Pearl in the Sand by Tessa Afshar
Published September 1st 2010 by Moody Publishers
Paperback, 336 Pages
Review Copy
Book Synopsis
Can a Canaanite harlot who has made her livelihood by looking desirable to men make a fitting wife for one of the leaders of Israel? Shockingly, the Bible’s answer is yes. At the age of fifteen Rahab is forced into prostitution by her beloved father. In her years as a courtesan, she learns to mistrust men and hate herself. Into the emotional turmoil of her world walks Salmone, a respected leader of Judah. Through the tribulations of a stormy relationship, Rahab and Salmone learn the true source of one another’s worth in God and find healing from fear and rejection. (Goodreads)
Review
Rahab begins her young life during a great time of famine and sacristy, most are having a hard time making ends meet and many parents are turning to desperate measures to feed their families. It wasn’t unusual at this time for parents to sacrifice their new born children to Moloch, a god they worshipped or sell their daughters into prostitution for temple worship. In the chaos of this time, Rahabs father decides the only way to make ends meet is to sell his 14 year old daughter into a life of prostitution. Rahab of course is devastated and feels disregarded and thrown away, but decides that if this is life she will live-it will not be by the hands of her father or life in the temple. Rahab becomes a prostitute but by her own means, she’s highly selective and lives apart from the temple prostitutes, choosing instead to run an inn for clients and travelers. Her selections are picky and she only chooses the highly ranked of society's men. Her popularity grows among the more royal class and she makes a name for herself as a "high-class-mistress".
When rumors of war and miracles begin circling Jericho, Rahab cant help but feel compelled with the story’s of the Hebrews and being interested in the God they serve. A chance encounter puts her face to face with two Hebrew spies and instead of turning them over she helps them, hides them and makes a deal for her life and the life of her family. The deal will change Rahab’s life and Canaanite history forever.
Old Testament Biblical history has always amazed me, along with Jewish, Roman and Canaanite history. I’ve always found Rahabs story in the Bible interesting but very background with all the other major events going on at that time. This novel was written so beautifully and profoundly I found myself riveted by Rahab’s faith and bravery and the profound grace of God and his purpose in her life, that he could take this broken woman, a prostitute, a worshiper of other Gods and make her a crucial figure in the linage of Christ.
The love story between her and Salmone was realistic yet almost shocking. Salmone was deeply engrained in Jewish culture, he was brought up to be a person that was set apart from the world and especially set apart from Canaanite women. At first Salmone cant get past the fact the Rahab was a prostitute but also cant get past the overwhelming feelings he has for her. The slowly developing relationship was incredibly moving and at points brought tears to my eyes as God changed Salmone’s heart and healed Rahab’s self-esteem.
A wonderful debut novel, smartly presented and has the potential to be praised for giving Rahab voice just as Redeeming Love gave Gomer hers.
Rahab begins her young life during a great time of famine and sacristy, most are having a hard time making ends meet and many parents are turning to desperate measures to feed their families. It wasn’t unusual at this time for parents to sacrifice their new born children to Moloch, a god they worshipped or sell their daughters into prostitution for temple worship. In the chaos of this time, Rahabs father decides the only way to make ends meet is to sell his 14 year old daughter into a life of prostitution. Rahab of course is devastated and feels disregarded and thrown away, but decides that if this is life she will live-it will not be by the hands of her father or life in the temple. Rahab becomes a prostitute but by her own means, she’s highly selective and lives apart from the temple prostitutes, choosing instead to run an inn for clients and travelers. Her selections are picky and she only chooses the highly ranked of society's men. Her popularity grows among the more royal class and she makes a name for herself as a "high-class-mistress".
When rumors of war and miracles begin circling Jericho, Rahab cant help but feel compelled with the story’s of the Hebrews and being interested in the God they serve. A chance encounter puts her face to face with two Hebrew spies and instead of turning them over she helps them, hides them and makes a deal for her life and the life of her family. The deal will change Rahab’s life and Canaanite history forever.
