Review: "Between the Wild Branches" by Connilyn Cossette

Overall, I don't read much biblical fiction. I'm just not drawn to it like I am contemporary or Regency romance. But I will make an exception for whatever Connilyn Cossette book comes my way!

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Review: "The End of the Magi" by Patrick W. Carr

As we approach Christmas, we often think of Jesus' birth, of Mary and Joseph, of the angels, and even of the shepherds. But what of the magi? I admit I don't often think of them—except to insist that the wise men in my nativity set must remain separate from the rest because they didn't show up until Jesus was a toddler.

Patrick W. Carr's The End of the Magi shines a fictional light on these mysterious men and helps the reader see the Christmas story in a new way.

Review: "Shelter of the Most High" by Connilyn Cossette

I don't read a lot of biblical fiction, but there are a few authors I can't pass up. One of them is Connilyn Cossette; I loved the first book in her Cities of Refuge series, and I was eager to continue the story with Shelter of the Most High.

"A Light on the Hill" by Connilyn Cossette

Last summer, I read the third book in Connilyn Cossette's Out from Egypt series. Cossette was a new author to me, but I loved Wings of the Wind so much that I knew more Cossette books would be in my future!

"Isaiah's Daughter" by Mesu Andrews

While biblical fiction isn't normally one of my chosen genres, I've really enjoyed some of Lynn Austin and Connilynn Cossette's books. When I heard about Mesu Andrews' Isaiah's Daughter, I was immediately intrigued by this story of a captive who would become queen. And, for better or worse, I'm not well versed enough in Old Testament history to know what would happen in the story, so I figured it would all be pretty much brand new to me!

"Wings of the Wind" by Connilyn Cossette

Biblical fiction tends to be hit or miss for me. Pulling off fictionalized versions of historical events and people is always tricky, I'm sure, and when you throw in the setting of the Old Testament—an era I'm not particularly interested in (can I say that???)—well, it's a challenge to find a book with those parameters that I'll enjoy. I did really like Lynn Austin's Restoration Chronicles, but they weren't what I'd call quick, easy reads, so you have to be in the right mood for them.

When I saw Connilyn Cossette's Wings of the Wind up for review, I did some research and saw that many book bloggers I follow—ones whose tastes are similar to my own—had really enjoyed her Out from Egypt series, so I decided to give the book a chance. I'm so glad I did.

"on this foundation" by lynn austin

Over the past couple years, I've enjoyed reading Lynn Austin's Restoration Chronicles, and I was especially excited for On This Foundation, as it's Nehemiah's story. Nehemiah has been special to me ever since I selected the book of Nehemiah for a project in my Old Testament class at Grace. I really enjoyed reading this fictionalization of Nehemiah's story.

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Stone by Stone, the Wall Will Rise Once More Around God's City

When news reaches him that Jerusalem's wall is shattered and its gates burned with fire, a distraught Nehemiah seeks God's guidance in fasting and prayer. Granted an unexpected leave from his duty as cupbearer to the Persian king Artaxerxes, Nehemiah sets out for Jerusalem to rebuild the city wall--never anticipating all the dangers that await him on his arrival.

The leaders of the surrounding nations become his fierce enemies, plotting to assassinate him and stop the wall's reconstruction forever. A drought, meanwhile, has left the country impoverished, with many families resorting to selling their children as bondservants just to keep from starving. 

Capturing the rebuilding of the wall through the eyes of a number of characters, On This Foundation is the powerful conclusion to The Restoration Chronicles. This exploration of faith in the midst of oppression offers hope that, in spite of appearances, the gracious hand of God is upon those who believe.

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On This Foundation details Nehemiah's journey from being cupbearer to King Artaxerxes to becoming governor of Judah and rebuilding Jerusalem's wall. But Nehemiah isn't the only focus of the book. Perhaps even more fascinating are the stories of Nava, a young woman who becomes a bondservant to the wealthy Malkijah to help pay off her family's debts, and Chana, the woman Malkijah hopes to marry. Something that I've noticed as I've read this series is that Austin is able to craft very engaging side stories—something that's essential for a tome of more than 400 pages!

