Oh, how I love to actually LIVE inside a story. A Pearl in the Sand is a gorgeous, captivating, soul-touching story based on the Biblical story of Rahab. I will miss these characters and the many emotions they put me through!

Biblical fiction breathes a new kind of life to the Bible stories I’ve read since youth. It’s so evident that great care was taken to be historically accurate with customs and beliefs and yet, the fictional aspects don’t take away an ounce of the original story’s wonder.

In this story of love, faith, forgiveness, and redemption, Rahab and Salmone put me through the wringer. I was sympathetic to all Rahab had to overcome, in awe of Joshua’s leadership and Miriam’s strength, and appalled at Rahab’s father’s errors. And then there’s Salmone, who may have undergone the deepest transformation. He pierced my heart in oh so many places.

And don’t miss the sweet treat discovered in the epilogue. It’s so meaningful and gave me chills.

All. The. Feels.

I’ve read several of Tessa Afshar’s stories, and though difficult to pick a favorite, this is certainly one of my favorites. And the part in the book when I realized the true significance of the pearl…oh my.

Every aspect of this book is spectacular, right down to the dedication page. The writing is strong and effective, the characters are believable and easy to connect with, the history transported me, and I experienced emotions in Biblical proportions.

#CoverLove #2020Favorite #PearlintheSand #ReadTessaAfshar


I received an advanced copy of this 10th anniversary book from the publisher. Opinions expressed are completely my own.

Sometimes a book is so good, it’s hard to find the words to write a review that does justice to the story. This is one of those times for me.

Every book Tessa Afshar has written is amazing. It would be difficult for me to choose my favorite among all her stories. This one, however, is in my top five of her books. The Biblical account of Rahab’s faith and courage has always touched my heart. Tessa Afshar has taken Rahab’s story and made it so compellingly real, I felt as if I actually knew Rahab. I could feel the tension growing in the city of Jericho, and could appreciate more fully what it must have been like during those days. The themes of hope, forgiveness, and redemption are so strong throughout this book that several times I was near tears as I was reading. I am again amazed at the mercy of God. I think this is the author’s intent with the story: For us to be overwhelmed with God’s love for us, and the way He will reach out to us in mercy so that we will turn to Him.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

I was captivated from the beginning of this superb fictionalized account of Rahab and Salmone. Rahab, thrown into prostitution by her father at a very young age in order to generate income for the family, suffers from feelings of rejection and low self-worth. This is the story of her slow progress from being a zonah to a rich life as a worthy woman of God. It’s the love story between her and Salmone. It’s the story that’s as relevant today with women still battling in their sufferings to overcome past demons as it was back in biblical times.

Thank you, Tessa Afshar, for writing this keepsake of a novel. I expect to read and re-read this in expectation of my discovery of more of the many powerful, uplifting biblical messages tucked throughout.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley and was under no obligation to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.

A powerful story of God's redeeming love.

I jumped at the chance to finally read Pearl in the Sand for the first time, even though I'm a longtime fan of Tessa Afshar, I had somehow not yet read this gem, until now. Riveting and heartfelt, Rehab's story comes to life through her struggles, inspiring faith, and the realistic bringing to life of the cultural landscape.

Revamped, edited, and revised from the original, with a stunning new cover, the beautiful message is the same. I got my hands on the older edition just to compare, and while most are small, the changes are well thought out, like a word choice change here and there, or a sentence, and a scene revision--and in my opinion all the changes are positive.

This is a poignant story that delves deep, with solids truths, and I think that we can all see ourselves in Rehab, struggling to feel worthy of God's amazing grace. Masterfully told, this story flows well, and the research done to bring the time period and setting to life is evident. The characters are well developed, and the communication is shown not just told through body language. I was inspired by Rehab's all-in faith, and loved the friendship between Rehab and Miriam.

A compelling novel about the life of Rehab, and God's redemptive, unconditional love for us. This 10th Anniversary Edition is the perfect opportunity to read this book for the first time, or share it with a loved one. I am always struck by God's unending grace towards me, and this book is an excellent reminder of just that. Highly recommend!



