Jill Eileen Smith is a must-read author for me. Her Biblical Fiction is without question some of the best in the genre, and her newest release from Revell Publishers is one of her most impressive works so far. “The Prince and the Prodigal” is a sweeping masterpiece that spans decades of time, and dives deep into the lives of two brothers who most likely you are familiar with… Joseph and Judah, two of the twelve sons of Jacob – patriarch of biblical times. Continue reading
I wasn’t sure what to expect with this new Bethany House release from Angela Hunt, but it ended up being the most thought-provoking novel I’ve read in a long while. “A Woman of Words” is based on the lives of two fascinating people from the New Testament, and an unlikely pair of narrators – Mary, mother of Jesus, and former-tax-collector-turned-disciple, Matthew. Continue reading
In the acknowledgements at the end of the book, Jill Eileen Smith claims that she has been certain a couple of times before that she had just completed the hardest book she’d ever write… but now, without question, “Miriam’s Song” is her most challenging book to date. From the flip side, I keep thinking that Jill’s latest Biblical fiction story simply can’t be beat, but the next time I pick up a new story with her name on it, she has outdone herself once again! “Miriam’s Song” is a sweeping saga spanning decades of one of the most remarkable and well-known stories in the Old Testament, but is told through a different set of eyes than we normally view the book of Exodus – those belonging to Moses’ sister, Miriam. Continue reading
I am always impressed by Jill Eileen Smith’s talent in creating compelling, vivid, and truth-based Biblical Fiction stories. Her newest release from Revell Publishers is my very favorite of all her books so far. . . “Star of Persia: Esther’s Story” is a beautiful, heart-wrenching, inspiring story that intrigued me with the first page, and held my imagination captive right until the end. Continue reading
Bestselling author Angela Hunt is renowned for her fascinating and insightful novels set in biblical eras. Her stories bring this period in history to life, and allow readers to feel as thought they are actually visiting the times and places and people of the Bible. Her newest release from Bethany House is the last installment of “The Silent Years” series, (set during the years between the Old Testament and the New Testament) and is entitled “King’s Shadow: A Novel of King Herod’s Court”. While still fascinating in its own way, it didn’t quite live up to my expectations of an Angela Hunt novel… Continue reading
I always enjoy Jill Eileen Smith’s Biblical fiction. Each story transports us to ancient times, allowing us to see and experience history through the eyes of characters from the Bible. Her newest release from Revell is unique in that portions of the story were previously published as novella-style e-books, but have now for the first time been reworked and included together in a single, interwoven novel. “The Heart of a King: The Loves of Solomon” tells the stories of King Solomon and four of his wives: Naamah, Abishag, Siti, and Nicaula. As we are swept away by the powerful story, we inevitably are challenged to answer the question of “whether this king’s storied wisdom ultimately benefited him and those he loved . . . or betrayed them.” Continue reading
Angela Hunt’s masterfully written biblical fiction always exceeds my expectations. As we step into the pages of the story, we are carried back in time to Israel before the birth of Jesus, and can see, hear, smell, taste, and almost touch the ancient setting that envelops us. Ms. Hunt’s newest novel is just as incredible (and based on historical fact) as her previous works, and is a continuation of her “Silent Years” series. “Jerusalem’s Queen: A Novel of Salome Alexandra” is the story of one of Judea’s greatest rulers, who lived in the time period between the writing of the Old Testament and the New Testament. In fact, Salome Alexandra’s reign ended only a few years before the Messiah was born, and her peaceful influence over Jerusalem (after a time of unrest and horrific atrocities from the leaders of the nation) paved the way for Jesus’ lifetime. Continue reading
Each time I finish a new Biblical Fiction novel written by Jill Eileen Smith and published by Revell, I’m certain it is the best I’ve read in the genre… at least until her next title is released! As per this tradition, “A Passionate Hope: Hannah’s Story”, the fourth title in the “Daughters of the Promised Land” series, is my new favorite Biblical Fiction novel to date. Continue reading
If you enjoy reading a compelling Biblical Fiction novel once in a while, as I do, Angela Hunt is always an author you can count on to sweep you away with her masterful writing style which brings the history of God’s people to vivid life. Her newest release from Bethany House is entitled “Judah’s Wife: A Novel of the Maccabees”, and is the second story in “The Silent Years” series (preceded by “Egypt’s Sister: A Novel of Cleopatra”). Continue reading
Cleopatra, Ancient Egypt’s most famous queen, is a fascinating character who has intrigued many throughout history. When I discovered that Angela Hunt’s newest Biblical Fiction novel from Bethany House would be about this infamous woman, I definitely wanted to give it a try! “Egypt’s Sister” is book number one in “The Silent Years” series, and tells the story of Cleopatra through the eyes of her (fictitious) childhood friend and daughter of the royal tutor. Continue reading
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