I must say that On This Foundation didn't go where I expected (aside from the building of the wall), something I greatly appreciated. In fact, I spent about three quarters of the novel wondering, along with Chana, if Malkijah was someone to be trusted or feared. The way his story turned out (along with the stories of Chana and Nava) was a powerful lesson in trusting God. I always appreciate when authors incorporate biblical lessons without forcing them into the plot!

If you're a fan of biblical fiction—or good historical fiction—then I suggest you pick up this series right away. And now that it's finished, you won't have to wait a year between installments! 5 stars.

Buy the novel.
Read my reviews of the other Restoration Chronicles: Return to Me (4.5 stars) and Keepers of the Covenant (5 stars).

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Bestselling author Lynn Austin has sold more than one million copies of her books worldwide. She is an eight-time Christy Award winner for her historical novels, as well as a popular speaker at retreats and conventions. Lynn and her husband have raised three children and live near Chicago.

Find Lynn online: website, Facebook

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free for review from Bethany House Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Also, some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase an item, I will receive an affiliate commission. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

"a.d. 33" by ted dekker

Several weeks ago, I was able to read the abridged version of Ted Dekker's A.D. 30. I loved it, so I was eager to pick up A.D. 33. These two novels are biblical fiction at its best.

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New York Times bestselling author Ted Dekker delivers the gripping story of Maviah, a slave who becomes a queen in Arabia, A.D. 33. 

They call her the Queen of the Outcasts. Maviah, a woman whose fate was sealed on her birth by this world-unwanted, illegitimate, female, a slave-subject to the whims of all. But then she met a man named Yeshua who opened her eyes. She found strength in his words, peace from the brutal word around her. Because of what he taught her, she has gathered her own traveling kingdom of outcasts deep in the desert, wielding an authority few have seen. But when her growing power threatens the rulers around her, they set out to crush all she loves, leaving her reeling as a slave once more. She must find Yeshua to save her people, but when she does, she will be horrified to discover that he faces his own death. 

Enter a story full of intrigue, heart-wrenching defeat, uncompromising love and staggering victory-one that re-examines everything you thought you knew about the heart of Jesus's stunning message and the power that follows for those who follow his easily forgotten way. 

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A.D. 33 continues the story of Maviah, a woman trying to save her people from an evil conqueror. After her encounter with Yeshua (in A.D. 30), she has become a leader of outcasts. When her son is taken captive, she and her faithful companion Saba go in search of Yeshua once more, and they find him just in time to witness the events leading up to and directly following his crucifixion. If Yeshua is dead, how can he save her son...and how can she follow the Way?

Once again, Ted Dekker has written a powerful novel that clearly points the reader to Christ. What I found so appealing was viewing the events from the triumphal entry through the crucifixion through the eyes of an outsider. Maviah is not a Jew and knows little of Jewish tradition, and seeing her interpretation of Yeshua's words and actions helped me see those events not as someone who has been around the Bible her whole life but as someone hearing the story for the first time. The shift in perspective is important, I think.

Reading A.D. 33 was a very personal experience. What I mean by that is I could see shades of myself in Maviah—in her lack of trust, in her faith, in her confusion, and in her surrender. I felt like I was experiencing all of those things along with her. This is a book that will cause you to think about your own faith.

While I loved this novel, I did struggle through some of the sections, especially near the beginning before Maviah found Yeshua. However, you should not let getting bogged down at the beginning stop you from finishing A.D. 33. It's a powerful novel that is definitely worth reading. 4-1/2 stars.

Note: While I definitely recommend reading at least the abridged version of A.D. 30 prior to A.D. 33, Dekker has written A.D. 33 in such a way that you could pick it up without having first read A.D. 30—you just won't have a full understanding of the characters.

