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.

Until the Mountains Fall by Connilyn Cossette

  Until the Mountains Fall is the third book in the Cities of Refuge series.   You could read this story first without being confused, but it is best if read as the third book in the series as Cossette ties up a few things from the beginning of this series.

Rivkah is the main character.  She has recently lost her husband to a tragic accident, and her father wants her to fulfill the Leverite marriage to Malakhi.  Rivkah is independent, and strong willed.  She works as a scribe for her father who is priest.  Rivkah doesn't want a loveless marriage, and decides to run away.  She hatches a plan with her friend Nessa to leave their quiet town of Kedesh and go to a Canaanite festival in the nearby town of Laish.  This begins an adventure of serious consequences that Rivkah and Nessa may never be able to return from.

Malakhi is a handsome young man who has the eye of many young Jewish girls.  Yet, he only has eyes for Rivkah.  While he was the young he played many tricks on Rivkah to capture her attention and maybe receive a smile from his friend.  All of these tricks come back to haunt him as a young man who is willing to fulfill the Leverite marriage to Rivkah.  He suffers quietly as Rivkah tries to get Malakhi to divorce her because she is an awful cook, or destroys his clothing.  Malakhi's patience is proven time and again.  Once Rivkah disappears, Malakhi trains to be a warrior like his father.  This ultimately brings about the reconciliation of Rivkah and Malakhi after many years of pain and heartache.

I loved this story and was pleasantly surprised to have a new spin on the parable of the Prodigal Son.  The unfailing love of family overflows from this story.  Cossette's research, relatable characters and insight into life during the Old Testament will draw the reader into the story.  I couldn't put the book down.

My thanks to Bethany House Publishers and Netgalley for the complimentary e-book in exchange for my review.

Storm Rising is true to its title

Leif (Runt) Metcalf gets to star in this story.  While he played a role in the Tox Files stories, you do not have to have read those stories to understand this one.  Kendig produces another rapid fire military suspense thriller.  The opening line "He'd never killed a woman before, but now was as good a time as any." hooks you for a thrilling ride.  Leif is tasked with finding the ancient manuscript, The book of Wars, that is mentioned in the Old Testament.  He finds he is not the only one looking for this text. Iskra (Viorica) Todorova is trying to secure the text to gain her freedom from the Russians.  While Leif and Iskra battle the fireworks of attraction, they also form a tenuous working relationship.  There are storms that form internally as well as externally that this team has to fight.

I loved this book and am anxiously awaiting the next book.  While I wait, I will have to reread the other books that have the Metcalf family in them.  Kendig packs in so much action it leaves you breathless.  Finding out that there really is an ancient text mentioned in the Bible blows me away.  I love that there is a bit of truth to these fictional stories that capture my imagination.  Can't wait for the second book in this series to come out.

My thanks to Bethany House Publishers and Netgalley for the e-copy of this book in exchange for my review.

Shelter of the Most High by Connilyn Cossette

  Book 2 in the Cities of Refuge series.  This book starts out in Sicily, which made me wonder how this could be a part of the a series of the Cities of Refuge.  I quickly learned that Pirates would play an import role in transporting these characters to Canaan.

Sofia and her cousin, Prezi, survive an attack from pirates.  Their families are not so lucky.  The girls survive being tossed overboard and left to drown.  Rescued by Spies and taken to Kadesh to live.  We are introduced to Eitan who is trapped in the City because of a choice that was made by a 9 year old child.  Eitan is now a young man who is struggling with the sentence that was issued to protect him from his Uncle who is looking for revenge.  Throughout this story, the place that seems to be a prison can also become a place of refuge.  Eitan and Sofia learn that a prision can also provide safety and security.

I loved Eitan and Sofia's story.  I related to it as life seems to throw us into situations that can feel like a prison.  Time and life lessons reveal there can be protection in a "prison."  I simply have to look for it.  Eitan finds parley in his discussion with the High Priest.  Sofia finds parley with God.

