About Me I am a retired librarian and I now support books and authors through my reviews.

I have always loved to read and I was able to share that love through my work as a public librarian for 22 1/2 years. I now promote literacy by reading, and then writing reviews. I love to support authors by sharing my reviews with others!

Monday, February 17, 2025

Dawn of Grace by Jill Eileen Smith

Dawn of Grace
ABOUT THE BOOK

From her earliest days, Mary Magdalene has known fear and loss at a level so deep she has no hope of surfacing. Bound to the demons within her and incapable of freeing herself, Mary walks in shadow--until one day she encounters a healer, a rabbi who is radically different from the religious leaders and family members who could do nothing to help her. One touch from Jesus and Mary is never the same.

Now Mary's one mission in life is to serve the one who freed her. She is determined never to leave his side, fearing that if she loses him, she'll return to her former bondage. Even when the unthinkable happens and her savior is arrested and sentenced to execution, she cannot abandon him as so many others did. Let her be buried in his tomb, for she cannot live without him.

On the brink of despair, Mary is about to discover that while the life of faith is never perfect, perfect love casts out fear--and Jesus makes all things new.




MY THOUGHTS.....

"Dawn of Grace" shares the story of Mary Magdalene, a woman possessed by demons until she met a man named Jesus. The first part of this book offers a look at a woman who lost her mother at an early age, never felt loved by her father, and endured the torture of being possessed by demons. I found these accounts especially difficult to read! And then, she was rescued by a Rabbi who knew her inner thoughts and successfully drove the demons away. Was it any wonder that Mary Magdalene would become such a devoted follower? Why wouldn't she idolize the person who rescued her from a life of pain and misery?

Author Jill Eileen Smith normally writes biblical fiction set in Old Testament times but this book has a New Testament setting. Smith admits that she relied heavily on the four Gospels to help her weave facts into fiction into a story that covered Jesus's ministry and the events that led to His death and Resurrection. I enjoyed reading about the other women who became followers and I was especially moved by Mary Magdalene's grief and devotion after His death. She was determined to care for Jesus's body, bewildered when she found his empty tomb and overjoyed by the assurance that He would return! I love biblical fiction that sends me back to the source and this was the case as I read this engaging story. I recommend "Dawn of Grace: Mary Magdalene's Story" to all who enjoy historical Christian fiction.

I received a complimentary copy courtesy of Revell through Interviews & Reviews for my honest opinion.

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jill Eileen Smith is the bestselling, award-winning author of the Wives of King David series, the Wives of the Patriarchs, Daughters of the Promised Land, Heart of a King, Star of Persia, Miriam's Song, and The Prince and the Prodigal. Her research has taken her from the Bible to Israel, and she particularly enjoys learning how women lived in Old Testament times.

When she isn’t writing, she loves to spend time with her family and friends, read stories that take her away, ride her bike, snag date nights with her hubby, try out new restaurants, or hug her lovable cats Kody and Kaelee. She lives with her family in southeast Michigan. 

Learn more at Jill's  Website     Facebook     Twitter     Instagram

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