This was such a captivating story. I was left speechless. There was so much about this book that I loved. The author is masterful in her depictions of Jewish and believer life. I found myself reading the author notes so I could know more as well as have a better perspective of what was truth and what was assumed. I am finding more and more that I am loving the Biblical Fiction books, especially as the authors try to stick to the truth as closely as they are able without many sources regarding the individual people.
I don't have enough words to describe just how much I loved this book. It was an amazing journey with the mother of our savior and Matthew, one of the apostles. I love the idea that Mary wanted to write down the stories of Jesus, especially those that only she was privy too. I like to think that this is how we got those stories. It adds for me that the author is a biblical scholar. This story felt so authentic and I know it is a novel.
It was enlightening to me to hear the stories from the mouths of Mary and the Apostles, again, I know it wasn't but it could have been and that made it wonderful.
The spirit of the book was awe inspiring and I found myself moved to tears in a couple of places.
In addition to the Biblical stories in perspective, the other messages in the character stories were love, forgiveness, and change, all enduring themes. This was a fantastic story in which to escape and found myself blessed to read it. It was truly a reminder of the love of God for his children.
I received a copy of the book from the publisher through NetGalley and this is my honest review.