Egypt's Sister (The Silent Years #1) by Angela Hunt

Title: Egypt’s Sister (The Silent Years #1)

Author: Angela Hunt

Pages: 384

Year: 2017

Genre: Biblical-Era Fiction

Publisher: Bethany House

Format: eBook (also available in paperback)

About the book:

     Five decades before the birth of Christ, Chava, daughter of the royal tutor, grows up with Urbi, a princess in Alexandria’s royal palace. When Urbi becomes Queen Cleopatra, Chava vows to be a faithful friend no matter what-but after she and Cleopatra have an argument, she finds herself imprisoned and sold into slavery.

     Torn from her family, her community, and her elevated place in Alexandrian society, Chava finds herself cast off and alone in Rome. Forced to learn difficult lessons, she struggles to trust a promise HaShem has given her. After experiencing the best and worst of Roman society, Chava must choose between love and honor, between her own desires and God’s will for her life.

My review:

     This is an absolutely incredible biblical-era fiction story!

     This book is set during the years between the Old and New Testament. Therefore it isn’t officially a biblical novel but I can’t think of any other genre that it fits better.

     I love Chava! She faces so much heartache and danger in her life, but it all helps her to grow and become an incredibly strong woman. I have never studied the history from this period though much of it is well known. I found all of the details that are given about how the different levels of people were treated to be very eye opening. I was also fascinated by the differences between Rome and Alexandria.

     I thoroughly enjoyed reading the author’s note at the end of the book. It made a number of things clearer for me as to what is actually known about Cleopatra.

Giver of Wonders by Roseanna M. White

Title: Giver of Wonders

Author: Roseanna M. White

Pages: 266

Year: 2016

Genre: Historical Fiction

Publisher: WhiteFire Publishing

Format: eBook (also available in paperback)

About the book:

     A miracle once saved her life ~ will another give her a future?

     Cyprus was little more than a child when a fall left her paralyzed…and when the boy known as the wonder-worker healed her. Ever since, she has wondered why the Lord spared her, what he has in store for her. But her pagan father thinks she was spared solely so she could be introduced to the wealthy wonder-worker, Nikolaos.

     Nikolaos has never questioned that his call in life is to dedicate himself to the church and to God. Never, that is, until he and his cousin Petros meet the compelling Cyprus Visibullis. For years he struggles with the feelings she inspires…and with the sure knowledge that Petros loves her too.

     Petros knows he will never be good enough for Cyprus’s father to consider him as a match for his favorite daughter not as long as Nikolaos is there. But when tragedy strikes the Visibullis family, he will do anything to save his beloved. Unfortunately, his beloved is determined to do anything to save her sisters ~ even at the cost of herself.

     As the festival of lights bathes their Greek city in beauty, Cyprus, Petros, and Nikolaos celebrate the miracle of their Savior’s birth together one last time. And in remembrance of their Lord’s greatest gift, one of them will make the ultimate sacrifice for the others…and a centuries-long tradition will be born.

My review:

     This is a wonderful historical fiction Christmas story!

     I was captivated by the first meeting we have with Cyprus Visibullis. She is a spunky girl who gets herself in trouble a few times in this book. It was upsetting to me to realize how daughters were viewed by their fathers. There were a number of times that I wanted to slap her father because of how he spoke to Cyprus and her sisters. I really liked how Cyprus and her two sisters stuck together and supported each other.

     I was fascinated by Nikolaos. He had such a solid relationship with God that I felt encouraged in my own relationship with Him. I had heard that Santa Claus was based on Saint Nicholas before. I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know the real man that evolved into Santa. I liked seeing the beginning of some of the traditions that began in other cultures too.

     I am giving this wonderful story a rating of 5 stars. I highly recommend it.

Dead Sea Rising (Dead Sea Chronicles #1) by Jerry B. Jenkins

Title: Dead Sea Rising (Dead Sea Chronicles #1)

Author: Jerry B. Jenkins

Pages: 320

Release Date: November 13, 2018

Genre: Time-Slip, Biblical / Present

Publisher: Worthy Publishing

Format: Paperback (also available in eBook)

Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I have chosen to write this review to express my personal opinion.

About the book:

FROM #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR JERRY B. JENKINS COMES A HEART-STOPPING ADVENTURE OF HISTORICAL PROPORTIONS

Nicole Berman is an archaeologist on the brink of a world-changing discovery. During her first dig in Jordan, she believes she has found concrete evidence of a biblical patriarch that could change history books forever. But someone doesn’t want the truth revealed. While urgently trying to connect pieces of an ancient puzzle, a dangerous enemy is out to stop her.

My review:

This is an incredible time-slip novel.

The two time periods are early biblical and present. They are presented in two seemingly separate storylines. The chapters for the two periods are alternating. Part way through the book a third time period is introduced as memories of one of the present day characters.

The characters are incredibly well developed. Many of them I connected with emotionally. Most of them I wanted to just hug and help them get through the problems they were faced with. One of them I really wanted to either slap silly or shake as hard as I could to get some sense into his head.

The present day storyline was an intricate mystery. I was truly confused by all of the information that came to us in tiny bits and pieces. I was enthralled and needed to find out the culprit and the motivation for the crime.

I did find the shortness of the chapters a bit frustrating. This feeling was increased by the fact that we switched back and forth between the time periods so often that I couldn’t get really sucked into either one completely. This is the reason that I have decided to give this book only 4 stars. 

I am highly recommending this book for the depth of both storylines.

Disclaimer: *Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*

By the Waters of Babylon (The Psalm Series #2) by Mesu Andrews

Title: By the Waters of Babylon (The Psalm Series #2)

Author: Mesu Andrews

Pages: 185

Release Date: August 1, 2018 

Genre: Biblical Era Fiction

Publisher: McPherson Publishing

Format: eBook (also available in paperback)

About the book:

     When Babylon destroys Jerusalem, as Yahweh warned through his prophets, the captives’ bitterness and grief pours out in the Captives’ Psalm:

“[By the rivers of Babylon] we sat as exiles, mourning our captivity, and wept with great love for Zion. Our music and mirth were no longer heard, only sadness. We hung up our harps on the willow trees.” (Psalm 137:1-2, The Passion Translation)

     A young Israelite woman is among them, captured by a mercenary Scythian prince. Driven toward Babylon by both hatred and hope, she endures captivity to reunite with her husband.

     But will he be there when she reaches Babylon? Will the prince risk the Scythian throne—and his life—to believe in the Hebrew God? Can they both find what they seek when they meet the prophet Ezekiel . . . by the rivers of Babylon?

My review:

     An incredible fictional story set during bible times!

     Since the story was written just from one of the Psalms, in my mind, it isn’t a Biblical novella. A few key people from the Bible are present though. I really enjoyed how the author took her fictional characters and wove them in with the Biblical characters to craft a cohesive story.

     The development of the main characters is fantastic. The strength that Merry needs to just keep going is amazing. I’m not sure how she did it.

     The amount of detail included in the horror of the siege of Jerusalem was more than I have ever come across. It made me much more aware of the completeness of God’s punishment on His chosen people.