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    Pearl in the Sand
    Pearl in the Sand
    Pearl in the Sand
    Audiobook10 hours

    Pearl in the Sand

    Written by Tessa Afshar

    Narrated by Laural Merlington

    4.5/5

    ()

    About this audiobook

    Striking beauty... comes at a price. Rahab paid it when at the age of fifteen she was sold into prostitution by the one man she loved and trusted-her father. With her keen mind and careful planning she turned heartache into success, achieving independence while still young. And she vowed never again to trust a man. Any man. God had other plans. Into the emotional turmoil of her world walked Salmone, a prominent leader of Judah, held in high esteem by all Israel. A man of faith, honor, and pride. An enemy. What is a woman with a wrecked past to do when she wants to be loved, yet no longer believes it possible? The walls of Jericho are only the beginning. The real battle for Rahab will be one of the heart.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherOasis Audio
    Release dateFeb 15, 2011
    ISBN9781608148233
    Pearl in the Sand
    Author

    Tessa Afshar

    TESSA AFSHAR’s books have been on Publishers Weekly, CBA, and ECPA bestseller lists and have been translated into many languages. Her Bible study, The Way Home: God’s Invitation to New Beginnings, won the ECPA Christian Book of the Year in the Bible Study category. Tessa’s novels have been the recipient of the ECPA’s Bronze Milestone, Christy, and INSPY Awards. She holds a master of divinity from Yale, where she was elected to serve as co-chair of the Evangelical Fellowship for one year. Tessa is a devoted wife, a mediocre gardener, and an enthusiastic cook of biblical recipes. Learn more at TessaAfshar.com.

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    Reviews for Pearl in the Sand

