Reading, Writing & Pondering

  On Living Stone by Heather Kaufman is the third book in the Women of the Way series. This book is Salome's story--and so much more based on the New Testament.  Salome grows up feeling lonely. Her eyes are an unusual color and her mother passed away when she was young. She has her father and he does encourage her, but she is still lonely and made fun of as she grows up by the Sea of Galilee. She is known as a wild girl with a quick tongue. As she gets grows up, she worries she will never marry. Then, she does and God blesses her with two sons--James and John. When her sons are grown, James and John answer a call to follow Jesus of Nazereth. Salome isn't sure what to think of their path and the man who is leading them. Will she and her family all become followers? On Living Stone certainly details some of the challenges of living during the time of Jesus. Based on the Bible, the author uses her imagination to bring New Testament history to life.  I found this story to b...

  I have always liked the story of Queen Esther in the Bible. Tessa Afshar brings this story to life in The Royal Artisan--along with some other special characters. The Royal Artisan focuses on Sazana and her family as they create beautiful pottery. Sazana is a Jew and Lord Haman has vowed to eradicate the Jews. When Haman discovers her true identity, he essentially makes her and her workers his slaves. Then, after Haman's downfall, Sazana's workshop belongs to Queen Esther. Even after Haman's death, Sazana and her workers are not safe. There is a mystery around their lack of safety. The Queen's man, Jadan, helps Sazana solve the mystery. The Royal Artisan contains SO MUCH--there is history, mystory and romance. This is an enthralling story. I enjoyed The Royal Artisan as a whole. At first, it took me a bit to get into with the time period changes as the author does go back and forth a bit initially in time frames. It didn't take me long to pick up on that though an...

  The Outsider by Katy Morgan is a re-telling of the Biblical book of Ruth for young people over the age of eight.  Ruth risks everything and goes with her mother-in-law Naomi after her husband and Naomi's husband have died in Ruth's country of Moab. They go back to Naomi's home country of Israel with the one true God. God takes care of Ruth and Naomi in ways that are unexpected to them through a kinsman-redeemer.  I thought The Outsider was well told. It was fast paced and it felt like I was right there in the Bible times with Ruth and Naomi. There is also a section of Notes from the Bible in the back as well as a book club discussion guide. This could be a good book to read as part of a home school curriculum. It could also be good in a Sunday school class or other church group to read in this age group.   I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions within this review are my own. 

  Heather Kaufman has a way of bringing the Bible times to life for me through her books. Before the King is not exception. This is Joanna's story. Joanna's family is wealthy and they work to be accepted among the higher circles around Herod at the time. However, they harbor a secret. Joanna's sister has an illness that was not only misunderstood at the time but it was feared.  In time, Joanna meets a rabbi who preaches a new kingdom and heals the sick. I love the interactions with Jesus of Nazareth. It helps me see what that may have truly been like as I read this book. I liked how well the author portrayed some of the family dysfunction at the time as well as the challenges of an illness like epilepsy in that era. I think her writing is well-done. The story kept me turning pages. I also enjoyed the romance that developed in the book. If you enjoy Biblical Fiction and have not yet read one of Heather Kaufman's books, I highly recommend Before the King . I received a ...

Martha of Bethany in the Bible is known for being super responsible and calling out her sister, Mary, in front of Jesus for not helping her. Yet, as a reader, I wonder just who this Martha is. How did she become this responsible, hard-working woman? Up From Dust by Heather Kaufman is Martha's Story in her new Women of the Way series. This book is divided into two parts. The first part chronicles Martha's early life. Martha was responsible for raising her siblings, Mary and Lazarus, after her mother passed away and her father became apathetic towards life. She is forced to take up a mother role that she wasn't really ready for. She also gives her young heart to a shepherd and then tragedy strikes. Martha has faced many challenges. The second part is her life around the time that Jesus enters her life. One of Martha's friends calls on Jesus to heal her husband from leprosy. Martha struggles with her feelings towards Jesus. She isn't sure she can trust him because of ...

  Wow! I finished Pearl in the Sand by Tessa Afshar and spent a couple of days thinking about it. What a beautiful story of God's redemption, mercy, and love. Afshar brought this Bible story to life for me and touched me heart and soul with it. I did not read Pearl in the Sand the first time it was released 10 years ago. I understand this edition has new features but as a reviewer I can't compare. What I do know is that this story of Rahab and Salmone is both heart wrenching and, ultimately, heart warming. Rahab is a woman living in the walls of Jericho. She has also put up walls around her heart after years of being betrayed by those she loved and trusted, starting with her father. Yet, she is drawn to God and seeks to live for Him. Through her, Hebrew spies are kept safe. . .and ultimately her family is spared in return. Yet, she is a woman who has a past she is not proud of. Salmone is a Hebrew leader. He is also a man of faith and full of pride. How can the two form a rel...

Welcome to Isaiah’s Legacy Blog Hop – Stop #8 1 Week ~ 24 Blogs ~ 3 Incredible Prizes! Learn a little about Isaiah’s Legacy and enter multiple giveaways while picking up CLUES at each stop. Compile all the clues, submit the final PHRASE at the last stop, and you’ll be entered to win one of 3 Grand Prizes! What are the prizes? They’re completely unique to the winners! Mesu will contact each winner personally to chat about what they would most like to see in Israel, and then she’ll SHOP for just the right gift while touring Israel, March 6-19! She’ll then purchase a personal and memorable gift specifically chosen for each of those three winners and ship them to each one when she returns. How fun is that?! How does the Scavenger Hunt & Blog Tour Work? · Begin at Stop #1. At the end, you’ll find a CLUE and a link to the next stop. Progress to each stop IN ORDER. · Collect all the clues—in order—and submit the full phrase at the last blog stop in th...

Shulle is a special eight-year old girl. She has lived with her father in a small village and has helped him navigate his life as an autistic person. Naturally her Uncle Shebna thought of her and brought her to Jerusalem to help Manasseh grow in to the young king he needs to be when his father, King Hezekiah, passes away in ten years as Yahweh has decreed. Sadly, Shebna's guidance isn't as altruistic as it appears at first and Shulle is guided into an entirely different life as she helped educate and influence Manasseh. As expected, Manasseh becomes the twelve-year-old child-king of Israel when his father passes away. Shulle becomes the queen and Isaiah's Legacy chronicles how their life together could have been lived based on historical facts gathered by author Mesu Andrews. As I read the first section, I struggled with Isaiah's Legacy . It is well-written but it also shows how the evil one is at work in the world. At one time, I was in an abusive situation, a...