Review of Thief of Corinth

Title: Thief of Corinth 

Author: Tessa Afshar 

Chapters: 33

Pages: 400

Genre: Christian Fiction/ Biblical Fiction

Rating: 5 stars

     Thief of Corinth is the newest book by Tessa Asfhar. The Second book set in Corinth with the missionary Paul as an important character though not the main character. This time the heroine is fictional rather than a Biblical person. This story features not one but two honorable thieves. It gives it a bit of a Robin Hood feel. Ariadne flees Athens, but she’s not running away in her mind she’s running home to Corinth and her father Galenos. Once back she discovers her father’s secret the secret that tore her and her brothers away from their father. He’s a thief but an honorable one. Ariadne is left with three choices turn her father in or join him, or lie to protect them both. When they both are almost at the end of their ropes they meet a man named Paul, who will introduce them to Someone far greater.

I have to say that Thief of Corinth is one of my favorite books by Tessa Asfhar.  Her books just keep getting better and better. She is my go to author for Biblical fiction. Ariadne is my favorite heroine since Ariadne is truly fictional Tessa had more creative licenses with her story she didn’t have to stick with what was already written about her.  To me Ariadne is the most relatable of Tessa’s heroines.  

One of my favorite quotes from the book can form chapter 3, “In the shelter of my father’s love, tears came freely.” While this scene is dealing with an earthly father, it is a reminder that our Heavenly Father’s love allows us to express our tears and other emotions just as freely.  Another favorite quote came from chapter 23 “That is what father’s do, Ariadne they see how far you have come and cheer you, so you will learn to go the rest of the way.  Father’s lead you so far but then you have to learn to go the rest of the way on your own.

All I can say is that if you've read Tessa's previous novels you need to pick this one up. Or if you like Biblical fiction this one is a winning. Every time I read one of Tessa's books it like a part of the story is something that I am going through at that time and it encourages me in that season as well as reminding me to pick up my Bible more.   I wasn’t a fan of Biblical fiction till I discovered Tessa’s first novel Pearl in the Sand and I was hooked Tessa’s writes Biblical fiction in a way that makes you want to pick up your Bible and dive into that as well. 

I received a copy of this book from the publisher and author  through netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

Excerpt of The Thief of Corinth

An Excerpt of Thief of Corinth is available on the Tyndale House website

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Can't Wait Wednesday

Can't Wait Wednesday is hosted by Wishful Endings

This  Week the Book I can't wait for is

Summary : First-century Corinth is a city teeming with commerce and charm. It’s also filled with danger and corruption—the perfect setting for Ariadne’s greatest adventure.

After years spent living with her mother and oppressive grandfather in Athens, Ariadne runs away to her father’s home in Corinth, only to discover the perilous secret that destroyed his marriage: though a Greek of high birth, Galenos is the infamous thief who has been robbing the city’s corrupt of their ill-gotten gains.

Desperate to keep him safe, Ariadne risks her good name, her freedom, and the love of the man she adores to become her father’s apprentice. As her unusual athletic ability leads her into dangerous exploits, Ariadne discovers that she secretly revels in playing with fire. But when the wrong person discovers their secret, Ariadne and her father find their future—and very lives—hanging in the balance.
When they befriend a Jewish rabbi named Paul, they realize that his radical message challenges everything they’ve fought to build, yet offers something neither dared hope for. from Goodreads  

Review of Bread of Angels

Title: Bread of Angels

Author: Tessa Afshar

Chapters: 63

Pages: 398

Genre: Biblical Fiction

Rating: 5 stars

In Bread of Angels Lydia is pretty much left with no other options other than to flee her homeland and go to Philippi. She takes her father's secret formulas for making purple dye. Along with a friend she made along the way. She struggles to set up her own business. But a female run business isn't heard of in Philippi but she is determined to make a go of it. She ends up with a wealthy female patron who gives her a loan, that Lydia ends up paying back in less than a year. 
But becoming a successful business woman isn't the only thing that happens to Lydia in Philippi, she meets the apostle Paul and becomes his first European convert. Lydia holds to message of hope she gets because the days of hardships and not knowing what is going to happen is far from over.
Bread of Angels is Tessa Afshar's second trip into the New Testament with her Biblical fiction novels. Her first being Land of Silence. I recommend reading Land of Silence because characters from that first book make their way into Bread of Angels.  I enjoyed Bread of Angels just like I have all of Tessa's previous novels and I look forward to the next one

