About the Author

Dennis McKaskey and his wife Catherine have been married 48 years. Dennis has a BS in
Marketing and a BA in French. The McKaskey’s raised 7 incredible children and have 20
amazing grandchildren who have inspired (assigned) Dennis to write poetry. A selection of his
poems can be found at: www.grandpasunplannedpoems.blogspot.com They’re worth checking
out.
Dennis and Catherine have lived across the US where Dennis has held leadership positions in
Engineering, Manufacturing, Marketing and Process Excellence. He has been a servant leader
with Manufacturing Executives and Professionals in 26 different countries.
Dennis’ debut novel, The Hem, offers profound insight into the life of the mysterious woman
from Mark 5. This compelling narrative takes the reader through her journey, her struggles, and
her faith.
This book will leave you thinking, long after you’ve turned the last page.

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About the Book

I am Veronica.
As my mother Mariah escapes Bethlehem with my eighteen-month-old brother to avoid King
Herod’s death squad, she secretly sends me to the safety of Jerusalem. I was only 6 weeks old.
The Jerusalem Temple becomes my sanctuary. With Dinah my mentor I immerse myself in
service and learn master camel riding alongside the Roman infantry. Life seems idyllic.
At twenty, I am banished from the temple with an incurable illness. Despite my affliction, I find
solace in serving others with Sophie, Dinah’s daughter. I am asked to design and craft a
‘special’ tunic at the request of Peter’s assistant Tobin. At just the right moment, Joshua, a
young merchant, gives me a skein of royal purple thread; the exact color I needed.
My illness grows worse, and I hear more stories of Jesus healing. I seek Him.
I desperately reach and touch His hem. I know every royal purple stitch. He calls me daughter. I
am healed.
My friends negotiate my acceptance back into the Jerusalem Temple where I resume serving
and teaching children as before. However, my healing creates enemies.
It’s a trap.
I am now forced to flee again.

Buy the Book

The Story Behind the Book

A month prior to Covid19 lockdown, I was relaxing in the peaceful quiet of our home when I saw in my mind’s eye the New Testament woman who had bled for twelve years make the decision to go plead her case before Jesus of Nazareth. She (I named her Veronica) walked to the door, opened it and walked out into a light snowfall. I knew every detail of her home, what she was wearing. I heard the door open and felt the cool air enter the room. I am used to hearing words to goofy children’s poems I am asked to write, so I grabbed my phone and jotted the scene down. Three additional New Testament scenes happened that same day. 

The scenes were jotted down, and I promptly forgot about them. A few days later my sweetheart wife Catherine asked if I had been writing a poem, to which I replied, “I am not sure what it was,” to which she asked, “Could you read it to me?” I read the short scene descriptions to her which made her cry, exclaiming quietly, “Dennis, that is a book. It’s beautiful.” I had no intention of writing a book and was ‘saved’ by her phone ringing. We did not re-engage on the book topic, until…

I was speaking a couple of weeks later with our youngest daughter out west when Catherine asked if I would read the scenes to her, which I did, and she said, “Dad, that’s a book! You need to write a book! ARE YOU WITH ME ON THIS?” to which I replied, “I will consider it.” It went downhill from there.

I then started seeing and recording scenes every day, for several weeks until I accumulated over 10,000 words. I then ‘ran across’ a very good novel-writing application called Bibisco, organized the scenes into chapters and transferred all the 10,000 words. The very next day I received an advertisement from The Write Practice, declaring they would train and coach me every day to complete a novel in 100 days. I clearly needed help to write a novel, so I signed up.

One week after signing up, covid lockout happened, so I saved two hours commute time each day and ended up with 120, 000 words completed in 87 days. Mission completed. I then engaged an extraordinary team including: a developmental editor, a line editor, a historical editor, a proof reader, a dozen graphic artists to do pen& ink chapter art, a book & cover designer, a proofreader, Canarit Audiobooks publisher with their 30 amazing voice actors, as well as publisher coach. 

Additional artists have been engaged to create touching world-building fine art, jewelry, clothing, with our first woman’s tote and other accessories.  I am pleased to present Veronica and her world. She is a daughter of God, a woman of faith, courage, compassion and strength. She thanks you for your faith.

Book two is currently being written, with the same prompts happening. You are very welcome to come along.

All the Best,
Dennis Harold McKaskey