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

This is the story of Rahab, one of the unlikely women who became a direct ancestor of Jesus Christ. I read the original version of this book in 2012 and was happy to read it again in its newer form through NetGalley. Honestly, I couldn't tell what was different. While we know almost nothing about Rahab's life in Jericho before the Hebrew spies interacted with her, I thought the author's imagination filled in the background with a plausible scenario that once again drew me in. I loved the way the characters interacted with each other, and her descriptions of what they said and did made it easy to draw personal applications about how 'God extends mercy and grace to each of us and treasures us as a precious pearl To me, the weaker sections were when those applications were stated instead of implied. I liked the way the the story continued after the wedding and didn't just become "happily ever after". I absolutely loved the way the epilog hinted at the story of Ruth. Although I've read several other books by this author, I do believe this is my favorite.

“Can a Canaanite harlot who made her living enticing men be a fitting wife for a leader of Israel?

Shockingly, the Bible’s answer is yes”

My Review:
Title: Pearls In The Sand
Genre: Biblical Fiction
Author: Tessa Afshar

I have read and heard of the bible story of Rahab for as long as I can remember. Rahab the Harlot, Rahab and the Crimson Rope or the Scarlet Cord and Rahab who rescued the Spies that led to her and her families spared lives.

This is the 10year special edition. I did not read the first edition but this attracted me and held my interest. It extended Rahab’s role as a family member and her place in society. There have been book wide edits and extra scenes in this edition. It is a smooth rich read.

In this Christian Fiction the author stretches your imagination. There is so much more to Rahab then the introductory title and reputation linked with her name. The story builds on a culture, lifetime and place so foreign and contrasting that makes it captivating and curious.

I admire Rahab’s resilience even before her heroic act. The red light district in ancient times with its shadows, burdens and shame was part of the life then, she was a temple prostitute. Her part in the war plan dramatises the story, and gives it the tension I cheer for!

Rahab falls in love with Salamon and I fell in love with their falling in love! Setbacks and comebacks make for a fulfilling read. Themes of trust and forgiveness flow deep in this narrative and in some pages I had to pause to catch my breath, I’m thrust in the middle of the story and it comes alive in raw and real ways.

I received a complimentary online copy of “Pearls In The Sand” from the author and publishers Moody Publishers.
I was not required to provide a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

This story focuses on forgiveness, redemption and what God can do in our lives if we let him. He can heal us from the inside out if we surrender to his touch. The author says, …”For me, the story of Rahab becomes truly interesting after her marriage to Salmone. Only God would think of putting together a former Canaanite harlot with one of the leaders of Judah, a man who belonged to one of the foremost families in Israel….”Through Rahab and Salmone’s various struggles…I wanted to capture the wild nature of grace, of divine love, of the insane new beginnings that God allows. There is a lot of romance in this story. But perhaps the greatest one is between God and Rahab. And often, God and the reader.”

I whole heartily agree with that. The author gets to the heart of the matter in this thought-provoking, moving story that will stick with you long after you close the book. This works well for your next book club pick. The author has questions in the back of the book to help create a lively intuitive discussion. This is a book you do not want to miss.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”

Nora St. Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins!
The Book Club Network blog www.bookfun.org

The bare bones of Rahab's story are well known: she was a prostitute in Jericho who sheltered the Israelite spies and in return was saved, with her family, when the city was destroyed. She went on to marry a Jewish man and have a family, with her son Boaz being in the line of Jesus. This story puts flesh and blood onto those bare bones and breathes spirit into them, making of Rahab a living, breathing woman of faith who accepted that her way of life was wrong and changed, turning to the God of Israel and choosing to obey his commands in her life. But it does so much more too: it portrays her struggles and fears, and shows something of what marriage after such a background could have been like, from both her point of view and her husband's - and all this without once giving more intimate details than I wanted to hear.

This is the first book I've read by this author, but it's definitely made me want to read more. Like most Biblical fiction stories, this adds a lot to the story as recorded in the Bible, but the additions are generally quite plausible and at times thought-provoking (in this case, there was one detail that I don't think quite matches what is recorded, but it was minor and probably open to interpretation). Though not mentioned directly, it made me think about how the people of Israel were taught the law in the wilderness - it's a lot to learn and a lot of people to teach, and not something I've really thought about before. All in all, I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys Biblical fiction, and hope to read more by the author in future.

