What Happens When Worldviews Collide?
I dove into Women of the Bible Speak Out with mixed feelings and the expectation of doing a lot of skimming.

I didn’t. Instead, this book kept my interest from beginning to end. That’s impressive. Written in a conversational style, the book chronicles the experiences both of modern women and Biblical counterparts who endured similar situations—abuse, neglect, abandonment, pressure… all the ugliness.

First, I’d like to thank the author for being so careful to write her Biblical illustrations with deliberate care. Every one of the women used as an example “wrote” a message about her experience, and Marlo Schalesky makes a point, every time, of reminding us that this is what the woman could have said rather than did. It’s one woman’s (the author’s) interpretation of the Biblical subtext.

Additionally, Schalesky is careful to dive deep into Scripture instead of just making assumptions or regurgitating what we’ve heard often but might not actually be Biblically supported. Well done.

So, does that mean I loved the book so much that I’ll be buying cases for everyone I know?
No. I can’t say I loved the book for several reasons, but I do give it a strong “star rating.” But there are issues that may or not actually be issues. I don’t know. And that’s kind of the point.

First, much of the book offers peeks into personal hardships of real women living today. I expected that, but seriously, I’d hoped this would be a good book to pass to my daughter. It isn’t. While Schalesky isn’t afraid to tackle difficult subjects, that’s kind of the point. I know details that almost made me put it down.

Here’s the thing. I know ugliness is out there. I’ve experienced it. Despite, or perhaps because of, that, I don’t handle some of that sort of information well. This book dances really close to the line if not over it a time or two.

Second, I need a deep dive into the Bible to really weigh some of what the author says. A few things prompted a check in my spirit, and I didn’t have time to go dig them out. Suffice it to say, there was a lot of assumption of feeling and perspective on the part of these women that we can’t really say is accurate. It’s impossible to turn off our own cultural perspective when examining another.

There were times I felt like past and present expectations created collision courses… the question is if things actually collided or not.

I don’t know.
Third, it’s minor, but it’s there—an agenda. Again, I can’t say this is wrong! But it’s there, and I think it’s important to be aware of. The author has a decided opinion and bias, and you can see that through her vignettes with the Biblical women and her conclusions on different Biblical passages.

I have to repeat myself. I don’t say she’s wrong. That said, without further study, I can’t say I agree either. I’m glad I requested and received a free review copy. It’ll send me deeper into the Bible to examine her conclusions in the light of Scripture. Isn’t that what a good book does? Sends us to THE Good Book?

Still, she’s written an interesting book that looks at modern problems through the lives of Biblical women and shows that sin hasn’t changed much through history. We all need Jesus. One thing Schalesky says is, “I want more than justice; I want healing. I want more than healing; I want wholeness. I want more than wholeness; I want holiness.”

And that shows on every page.

Recommended for hurting women with a desire to dig deep into the Word to see if what this author has shared can be found there. I suspect most will. And that’s pretty awesome in my book.

This book covers stories of women from the bible and how their trials and tribulations were the course and control of God, for his purpose. Each chapter covers a different women with a different type of problem. The chapter starts out with a bible verse, explanation, experience and encouragement. It has 14 different women each with a certain situation and each with a different outcome, however they all have one thing in common, no matter what God loves you and will always be with you no matter what.

I would recommend this to any age and anyone that wants a quick read of encouragement. You can read from cover to cover or you can just pick up and read where ever you want. This would be good for a book club or a women's bible study, it is good to read and then discuss to understand how other's opinions relate to the story and how encouraging these women of the bible are to all women.

Get ready to learn new things about certain women of the Bible in Women of the Bible Speak Out. I found this to be an interesting read. I have read about these women. They are ones that I’ve studied and often thought about. Women of the Bible are mentioned for a reason and I’ve always been curious to find out why. What is the reason they were put in?

Now, I can’t say that I agree with everything in this book because I don’t view everything through the same lens the author does, but I do agree these are women we should be studying and looking at from the Bible.

I do recommend this book as it will help you even at nothing else to open your Bible and search for these women to find out for yourself why they are important and what their stories are.

I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from Celebrate Lit. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC regulations.

What a good book for women who have been hurt, abandoned, abused, and otherwise mistreated. You'll not find any easy answers here but you will find encouragement to keep believing God will see you through to healing.

