This was a really good book! I did love how the present and the past tied the story together. I hope to get to read more books like this.

It has been quite some time ago that I was given this novel to review. I started reading and then completely forgot about it. One of the good things of a phone dying on you is that when you have to set up the new one you discover a book you still have to read :)

The title "By the light of Hidden Candles" refers to how converso's (Jews who had converted to Catholicism) for generation and generations maintained their religion in secret.

The book tells two separate stories but it is easy to understand that somewhere those tales will come together.

It starts with old grandmother Miriam telling a story to her granddaughter in Morocco. She was a Jewish girl living in Spain in the 15th century. The Inquisition was bearing down on the converso's and the Jews who helped them and they were already driven from their original town. Her life and that of her father become in even more danger.

The other story is a contemporary one. Alma, an orthodox Jewish American student, and Manuel, an catholic immigrant from Spain, who wants to become a priest, both follow a course about Spanish heritage in college. They are offered the opportunity to do research in Spain as a kind of summer project. Alma wants to find the descendant of the owner of the gold ring that has passed down 26 generations of Jewish women and which according to family lore belonged to the Christian man who saved their ancestor. Manuel wants to find his own ancestors as his father who died very young always claimed they came from nobility.

You can see the plot coming can you not?

A large part of the book is spend on Alma explaining her Jewish faith and habits to Manuel. He joins her in the synagogue and has sabbath meals with the rabbi and the other local Jews. Manuel is very interested in religion and Alma is not wanting to put any water in the wine so to speak so they have to travel with a whole suitcase with kosher food and pots and pans.

The book certainly gives you a nice introduction into Orthodox Jewish daily life and also a bit into the religion.

However it is very clear that it is written from a Jewish point of view. I got quite sick of Alma's righteousness in the beginning. She definitely sees the Jews as the Chosen Ones and only them. But luckily the Jewish heaven is also open for others.

I am raised as a Christian protestant so am neither Jewish nor Catholic. I can understand the resentment against the Spanish Inquisition and all what came with it. I hail from a country that also felt the oppression of the Spanish Catholics of those days and also here people got burned at the stake. It was one of the reasons my country fought a war of Independence. But the fact that even in the 21st century religions deems interfaith marriages forbidden and even worse not offering the possibility to convert makes me very uncomfortable. One could choose to raise children in a certain religion could one not? A person is free to choose for himself is he not? But that is my protestant upbringing speaking. However the way Alma and her family look towards non-Jewish lovers almost sounds racist to me. At least Miriam made a choice because she wanted to be able to practise her faith. I was also surprised to see the interreligious marriage ban and the khoser food rules explained as a way to preserve a Jewish people without the risk of complete integration with the rest of society. I always thought it was because it was written down in the Torah .

Not only does Alma not have any interest in the Christian religion of Manuel also the writer is not delving into that.

The plot is not that complex but the book is an interesting view into Orthodox Jewish daily life, gives some glimpses of Spain and is sometimes funny.



--SPOILER ALERT --

I thought the reasoning "Oh I am Jewish by blood so now I will switch faiths" quite shallowly done. Someone where catholic doctrine is ingrained on for decades does not only have to change views on Jesus but also on Catholic things like the Virgin Mary worship and the whole culture around holy women and men - the saints. I understand that the writer is Jewish but Christianity is more then 'do you believe in trinity or not'.

In the book Fes is described as a desert and the Jews live in mud huts. Somewhere else moving to Morocco is also described as a bad option. I wonder if that is influence of the very anti-Arab views one sees nowadays under certain American Jewish circles. I have been in Fes and in the Mellah. Fes is not in the desert and was for long time the capital. Moorish or Arab culture was in the days of Miriam a lot more advanced as the medieval Christian one. Also the Ottoman sultan thanked the Spanish rulers sarcasticly when he offered the Jews and the Moors a place to live when Spain banished them saying Spain was sending him their best people.

Another thing I found odd was that the woman who had Jewish ancestors and lived kosher did not seem to know why while she even lighted sabbath candles. Maybe that was a glitch in the story.

All in all a 5 out of 5 stars

This book wasn't for me, although I have been interested in historical fiction works in the past. Not sure why. I got about a third of the way through before I gave up. Sorry folks!

"I hate to tell you this," she said, "but you're already there."
I blinked. "Where?"
"The point of no return. You already think differently than you used to about religion. Even if you decide to go ahead and become a priest, after all, it'll never be the same for you as it was. You already can't go back."

