I love the story a Rahab, a woman who found herself living in sin with no way out, takes a great risk and hides the Israelite spies. This act of faith gives her a place in the lineage of Christ. I am curious how the real Rahab lived and felt before and after this life changing decision. God had a plan all along. I love Tessa Afshar's writing, she always ignites my imagination and leads me right back to the source of truth. When I read her books, I have to go back and read the original story in the Bible to find God's truth. Afshar puts words and a story to my wonderings and I will forever appreciate and love her work!

Very much enjoyed the retelling of the story of Rahab. Appreciated the detailed effort given by the author to make this more than a book.

Pearl in the Sand retells the story of the Battle of Jericho. It tells about Rahab, her early tragic past, and the after events of the Bible. Rahab begins to listen to God’s voice and help the Hebrews. She slowly falls for the Hebrew leader, Salmone, and they plan to marry. As their marriage draws near, can Rahab ever forgive herself and move on from the past?

I have always admired Rahab from the Bible. I have always thought that she was a courageous woman to put her life at risk by helping the Hebrews. However, Mrs. Afshar gives a deeper look at Rehab. She fleshes out her backstory, and makes Rahab a complex character with real emotions and gives her a voice. In this novel, Rahab’s story is not for the faint of heart. She goes through many horrific events. She is a young woman who is traumatized by her past and does not forgive herself. Throughout the course of the novel, she struggles to love herself. It is with the help of God that she gradually learns to heal and find love. I also love her relationship with Salmone. They do not fall immediately in love. Their relationship took time and also had God’s help. With God’s help, they were able to start a new chapter in their life that is filled with much promise.

Overall, this novel is about redemption, forgiveness, and recovery. The message of this book is God’s love is the best form of healing. All the characters seemed to be developed. The story was very beautiful and heart-wrenching. Rahab is truly a heroine who deserves her happy ending. Unlike other biblical fiction writers that paint these biblical women as almost perfect, Rahab is far from perfect. Therefore, this seems like a very realistic take on Rahab. The story also moves at an even pace. Pearl in the Sand is perfect for fans of The Crimson Cord, The Scarlet Cord, and Jewel of Jericho! Pearl in the Sand is a must read for fans of Biblical fiction!

This is one of my favorite books. I have lost track how many times I have read it.
I loved the updated edition. I couldn't tell you for sure what was changed but it is still amazing!
Rahab is my favorite character in the Bible (other than Jesus of course), she is so strong, brave and full of faith.
This book changed my life many years ago and hold a very special place in my heart. It taught me how God views me, as His precious pearl.
I highly recommend this book to everyone.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I love Biblical fiction books and this author really made the characters and story come alive! Sometimes history can be dull and boring, so I love when authors spark my interest to go back and read the original stories, or research the time period or actualy people. That is how I define great Biblical or Historical fiction!

The author does a wonderful job of bringing one of the real life stories in the bible to life. She has taken some liberties, because not much is known about their lives other than the fact they were married, and had a child. However, she takes what life was life was like then, and adds imagination for some of the challenges they must have faced. The story is full of romance, danger, and God. Throughout the book, we get to glimpse how God works through us and through our lives to accomplish what He wants. It brought to life one small part of the bible for me, and for that I'm grateful. However, this book would be a great read on its own.

I never heard of this book before but an anniversary re-release usually means it is something special. That it is. It tells the story of the well-known prostitute from Jericho who aids the Israelite spies and is spared by God in exchange for her help when he orders the Israelites to destroy Jericho utterly. Don't think I usually favor biblical fiction, but this was well written and engaging.

Title: Pearl in the Sand
Author: Tessa Afshar
Pearl in the Sand is based on the Biblical story of Rahab, and Salmon(e), and the fall of Jericho. Since the Bible does not really say anything about Rahab’s life before the two spies make their way to her door. Or even after the fall of Jericho. Tessa Afshar had a little bit of poetic license in writing the novel. The author suggests that Rahab might have been sold in to prostitution at an early age by her father.
While Salmon(e) is a leader of the tribe of Judah. When Salmon(e) first meets Rahab he cannot see passed her past as a Zonah Hebrew word for prostitute however after a while the two fall in love. Even though the life of a Zonah wasn’t something that she chose, she still had to repent. The healing process comes to Rahab because of pearl earring that had been left in the sand over night and almost destroyed; she realizes that she is still beautiful and treasured by God. I wonder if that is why the author named the book Pearl in the sand.
How does a cannaite harlot find happiness, marriage, and love with a leader of Judah? Simple through God’s Grace. Pearl in the Sand is more than just a love story between Salmon(e) and Rahab. It more importantly a story of God’s Grace and Mercy, how with Faith and belief in God and Jesus the sins of the past are washed clean.
If you want to read more about Rahab you can read her story in Joshua in the Old testament, Hebrews, and Matthew in the New Testament. Joshua and Hebrews mention Rahab’s past it mentions her past covered with God’s Grace. Matthew includes her along with four other women.
Other fiction title about Rahab include Unashamed Francine Rivers, and Daughter of Deliverance Gilbert Morris

Oh this book is so special! I read it many years ago and was thrilled when it was re-released with some updates. Have you really ever thought about Rahab in the Bible? And the two spies that she saved from certain death? What about her life before? Who was she? This is a fascinating peek into what may have been going on in Jericho when the mighty walls came tumbling down and it's a great love story to boot. You won't regret reading this one.. Thanks, Tessa, for another superb book!

