Showing posts with label Biblical Fiction. Show all posts

Tuesday, March 8, 2022

The Prince and the Prodigal by Jill Eileen Smith

Title: The Prince and the Prodigal

Author: Jill Eileen Smith

Pages: 384

Release Date: February 1, 2022

Genre: Biblical Fiction

Publisher: Revell

Format: eBook (also available in paperback)

Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher, through NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All of the opinions expressed are my own.

About the book:

Joseph is the pampered favorite son of the patriarch Jacob. His older brothers, deeply resentful of his status in the family, take advantage of the chance to get rid of him, selling him to slave traders and deceiving their father about his fate. It seems like their troubles are over. But for Joseph and older brother Judah, they are just beginning.

While Joseph is accused of rape and imprisoned, Judah attempts to flee the memory of his complicity in the betrayal of his younger brother. After decades apart, the brothers will come face-to-face in a stunning role reversal that sees Joseph in a position of great power while Judah begs for mercy. Will forgiveness or vengeance win the day?

Bestselling and award-winning author Jill Eileen Smith brings her considerable research and imaginative skills to bear in this vivid retelling of one of the most popular stories found in Scripture—a story of jealousy, betrayal, and a reconciliation that only God could bring about.

My review:

This is an amazing Biblical novel!

I have read the book of Genesis multiple times. The story of Joseph and his brothers is a fairly large part of the book. At the same time there are a number of details that aren’t given in the bible. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this fictional account of their lives. The author has done an incredible job of filling in details of what everyday life would have been like for Jacob’s large family as well as Joseph’s life in Egypt.

After the point that Dinah was raped by Shechem she really isn’t mentioned in the bible. My heart went out to her and what her life would have been like after Levi and Simeon killed all of the men in the city of Shechem. This book does show her as having a fulfilling place in the family.

I’m giving this wonderful book a rating of 5 stars. I highly recommend it.

Disclaimer: *Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book for free in the hope that I would mention or review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I have 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.*

Thursday, October 21, 2021

Jerusalem's Queen: A Novel of Salome Alexandra (The Silent Years #3) by Angela Hunt

Title: Jerusalem’s Queen: A Novel of Salome Alexandra (The Silent Years #3)

Author: Angela Hunt

Pages: 384

Year: 2018

Genre: Biblical Fiction

Publisher: Bethany House

Format: eBook (also available in paperback)

Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher, through NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All of the opinions expressed are my own.

About the book:

Born in the small village of Modern, a town made famous by the warrior Maccabees, Salome Alexandra knows better than to harbor grand dreams for her future. She pales in comparison to her beautiful older sister, and though she learns to read at an early age, girls are not valued for their intellectual ability. But when her father and sister are killed, John Hyrcanus, a distant relative, invites Salome and her mother to live with his family in Jerusalem, where her thirst for knowledge is noticed and indulged.

When her guardian betroths her to a pagan prince, she questions HaShem’s plan. When Hyrcanus finally marries her to a boy half her age, she questions her guardian’s sanity. But though Salome spends much of her life as a pawn ordered about by powerful men, she learns that a woman committed to HaShem can change the world.

My review:

This is a wonderful Biblical novel!

Before I started reading this series of books I didn’t really know anything about the 400 years between the Old and New Testaments. I love the fact that the author has researched this period extensively so that she was able to write accurate and informative stories based on historical facts. I found it fascinating after finishing the story to read her note at the back of the book and learn where she found out her information and which aspects of the book were factual.

I absolutely loved both Salome Alexandra and Kissa. They both started off with very difficult situations that they were trying to figure out how their lives were going to progress. The way they were able to forge a deep friendship and help each other out along the way was incredible.

I am giving this fantastic book a rating of 5 stars. I highly recommend it.

Monday, February 8, 2021

To Dwell Among Cedars (The Covenant House #1) by Connilyn Cossette

Title: To Dwell Among Cedars (The Covenant House #1)

Author: Connilyn Cossette

Pages: 364

Release Date: December 1, 2020

Genre: Biblical Fiction

Publisher: Bethany House

Format: eBook (also available in paperback)

Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. I was not required to write a positive review. All of the opinions expressed are my own.

About the book:

As they fight for the soul of Israel, will they find healing for their own?

