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Harvest of Gold by Tessa Afshar

All that glitters is Tessa Afshar's newest book Harvest of Gold. This is a continuation of Sarah and Darius's love story that began in Harvest of Rubies. The story begins with a summons to the King's court. Darius and Sarah rush to arrive on time to the King's summons. During their travel they are set up by thieves. Darius barely escapes with his life, and Sarah discovers a man with tattoos on his head that reveal instructions about an upcoming attempt to assassinate the King. Sarah's uncle, Nehemiah is granted his wish to rebuild the walls around Jerusalem. Darius is charged with finding who wants the King dead. Sarah doesn't wish to be separated from her husband for more than a year, so she keeps a secret from her husband. Keeping secrets from her husband was something she had promised to never do again, but her fears win the battle. When Sarah's secret is discovered through a tragedy, Darius once again shuts her out of his life. We see God's amazing grace in a strange twist of fate for Sarah, but will this be enough to bring Darius back to Sarah? Will Darius learn how to take down his walls protecting his heart and open it fully to his wife? Will Nehemiah be able to overcome the opposition to having Jerusalem's walls rebuilt?

I am so grateful that I was granted the privilege of reading an advanced e-copy of Harvest of God through Netgalley. I loved the continuation of Sarah and Darius's story. Afshar has a unique talent for weaving together a story that makes Biblical history come alive. Harvest of Rubies focused on the female psyche, while Harvest of Gold gives insight in the male psyche. Many marriages could learn a few things from this story on how fears can take over and bring problems without it being someone's original intent. The baggage each of us carry is shared with such care and insight. All of us need a Nehemiah in our life to help us see the walls we have built that need to be taken down, while learning which walls need to be built to protect us. This is why this book belongs on everyone's favorite shelf. I know that I will read this book again and again.

A Nobel Groom by Jody Hedlund

A Nobel Groom is a story about a German immigrant settlement in Michigan in 1881. A young widow, Annalisa Werner, has a daughter to care for another baby on the way and six months to raise the funds to pay off her land debt. These are overwhelming tasks for someone so young. Annalisa's father knows that she needs a husband, so he sends for a distant cousin from the old country to come and marry his daughter. When Carl shows up with a letter in hand, people think she is the long awaited cousin. Carl has to scramble to avoid being forced into marriage. The community finds out that he isn't the long awaited cousin, but someone from the "Old Country" that is willing to help out until the cousin arrives. Carl carries a secret that he is not a poor teacher, but a nobleman. He had to leave his homeland after escaping from prison. He was falsely accused of murder. After a life of ease, the life of an immigrant proves there are many things to learn and some secrets to keep. Will the crops get in on time, will the land go to the evil man, Ward, who threatens Annalisa on different occasions?

This book captured my attention from the beginning. I wanted to find out about Annalisa and her little girl. Could they survive alone in the frontier on their own? The book has some german sprinkled throughout the book that add to the flavor of the story. I only wish I knew German to understand the words. The struggle of farming in the 1880s came alive under Hedlund's pen. I found myself holding my breath--- hoping the next page would bring the long awaited rain for the crops. The murder mystery brought about a surprising resolution. I am so glad that Hedlund continued the story after the murder was solved. It was a complete story that comes full circle and ends with a satisfying resolution.

Thank you to Bethany House Publishers for this free e-book to read.