The story of Rahab is well known one but for many people its hard to imagine up all the extra details around the story that make it real. Tessa brings this story to life and gives the reader a visual of the way things could have been for Rahab and her family. I enjoyed the way Tessa showed so many of the possible emotions the Israelites felt with adding Rahab and her family into the mix. I would recommend this book to family and friends.

This interpretation of the Biblical story of Rahab was very well done as it explores the life of Rahab as she is given over to a life of prostitution at a young age and along with the rest of Jericho as she faces the God of Israel and considers the kind of God He is in comparison to the gods she has grown up with and follows her journey into the Israelite camp. I really enjoyed this book and thought it was very well done. Many thanks to Netgalley and Moody Publishers for this ARC

I am a major fan of the original story, so getting the chance to read the re-release with updated scenes and chapters was such a joy!! I could see the changes within this 10th anniversary edition. You can see the growth and changes from Tessa's debut of the book to this version.

Please understand that this book includes talk of child sacrifice (mildly), child sex, adultery and so forth. This takes place during the time of the book of Joshua.

I am still a fan of Rahab and her faith. From such a young age she denounced the pagan gods and began to feel a pull for something more. Rahab's faith was outstanding to say the least. As a character, seeing her development both spiritually and emotionally was amazing to see.

Salmone is a stubborn man. A man of God, yet he believes himself to be better than others because of his faith. Without realizing it he becomes prideful and self-righteous. I enjoyed his growth as a man.

The romance is everything to me. It gives me all the feels. Seeing their individual struggles and struggles as a couple was so interesting. Especially seeing them overcome them. I love their romance.

Joshua still rocks in this story! His words of wisdom to Salmone always make me happy. We need more men like him in books! Rahab's family always irritated me! The faith aspects were everything. I love the use of scripture, the nuggets of wisdom and the explanation of the title within the story.

This will forever be a five star read for me every time. I highly recommend it, just be prepared with tissue.

This book was a gorgeous retelling of the story of Rahab and exactly what I needed to read right now! The focus on hope and on God's provision was so timely, and I just loved the characterization. Rahab is brave, bold, but also gentle and repentant. I really appreciated that repentance and healing were a journey for her. Meanwhile, her family is complex and interesting. Salmone may have been a little too perfect, but who doesn't love a perfect Biblical hero? He has his own issues to grapple with, and I loved seeing their relationship as it developed. Miriam was perhaps my favorite character-- I learned as much from reading about her as I did reading about Rahab. I will be checking out more of Tessa Afshar's books and giving this one to all my family and friends who enjoy reading! Thank you so much!

Pearl in the Sand is exactly what I would expect from Tessa Afshar. I loved this book and will give it five plus stars.

Pearl in the Sand
A Novel - 10th Anniversary Edition
by Tessa Afshar
Moody Publishers
Christian
Pub Date 06 Oct 2020


I am reviewing a copy of Pearl in the Sand through Moody Publishers and Netgalley:




Pearl in the Sand is a book that examines our worth in God’s sight. This is the untold story of Rahab’s journey from lowly outcast to redeemed child of God.





Rahab lives in a home built into a wall , a wall that fortifies and protects the City of Jericho. But she is surrounding by other walls too, walls of fear, rejection and unworthiness...Years of pain and betrayal have wounded Rahab’s heart. She has doubts that her dreams of true love will ever come true.




In this book a woman with a wrecked past, a man of success, faith and pride, brought together in a marriage that only God could conceive. Through the heartaches of a relationship that is stormy Rahab and Salmone learn the true source of one another’s worth and find healing in God.



If you are looking to travel back to the days of Rahab, I recommend Pearl In the Sand!



I give Pearl In the Sand five out of five stars!



Happy Reading!

This book looks at Rahab from a totally different perspective. Most novels have focused on Rahab's part in Israel's battle for Jericho. Instead Afshar's novel focuses on Rahab's life after Jericho: her adoption in to the tribes of Israel, the attitude of some of the Israelites towards her, and her sense of unworthiness to be forgiven by the one true God. It is a tale of Rahab's journey from rejection and fear to forgiveness and strength. It is the journey of one of the ancestors of Jesus Christ.

