. . and bind her husband's heart...An ambitious tyrant threatens genocide against the Jews in ancient Persia, so an inexperienced beautiful young queen must take a stand for her people. When Xerxes, king of Persia, issues a call for beautiful young women, Hadassah, a Jewish orphan living in Susa, is forcibly taken to the palace of the pagan ruler. After months of preparation, the girl known to the Persians as Esther wins the king's heart and a queen's crown. But because her situation is uncertain, she keeps her ethnic identity a secret until she learns that an evil and ambitious man has won the king's permission to exterminate all Jews--young and old, powerful and helpless. Purposely violating an ancient Persian law, she risks her life in order to save her people...and bind her husband's heart. Esther marks bestselling author Angela Hunt's return to biblical fiction. In each novel she explores an example of a Hebrew Old Testament tob woman: a woman whose physical beauty influences those around her--and can change the course of history.

    But after witnessing Dahveed’s glowing reception along the road to Gibeah at the end of the war season, King Shaul ordered the death of Israel’s hero . . . again. Only this time, Hassar Jonathan’s pleadings were powerless to sway his father’s wrath. Forced to abandon all he had come to love, Dahveed bitterly fled Gibeah and soon was hunted like a beast of the field. Nonetheless, Yahweh had great plans for His anointed one.While Shaul lost the respect of Israel, and Jonathan worked to prepare the kingdom for Yahweh’s chosen king, Dahveed reluctantly accepted the growing band of men that Yahweh sent to serve him. Still uncertain of his right and ability to govern, he found encouragement in Roeh Shamuel’s last words of counsel: “Yahweh has given you all you need to become Melek for Him. But you must remember to use what He has given. Learn to follow Him closely in every responsibility which is yours.”Then Yahweh sent the Gebirah—Abigail.Based on solid historical research, this third book in Fivash's series on the life of David takes the reader through David's life as a fugitive, filling out the biblical outline while remaining true to the culture and thought of the times in which David lived.

    Caught up in the maelstrom following the death of an obscure rabbi in the Roman backwater of first-century Palestine, Leah finds herself also engulfed in her own turmoil--facing the prospect of an arranged marriage to a Roman soldier, Alban, who seems to care for nothing but his own ambitions. Head of the garrison near Galilee, he has been assigned by Palestine's governor to ferret out the truth behind rumors of a political execution gone awry. Leah's mistress, the governor's wife, secretly commissions Leah also to discover what really has become of this man whose death--and missing body--is causing such furor. This epic drama is threaded with the tale of an unlikely romance and framed with dangers and betrayals from unexpected sources. At its core, The Centurion's Wife unfolds the testing of loyalties--between two young people whose inner searchings they cannot express, between their irreconcilable heritages, and ultimately between their humanity and the Divine they yearn to encounter.

    Creatively filling in the gaps and vividly portraying this drama of faith and salvation, the author tells a story that pulses with excitement, while giving us a facinating look at the life and times of ancient Macedonia.Lydia was a successful and influential business woman in Philippi--a beautiful town thriving under Roman rule. But more significantly, she was the seeker after truth who became Paul's first Christian convert in Erope. It was her home that nurtured the church of Philippi, whose members were later referred to by Puaul as his 'joy and crown.' And it was to her home that Paul and Silas came after their miraculous release from prison.The author's familiarity with the period adds authenticity to the story, supplying true-to-history details of everyday life and sparkling dialougue for the very human characters.

    He then sets forth on a quest to find the truth about the Nazarene's robe-a quest that reaches to the very roots and heart of Christianity and is set against the vividly limned background of ancient Rome. Here is a timeless story of adventure, faith, and romance, a tale of spiritual longing and ultimate redemption.

    Traded from relative to relative, she suffers through hard labor, neglect, and abuse. What will become of her? No one cares until a kinsman redeemer reveals himself. Can Rebekah forgive the past? 108 pages

    Luke's history sparks Antipas's interest, and they begin corresponding. As Antipas tells Luke of his reactions to the writing and of his meetings with local Christians, it becomes evident that he is changing his mind about them and Jesus. Finally, a gladiatorial contest in Pergamum forces difficult decisions on the local Christians and on Antipas. While the account is fictional, the author is a respected biblical scholar who weaves into this fascinating scenario reliable historical information. Bruce Longenecker is able to mix fact and fiction and paint an interesting and valuable study of the New Testament world and early Christianity. Readers are invited to view Jesus and the early church from a fresh perspective, as his first followers are brought to life. More reliable than typical historical fiction and far more interesting than standard textbooks and reference books, "The Lost Letters of Pergamum" provides readers with a delightful opportunity to step into the world of the New Testament. Pastors, Bible study groups, and all thoughtful readers will enjoy this book, which one reviewer said he "couldn't put down."

