Book Recommendation - Daughter of Rome


One genre I've really come to love within Christian Fiction is Biblical Historical fiction. While I love my Bible, the stories over the years start to become a bit "dry". We're missing a lot of the cultural details and innuendos the original hearers of the Word understood and we therefore miss a lot of the cues we should get and misinterpret many of the others. And so I love that when Biblical Historical authors write the stories from the Bible, they've researched the culture and the context and bring greater understanding to a familiar tale. The best of these authors stay true to the Scriptures and caution the readers to understand that many of the "filler" details are fiction, but are good possibilities based on their research of the time and culture. Tessa Afshar is one of the best in this genre and her stories always bring the Bible to life for me. Her upcoming release, Daughter of Rome, is about Priscilla and Aquilla - a couple that helped Paul launch the first century church. A few of the things that Ms. Afshar noted about this couple:
1. Priscilla's name often comes first when they are mentioned, which was unusual for a woman to be acknowledged before her husband in that culture. It's possible then that she was more involved in the teaching and discipling of the church that met in their home.
2. They are mentioned frequently by Paul and are noted to have been involved in the churches in 3 different cities. We also know that they saved Paul's life once (that is speculated upon in the book) and that they were fellow tentmakers.
3. They are never mentioned without each other. Priscilla and Aquilla are always mentioned together. This spoke to their marital bond and partnership in ministry.

Here is the back-cover blurb for the story in order to whet your appetite:

When the daughter of a prominent Roman general meets a disinherited Jewish immigrant, neither one can dream of God’s plan to transform them into the most influential couple of the early church. Nor can they anticipate the mountains that will threaten to bury them.Their courtship unwittingly shadowed by murder and betrayal, Priscilla and Aquila slowly work to build a community of believers, while their lives grow increasingly complicated thanks to a shaggy dog, a mysterious runaway, and a ruthless foe desperate for love. But when they’re banished from their home by a capricious emperor, they must join forces with an unusual rabbi named Paul and fight to turn treachery into redemption.With impeccable research and vivid detail, Daughter of Rome is both an emotive love story and an immersive journey through first-century Rome and Corinth, reminding readers once again why Debbie Macomber has said that “no one brings the Bible to life like Tessa Afshar.”

Normally during a launch, I do an author interview, but another launch team member posted her interview blog a few weeks ago. Since she asked many of the same questions I would have (and then some), I'm posting her blog here with her permission.

https://www.jarmdelboccio.com/blog/the-heart-and-soul-of-an-author-tessa-afshar?fbclid=IwAR09PLspkz1H6sQXTLk47lDs3kKFtUqm3BdA_NYuSI5RydbF_pcc0F9REVo

This book was utterly fantastic. The characters were endearing, the plot-line was good. I loved the dialogue and descriptions and was simply transported back to the early church in Rome and in Corinth. Given cultural context, certain scriptures were better interpreted for me through this novel. Spiritually rich, this book delved into the spirit of the early church and made me long for that faith and passion. Directly quoted from the book, I loved this take on prayer:
"With the ease of long familiarity, they slipped into the hallowed in-between place which is prayer, one foot firmly in the world, and another on a higher plane. The spoke to God, they walked with Yeshua (Jesus), they heard from the Spirit. They were filled, once more, with the wonder of the Father, who loved them and rejoiced over them."
I would definitely recommend this one to fans of Biblical fiction and those wanting to learn more about the early church in general. Musings by Erin received a book to facilitate this review. The views and opinions expressed here are 100% honest and my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC's 16 CFR, part 255 Guidelines, concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in advertising.


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 DVD, The Way Home, based on the book of Ruth, will be 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.

https://tessaafshar.com/
https://www.facebook.com/AuthorTessaAfshar/

For my complete 5 star review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2866251580?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1

Please also join us for a launch party on release day - February 4th. You can join via Facebook!
https://www.facebook.com/events/789315711516940/

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