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

Review of Land of Silence

Title: Land of Silence

Author: Tessa Asfhar

Chapters: 31 plus epilogue

Pages: 390

Genre: Christian Biblical fiction

Rating: 5 stars

     Land of Silence by Tessa Afshar is a retelling of Biblical story of the woman with the bleeding condition. Not only did I read this book at the right time. To get out of my reading slump, but it also helped me deal with losing my   mother. 

     Tessa's books always seem to come to life for me. The characters seem so real. Land of Silence was no different. Eilanna has faced hardships in life; she's almost given up hope. When she hears of the messiah someone who can heal her. So she searches him out. In the end she doesn't just find physical healing she finds so much more.  

     I was having a hard time dealing with losing my mom, but after reading Land of Silence and the recount of the bleeding woman in the Gospels; I was reminded that I am still a daughter. But more importantly as a believer I am a daughter of the King of kinds, and Lord of lords. 

     So thanks Tessa for writing this book. It was truly a God moment that the publisher chose to release it when they did. It was released the right moment as I was reminded me of Who's I am. 


I received a complimentary copy of Land of Silence from Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone. 

Review of In the Field of Grace

Title: In the field of Grace

Author: Tessa Afshar

 

Chapters: 29 plus epiglue

Pages: 290

Genre: Bibical fiction

Rating: 5 stars

In  the field of Grace is a fictional account of the book of Ruth. Even though it is fiction it follows the Biblical book pretty well.  In the Field of Grace is the fourth Tessa Afshar book that I have read.  As I read more and more of her books I fall even more in love with her writing style. 

While she sticks to the Biblical story of Ruth she uses fictional licenses to fill in “the gaps”. I love the fact that something from Pearl in the Sand makes an appearance   in In the Field of Grace.

When it comes to Biblical fiction is Tessa Afshar  is my go to author.  After reading her novels I want to read the Bible book that the story was based on.

I was given an ebook from netgalley in exchanged for an honest review. 

Giveaway

Thanks to Janis Backing Publicity Manger  at Moody Publishers I am able to give away a copy of Harvest of Rubies by Tessa Afshar on this blog. I reviewed the book after getting a e copy from Netgalley. The giveaway will run from today June 18, 2012 through July 18, 2012. I will pick the winner using random.org. To enter just leave a comment with either your favorite Biblical person, your favorite fiction novel, and or favorite author.

Feel free to spread the word to others.

Book review of Harvest of Rubies

Title: Harvest of Rubies

Author: Tessa Afshar

Genre: Biblical fiction 

Rating: 5 stars

     Harvest of Rubies is the second book by Tessa Afshar her first book was Pearl in the Sand the story of Rahab. In Harvest of Rubies Tessa tells the story of Sarah Nehemiah’s cousin who unlike most women of the time can read and write and speak many languages. She becomes the main scribe to the queen. The story sort of reminded me of the Biblical story of Esther. That Sarah become the queen’s scribe when the queen needed her most, because Sarah discovered a plot against the queen.

     What I love about Tessa Afshar is that when she writes novel she remains as close to the Biblical record as possible. Ms. Afshar makes her characters come alive and allows the reader to be drawn into the story. Harvest of Rubies is a fiction read that will entertain you, but it will also encourage you. Tessa Afshar books in my opinion will encourage you to pick up your Bible to confirm that she stays true to the Biblical account as much as possible.

     I enjoyed reading Harvest of Rubies and look forward to the next book from Tessa Afshar. 

I was given a free copy for my kindle from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.