Note that I received a complimentary copy of the book from NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review and this is my considered opinion of the book.

#Pearl in the Sand # by Tessa Afshar is a Biblical Fiction book. Tessa has won the Christy award for Harvest of Gold, Land of Silence got the Inspy award. She was born in the Middle East . She ended up going to school in the England and later went to the United States. She got a Master's in Divinity from Yale. She was the co-chair for Evangelical Fellowship at Yale for a year. This book was republished for the 10th anniversary! The book is very inspiring. Rahab is a character in the Bible. The author writes her story in a beautiful way. She shows how her character grows and changes. She helps the reader understand what life was like in Jericho at that time. The reader will feel like they can relate and connect more to her story. The story is inspiring. Pearl in the Sand is a beautiful title for the book. The pearl is developed in this book. The reader will feel like they are living life at that time in Jericho. Rahab was confronted with lots of challenges and opposition. Thank you to netgalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read and review this book. It is a wonderful book and well written. I would highly recommend it.

A Canaanite woman who once sold her body is used to bring God glory. Pearl in the Sand is the story of Rahab who lived in the wall of Jericho. She has an unsavory past but God can make her into a suitable wife for one of Israel's leaders.
Salmone is a strong man of faith who has faced heartache. When he meets Rahab, he is shocked to desire someone of such a wretched past.
What I loved about this story is that the author took a well-known Bible historical tale and opened my eyes to what her life might have been back then. We know that Jesus came out of this lineage but I never considered what Rahab and her family had to go through once they left Jericho.
Seeing them learn new ways and how to learn a new faith and way of life was very interesting to me. I especially admired Rahab's faith and how it was depicted in this book.
The cover art is beautiful and it was wonderful to see that a book written years ago was given a comeback. I do think that the written was a tad simplistic but what a great read!
Thank you #Netgalley

Pearl in the Sand 10th Anniversary Edition once again strikes a chord in your heart. Afshar's heart for broken people encountering God shines brightly in this captivating retelling of her first published book. While this story is known and loved, it felt fresh once again due to added content throughout the story.
A Zonah from Jericho and a prince from the tribe of Judah are an unlikely match, yet Joshua and God approve of this marriage. Rahab's past and Salmone's pure bloodlines provide a chasm that might not be overcome. Salmone is a warrior who will not give up in battle, now he has to battle for the honest love of his wife. Rahab has built walls around her heart as thick at the walls of Jericho. She built these walls for protection and safety. "Her choices were to trust God or to trust the monstrous fears of her heart." What will she choose?

I always learn so many things about myself through Tessa Afshar's books. This one was no different. The title of this book is appropriate as I find pearls of wisdom throughout the story that help me on my journey. While I knew this book would be another precious gem, I didn't know of the beautiful facets the words would shine into my life once again. There is beauty in the struggles of life.

"My little Jericho. Don't you want to know why I call you that before you forbid me? It's a picture God gave me. You don't know this perhaps, but for Israel, conquering Jericho represented an impossibility. Those high walls. How were we to climb them? Smash them? In the end, God did the work. Our job was to show up, day after day, ignoring every discouragement, persisting in what He had asked us to do. Those walls came down not becaue of our strength, but because of God's. You are that walled city, Rahab. In my flesh, I didn't have the resources to win you. But God is dealing with us both."

This scene speaks into my life as I think about facing so many obstacles. All God asks us to do is show up day after day doing what He asks us to do and He will take care of the rest. Thank you for this gem. This book will be treasured even more than the first. I know it will be read many times in the future.

The Canaanite harlot Rahab lived in the defensive walls of Jericho. Other walls surrounded her as well--walls of fear, rejection, and unworthiness. Pearl in the Sand tells the story of how Rahab came to love God and live amongst the Israelites where she became the wife of Salmone, a leader of Israel. While their relationship and marriage started out rough, the couple ultimately learned the source of their worth and found healing in God.
This book is packed with tons of gems of wisdom that reminded me of how much God loves me and of how precious I am to God.
There is a lot of sexual content and innuendo in this book that made me uncomfortable, though. It's not at the level of a Harlequin book, but pretty close. I could have liked the book's message way more if it focused less on the romance and the potential sexual relationship of Rahab and Salmone.

