I really enjoyed the perspective this book gave on Nehemiah's story. Whether it is realistic or not, as far as the role the women played in the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls, I enjoyed feeling like I was there as the work was being done. I also appreciated the way other portions of the story from Nehemiah were brought in, such as the people being sold into slavery to foreigners in order for their families to pay their taxes, and the putting away of strange wives in Ezra's time. I felt like this story stayed close to the Biblical account, although I could have done without some of the romance in it.
I received a free ecopy of this book from NetGalley and chose to write a review of it.

This is the first book I have read by this author (although I have another on my Kindle to read soon), and I am impressed by her writing style. Her telling of Biblical stories in fictionalized form is captivating.

Adah is an amazingly independent, strong-willed seventeen-year-old girl, especially for someone living in BC Jerusalem. She has her moments of doubt and fear but manages to work through them and come out stronger and more determined.

Judith is Adah's twin sister, who has a talent for cooking and baking, while Adah has inherited her mother's gift for crafting perfumes. The two of them work together in caring for their mother, who has gone blind. Their father is the ruler of a half-district in Jerusalem, which is a difficult job during the current period of drought.

Adah has a lifelong friendship with Othniel which is beginning to blossom into more. It has to take a backseat to their lives, however, as they begin to work on rebuilding the wall around Jerusalem and deal with attacks from neighboring tribes. The drought and taxes hit Adah's neighbors hard, causing people she cares about to leave Jerusalem--and causing her to take their case to her father and to the governor, Nehemiah.

By the end of this story, the reader will have found a great deal of respect for Adah, Judith and their mother as women willing to go against the cultural and societal norms in order to do what is right.
I loved this story, and look forward to reading more by this author.

Jerusalem Rising is set in the time of Israel when Nehemiah was given consent to return to the Promised Land and rebuild the wall. Barbara clearly conveyed the hardships and sacrifices that were made during this time. She retells the story of Adah, who belongs in the family of a ruler of Israel; her struggle of justice when her true love is sold by his family to pay off a debt. Her courage to take the place of a male, representing her family in a very male dominated world, when helping her Father rebuild the wall, guarding the city and negotiating with the King.s envoy.
I loved this book. Barbara has an ability that only a few have to resurrect the biblical story, inclusive of history and likely plots, making it an inspiring read. I couldn't but the book down
The theme of Trusting the Lord in all you do, even when times are at their worst is entwined with in the pages of this book.

Jerusalem rising Adah's journey is exactly about just what it says. Adam was born in a twin girls world. Her family did not have one male – which Adah was told by her father's co ruler in the village – that that causes the family Shame – but this family is proud of their girls . What a Adah wants to do for a living? If you guessed perfume maker – if you guessed perfume maker/seller – you would be correct. So when Governor Nehemiah comes to town and shares his secret with a Adah that he was there to rebuild the wall of the city of King David – guess what? Guess what all Nehemiah shared with Adah? This is so intense this is unreal it is so great – it is phenomenal and unreal and how real it truly is .

Jerusalem Rising: Adah's Journey

by Barbara M. Britton

Pelican Book Group

Christian , General Fiction (Adult)

Pub Date 10 Nov 2017

I am reviewing a copy of Jerusalem Rising:Adah’s Journey through Pelican Book Group and Netgalley:

Adah bat Shallum is seventeen years old. She is a dutiful daughter, but she understands her Father lacks a heir now. Some look at daughters as curses.

Adah finds the governor weeping over the crumbling walls of Jerusalem, while there she learns the reason for Nehemia’s visit God has called him to rebuild the wall around the City of David.

Nehemiah is there to challenge the people of God to labor on the wall and in exchange the names of their Fathers will Be written in the annals for generations to cherish. Adah though only has one sister and no brothers, will her Father be remembered?

Can Adah and her family still honor God’s call with no sons, or will their mission be destroyed?

Find out in Jerusalem Rising, Adah’s Journey.

Five out of five stars!

Happy Reading!