Showing posts with label Pearl in the Sand. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Pearl in the Sand. Show all posts

Thursday, December 31, 2020

Outstanding Reads in 2020

Top 2020 Reads:

Happy New Year's Eve! At the end of every year, I like to look back at my Goodreads list of "read" books and pick out the ones that impressed me the most. Without further ado, here they are in no particular order.


Booked
by Karen Swallow Prior
- Read my review.

Emberhawk by Jamie Foley - Read my review.
A Mosaic of Wings by Kimberly Duffy - Read my review.




The Socialite
by J'nell Ciesielski
- Read my review.

Awaking Wonder by Sally Clarkson - Read my review.

Pearl in the Sand by Tessa Afshar - Read my review.




The Right Kind of Fool by Sarah Loudin Thomas - Read my review.

Great Poems compiled by Kate Miles

Love and a Little White Lie by Tammy L. Gray - Read my review.




With This Pledge
 by Tamera Alexander
 - Read my review.

On Wings of Devotion by Roseanna M. White - Read my review.

Veiled in Smoke by Jocelyn Green - Read my review.




Sunday, November 1, 2020

October Reading Recap & November TBR

My October 2020 Reads: 

 In October, I finished:
  1. Pearl in the Sand (10th anniversary edition) by Tessa Afshar - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Read my review.

  2. Awaking Wonder: Opening Your Child's Heart to the Beauty of Learning by Sally Clarkson. - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Read my review.

  3. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Ronald Dahl - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

  4. The Sowing Season by Katie Powner - ⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Read my review.

  5. The Gospel in Dickens edited by Gina Dalfonzo. - ⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Read my review.

  6. Staying Stylish by Candace Cameron Bure - ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 

  7. How to Read Literature Like a Professor by Thomas C. Foster - ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 

  8. Blue Moon by Jenny Knipfer - ⭐⭐⭐ - Review to come.

  9. Afraid of the Light by Cynthia Ruchti - ⭐⭐⭐ 



Expected November 2020 Reads:

In November, I hope to read:
  1. When Silence Sings by Sarah Loudin Thomas - My local book club's selection for November!

  2. The Right Kind of Fool by Sarah Loudin Thomas.

  3. Anne of Green Gables by L. M. Montgomery - A classic that I haven't read in many years.

  4. The Anne of Green Gables Devotional by Rachel Dodge. - A devotional that goes chapter-by-chapter through Anne of Green Gables. I'm enjoying it so far!

  5. Resisting Dylan by Sophia Summers.

  6. Cupcakes & Crumbs by Melissa McClone.



What will you read this month?

Saturday, October 17, 2020

Book Review: Pearl in the Sand by Tessa Afshar

About the Book:

Can a Canaanite harlot who made her living enticing men be a fitting wife for a leader of Israel? Shockingly, the Bible’s answer is yes.

This 10th anniversary edition of Pearl in the Sand includes new features that will invite you into the untold story of Rahab’s journey from lowly outcast to redeemed child of God. Rahab’s home is built into a wall, a wall that fortifies and protects the City of Jericho. However, other walls surround her too, walls of fear, rejection, and unworthiness… Years of pain and betrayal have wounded Rahab’s heart—she doubts whether her dreams of experiencing true love will ever come true…

A woman with a wrecked past—a man of success, of faith... of pride. A marriage only God would conceive! Through the heartaches of a stormy relationship, Rahab and Salmone learn the true source of one another’s worth and find healing in God.

Purchase Link: Amazon.


My Thoughts:

Ten years ago, Pearl in the Sand made it into my top five books of the year. It is going to land there again this year. The 10th Anniversary edition of Pearl in the Sand includes a striking new cover, additional scenes, and book-wide edits, but the heart of this amazing story remains the same.

Pearl in the Sand immediately captivated my attention with Rehab’s character. She is intelligent, beautiful, witty, and loyal. Yet, she is so broken – spiritually, emotionally, sexually. Her character growth flows through the story and culminates with a deep healing. The spiritual truths embedded in the narrative touched my heart as I watched Rehab absorb them. Opposite Rehab is Salmone, a classic male lead, who proves to be heroic, romantic, and flawed. As Salmone learns to be who Rehab needs him to be, he creates a safe place for her to heal and flourish. A top-notch love story!

With its combination of powerful themes, dynamic characters, sparking romance, and spiritual truths, I can wholeheartedly recommend Pearl in the Sand to Christian fiction readers. I marked many passages to reread and savor after finishing the story. Five stars!



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 Afshar is an award-winning author of biblical and historical fiction. Her books have won the Christy and INSPY Awards and been voted by the Library Journal as one of top five Christian fiction titles of the year. Her first Bible study and companion video teaching, The Way Home, based on the book of Ruth, was released from Moody Publishers in June 2020. 

Born in the Middle East, Tessa moved to England in her teens where she attended 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 for one year. She worked in women and prayer ministries for twenty years before becoming a full-time writer and speaker.

Connect with Tessa: Author Website 




Friday, October 16, 2020

First Line Fridays: Pearl in the Sand by Tessa Afshar

Happy Friday!  

First Line Fridays is hosted by Hoarding Books and participants share the first line from a nearby book.

Today, I'm sharing the first line from Pearl in the Sand by Tessa Afshar.

"Rehab tumbled into consciousness courtesy of an impatient nudge."

Have you read Pearl in the Sand? Book blurb below.

What are you reading this weekend? I'd love for you to share your book's first line!

Happy reading!



About the Book:

Can a Canaanite harlot who made her living enticing men be a fitting wife for a leader of Israel? Shockingly, the Bible’s answer is yes.

This 10th anniversary edition of Pearl in the Sand includes new features that will invite you into the untold story of Rahab’s journey from lowly outcast to redeemed child of God. Rahab’s home is built into a wall, a wall that fortifies and protects the City of Jericho. However, other walls surround her too, walls of fear, rejection, and unworthiness… Years of pain and betrayal have wounded Rahab’s heart—she doubts whether her dreams of experiencing true love will ever come true…

A woman with a wrecked past—a man of success, of faith... of pride. A marriage only God would conceive! Through the heartaches of a stormy relationship, Rahab and Salmone learn the true source of one another’s worth and find healing in God.



First Line Fridays hosted by Hoarding Books

Sunday, October 4, 2020

September Reading Recap & October TBR

My September 2020 Reads: 

In September, I finished:
  1. Rules are Made to be Broken by Mylissa Demeyere - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Review to come.

  2. Gentleman Jim by Mimi Matthews - ⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Review to come.

  3. A Bride in the Bargain by Deeanne Gist - ⭐⭐⭐⭐

  4. 7 Women and the Secret of Their Greatness by Eric Metaxas - ⭐⭐⭐⭐

  5. The Italian's Unexpected Heir by Jennifer Faye - ⭐⭐ 



Expected October 2020 Reads:

In October, I hope to read:
  1. How to Read Literature Like a Professor by Thomas C. Foster - Still reading this one... 😅

  2. Awaking Wonder: Opening Your Child's Heart to the Beauty of Learning by Sally Clarkson. - Currently reading and loving! It's like sitting down with a wise, beloved mentor. 😍

  3. Afraid of the Light by Cynthia Ruchti - My local book club's selection for October.

  4. Blue Moon by Jenny Knipfer. - I came so close to finishing this one!!! 

  5. Harvest Moon by Jenny Knipfer.

  6. The Gospel in Dickens edited by Gina Dalfonzo.

  7. Pearl in the Sand (10th anniversary edition) by Tessa Afshar.




What will you read this month?