This book showcases the stories of women in the Bible, their hurts and struggles. Their encounters with God right where they were at. The author, while taking a bit of artistic license, retells the stories through the women’s point of view.

This book gives a unique look at the stories of these women and how their experience is relatable to a lot of modern day women. A touching and eye opening read all Christian women need to read. Especially for women who have had to deal with hurt and abuse.

#Women of the Bible Speak Out# by Marlo Schalesky is a Women's devotional book. Marlo does a great job writing about different women in the Bible. She tells the reader about the characters and then describes their weaknesses. She has a beautiful way of showing women how they can relate to these women. She moves a step further and shows how these women can help them in their lives. I appreciate the publisher , author, netgalley for allowing me to read and review this book. The opinions are my own.

I have been anticipating reading this book for awhile. I wanted to hear from women in the Bible and see what their thoughts were. The author takes a look at several women and lets us see what they may have been thinking and feeling. The first woman we meet is Eve. Rightly so it should be her first since she was the first woman created. I loved how she knew right away that she had sinned. We all are quick to point fingers when someone does something wrong. But do we consider how they may feel? Just like Eve we hide in shame hoping that no one knows we have sinned. Did Eve feel like she had the weight of the world on her shoulders? Where was Adam? Why wasn’t he standing beside his helpmate instead of pointing fingers at her? There is hope in God. He wants to heal us from brokenness and shame. It is not your fault if you have experienced abuse. I loved how the author shows us what Eve may say to us now. “Have hope!”
Each woman from the Bible shared in this book opened my eyes to lies that we have accepted for too long. We are not the weaker ones , but equal in God’s eyes. We don’t need to feel guilty or ashamed. God wants us to hold our head up, know we are loved and forgiven. The enemy loves to whisper things in our ears to discourage us. It is time to brush away the past and allow God to heal your heart.
As I read these stories I couldn’t believe that I never noticed how women were treated in Biblical times. Some were abused, sold in slavery and tossed aside when they were not needed anymore. Oh that we will allow the truth to set us free. I end my review with this story about Women at the Tomb. “Jesus entrusted a small group of faithful women the most important news of all history.” What would it have been like to be among them as they shared that Jesus was alive ? Even though they might not be believed He still chose them to share the news. God loves us. We need to start lifting each other up. There is no time for jealousy or gossip. God wants us to stand together and remember these women from the Bible. They overcame great obstacles to proclaim His glory.
I hope every woman will get a copy of this book. It gives hope to the broken-hearted and frees those who have felt unworthy. This would make an excellent Bible study for women. I can see a group of women going through the chapter one week at a time. As they discuss the women from the Bible they can feel safe to share their own experiences. It would be a time of healing and compassion. A time of hope and building each other up. Together we stand, divided we fall.
I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.

“Women from the Bible Speak Out” by author Marlo Schalesky is an excellent book. This book discusses timeless issues that have plagued women since the beginning of time. By using women and their biblical stories, the author offers help, healing, and hope.

Usually I am not a fan of writers making up tales about the daily lives and thoughts of people from the Bible. However, author Schalesky has done it exceptionally well. Her take on the women’s issues, thoughts, and emotions is helpful and insightful. The variety of women featured is beautiful. She visits many well known and lesser known ladies from the Bible.

I was impressed with the writing style of the author. It is pleasant, inviting, and easy to read. I was immediately drawn in and captivated by this book. Usually that only happens with a novel. This is a teaching book. I learned about women’s issues, women of the Bible, and how God loves and helps each one of us.

I definitely recommend this book. Any woman would benefit from reading it. You will feel a closer kinship with our biblical ancestors. This helpful book sparks healing and hope. It is biblically based and will deepen your Christian walk. This would make a great individual or group bible study. It is a resource that all church libraries should consider.

It gets a rating of 5 out of 5 stars from me. I received a copy from Celebrate Lit, but all opinions are my own, honest ones.

