This is the first novel by 79-year old C. C. Duzan, who interweaves a mystery search for identity with love and guidance from God and draws disparate relatives together in both friendship and love within the extended family they call Christian.
The story begins in 1964 when new college graduate Nellie Dunkirk, who was raised by a German woman named Greta whom she calls "Mama", decides at age twenty to search for her true identity. She wants to learn why she was found in a snow bank one November night in 1944. She meets a young man who helps her find her family members who had faith that she would one day return to them. Karl de Kort, a classical pianist and music teacher at Middleton College, helps kindle Nellie's love of the Lord.
The book radiates enthusiasm, commitment and love of faith. An underlying theme of salvation is the golden thread connecting the characters and their adventures throughout the text. The story's twenty-two chapters are liberally filled with reminders that we are born sinners, can receive salvation through spiritual rebirth, and the saved are sheep guided by Jesus, the shepherd. As the chapters unfold, revelations are given about how prayers are answered; thus, by illustration, the book inspires readers to accept Jesus as their savior.
In her dedication, Duzan writes: God gave me the story. Therefore, I dedicate this endeavor to him that it shall not return unto him void, but it shall accomplish that which he pleases. (Isaiah 55:11). The book is a mystery-romance-religious testimonial set in the author's home state, Missouri.
C.C. Duzan, a grandmother, is the widow of Maynard Duzan, an
educator for thirty-one years. She is a graduate of Southwest Baptist
College (now University), Bolivar, Missouri, and holds her B.S. degree
in
religious journalism/religious education from Oklahoma Baptist
University,
Shawnee, Oklahoma. While being a Christian homemaker to her husband
and
their three children, C.C. was active in her local church, serving as
Bible
teacher, vacation bible school director, WMU director, church pianist
and
deacon's wife. She serves in the literacy ministry through her church
in
the local school. She also works puzzles, reads and listens to
classical
music. C.C. still lives on the family farm, where she wrote the novel
that
is filled with God but pleasantly lacking in sordid language, sex and
violence.