Follow the blog tour.
Read a preview.
Buy the book.
Read my reviews of Dekker's A.D. 30 Abridged (5 stars), Green, Immanuel's Veins, Forbidden (written with Tosca Lee), and Tea with Hezbolla (written with Carl Medearis).

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TED DEKKER is a New York Times bestselling author of more than 30 novels with a total of more than 10 million books in print. He is known for thrillers that combine adrenaline-laced plots with incredible confrontations between good and evil.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free for review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Also, some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase an item, I will receive an affiliate commission. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

"until my name is known" by sonya contreras

Experience God's freeing of the Israelites from captivity in Egypt like you never have before in Until My Name Is Known.

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The Exodus of the Jews from Egypt is a love story between God and His people. God woos His people to Himself as He prepares them to leave. Before leaving, God must fight Pharaoh for possession of His people. See how God changes all people: some for the better, others not. None stay the same. How will He change you? Can you trust a God Who destroyed a nation before your eyes? Would you want Him as your Friend?

See God free His people from Egypt's bonds before a watching world. Trace His Finger in the lives He touches. The time: 2450 BC. The Place: Old Kingdom of Egypt where Pharaoh is god. His people worship him. Israel's God arrives. He challenges Pharaoh. His power touches all people. They must change. Some do not concede. They suffer. Others yield. They find freedom.

Until My Name Is Known brings all to see the one true God. Read it to see Him. Today's historians and archaeologists puzzle over the fall of the Old Kingdom of Egypt, But the world at that time heard of God. The world knew that He is the Lord. His Name was proclaimed in all the earth.

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Until My Name Is Known begins just after the Lord speaks to Moses in the burning bush and goes through the crossing of the Red Sea. Rather than solely focusing on Moses, Until My Name Is Known also follows several Egyptians and Israelites. I've pretty much always thought of the Exodus through Moses's perspective, so it was nice to get a picture of what other Israelites and the Egyptians may have been thinking. While there are many, many characters in Until My Name Is Known, I never once became confused about who was who—Contreras handled the multiple characters expertly.

The story moves at a fairly rapid pace, and it never got boring. However, I found myself struggling to connect with it, for whatever reason. I was interested in the story, but I wasn't captivated. Still, Until My Name Is Known is a well-written fictionalization of the end of the Israelites' time in Egypt, and I definitely recommend it to fans of Biblical fiction. 3 stars.

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Growing up with five sisters, Sonya Contreras asked God many questions, even when she did not like His answers. Graduating from Cedarville University and Institute for Creation Research with a Masters Degree in Science Education did not stop her questions. Marrying her best friend and homeschooling their eight sons, she found that dreams do come true, in spite of unanswered questions.

Find Sonya online: website, Twitter

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Litfuse Publicity Group. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Also, some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase an item, I will receive an affiliate commission. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

"a.d. 30 abridged" by ted dekker

Several years ago, I was a huge Ted Dekker fan—as in, I bought and read everything he wrote. But then I got to the point where I couldn't handle the intense crime fiction, a la Boneman's Daughters, and I just kind of drifted away from Dekker's writing. I'd heard amazing things about A.D. 30, though—it won a 2015 Inspy award for best mystery/thriller—so when I had the opportunity to review the new abridged version, I jumped at it.

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New York Times bestselling author Ted Dekker offers an exclusive, ebook original novella in this abridgment of A.D. 30, the epic historical novel about a woman who rises to lead her people after meeting Jesus.

Maviah, the outcast daughter of a powerful Arabian sheik, is called to protect the very people who rejected her. When enemies launch a sudden attack she escapes with the help of her father's warriors. Their journey is fraught with danger and takes her to a brutal world subjugated by kings and emperors. There Maviah must form an unlikely alliance with King Herod of the Jews. But her path also leads her to Yeshua, who offers her a way of life more powerful than any kingdom. Though following him may present an even greater danger, his may be the only way for Maviah to save her people--and herself.

