Whispered secrets about her parents’ past take on new urgency for Chariline as she pays one last visit to the land of her forefathers, the ancient kingdom of Cush.
Raised as an orphan by her aunt, Chariline has only been told a few pieces of her parents’ tragic love story. Her beautiful dark skin is proof that her father was Cushite, but she knows nothing else. While visiting her grandfather before his retirement as the Roman official in the queen’s court, Chariline overhears that her father is still alive, and discovering his identity becomes her obsession. Both her grandfather and the queen have reasons for keeping this secret, however, and forbid her quest. So when her only clues lead to Rome, Chariline sneaks on the ship of a merchant trusted by friends.
Theo is shocked to discover a stowaway on board his vessel and determines to be rid of her as soon as possible. But drawn in by Chariline’s story, he feels honor-bound to see her safely to shore, especially when it appears someone may be willing to kill for the truth she seeks.
In this transformative tale of historical fiction, bestselling author Tessa Afshar brings to life the kingdom of Cush and the Roman Empire, introducing readers to a fascinating world filled with gripping adventure, touching romance, and a host of lovable characters—including some they may recognize from the biblical book of Acts.
My Thoughts:
Great storytelling permeates Jewel of the Nile from beginning to end. Relatable characters, a perfectly paced plot, skillful writing, and a mystery that spans continents combined to make this story a five-star read. I read the entire novel in two long sittings because the story captured my attention from the start and my interest continued to grow with each chapter.
Jewel of the Nile by Tessa Afshar brought back Theo, a secondary character from two prior novels, and introduced Chariline, a young woman searching for the truth about her past. I loved the romance between these characters as well as the personal growth that they brought forth in each other.
Amid the action, romance, and mystery, Jewel of the Nile packs nuggets of truth into the many spiritual topics that comprise Chariline’s complex emotional and spiritual journey. Speaking truth, breaking generational patterns, being led by the Spirit, seeking divine direction, and surrendering to God’s purposes are some of the topics addressed within Chariline’s journey to finding her father and embracing her future.
Jewel of the Nile by Tessa Afshar includes characters from her prior novels, but can be read as a stand-alone novel. I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and recommend it to anyone who enjoys Christian fiction with depth, mystery, and romance.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I was provided a copy of this book by the author or publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.
About the Author:
Tessa was born to a nominally Muslim family in the Middle East and lived there for the first fourteen years of her life. She then moved to England, where she survived boarding school for girls, before moving to the United States permanently. Her conversion to Christianity in her twenties changed the course of her life forever. Tessa holds a master of divinity from Yale University, where she served as co-chair of the Evangelical Fellowship at the Divinity School. She worked in women and prayer ministries for nearly twenty years before becoming a full-time writer. Tessa speaks regularly at national women’s events. She is a devoted wife, mediocre tomato grower, and chocolate enthusiast. Visit her online at Tessaafshar.com.
