The Hidden Prince (By: Tessa Afshar)

The Hidden Prince
By: Tessa Afshar

Story Line: 4 Stars
Depth: 4 Stars
Faith: 5 Stars
Love Story: 3 Stars
Overall: 4 Stars

Tessa is one of our favorite authors and we are always filled with excitement when we see she has written another novel. While this one in particular wasn't our favorite of hers, we still enjoyed it and would recommend it to others. It is a little slow in parts, but we are convinced you will fall in love with the main characters while also enjoying the part Daniel plays as well. We love learning more about characters from the Bible and being given a glimpse at what their lives might have been like. Tessa does just that like no other author! 

Keren struggles with her lot in life, but has found favor in many circumstances and is content living in Daniel's household. However, a disastrous accident sends her packing her bags and leaving everything and everyone she knows, including Jared whom she loves but doesn't believe will ever love her in return. Keren fears she will never be able to return home, but remains faithful and true to the Lord. Jared, unbeknownst to Keren, loves her but is angry and doesn't know if he can forgive her for what happened. Despite his feelings, he feels he must find her and bring her home. The plot thickens when they reunite, but instead of bringing her home, Jared feels he must join her in the journey the Lord has called her to be a part of. Will his heart soften enough to forgive her, and maybe even love her once again? We love how the Lord is woven into every part of the story; His grace and forgiveness are beautiful even in the midst of tragedy.

Note: We were given this book in exchange for our honest review.  

Jewel of the Nile (By: Tessa Afshar)

Jewel of the Nile
By: Tessa Afshar

Story Line: 5 Stars
Depth: 4 Stars
Faith: 5 Stars
Love Story: 4 Stars
Overall: 4.5 Stars

Tessa Afshar is one of our favorite authors, and we were thrilled to see another publication from her! Jewel of the Nile was an engaging story that swept us away right from the first page. 

Chariline knows almost nothing of her deceased parents' story. Never having quite felt at home being raised by her aunt, she is shocked and excited to discover her father is in fact, still alive. She knows almost nothing of him - not his name or where he may be located. After finding a clue to her father's whereabouts and identity, Chariline determines to travel to Rome at any cost - even putting her life in danger by stowing away on a ship to get there. 

This Rome-bound vessel belongs to none other than Theo, whom we know from one of Tessa's previous books, Thief of Corinth. What follows is a story of suspense and adventure, life-changing faith, memorable characters and a sweet love story. 

As per usual, Tessa's historical writing is so extraordinary, her readers are transported back into the Roman Empire and the Kingdom of Cush. We highly recommend picking up this novel for a good escape where your faith might also grow as a result!

Note: We were given this book in exchange for our honest review.  

Thief of Corinth (By: Tessa Afshar)

Thief of Corinth
By: Tessa Afshar

Story Line: 4 Stars
Depth: 4 Stars
Faith: 5 Stars
Love Story: 3 Stars
Overall: 4 Stars

Tessa Afshar has a way of bringing Biblical history to life unlike anyone else and has done it again in this story set in first-century Corinth! Ariadne has mourned the day her parents divorced, when she was moved away to live with her mother and grandfather. Longing to return to Corinth, and back to the father she loves dearly, Ariadne daringly escapes and runs away, hoping her father will be waiting with open arms. 

Galenos, Ariadne's father, is delighted that his daughter has returned. His home will once again be filled with love and purpose! However, Ariadne is unaware of the reasons that drove her mom away, and soon uncovers the truth - her father is the notorious thief who has been robbing corrupt, wealthy men in Corinth. To his surprise however, she does not walk out on him, but decides to become his apprentice in an effort to keep him safe. Because she has been blessed with incredible athletic ability she catches on very quickly. But how long can they live like this without getting caught? And who will be hurt in the process? 

When Galenos and Ariadne are introduced to an apostle named Paul, who offers a different way of life and talks of a man named Jesus, they both realize their desperate need for a Savior. The tangled web they have created will not be an easy one to unravel. The journey the characters travel throughout the story is one you will not want to miss! 

A final note on this book... Tessa Afshar reveals that she wrote this story largely due to having been asked countless times for a book readers could share with friends who are not practicing Christians. Us two chicks loved having this insight into the story and we think you will too!

Note: We were given this book in exchange for our honest review.  

Land of Silence (By: Tessa Afshar)

Land of Silence

By: Tessa Afshar

Tessa Afshar is one of the best at Biblical, historical fiction! She's at it again, this time telling the story of the woman who bled for 12 years. Little is known about her, except she was considered "unclean," and therefore an outcast, from this bleeding disease. Her faith is rewarded by Jesus and she is healed simply by touching the hem of his garment, as told in three of the four gospels in the Bible. Jesus actually thought it significant enough to stop what he was doing to pay attention to her extraordinary faith.

Storyline

Tessa Afshar tells this woman's (fictional) story in Land of Silence, and as usual, does an amazing job weaving real people, fiction and history together. Her writing flows and engages the reader right from the beginning, with well-developed characters and deep, realistic storylines. 