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Wow. Just wow. I never had any doubt that Dekker was an excellent writer, but A.D. 30 feels like a return to the Circle series, to The Books of Mortals. Yet it's different, too—it's not allegorical; it's set during Jesus' ministry, and it features events that truly happened and Jesus' own words. Obviously, Maviah's story is fictional, but it feels so real. Dekker's novel is a welcome addition to the biblical fiction genre.

Honestly, I have no idea what was cut out of the original novel to make this abridgement: it feels 100% complete. The story moves at a rapid pace, which serves to keep the reader fully engaged. And the scenes with Yeshua are so powerful; I loved watching Maviah change because of her encounters with Him. The ending is a bit abrupt, but that's because the story will continue in A.D. 33, which will release later this fall. I, for one, can't wait to find out what's next for Maviah while seeing Yeshua's story continue! 5 stars.

Buy the novella.
Read my reviews of Dekker's Green, Immanuel's Veins, Forbidden (written with Tosca Lee), and Tea with Hezbolla (written with Carl Medearis).

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Ted Dekker is a New York Times bestselling author of more than thirty-five novels with more than 10 million books in print. His most recent novel is A.D 30, an epic historical about the life of Jesus and the first book of his AD series. The second in the series, A.D. 33, will be published in October 2015. Dekker is best known for thrillers that combine adrenaline-laced plots with incredible confrontations between good and evil.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this ebook free for review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Also, some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase an item, I will receive an affiliate commission. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

"esther: royal beauty" by angela hunt

God's rescue of the Jews through the courage of Queen Esther comes to vivid life in Angela Hunt's Esther: Royal Beauty.

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When an ambitious tyrant threatens genocide against the Jews, an inexperienced young queen must take a stand for her people.

When Xerxes, king of Persia, issues a call for beautiful young women, Hadassah, a Jewish orphan living in Susa, is forcibly taken to the palace of the pagan ruler. After months of preparation, the girl known to the Persians as Esther wins the king's heart and a queen's crown. But because her situation is uncertain, she keeps her ethnic identity a secret until she learns that an evil and ambitious man has won the king's permission to exterminate all Jews--young and old, powerful and helpless. Purposely violating an ancient Persian law, she risks her life in order to save her people...and bind her husband's heart.

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In recent years, Queen Esther has been a popular subject for books and films. Some have been great (Jim Baumgardner's Esther Queen of Persia), others not so much (the film One Night with the King). Angela Hunt's Esther stands out from the other things I've read an seen about Esther because it focuses not only on Esther's journey to becoming queen and her time in the palace but also on the events preceding the king's search for a new queen.

Esther is told from two points of view: Hadassah's and Harbonah's. Harbonah is the king's most trusted eunuch, and the insight into the king and the Persian government that his chapters give richly enhances the story.

Angela Hunt clearly did her research (there's a list of sources at the back of the novel, as well as a note from Hunt that explains her process), and the result is an incredibly compelling account of this biblical heroine.

The beginning of the book didn't grab my attention in the way I'd hoped, and I found myself not liking young Hadassah at all. However, the Harbonah chapters kept me engaged, and by the time Hadassah found herself being prepared for a night with the king, I was completely hooked. I also appreciated how Hadassah grew throughout the novel—from a young, selfish teen to a queen who realized she was a part of something greater than herself.

I expected Esther to be mainly about Haman's plot to kill the Jews and God's rescue of His people. While that part is there (of course), this novel covers so much more than that, and I think it's so much richer and more realistic because of all the details. 4 stars.

Buy the book.
Read my reviews of Hunt's The Offering (4-1/2 stars), The Fine Art of Insincerity (5 stars), Five Miles South of Peculiar (4-1/2 stars), and The Golden Cross (5 stars).

