and the supposed romance was all blushes by her and weird looks by him. Ugh!"---Marie E.
"It's a fun read on a dark day, and keeps you guessing until the end. I enjoyed it and would like to see a Lindsey Sims series for young adults."---James
"The plot is well-crafted; it takes a while to boil up but once the scream starts off the adventure the pace is dramatic enough. Lots of red herrings and false clues make it difficult to piece together the best suspect. Always a sign of a well thought-out structure. Again I take my hat off to mystery writers; it's a challenging genre.
"The author takes the reader to a new level of intimacy with the characters...the love of Christ shines brightly through this novel and will grip your soul! Truly an epic journey of the Christian faith. Beautifully and masterfully written...this epic novel is a mini-series in the making..."
Christian Book Reviews
"This is an intriguing story about the birth of Christianity among the Gentiles, particularly in the city of Rome...There is one exception, however, to its authenticity. Diaz portrays the Christianity of the early first century very much like today's Christian teachings....Then I reached the climax! Excellent! Exciting, authentic, appropriate, thought-provoking, mildly disturbing...all my complaints dissolved in twenty pages as Diaz came through with the perfect ending..."
The Dubious Disciple
"I couldn't wait for this sequel to Woman of Sin and I was not disappointed! ...There are a couple of big surprises in store, not to mention the ending, which was a little shocking, but after I thought about it -- it was perfect!
---ebooklover
"...yet another powerful, well-researched, dramatic and engaging book..."
---Kenny
"I thought Man of God was all right, but a bit of a let down if you've ever read Woman of Sin....But the entrance of two new characters with strong personalities makes the book a roller coaster of emotion, causing you to fear for people's lives, marriages and faith...The ending wasn't exactly what I would have chosen, but it was still very uplifting in the end..."
---Bookworm818
"A riveting book, had me in tears in several spots. Highly recommend this book - well written with an enthralling storyline, very moving."
---Yeisu N.