    4.5/5

    240 ratings25 reviews

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    • 5/5
      What a deep explanation of the greatest love of all!! The worthy of Women, what God says about you?? The grace and acceptance , payment of our sins. What a joy it is to know that Gods thoughts about us are not the same as ours!! Will be reading all of Tessa’s books. She is amazing story teller and as a middle Eastern women I can hear every high and low voice expressing in this book. Just love it!!!
    • 5/5
      Amazing book! At first I thought it was fiction but to see that it was actually non fiction shocked me! It is amazing storing about forgiving, true pure love, and self worth!
    • 4/5
      I love the way Scripture comes to life in this book!
    • 5/5
      Wonderful writing that keeps you engaged in the story. This work recounts the story of Rehab in the Bible and while details are added to create a full novel, it remained Biblically accurate. I am very picky about what I read/listen to telling accurate accounts of scripture if it is based on a Bible story and I wasn’t disappointed. Of course poetic license was taken to create more of a story and add volume to the little mentioned about her in the Bible, but I didn’t feel that it detracted from the Biblical account at all. It added some wonderful perspective on aspects of Rehab’s life I hadn’t considered such as what it must have been like to assimilate into Jewish culture. The author skillfully weaved this narrative into the facts of Rehab’s life and the events surrounding Israel’s history just before the conquering of Jericho up to the battle where God made the sun stand still for 24 hours.
    • 5/5
      Great story, soooo well done. The only thing that doesn`t fit is the music. It` weird and sure doesn`t fit the feeling of the story line.
    • 5/5
      Tessa Share is a gifted and talented author who understands and expresses the heart of men and women better than any I have ever known. Tessa reveals incredible wisdom and understanding regarding struggles of the heart and the agony of the human condition. She is a master storyteller who weaves the passion and pain of of life in a fresh and believable tapestry that leaves you wanting to read another adventure of history and passion for its revelation and insight. Her level and quality of written has raised the bar to a new high. I can hardly wait for her next!
    • 5/5
      This story was such a blessing to me regarding forgiveness and Gods grace towards me. I saw myself in Rahab the walls, pain and rejection. But also in the Blessings.
    • 5/5
      Title: A Pearl in the SandAuthor: Tessa AfsharPages: 320Year: 2010Publisher: River North (Moody Publishers)My rating is 5 out of 5 stars.Rahab is a young girl who at the age of 15 is sold into prostitution to support her family. This marked her as a prostitute from that moment on. After that, she chose her clients with care and kept the number as few as possible. She wanted nothing to do with men, but had to earn a living. When she sees two foreign men trying to enter her city, Jericho, she immediately intercedes on their behalf. She has heard rumors of the Hebrews and their God and the battles they have won. Jericho is next on their hit list and Rahab is confidant their God will give them Jericho. She hides the two men from searching soldiers and discovers they are indeed Hebrew spies sent to check out Jericho’s fortifications. In return for saving them, they promise her safety for herself and anyone in her home when they attack.Salmone oversees a large division of the tribe of Judah. He is assigned by Joshua of the task of preparing Rahab and her family to enter the Hebrew encampment after the fall of Jericho. Salmone wants nothing to do with them as he views them as possible spies or traitors perhaps working for Hebrews’ enemies. However, Rahab’s determination to follow God and her continual demonstrations of her faith in Him win over Salmone’s sister and a few other Hebrews, but many still see her and her family as pagans. Can Rahab and her family endure in this environment?While this novel is a fictional tale recounting the story of Rahab, I loved the author’s take on this event. The willingness and patience Salmone exhibited in pursuing Rahab was remarkable. Did he have moments of frustration and rudeness to her and others? You bet he did, but he didn’t give up and he sought the Lord’s guidance. He wanted what was best for Rahab when every other person in her life had only used her for what they wanted then discarded her. Rahab learned that she had value to others, but more importantly she had value to God. Even if everyone else left her, God never would. Seeing her growth in faith and her worth to God as well as Salmone’s growth in patience and acceptance of those unlike himself was marvelous to read. I have read all of this author’s fictional offerings and am definitely a fan! I would highly recommend any of her books as her writing will draw readers into the pages to engage in faith-filled stories based on biblical characters that will entertain for hours!
    • 5/5
