Tag Archives: Biblical Historical Fiction

The Apostle’s Sister Book Review

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Filled with biblical historical research, The Apostle’s Sister by Angela Hunt tells the story of Saul of Tarsus and his sister Aya, and their lives in Jerusalem during the time of Jesus’ crucifixion and Paul’s conversion to The Way.

This is the fourth book in Angela Hunt’s Jerusalem Road series. You do not need to read the previous books to understand The Apostle’s Sister.

Aya has a gift for singing and wants to use it. As a Jewish woman in Jerusalem, her options for using her gift are limited. After she finds a way to use her talent, her brother’s decision to leave his seat in the Sanhedrin, and devote himself to spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, complicates her life in ways she never imagined.

At the back of the book the author explains her reasons for some of the details she includes in her book, along with pages of references for her research.

At times I felt the author’s research overshadowed the story. I didn’t really connect with Aya or Saul. The character I enjoyed most was a minor character.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House for a fair and honest review, which is exactly what I gave.

Have you read this book? If so, what was your impression of it?

You can find my June Inspire a Fire post here. Please stop by and read it.

I wish you well.

Sandy

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Between the Wild Branches Book Review

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between the wild branches book cover

Between the Wild Branches is another Biblical fiction novel which proves, once again, Connilyn Cossette is a master at weaving an interesting story that’s hard to put down.

Set in Ashdod, Philistia 1052 BC, Between the Wild Branches tells the story of Philistine champion fighter Lukio, and Hebrew slave to one of the king’s daughters, Shoshana. Although the two were close during their years growing up in Israel, they haven’t seen each other for ten years. When they rediscover each other, complicated matters only become more complicated.

This book is filled with a cast of intriguing characters. Some honorable. Some despicable. There is sacrifice and greed. Hatred and love.

Connilyn uses her well-researched vast knowledge of Biblical times to present an authentic world, and bring two different cultures to life. With unexpected twists and turns, Between the Wild Branches keeps the reader turning pages to the very end.

If you enjoy Biblical historical fiction at its best, then Between the Wild Branches may just be the book for you.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House for a fair and honest review, which is exactly what I gave.

Have you read this book? If so, what was your impression of it?

You can find my July Inspire a Fire post here. Please stop by and read it.

I wish you well.

Sandy

The Heart of a King Book Review

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In The Heart of a King, Jill Eileen Smith’s latest biblical historical novel, she takes a fictionalized look at four of the women in King Solomon’s life: Naamah the Ammonitess and mother of Solomon’s son, Rehoboam. Abishag the Shunamite who was one of David’s wives before she became Solomon’s wife after David died. Siti a daughter of Pharoah. Nicaula, Smith’s name for the Queen of Sheba.

Basing her book on part biblical account and part author’s imagination, Ms. Smith weaves in familiar words from the Song of Solomon, Proverbs and Ecclesiastes to her story of Solomon and these four women. She adds bits of Solomon’s story found in the pages of the Old Testament alongside those of her imagination. She shows through the lives of these women and Solomon how a man God honored with wisdom, through his actions and disobedience to God’s laws, proved anything but wise.

The author gives readers a sense of time and place in this book with the details of everyday life she includes. Always a plus in my opinion when I read historical fiction of any kind.

If you enjoy biblical historical fiction, perhaps The Heart of the King is a book to put on your To Be Read list.

Have you read this book? If so, what was your impression of it?

I wish you well.

Sandy

Please enter your email address on the form located on the right sidebar to sign up to receive posts every Tuesday and Thursday. Thanks!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell for a fair and honest review, which is exactly what I gave.

Isaiah’s Daughter – Book Review

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by Sandy Kirby Quandt

In Isaiah’s Daughter Mesu Andrews creates a fictionalized story of what might have happened had the prophet Isaiah adopted an orphan, Ishma, renamed her Hephizbah, ” Ziba”, and raised her in his home. From the Bible we know her as the wife of Judah’s righteous king, Hezekiah, the mother of Judah’s wickedest king, Manasseh.

Within the pages of this book, Mesu Andrews dives deep into what Zibah’s life may have been like at the time of Israel’s Divided Kingdom. This thoroughly researched biblically based story tells a fascinating tale full of rich details that bring to life the time of the prophet Isaiah beginning with King Ahaz’s corrupt rule.

We follow a young Zibah as she grows up with, and marries, the future king Hezekiah. The story of the Divided Kingdom is told through Zibah’s eyes as she struggles to understand Yahweh’s plan for her life, and the life of Judah.

Have you read this book? If so, what was your impression of it?

I’d love to hear your thoughts on the subject. Leave a comment below.

If you think others would appreciate reading this, please share it through the social media buttons.

I wish you well.

Sandy

Please enter your email address on the form located on the right sidebar to sign up to receive posts every Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday. Thanks!

One of my posts will appear on Inspire a Fire today, May 1, 2018. Please stop by and check it out.

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