A Journal Past Blast with a date! + Indie Book Review: In The Beginning

For this Tuesday’s Journal Past Blast, I have a poem that is actually dated. Don’t know how good it is, but hey! It’s good to have a time reference, which was the winter before my study abroad in Italy after my first year in college. Anyone got any comments on this?
In my life   I see only pain.When my mind is free   I dream fantasies.But if my heart stumbles across   the wines, then my eyes open   to the truth.I cry pure and loud. If only   the gods could fee my sorrow,   there would be no end to    destruction.But the gods see only my    clear mind, and their actions    are of peace!


Synopsis:
In 1997, Justin Dickerson, a Biblical Archaeologist, jumps at the opportunity to attend the Fifty Year Jubilee commemorating the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls. The invitation toJerusalem could not have come at a better time. Her life is almost unbearable. Travel,conversation with colleagues, and celebrating the find that stunned the Christian and secular world alike in 1949 promises a wonderful diversion from personal angst. 
However, in the bustling metropolis of Jerusalem she learns that some of the 2,000 year old manuscripts, once hidden in clay pots in the caves of Qumran, may have been purposely destroyed. Obsessed with the discovery, Justin determines to find the truth. Family and an abiding faith are her anchors as she discovers the answer to Earth's ancient mysteries: Whatreally happened In the Beginning...
My Review:
Extraordinary book, with realistic characters, in some cases, irritatingly so – purposefully mastered by the author – and the plot is unpredictable. Great storytelling. Though the writing needs quite a bit of editing, even without it, I found the book, especially the latter half, to be a joy and couldn’t wait to get to the end of it… and am looking forward to see whether I’ll learn the rest of our history in a sequel.
About the Author:
Born and raised in Ohio, Ms. Vandiver is a former lawyer and college professor of Economics. She holds a bachelors in Economics, a masters in Public Administration and a Juris Doctor. These days, Ms. Vandiver enjoys writing and endeavors to devote all her extra time to it.Her debut novel, In the Beginning, an Amazon #1 BEST SELLER in its category was written on a whim, put in a box for more than a decade, and finally pulled out, dusted off and published in 2013. It has inspired her to write a sequel as well as start a series of books loosely based on her family. Ms. Vandiver resides in Cleveland, Ohio and has three wonderful grandchildren, Gavin, Sydne and Riley.
In the Beginning can be purchased herefor .99 on Amazon.com.