      Pearl in the Sand is a stunning account of Rahab's path to finding true love with her husband Salmone and her journey from being a zonah (harlot) to becoming a redeemed child of God and part of the lineage of Jesus Christ. Along with this poignantly beautiful narrative, Afshar also includes the thrilling account of Rahab's interaction with the Hebrew spies and her family being spared during the fall of Jericho! This book is a wonderful testament to God's ability to change the lives of His children and it is a story with compelling characters and the deep spiritual message of hope, healing, and forgiveness. Pearl in the Sand has become one of my all-time favorite reads and I highly recommend it to all who enjoy biblical fiction. I also believe that Rahab's story should be shared with women who have experienced abuse and rejection in their own lives. They need to know that God can heal all of their hurts!I received a copy of this book from the author and publisher. There was absolutely no obligation for a favorable review. These are my own thoughts.
    • 5/5
      Tessa Afshar and Moody Publishers just released the 10th Anniversary Edition of Pearl in the Sand. Not having read the first edition but having read several of Afshar's books, I was looking forward to reading Pearl in the Sand. I was not disappointed at all. It is a marvelously written historical novel about the woman, Rahab, whose story can be found in the Old Testament book of Joshua from the Bible. The characters are strong, multifaceted, and evocative, and watching their relationships develop and evolve is engaging. I loved how the author portrayed Salmone as a man who truly knew how to love a woman. Threaded throughout the story, readers will find rich historical details, adventure, tension-filled scenes, and some sweet romance. Pearl in the Sand is a captivating story that realistically shows the emotions and the hard life of this woman of the Scriptures. Afshar tastefully covers the shameful life of Rahab, a Canaanite prostitute, the humiliation and isolation she must've endured while keeping the reader's attention with dynamic dialogue and a story that flows well. Pearl in the Sand is a story of finding redemption and one's worth in God's sight. It is a story of finding true love and forgiveness amidst a life of brokenness and guilt. It is a story you do not want to miss.I was given a complimentary copy of the book by the publisher and was not required to write a review. The opinions are my own.
    • 5/5
      Ten years ago, Pearl in the Sand made it into my top five books of the year. It is going to land there again this year. The 10th Anniversary edition of Pearl in the Sand includes a striking new cover, additional scenes, and book-wide edits, but the heart of this amazing story remains the same. Pearl in the Sand immediately captivated my attention with Rehab’s character. She is intelligent, beautiful, witty, and loyal. Yet, she is so broken – spiritually, emotionally, sexually. Her character growth flows through the story and culminates with a deep healing. The spiritual truths embedded in the narrative touched my heart as I watched Rehab absorb them. Opposite Rehab is Salmone, a classic male lead, who proves to be heroic, romantic, and flawed. As Salmone learns to be who Rehab needs him to be, he creates a safe place for her to heal and flourish. A top-notch love story!With its combination of powerful themes, dynamic characters, sparking romance, and spiritual truths, I can wholeheartedly recommend Pearl in the Sand to Christian fiction readers. I marked many passages to reread and savor after finishing the story. Five stars!Disclosure of Material Connection: I was provided a copy of this book by the author or publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.
    • 4/5
      I requested and was granted a copy of this book through Netgalley. This review is not required and is my own, unbiased opinion.When I started reading this book, I kept thinking I had already read it. I then realized I had and that this is a revised version of the original book. I had read the original so many years ago I cannot tell you what the revisions are but, I did truly enjoy the book. I have always enjoyed anything by Tessa Afshar.The book is a fictionalization of the Biblical account of Rahab, the harlot. Since she was from Jericho and married an Israelite we can assume she converted. She is also in the lineage of Jesus.The story was very well written and all the characters were very well developed. It was a believable account of how it might have happened. The editing of the book was very well done as well. That makes reading more enjoyable.I would recommend this book to my friends.
    • 5/5
      Wonderfully complex characters, faithful to Bible narrative, well written, a joy to read
    • 5/5
