Category Archives: Historcial Fiction

Book Review: The Last Baby in Auschwitz by Anna Stuart

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Published today, March 23, 2026 by Bookouture

The Last Baby in Auschwitz is inspired by true stories of the Holocaust and I was completely taken out of my comfort zone reading this book and confronted with the darkest realities of the camps; I’ve never felt quit this way before with such an unrelenting force of emotions while reading stories of the Holocaust, and I’ve read a lot of them. I experienced all the emotions of sorrow, loss, anger, horror, rage… Anna Stuart doesn’t hold back with the evils of the Nazis and their total lack of humanity and cruelty. The intensity of what was happening was so strong, I literally felt physically sick and there were a few times I had to take a step back from the book.

I deeply felt as if I wasn’t a mere reader, or just an observer reading about the history, but a family member listening to the experiences of love one’s tragedies and the terrifying horrors and loss they endured, it was truly heartbreaking.

I highly recommend this story to all and to those who haven’t taken the time to know more about the war.

I’ve rated this story five stars which doesn’t seem fitting. I would rate the story with millions of stars.

Stephanie

About the Book:

Auschwitz, 1945: My baby’s thin cry pierces the cold, frosty night. I rock him gently in my arms, willing him to be quiet. Because if anyone hears my newborn, he could be snatched from me – or worse. We’re so close to freedom now and I pray that soon I will walk out of the iron gates with my precious son…

Naomi Demetriou has survived three years behind the walls of Auschwitz. Torn apart from her family, every breath could be her last. She’s learnt to survive by secretly trading the clothes she’s forced to sort through in exchange for food. But when an SS officer singles her out, her life becomes even harder. And then she discovers she’s pregnant…

With the support of the kind and brave women in Barrack 24, Noami does the impossible and gives birth to a tiny baby boy. Hiding in the shadows, Naomi vows to do whatever it takes to keep baby Isaac safe. With rumours circulating of an Allied invasion, she prays the camp will soon be liberated so she can return to her home by the Greek sea with her son.

But the day comes when Naomi hears heavy footsteps and the harsh voice of an SS guard. ‘Out! Now! You can’t take anything with you!’ She’s shoved into a line of people being marched out of the iron gates. Thick snow falls around them. Tears sting in Naomi’s eyes.

It all happened so fast. And she was unable to grab the bundle of blankets containing her little boy…

Side Bar:

This story contains extreme violence, cruelty, and sexual assaults.

Thank you, Bookouture for an ARC through NetGalley for an honest review.

Book Review: Daughter of Egypt by Marie Benedict

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Publish date: March 24, 2026 by St. Martin’s Press

1920’s London was enthralled by the discovery of the treasure-filled tomb of Pharaoh Tutankhamun. Filled with priceless statues, jewels, and the gold-encased mummy of the boy Pharaoh himself, the burial site unleashed a fascination with the ancient world and revolutionized the world of archeology.

The discovery was made by Lord Carnarvon of Highclere Castle and his associate, famed archeologist Howard Carter. What no one knows is that without the pioneering spirit of Lady Evelyn Herbert, Carnarvon’s daughter, the tomb might never have been found. As a young woman, Evelyn was fascinated by the story of Hatshepsut, a woman who had to assume the guise of a man in order to rule Egypt. Although she brought peace and prosperity to Egypt, her male successors ruthlessly and thoroughly erased her name from history.

Lady Evelyn’s ambition to find the tomb of Egypt’s first woman ruler exposes her to life-threatening danger and pits her against archeologists who refuse to believe the tomb can be found―and certainly not by a woman. Refusing to give up, Evelyn is on the verge of success when she is suddenly forced to make an agonizing choice between loyalty to her beloved father and Carter and realizing the dream of a lifetime.

My thoughts:

I believe it is safe to say that I’m among thousands-if not millions who has a deep fascination of ancient Egypt stories and its archaeological findings. My first experiences with ancient Egypt stories are through the Old Testament of the Bible when I was a child, and from there it grew to discovering more stories through movies, documentaries, fiction and nonfiction books. Whenever I spot new books on the subject or historical fictional stories that take place in Egypt, I’m there for it. I was absolutely thrilled to come across “Daughter of Egypt” by Marie Benedict on NetGalley.