By request of her grandmother, Alma travels to Madrid to research the history of her family. From a family of Sephardic Jews, treasured heirlooms have been passed down for generations. One, in particular, has a mysterious tale; one of rescue in a time of oppression hundreds of years prior.

In the same research program, Alma meets Manuel, a Catholic Spaniard. While both have ancestry from Spain, Alma knows limited Spanish. Manuel, being fluent in the language, agrees to become her research partner to aid in translations. However, their religious differences cause some issues along the way, straining the budding friendship--and possible romance.

Perhaps their differences are just too great--until they discover some unbelievable information about their families' history that could change the future they assumed for one another.

-------------------------------------------

I don't know about you, but I enjoy reading a variety of books. While this falls into my typical Historical Fiction genre, it still has elements within it that I don't typically come across in other reads (at least that I've read so far).

Things I liked:

#1 The way the historical story is tied into the present. While I won't say how this is accomplished for spoiler purposes, I really appreciated how four very different stories were all interwoven in the end. It was a bit predictable. However, I appreciated the thought process getting from "Point A" to "Point B."

#2 The diversity in this story makes it all the more engaging. While I don't identify with the main religion being represented, that didn't matter. I found it to be rather insightful in not only different religions, but different cultures as well.

Things I didn't like:

#1 For someone as pious as Alma, I absolutely irked me how many times she would take the Lord's name in vain! For someone who "follows the rules," this is one not to be forgotten!

#2 As many religiously-inspired fiction books go, this one is trying to sway the reader into converting religions. Unlike some readers, I did mind that. However, there was very little justification to back up why conversion should take place. I felt that Alma would say, "Hey, you should convert to Judaism," yet give little reason as to why other than heritage. Then Manuel's like, "Hmm, okay. Yeah. Sure!" I'm all about representing what you believe in. But if you want to sway me, I need more than a suggestion! Not that I'm looking to be swayed...

Anyways, I enjoyed this read. It was simple, yet had elements of complexity. The ways the historical portion of the story tied in with the present kept my interest going throughout the entire story.

Vulgarity: None.
Sexual Content: None.
Violence: None.

3.5 stars.

A big thanks to the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book!

I was a bit unsure whether I would like this book when I started reading it. After all, it's the story of two people who search for their family roots. One is a New York-based Catholic boy originally from Spain, and the other, an Orthodox Jew from New York whose roots also trace back to Spain and the Spanish Inquisition. But I actually loved this book! The characters are believable and likable, and the change in point of view--from first person in the present to third person in the past--actually works well to advance the story. While there is an emphasis on telling the story of what happened to Jews in Spain during the Inquisition, i believe this story will appeal to many different types of readers. I recommend it!

I have always been fascinated with historical fiction/thriller stories. Anything with a historical background or story that transports me back to the past, as far back as the age of the cavemen, is surely going to end up in my TBR. This book is one. Even more so, because it talks about faith--Jewish faith. Judaism. I am not Jewish but this story had me reeling because it hits my weakness. I love stories about conspiracies or theories or just about anything about faith, religion and artifacts. This story just had a mix of all that.

This is my first time to read a book by this author and I am happy to admit that it was not a wasted effort. This book transported me to Spain--the modern and the old one. It brought me as far back as the time of the Spanish Inquisition. The time when Jews were exiled and persecuted by the Spanish authorities. This story also reminded me one of the books I just read last month about Christopher Columbus--The Virgin of the Wind Rose by Glen Craney. The same book spoke of the Spanish Inquisition and how Jews at that time hid their faith just so they could stay alive.

Unlike Glen Craney's book which was more of conspiracies and plots and a likely theory of the real identity of Columbus, this book is more of a romantic genre. This book centers on two strong characters of opposing religion--Alma, a devout and practicing Jew and Manuel, a Catholic Spaniard who wants to become a priest. These two crossed paths when Manuel, out of curiosity stopped at a Jewish shop of Alma's grandma. Both were oblivious to the fact that they lives are more intwined than they ever could imagine.

The story goes back a few generations where the ancestors of these two characters met. The beginning of the story which leads up to the current time where Alma is tasked to fulfill what her grandmother and her great-grandmothers before her were unable to accomplish. Alma, out of her love for her grandmother and for curiosity of the women in their family that came before her, gladly accepted the honor and the opportunity to get to know more about her family tree.