      Title: A Pearl in the SandAuthor: Tessa AfsharPages: 320Year: 2010Publisher: River North (Moody Publishers)My rating is 5 out of 5 stars.Rahab is a young girl who at the age of 15 is sold into prostitution to support her family. This marked her as a prostitute from that moment on. After that, she chose her clients with care and kept the number as few as possible. She wanted nothing to do with men, but had to earn a living. When she sees two foreign men trying to enter her city, Jericho, she immediately intercedes on their behalf. She has heard rumors of the Hebrews and their God and the battles they have won. Jericho is next on their hit list and Rahab is confidant their God will give them Jericho. She hides the two men from searching soldiers and discovers they are indeed Hebrew spies sent to check out Jericho’s fortifications. In return for saving them, they promise her safety for herself and anyone in her home when they attack.Salmone oversees a large division of the tribe of Judah. He is assigned by Joshua of the task of preparing Rahab and her family to enter the Hebrew encampment after the fall of Jericho. Salmone wants nothing to do with them as he views them as possible spies or traitors perhaps working for Hebrews’ enemies. However, Rahab’s determination to follow God and her continual demonstrations of her faith in Him win over Salmone’s sister and a few other Hebrews, but many still see her and her family as pagans. Can Rahab and her family endure in this environment?While this novel is a fictional tale recounting the story of Rahab, I loved the author’s take on this event. The willingness and patience Salmone exhibited in pursuing Rahab was remarkable. Did he have moments of frustration and rudeness to her and others? You bet he did, but he didn’t give up and he sought the Lord’s guidance. He wanted what was best for Rahab when every other person in her life had only used her for what they wanted then discarded her. Rahab learned that she had value to others, but more importantly she had value to God. Even if everyone else left her, God never would. Seeing her growth in faith and her worth to God as well as Salmone’s growth in patience and acceptance of those unlike himself was marvelous to read. I have read all of this author’s fictional offerings and am definitely a fan! I would highly recommend any of her books as her writing will draw readers into the pages to engage in faith-filled stories based on biblical characters that will entertain for hours!
    • 5/5
      Pearl in The Sand was my book club’s August selection and was a big winner. Tessa Afshar’s novel generated the most and best discussion we have had in a long time. Extremely well-written and meticulously researched, this retelling of the story of Rahab from the book of Joshua pointed to further scripture reading for our members — an important by-product of reading Biblical fiction. One of our members said this is one of the best books we have read, and we have been meeting for 13 years! We all loved this book and give it a very highly recommended rating.Pearl in The Sand opens when Rahab is 15 years old and her parents, facing financial ruin, decide to use Rahab’s assets. At the prospect of becoming a prostitute, Rahab takes control of the situation and decides who and when. Betrayal from her family, especially her father, rejection from a former lover, and the years of being used by her customers, leaves Rahab feeling worthless. But rumors of a God who saves His people and overcomes all enemies, peaks her interest and she finds herself longing for an escape from the bondage of sin.There are so many positives to this novel. First off, there are a lot of what ifs that Afshar posits. She creates a plausible story line by being faithful to the Biblical narrative, incorporating the customs of both Canaan and Israel, and creating characters who develop and grow in a natural way. Of course the main characters of Rahab and Salmone take center stage and are very compelling — their love story is sigh inducing! But the secondary characters are well-drawn and just as important to the story. Afshar’s narrative moves quickly and keeps the reader turning the pages. Spiritual themes of forgiveness, mercy, and grace are expressed in creative and poignant ways. We recounted many favorite scenes from the book that are excellent examples of God’s love and care for His people. God is shown as “impossibly holy and ridiculously merciful” — I love that phrase! Sexual sin and its consequences are explored in a realistic and sensitive manner. Afshar handles the pain, shame and burden that many people carry even after receiving forgiveness.With beautiful themes of God’s love and mercy, characters that are real and relatable and a writing style that cannot be beat, Pearl in The Sand is one we say is a must read!Very Highly Recommended.Audience: adults.Great for Book Clubs.
    • 5/5
      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 Biblers"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 anothers's worth in God and find healing from fear and rejection. *This is the first historical novel I've read about a Biblical character. I loved it! Tessa Afshar is a brilliant writer. She weaves the story in a way that you wonder if it could have really happened that way. Loved the book!*
    • 3/5
      This was a nice read, but it lacked depth. The author would go into great detail about various challenges that the characters faced, yet all were resolved quickly and spotlessly with no lingering issues. The problem would be resolved, then the next challenge presented. The entire novel was written like this. Over and over and over.
    • 5/5
      An amazing story of Rahab. I loved this book. Such a telling you will not soon forget. Just to read this and then to contemplate her place in history is so humbling. I'm now reading for a second time!
    • 5/5