Eight years ago, after the Philistines surrendered the stolen Ark of the Covenant back to the Israelites, Eliora and her brother left their Philistine homeland to follow it to the community of Kiryat-Yearim. Though they both were lovingly enfolded into a Levite family that guards the Ark, Eliora can’t stop feeling like she doesn’t belong.

Meanwhile, a faction of discontent Hebrews finds Kiryat-Yearim to be an unfit resting place and believes that the sacred vessel should be in the hands of the priests who mean to restore the Holy of Holies in a new location. Under the guise of gathering Hebrews to worship together for the festivals, Levite musician Ronen has been sent by his uncle to find where the Ark has been hidden and steal it back. But Ronen never expected that the Philistine girl he rescued years ago would not be part of the very family he’s tasked to deceive.

Ronen’s attempts to charm Eliora into revealing the location of the Ark lead them in unexpected directions, as they must battle betrayal and fear to help establish Israel’s leadership for a better future.

My review:

This is a wonderful biblical fiction book.

I was fascinated by the look at what life may have been like in the Philistian city of Ashdod. I understand from the author’s note at the end of the story that there isn’t much known about them. I had never considered that Hebrew individuals could have been taken there as slaves.

The development of the story was great. The way that Arisa/Eliora and Lukio/Natan’s lives changed after they followed the ark to Israel was very dramatic.

The characters are incredibly well developed. I was especially drawn to Eliora, Yoela, and Ronen. Both Eliora and Ronen had very intense emotional journeys that they had to travel during the story. I was caught up in them and enjoyed seeing who gave each of them counsel along the way.

I did find the spelling of a number of the actual biblical figures’ names confusing. The author chose not to use the ones that are in English translations of the Bible. I’m not sure where she got the spellings she used. This isn’t covered in her note.

I’m giving this wonderful book a rating of 5 stars. I highly recommend it.

Monday, September 28, 2020

Daughter of Cana (Jerusalem Road #1) by Angela Hunt

Title: Daughter of Cana (Jerusalem Road #1)

Author: Angela Hunt

Pages: 384

Year: 2020

Genre: Biblical Fiction

Publisher: Bethany House

Format: eBook (also available in paperback)

Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher, through NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All of the opinions expressed are my own.

About the book:

Thomas and Tasmin, twin siblings hired to oversee a wedding feast in Cana, worry when the host runs out of wine . . . until a guest tells Tasmin to have the servants fill the pitchers by the gate with water from the cistern. Reluctantly, she obeys and is amazed when rainwater turns into the finest wine ever tastes in Cana.

When Thomas impulsively decides to follow the teacher from Nazareth, he and Tasmin argue—since the twins have been together since the womb, Tasmin can’t accept losing her brother to some magician-prophet. Aided by Jude, younger brother to Jesus of Nazareth, she decides to follow the Nazarene’s group and do whatever she must to mend the fractured relationship and bring her brother home.

My review:

This is an incredible biblical novel!

When I read a biblical novel I don’t look for the story to follow the bible perfectly. Instead I look for a well crafted story that could very easily be the way things happened. We are not given complete details in the bible, and if we were why would anyone write biblical fiction.

This author has done a marvelous job of studying scripture and the culture from during the period that Jesus ministered on earth. She has then taken all of the information that she learned and crafted this story to fit the information that is included in the bible.

I love the way that she developed Tasmin, Thomas (her twin brother), and Jude (the brother of Yeshua. I was easily able to understand the doubts and the questions that they were all dealing with as the story progressed.

I am really looking forward to seeing what takes place in the next book in this series. This is one author that I trust to have done an excellent job of preparation before she begins writing.

This fantastic book is getting a rating of 5 stars from me. I highly recommend it.

Monday, March 16, 2020

Like Flames in the Night (Cities of Refuge #4) by Connilyn Cossette

Title: Like Flames in the Night (Cities of Refuge #4)

Author: Connilyn Cossette

Pages: 384

Release Date: March 3, 2020

Genre: Biblical Fiction

Publisher: Bethany House

Format: Paperback (also available in eBook)

Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author and publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All of the opinions expressed are my own.

About the book:

Strong-willed Tirzah wants to join her people in driving the enemy from the land of Israel and undergoes training for a secret mission inside the stronghold of Shechem. But soon after she has infiltrated the ruthless Aramean commander’s kitchen, she makes a reckless decision that puts her and her allies in grave danger.

