I have looked forward to this book for a while and it did not disappoint. H.B. Moore's understanding of the culture of Biblical times and her understanding of and research into the Bible's message makes this book very enlightening. She was careful to only quote Jesus' words from the bible. Not put other words into his mouth. I love how the additional storyline helps me picture what it might have been like to live at that time. For some reason, I had never before considered how unusual it would be at that time for a woman to want to study the word of God. How out of place Mary might have been from other women of her time. This story gave me perspective. I love how the characters of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus were portrayed. They were all so different yet united in their love of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

I never miss one of HB Moore's books, especially her biblical fiction stories. They are always beautifully written and told in a way that keeps me reading and wanting to learn more. She brings each character to life with the setting, plot and descriptions.

This book really made Mary and Martha come alive to me. I thought the author did a good job of following the scriptural story but added the culture aspects in to help the reader understand the story better. I really enjoyed the book and would highly recommend it.

I enjoyed this book.
Even though parts of it were fiction, it gave a great eye into the way things may have been,.
Lovely read. Well done

I have really enjoyed all of Heather B Moore’s books that are based on woman in the Bible. I have learn so much from each and every one. I really enjoyed this one.

This was my first time reading H.B. Moore's Biblical fiction and let me tell you, I will be reading her other ones. I fell in love with this story. Moore did a fantastic job and taking a story from the Bible and helping to bring the story to life even more showing us perspectives of the time, emotions that may have been going through their minds at the time. One reason I love books like this is that they really dive into the culture and help it all to really come to life for us readers, make it more applicable to today. I have an even greater respect for the two women after reading Moore's retelling and I was so sad to see the book end.

Being able to see the story through Mary and Martha's eyes was so eye opening for me. And I even loved that we got to see pieces of Lazarus perspective as well. Mary's enthusiasm for learning all that Christ has to teach is addicting for the reader, and Martha's desire to serve everyone well and do her part in the family and community is inspiring. They are great role models for us all and Moore helped me see that even more than I had before.

This is such a wonderful retelling of a beautiful biblical story, rich with thoughts, experiences, and life. I absolutely loved this book. I thought about it for days and even weeks after finishing it. I love books that impact my life like that and this was definitely one of those books. I can't wait to dive into Moore's other biblical fiction books!

Mary and Martha was a great read and I am going to give it five stars. I would love to read more like this from HB Moore in the future.

This is an interesting peek into what the lives of Mary, Martha and Lazarus may have been like. The feelings of helplessness when Lazarus died felt very real. On the other hand, a lot of this book didn't feel authentic to me. The description of the burial ground sounded a lot more like modern cemetaries than what I understand them to have been like in Palestine in Jesus' day. Mary's escape from the house by making a rope of her bedclothes felt too melodramatic, and the way Mary and Martha understood everything about the prophecies of Jesus' death before His resurrection happened and the Holy Spirit came just didn't ring true to me. Unfortunately, this is Biblical fiction that I can't recommend.

I received a review copy of this book from <Book Provider>, and these are my honest thoughts about it.

#BookReview: MARY AND MARTHA by H.B Moore 4.5 stars

This is the second biblical fiction book I have read. I have this hesitation and that it will deviate so much from the truth. But I have heard good reviews about this book so I picked it up. As the title suggests, the story is about Mary and Martha. But also about their brother Lazarus and his family. New characters are incorporated to create a better picture of the town of Bethany and it’s people, as well as their customs and traditions.

I love how the whole story evolved. Lazarus helping Horeb is a blessing. I am in awe of Horeb and Sarah’s faith in Jesus. That moment when Lazarus saw Jesus for the first time. Wow. I can’t fathom how it must feel to see Jesus in person. I had some goosebumps too! It must be jaw dropping to see Jesus perform miracle after miracle. I know the bible story of Mary and Martha in the bible but I still anticipated Jesus’s arrival at their house. I feel their willingness and excitement when they prepare to see Jesus again. I cried and laughed with this family. It was an amazing journey of faith and love.

I enjoy romance but I have mixed feelings about the subgenre of Mary and Martha’s love life. I got used to the subtle glances and feelings evoked by the couples involved. Zachary and Horeb are good men so I’m happy with that.

I appreciate the scripture references by chapter and in order of reference at the end of the book. This is a perfect read during this #lentenseason and every season of the year. This will be one of my unforgettable reads for the year.

Thank you @covenant and #netgalley for the complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.

I love this author’s writing style, and she gave us a different look at this familiar account in the Bible. I felt as if I were there watching these events take place. It’s a little bit different look at Mary and Martha, and I’m still evaluating some things about this book. I’m going to come back and update this review within the next few days. This is not a bad opinion of the book at all—just need some more thought for the review.

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

#maryandmartha #netgalley

I loved H.B. Moore's historical books, they bring bible stories to life for me. This one was amazing to read and really brought a new perspective and life to the story.

This book gave a good picture of the time of Jesus. I enjoyed the backstory of Lazarus, Martha and Mary, It was different then that of other novels I've read. It did help think about what Jesus teachings and healings were like for the people.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for the purpose of an honest review.

I had never thought much about Mary and Martha beyond the one scripture in the bible. I love the way Moore portrayed the sisters. I became invested in them and their family. Definitely one I can share with my Christian book group.

Historical Fictions can sometimes be tricky reads if you have an invested interest in the historical time period or the story. As such there were some scenes in the book that were incongruous with my expectations. That is the wonderful thing about fiction though, you can imagine it any way you want. And Heather’s imagery of the story and the time period was beautifully done.