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With nearly five million copies of her books sold worldwide, Angela Hunt is the New York Times bestselling author ofThe Tale of Three Trees, The Note, and The Nativity Story. Angela's novels have won or been nominated for several prestigious industry awards, including the RITA Award, the Christy Award, the ECPA Christian Book Award, and the HOLT Medallion Award. Romantic Times Book Club presented Angela with a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2006. In 2008, she completed her doctorate in Biblical Studies and is currently completing her Th.D. Angela and her husband live in Florida, along with their mastiffs. She can be found online at www.angelahuntbooks.com.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free for review from Bethany House Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Also, some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase an item, I will receive an affiliate commission.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

"keepers of the covenant" by lynn austin

God's care for his chosen people comes to vibrant life in Keepers of the Covenant, the next installment in Lynn Austin's Restoration Chronicles.

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In one life-changing moment, the lives of the Jewish exiles in Babylon are thrown into confusion and despair when a decree arrives from the king's palace in Susa. It calls for the annihilation of every Jewish man, woman, and child throughout the empire on the thirteenth day of Adar, in less than one year. Ezra, a quiet Jewish scholar and teacher, is suddenly called upon to lead the community as they seek God for a reason for this catastrophe. When a second decree arrives, authorizing them to fight back, Ezra is thrust into the role of military leader as they defend themselves against their enemies.

When the battles come to an end, Ezra's brother Jude is dead and Ezra is required by the Law he so diligently studies to marry Jude's widow, Devorah, and provide an heir. Fatherhood changes Ezra, and he asks God to make a way for him and the other exiles to leave Babylon for good and return to Jerusalem. His prayers are answered and the exiles move to Judea to revitalize worship at the temple---but the fight to keep God's Law is never easy. As more and more of his community are tempted, a new battle emerges . . . this one for the survival of God's covenant and the souls of His chosen faithful.

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Like many 21st century Christians, I don't pay enough attention to the Old Testament, and I'm not quite sure of the timeline of events. I tend to think of the events in the book of Esther in a vacuum, so if you'd asked me who Esther's contemporaries were, I probably would have said, "Um, I think probably Ezra and Nehemiah"--simply because those books are next to one another in the Bible. But I had no idea that the events in Esther took place between chapters 6 and 7 of Ezra. (Austin's Return to Me covers Ezra 1-6.) So I was quite surprised when Keepers of the Covenant opened with Haman's plot to annihilate the Jews on the 13th of Adar.

Before, when I thought of Esther, of course I acknowledged how great it was that God saved His people, but I've always seen it through Esther's eyes. Seeing how the Lord saved his people through Esther from the perspective of the Jewish people scattered throughout the Persian Empire brought tears to my eyes. And really, the 13th of Adar is just the beginning of the story told in Keepers of the Covenant.

While there are a host of characters in this novel, Austin wisely focuses on just four: Ezra, Devorah (Ezra's sister-in-law/wife), Reuben (a Levite whose father was killed on the 13th of Adar), and Amina (an Edomite girl). As their stories progress and intertwine, Austin is able to clearly show God's care both for his chosen people and for the Gentiles.

In the Restoration Chronicles, Lynn Austin isn't just retelling Jewish history--she is bringing it to life on the page. While the books look a bit daunting (Keepers of the Covenant clocks in at 473 pages), the story they tell is fascinating. I couldn't put this book down, and I bet you won't be able to, either. 5 stars.

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Buy the book.
Read my review of book one, Return to Me.

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Bestselling author Lynn Austin has sold more than one million copies of her books worldwide. She is an eight-time Christy Award winner for her historical novels, as well as a popular speaker at retreats and conventions. Lynn and her husband have raised three children and live near Chicago.

Find Lynn online: website, Facebook
Lynn Austin is back with the next book in The Restoration Chronicles series, Keepers of the Covenant. Austin weaves together the struggles and stories of both Jews and Gentiles, creating a tapestry of faith and doubt, love and loss. Here, the Old Testament comes to life, demonstrating the everlasting hope displayed in God's unwavering love for His people.