Old Testament Biblical history has always amazed me, along with Jewish, Roman and Canaanite history. I’ve always found Rahabs story in the Bible interesting but very background with all the other major events going on at that time. This novel was written so beautifully and profoundly I found myself riveted by Rahab’s faith and bravery and the profound grace of God and his purpose in her life, that he could take this broken woman, a prostitute, a worshiper of other Gods and make her a crucial figure in the linage of Christ.
The love story between her and Salmone was realistic yet almost shocking. Salmone was deeply engrained in Jewish culture, he was brought up to be a person that was set apart from the world and especially set apart from Canaanite women. At first Salmone cant get past the fact the Rahab was a prostitute but also cant get past the overwhelming feelings he has for her. The slowly developing relationship was incredibly moving and at points brought tears to my eyes as God changed Salmone’s heart and healed Rahab’s self-esteem.
A wonderful debut novel, smartly presented and has the potential to be praised for giving Rahab voice just as Redeeming Love gave Gomer hers.
Rating
Pearl in the Sand is recommended to adult readers and while the novel is not graphic it contains: Prostitution, War, violence, death, murder, sexual situations and discussions in marriage, Biblical history, Jewish history and Canaanite history including idol worship and temple gods.
5/5- Historical Christian Fiction
Thank you to Moody Publishing for Review Galley
GIVEAWAY
Thanks to the generous greats at Moody Publishing , I have 3 copies of Pearl in the Sand for my readers. Please just leave a comment and 3 winners will be drawn on Sept 20,2010. Please leave your email. Goodluck!
Oh this sounds amazing. I can't wait for my copy to arrive. Excellent review darling!
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ReplyDeletesounds like a great story, and I don't recall hearing this one.
ReplyDeleteNot an entry ;)
Sounds like a fabulous read. Please count me in with the giveaway. Thank you. :)
ReplyDeleteJinky is reading
I hadn´t heard of this book, but really looks good. I liked your review very much and have left me wanting to read the book. It's on my wish list.
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itzel_library(AT)hotmail(DOT)com
Take care,
~Yelania
It was the cover which grabbed my attention, but your review made me want to read Pearl in the Sand. It sounds interesting, I would love to read it!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the giveaway!
stella.exlibris (at) gmail (dot) com
sounds great!!
ReplyDeletesure i´m going to participate ;)
[email protected]
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i forgot: only count me if it´s international.
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bye
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Follower
I would love to be entered. Thank you for the contest!
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This book sounds like one that I would love to read. I don't get a chance to read much but, I would definitely read this one. I hope I win a copy! Thanks for the view.
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Joy
Joy G Lee G@aol. com (remove spaces)
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ReplyDeletegrace c.
vesipisaroita [at] gmail [dot] com
Thank you for being so detailed and honest in your review. A friend of the author recommended this book, but with little detail! Your wording of thought and feeling enticing.
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Thank you for being so detailed and honest in your review. A friend of the author recommended this book, but with little detail! Your wording of thought and feeling enticing.
ReplyDelete[email protected]
Would love to read this!
ReplyDeleteAndrea
bunkercomplex @ gmail . com
Wow! Five out of five!! I'd love to enter, I've been hearing only good things about this one. Thank you!
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ReplyDeleteI love to read stories based on biblical characters and Rahab's story is one I would really love to read.
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misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com
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ReplyDeletedreamer dot ima at gmail dot com
I haven't a book with a biblical setting for quite a long time and this sounds very interesting.
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I am a Follower.
Carol T
buddytho {at} gmail DOT com
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Please include me.
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Please add me to the giveaway. Love Biblical historical novels. One can glean a lot of the history through them.
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I'd love Biblical fiction, so I'd enjoy the chance to read this novel and review it on my blog.
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Very enlightening and beneficial to someone whose been out of the circuit for a long time.
ReplyDelete- Kris