Title: Daughter of Rome
Author: Tessa Afshar
Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers
Release Date: February 4, 2020
Genre: Biblical Fiction
A woman with a devastating secret. A man bent on proving his worth. A chance encounter that catapults them into the heart of history.
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."
MY THOUGHTS.....
Daughter of Rome is biblical fiction at its best! Author Tessa Ashfar tells the story of Priscilla, believed to be a Gentile, who was converted to Christianity and worked tirelessly to spread God's Word. Priscilla and her Jewish husband Aquila don't receive a lot of mention in the New Testament but their importance cannot be denied. In her end notes Ashfar explains how she determined that Priscilla might have been from a noble Roman family and why she chose to include both historical figures and fictional characters to create this story. Bible scripture confirms that Priscilla and Aquila saved Paul's life, they worked with him to spread the Gospel message, and they set up churches in their homes in three different cities; the fictional characters and events that are included have been added for creative interest.
Priscilla and Aquila are both fascinating biblical figures but it is Priscilla who claimed my heart. Through much of this story, Priscilla doubts that she has truly been forgiven of a past sin that still haunts her. As deeply as she loves Yeshua, as strongly as she believes that He will forgive, she continues to have a "tiny root of guilt". And, then, as she is reassuring another distraught woman that total forgiveness is possible, Priscilla finally feels it for herself. "Her own sin. Her own failure was no match for Yeshua's love. She was washed clean, utterly. Utterly. She felt the root wither. Die."
Daughter of Rome is wonderful biblical fiction filled with faith, forgiveness, and redemption. It is a book that I will read again and I recommend it highly!
I received a copy of this book from the author. There was no obligation to write a favorable review and I am voluntarily sharing my own thoughts.
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Tessa Afshar is the award-winning author of biblical and inspirational historical fiction, including Land of Silence, which won an INSPY Award and was voted by Library Journal as one of the top five Christian fiction titles of 2016; and Harvest of Gold, which won a Christy Award. Tessa was born 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 and fell in love with Jane Austen and Charlotte Bronte, 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, where she was co-chair of the Evangelical Fellowship. She served in women and prayer ministries for twenty years before becoming a full-time writer and speaker. Tessa is a devoted wife and mediocre tomato grower. But that has not cured her from being exceptionally fond of chocolate.
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