Engaging and heartfelt, this nonfiction collection examines fourteen stories from the Bible about women who were misused, abused, mistreated, betrayed, and abandoned. As unpalatable as that may sound, “Women of the Bible Speak Out” by Marlo Schalesky, herself a survivor, addresses the heartache but focuses on the hope that we have in Christ. No matter what we have gone through or what we are now going through, the Lord alone is our Rock and our hope eternal. As Schalesky herself notes in the introduction to her book, “Healing is not found in the arms of accusation. It’s found in a God who sees, loves, and redeems.”

“Women of the Bible Speak Out” is unique and informative, yet it reads like a personal account rather than a nonfiction reference book. I think that it could even be used as a devotional because its setup is conducive to such. Each chapter features one or two women from the Bible, with a one-word description of how she was mistreated, the Bible chapter or chapters in which her story appears, a Bible verse, a brief general summary of the abuse voiced, a contemporary example or application, the woman telling her story in the first-person, discussion, a segment entitled Who is God When, and a quotation. I think that this is a great format for either personal or group study, and when the Biblical woman’s story is presented through her own voice, Schalesky uses words taken from Scripture as well as what she terms “biblical imagination.” This makes the stories more real for readers, especially any who might have trouble connecting with the Bible.

This book’s release coincides with so much chaos and the destruction of Christian values at an increasing pace in a secular culture that has little regard, it seems, for human life, so the timing is perfect because now more than ever before we need to be reading and studying God’s Word. “Women of the Bible Speak Out” offers glorious hope in the midst of life’s trials, providing a fresh perspective on the stories that many will recognize immediately but perhaps have not dug deeper yet. One thing that stood out to me in the first chapter about Eve, that I have always somehow overlooked, is that God banished Adam and Eve from Eden out of mercy so that they would not eat from the Tree of Life and live forever in their broken, sinful state. I also appreciated that Schalesky treated each story with the gravitas it deserved, and that she was not afraid to address the horrors of the situations while also placing them within the context of ordinary customs at that time.

Despite the differences in time periods and cultures, one thing will always remain the same: God’s love for us. We will all face circumstances that we don’t want, and we may never know why something happens, but remember that God did not spare His Son, and Jesus was crucified and rose again to take away our sins and to prepare a place for us. We must never give up or give in to the lies that the enemy tries to plant within us, “Because when you feel the most helpless, when all your options seem gone, when you’ve been used and cast aside, it is often at that very moment that God is working not just to save you, but to liberate you—to set you truly and fully free. Because you are his beloved.”

I received a complimentary copy of this book through Celebrate Lit and was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are my own.

In recent years the MeToo mouvement started, women who have been abused started to speak about the hurt, the pain they endure their voices needed to be heard, for too long shame has kept them silence.
Justice is so important for a victim of abuse however it's not always easy to obtain it. But you can turn to God and let him heal your wounds and believe that he can restore you entirely and be fair with you.
In her book the author invite you to dive in the story of several women of the Bible: Eve, Sarai, Hagar, Tamar, Abigail... women who know what pain is, women who have been betrayed, used, rejected, devalued... And she wants you to see that there is hope for you despites your circumstances
you are more than your past, shame can not hold you captive, you were created with a purpose, you are loved by your God you can be bold, courageous and an instrument into God's hands like Deborah who judged Israel or Jael who killed Sisera and delivered Israel, like Mary Mother of Jesus and others...
If you have suffered from abused, rejection... this book is for you, it will help you in your journey to be whole again.

What a good book for women who have been hurt, abandoned, abused, and otherwise mistreated. Schalesky shares her insights from stories of women in the Bible, women who have been abused, betrayed and more.

I usually bristle at an author retelling a Bible story through imagining details. Schalesky has done an excellent job of the retelling, however. She really brings out the emotions and hurt I had not even considered. I found Sarah's story particularly powerful. Abraham basically told her to make herself available for sexual misuse so he would be treated better. Twice. God preserved her well being after being betrayed by the man who was supposed to protect her.

But Schalesky acknowledges that God does not always prevent such harm to women. God rescued Sarah but what if He does not rescue you? Why does God allow abuse to happen and to continue? Schalesky admits she cannot provide the answers to those questions. What she does provide is encouragement to stay strong, to believe God will see you through and that God will heal you.

A couple aspects of this book I really like will probably irritate some Christians. Schalesky is an egalitarian. She emphasizes equality and that may be unwelcome to complimentarians. Another possible source of irritation is her discussion of wifely submission. Using the example of Abigail and that she was not rebuked for her actions, Schalesky suggests God did not intend women submit to such as foolishness.

