... novel about "woman at the well" but was a good read. Gave some interesting thoughts about Samaria
351439
Not only novel about "woman at the well" but was a good read. Gave some interesting thoughts about Samaria, was not a nice time for women
2619007
I picked this up at a used book fair where I work.  The title first drew my attention as did the overview on the cover.  I was mostly intrigued by the overall story line involving Israel and their quest to survive  an attack.  I found the character development a bit weak, but the Mr. Harris did a good job working to tie the characters together.  But the story held my attention enough to want to get to the end to see what would happen.

I found two places where the main female character Kate, was referred to as Sally.  Both times it was the first word of a paragraph.
4429315
This historical novel is centered on the story of the Samaritan Woman at the Well, but contains much more of Jesus' story as well as subplots involving Roman soldiers, marriage customs and the first Christian martyrs. Author Stephanie Landsem has woven these elements together in a compelling novel. The unlikely pairing of Shem, a scholar from Caesaria who has run afoul of the Romans and Mara, the daughter of the woman at the well, makes for an excellent story with some surprises in the plot. Various elements of the life of Jesus become part of the novel as it builds toward an unexpected and satisfying ending.
Highly recommended.
2480192
Shepherd, Potter, Spy and the Star Namer: Survival in Canaan is a good piece of Biblical fiction. I thought the writing style was different from what I'm used to. Once I got used to it, the story flowed quite nicely. I really enjoyed the story and I would recommend it. Definitely worth the read.
4 stars.
I received this book from bookfun.org in exchange for my honest review, which was given.
160488
Not your usual Ben Bova. A good read with some thought provoking  comment on social issues
2750358
I enjoyed the book and she is spot on regarding the downgrading of men in our civilization and the consequences of doing so.  However, I was not in agreement with a lot of her recommendations at the end which seemed to me more as anti-woman and perpetuating this conflict.  I understand that she is coming from a libertarian point of view and a lot of her recommendations are of a political nature, but ultimately this is a spiritual battle where men and women both need to treat each other as God's creatures.  Husbands are to love their wives and wives are to respect their husbands.  God gives each the harder thing to do for each, but if it is done then the blessings will follow.
2873439
This was a fast-paced interesting read. I liked the characters and thought the author did a good of making Hatshepsut likable even though part of her was really unlikable.
264829
Tracy L. Higley writes about an orphan girl named Lydia, following her journey as a servant to Cleopatra then later to Herod. She also slowly uncovers her heritage and where she came from as we see her mentor, Samuel, pass along several scrolls into her possession with the intention of placing them into the rightful hands of a man on the Jerusalem temple steps who awaits them annually.

I was really drawn into the story initially, I loved reading about Lydia's experiences and relationships with those in Cleopatra's palace. Her role in raising her mistress's son and her life behind the scenes. I enjoyed all the description and really felt drawn into Lydia's experiences and personality. The story then picked up the pace after following her into Herod's household and I will admit I found it harder to relate as there was less description and emotion described. Almost as though it became more of a historical account with events to get through. I do appreciate that Higley did her historical research which is clear when reading the novel. Although as with all fiction, other events are imagined making for interesting story-telling.

I think if you love historical fiction, then this would be a perfect novel for you. One that might even become a quick favorite. My own personal taste is perhaps not for historical fiction, but I did appreciate seeing the biblical context mixed with history, showing biblical characters and how they fit into real life in biblical times.
3700319
Good historical fiction about the Jews on St. Thomas and about Camille Pissarro. I didn't like some of the writing, but it had a great subject matter. Love reading Alice Hoffman books.
1476448
All in all the book was an interesting read and I was left wanting to read the second half of the story. There is quiet a bit of religion in it so if Christianity and God is not your thing, this might not be for you.

She did manage to balance the preachy preachy angle with her own life experiences.
4201360
This is the first novel I've read by Susan Meissner, a former Minnesotan! Lauren Durough is a young woman living in the present day who takes a job transcribing the diary of Mercy Hayworth, a victim of the Salem witch trials. The novel splits its time between the present day and the late 1600's, with almost every chapter containing diary entries of Mercy's.  They progress from the start of the accusations in January of 1692 to the end of September, when she dies. Lauren's story focuses on her family , a young man named Raul, and her roommate, with her trying to figure out her place in the world, and how her family's wealth affects that. An overall theme seems to be about perceptions and making snap judgments without all the facts.

The diary entries were very well done, providing insight into Mercy and the circumstances surrounding the trials. While Mercy is fictional, most of the other characters were real people, which made it even more fascinating. The Crucible was mentioned and I had never read it, so I ended up reading that for more insight into the trials. Lauren's life seems dull by comparison and I couldn't wait to get through her parts and back to Mercy.  The book felt a little off balance because of that. I did like how Lauren got to know Abigail, the relative of Mercy's who hired her, and ultimately, how she tried to right a wrong from Abigail's past.  I did have a problem with where the author decided to go with Mercy's story.  I can understand why she did it, but it didn't feel like a fitting conclusion for her. Overall, I liked the book because the diary entries were fascinating and because of a few other plot points, but I was disappointed in the ending.
2985042
This was a somewhat dark novel about the world ending in a fizzle, simple because females became rare and rarer still. As you read the book, the main character of the story, a woman about to turn 21, starts to question everything about herself, and her captors. Of course, at first, it doesn't appear as though she is a captive, rather she is being held safe from the awfulness that is out there. But with just a bit of poking she finds out most everything she has learned is not true - except there are almost no women left in the world. I found the characters a little undeveloped at first but they began to flesh out towards the middle and end. This is part of a trilogy so I expect all the characters to expand and change or grow. For the most part it's a very good read. I don't know why but I found the institution where she was held a bit difficult to take seriously. I think this is one of the parts where I felt could have used more development. I would have liked to have more information on the women working inside the institution, not the young ladies growing up there as captives (I know that's the story!). Otherwise, I look forward to reading the 2nd and 3rd books.
1710540
This story speculates on Mary's history. It is interesting in that I think it does a good job of showing the life and times of women in biblical times. It would have been interesting to have a bibliography of a few sources the author used to set the story.

She did a good job of interspersing and having her characters interact with other accounts in Scripture--i.e., the feeding of the 5,000. She didn't take many liberties with the facts, but wove Mary's story in and through them.

I will be passing this one on to my friends and possibly reading another story by Ms. Taylor.

This book was a gift from a friend.
2356469
Interesting to read about Jews owning slaves.  Overall it was a good read, but a little tedious.  There were a lot of characters that were not fully developed.  It was a little confusing.
3153963
I have been trying to learn more of the Biblical character Rahab so I purchased this novel.  Although it had some interesting historical detail, it did not use the known details of Rahab's life given in the Biblical account so I was disappointed.
It is not a bad read...but not a Biblically based novel.  The cover art is beautiful.
4799922
interesting novel but not great
but did keep my attention
3501724
There were some parts near the end that I think were a bit influenced by the next church that she joined after tfi and that were a bit off (to me), but the book in general was really interesting and insightful.