      Tessa Afshar did a great job of taking the Biblical account of Rahab and making her story come alive with possibilities. I am not usually a big fan of reading novels based on Bible facts (the cover drew me to the story), but this author I felt did a great job of keeping her facts straight and making the people seem real and plausible. I also liked what the author had to say at the beginning of her book. She said, "The best way to study the Bible is not through a novel, but simply to read the original. This story can in no way replace the transformative power that the reader will encounter in the Scriptures." l look forward to reading other stories by this author.Rahab begins her life of prostitution early in life when her father, the one she loves and trusts, wants her to give herself to men for money. This will scar Rahab for most of her life, leaving her with never wanting to trust any man again. When the town of Jericho is defeated and Rahab and her family saved, Salmone, a leader of Judah, is given the task of teaching Rahab and her family the ways of Israel before they can join the camp. Salmone at first wants nothing to do with this woman. But God can do the impossible for both Rahab and Salmone. The love the develops between these two characters was precious and very well written.There were many "pearls" of truth I took away from this story. I highlighted many of them to remember. Like Joshua realizing before an impossible battle that God wasn't on Israel's side, but God was beckoning Israel to be on His side. Then there was the realization Rahab came to understand in her quest to know God. She was new in her understanding but yet she understood the difference between performance and worship; of doing something willingly to the Lord which brings joy and doing something to satisfy "human expectations" that ends in pain and misery at times. Rahab will taste the goodness of God, she will experience His love and mercy where it is undeserved and see His worth in His children who could never earn it.A story that will be remembered long after I have read it. To read this story in the Bible and other places where Rahab is mentioned go to Joshua 1-10, Ruth and Matthew 1:1-17.
    • 5/5
      A woman of all Ages for all agesSet against the biblical background of the Battle of Jericho, Rahab the Canaanite’s story is written with grace, understanding and compassion. Rahab walks strongly across the pages of the book, and in doing so deepened my understanding of the biblical story. To take a well known tale as old as time, and to give a new and compelling vision to it is indeed a gift and Tessa Afshar is without doubt a gifted writer.Rahab as a young girl is sold into prostitution by her beloved father, yet rather than being annihilated by such a betrayal she demonstrates a vitality of spirit, an awesome strength and intrinsically honorable heart. Rahab hears the voice of God and responds. The tale of Rahab’s trials, her challenges and very human responses are given a new impetus in this retelling and places her squarely in the forefront of great women of the Bible. This is no woman of the past, of insubstantial being, but rather the story of one who represents the many faces of women throughout time, including today. Her story speaks for ordinary women who find themselves in extraordinary circumstances. Her response is that of heartbreaking courage. Rahab is a woman of all ages for all ages. Afshar has given us a very accessible person in her portrayal of Rahab—a portrayal that has the ability to reach out, draw us in and touch us profoundly. An unforgettable story, superbly written, and well worth more than one read. A great seasonal gift! Pass it forward. A NetGalley ARC
    • 4/5
      Originally posted on Read Handed.I wasn't sure about this book at first, but I ended up really enjoying Pearl in the Sand by Tessa Afshar.The novel is a fictionalized account of the Biblical figure, Rahab, a harlot who helped the Israelites conquer the walled city of Jericho. When Joshua (the leader of the nomadic Israelites) sent two spies into Jericho, Rahab helped them escape capture. In return, she asked that the Israelites spare her and her family when they destroyed Jericho. You can read the full Biblical account of this story in Joshua chapter 2. The New Testament also contains references to Rahab and her faith: Hebrews 11:31 and James 2:25.I'm sure the novel is full of anachronistic details, but they shouldn't bother anyone who isn't a scholar of the ancient world. Whether or not Rahab, the harlot from Jericho, actually married Salmon (Salmone in the novel), a leader of Israel, their fictionalized love story in Pearl in the Sand is profound.After the adventure of escaping Jericho and being allowed to join Israel, the love story runs a predictable course. Salmone doesn't like Rahab at first - he thinks she and her family are too impure to ever truly be a part of Israel. His manner toward Rahab and her family is brusque, so she doesn't really like him a whole lot, either. He's intimidating. But then they find themselves in each other's company often and eventually fall in love. End of story, right?Thankfully, no. My favorite part of this novel was the account of the struggles the couple faces after they marry. Too many stories end with "and they got married and lived happily ever after" when in real life we know that a pretty wedding doesn't solve life's problems and is actually the beginning of a story, not the end. Salmone and Rahab work hard on their