At the same time, here is Manuel, obviously, taken with Alma when he first saw her. As fate would have it, Manuel and Alma get to partner with each other to do the research on their family tree in Spain. These two's differences in faith would prove to be both an advantage and a hindrance to their slowly blossoming closeness. Manuel, by some inexplicable force or reason could not temper his curiosity for the Jewish religion. It seemed like an unknown hand is guiding him to probe deeper into the intricacies and ceremonies of the Jewish culture and Judaism. And it doesn't help that he is bound by his love and loyalty to a Catholic priest who was like a second father to him.

All these doubts and confusion going on both in Alma and in Manuel, added to the air of suspense to the whole story. Not to the mention the quest for each of the stories of each ancestors. The daunting task of both being able to unravel their families history and background has been a really addicting ride. At first, the search proved to be hitting a dead end and then, the unlikely discoveries, one after the other, were leading up to the climax of both realizing they were a product of a long history of friendship, business partnership and more.

And the best part of the story, was when Manuel met his grandmother's sister. It was what I have been waiting all along. I had a suspicion that the little things his mother does for him like being a vegetarian and all weren't just nuisance details but a hint into something more. It was the grandmother of all revelations. I took a really deep breath after that part. Ah...a happy ending after all.

I give this book 5/5 lit candles. This story brought light to me as to the customs and intricacies of the Jewish religion and culture. It is a good insight into the religion that was purported to be the origin of the Catholic faith. The intricately planned and written historical background of the characters and the connection between Alma and Manuel just blew me away. I admit, at the start, I had an inkling that Manuel will prove to be a big part of Alma and her quest to fulfill her grandma's last wish. As to how the story was beautifully and artfully uncovered was just so beyond me. It was so exhilarating and fulfilling. It was like I was with Alma and Manuel in Spain, digging through the archives for some document that will contain some evidence as to lives of my descendant. This book had me thinking that maybe, since the Spaniards occupied my country for 333, I too may have a drop of Spanish blood in my veins. What an adventure it would be to go and research that lost family connection? That's just a thought. I am not actually sure if we have Spanish ancestors. Just the thought of undertaking the same endeavor as Alma and Manuel and then finding actual proof is just too hard to pass. I actually have a desire to trace my family tree, especially on my mother's side since they are a really big family and relatives are scattered all over. I have started with the project but have not been really giving a lot of thought to it. Who knows, because of this story, I might continue on reconstructing that family tree and eventually find, I might be related to some important hero like Lapu-lapu. Again, just a thought.


But you know, our story is not only about exile and oppression and suffering. It is the story of thriving, of triumph, and of great faith. It is the story of a people that laughs in the face of deepest despair, that stubbornly clings to life and to joy even in the face of horror and death. We take our pain and turn it into poetry. We take our misfortune and transform it into opportunity.
- Daniella Levy, By Light of Hidden Candles -


Thank you, Netgalley and Daniella Levy, for the copy of this amazing story.

The story is told from multiple points of view, past and present, a story very much about faith and religion and history. Alma and Manuel meet in present day NYC and discover they are both students at NYU and as fate would have it they spend a semester in Madrid as part of a university project searching for their ancestors. Manuel, who was born in Spain is carrying on the work of his father to find out more about his ancestors. Alma, a devout Jew is on a mission for her grandmother to find the ancestors of the person who was the rightful owner of a gold ring . Along with Manuel who was raised a Catholic as I was, I learned a good bit about Judaism, the holidays, the traditions. The other narrator, Miriam is from the past , a time in Spain when Jews being expelled, in the time of “conversos” as Jews were forced to convert in order to survive. As in most of these past/present stories I liked the past story better .

There is a lot to like about the story. It was in some ways a mini course in Judaism and some Spanish history . The two love stories were lovely and I liked the characters. Having said that , I can't give it more than three stars as the coincidences and predictably took away from the impact for me. The characters discover what I presumed very early on so the ending , although satisfying was very anticlimactic.

I received an advanced copy of this book from Kasva Press LLC/IBPS through NetGalley.

Entertaining, culturally rich, and fearless in speaking of complex theological questions, American-Israeli author Levy’s debut novel delves into the history of Spain’s crypto-Jews—descendants of Jewish people who secretly observed their faith following expulsion or forced conversion. The story is structured into three intertwined narratives, two contemporary and one historical.

