{"product_id":"the-mala-beads-a-novel-of-hope-and-discovery-in-a-time-of-chaos","title":"THE MALA BEADS: A Novel of Hope and Discovery in a Time of Chaos","description":"A mysterious mala bead necklace transforms the lives of 36 people throughout the United States and Canada—one miracle at a time. 36 Compelling stories ~ one strand of beads. Award-winning contemporary fiction with a hint of magic!\nWhen a woman is robbed at a Cape Cod beach, she gives the gunman all her money along with a small drawstring bag, eliciting a promise that he will use what is contained inside. Filled with guilt, the man returns home and opens the bag to find a sandalwood necklace with scrolled instructions. \"This japa mala holds ancient and powerful Sanskrit energy used to manifest miracles …Once your intention has been realized, you will pass this sacred energy to the next person in need …\"\nAnd so begins the journey of The Mala Beads, the characters' lives intertwining with each passing of the beads.\n\nThe people the beads touch are diverse, each story unfolding intimately and culturally.\n• A young woman dealing with gender dysphoria.\n• A Native American couple trying to save their horse ranch from a devastating wildfire.\n• An alcoholic mother whose fear of losing her children overrides her need for help.\n• A Russian immigrant restarting his life in Canada after the mother of his two children dies of an overdose in his homeland — and more.\nThe Mala Beads is about human frailty and the enduring strength that can only come from a force greater than we know.\n\n\"The writing is witty, masterful, and fun to read.\" Madeline Miele Holt, Producer, Books and the World\n\n”These are edgy and profound tales of hope, love, and connection, set against the backdrop of the 2020 pandemic. I read The Mala Beads with a smile on my face and a lump in my throat.\"\n—Kathi Scrizzi Driscoll, former Arts Editor for the Cape Cod Times\n\n\"I love this book. Whether you read it in one sitting or experience it slowly, it's a book you'll want to share with friends, buy as a gift, or suggest for your book club—an easy read with a lot to say.\"\n—Christine Merser, Writer, Managing Editor, Blue 2 Publishing\n\nCONTEMPORARY AMERICAN FICTION\n\nWinner of the 2025 International Impact Book Award in 3 categories: Multicultural, Inspirational, and Spiritual Fiction.\nWinner of the 2024 POTY Award for Multicultural Fiction\nFinalist for the 2024 AMERICAN BOOK FEST AWARD for Multicultural Fiction\n\nKathy Aspden is a novelist, screenwriter, and inspirational public speaker.\nFor more information on her work, go to www.kathyaspden.com\u003cbr\u003eASIN: 173505920X\u003cbr\u003eVSKU: DBV.173505920X.G\u003cbr\u003eCondition: Good\u003cbr\u003eAuthor\/Artist:Aspden, Kathy\u003cbr\u003eBinding: Paperback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eNote:\u003c\/b\u003e Any images shown are stock photographs and product may differ from what is shown.  \u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eCondition Notes\u003c\/b\u003e: Gently used with minimal wear on the corners and cover. A few pages may contain light highlighting or writing, but the text remains fully legible. Dust jacket may be missing, and supplemental materials like CDs or codes may not be included. May be ex-library with library markings. Ships promptly!  \u003cbr\u003e","brand":"Dream Books Co.","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":41448774139962,"sku":"DBV.173505920X.G","price":6.49,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0555\/6011\/0138\/files\/173505920X-0.jpg?v=1780867655","url":"https:\/\/shop.dreambooksco.com\/products\/the-mala-beads-a-novel-of-hope-and-discovery-in-a-time-of-chaos","provider":"Dream Books Co.","version":"1.0","type":"link"}