This is a good book for women who have been hurt whether from gender role expectations or sexual abuse or anything in between. You'll not find any easy answers here but you will find encouragement to keep believing God will see you through to healing.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book through Celebrate Lit. My comments are an independent and honest review.

Thank you to Our Daily Bread Publishing and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced copy of this book.
I was reading through the other reviews of individuals who had read this one and I think my thoughts can be summarized like this, "I can see this book being helpful for Christian women who've experienced abuse and trauma, but as someone who hasn't, it just didn't resonate with me. The three fictional narratives that I did read were interesting, but the passages afterwards were too heavy and repetitive for me to want to keep reading."
I agree. I think the book was well written but I had a hard time relating to the material. That said, the book had me thinking of the roles/positions of women in the Bible and how God valued them and still values women. We can always turn to him despite our circumstances and He will provide a refuge for us.

I think this book is especially for anyone that's in small group, a coach, or even simply a friend, congregant of anyone woman that's experienced trauma in life. It's for the ones that "they can't relate", or "can't even imagine" when someone shares their story of brokenness misuse and abuse. Please don't put this book down because you think it doesn't pertain to you. As Christians it's our duty to mourn with the broken hearted, how can we begin to do that if we don't at least attempt to understand what they been through? Bravo for this book! If you read it from the lens of "fiction" it's easier to get by the parts that aren't "scripturally sound". Thanks Netgalley and Our Daily Bread Publishing for the opportunity to review this title.

DNF at 20%

I can see this book being helpful for Christian women who've experienced abuse and trauma, but as someone who hasn't, it just didn't resonate with me. The three fictional narratives that I did read were interesting, but the passages afterwards were too heavy and repetitive for me to want to keep reading.

Fantastic. This book was filled with wonderful insight into women in the Bible and the MeToo movement. I love how the author used context and important translations and theology to further her point, which makes her words so credible. I loved her take on these women's stories. Highly recommend for any woman and great for small groups.

Name: Women of the Bible Speak Out
Author: Marlo Schalesky
Genre: Women Fiction, Betrayal, Abuse, Healing, Hope
Review:
Sin broke our relationship with our
Creator, fractured all our relationships. So we live in broken-
ness—but not in hopelessness.
A modern retelling of the stories of the women of the Bible from a woman's point of view. A new perspective can change the way we see things. A strengthening and a true feminist mindset devours and questions the lives of those women.
I have read those stories before, it has been taught to us since childhood. But when we read this book, it's an eye opening experience for me.
God has created man and woman equal, different but equal. He loved them equally, it's the society, it's the people themselves who degraded the position of woman to that of the subordinate, to that of inferior. Seeing from their perspective, it is seen that God has always been fair and just.
Amazing book with strengthens the position of woman since the very beginning. Loved it

1 stars
This book started off strong. The author then took a couple of strange turns. She put herself into the shoes of certain women in the Bible and spoke for them.

Her theology is a little wishy washy as well but as soon as she started quoting Beth Moore I knew I had to quit reading.
This book had such potential but it ended up being so awful.
Avoid at all costs.
I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Marlo Schalesky's Women of the Bible Speak Out provides readers with a look at real women of the Bible, the hurts they experienced, and how God met them where they were. Schalesky offers women hope and healing as she explores the lives of these biblical women, including Eve, Hagar, Bathsheba, Esther, and the Samaritan woman, among others.

Schaesky takes creative license with each of the biblical characters, exploring what they might have thought and felt, and yet, I think she does it in a way that is true to the biblical text and the human experience. As I read, I certainly identified with many of the women, and I found that Schalesky drew together truths from God's Word that brought me hope as well as hope for healing from my own hurts and trauma.

It's a book I highly recommend to women who have experience any kind of trauma, hurt or abuse. You'll find a balm of healing as Schalesky gently guides you through other women's experiences, straight to the arms of God.

Note: I received a copy of the book from the publisher in exchange for this honest review. The opinions expressed are my own.

Any time I can read God's word and connect with it, it is a great read. Schalesky brought the stories of these women to be relevant and relate to women today.