GOLD, Frankincense & Myrrh: A Tale of Love, Magic and a Miracle or Two

This novel tells a warm story with some surprising twists and turns. The subtitle, "A Tale of Love, Magic and a Miracle or Two," can be misleading. It's not just a feel-good, sappy kind of romance that appeals only to women. The protagonist is Joey Novak, a Philadelphia firefighter, part-time bartender, and Eagles football fan. Joey is a "guy," an everyman who works a second job to make ends meet, gets angry when someone makes fun of his handicapped child, and argues and then makes up with his wife. Joey prefers action to words, and when he stumbles upon a suitcase containing the coins given the baby Jesus by the Magi, he gets his opportunity to put the magic of the coins to good use. He learns to live the words of Saint Paul, "It is more blessed to give than to receive." Have you ever wondered what would happen if you could make the bad guys pay? What would you do if you had unlimited resources? How would you handle it if you had special powers? That is is the stuff of good stories, and Mr. Okonowicz has found a unique way to tell the age-old story of good vs evil in a way that appeals to people from many situations in life. I wanted to cheer when Joey puts aside his own desires to right some of the wrongs in the world. He represents the humanity in all of us. We all stumble and too often have to confront our baser sides. However, when given the opportunity, we each have a nobler side that wants to help good win over evil. I think we all want to see good people get a better deal in life just so we can feel that there is some justice in the world, and I found myself hoping for that for Joey too. Does Joey ever get a fair shake? It's worth the read to find out if wrongs are righted and if this fallen world ever does get set back a little bit straighter on its wobbly axis.

This book keeps you coming back for more; I couldn't wait to see what happened next. I highly recommend GOLD, Frankincense and Myrrh it is a great story and what I like to call an EASY READ. Thanks Ed O.

I have become very familiar with Mr. Okonowicz's wonderful ghost story books over the years and have yet to run into one of his books that I didn't like. When asked to read this novel I must admit that I was a little apprehensive because this was such a departure from his usual subject. As something of a precaution I asked my wife to read it before I did and she was delighted with it. She tends to read a lot more fiction than I do and I respect her opinion very much so I knew that this one must be a keeper and it is. The story revolves around Philadelphia firefighter Joey Novak. Joey is pretty much your average Joe except that he has a deaf son and because of that he has to a great extent turned his back on God. In fact he has nothing but scorn for his wife's faith and prayers. Then one day he finds some old gold coins along with a cryptic message. Following the instructions in the message he meets up with Isadore Bloom and discovers that he has been chosen to be the new Keeper of the Coins. These are not just ordinary coins mind you but they are the gold that was presented to the Baby Jesus by the Magi and along with them come some very special powers and great responsibilities. As the story moves along Joey slowly but surely learns how to use his powers to help those in need and he genuinely begins to enjoy his work but it eats at him that he can't use his powers to heal his son. He works hard though to keep from being bitter about that and with the help and support of his wife he does a superb job of making the world a better place for a lot of people doing his work in great swaths and on an individual basis. In fact, it is his work for a single defrocked Priest that in the end moves his heart the most and deeply tugs at the heartstrings of the reader. This novel isn't long and it isn't likely to be the next "To Kill a Mockingbird" but it is much better than a lot of what is on the market these days. The writing is excellent, the story is gripping and well thought out and it will simply melt your heart but it does so without being sappy. This would be an excellent choice for anyone who is looking to get into the Christmas spirit and to be reminded how wonderful it can be to be a giver.