Alternate history stories are among my favorite to read and the story of Hatshepsut’s life is probably one of my favorites to explore out of all the other pharaohs and I’m always intrigued to read more about her life and an alternate look on how she was as a co-ruler with her half-brother Thutmose II and to speculate other theories as to why her statues were defaced after her death and so forth. More importantly, are these alternate stories worth exploring? In my opinion, it most certainly is worth it. 

In this story, Benedict give us an alternate view of Hatshepsut’s ending and to be honest, it felt a bit disjointed and flat to me even though I thought it was a good one, I am sorry to say. Her whole story throughout the book at times felt rushed, and underdeveloped. We only get glances of her life and rule as co-pharaoh alongside Thutmose III. After all, Hatshepsut’s life reign was prolific and I didn’t get a solid picture of this in the story. That said “Daughter of Egypt” has a dual timeline and perhaps to fully develop her story, it would take a series. Whatever the case, I still respect the author’s endeavor and she is a great story-teller. Despite my misgivings, Hatshepsut’s story held my attention and her relationship with Thutmose, and alternate ending would make for intriguing conversations.

The 1920’s story was the strongest and I’m deeply interested in Lord Carnarvon of Highclere Castle and archaeologist Howard Carter explorations of the Valley of the Kings, their love for Egypt and preserving its history and artifacts is deeply felt in this story. I appreciated how Benedict portrayed the funding of these expeditions, their personal and professions struggles, and the political landscape of the time, and what it meant for Carnarvon and Carter work, and for the citizens of Egypt.

Lady Evelyn’s story arc was fantastically written and her station in life is how I imagine it would be for women of her class. Evelyn’s love for archaeology and search for finding the tomb of Hatshepsut was at odds with her mother’s focus on seeing her daughter married to the “right” man of good standing, was entertaining and well-drawn out.

I did learn a few historical facts that I didn’t know about beforehand. For example, Lady Evelyn was a real person and she was indeed an important figure in the 1922 discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb! How in the world did I miss that!

I highly recommend you read this enjoyable and entertaining story and I know without a doubt many readers will love this book. Be sure to read the author’s notes! I plan on getting a physical copy when the book is published. Can’t wait! 

Stephanie

I rated this book four stars.

My thanks to St. Martin’s Press for an ARC through NetGalley.

Book Review: When the Day Comes by Gabrielle Meyer

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Published May 3, 2022 by Bethany House

Libby has been given a powerful gift: to live one life in 1774 Colonial Williamsburg and the other in 1914 Gilded Age New York City. When she falls asleep in one life, she wakes up in the other. While she’s the same person at her core in both times, she’s leading two vastly different lives.

In Colonial Williamsburg, Libby is a public printer for the House of Burgesses and the Royal Governor, trying to provide for her family and support the Patriot cause. The man she loves, Henry Montgomery, has his own secrets. As the revolution draws near, both their lives–and any hope of love–are put in jeopardy.

Libby’s life in 1914 New York is filled with wealth, drawing room conversations, and bachelors. But the only work she cares about–women’s suffrage–is discouraged, and her mother is intent on marrying her off to an English marquess. The growing talk of war in Europe only complicates matters.

But Libby knows she’s not destined to live two lives forever. On her twenty-first birthday, she must choose one path and forfeit the other–but how can she choose when she has so much to lose in each life?

My thoughts:

Imagine living two different lives but living them in two different periods and waking up each morning to the other. What a concept! I love time travel stories and I’m always on the lookout for something fresh and unique. Gabrielle Meyer has certainly achieved that in this story.

The methodology or the mechanics-if you will-of how Libby wakes up in the other time period each morning is certainly one I mulled over a bit when beginning this story. I wasn’t sure how it would work but it did and I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough.

There are emotional stakes at work in this story and Libby’s choices would have a trickle effect that could change the course of history and her families lives in more ways than one. There were a few things I didn’t see coming! What an ending!

The beginning pages set the tone and as I got to about the 100-page mark, there was a shift in the story and that is where the story really picked up for me. From that point on, I was completely immersed.

