About the Book
Author: Tessa Afshar
Genre: Biblical Fiction
Publisher: Tyndale
Release Date: November 7, 2023
Jemmah has always thought of herself as perfectly ordinary . . . until she faces extraordinary circumstances.
When her mother, the Persian king's famous senior scribe, is kidnapped, Jemmah and her sister must sneak undetected into enemy territory to rescue her. But infiltrating their adversary's lands proves easier than escaping them. Fleeing through dangerous mountain passes, their survival depends on the skills of a stranger they free from prison: a mysterious prince named Asher.
Asher is not who the world believes he is. Despite his royal blood, he has had to climb his way out of poverty to forge success from nothing. A manufacturer of some of the best weaponry in the East, Asher has only one goal: to destroy his father. But following his escape from prison, Asher is irresistibly drawn to Jemmah, unaware that she guards her own secret.
Jemmah must convince Asher to give up everything he has worked for, all for the sake of a higher purpose he's not sure he believes in. The fate of the Persian empire--and possibly the Judean people--hang in the balance and in the persuasive power of one ordinary woman.
When her mother, the Persian king's famous senior scribe, is kidnapped, Jemmah and her sister must sneak undetected into enemy territory to rescue her. But infiltrating their adversary's lands proves easier than escaping them. Fleeing through dangerous mountain passes, their survival depends on the skills of a stranger they free from prison: a mysterious prince named Asher.
Asher is not who the world believes he is. Despite his royal blood, he has had to climb his way out of poverty to forge success from nothing. A manufacturer of some of the best weaponry in the East, Asher has only one goal: to destroy his father. But following his escape from prison, Asher is irresistibly drawn to Jemmah, unaware that she guards her own secret.
Jemmah must convince Asher to give up everything he has worked for, all for the sake of a higher purpose he's not sure he believes in. The fate of the Persian empire--and possibly the Judean people--hang in the balance and in the persuasive power of one ordinary woman.
My Thoughts
There are few authors that can capture me when reading Biblical Fiction but Tessa Afshar definitely does. Her writing style captures the essence of what the time period is and you can't help but grab your Bible to read the time period that she is taking you on. For this book I was in the midst of war as God's prophecy was about to be fulfilled through Cyrus. We meet our fictional characters Jemmah and Zarina whoare Keren and Jared's daughter. ---Now, pause here to say that these characters are part of Tessa's previous book the Hidden Prince and while I have not read it (its on my TBR shelf) I did not have any trouble following this one so it can be read as a stand alone. That being said its a no brainer that I will be moving the Hidden Prince up to the needs to be read sooner than later part of my shelf stat! LOL-- Jemmah is a lovable character and so relatable. She doesn't truly see the giftings that God has placed despite everyone around her seeing how amazing she is.
Tessa also has this amazing writing ability to not only put you in the place with the setting of the story. I mean you can tell that she does thorough research as you feel like you are in the story with these characters but she also brings the sweetest of romances. Asher is quite the swoon-worthy character. You'll have to read the book to see!
I did enjoy the spiritual journeys that these characters go through. They grow throughout the story and that was neat to see. The faith thread in this story is ever present and it definitely gives you time to pause and reflect on your own life.
I really enjoyed that the women in the story played such a big role in their environment. I will admit that Zarina captured me throughout this story. She is tough but I think there is more to her than meets the eye and I think she deserves her own story.
Overall I thought this was a great story and can't wait to read more from this author. Who knew I would become such fan of Biblical Fiction?! If you enjoy this genre like I do then I really think you should add this to your list!
I received this book for review. I was not required to post a positive review. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
About the Author
Tessa Afshar’s books have been translated into 11 languages, and been on Publishers Weekly and CBA bestseller lists. Her novel, Pearl in the Sand is the recipient of ECPA’s Bronze Milestone Sales Award. Tessa’s novels have won a number of awards including the Christy and INSPY, and been finalists for the Carol and the ECPA Christian Book Awards. Land of Silence was chosen as one of top five Christian fiction titles of the year by Library Journal. The Way Home, God’s Invitation to New Beginnings, is the winner of the Christian Book Award in the Bible Study category.
Tessa was born in the Middle East and lived there the first fourteen years of her life before attending boarding school for girls in England. She fell in love with Jesus after moving to the United States. Tessa and her husband live in New England where they tend their mediocre garden.
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