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Thursday, September 09, 2010

New Giveaway from Moody Publishers. Win a copy of Pearl in the Sand by Tessa Afshar!

What do you have to do to enter for a chance to win this book? Simply post a comment telling me why you want to read it. I'm giving away three copies through Moody. So once I have thirty entries, three winners will be chosen and each winner will be mailed their book (sent by Moody Publicist.) So what are you waiting for? Post that comment and tell your friends. The sooner I get 30 comments the sooner I draw the names of three winners (using the Randomizer program.)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Tessa Afshar was born in a nominally Muslim family in Iran and lived there for the first fourteen years of her life. She survived English boarding school for girls before moving to the United States permanently. Her conversion to Christianity in her mid-twenties changed the course of her life forever. Tessa holds an MDIV from Yale University where she served as co-Chair of the Evangelical Fellowship at the Divinity School. She has spent the last twelve years in full and part-time Christian work and currently serves as the leader of Women’s and Prayer ministries at a church in Connecticut.

ABOUT THE BOOK
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 Bible’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 another’s worth in God and find healing from fear and rejection.

My review:

Pearl in the Sand is like an Old Testament themed Redeeming Love story, only tamer. I found it profoundly moving at times, and incredibly realistic. Having worked with many women who were used by men, and as a result were deeply emotionally scarred, I found Rahab's view of herself very believable. While Salome was judgmental as men typically are at first, the Lord changed him over time into an admirable hero. But this only happened when his pride was slowly stripped away. I found it incredibly moving how God would not allow him to stay in that prideful state, but kept working on Salmone's heart and using the most unlikely people and situations to work the greatest miracle in his life. We serve such an amazing God!

The author created a setting that rang true to me in many ways, from the damaged beginnings of Rahab's life, to the crumbling of Jericho's walls. It almost felt like I had crawled into the pages of the Old Testament and witnessed some of the events as they happened, including the battles the Hebrews fought. I found that very inspiring. I loved how the author used many symbols in her story to illustrate points...from the lower cough to the venomous snake about to strike. I found Rahab to be both strong and weak, and yet so very human that I loved her even when she was unreasonable with Salmone, who often reacted to her insecurities like a typical man would. That was very well done.

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.


Blew me away

Pearl in the Sand was published by Moody and released September 1, 2010. This book made my best fiction of 2010 list.

25 comments:

Anonymous said...

Sounds fascinating!

Anonymous said...

I want to read it because you said this book is realist and touching.


CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

Veronica Leigh said...

Sounds fantastic, can't wait to read it. I am entering myself into the contest. My name is Veronica Leigh and my e-mail is whiterosegirl01[at]joink[dot]com Thank you and God Bless.

karenk said...

i've read many postive reviews...thanks for the chance to read this wonderful novel :)

karenk
kmkuka at yahoo dot com

fredamans said...

I would love to read this to learn more about the differences in our cultures as well as the similarities. I believe this is a touching and emotional read. One I would thoroughly enjoy. Thank you for the chance.

freda.mans[at]sympatico.ca

Katie Marie said...

Cool! One reason I want to read this book is because I am always eager to read books about people in the bible that we know so little about!! I enjoy reading other peoples views on what their life might have been like!

Thanks for the chance to win a copy!

legacy1992(at)gmail(dot)com

Merry said...

The story of Rahab always blesses me, God can use anyone. I'd love to read Pearl in the Sand.
worthy2bpraised[at]gmail[dot]com

Debbie said...

I would love to read this book because I enjoy Biblical fiction and I've only heard wonderful things about this novel.

genrereviewer (at) hughes (dot) net

Unknown said...

I would love to read this book because it is biblically based and I love when God shows us how He can redeem even the most "unworthy!"

Margaret
maggie965@yahoo.com

Carole said...

There are so many reasons why I want to read Pearl in the Sand, Michelle.

1) It seems like a wonderful story of God's transforming power.

2) I have always enjoyed biblical fiction and found it very inspirational. This genre was very popular back in the 60/70s, and I read books like The Robe, Quo Vadis, Dear & Glorious Physician, The Big Fisherman, Great Lion of God, etc. I am glad to see this several excellent books in this genre today.

3) I discovered in one interview that Tessa has a fantastic sense of humor and I'm drawn to her writing because of her personality.

4) Your review, Michelle. You're always candidly honest and don't frequently give 5 stars.

Thank you so much for the chance to win Pearl in the Sand.

cjarvis [at] bellsouth [dot] net

justpeachy36 said...

I want to read this one for a couple of reasons. I love the cover for one thing and the premise of the story sounds very interesting.

justpeachy36@yahoo.com

Stumbeline said...

Thanks for offering this giveaway, Michelle. This book sounds incredible.

iamstumbeline(at)yahoo(dot)com

Lisa D. said...

I've had my eyes on this release. Please enter me!

ldneuhof at hotmail dot com

Elizabeth said...

this book sounds like a very good read!

elizabethjhoskins@gmail.com

Hull.Margaret said...

Please enter my name to win Pearl in the Sand. I am fascinated by Rahab...she is listed in Jesus geneology...this should be an interesting book.
Thanks
Penny

Joy Tamsin David said...

I'd love to win this book. I've read such great reviews online. :)

Joy G Lee G@ aol. com (remove spaces)

Marjorie/cenya2 said...

I really like the storyline of this novel and would like to win and read it.



cenya2 at hotmail dot com

scrapbookangel said...

Please enter me in the drawing.

Jennifer
avidreader(at)middleswarth(dot)net

cpullum said...

This sounds like a unique Love story! Love to read it!
Carla
cpullum(at)yahoo(dot)com
Also a subsciber by email

Katy said...

This sounds wonderful. I love books that have realistic characters.

srfbluemama[at]gmail[dot]com

Unknown said...

To understand a very old story, I like it to be written about real human beings with real emotions and realistic lives. I like to read the settings with cultural traditions and standards that are different from modern day beliefs. Dialogue should be clear in meaning to the casual reader who reads just for entertainment. I want to learn something from a story. I believe that "Pearl in the Sand" includes all these things. I found Tessa's original interview loving and warm. Can we make more than one comment to help gather 30 comments? Just asking> LOL I really want to read this book as much as I wanted to read Michelle's novel "Never Without Hope," which I rated very high among all books I've read recently
Thanks for the giveaway and chance to win....I hope I do!

Blessings,
Barb Shelton
barbjan10 at tx dot rr dot com

Anonymous said...

I would love to read this to learn more about Rahab.

sonflower277(at)gmail(dot)com

Wendy said...

I would like to read this book.
wsmarple/at/gmail/dot/com

Edgy Inspirational Author said...

since I had less than 30 entries I chose one winner for every ten people who entered. So there are TWO winners....

cpullum

and

elizabeth hoskins!

Anonymous said...

I want to read this book because the review makes it sound so interesting. I'm also hoping to learn from the author's retelling of this biblical story.

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