This is well done, believable, historical Biblical fiction. It is filled with the history of the period: the hardships, the battles, the intricacies and problems of living within a nomadic civilization that is now trying to find their place on earth. The characters are superbly developed especially Rahab, Salmone, and Miriam; and each of them plays a special role in the others' lives.

Salmone's explanation of the pearl in the sand and how it compares to Rahab was particularly moving. This book is filled with numerous wisdom gems that will stay in the reader's mind for a long time.
Hope to see more Biblical fiction from Tessa Afshar.

FAVORITE QUOTES: "All they had was God. And wrapped up in faith, this seemed more than enough."

"He believes the past remains the past. It becomes God's domain...Our job is to rescue the present from its rotting carcass."

"She didn't need to point out her neighbors' hypocrisy and unkindness as a means of making herself feel better. She wouldn't have to put them down in order to raise herself up. God would take care of them."

"Son, a woman needs to feel safe in love. She needs to know her husband accepts everything about her and still loves her. To be know through and through, including the failures of her past, the shortcomings of her character, and still be loved, that's the Promised Land of a woman's heart.

**I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions are mine alone. I was not compensated for this review.

I received this ARC from netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

What a rollercoaster of emotions and what a well written tale. This.book is one of my first sci-fi novel. A heartwarming story. Would love to add it to my library, provided I get it in India,

Dear Tessa Afshar,

Thank you for your amazing story, Pearl in the Sand. While I have read many Biblical fiction stories, including a number of yours, few have touched my heart in the way this one has.

Rahab’s story is one that I have pondered occasionally, yet never in much detail. I revel in the thought that she is included in the genealogy of Jesus – that picture of grace alone is enough to make her story amazing. Though, somehow, I don’t think I ever pictured the struggle she would have gone through in accepting that grace and mercy for herself. How much shame she would have endured, both from within and from those around her.

As Rahab and her family are taught the laws and requirements for becoming a part of the children of Israel, I was so impressed with the way you pushed past the rules and into the heart of the Law. Where so many see only regulations and sacrifices demanded, Rahab instead saw the heart of the God who loves His children and desires purity of heart and mind. She understood how obedience is not a matter of doing what is forced but an act of love.


I thoroughly enjoyed seeing some of the events from the Book of Joshua occur through Rahab and Salmone’s eyes. When the sun stood still and those back at the camp saw it without knowing how or why… Wow! Of course they were surprised!

I knew, from reading your introduction, that there would be a touching defining moment related to “the pearl”, though it was only hinted at there. I’m really not one who often cries while I’m reading. Sure, I might know a moment is beautiful and that it would make others cry, but my tears are rare. When I arrived at that scene, however, I knew it was “the” one. And I did cry.

Thank you again for this incredible picture of grace and mercy. Of acceptance and how we are made clean through God’s kindness.

PHYLLIS
Readers,

The one caveat I have is from when Salmone was helping Rahab understand forgiveness. In some ways, it appeared that if the motive for her sin had been worse, if, for example, she had been a temple prostitute instead of simply a harlot, forgiveness wouldn’t have been given or that her shame would have been justified.

I don’t believe that was the author’s intent – I just want to make it clear here.

There is no sin that cannot be forgiven. It is not about why we sinned – it is about receiving forgiveness now with a humble heart.

This book is my introduction to Tessa Afshar and the biblical fiction genre. I will definitely keep reading her books!

Pearl in the Sand brings to life the story of Rahab in the Bible. It is a very beautifully written story about love, forgiveness, redemption, healing, faith and restoration. Tessa pulls us into the world of Rehab and Salmone, one of Israel’s leaders while showing us the parallels between Rahab and Salmone’s love and God’s love for us.

One of my favourite quotes is "Jewels don’t lose their value just because they’re dirty. It’s still a pearl even if it’s been stepped on."

I love that Tessa added discussion questions at the end of the book. It gives us the opportunity to think more deeply about what’s happening in the story and reflect on our own lives.

I received a complimentary copy of the ‘Pearl in the Sand’ galley from Moody Publishers for my honest review.

An unforgettable read, Pearl in the Sand is the story of Rahab the harlot who became an ancestor of Christ. Not only that but she was not an Israelite, she was an alien captive from Jericho. This is a very moving story that will hold your interest from the very first chapter. The telling of how she came to be in the linage of Jesus Christ is a story not soon forgotten. A well written novel by Afshar with characters so well defined that you actually see and hear them. This telling of Rahab’s life tells how she became a harlot and about her captivity and the man she married. An amazing story of her battle with shame and feeling unworthy. So beautiful is this story of learning to forgive and learning to trust in what the Lord has in store for one’s life and to follow as He leads……I was an early reader, thanks to Moody Publishers via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.