Fresh off the battlefield, Liyam returns home to discover his beloved daughter is dead. After his vow to hunt down her killer leads to months of fruitless pursuit, his last hope is in a family connection that comes with strings attached. Strings that force him to pose as a mercenary and rescue an infuriating woman who refuses to leave her mission uncompleted.

When an opportunity to pave a path to a Hebrew victory arises, can Tirzah convince Liyam to fight alongside her in the refuge city of her birth? Or will Liyam’s thirst for vengeance outweigh his duty to his people, his God, and the woman he’s come to love?

My review:

This is a remarkable biblical novel!

It’s not just a fantastic book but also an amazing way to wrap up the series! This is one series that it definitely helps to read the books in order.

We’ve seen Tirzah before. It was wonderful to see her fully developed. She is an extremely strong and courageous woman. I love how she is completely devoted to Yahweh and willing to do everything she can and that she believes He wants her to do.

Liyam is torn between fulfilling the vow he made to exact vengeance himself or serving Yahweh. I was completely caught up in watching his personal struggle.

I loved seeing how they interacted with each other from the time they met. They went through so many different emotions and worked through them together.

There was lots of danger and action as the Israelites fought to drive the Arameans from their land. I knew how it would end because I have read the bible. That made it no less enjoyable to see how they author had the story play out since there were really no details in the bible itself.

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

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.*

Monday, December 2, 2019

The End of the Magi by Patrick W. Carr

Title: The End of the Magi

Author: Patrick W. Carr

Pages: 381

Release Date: November 5, 2019

Genre: Biblical Fiction

Publisher: Bethany House

Format: Paperback (also available in eBook)

Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All of the opinions expressed are my own.

About the book:

Centuries before the Magi arrived in Bethlehem, a prophecy sets a young magus on his path…

Following his vision of the coming Messiah, the prophet Daniel calls forth a select group of men who will count down the calendar until the arrival of Israel’s promised king. Centuries later, as the day draws near, Myrad, a young magi acolyte, flees for his life when his adoptive father and others are slain by a ruthless Parthian queen.

Equipped with very little, in haste Myrad escapes the city and, searching for a way to hide from the soldiers scouring the trade routes, tries to join the caravan of the merchant Walagash. The merchant senses that Myrad is keeping secrets, but when the young man proves himself a valuable asset, an epic journey filled with peril, near captures, and dangerous battles begins.

With every day that passes, the calendar creeps closer to the coming Messiah. And over everything shines the dream of a star that Myrad can’t forget, and the promise that the world will never be the same.

My review:

This is an incredible biblical novel!

I have always loved the story of the magi visiting Mary, Joseph, and the child Jesus. I have never looked into the history of where they came from though. This book goes into the history of the magi. Either in his newsletter or on social media the author gave some information on the research he did in preparation for writing this book. That gave me a feeling of confidence that the story is built on historical fact.

The characters are extremely well developed. I was able to understand their emotions as they moved through the story. I was completely caught up in the action throughout the book. I definitely felt the awe right along with Myrad and the others when they finally found the place the star led them to.

The descriptions about how the merchant caravans worked and the fighting techniques of their guards were wonderful. Many times I was able to visualize what was taking place.

I love the fact that I read this book in November. It has really gotten my mind ready for the Christmas season.

I am giving this marvelous book a 5 star rating and highly recommending it.

Tuesday, October 15, 2019

Until the Mountains Fall (Cities of Refuge #3) by Connilyn Cossette

Title: Until the Mountains Fall (Cities of Refuge #3)

Author: Connilyn Cossette

Pages: 352

Year: 2019

Genre: Biblical Fiction

Publisher: Bethany House

Format: Paperback (also available in eBook)

Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All of the opinions expressed are my own.

About the book:

Recently widowed, Rivkah refuses to submit to the Torah law compelling her to marry her husband’s brother and instead flees Kedesh, hoping to use her talents as a scribe to support herself. Without the protection of her father, Kedesh’s head priest, and the safety of the city of refuge, Rivkah soon discovers that the cost of recklessness is her own freedom.