Alma Ben-Ami, a gregarious college student who defies the stereotype of observant Jewish women, gets excited after discovering an engraved gold ring and a box of ketubot—Jewish marriage contracts—covering 24 generations in her family’s female line. Her memory-impaired grandmother, who was born in Morocco’s Spanish protectorate, can no longer recall the ring’s history. Shortly thereafter, at the family Judaica shop in Manhattan, Alma meets Manuel Aguilar, a Spaniard whose former priest had discouraged his curiosity about Judaism. When they enroll in the same NYU archives program and study abroad in Madrid to research their genealogies, their growing closeness affects their friendship, since Alma won’t date anyone outside her faith. A separate strand presents the experiences of Míriam de Carmona, Alma’s ancestor, living with her spice-merchant father, Abraham, in the judería of Lorca in southeastern Spain in 1492. Abraham’s decision to sell kosher wine to a converso family attracts the Inquisition’s attention.

Young people often explore questions of religion and identity in college, so Alma and Manuel’s in-depth discussions about her Jewish customs, his Catholicism, and where they overlap and differ all feel honest and real. Their humorous banter keeps the pacing brisk. It’s difficult for Alma to keep kosher in modern Spain, and the story explains the importance of these traditions and emphasizes the tenacious survival of the Jewish people. In the 15th century, Míriam faces her own romantic dilemma, and her fear of discovery by the Inquisition is terrifyingly palpable. The plotline relies on coincidence at times but has an enjoyably satisfying outcome.

(From the Historical Novels Review, November 2017)

Thanks to NetGalley, to Rosie Amber (from Rosie’s Book Review Team. If you’re an author looking for reviews, check here) and to the author for providing me an ARC copy of this book that I freely chose to review.
This novel fits into several genres. It is a romance (a clean or sweet romance. I’m not sure if the same that there are Christian books, there is also a category for Jewish books, but if there is, it would fall into that as well), where fate seems to conspire to unite the two protagonists whilst their faith separates them (Alma, the young American woman is an Orthodox Sephardic Jew, while Manuel, the Spanish young man is not only Catholic but he is considering priesthood). It is also a historical novel. Both protagonists have always wondered about their past, their genealogy and family histories, and are fascinated by some stories about their ancestors that have been passed down for generations although with little in the way of evidence to confirm them. They end up joining a project to do some family research in the historical archives in Madrid and they pair up as a team. Whilst we follow their research and investigation, with alternating chapters in the first-person, told from each one of the protagonists points of view, we also have some chapters set in the XV century in Spain (1492), told in the third person, from the point of view of Miriam, a Jewish young woman whose father’s dealings with conversos (Jews who had converted to Catholicism) gets him into trouble with the Spanish Inquisition (yes, Monty Python get a mention, don’t worry). The book is also a book about religious and personal identity and faith, and it goes into a fair amount of detail about the Jewish faith, not only about customs but also about points of faith and doctrine. For both, Alma and Manuel, their faiths are fundamental parts of who they are and they are both determined not to allow their friendship to cross boundaries and develop into something that is impossible if they are to remain faithful to their beliefs. I think you probably can guess where this is going.
The characters are likeable, quirky (especially Alma. Manuel seemed too good to be true at times, but then, male characters in romances sometimes are, and this is not a story full of rogues), and easy to empathise with. Alma’s family and her interaction with them feel real and give the reader a good sense of the joys and the struggles of trying to keep the tradition alive despite the pressures of the modern world. Manuel’s mother is very peculiar, although everything is explained later, and he does not have other contacts or close family, so his chapters focus mostly on his doubts about his faith and on his relationship with Alma. Their interaction is sometimes funny (rather than Romeo and Juliet this is more like Much Ado About Nothing), sometimes poignant, and sometimes deep and reflective. They can be at times naïve (they have both lived what appear to be quite sheltered lives, despite their very different backgrounds and circumstances), unaware, and blinkered (there is much made of the prejudice in Spain, both in the past and now, but they don’t seem aware of any issues on that respect in the USA), but they are devoted to their families and their projects, they are well-liked by all they come in contact with, and meet interesting people whose stories illustrate multiple aspects of living according to a religious faith.
The novel travels with the characters, providing a wonderful background for the story (New York, Granada, Madrid, Lorca, Cartagena), without long and tiresome descriptions, just enough detail to fire up the imagination and transport the readers there.
There is mystery (well, there are several mysteries) and coincidences, luck, and fate play a huge part in the story. I don’t think many readers will be surprised by what happens, although, like in many romances, the beauty is in the detail, the process, and in how seeing how things will come together in the end. And yes, the ending is satisfying.
I would recommend this novel to readers who love romances with a big dose of both fate and faith, who like clean novels (no swear words, no sex), are interested in the Jewish faith and its history, and enjoy the company of warm-hearted characters who deserve the best of luck.