The woman's name is Elianna: a young Jewish maiden in a happy family and betrothed to a man she has loved all her life. But in an instant, her family's lives are devastated, and thus begins a season of (seemingly) never ending loss and heartache. When her life is finally stripped down to almost nothing, it is only then that she begins to experience who God really is. Can she trust God to be all he says he is? And what about this new prophet, Jesus, everyone is talking about? Rumors are he heals the sick and the lame. Could he actually be the long awaited Messiah? What's more... could he really be the answer she has needed all along?

Depth

As in all Tessa's books, she never shies away from exploring the deep, soul wrenching realities of life. Issues of guilt, bitterness, grief, sorrow and betrayal are all shaken to the core. This story dives pretty low into despair and heartache, but surfaces with satisfaction into redemption, forgiveness and hope.

Faith

It's a rare thing for these two chicks to give a five star rating for the faith category! In this book, God is most definitely a main character. The Jews follow the old law to the best of their abilities, and Tessa takes great care to respect it and show the need for a Savior all at the same time. A wise Pharisee (who in real life secretly became a follower of Jesus) says that we do not understand who God really is in our times of happiness, but rather in our times of suffering and sickness. He prays for Elianna, but advises her that even if she is not healed physically, her heart can begin mending and her soul can begin preparing for the plans God has yet to unfold in her life. 

Tessa's vast knowledge and understanding of Jewish and Christian history blows us away with each of her books we open!

Squeal Factor

Elianna has loved Ethan her whole life and assumes she probably always will. They share a few tender scenes, but mostly we are just witness to their traditional - albeit, unpredictable - betrothal.

Overall

If you are looking for a deep, faith-filled read, this book is for you! Tessa's excellence as a historical fiction writer, based on true accounts, is supreme. We would have loved to give this read a five star, but we felt the first half of the book was a little too drawn out. However, like usual, Tessa ties everything together beautifully at the end and makes this a solid, wonderful read.

Find it on Amazon: Land of Silence

Note: We were given this book in exchange for our honest review 

Pearl in the Sand (By: Tessa Afshar)

Pearl in the Sand
By: Tessa Afshar

Pearl in the Sand by Tessa Afshar is one of our favorite books of all time and part of our Golden List. We hope that you enjoy it as much as we do!

Storyline

In this story, Tessa Afshar retells the events surrounding the fall of Jericho (around 1,400 B.C.). The young girl Rahab is sold into prostitution by her family to save them from starving to death in a great famine. As she grows older, her heart is mysteriously drawn toward an unseen God that she can't quite explain. 

During this period of personal wrestling, she recognizes two Hebrew men trying to enter her city as spies. She befriends them and asks them about this God who has been stirring her heart. This encounter changes the trajectory of her life. Never could she have dreamed all that the Lord would have planned for her - a new faith, a new family, a new home and a new life. Many of us are familiar with the story of Rahab, the harlot, from the book of Joshua in the Bible, but this is a fascinating, detailed look into what may have been the deeper story. 

Author Tessa Afshar is one of the best there is - she paints characters who are neither victim, nor hero. Through her writing, history comes alive as she draws you in to an exciting world right from the beginning and kept you turning the pages to see what will happen next.

Depth

Pearl in the Sand explores the very depths of the human soul. Idolatry, betrayal, wickedness, forgiveness, trust and worth all come up and are handled truthfully and graciously. In fact, Tessa is so good at conquering these difficult issues that you may leave the book examining your own heart and life for lessons that need to be applied! While these principles she writes about may have been written for our main characters, the deep longings of the heart extend to us here in real life too. 

Faith

This story is alive and bursting with faith! In its entirety, this Pearl in the Sand is ALL about the Lord, and the work He does in His people. Many of us easily remember the story of Rahab the prostitute, but do we stop to wonder about her faith? How does a Canaanite harlot come to know the Lord? What is the source of her courage to save the Hebrew spies? 

In addition to personal faith, the Old Testament Law and ways of life are beautifully explained in simple terms. If you've ever thought of the Old Testament as boring, this book will surely change your mind!

Squeal Factor

Rahab marries Salmone, an Israelite, and from their line eventually comes Jesus Christ, the Messiah. This book tells their love story and oh, how sweet it is! But a romance between a former prostitute and a leader in Israel is no simple feat - each must deal with the reality of their differences and their pasts. They must learn about redemption, self-sacrifice and humility. As they fall in love, the chemistry and tension crackle and make us fall in love with them too! 

Overall
There is no better way to describe Pearl in the Sand than phenomenal!. Honestly, we would have given the story line, depth and faith MORE than five stars if we could have! It was one of the first reads we placed on our Golden List, and appeals to women and men alike. This is one of the few books we would say is worth paying full price for and owning - you will probably read it more than once, and will loan it out quite often!

Find it on Amazon: Pearl in the Sand