Libby’s faith in God, and the struggles at times in trusting in His perfect timing, and plan was beautifully told. We humans at one time or another in our lowest moments, often question God’s plans for our lives. How can it possibly work for the better? Without going into too much detail about Libby’s struggles-because they are truly heart breaking- Meyer’s handled it Biblically and I was truly moved by Libby’s faith, healing and growth because of her trust in God.

Meyers is a gifted story-teller and she truly places her readers in time and place with this beautifully historical story. I can’t wait to read the next book in this series and it will be very soon!

I rated this book five stars!

I must caution my readers that there are two instances of SA. The author doesn’t go into great detail of it happening and it is brief but nonetheless, it may upset those who are sensitive to reading such abuse.

Stephanie

“We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.” – Romans 5:3-5 NLT

Book Review: The Man in the Stone Cottage by Stephanie Cowell

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A Novel of the Brontës

Publish Date Sep 16 2025 by Regal House Publishing

In 1846 Yorkshire, the Brontë sisters—Charlotte, Anne, and Emily—navigate precarious lives marked by heartbreak and struggle. Charlotte faces rejection from the man she loves, while their blind father and troubled brother add to their burdens. Despite their immense talent, no one will publish their poetry or novels. Amidst this turmoil, Emily encounters a charming shepherd during her solitary walks on the moors, yet he remains unseen by anyone else.

After Emily’s untimely death, Charlotte—now a successful author with Jane Eyre—stumbles upon hidden letters and a mysterious map. As she stands on the brink of her own marriage, Charlotte is determined to uncover the truth about her sister’s secret relationship.

My thoughts:

The Bronte sister’s life is known to us yet still mysterious and their stories are timeless and evoke human emotions so raw and brilliantly expressed that it leaves the reader powerful and lasting impressions.

Despite their early education and talent, they were dealt hardships in their short lives. As children they were left much on their own because of their mother’s death in 1821 and the death of their elder sister’s Mary and Elizabeth. These sad circumstances left them to take care of each other.

As they grew older, their father Patrick Brontë eyes were failing him and with the potential threat of his income as a minster and rectory being taken from him and their brother Branwells inability to establish employment for various reasons, they faced homelessness or the workhouse.

Charlotte, the driving force to publish their writings, begins to seek a publisher for her work and encourages her sisters to do so as well.

Stephanie Cowell has masterfully written a story about the cherished Brontë’s adult life in Yorkshire and brilliantly weaves in a story of Emily meeting a mysterious man on one of her walks on the moors.

Cowell’s ability to take readers to time and place is truly wonderful and adsorbing. I couldn’t put this story down. I will certainly purchase a physical copy of this book when it comes out.

Stephanie

I have rated this book five stars

I obtained an ARC from the publishers through NetGalley.

Reader’s Log 056: Current Reads and Contemplation

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I finished Children of the Book: A Memoir of Reading Together by Ilana Kurshan. The book has been published but I haven’t turned in my review yet because there is something the author briefly mentions about a group of people that made me pause and I’m trying to work out how I’m going to address this issue objectively. I will say I wish she had fleshed it out a bit better to get a clearer picture and that is part of the problem I’m having with the passage. Also, the author’s narrative often moves rather quickly onto other things… Okay, that is all I’m going to say about the subject until I release my review. Be sure to be on the lookout for it!

The books I’m currently reading are enjoyable thus far and I recommend them to consider reading. In this post, I will show three of them and the fourth book will be for another post because it is a very complex topic that I will be talking about in depth.

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend of resting and reading.

Stephanie

Daughter of Egypt by Marie Benedict

Not yet published Expected Date: March 24, 2026 – I have a review copy from the pubs.

1920’s London was enthralled by the discovery of the treasure-filled tomb of Pharaoh Tutankhamun. Filled with priceless statues, jewels, and the gold-encased mummy of the boy Pharaoh himself, the burial site unleashed a fascination with the ancient world and revolutionized the world of archeology.

The discovery was made by Lord Carnarvon of Highclere Castle and his associate, famed archeologist Howard Carter. What no one knows is that without the pioneering spirit of Lady Evelyn Herbert, Carnarvon’s daughter, the tomb might never have been found. As a young woman, Evelyn was fascinated by the story of Hatshepsut, a woman who had to assume the guise of a man in order to rule Egypt. Although she brought peace and prosperity to Egypt, her male successors ruthlessly and thoroughly erased her name from history.