    In Moses, Howard Fast uses his widely acclaimed storytelling skills to paint a portrait of the most fascinating figure of the Bible. The child Moses grows to adulthood in the royal household of Ramses II, surrounded by the political factions, sending, but not fully understanding, the paradox of his singular position.Through the strikingly contrasting events of Moses? epic life, Howard Fast traces the growth of his character as a biblical hero. an outsider in the court of Egypt, Moses sees the corruption and decadence of the royal family for what it is. Their autocracy acts as a forge for his moral character.Fast takes us into the white house above the first cataract as Moses experiences his first love; watches as Moses endures the savage Egyptian campaigning against the black men of Kush; and recalls the young man's rebellion against the Egyptian priesthood.Renouncing his royal trappings, Moses casts his lot with his own enslaved people, the Jews, and becomes, for all time, an inspiration to the world.FIRST TRADE PAPERBACK EDITION WITH A NEW INTRODUCTION BY THE AUTHORYou can share your thoughts about Howard Fast's Moses in the new ibooks virtual readers' group at www.ibooksinc.com.

    His name is Blessing. The boy is my blessing." Virat and Latha named their son Ashish, for he is the light and glory of their world. Yet a simple drink of water from the wrong cup changes them forever. Virat, Latha, and Ashish are Untouchables in 1905 India, members of a caste who must never contaminate the world of the other, higher, castes. When Ashish is in desperate need of a doctor, Virat risks everything to save his son and ventures into the dangerous realm of the high caste. There, the strength of a father's love, the power of a young British nurse, and the faith of a child change the lives around them. "Kay Strom has penned a high-powered suspense novel using her extensive overseas research and her experiences in third world countries. A master in creating the unexpected." - DiAnn Mills, Christy Award winner and author of Pursuit of Justice, The Fire in Ember, and Under a Desert Sky "Author Kay Marshall Strom, in her professional yet heart-rending style, has penned another story that will open the eyes and change the lives of her readers. This is an exquisitely written tale of hope and faith in the midst of difficulties born out of superstition and bondage. I am already anxiously awaiting the sequel!"- Kathi Macias, award-winning author of more than 30 books, including the popular Extreme Devotion series "Do not miss this historical, inspirational novel by Kay Marshall Strom. It will touch your heart." - FreshFiction.comThe Faith of Ashish by Kay Marshall Strom

    John's Story tell His glorious, dramatic story. John's Story: The Last Eyewitness is told by the one whom Jesus called beloved. John, a once-broken man, was forever changed the moment he met the mysterious stranger from Nazareth, his heart opened by the One whom he discovered to be the Son of God.At ninety years old, John is the last of the original twelve apostles still alive, the only one who was not martyred. Committed to spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ, he is called by God to write a gospel in order to set the record straight-as others were teaching that Jesus wasn't the Son of God. Recalling his time with Jesus, John brings to life the miracles and messages of the Man who would change the course of history.The first in a series, John's Story: The Last Eyewitness is a remarkable and thrilling account of the life of the Man who came to fulfill the prophecies of the Old Testament and to save all of mankind. To bring deeper understanding to the story, each of the four books nclude the text of the corresponding gospel as an appendix.John's Story illuminates the times of Jesus, His life, and His messages like never before. Using cutting-edge historical and academic research, as well as biblically based themes, they are first and foremost page-turning novels that could come only from the pens of Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins.

    Here are Mary and Joseph--a teenage girl and a young carpenter--alone, frightened, in love, faced with family conflict, a hostile world and an awesome responsibility. It is a story for young and old alike; for everyone who finds the Christmas tale a source of timeless beauty and wonder, a compassionate, emotional novel of divine love.

    Also left behind is Abishag’s betrothed, Joseph, who has already waited many months to claim his bride. Now, he must wait until Israel’s king no longer needs her. Torn from the comfort of her small village, Abishag is thrust into a world of unfamiliar customs, royal expectations, and palace intrigue. She is greeted suspiciously by the king’s concubines, warmly by Queen Bathsheba, and reluctantly by King David himself. Adonijah, the king’s son, is bitter over his father’s choice of Solomon as Israel’s next king. He determines to ruin Abishag to prevent her from being given as a prize to Solomon at their father’s death. Suffering personal losses, as well as scorn from much of the royal court, Abishag begins to question God’s goodness in placing her in the king’s service. Can she find someone there who understands that one who comforts the king is in great need of comfort herself? Will Abishag’s time with the king end in despair or joy?

    Leonard Woolley observed that "Amongst the shadowy characters of ancient history, Abraham stands out as a living personality--whom we can know, and with whom we can sympathize...and now, alongside this living personality, we find Sarah--perhaps the most remarkable, yet mysterious woman of all time!"ABRAHAM AND SARAH is an epic love story, an engrossing page-turner for the ages, a must read for every person of faith.

    Kalo, one of the most prolific writers in Israel and a nominee for the Nobel Prize in Literature, brings to new life the themes and spirit of the Biblical story of Daniel in this lively, dramatic epic novel. His masterwork of storytelling weaves together the themes of faith, friendship, betrayal, love stronger than death, and redemption.The first installment, Book 1 THE YOUTH, gives an account of Daniel's early years – from his childhood in Jerusalem, the cradle of his spirituality and character, to his young adulthood in Babylon, when he is sent to his first duty at Nebuchadnezzar's Royal court."It is indeed an epic-like novel filled with drama and passion. Mr. Kalo weaves together the political, personal and spiritual with great skill." G. Glijansky, HarperCollins, US Scroll up and grab a copy today.

    Brooks has an uncanny ability to hear and transform characters from history, and this beautifully written, unvarnished saga of faith, desire, family, ambition, betrayal, and power will enthrall her many fans.