Lynn is celebrating with a Kindle HDX giveaway and a live author chat webcast on October 21st.

One winner will receive:

• A Kindle HDX
• Keepers of the Covenant by Lynn Austin

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on October 21st. Winner will be announced at the Keepers of the Covenant LIVE webcast event on October 21st. Connect with Lynn for a fascinating evening centered around God's unwavering love for His people. She'll be hosting a Biblical fiction book club discussion, giving away prizes, answering your questions, offering an exclusive peek at the next book in The Restoration Chronicles, and much more!

So grab your copy of Keepers of the Covenant and join Lynn and friends on the evening of October 21st for a chance to connect and make some new friends. (If you haven't read the book, don't let that stop you from coming!)

Don't miss a moment of the fun; RSVP today by signing up for a reminder. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 21st!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Litfuse Publicity Group. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Also, some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

"esther queen of persia" by jim baumgardner

About the book (from CWA): Hadassah, the beautiful, Jewish teenager from the city of Susa in Persia, is taken by force to the palace of King Ahasuerus. His command to find the most beautiful virgins in his kingdom, and bring them to the house of women, has placed Hadassah under the supervision of Hegai, the king's custodian of women. Hegai and his servants, have one year to prepare each virgin for one night with the king. Although Hadassah was taken from her home by force, she refuses to become bitter. She accepts being called Esther, but inside remains always, Hadassah. She continually wonders why she is there, yet remains faithful to her God, and to her identity. It is years before the answer is revealed. Her people face annihilation, and it falls upon her shoulders to stop it. Her first thought is to shirk her duty, but Mordecai, her cousin, will not allow it. His words, '"Who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?"' brings her to her senses.

Unlike many of the novels written about Esther, this book seeks to remain true to the Biblical account, while supplying additional historical information from the time period 486-473 B.C. The book has a five page Introduction, which gives insight into some of the things found in the story. It has a page, listing the months of the Jewish sacred calendar and the corresponding month of our modern calendar. Also in the back of the book is a listing of Scriptures mentioned in each chapter, along with a listing of works consulted in research for Esther Queen of Persia.

My take: I've always loved the story of Queen Esther, so I jumped at the chance to read Jim Baumgardner's retelling of the Biblical story. I was a bit skeptical, though, when the book arrived. Though I understand that a lot of thought and work went into the cover (and the picture makes perfect sense when reading the story), it did not jump out to me as the cover of a book I'd like to read.

"Don't judge a book by its cover," they say, and in this case, "they" are right. Esther Queen of Persia is a completely captivating look the events in the Book of Esther. I especially appreciated the time Baumgardner spent explaining what Esther probably went through as she prepared for her initial introduction to the king. I had never really considered what all would have gone into her preparations, and I wondered why on earth she needed a whole year to prepare. Now I understand.

I especially appreciated the way Baumgardner wove other historical figures—most notably Ezra—into the narrative. I tend to think of Esther in a bubble, not realizing where exactly it fell chronologically. The novel helped to bring the story and the time period to life.

One thing that did bother me throughout is that the novel needed better proofreading, starting with the title, which should be Esther, Queen of Persia or Esther: Queen of Persia. But while each missing apostrophe and misspelled plural caught my attention, the errors were infrequent enough to make them a minor annoyance rather than a deal breaker.

Esther Queen of Persia is a great book—one that fans of biblical fiction will enjoy. I highly recommend it!

My rating: 4 stars

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About the author: Born in Wichita, Kansas, Jim Baumgardner, raised by Christian parents, gave his life to Christ in 1957. The author continues to reside in Wichita with his wife Linda. They have three children and nine grandchildren. Jim has seven published books. Four are known as the Sarah books, which tell of the adventures of a girl named Sarah, set in the 19th Century. The other three are Bible novels, including the author’s latest release, Esther Queen of Persia. All of Jim’s books are primarily written for his grandchildren’s benefit.