Lady Evelyn’s ambition to find the tomb of Egypt’s first woman ruler exposes her to life-threatening danger and pits her against archeologists who refuse to believe the tomb can be found―and certainly not by a woman. Refusing to give up, Evelyn is on the verge of success when she is suddenly forced to make an agonizing choice between loyalty to her beloved father and Carter and realizing the dream of a lifetime.

About the author:

Marie Benedict is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of The Mitford Affair, Her Hidden Genius, The Mystery of Mrs. Christie, The Only Woman in the Room, Lady Clementine, Carnegie’s Maid, The Other Einstein, and the novella, Agent 355. With Victoria Christopher Murray, she co-wrote the Good Morning America Book Club pick The Personal Librarian and the Target Book of the Year The First Ladies. 
Her books have been translated into thirty languages, and selected for the Barnes & Noble Book Club, Target Book Club, Costco Book Club, Indie Next List, and LibraryReads List. 
Up next is the February 11, 2025 release, The Queens of Crime, the thrilling story of Agatha Christie’s legendary rival, mystery writer Dorothy Sayers, the race to solve a real-life murder, and the power of friendship among women.
And in April, her first children’s book will released, a middle grade historical adventure co-written with Courtney Sheinmel called The Secrets of the Lovelace Academy.

Phoebe by Paula Gooder

Published September 4, 2018

Sometime around 56 AD, the apostle Paul wrote to the church in Rome. He entrusted this letter to Phoebe, whom he describes as the deacon of the church at Cenchreae and a patron of many. But who was this remarkable woman? Biblical scholar and popular author and speaker Paula Gooder imagines Phoebe’s story—who she was, the life she lived, and her first-century faith—and in doing so opens up Paul’s world, giving a sense of the cultural and historical pressures that shaped his thinking and the faith of the early church. After the narrative, Gooder includes an extensive notes section with comments on the historical context, biographical details, cultural practices, and more. Rigorously researched, this is a book for anyone who wants to engage more deeply and imaginatively with Paul’s theology.

About the author:

Paula Gooder is a speaker and writer on the Bible, particularly on the New Testament. She began her working life, teaching for twelve years in ministerial formation first at Ripon College Cuddesdon, Oxford and then at the Queen’s Foundation for Ecumenical Theological Education in Birmingham. Following this she spent around eight years as a speaker and writer in biblical studies travelling the country and seeking to communicate the best of biblical scholarship in as accessible a way as possible, after that she spent six years working for the Bible Society as their Theologian in Residence and then for the Birmingham Diocese as their Director of Mission Learning and Development. She is currently the Chancellor of St Paul’s Cathedral in London.

Tempest at Annabel’s Lighthouse by Jaime Jo Wright

Published April 1, 2025

In 1874, a battered woman awakens atop a forgotten gravesite by Lake Superior. Identified only by the locket around her neck inscribed with the name Rebecca, she seeks refuge with an elderly lighthouse keeper named Edgar. But as Rebecca struggles to remember who she is, she finds herself haunted by the lingering memories of Annabel, a mysterious woman who perished in the unforgiving waves of Lake Superior years earlier. With the spirit of Annabel seemingly reawakened, and an unknown adversary on the hunt to silence Rebecca once and for all, there is more at stake than just reclaiming her own memories. Rebecca must reclaim Annabel’s as well.

In the present day, author and researcher Shea Radclyffe escapes to the lighthouse outside a historic mining town in Michigan, seeking clarity about her failing marriage. Instantly drawn to the lighthouse’s landlord, Shea contends with the vengeful legend of Annabel’s ghost and a superstitious community that has buried the secrets surrounding a decade-old murder. As the secrets harbored around Annabel’s lighthouse unravel, Shea must navigate a fight of torn loyalty, self-discovery, and the haunting forces of love and a vengeance that should have drowned a century before.

About the author:

Daphne du Maurier and Christy Award-Winning author, Jaime Jo Wright resides in the hills of Wisconsin writing suspenseful, mysteries stained with history’s secrets.