marriage, which is less than ideal from the beginning. They love each other too much to give up, despite set-backs, hurt feelings, and delving into unpleasant memories and the emotions tied to them.Salmone and Rahab's trials showed them how important it is to include God in a marriage. Salmone had been married before and lacked that connection: "In the short years of their marriage, he had known the kindness of a loyal wife. He had known the companionship of a patient and caring woman. But in his deepest heart, he had hungered for more. Anna believed in the Lord and followed His precepts. Yet she wasn't ardent for Him. She didn't speak to her husband about Him, growing excited with every new step of faith. When he tried to bring up the subject, she would avoid it. Salmone had longed to be able to bask in the mysteries of God with his wife, to share with her this most precious and sacred desire of his soul. His marriage, though pleasant and warm, lacked the fire of this greatest passion of Salmone's life" (pg. 131).This part of the novel also speaks heavily on topics of guilt, shame, innate worth, and acceptance. It is beautifully done and shows how God values individuals and how we can feel "good enough" with His help.Christian publishing company Moody Publishers published Pearl in the Sand, so it's not surprising that much of the story revolves around the faith of the characters. Rahab's faith in the Hebrew god saves the lives of her family. The faith of the Hebrews helps them win impossible battles. And Rahab and Salmone depend heavily on the Lord in healing their own hearts and their marriage. If that bothers you, you probably realized this book isn't for you in the second paragraph of this post.Though the characters in the book are not Christian (because obviously there was no Christianity yet), it is clear that the author is writing from a Christian perspective and is aiming for a Christian audience. In an explanation of the many laws the Hebrews must follow, for example, one character says: "Perhaps a day might come when God's people will no longer need these outward reminders. Perhaps one day, He will write His Law on our hearts and we shall be able to give up living by these stringent rules. Until such a time, however we must abide by His will" (pg. 118).In all, I enjoyed this novel and would recommend it to people who enjoy Christian fiction, historical fiction, and/or love stories that go deeper than the superficial "falling in love" period.
    • 5/5
      There are very few books that can compare to Pearl In The Sand. It was incredible. I buried myself in the book the night I received it and had it finished by morning. I cant put into words how much I enjoyed it. It was well written and historically accurate - I was enthralled by Rahab's story. Afshar did an amazing job at keeping it clean while still portraying the life of a prostitute. Redemption soaked the pages and at times I felt myself on the verge of tears at the beautiful reconciliation.Rahab's character was extremely realistic. She felt that she couldn't ever truly be completely forgiven for the wrong she had done - being a prostitute. While she wasn't a prostitute by choice in the story, she still felt that the sin she had committed was too great to be forgotten. Poor Salmone, as hard as he tried, only made things worse.Salmone's character was also very realistic. He was very judgmental and condescending - very much how I would expect many Christian people of today to respond if a prostitute entered their home. Harlots were a HUGE "no no" for the Israelites. I found it very likely that Salmone and some of the other inhabitants of the camp were extremely judgmental.But he eventually came around and realized what an amazing woman Rahab was. ;-) I loved his protectiveness and longing to make everything right - even when it was hard. I absolutely LOVED Salmone's character.The lesson in the book was amazing. You can read more about it in my book discussion post here on Book Ponderings, but suffice to say it was an extremely great lesson that all of us need to keep in mind.Naturally with Rahab being a prostitute there are a few things I need to point out.First off I want to say though that Tessa Afshar couldn't have handled the situation any better. She was excellent at being able to keep readers comfortable while still understanding the circumstances Rahab was in. There are a few scenes in the beginning where she is with a man and it may mention her laying sprawled under a sheet while her lover paces the room. That was as extreme as it got in that area.There is some discussion on and after Salmone and Rahab's wedding night. There are some tender kisses and such - nothing more physically described than that. It is obvious that the couple have consummated their marriage by the next morning though - but it wasn't descriptive at all past kisses. There is a bit of violence - not very descriptive, but a character is injured pretty badly. Nothing explicit is described and I wasn't bothered by it at all. Other than a few steamy moments between a husband and his wifes(kisses) and minor violence, there is nothing more to point out! That much being said, I HIGHLY recommend you read this book. It is a story you will want to read over and over again and it will leave you releasing a contented sigh every time you turn the last page.