I loved it! Although the reader knows from almost the beginning how the book will end, it is a delicious path from beginning to end. The characters are wonderful - true to themselves throughout. And, in addition to a really good story, one learns quite a bit about the Spanish Inquisition, Catholicism and orthodox Judaism without feeling lectured to. The book is written in chapters by characters. Most are living in the present but there are also 'flashbacks' to the time of the Inquisition. It was a real pleasure and privilege to be able to read this book.

I received this pre-published novel via Advance Reader Copy from Netgalley in return for an honest review.

This novel was thoroughly enjoyable. We meet Alma, a young Sephardi Jew, born and raised in America, who, of her large family, feels the heavy mantel of maintaining her family's heritage. She meets Manuel, a Spanish Catholic, studying in New York by chance, when he wanders into her family's Judaica store.

Despite the growing attraction that they feel for each other, they manage to become friends and college research partners. Each keen to research their families genealogy, they travel to Spain and ultimately unearth secrets that will have them questioning who they and their families are.

I found the characters engaging, believable and likeable. I enjoy novels where I can learn something and as a Jew who did not have the benefit of Hebrew School, I actually learned quite a lot about the meaning behind certain Jewish religious customs and viewpoints.

Thank you so much for the opportunity to read this delightful novel.

n this story that weaves back and forth between the time of Ferdinand and Isabella in Spain, specifically when they expelled the Jews out of their combined kingdoms after letting the Inquisition go after them and anyone protecting them, and the present day, a Jewish girl and a Catholic boy meet at college and travel together to research family archives in Spain.

Alma is a devout Jew, one of a large family that ranges from Orthodox to non-practicing. She is very close to her grandmother, who has given her an antique ring and told her a story that has been passed down from mother to daughter for twenty-six generation.

Manuel Aguilar has only his mother--his father died when he was a boy, and a priest became a father figure for him, inspiring him toward seminary. Manuel's mother is cagey about religion, seeming more interested in Judaism than in practicing her faith, but she won't talk to Manuel about it.

The two students are each determined to conduct their study without crossing any boundaries, not only because their faiths forbid it, but because everyone in their families is horrified and assumes they will end up involved with each other instead of their studies.

The story weaves back and forth between first person chapters with Alma and Manuel, and Miriam, a Jewish girl in the turbulent times before the expulsion. We learn about conversos, the Jews who, to save their families, pretended to convert but secretly practiced their religion, as well as about laws and rules of modern day Judaism and to a certain extent Catholicism. I don't think Levy really comprehends the complexity of devout Catholicism, but she does a good job trying, giving us a priest character who genuinely helps Manuel instead of the too-often-encountered sleazy priest of much modern fiction.

A great many of Manuel's and Alma's conversations (and arguments) are about faith, and one can see the end coming long before the two make their discoveries, but the research is solid, and there are far too few novels out there that give us sincere young people of faith. I enjoyed it for that reason alone, and found the engrossing historical chapters the frosting on the cake.

Judeo Christian study 101, set within a romantic plot. An enjoyable, unchallenging read, the plot is evident from the start, yet the character development continues to interest and compel one to keep reading. At the end of the day, I enjoyed the book and appreciated the "compare and contrast" aspects of Judaism and Christianity. Education is always a good thing.

One of the best love stories I've ever read!

This book clearly had substance as do all books which revolve around faith or history. I enjoyed every moment: the witty dialogue, the intellectual discussions and just all the learning. I had obviously underestimated Judaism: in regard to its rituals and celebrations, it's undoubtedly the single most complicated religion.

It was the reason I felt compelled to give it a read- that, and it sounded like a brilliant love story. I was not wrong: it was every bit a brilliant love story- that and more!