Book Review: The Lost Baker of Vienna: A Novel by Sharon Kurtzman

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Happy Publishing Day!      

Published by Pamela Dorman Books

About the Book:

In 2018, Zoe Rosenzweig is reeling after the loss of her beloved grandfather, a Holocaust survivor. She becomes obsessed with finding out what really happened to her family during the war.

Vienna, 1946: Chana Rosenzweig has endured the horrors of war to find herself, her mother, and her younger brother finally free in Vienna. But freedom doesn’t look like they’d imagined it would, as they struggle to make a living and stay safe.

Despite the danger, Chana sneaks out most nights to return to the hotel kitchen where she works as a dishwasher, using the quiet nighttime hours to bake her late father’s recipes. Soon, Chana finds herself caught in a dangerous love triangle, torn between the black-market dealer who has offered marriage and protection, and the apprentice baker who shares her passions. How will Chana balance her love of baking against her family’s need for security?

My Thoughts:

It is not often I read an historical fiction story of the aftermath of in months or year post World War II. I wonder how often people think about the dangers the Jewish people still faced during that time or how they had to completely rebuild their lives. There is also the fact that they were at the mercy of the allied forces and not all of them were honorable people to say the least. The Lost Baker of Vienna focuses on what the Rosenzweigs’ family experienced during and after the war.  

The Lost Baker of Vienna is a dual timeline weaved with mystery, love, survival, loss, and rebuilding life after the horrors of war.

I was fully immersed in this story and the outcome. Wonderful character development and the author portrayed a realistic reality to the post war era. As I understand it, this story is inspired by her own family’s experience after the war which makes this story even more impactful.

I rated this book five stars.

Stephanie

I obtained an ARC through NetGalley from the publisher for an honest review.

Reader’s Log 053: Current Reads

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Historical Genre

My current reads are fantastic and I’m really enjoying the uniqueness of the writing style, characters and plot of “The Curious Inheritance of Blakely House.” I have created a daily reading schedule for these three books and the anticipation of looking forward to my time with them has really helped keep me on track with my reading habits. I love when that happens! First up, “Reflections on the Psalms by C. S. Lewis.”

This book was first published January 1, 1958.

For morning daily devotions, I’m currently studying through the book of Psalm verse by verse. So I thought I would read several books on people’s thoughts about the Psalms. Also, It won’t be too long before I read several others. I’ll be sure to post those books and my thoughts about them when I get to them.

The devotional I’m using is a four year plan but I’m wanting to shorten it in about two years tops. We will see how that goes!

Lewis writes here about the difficulties he has met or the joys he has gained in reading the Psalms. He points out that the Psalms are poems, intended to be sung, not doctrinal treatises or sermons. Proceeding with his characteristic grace, he guides readers through both the form and the meaning of these beloved passages in the Bible.

The Curious Inheritance of Blakely House by Joanna Davidson Politano – This book is from my birthday book haul

Published April 15, 2025 by Revell

It is 1901 when clockmaker and brilliant tinker Sydney Forrester inherits Blakely House, the eclectic estate of an estranged uncle she’s never met. The well-known but mysterious industrialist has left behind a stunning array of peculiar inventions–and a couple of nephews’ intents on removing this interloper from the estate. Convinced that Sydney has something to do with their uncle’s death, the late master’s nephews contest the will and work against their cousin at every turn.

Sydney finds a sometimes-ally in the estate’s butler, an ex-adventurer who ran aground on the island years ago. But when a mysterious man washes ashore with a stunning surprise that upsets everything, Sydney must prove she has inherited the late master’s brilliance as well as his property–or someone else will.

The Lost Baker of Vienna: A Novel by Sharon Kurtzman

Not yet published Expected Date: Aug 19, 2025

I am reading this book from NetGalley for review and it is wonderful so far!

In 2018, Zoe Rosenzweig is reeling after the loss of her beloved grandfather, a Holocaust survivor. She becomes obsessed with finding out what really happened to her family during the war.

Vienna, 1946: Chana Rosenzweig has endured the horrors of war to find herself, her mother, and her younger brother finally free in Vienna. But freedom doesn’t look like they’d imagined it would, as they struggle to make a living and stay safe.

