Details

William David Spencer and Aída Besançon Spencer have authored/edited twenty-three books, winning two dozen writing and editing awards, including “Outstanding Contribution to Literature” for the novel
<i>Name in the Papers</i> (Southern California Motion Picture Council), an Edgar Award nomination for
<i>Mysterium and Mystery</i> (Mystery Writers of America), and book awards for
<i>The Goddess Revival</i> and
<i>Beyond the Curse </i>(
<i>Christianity Today</i> and
<i>Eternity</i>)
<i>. </i>Aída, born in the Dominican Republic, and Bill, of Leni Lenape heritage, are listed in
<i>Contemporary Authors</i> and
<i>Who’s Who in America</i>. See aandwspencer.com blog “Applying Biblical Truths Today,” novel’s soundtrack “Songs from the Cave…,” and YouTube “High Sierra Nocturne” music video.
<br>

“
<i>Cave of Little Faces</i> whisks the reader into adventure in the Dominican Republic. The Spencers truly are masters of storytelling. It feels like you are there. This story could easily be made into a movie. The characters are delightful, unique, and so real. The dynamics of Jo’s family come across in full color and in a relatable manner, and even the scammers are memorable characters. The storyline is captivating, to say the least. I could not put this book down. The vivid descriptions carried me away to another world—one filled with beauty, intrigue, drama, and a few good laughs as well. Bravo!”
<br>
<br> —Jennifer Creamer, School of Biblical Studies, Youth With a Mission
<br>
<br>
<b><br><br> </b>“From their intriguing title, through a roster of memorable characters, to a string of concluding surprises that crackle like fireworks, the Spencers take us on a spiritual roller coaster ride graced with suspense, humor, and dilemmas of high moral complexity. As their heroine, Josefina, finds her way through the forests and mountains of Hispaniola, we realize that hers is a metaphor for the journey we all share—the pilgrimage of life.”
<br>
<br> —Robert Boenig, author of the award-winning
<i>C. S. Lewis and the Middle Ages</i>
<br>
<br>
<b><br><br> </b>“I enjoyed
<i>Cave of Little Faces</i>! The storyline and the conflicts are great and the cross-cultural setting is one of the book's big strengths. .&#xa0;.&#xa0;. I loved the theology and history the authors brought into the book, managing to make arguments about Christianity's place in history come off as natural and not advertisements for the faith—a rare feat indeed! I also love the way they did the character descriptions. Thank you so much for sharing this wonderful gift with me.”
<br>
<br> —Jasmine Myers, founder and director of the award-winning Still Small Theatre Troupe
<br>
<br>
<b><br><br> </b>“Awesome characters! I couldn’t wait to get home from work and get together with them again. Once I was getting near the end, I began to realize how much I was going to miss them.”
<br>
<br> —Dawn Samsel, reading specialist in the Beverly, Massachusetts public school system
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br> “This story kept me interested from the very beginning.&#xa0;I enjoy novels with a mystery, since I love trying to put the clues together as I progress through the book. .&#xa0;.&#xa0;. I was also intrigued to read a novel outside my comfort zone. It is a culture and geographical region of which I know very little. While reading, I found I was immersed in the culture and traditions. The atmospheric prose put me there. At one point, I was shocked when a character used a cell phone. I forgot it was still the twenty-first century. Present time problems seamlessly merge with the ancient culture. The strong values of faith, family, and friends are at the core of this tale. As I was enjoying the story, I was amazed at how much I learned about an important culture and its rich history. Their sense of equality between the sexes is a shining example for all of us. Each character was fully developed and, knowing their backgrounds, their actions were understandable, although not always admirable. Living with Jo as she made her life-changing decisions was difficult. I kept wondering what I would have done in her place.”
<br>
<br> —Anne Marie Cullen, Chief Dispatcher (retired), Police Department, Hamilton, Massachusetts
<br>
<br>
<b><br><br> </b>“Steeped in Taino history and lore, the story features strong and able women among its motley cast of characters and culminates with Jo’s yearning to be part of an intentional community where men and women lead and do life together. I enjoyed reading this mystery,&#xa0;highlighted by the positive light in which the authors cast women.”
<br>
<br> —Grace May, executive director, WOW! (WOMEN OF WONDER), New York
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br> Cave of Little Faces—what a treat!
<br>
<br> I had a chuckle when Basil and Starling Heitz used the travel guide purloined from the Hamilton-
<br>
<br> Wenham Library (more common than you think) and found these two well-developed
<br>
<br> characters to be a great comic foil throughout the story. In your commentary you say it took
<br>
<br> ten years to develop all your characters. This strength is immediately obvious to the reader; in
<br>
<br> fact, just about all your characters spring off the page rich with energy and depth. The forceful
<br>
<br> storyline kept me turning the pages in anticipation. The contrast of sister characters was apt
<br>
<br> and recognizable to anyone with family. The rich Taino culture you describe is one unknown to
<br>
<br> me, but it became loving and familiar by the end of the story and your non-lethal conflict
<br>
<br> resolution was a welcome and pleasant surprise.
<br>
<br> I feel certain that you will receive major recognition from this publication for fostering better
<br>
<br> understanding and relationship between cultures and it will be well deserved.
<br>
<br> Annette V. Janes, retired librarian, Hamilton-Wenham Library