In the 10th Anniversary Edition of Pearl in the Sand, award-winning author Tessa Afshar brings the Biblical story of Rahab and Salmone to life with powerful messages of redemption, healing, and grace. Not much is known about Rahab, the Canaanite harlot who is named in the lineage of Jesus, but Tessa Afshar’s incredible writing fills in the blanks and encourages readers to dig deeper into the Bible.

The original cover of Pearl in the Sand is a stunning and well-recognized cover that deeply resonates with the story, but the new cover is absolutely breathtaking in its own right with the beautiful gold embossed lettering and the placement of the scarlet cord. The scene with the pearl earring touched me so profoundly, and readers will relate to Rahab’s doubts about her value and worth.

The 10th Anniversary Edition of Pearl in the Sand is highly recommended for readers of biblical fiction. Even if you’ve read the original version, you won’t want to miss out on the updated version of this iconic biblical fiction novel.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine.

I requested and was granted a copy of this book through Netgalley. This review is not required and is my own, unbiased opinion.

When I started reading this book, I kept thinking I had already read it. I then realized I had and that this is a revised version of the original book. I had read the original so many years ago I cannot tell you what the revisions are but, I did truly enjoy the book. I have always enjoyed anything by Tessa Afshar.

The book is a fictionalization of the Biblical account of Rahab, the harlot. Since she was from Jericho and married an Israelite we can assume she converted. She is also in the lineage of Jesus.

The story was very well written and all the characters were very well developed. It was a believable account of how it might have happened.

The editing of the book was very well done as well. That makes reading more enjoyable.

I would recommend this book to my friends.

Pearl in the Sand tells the story of Rahab and Salmone beginning with a supposition of how she became a prostitute.

There were times where I felt as if I were being told the story instead of experiencing it and other times when I was dropped into a character's viewpoint. That being said, the author's insight of what the characters especially Rahab was feeling was masterfully written.

Ms. Afshar gave you a firsthand look at what it may have felt like for a prostitute to integrated into a nation of people striving towards holiness. She was especially insightful when it came to the marriage between a former prostitute and a leader in Israel.

Rahab was a sympathetic character especially when she is first juxtaposed against the judgmental Salmone. There were times when reading this that I felt there were shades of Pride and Prejudice (mostly on Salmon'e's part).

I received an advanced reader's copy from the publishers through NetGalley; a positive review was not required.

I can not say how much I loved this book. I loved loved loved it and can't wait to read it again. I've already pre-ordered my copy of this book's new release.
"Pearl in the Sand" was the first novel I have read by Tessa Afshar, and I can guarantee you it will not be my last. As I speak I have other novels of hers queued in my amazon account and plan to place an order shortly - and so should you! I absolutely adored every moment I spent reading this novel. It was SO good.

Why did I enjoy it so much? Well, Rahab was completely unforgettable. The insight that Tessa Afshar showed in her pondering regarding Rahab's supposed youth and perhaps the type of circumstances that landed her in the position of being a harlot was simply brilliant.... but also the situations and the events that would perhaps cause a harlot of Jericho to have a spirit sensitive enough to head the voice of God and aid the Israeli spies and also to win the heart of one of Isreal's high ranking men? Just amazing. The journey this novel took me on was utterly spellbinding and I couldn't stop reading it.

Rahab was an incredible character. From her days in Jericho to her wisdom and humility in the months spent integrating into Israel's camp to her first tender months as the wife of Salmone were just breathtaking. Tessa Afashar's delicate touch in molding such an intricate and interesting character was simply a treat to read.

I can honestly say I felt like I was in the streets of Jericho feeling fear pound through my soul as the sounds of thousands of Israeli sandals marched around the city and reverberated through my bones.... or the wordless fear and awe as Rahab realized the almighty power of Israel's God... each and every step of this story was amazing and I can't recommend this book enough. Buy it!



Thank-you to Moody Publishers and to Net Galley for the opportunity to review this book prior to its 10 year anniversary re-release.