Despite the danger, Chana sneaks out most nights to return to the hotel kitchen where she works as a dishwasher, using the quiet nighttime hours to bake her late father’s recipes. Soon, Chana finds herself caught in a dangerous love triangle, torn between the black-market dealer who has offered marriage and protection, and the apprentice baker who shares her passions. How will Chana balance her love of baking against her family’s need for security?

The Lost Baker of Vienna affirms the unbreakable bonds of family, shining a light on the courageous spirit of WWII refugees as they battle to survive the overwhelming hardships of a world torn apart.

What are you currently reading?

Stephanie

Book Review: One Little Lie by Colleen Coble

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Pelican Harbor #1

Publication Date: March 03, 2020

Christian Fiction| Mystery & Thrillers | Romance

When Jane Hardy is appointed interim sheriff in Pelican Harbor, Alabama, after her father retires, there’s no time for an adjustment period. He is arrested for theft and then implicated in a recent murder, and Jane quickly realizes she’s facing someone out to destroy her father.

They escaped from a cult fifteen years ago, and Jane has searched relentlessly for her mother—who refused to leave—ever since. Could someone from that horrible past have found them?

Reid Bechtol is a well-known journalist who makes documentaries, and his sights are currently set on covering Jane’s career. Jane has little interest in the attention, but the committee who appointed her loves the idea of the publicity.

Jane finds herself depending on Reid’s calm manner as he follows her around taping his documentary, and they begin working together to clear her father. But Reid has his own secrets from the past, and the gulf between them may be impossible to cross.

It started with one little lie. But Jane Hardy will do everything in her power to uncover the truth.

My Thoughts:

One Little Lie is the first book I have read written by Colleen Coble and I am happy to report I enjoyed this story. I love a good mystery that is a page turner and has you fully invested in the characters plight and the actions they take to right the situation they find themselves in. Those actions are not always the correct ones and that is par for the course when it comes to human nature and this story shows that. This story also shows how our past determines our choices in life in how we handle those choices. This story is faith based and gives a realistic picture of the struggles I mentioned above.

Out of all the characters relationships, I have to say Jane and her friend Olivia friendship touched me the most. Though Olivia was a side character, her gentle influence and support of Jane helps Jane through her process of healing from being in a cult and encouraging Jane to find true faith, healing, peace and reconciliation with God.

There are a few things left unanswered but I’m hoping to find those answers in the next book of this series.

If you are looking for a clean mystery with a great plot this one is for you!

Stephanie

The publishers recently made this book available on NetGalley again for review. I was delighted to read this book for an honest review.

Reader’s Log 052: Biblical Fiction

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Written by Biblical Scholars Part I

My top favorite genre is Historical Fiction and I’m always on the lookout for Biblical Fiction. Though through the years I’ve read several but I haven’t really delved in this genre like I should.

Dr. Carmen Joy Imes is an Old Testament Scholar whose work I’ve been following and this summer she has been conducting a summer reading series on Youtube about the books she recommneds and they are fantastic for in-depth biblical knowledge and spiritual growth. In one of her videos I mentioned “The Lost Letters of Pergamum” by Bruce W. Longenecker that I have and she said she was going to do a historical fiction recommendation video for that genre and that it was one of the books she is going to talk about. When she uploaded the video, I clicked on it so fast! What is unique about her recommendations for this genre is that the books are written by Biblical Scholars which this tells me that these books are well researched. I am familiar with a few of the author names and had not realized they wrote historical fiction. Be sure to watch Dr. Imes recommendation videos. She gives great commentary on why she recommends them.

The first book I have listed during the intertestamental period and I’ve read a several of nonfiction works on this time period and love it! I was thrilled she included this book on her list and can’t wait to read it.

Day of Atonement: A Novel of the Maccabean Revolt by David DeSilva

In the blank pages between Malachi and Matthew, the course of an entire nation was changed . . .

His brother, the high priest Honiah, enjoyed the authority of the high priesthood, and all-important decisions needed his approval. But it was Jason who was shaping the future of Jerusalem and with it, all Judea. He breathed in again, imagining that he could feel the wave of destiny impelling him forward toward his vision as he exhaled . . .