Malakhi has secretly loved Rivkah for years, but he never imagined his older brother’s death would mean wedding her. After her disappearance, he throws himself into the ongoing fight against the Canaanites instead of dwelling on all he has lost. But with war looming over Israel, Rivkah’s father comes to Malakhi with an impossible request.

As the enemies that Rivkah and Malakhi face from within and without Israel grow more threatening each day, is it too late for the restoration their wounded souls seek!

My review:

This is a wonderful biblical novel!

The characters in this book are incredible. The author has done a fabulous job of developing them. Many times I found myself talking to Rivkah. I was desperately trying to help her make smarter choices.

This book is set in Israel during the years just after Joshua died. The time period and how the Cities of Refuge were run came to life for me. I have read the Old Testament a few times. This book helped me to see more fully the slippery slope into idolatry that Israel traveled down.

I’m giving this marvelous story a rating of 5 stars. I highly recommend it.

Monday, May 6, 2019

The Heart of a King: The Loves of Solomon by Jill Eileen Smith

Title: The Heart of a King: The Loves of Solomon

Author: Jill Eileen Smith

Pages: 417

Release Date: April 30, 2019

Genre: Biblical Fiction

Publisher: Revell

Format: Paperback (also available in eBook)

Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and through NetGalley. I was not required to give a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.

About the book:

Get swept away by a story of love, loss, and longing.

King Solomon could—and did—have anything he wanted, including many women from many lands. But for all of his wealth and wisdom, did he or the women he loved ever find what they were searching for?

In this engrossing novel, find yourself whisked away to ancient Israel, where you’ll meet four remarkable women: Naamah the desert princess, Abishag the shepherdess, Siti the daughter of a pharaoh, and Nicaula the queen of Sheba. As you experience the world of Solomon through his eyes and theirs, you’ll grapple with whether this king’s storied wisdom ultimately benefited him and those he loved . . . or betrayed them.

My review:

This is an incredibly well developed Biblical novel!

Of the five main characters in this book the only one that we know very much about from the bible is Solomon. We have bits and pieces about the four women in this story. I found the way that the author presented them to be very plausible and the story held my attention.

I had never given much thought as to how it might have come about for Solomon to have married so many women. This book has definitely given me much to think about as to this king with amazing God-given wisdom. He was called to be a King of Peace. Yet as a mere man I’m sure he would have struggled with trying to fulfill that.

I thoroughly enjoyed the look at what it would have been like for Solomon’s first wife. Human nature would have her wanting to keep him to herself. Yet that was not how her life and marriage played out. It had to have been extremely hard for her each time he married another woman and she knew she would have even less time with him.

I am giving this wonderful book a rating of 5-stars. I am definitely recommending it.

Thursday, November 22, 2018

Shelter of the Most High (Cities of Refuge #2) by Connilyn Cossette + A GIVEAWAY

About the Book

Book: Shelter of the Most High

Author: Connilyn Cossette

Genre: Christian Biblical Fiction

Release Date: October, 2018

The daughter of a pagan high priest, Sofea finds solace from her troubles in the freedom of the ocean. But when marauders attack her village on the island of Sicily, she and her cousin are taken across the sea to the shores of Canaan.

Eitan has lived in Kedesh, a city of refuge, for the last eleven years, haunted by a tragedy in his childhood, yet chafing at the boundaries placed on him. He is immediately captivated by Sofea, but revealing his most guarded secret could mean drawing her into the danger of his past.

As threats from outside the walls loom and traitors are uncovered within, Sofea and Eitan are plunged into the midst of a murder plot. Can they uncover the betrayal in time to save their lives and the lives of those they love?

Click here to purchase your copy!

My Review

This is an incredible biblical romance novel!

The characters were extremely well developed. I felt like I connected with many of them. I have read about the cities of refuge in the bible. I never took the time to really think about what it would have been like for a manslayer who was stuck living inside one city with no possibility of leaving. I felt like I was able to really step into their sandals and feel some of the frustration.

I have never read any books by Connilyn before. She did a marvelous job of describing life in the early years in the Promised Land. I really enjoyed seeing how Moriyah ran her household and welcomed outsiders into her home. I will be reading more of her books.

The development of the plot and the danger that Sofea and Prezi are put in more than once is great. I was able to fell their fear right along with them.

