Pearl in the Sand 2.0 by Tessa Afshar

 

Pearl in the Sand 10th Anniversary Edition once again strikes a chord in your heart.  Afshar's heart for broken people encountering God shines brightly in this captivating retelling of her first published book.  While this story is known and loved, it felt fresh once again due to added content throughout the story.

A Zonah from Jericho and a prince from the tribe of Judah are an unlikely match, yet Joshua and God approve of this marriage.  Rahab's past and Salmone's pure bloodlines provide a chasm that might not be overcome.  Salmone is a warrior who will not give up in battle, now he has to battle for the honest love of his wife.  Rahab has built walls around her heart as thick as the walls of Jericho.  She built these walls for protection and safety.  "Her choices were to trust God or to trust the monstrous fears of her heart."  What will she choose?

I always learn so many things about myself through Tessa Afshar's books.  This one was no different.  The title of this book is appropriate as I find pearls of wisdom throughout the story that help me on my journey. While I knew this book would be another precious gem, I didn't know of the beautiful facets the words would shine into my life once again.  There is beauty in the struggles of life.

"My little Jericho.   Don't you want to know why I call you that before you forbid me?  It's a picture God gave me.  You don't know this perhaps, but for Israel, conquering Jericho represented an impossibility.  Those high walls.   How were we to climb them?  Smash them?  In the end, God did the work.  Our job was to show up, day after day, ignoring every discouragement, persisting in what He had asked us to do.  Those walls came down not because of our strength, but because of God's.  You are that walled city, Rahab. In my flesh, I didn't have the resources to win you.  But God is dealing with us both."

This scene speaks into my life as I think about facing so many obstacles.  All God asks us to do is show up day after day doing what He asks us to do and He will take care of the rest.  Thank you for this gem.  This book will be treasured even more than the first.  I know it will be read many times in the future.

My thanks to Netgalley and Moody publishers for the complimentary ebook copy in exchange for my review of this book.

   

King's Falling by Ronie Kendig

 This is the second book in a series.  The complex storyline means you must have read the first book in the series.  I would also recommend having read The Tox Files series to fill in more background information.

This storyline is character-driven.  Having so many characters can be confusing at times.  All of the characters are a part of a black ops team, Reaper, that is trying to find The Book of Wars before the Armeggedon Coalition, ArC tries to take over the world's economy.  Leif Metcalf is the leader of Reaper.  He has a 6 month blank in his life that he is desperate to find an answer as to what happened.  His girlfriend, Iskra Todorova, is desperately looking for her brother who might be part of an evil Superarmy of ArC.  This super army is activating members and then killing them.  Reaper's mission is to figure out who is going to be activated and try to stop the activation.  Friendships start to break, while the team works to accomplish its mission.

Once again, Kendig packs action, suspense, and intrigue into one powerful story.  The action is at it's peak, and you have to wait for most of your questions to be answered in the next story.  If you enjoy military action, suspense and intrigue this series is for you.  Go out and buy Storm Rising and King's Falling you won't regret the ride.

My thanks to Bethany House Publishers and Netgalley for providing me with a free e-copy to read in exchange for my review. 

Daughter of Rome brings Aquila and Priscilla to life

  Once again the reader is drawn into a possible back story to some Biblical characters.  This story brings us into the first-century church that is struggling to grow outside of Jerusalem. Priscilla is the daughter of a Roman general, who is living a life more like a slave than that of a daughter of the privileged class. Aquila is the eldest son of a wealthy merchant, that is working as a tentmaker in Rome.  How can these two people come together when they have such different backgrounds?  Leave that to the pen of Tessa Afshar.  She is able to intertwine these two people in a way that is interesting and thought-provoking at the same time.  This story has secrets that can kill a person or tear apart a marriage.  There are a lovable dog and an orphan that you will cheer for when he finds his forever home.  Then there is the enthusiasm of Priscilla and Aquila for Jeshua that is contagious.  Their hospitality breathes life into a fledgling church.

Once again, Afshar's research and theological studies breathe life into characters in a way that you feel you have met these people.  I feel like I have been to Corinth and sat in on meetings with Paul, Priscilla, and Aquila.  I had never thought of the unique position that Priscilla had of being a leader in the church at a time when women were not leaders. Yet, Priscilla is named as being a leader in scripture.  This story helps to flesh out why this might have been possible.  This story is filled with grace and forgiveness.  As is typical with an Afshar story, I come away learning more about myself and how to give grace and forgiveness to others.  I am always changed in positive ways by reading Ms. Afshar's books. 

My thanks to Tyndale House Publishers and Netgalley for providing me with a free e-book copy to read in exchange for my review.