The Greeks have taken over the world, but Jerusalem is still the same backwater city Jason has always known. He wants to help his hometown rise to a new age of prosperity and influence. If that means stretching the terms of the city’s divine covenant, so be it. But how far is he willing to go to achieve Greek greatness for this Jewish city? It will take the willingness of a handful of Jews to die rather than violate the covenant in order to turn the tide back to God.

Written by an internationally recognized expert in the period between the Testaments, Day of Atonement invites readers into Judea during the tumultuous years leading up to the Maccabean Revolt. It was this pivotal decade that reminded Jews of the centrality of the covenant to their national security and taught them that the covenant was worth dying for. The story is so foundational, it is still told every year at Hanukkah. The lessons learned during this turbulent time also shed light on just what was at stake in the ministry of Jesus, whose radical message seemed to threaten the covenant once again.

I have been looking into stories about women in the Bible and the next three books listed look fantastic!  

Phoebe: A Story by Paula Gooder

Sometime around 56 AD, the apostle Paul wrote to the church in Rome. He entrusted this letter to Phoebe, whom he describes as the deacon of the church at Cenchreae and a patron of many. But who was this remarkable woman?

Biblical scholar and popular author and speaker Paula Gooder imagines Phoebe’s story―who she was, the life she lived, and her first-century faith―and in doing so opens up Paul’s world, giving a sense of the cultural and historical pressures that shaped his thinking and the faith of the early church. After the narrative, Gooder includes an extensive notes section with comments on the historical context, biographical details, cultural practices, and more. Rigorously researched, this is a book for anyone who wants to engage more deeply and imaginatively with Paul’s theology.

Priscilla: The Life of an Early Christian by Ben Witherington III

Who was Priscilla?

Readers of the Bible may know her as the wife of Aquila, Paul’s coworker, or someone who explained baptism to Apollos. Biblical references to Priscilla spark questions: Why is she mentioned before her husband? Does the mention of her instruction of Apollos mean that women taught in the church? What is her story?

Ben Witherington addresses these questions and more. In this work of historical fiction, Priscilla looks back on her long life and remembers the ways she has participated in the early church. Her journey has taken her to Ephesus, Corinth, and Rome, and she’s partnered with Paul and others along the way.

Priscilla’s story makes the first-century world come alive and helps readers connect the events and correspondence in different New Testament books. Witherington combines biblical scholarship and winsome storytelling to give readers a vivid picture of an important New Testament woman.

A Week in the Life of a Greco-Roman Woman (A Week in the Life Series) by Holly Beers

A young wife meets her daily struggles with equanimityand courage. She holds poverty and hunger at bay, fights to keep her child healthy and strong, and navigates the unpredictability of her husband’s temperament. But into the midst of her daily fears and worries, a new hope appears: a teaching that challenges her society’s most basic assumption. What is this new teaching? And what will it demand of her?

In this gripping novel, Holly Beers introduces us to the first-century setting where the apostle Paul first proclaimed the gospel. Illuminated by historical images and explanatory sidebars, this lively story not only shows us the rich tapestry of life in a thriving Greco-Roman city, it also foregrounds the interior life of one courageous woman―and the radical new freedom the gospel promised her.

The next two look great and I can’t wait to read them. About the middle of next year or towards the end I’m take a journey forward to the 1st century again so these will be perfect. This whole entire list of books is perfectly really. As I read each one, I will be sure to post about what I thought of the stories and if I would recommend them to my readers.

A Week in the Life of a Roman Centurion (A Week in the Life Series) by Gary M. Burge

Enter a world of warfare and treachery, of duty and honor, of love and loyalty, interwoven with the inner workings of a Roman centurion’s household. And then trace it as the road curves toward little Capernaum.

Follow the story of Appius, a proud centurion, and Tullus, his scribe and slave. From a battle with the Parthians, through a tragic personal crisis, to the gladiator arena at Caesarea Maritima, their tale finally leads to the backwater village of Capernaum on the shores of Galilee. There, in a culture not their own and during a week they will never forget, they encounter a Jewish prophet from Nazareth.

A Week in the Life of a Roman Centurion gives us a first-century view of the world of the Gospels. In entertaining historical fiction, splashed with informative sidebars and images, we capture a view of Jesus’ world from the outer framework looking in.