    • 4/5
      I'm not a big reader of Christian Literature. However, I do love biblical historical fiction. Some of my favorite books are based on bible stories and they have actually helped in having conversations with my family, in particular my grandmother. They are very religious and I find I have a hard time relating or conversing with them. But when I read a fictional story based on a biblical story I feel I can understand things better, and I have something to talk about. Most of the biblical historical fiction I've read was not religion based. This one is and I felt more like it was about showing us Gods forgiving ways and ways to be better Christians, etc. In the beginning it wasn't so clear but as the story went on it was definitely clear. But I went into the book knowing it was a Christian book. I just didn't know how much would be just a story and how much would be the message of God. I do think I was a little turned off by it in the beginning, but by the end I was finding myself liking it. I was understanding and I was seeing how the messages could be good for all of us in our lives. Whether we believe in God or not, we do believe in Good, and being better people, right? So the message is good. For anyone who has gone through something trying in their life, from being a prostitute, to having difficulties in your marriage, there is something for you. There were some things I found difficult. I don't understand how God could devastate an entire city, killing all the inhabitants without first giving them the opportunity to know Him and make a decision on whether they were ready to accept Him. But these people didn't even have a chance to know anything about Him or His ways. I didn't really think that was fair. BUT maybe there was more to it. Rahab heard of Him through a soldier and she knew almost from the beginning that he was the God for her. Perhaps God had found a way for each of the inhabitants to have the opportunity to know of Him. I'm sure plenty of you have an argument for me and I'll just say that I'm not well versed on the bible. This book was very much a romance. Although it's definitely not graphic~ it is a Christian fiction~ it has a lot of the aspects of other romances. The difficulty's with a relationship, not feeling like they were deserving of the other, etc.For those of you who are fans of biblical fiction such as The Red Tent you may enjoy this one. I know my sister in law LOVES The Red Tent and all biblical fiction and she couldn't stop raving about this book. She LOVED it. I definitely suggest you give it a try. It's not a long book and is definitely not a waste of time. I have a hard time rating it though. I can't decide whether I just liked it (3 stars) or I really liked it (4 stars). So I guess I'd have to go with 3.5 but since I can't do halves I'll round up this time. It was definitely a book that will stick with me and the messages have influenced my life.
    • 5/5
      The part that touched me the most in this story was when Rahab finally recognized her incredible worth in God's eyes as well as her husband's. That was powerfully written. I could sense Rahab's heart healing as the scene progressed. I felt her pain and her tears as she released all of the hurt. I was profoundly moved by Salmone's sudden realization of the damage that had been done to her and his tenacious desire to participate in the healing process. The love scenes between husband and wife were emotional, yet tastefully done. This book was so incredible. I loved it. I'm sure readers who enjoy Biblical fiction will adore this story, too.
    • 5/5
      Where do I start with singing my praises with this gorgeous book? Stunning. Beautiful. Fascinating. Those are just some of the many ways to describe this novel. Tessa Afshar is truly talented and captures the heart of her readers instantly, by picking us up and setting us down in the middle of Jericho. The characters of this novel are superbly created and reach out to help pull us into that long ago Biblical time and place. Rahab was an incredibly strong young woman. Her days of being a prostitute (or in a better term, a harlot) was wonderfully re-created in this stunning, riveting Biblical account taken straight from the book of Joshua. The compelling character of Salmone adds depth to both the true and fictional aspects of this novel. Both characters become one in your heart and you cry for them and pray for them continuously through this AWESOME book! I don't always like comparing novels and authors, because I feel that each author and novel have their own talents and strengths or weaknesses. However, this novel MUST be compared to one book and one author! Tessa Afshar has nearly as great a talent as Roseanna White and Pearl in the Sand is nearly as beautiful and stunning as A Stray Drop of Blood, even more so than E.G.Lewis' Witness! Pearl in the Sand is a 5 star novel that should be read by everyone who loves a great new story. Through Rahab, Salmone and Jesus, Tessa Afshar has brought us a novel worth taking the take to read! Filled with God's love, this story has many lessons from redemption to forgiveness to second chances and love. If you've never read a Biblical fiction novel, PLEASE, start with Pearl in the Sand. It's incredible and will leave you thirsting for more journeys like this!