Daughter of Jerusalem

Daughter of Jerusalem 
Joan Wolf
Worthy Publishing 
Biblical Fiction 

In Daughter of Jerusalem, readers will quickly identify with Mary Magdalene – a woman of deep faith who used her wealth and influence to serve Jesus. This fictionalized story of Mary Magdalene is, in the truest sense of the word, an inspirational novel for modern people who are looking to renew in themselves the message of Christ. It’s the greatest story ever lived, told by one of the most famous women who ever lived, and it’s a page-turner. Joan Wolf’s years of success as a novelist enable her to combine storytelling and a faith plot in this beautifully written biblical fiction.

I was all set up to really like this book. I very much enjoy Biblical fiction because it helps me truly enter into the story of the Bible. I love that. I usually allow the liberties taken by the authors and am rarely bothered. However, the liberty of combining Mary Magdalene and Mary, Lazarus' sister, into one person went a bit too far for me. Is it likely they were the same person? There may be a very slim chance. I won't get into the theology and history of it all but I was bothered that they were combined into the same person. So bothered, I didn't fully enjoy the book. 

With that being said, however, you might not have the same problem. If you can look past the combination of characters and see this merely as a work of fiction it is a good read. Wolf writes with direction and I appreciate that. Her characters are well developed and interesting. While this certainly doesn't get my highest vote it does still get mention for being an enjoyable work of purely fiction.

My thanks to Worthy Publishing for providing me with a review copy of this book in exchange for my real honest review.  

Claudia

Claudia
Diana Wallis Taylor
Revell Publishing
June 2013 Available now from your favorite bookseller! 
Biblical Fiction

Claudia’s life did not start easily. The illegitimate daughter of Julia, reviled and exiled daughter of Caesar Augustus, Claudia spends her childhood in a guarded villa with her mother and grandmother. When Tiberius, who hates Julia, takes the throne, Claudia is wrenched away from her mother to be brought up in the palace in Rome. The young woman is adrift–until she meets Lucius Pontius Pilate and becomes his wife. When Pilate is appointed Prefect of the troublesome territory of Judea, Claudia does what she has always done: she makes the best of it. But unrest is brewing on the outskirts of the Roman Empire, and Claudia will soon find herself and her beloved husband embroiled in controversy and rebellion. Might she find peace and rest in the teaching of the mysterious Jewish Rabbi everyone seems to be talking about?

For some reason I have begun to really enjoy biblical fiction in the last year or so. I love how it helps make the Bible come alive. Pilate has long interested me and seeing his story through the eyes of his wife intrigued me. The book started out strong and easily kept my interest. The amount of history Taylor incorporates is very much appreciated. Little historical details made the book that much more fun to read. However, about half way through the book I found myself struggling to keep reading. The story of Jesus is not boring but somehow when he came on the scene in the book something was lacking. Perhaps it was just knowing how the story ended. Either way, I got interested again towards the end. Overall, it was a good read. I can't give it the highest rating because I did get bogged down. But I enjoyed it, loved hearing the story from a different perspective, and would recommend it. 

My thanks to Revell Publishing for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. 

Harvest of Rubies

Harvest of Rubies
Tessa Afshar
Moody Publishers
Romance, Biblical, Fiction
Date: May 1, 2012

The prophet Nehemiah's cousin can speak numerous languages, keep complex accounts, write on rolls of parchment and tablets of clay, and solve great mysteries. There is only one problem: she is a woman.

In her early childhood years, Sarah experienced the death of her mother and her father's subsequent emotional distance and she came to two conclusions: that God does not care about her, and that her accomplishments are the measure of her worth - the measure of her self.

Sarah, the talented scribe and cousin to Nehemiah, is catapulted into the center of the Persian court, working too many hours, rubbing elbows with royalty, and solving intrigues for the Queen. Ironically, it isn't failure but success that causes Sarah to lose her only source of external validation.

Sarah soon learns that she has something of worth to offer beyond her ability with languages and sums - her very being proves to be a blessing to others.

This was a truly fun read. I loved it! Yes, it was indeed a reach but I was happy to go there. Sarah is so well developed and watching her grow up and ultimately fall in love with her husband was delightful. The scribe aspect was very interesting as well. When an author can help the reader fully engage in another time and place they have a win. This was a win. Read it, you won't be sorry! 

My thanks to Moody Publishing and Netgalley for providing me with a free e-copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. 

Desired

Desired 
Ginger Garrett
October 1, 2011
David C. Cook Publishing
Biblical Fiction, Romance, History   

Book Description:

 Before Samson was an Old Testament legend, he was a prodigal son, an inexperienced suitor, a vengeful husband, and a lost soul driven by his own weakness. This is his story as told by three strong women who loved him-the nagging, manipulative mother who pushed him toward greatness, the hapless Philistine bride whose betrayal propelled him into notoriety, and the emotionally damaged seductress-the famous Delilah-who engineered his downfall and propelled him to his destiny. Desired celebrates the God of Israel's to work powerfully in the midst of hopes, fears, desires, and sorrows

My thoughts: 

Growing up I used to love the story of Samson. Without fail when dad got boring (pastor's kid speaking here) I would have mom find the story of Samson in my Bible and I would read it over and over again. Love, gore, adventure, and riddles would grip me. This book was no different. I was gripped from the very beginning. Garrett is a masterful storyteller. She describes in great detail and her characters come to life. Unfortunately the tale of Samson and the women in his life is one of great sorrow. Even though I knew how things ended I was profoundly saddened by this story. Samson's tale is one of great heartache and misdirection and yet God chose to use him. Another lesson for me. Delilah is portrayed as misunderstood instead of the vixen I was taught growing up. I enjoyed seeing her in a different light. All in all this was a good book. I would suggest entering into the world of Biblical fiction with this one but definitely put it on your "too read" shelf. 

My thanks to Netgalley and David C. Cook for providing me with a free digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. 

Pearl in the Sand

Title: PEARL IN THE SAND
Author: Tessa Afshar
Publisher: Moody Publishers
September 2010
ISBN: 978-0-8024-5881-0
Genre: Inspirational/historical/biblical

It's easy to get bogged down in the lineages listed in the Bible. So and so begat so and so and on it goes. What I often forget is that each person in the lineages has a story. Each names listed has significance. Pearl in the Sand takes us into the life of Rahab. Rahab was listed in the lineage of Jesus and Rahab was a prostitute. You may remember Rahab as the one who helped the spies escaped Jericho. Because of her bravery and honor to God she and her family were spared when the city was demolished. We know she goes on to live life and have children because from her line comes Jesus.

Afshar weaves an incredible and gripping tale. I was hooked from the beginning. I was also in awe anew of how God uses the seemingly unusable. I was touched by this story and it has stuck with me for days since reading. Whether you like biblical fiction or not I highly recommend this book.

Thank you to Netgalley and Moody Publishers for providing me a free digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.