Ruth

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A Beloved Fiction Author’s First Bible Study!

Authors of Biblical Fiction have a beautiful ability to bring well-known stories and characters to life in ways that expand our imaginations, and perhaps cause us to look at a portion of the Bible (that we may have read a hundred times before) in a new and exciting way. Tessa Afshar is a beloved author of many Biblical Fiction novels, and has now directed her knowledge and talents down a new path – as a writer for Moody Bible Studies for Women! “The Way Home: God’s Invitation to New Beginnings – A 6-Week Bible Study of Ruth” is an invitation to step into the courageous story of Ruth and Naomi as it comes to life like never before – from the pen of a fiction author. . . Continue reading →

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An Unforgettable Retelling of a Timeless Story

img_0140Are you familiar with the Bible story of Boaz and Ruth? I’m guessing you probably are. If you are like me, you’ve probably read numerous retellings based on this timeless story of love, grace, and redemption. While many of those retellings are well-done, none can compare with the new version by Jill Eileen Smith, entitled “Redeeming Grace: Ruth’s Story“, published by Revell in 2017. I have only read one other Bible-based novel by this talented author, but it is clear that her writing style and impeccably researched historical details are unrivaled in her genre. Continue reading →

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A Sweet Retelling from Scripture

In-the-fields-of-grace1As someone who has always enjoyed the biblical book of Ruth, I was delighted when I discovered a fictional retelling of the story by renowned author Tessa Afshar. Published by Moody’s River North Fiction in 2014, the book is aptly entitled “In the Field of Grace”. If you enjoy biblical fiction of any kind, this book will be a welcome addition to your library for many reasons, including:

  • The story is masterfully told, flowing easily and smoothly.
  • The characters, both primary and secondary, are convincing and compelling, (which is not always the case with biblical fiction).
  • Including an accurate portrayal of the narrative from Scripture, the story also contains numerous little details that bring it to life in a believable and relatable way. Interestingly, the additional information takes care not to detract from the facts.
  • Although several scenes and conversations border on inappropriate, I admire the author’s careful avoidance of stepping over the sometimes-obscure boundaries of morality in Christian Historical Fiction.
  • Although the language of the characters occasionally feels a bit too “modern” for the time period, the author explains this in her notes when she says, “I want to create a world that feels like the biblical era and yet connects emotionally to my reader. You might say my language resembles more of a New Living Translation vibe than the literal accuracy of a translation such as the English Standard Version.”

Overall, this story is a sweet and enjoyable retelling of a timeless tale from Scripture. Although it was the first book I’ve read by Tessa Afshar, it certainly won’t be the last! If you enjoy the story of Ruth, Naomi, and Boaz, and don’t mind a bit of fiction combined with facts to create a compelling novel, don’t miss “In the Fields of Grace”.

I received this book courtesy of Moody Publishers in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.