To learn more about Jim and his books, visit his websites:
http://www.biblenovels.net/ 
http://kansasjimbo.bravejournal.com/ 
http://www.sarahbooks.net/ 
You can also find him on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, LinkedIn, Google +, and Goordreads.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a free copy of this book to review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Some of the links on this page are "affiliate links." This means if you click on the link and purchase a product, I will receive a commission. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” I am part of the CWA Review Crew.

"return to me" by lynn austin + book giveaway

About the book (from Litfuse): From the Acclaimed Author of Chronicles of the Kings

After decades of exile, the prophesies are coming true—King Cyrus has declared the Jews may return to Jerusalem. Iddo, a priest, is sure this is a sign of God's renewed favor. For too long they've remained in Babylon, and many, including Iddo's sons, are losing the faith that sets them apart. And so only a few choose to leave everything to return—return to their home and their God.

Nothing about their journey to the Promised Land is easy. As hardships mount, even the faithful, like Iddo's beloved wife, Dinah, question the sacrifice of following God's leading. Zechariah, Iddo's oldest grandson, feels torn between his grandfather's ancient beliefs and the family they left behind. But one life-changing encounter with the Holy One gives him insight that will change Zechariah—and history—forever.

Bringing the Old Testament to vibrant life, Return to Me tells the compelling story of two men living by faith in the midst of doubt, the women who love them, and the faithful remnant struggling to rebuild their lives in obedience to the God who beckons them home.

My take: Like many people, I tend to skip over large sections of the Old Testament—sections I deem too "boring" to spend my time on. So I'm very thankful for Return to Me, which brings the book of Ezra to life. At first, I was afraid I would have a hard time finishing this book (after all, it is 455 pages), and I did struggle to get into it at the beginning. But once the Jews began their journey to Jerusalem, I was hooked. After I finished the book, I even continued reading Ezra (Return to Me deals with events through Ezra 6) and looked up a timeline of Old Testament events. (Yes, I should have learned all of this in my 16 years of Christian schooling, but apparently it didn't stick.) I appreciate that Return to Me gave me a bit of a kick in the pants—it reminded me that all of God's Word is important and rekindled my interest in the Old Testament!

Return to Me is completely captivating, and I look forward to reading the next book in "The Restoration Chronicles." This is a book that I can wholeheartedly recommend to anyone—it's not just a "girly" book!

My rating: 4-1/2 stars

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My giveaway: I received an extra copy of the book from the publisher, so I'm giving it away! Enter through the Rafflecopter widget below:

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About the author: Bestselling author Lynn Austin has sold more than one million copies of her books worldwide. She is an eight-time Christy Award winner for her historical novels, as well as a popular speaker at retreats and conventions. Lynn and her husband have raised three children and live near Chicago.
You can find out more about Lynn at http://www.lynnaustin.org/.

About the giveaway: Lynn Austin is celebrating the release of Return to Me, the first book in her new Biblical fiction series, The Restoration Chronicles, with a Kindle Fire HDX giveaway and a Facebook Author Chat party.

 
  One winner will receive:

• A Kindle Fire HDX
• Return to Me by Lynn Austin

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on October 22nd. Winner will be announced at the "Return To Me" Facebook Author Chat Party on October 22nd. Connect with Lynn and friends for an evening of book chat, biblical trivia, prizes, and get an exclusive look at the next book in Lynn's Restoration Chronicles series!

So grab your copy of Return to Me and join Lynn on the evening of October 22nd for a chance to connect and make some new friends. (If you haven't read the book, don't let that stop you from coming!)

Don't miss a moment of the fun; RSVP today by clicking JOIN at the event page. Spread the word — tell your friends about the giveaway and party via FACEBOOK or TWITTER. Hope to see you on the 22nd!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Litfuse Publicity Group. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Also, some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."