Pearl in the Sand
A Novel - 10th Anniversary Edition
by Tessa Afshar
Back of the Book: “Can a Canaanite harlot who made her living enticing men be a fitting wife for a leader of Israel? Shockingly, the Bible’s answer is yes.
This 10th-anniversary edition of Pearl in the Sand includes new features that will invite you into the untold story of Rahab’s journey from lowly outcast to a redeemed child of God. Rahab’s home is built into a wall, a wall that fortifies and protects the City of Jericho. However, other walls surround her too, walls of fear, rejection, and unworthiness… Years of pain and betrayal have wounded Rahab’s heart—she doubts whether her dreams of experiencing true love will ever come true…
A woman with a wrecked past—a man of success, of faith... of pride. A marriage only God would conceive! Through the heartaches of a stormy relationship, Rahab and Salmone learn the true source of one another’s worth and find healing in God.”
Impressions: I love it when I can read a book that brings the Bible alive.
Liked: There was so much wisdom in this book.
Learned: There was so much wisdom to glean from Rehab in this story. Too much to share here legally!
Quotes: "Trust God. And when you run out of trust, just obey Him." – I loved this quote. It is so easy to fall into my own doubts when I’m struggling but this is the perfect reminder to keep going forward with God's plan.
"Human wisdom won't win us these battles. It will be God alone, as it has been since the day Moses let us out of the bondage of Egypt." – Amen!
"I suppose we are incapable of truly learning to trust God without paying a cost. To see these waters part, we must be willing to step into them." – ahem… Stepping forward in faith is HARD sometimes. That being said how can we show faith if we aren’t willing to take a step forward? Be bold! I (we?) have God on our side!
"You have grown judgment in your attempt at righteousness." – ouch. It is easy to fall into the judgment, self-righteous category. Even with good intentions. It is good to be reminded to be humble and “check yourself.”
"Ah, yes. She's unclean. Vile with sin. What an unfamiliar concept to the nation of Isreal. Because our greatest leader Moses never killed a man in rage." – The list of sinners is long. We are all on that list. Again humbling.
"We are not to be like other people. He knows how quickly we can stray from His side."
"Sacrifices are both the acknowledgment of our wrong and the price of our forgiveness."
"...lower cough..." – I was dying after reading this! I will never pass gas without laughing; “What it was just a lower cough.”
"God's standards measure my heart, not an illusion of righteousness I might contrive to achieve with my actions."
"Let's sort through this from God's point of view."
I received a copy of this via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review shared here.

This is a beautifully written book. The author makes the book come to life with her words. This story is full of God's grace and redemption. This is a book you don't want to miss! Thank you Moody Publishers via NetGalley for the ARC copy of this beautiful book. All opinions expressed are my own.

What a beautiful take on an amazing story of God's redeeming grace and His perfect plan for our lives. Rahab plays such an important role in the conquest of Jericho, yet we have little to go on in the Bible. I've always wondered about Rahab and her story, before the conquest and also after she married Salmone - given her (little known) history. Starting from the beginning, Tessa Afshar brings us along on the journey, showing us why Rahab would have 'chosen' the life that she was living when Joshua's spies came upon her path.
Something I guess I've always known yet never really thought about, was the horrific sacrifices made to the gods of the heathen. Burning a baby as a petition for Molech's blessing - what an utterly heartbreaking reality check.
Such a great read, I don't know why it took me so long to pick up this one!
Thanks to Moody Publishers for gifting me an ebook via Netgalley.

Pearl In The Sand by Tessa Afshar (Moody Publishers; 10th Anniversary Edition; Pub date: 6 October 2020) is a beautiful retelling of the Biblical story of Rahab, who played a pivotal role in ancient Israel’s conquest of Canaan.

Readers of the Bible will be familiar with the story of Rahab as recounted in Chapters 2 and 6 of the Book of Joshua.

But other than these short accounts and few sporadic references to her in the Bible, not much else is known about Rahab's life before her encounter with the spies and after she and her family were saved and brought to live with the Israelites after Jericho's fall. So it’s left to writers, past and present, to employ creative licence to flesh out the missing parts of her life story. Tessa Afshar is one writer who had attempted this audacious task and, to me, she had done a remarkable job. The result is a poignant and moving story of despair from poverty, betrayal, innocence lost, guilt and shame, kindness, mercy, grace and redemption. What shines through her storytelling is the constant thread of God's goodness and grace, not only for His people and Rahab but also for people who allow Him to work in their lives. Kudos to her.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the free eARC on exchange for an honest review.