Killing a Messiah: A Novel by Adam Winn

As Passover approaches, the city of Jerusalem is a political tinderbox. Judah, a resistance leader, plots to overthrow the Roman occupation. Eleazar and his father, the high priest Caiaphas, seek peace in the city at all costs. Pilate, the Roman governor, maneuvers to keep order (and his own hold on power). Caleb, a shopkeeper, is reluctantly caught up in the intrigue. When rumors start spreading about the popular prophet Jesus, hailed by many as the Messiah, Roman and Jewish leaders alike fear unrest and violence during the upcoming festival. Then, in the midst of this tension, unexpected alliances emerge.

In Killing a Messiah, New Testament scholar Adam Winn weaves together stories of historical and fictional characters in a fresh reimagining of the events leading up to Jesus’ execution. Based on what we know of the first-century context, Winn’s narrative offers compelling explanations for gaps in the Gospel accounts. The social, political, and religious realities of Jesus’ world come to life and shed new light on our reading of the biblical texts. In a city full of political entanglements, espionage, and competing interests, the blame for the crucifixion is complex and can’t land on just a single party. It takes more than one to kill a messiah.

Stephanie

Book Review: The Lies They Told by Ellen Marie Wiseman

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Publication July 29, 2025 by Kensington

In rural 1930s Virginia, a young immigrant mother fights for her dignity and those she loves against America’s rising eugenics movement – when widespread support for policies of prejudice drove imprisonment and forced sterilizations based on class, race, disability, education, and country of origin – in this tragic and uplifting novel of social injustice, survival, and hope for readers of Susan Meissner, Kristin Hannah, and Christina Baker Kline.

When Lena Conti—a young, unwed mother—sees immigrant families being forcibly separated on Ellis Island, she vows not to let the officers take her two-year old daughter. But the inspection process is more rigorous than she imagined, and she is separated from her mother and teenage brother, who are labeled burdens to society, denied entry, and deported back to Germany. Now, alone but determined to give her daughter a better life after years of living in poverty and near starvation, she finds herself facing a future unlike anything she had envisioned.

Silas Wolfe, a widowed family relative, reluctantly brings Lena and her daughter to his weathered cabin in Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains to care for his home and children. Though the hills around Wolfe Hollow remind Lena of her homeland, she struggles to adjust. Worse, she is stunned to learn the children in her care have been taught to hide when the sheriff comes around. As Lena meets their neighbors, she realizes the community is vibrant and tight knit, but also senses growing unease. The State of Virginia is scheming to paint them as ignorant, immoral, and backwards so they can evict them from their land, seize children from parents, and deal with those possessing “inferior genes.”

After a social worker from the Eugenics Office accuses Lena of promiscuity and feeblemindedness, her own worst fears come true. Sent to the Virginia State Colony for the Feebleminded and Epileptics, Lena face impossible choices in hopes of reuniting with her daughter—and protecting the people, and the land, she has grown to love.

My thoughts:

Eugenics is an extremely evil ideology that many people look away or don’t want to believe people would go to such extremes, especially in the United States. I’ve had many discussions over this topic with people online and in person who even defend it still to this day. I may get a lot of criticism for say this but it still goes on to this very day. They may “try” to disguise it but if you really pay attention, you will see the truth.

I have been reader of Ellen Marie Wiseman’s work since her first publication. I applaud her for her bravery in exposing people’s struggle, abuse, oppression and often death at the hands of people in power.

Wiseman doesn’t hold back with the opening of her story and we are meeting Magdalena (Lena), her mother and brother for the first time at Ellis Island. How they were treated was subhuman. My emotions were high at the very beginning of this story and there were times I had to step away but I finished the story and I am more than glad I did. The Lies They Told is a beautifully written story and I appreciate Wiseman’s ability to do so because of such a heartbreaking story to write. Also, her character development is outstanding and her focus on the human mind and heart is what drives this story to the reality of this fallen world we live in. That said, there are beautiful and happy moments in this story and even in the end but I still felt completely sadden despite the outcome.

A must read.

I obtained an ARC from the publishers through NetGalley for an honest review.

I must caution you, there is suicide scene in this story.  

Stephanie Hopkins