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Martha H. Fitzgerald 
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littledovepress@bayou.com 

‘Letters to Luke’ wins Writer’s Digest Award

Bible-based novel soon to be in paperback

“Letters to Luke” – Dr. Joe E. Holoubek’s epic re-telling of the gospels in letter form – places readers with Jesus right on the streets of Galilee.

A love story, historical novel and book-length parable, “Letters to Luke will be featured in the March issue of Writer’s Digest.  It’s a first-place winner of the Writer’s Digest International self-Published Awards, inspirational genre.  The 13th annual awards competition drew more than 1,800 entries.  

”Letters to Luke” was inspired by the love story of the author and his wife, the late Dr. Alice Baker Holoubek.  Known fondly as Dr. Joe and Dr. Alice, the two were widely respected for their care of patients and for their role in founding LSU School of Medicine-Shreveport.  Throughout the years, their love for each other grew, as did their love for God.  That story is retold in “Luke” in the characters of Joseph and Elisa, a young couple who discover greater meaning in their lives and greater respect for each other’s gifts.  Photo: Dr. Joe E. Holoubek, author of "Letters to Luke"

Joseph and Elisa encounter Jesus as a mysterious healer.  They become friends and followers.  They bear witness -- as only trained physicians could – to His redemptive sufferings on the cross, and they return to Capernaum to carry on His work as early Christians.  Joseph shares their story in letters to his friend and fellow physician, Luke of Antioch.

“When I close the book at night,” writes one reader, “I can still feel the sands of Capernaum beneath my feet.”

  Its power lies in the author’s uncanny ability to write with authority – as if he and his beloved wife were living in the time of Christ and encountering him for the first time.

The book, published by Little Dove Press, has already won the 2005 Independent Publisher Award for Religious Fiction.  A paperback edition ($19.95) will be released in May.

Holoubek, 90, a retired physician and Catholic author who spends an hour every day in prayer, remains humble at its success.  “I am happy more people are reading the Gospel of Luke,” he says. 

Judges for the Writer’s Digest competition gave the book  5 out of  5 points in the 3 categories: structure and organization, grammar and cover design:  “This is a very ambitious and fascinating project backed by extensive research and deep understanding of the subject matter.  The text is readable, divided into short chapters and communicated in conversational, ‘friendly’ tone.  The writer has avoided theological jargon and unnecessarily complex sentence structure ….  Helpful maps have been included and will be well used by readers.”

With maps, index and biblical citations, the book may be read on several levels.  Its broad appeal reaches young and old, student and scholar, young couples, members of the clergy and medical professionals.

Letters to Luke” (www.letterstoluke.com) is distributed by FaithWorks of Brentwood, Tenn., a division of STL Inc., U.S. subsidiary of Send the Light Ltd. of Great Britain.  The first edition (hardcover, $39.95 retail) includes a ribbon marker. 

“Letters to Luke” is available at bookstores (order ISBN 0-9753766-0-8); online at amazon.com, barnesandnoble.com and letterstoluke.com; and toll-free at 1-888-900-LUKE (5853). 

To arrange an interview with the author, send e-mail request to littledovepress@bayou.com 

 

A unique way to present the gospel, a smattering of medical history, and a love story.  It is well done, scripturally accurate, and even if you know the story, it is an attention grabber.  If it's new to you, it is a very good read.”

-- C. Everett Koop MD ScD

Former U.S. Surgeon General

Senior Scholar, Koop Institute, Dartmouth

 

This ambitious novel centers on nearly 150 letters written from Joseph of Capernaum to Luke of Antioch, telling of his experiences tending the sick, meeting Jesus Christ and life in Jerusalem.  Though the letters are fictional, the stories recount the gospel tales of the Bible.

-- Writer’s Digest, March 2006

 

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