The journey that Eitan goes on to mature and work through his past is fantastic. He definitely has some struggles that he faces and personal faults to overcome.

I loved seeing how she wove actual Biblical figures into her fictional story. It made everything feel even more real.

I received a complimentary copy of this book through Celebrate Lit. I have chosen to write this review to express my personal opinion.

I have decided to give this wonderful book a rating of 5 stars. I’m highly recommending it.

About the Author

Connilyn Cossette is the CBA bestselling author of the Out From Egypt series. Her debut novel, Counted with the Stars, was a finalist for the Christy Award, the INSPY Award, and the Christian Retailing’s Best Award. She lives in North Carolina with her husband of twenty years and a son and a daughter who fill her days with joy, inspiration, and laughter. Connect with her at www.ConnilynCossette.com.

Guest Post from Connilyn

Shelter of the Most High, the second book in my Cities of Refuge Series, will be the first I’ve written to have been influenced by my trip to Israel last year. When I started writing Biblical fiction almost nine years ago, I was limited to exploring the Land of Promise via Google Earth, books, and through a plethora of photos on the good ol’ world wide web, but of course nothing can compare to actually experiencing the atmosphere and scenery for yourself.

So although I’d already written Shelter of the Most High by the time I hopped on a plane to join fellow author Cliff Graham’s GoodBattle Tour, once I returned my editing was filtered through the sights and sounds I’d witnessed for myself. It had been a life-long dream to go to Israel and it did not disappoint, in fact it just went way too fast!

One of my greatest fears was that I would see the places I’d written about in my books and realize I totally messed up my descriptions, but I was pleasantly surprised to find that for the most part I’d been fairly accurate (although I did tweak a few things here and there).

Standing on the western shore of the Sea of Galilee I was able to envision Eitan, our hero in Shelter of the Most High, sitting on one of the black boulders there, defeated and weary as he searched for his love. I was able to look toward the snowy peaks of Mount Hermon in the north and over the fertile Hula Valley just below the ancient ruins of Kedesh, the city of refuge, and consider how Sofea must have felt as she experienced the landscape of her new home for the first time, both the fear and the awe.

One of my favorite sites was Tel Dan and although it does not feature in Shelter of the Most High it’s lush greenness and dense forest gave me a better sense of what Israel must have been in the past before deforestation, war, and shifts in climate have done to the fertile land God himself called a land of milk and honey. Since I was so affected by Tel Dan (or Laish in ancient times) that city will be one of the settings in my upcoming third installment of the Cities of Refuge Series, Until the Mountains Fall.

Being a super visual person who is highly sensitive to sensory input, I took great pleasure in absorbing with all my senses as we walked paths, climbed mountains (yes, mountains), slogged through a long, cold, and wet tunnel deep beneath Jerusalem, hiked up to the secret oasis of Ein Gedi where David hid from Saul, and rocked along on a boat over the glassy surface of the Galilee. I felt like a sponge just soaking up every little detail and every grand vista.

Smelling the salty breeze off the Mediterranean and hearing the waves crash against the sandy beach in Tel Aviv and Caesarea Phillipi made me imagine our heroine Sofea looking over that enormous, blue expanse and wondering what sort of god had control of such a powerful thing.

Feeling the timeworn cobblestones beneath my feet gave me a sense of what it must have been like for Eitan and Sofea to walk through the streets of Kedesh, their own sandals scuffing against the rough-hewn stone as they went about their daily activities.

Running my fingers along the pitted surfaces of ancient buildings and tracing the chisel marks from craftsmen of the Bronze Age wrapped me in a whirl of imagination about who the people were that hefted those same rocks into place and the ingenuity it took to create structures that have lasted so long.

Tasting the unique spices and flavors of the Middle East gave me a sense of the passion Moryiah (our hero’s mother) has for creating delicious new dishes to feed her growing family and the guests at her inn.

Although I write fiction, my stories are woven into Biblical accounts so going to Israel was a perfect reminder for me that the people that lived between the pages of Genesis to Revelations were real. They breathed, they cried, they loved, they mourned, they suffered, and they celebrated with their families. I am so grateful to have gleaned some great new insight into the Land and its resilient, vibrant people and hope that through Shelter of the Most High readers get a small sense of the beauty and wonder I experienced there. I cannot wait to go back!