A Man in Darkness

Finding Courage to Forgive

Christian - Fiction
256 Pages
Reviewed on 03/15/2023
Buy on Amazon

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Author Biography

Becoming Foster Nash
When you try to describe yourself, you start with the obvious and just scribbling down sh*#t.
OK, then let’s start off with the easy stuff. What was I? I had graduated from College from UCSB and then UCLA Business School and became a CPA in Los Angeles. Then I joined the U.S. Navy, where I served 21 years active duty, another 12 years as a GS civilian.
In the Navy I drove ships, became a logistician, a financial manager, Pentagon staffer, etc. After the Navy, I’ve been a consultant, Advanced EMT working in an ER during COVID.
I got to do some unusual things: I blew hot glass and learned to draw and paint; played polo for 14 years; learned to ski (well, sort of...); swam ocean races; ran ½ marathons; ran Tough Mudders; tried bull riding; hiked the Sierras, Rockies and Appalachians; build a house in Cody. Now I raise German Shepherds; ride my horse; etc.
Yes, it was a long winding road. ‘Who I am’ has changed with ‘what I was’. In the end, my path led me here, to Cody Wyoming, to do our Lord’s will.
There are also some important lessons. Hard lessons. How to forgive. How to love unselfishly. And how to find faith in our Lord. My books focus on these lessons. If you want to know who I am, I hope you read these books.

    Book Review

Reviewed by Nino Lobiladze for Readers' Favorite

Cassius and Bracus, two best friends from Tuscany, serve in the Roman Xth Legion in Jerusalem. Both were distinguished soldiers, but Judea was dangerous for invaders in 16 AD. Zealots had taken Bracus' life, and Cassius, becoming overcautious, accidentally killed a local Jew in a tavern, where he and his men had sought refreshment after a hard day. Killed by Cassius, Joseph was a decent person leaving behind a family on the edge of starvation. Joseph's young son, Johnathan, witnessed his death. Now, his life and the lives of his mother and baby sister depend on Joseph's old friend, the mysterious Matthias. A girl named Mary lost her parents and was sold to the palace of Herod Antipas by her relatives from Magdala. She suffers from seizures but is very beautiful, which cannot escape Cassius' eyes. A carpenter from Nazareth, Yeshua, is a hard worker, but how come he sees the deepest corners of human hearts? And why is it so good and peaceful to be around him? The Temple keeps its secrets, Fortress Antonia is watchful, while Jerusalem and the Jewish people await the promised Messiah. A Man in Darkness by Foster Nash, the first book of a series, is a wonderful story of lost souls craving hope, love, and God's forgiveness.

Foster Nash paints a multilayered picture for his readers and creates an unforgettable atmosphere of anticipation of events yet unknown but magnificent and even frightening. Judea was conquered by the Roman Empire; nevertheless, the fight for freedom never ceases. There is something in the air of the holy city, where the Temple loses its significance for Jewish people because of the wrongdoings of the priests. We can feel this impatience on every page of A Man in Darkness. Nash crafts amazing characters that evolve and come to an understanding of the essence of things. Mary learns to trust a Roman soldier as she sees his true nature and kind heart. Johnathan's maturation is the centerpiece of the story, and he goes through its stages step by step to gain strength despite the enormous pain. In the first part of the series, Nash introduces the main characters and entangles their fates into something that promises to be much more crucial and decisive for the history of humankind. We can undoubtedly recognize many of them, but the author leaves some riddles unsolved to surprise us even more, and I can't wait to read the second part. A Man in Darkness is adventurous with many twists and philosophical at the same time, reminding us of the importance of forgiveness. Those who struggle to find faith should read A Man in Darkness. Also, it is a great book for young adult readers; for adult fans of historical and adventurous prose and novels based on biblical accounts.

Michelle Robertson

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.

Grace Ruhara

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.

Cheryl E. Rodriguez

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.

Rabia Tanveer

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.