The historical context was not lost on me, also. Rather, it helped the reader understand determination in faith and even, one's refusal to break away from faith when it's so very integral to one's being and one's values. I also welcomed the main characters, Alma and Manuel's, love for history, its preservation and their appreciation of the crucial nature of learning their family's story. The story of their ancestors.

Fans of T.A Williams' Chasing Shadows, another time slip/ dual timeline romance, will be happy to read this one. Chasing Shadows brings two people together out of their mutual interest in the Middle Ages. Light of Hidden Candles brings two people together out of their curiosity and their mutual interest in their ancestors' history. Both are must-reads..

By the Light of Hidden Candles by Daniella Levy is the story of family history, religion and the story that connects us all. Alma Ben-Ami is studying at NYU where she is studying in a genealogy program and hoping to attend a semester in Madrid in order to research her family’s history. Her grandmother, asks her to find the family who gave their ancestor a ring and return it them. While preparing to go aboard, she meets Manuel Aguilar who is researching his own family genealogy. The two immediately hit it off and there is deep friendship blooming. There is one caveat that keeps them from going beyond friendship. Alma is a practicing Sephardic Jew who keeps kosher and observes all the holidays and observances. Manuel is a practicing Catholic. As it is stated many times “Religious Jews don’t date non-Jews.” But the attraction gets stronger as the two start their projects in Madrid. When it seems like a dead end, one discovery leads to another and the two on are the fast track to discovery the truth in their family trees. As Alma and Manuel make their discoveries, the reader is taken back in time to the story of Miriam de Carmona who lived in Spain during the Spanish Inquisition. Will the discoveries change how they viewed their family and their own identity? Will Alma be able to return the ring to the family who helped her ancestors?
By the Light of Hidden Candles was a deeply emotional and moving story. I love genealogy as I have researched my family tree and continue to look for more information. I enjoyed being a part of Alma’s and Manuel’s journey through their family history. I enjoyed visiting the various places in Spain as Alma and Manuel visited them. However, I felt the religious arguments between the two were getting tiresome as it was the same argument time after time. And I would have liked to get more information about the Inquisition as I don’t remember much about it from my history classes. Overall, it was a good book and I recommend By the Light of Hidden Candles.

By the Light of Hidden Candles
will be available October 16, 2017
in paperback and eBook

Alma has inherited a gold ring, a ring that has been based down from generation to generation. When she decides to spend a semester abroad in Spain, she undertakes a project to uncover her families genealogy and the history of the ring. Manuel, decides to travel with her and search for his own family history.

This book was extremely slow and extremely predictable. It unraveled exactly as I expected, there were no surprises or unexpected moments. During Manuel's chapters, Alma comes off as extremely ditzy. I almost wondered if she was the same confident woman from her chapters. Overall, a bust.

Definitely a recommended read to anyone interested in Jewish history, particularly the conversos from Spain. The characters are well defined and with complex personality, however the romantic part of the story I've found a bit too stereotypical and predictable. Despite the ups and downs, it is a story worth reading, as it brings to light interesting stories, many of them certainly based on historical sources.

I requested this book because of a personal interest in Jewish history and customs. Because of the few things I did learn while reading it, I'm giving it a three. At about the 15% mark, I felt fairly certain I knew where the story was going, and I was right. I also found the character dialog less than flowing. It took me two weeks to read the book, it did not compel me.

What an exciting lovely mystery! Five hundred years ago a Jewish couple got married in Fez, North Africa and their marriage contract called a ketuba, is found along with 23 more marriage contracts for the same family down to this generation in an old safe in the family Judaica store in Manhattan.
Alma shows her grandmother the box of ketubahs and her grandmother goes through the box and finds a large gold ring with a bird engraving etched on the flat bezel. Grandma cannot remember why the ring is important, her memory is not as good as it used to be when she was younger.
Alma is applying for the Spanish Heritage Project Course at New York University which includes a trip to Spain to research family history. She is working at a Judaica store when she meets a man named Manuel, a student who is originally from Spain who helps her carry a box down the stairs. Alma meets Manuel again at the university where they are taking the Spanish Heritage Course together.
They discover that they are both looking for records to complete their family genealogy.
They decide to become study partners and as they discuss their backgrounds, they find out that they are on opposite sides of the spectrum, Alma is a Jew whose ancestors had to escape from Spain to Morocco in order to escape persecution and Manuel's family have been Spanish Catholics as far back as he can remember.
They get to Spain and they start looking for their history, you will be amazed to find out what happened back in the 1500's during the Inquisition that cemented their family's relationship forever and that solves the mystery of the ring.

