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"Bill Kassel writes with courage and conviction about one of the thorniest and most dangerous subjects in our death-culture. THIS SIDE OF JORDAN deals with the challenge of homosexuality with an intellectual rigour and vigour that is all too rare in our cowardly and meretricious age. With the rise of secular-liberal intolerance it might soon be illegal to speak of such issues, even in works of fiction. Perhaps future generations will be reading THIS SIDE OF JORDAN in the new catacombs, awaiting the resurrection of the culture of life following the death-culture's eventual self-willed suicide. In the meantime, this novel shines forth as a beacon of hope in desperate times."
"In both fighting the difficult issues at the beginning of the 21st century and in evangelizing our opponents in these same issues, many do not have the language to explain and persuade with reason, logic and an infusion of the virtue of charity. In THIS SIDE OF JORDAN, Bill Kassel exhibits a talent to entertain and to teach us at the same time. This book will be an asset in the family as well as in the public square."
"Same-sex activists have spun an elaborate web of myths and falsehoods to obscure what medical and psychological science actually know about homosexuality. Many Christians and others who wish to be kind and charitable have accepted this propaganda. But as Bill Kassel shows in his insightful novel, denying the truth is really a 'failure of compassion' toward those whose deep emotional pain has drawn them to lifestyles marked by rampant promiscuity, inability to maintain commitment, and a high prevalence of psychiatric disorders. Indeed, THIS SIDE OF JORDAN offers as sound an understanding of sexual conflict as you're likely to find in a current work of fiction. And it's presented within an engaging story that's enjoyable and filled with truth and love."
"Catholic conflict is fodder for all kinds of books, movies and TV shows. But what I've rarely seen, after 20 years as a secular journalist, is an accurate portrayal of Catholics facing challenges to their faith in a setting which believers would recognize as normal. Bill Kassel has stepped into that void with a series of mysteries based on some of today's hottest controversies. His latest, THIS SIDE OF JORDAN, takes on nothing less than the 'gay challenge' and the debasing influence of popular entertainment. He works those tough themes into a provocative story that's true to life and - believe it or not - actually fun to read."
"It's easy to lose sight of the basic truths that underlie today's heated legal battles over pornography and the 'gay agenda.' Bill Kassel uses the medium of mystery fiction to remind us of what's so troubling about homosexuality and why pop culture always seems to seek the lowest moral common denominator. He's probably the only Catholic novelist tackling such issues head-on, and he does it in a thoroughly readable way."
"After a career in music and arts management, I'm particulartly struck by how authentically THIS SIDE OF JORDAN portrays people and situations in the theater. Bill Kassel has an ear that's finely tuned to the language of ego and artistic eccentricity. He uses community dramatics as an icon for entertainment in general and the forces that shape it. The theme that runs through the whole book is dreams and how they can get all twisted around. Kassel weaves a tapestry of human longings focused on fame, love, sex, money, politics and spirituality&emdash;the stuff that pop culture is made of. He offers a fascinating psychological study that's also a page-turning whodunnit&emdash;one that's deeply moral from start to finish. This is a new and sophisticated kind of Catholic fiction, and I'm eager to see more of it."
"THIS SIDE OF JORDAN is another wonderful story from Bill Kassel! In this, his second novel, Kassel presents a fascinating tale that lays bare the societal wreckage caused by some of the modern media, and takes a penetrating look at the consequences inherent in the "gay" agenda. It's a great story with real characters facing real conflict in all-to-real, modern America. It's a brilliantly woven tale, with a moving ending."
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