Pearl in the Sand
by Tessa Afshar

Author Website: www.TessaAfshar.com

Available in paperback, Kindle edition and audio versions. Moody Publishers, 2010; ISBN: 0802458815; 320 pages.

A fictionalized account of Rahab from the Bible, Pearl in the Sand is filled with multi-faceted characters and profound truths about God and faith. There are many parts I found absolutely fascinating, sections that challenged me to look deeper into the Scriptural account. Other chapters urged me to evaluate my faith and personal commitment to God. Read some of my reflections here.

This is a romance novel, so it focuses heavily on the characters of Rahab (the prostitute living in the wall of Jericho who hides the Israelite spies) and Salmone (the man who married her after she aligns with the Israelites and ascribes to the true, living God). I absolutely adore the story of Rahab. Her profession of faith in Joshua is nothing less than inspiring! She not only converted from a detestable life to one of great faith, she eventually became the great-great-grandmother of King David. This solidly puts her in the lineage of Jesus the Christ.

So often when studying this part of biblical history, we focus on the details of Joshua's leadership and the battle of Jericho. But these were real people -- all of them -- with flesh and emotion. They had mental hurdles to overcome when embracing one another and faith in God. This book does a tremendous job of revealing exactly that. I loved the cultural elements woven within the story.

Born and raised in Iran for the first fourteen years of her life, Tessa Afshar attended boarding school in the UK before moving permanently to the US. She was voted  "New Author of the Year, 2011" by the Family Fiction sponsored Readers' Choice Awards.

Final Thoughts: This was a great read and an incredible debut novel! I look forward to more from this new author.

Here Burns My Candle
by Liz Curtis Higgs
Author Website: www.LizCurtisHiggs.com

Available in paperback, Kindle, audio CD or audio download. Waterbrook Press, 2010; ISBN: 1400070015; 480 pages.

Here Burns My Candle offers a rich, historical drama based loosely upon the Scriptural book of Ruth. I don’t know how you feel about novels based on biblical stories. I truly enjoy them, but am very selective about to whom I’ll recommend them. Some readers find it difficult to separate biblical truth from creative license and author’s imagination. Higgs’s books, though, provide the basis of the biblical stories, but in far removed settings. I would rather call them parallel novels than novelizations. It’s not the same story told again; it’s the same bones with fresh flesh.

Carolyn Custis James asserts in her book, The Gospel According to Ruth, that this biblical story is more about Naomi than Ruth. Rather than telling a romantic story of a young, but faithful widow, it answers the questions pounding a devastated mother-in-law. Is God good for women? Has my usefulness expired? Liz Curtis Higgs follows this theory with her newest title, by focusing on the “Naomi” character as much, if not more than, the “Ruth” character.

Set in Edingburgh, Scotland, during the 1745 Jacobite rebellion, Here Burns My Candle follows the Ladies Marjory and Elizabeth Kerr, mother and daughter-in-law. Marjory, a wealthy Lowland socialite, has never truly accepted her son’s choice of bride. Sure, Elizabeth is strikingly beautiful, but she comes from an unrefined Highland upbringing. To make matters worse, she favors the Jacobite cause, which is the equivalent of treason. Marjory’s other daughter-in-law, Janet, is much more suited to high society and fully embraced the roles of lord and ladies. Elizabeth, however, has more personal concerns, like the faithfulness of her husband, the safety of her brother, the marriage of her mother, and the scandalous gossip encircling her. Few answers come through the faith of her childhood. Could there be another who could help her? When Marjory’s two sons join the rebellion, some relationships are strengthened while others are stretched far beyond comfort.

I really enjoyed this book! It’s thick with drama and emotion. The author’s attention to detail never wavers. As previously stated, I consider this a parallel story, rather than a re-telling. The book of Ruth only devotes a few verses to the life before Ruth and Naomi’s great journey back to Bethlehem. This novel, however, contained over 300 pages of story before I saw any correlation to the Scriptural account. This is not a negative criticism. Actually, I prefer it that way. I like that this book can be enjoyed as an independent historical novel or as a window for better understanding Scripture. It’s a great read.

Final Thoughts: A tremendous story expertly written. I can't believe I have to wait a whole year for the sequel!

Chosen: The Lost Diaries of Queen Esther

by Ginger Garrett
Author website: http://www.gingergarrett.com/

Available in paperback. NavPress, 2005; ISBN: 1576836517; 291 pages.

The Old Testament book of Esther is somewhat mysterious. Never is the name of God mentioned. The characters never pray or even acknowledge a sovereign God. It's an exciting story with beauty, war, genocide, power and gluttony. The title character is a Jewess, but without any reference to God or even faith, it seems shockingly unreligious to be included in the Bible.

Seasoned nonfiction writer Ginger Garrett tackled the life of Esther for this her first novel. It's a very interesting read, putting flesh on the well-known Biblical character.

The book is formatted as Esther's actual diary, discovered Persian antiquities. Scattered between the Queen's entries are modern day newpaper clippings, press releases, footnotes of context or culture and commentaries by historians.

If you're unfamiliar with the story (which takes place around 450BC and is the basis for the Jewish holiday of Purim), here is a quick synopsis. Esther is a Jewish orphan being raised by her uncle, Mordecai. When Xerxes, King of Persia, exiles his queen, the search begins for a replacement. From India to Ethiopia, girls are taken from their families, Esther included. They're forced to take part in a one-year beautification and training process before being granted one night with the King and a chance at becoming his queen. Esther, of course wins the beauty pageant, all the while keeping her ethnicity a secret. Later Hamaan, right-hand-man to King Xerxes plans to anihilate the entire Jewish race. Mordecai discovers the plot and tells Esther who now is faced with keeping her crown and her life or saving her people.

This was a great book! I thoroughly enjoyed it. The historical context was fatanstic. The sidebars and commentaries were, at times, like a devotional encouraging personal application of Biblical truths. We know God is never mentioned in Esther's story, but we also know He was most definitely there. Sometimes it seems He is absent from our lives as well, but we must be confident of His ever-presence and provident orchestration.

Bonus feature: Persian Dinner and Discussion Guide. Nine questions are suggested for group discussion, but the best part is the recipes. Yes - recipes! The author includes six recipes and a menu for an authentic Persian feast -- including Chicken in Pomegranate Sauce, Lamb Kabobs with Mint and Rosewater Cookies. It's perfect for group discussion, Bible study groups, a Purim celebration or just wooing your own king.

Final Thoughts: It's not a book for guys -- they'll be bored for sure, but it's a great read for women who enjoy interesting characters and history. The only thing I did not like about the book: in a couple spots the author takes a modern pro-women view. (I'm sorry, I don't believe ancient middle-eastern women were permitted to work while their kids went to factory-sponsored daycare.) These moments were minor and toward the end of the story. Even with these shattering my suspension of belief, I gladly recommend this book. I thoroughly enjoyed it and can't wait to host my own Persian feast.