50 Shades of Scrupulosity? "By Light of Hidden Candles" by Daniella Levy

Alma and Manuel are college students in cell-phone contemporary New York, yet they are so chaste and scrupulous they blush at the mere thought of a kiss. He is a cradle Catholic considering the priesthood; she, like her ancestors, would rather die than compromise her Jewish faith. From the moment they meet, these two are attracted and repelled, forbidden to marry someone who’d never convert, so strong is the religion they were raised in.

Ethics and theology comprise a surprising amount of the dialogue. I love it. More novels could explore the contrast in core values of the heroine and hero, exchanging ideas instead of swapping bodily fluids. I’m mystified that 50 Shades of clinical sex and sado-maso-bondage (BSM?) sells so well, while thoughtful and meaningful discourse is left to collect dust on old shelves.

It’s rare and refreshing to find a novel where 20-somethings love history and get excited by documents that are centuries old. (Genealogists will love this.)

Instead of dodging bullets and villains, these two engage in research. They drink coffee (or not, if the cream isn’t kosher for Alma), they tour historical sites during a semester abroad in Spain, and they fight their ever-growing but forbidden attraction to each other.

The narrative alternates between Miriam, a Jewish teenager in 15th Century Spain. Her mom has risked death (and died!) rather than make a pretense of converting to Catholicism while practicing Judaism in secret. An entire sect of Jews did in fact go that route, posing as Catholics to avoid extermination or exile, but many would die before they’d live a lie.

Miriam follows her mother’s example, choosing exile (and another great sacrifice as well) rather than pretend to be Catholic. Her integrity comes at great cost to others. (No spoiler from me, but—oy!) Much as I admire the Jewish people and love their wit, humor, and intellect, there comes a point when so much scrupulosity just drives me crazy. God is great, but science is more real and immediate to me. Billions of people with different beliefs, different traditions, diets, and habits share the same planet. But I will save this rant some other time, some other place.

Others have summarized the plot, so I’ll just highlight a few excerpts that make this novel so rich, historic, and satisfying:
"Judaism is the most obsessive-compulsive religion on the planet," says the heroine, herself a devout Jew who practices kosher no matter how expensive, challenging, difficult, or inconvenient. But there is a sense of the divine in these rituals. "...you have to really know, and think about, where that food comes from, before you take a bite of literally anything. A lot of these laws help us live more consciously that way."

With religions, with marriage, with anything, this is what defines us or distinguishes us: 'It's the little things, the routine things," and I’ve heard this from Catholics as well as our Jewish heroine: "It’s something so deep, so much a part of who I am, I'm not sure I can really put it into words."

I love the way Levy’s narrative includes a mini-history lesson of Spain, Morocco, Granada, the Inquisition; a people, a time, a culture. Sephardi Jews are a small minority in the US, and Moroccan Jews an ever smaller minority. If one were really observant, the Jews posing as Catholics would sometimes give themselves away. One way is something as simple as breaking open eggs and inspecting them before they hit the skillet. (Read the book to see how this small detail signifies something huge.)

Levy’s love of Judaism is evident, but her portrayal of the Catholic faith comes up short. I wouldn’t expect her to understand the nuances of both faiths.

To me, both are founded on things that common sense or scientific observation could sweep aside. E.g., forbidding marshmallows because they contain a pork product – where are the casualties and epidemics when someone eats pork? Is there something in our DNA to make certain people unable to eat cheeseburgers without contaminating their souls, while others live to be a hundred in spite of eating pork or beef from a cow that wasn’t strangled the kosher way? Billions of other people do, and who’s to say whose soul is jeopardized, who is irreverent or disrespectful, and who is pragmatic, adapting to changing world situations, whatever it takes to survive.

It is a testament to the author’s story telling talent that she can write about people who drive me crazy but get me to care about them. She also gets me to use willing suspension of disbelief, especially with the idea that one woman could tell a story to her granddaughter, who would in turn tell her granddaughter, until 26 generations of this finally end in “Mission Accomplished.”

Satisfying, gratifying, lovely story, mystical and magical, in a way that reminds us what we call "magic" is often the sort of blessing that comes to those who believe.