This story is filled with action and plot twists and of course parley.  We see how the characters ultimately parley with God.  This is a fascinating book that can be read as a stand alone or as a part of the series.

My thanks to Bethany House Publishers and Netgalley for the complimentary e-book in exchange for this review.

The Cost of Betrayal- Henderson, Pettery, and Eason

  The Cost of Betrayal introduces you to three romantic suspense authors.  Dee Henderson is the reason I wanted to read this book.  Her story did not disappoint.  I wanted the story to continue, it ended to abruptly for me. I was glad to learn more about Ann and Paul Falcon, but would have liked more pages to learn more about Janelle Roberts.

Dani Pettery is a familiar author, I have read at least one of her books.  Her story, Deadly Isle, held my attention and interest.  I read the story in one sitting.  The story hooked me from the moment the swimming race began.  The action didn't let up until the conclusion of this murder mystery.  I will be looking to read more from this author because of this story.

Lynette Eason was totally new to me.  Her story was filled with action.  Her cast of characters reminded me of Henderson.  Ruthie is a doctor, while the rest of her family is in law enforcement.  Her family steps in to help solve the mystery behind who wants to kill Ruthie's patient, Isaac.  Isaac is a Police detective.  In reading this story, I know that Eason has written other stories about Ruthie's family.  I will be looking to read these stories next.  I think Eason is going to become a new favorite author.

This book introduces you to three romantic suspense authors.  This is a great introduction to each of these authors as well as this genre. All three stories leave you wanting more.

My thanks to Bethany House Publishers and Netgalley for the complimentary ebook in exchange for my review of this book.

Vibrant details bring Corinth to life

  Afshar's careful attention to history, the Bible and details brings life to Corinth.  Ariadne is living with her father who is in debt, the only way for him to get out of this debt is to "Robin Hood" his way out of it.  Yet Galenos, is not as agile as he used to be, it is a good thing his daughter can be his stronger, life saving accomplice.

Ariadne's brother, Dionysus visits along with his friend, Paul of Tarsus.  Paul preaches about love.  Ariadne and Galenos now have a choice to make, do they follow Paul or continue to steal from people.

I love meeting people from the Bible.  Afshar has a way of introducing you to Bible characters that stick in your mind.  I always learn a lesson or two from her books.  This book has a new way to look at 1 Corinthians 13, which I loved. Afshar's study of history, makes me feel like I have been transported back to Corinth.  Afshar also weaves in Biblical truths in such a colorful way.  When I read the Biblical text, my mind is overtaken with word pictures from this story.  It opens up the Bible in a new and fresh way.

I look forward to reading more about these characters. I anticipate learning more about Ariadne's brother, Theo in a future book.

My thanks to Tyndale House Publishers and Netgalley for the ebook to read in exchange for this review.

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Rapid Fire Fiction at its finest

   Thirst of Steel is the final book in the Tox Files series.  It did not disappoint with the Rapid Fire action.  I felt like I had fast roped into the middle of a fire fight that did not let up until the final page of the book.  Kendig threw in a few flash bangs to rattle my brain throughout the story.  I loved it.  You do need to have read the other two books for the back story to have a complete understanding of this book.  Kendig gets better with every book.  It will be hard to say good bye to these characters.  Hopefully they will make an appearance in future books, so we know how they continue to live past these adventures.

Tzivia is on a mission to save her father, who was thought to be dead.  Ram and Tox are working to save Tzivia from herself and her mission to put together Goliath's sword.  The CIA and Mossad are trying to dismantle the AFO (Arrow and Flame Order).  This mission to defeat the AFO is complex, and gives the reader an action packed ride.  Tox's team is left to wonder where he is, when they are called to solve some mysterious killings happening inside the United States.  Wraith team soon learns that these killings are somehow linked to the AFO and Goliath's sword.  Will the sword be put together?  Will Tzivia save her father?  Will Tox return to the US and marry the love of his life, Haven?  Read Thirst of Steel to find out.

My thanks to Bethany House Publishers and Netgalley. com for the ARC in exchange for this review.