In the Field of Grace by Tessa Afshar is brilliant. An enticing
blend of biblical history and spectacular imagery make the familiar
story of the book of Ruth come alive.While this story is a well known story, Afshar brings in her unique perspective and practical wisdom to weave a story that will resonate with you long after you have read the final page. These things combine to make this a must read for Christian women. In reading this story, you, the reader come away with a better understanding of life. Life doesn't always turn out the way you plan for, but God wants us to trust Him enough to leave things in His hands. This wasn't an easy lesson for Ruth, Naomi or Boaz to learn. Yet we see that they did surrender things to God and He did some amazing things. As Naomi told Ruth, "You want what you want, not what He is willing to give. It's an awkward spot. In my experience, He usually wins. Try to remember, daughter, time does not work the same in the hands of the Lord as it would in ours. Sometimes, out of the delays of life, He calls forth a blessing."
We see the blessings God bestowed on Ruth, Naomi and Boaz. It is much harder to hang on in our own lives, but a book like this helps me to hang on and believe that God knows what He is doing in my life.
My thanks go out to Moody Publishers and Netgalley for providing me with a free ebook to read and review. I also want to thank Ms. Afshar for her gift in writing biblical fiction. I know that I will learn something about myself through her books and I eagerly await her next book.
This is an intriguing historical novel. Hedlund ties in her fictional characters with historical figures to give an authentic feel to the story. Angelique Mackenzie lives on Mackinaw Island. The year is 1814 and the British occupy the fort, but it has been a long winter with little food for anyone. This book takes off very quickly and is filled with spies and soldiers fighting, islanders trying to survive, and two brothers who love the same girl. Will Angelique choose to love the quiet, steady Jean Durrant the one she is promised to, or will she follow her heart and continue to love Pierre? Hedlund's opening scene is intense and hooks the reader immediately. You quickly learn who Angelique and Pierre are and their shared history. You hope that Pierre will stay on the island to help out his mother and continue to build the friendship with Angelique, but there is always the question of when he will have to leave to fulfill his spy duties. I enjoyed this book, and the ease with which I was pulled into the story. I was quickly transported back to 1814, I worried for Angelique as her life wasn't easy. She is wrongfully punished, but didn't have a voice back then, which makes me thankful I live in the era I do. I love how Hedlund didn't change historical facts, while I wanted the Americans to win the battle for the island, that didn't happen in the story or in real life. The American's messed up, and this story shows how it might have had an effect on the people of Mackinaw Island. This is a fun story that gives you a glimpse into life on an island.