I loved that the story was not just from Mary and Martha’s point of view, but Lazarus’ as well. Heather created both Mary and Martha with both weaknesses, strengths and growth. For such iconic biblical characters she portrayed well, as women to be respected and emulated in their own ways.

The romances were subtle and took a back seat the to the family dynamics and the sister’s relationship which I felt was perfect for this story and very well done.

I wish the relationship between Jesus and Lazarus, Mary and Martha was developed a little more. I felt like it was missing some of the substance I’d always attributed to them. I understand however, the delicate nature of attributing any words or actions to Christ that aren’t cannon; and respect that those that were used in the text were direct quotes.

As a whole the family relationships really made the novel shine and I loved seeing these precious moments in history through the eyes of such well developed characters.

These novelizations of biblical stories are really well done and drawing me into the stories of the scriptures more and making these biblical stories more real and relatable. While the narrative and dialogue are told in more modern language, Moore includes all the words spoken by Jesus as they are written in the actual scriptures (KJV). Her research and attention to detail are both very obvious in her writing and in this story. She mentions in her Acknowledgements that her dad is a biblical scholar (and she also had a Facebook live with him to discuss this book) and that his knowledge and research were a source for information as she developed the setting for the book -- the explanation of their home, the foods, the customs, down to the little things like the use of oils and spices in everyday life and rituals. Those details are what help make the stories from the scriptures, which took place in such a different time from today, become more real and, again, relatable. The author is LDS and, as such, she uses the King James Version of the Bible for her scriptural references. However, this book would be appropriate for more than just an LDS audience. All Christians can relate to the story of the sisters Mary and Martha and their brother Lazarus and how they built a relationship with Jesus and how it affected their lives. Yes, the story as far as their home lives and all those details, including their romances, are fictional, but Moore takes the foundation of their story from the scriptures and builds it into so much more to bring it to life for readers.

I very much enjoyed this book. I’m sad to admit that reading the scriptures has always been somewhat of a chore for me so when I got this book I was worried that I would dislike it. I was pleasantly surprised that I liked it. The author made the scriptures come alive for me. It was written in a way that it kept my interest and even made me want to look a few things up. Very well done!

I've been a huge fan of H.B. Moore's Biblical fiction since I read Eve: In the Beginning. The way she writes these stories bring extra dimension to the characters and makes them come alive to me. I can see the events unfold in my head as I read and I learn more than when I simply read the Bible stories on my own.

I read this book a couple of weeks ago, and have though a lot about what to say that would do it justice. I loved that the author did three points of view (Mary, Martha, and Lazarus), instead of just Mary and Martha's. I loved the interactions of the three siblings; how they cared for, and helped each other. I forget that at that time, there were very few women who read and studied the teachings of the prophets, but Mary and Martha were different, and knew of the prophecies concerning the coming of Jesus. I loved the scenes when they interacted with Jesus, and have always identified more with Martha, as I would've been the one in the kitchen worried about the meal I was serving Jesus and his disciples.

I never considered the pain these siblings would've felt upon hearing that Christ was brought before Pilate and then his Crucifixion. How devastated they must have been to learn of their dear friend's death. The way it's told helps me know how they probably felt. This is a beautiful story, told in a beautiful way--weaving the things we know about Mary, Martha and Lazarus, and the teachings of Jesus with some fiction of how their daily lives probably were. You can tell how much research H.B. Moore does for her books, and read about the care she took writing this book.

I received a complimentary copy from Covenant and NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Mary and Martha
by H.B Moore
Covenant Communications
Christian | Religion & Spirituality
Pub Date 02 Nov 2020


I am reviewing a copy of Mary and Martha through Covenant Communications and Netgalley:



Lazarus was a hardworking prosperous landowner and extensive travel are a means to comfortably support his family which includes his two sisters Mary and Martha. Following a journey to sell his wares. when Lazarus comes upon an opportunity to assist a stranger in need which delays his return home.





It is through Lazarus’s selfless act of service, that he, Mary, and Martha find themselves standing witness to miracles they never dreamed possible in the presence of a man who will forever change them and those they love a man called Jesus of Nazareth.



In this book you get to know Christ through those who knew Christ, not only as the Savior of the World but also as a friend.


I give Mary and Martha five out of five stars!

I love this author. She did not disappoint with this biblical retelling of the story of Mary and Martha, sisters of Lazarus, friends of Jesus. I loved the back story she created for the characters, as well as the supporting characters she created to fill out the story in a very satisfyingly Christian way. I would have liked a longer acquaintance for the family with Jesus than the story included, but it was still believable and effective. I did applaud the moral character Lazarus exhibited as he helped a lame man and then a blind woman reach the "Master" they were seeking even while he doubted the veracity of their tale. He was a "living" example of the Good Samaritan Jesus told about in his parable that served the needy. That made him the right man for the later miracle of his coming forth from the grave.

I loved the relationship between Martha and Mary and how well they helped each other through their personal weaknesses and strengths. I loved the romances that developed for each sister, they were conceivable. I also appreciated how Martha was not offended when Jesus chastised her for her focus on less important things but took the lesson to heart as it was intended. That added a dimension to my understanding of this lovely bible story.

Not quite five stars for me, (I am very stingy with those,) but a very satisfying offering!

#MaryandMartha #NetGalley

My Rating: 3.5 Stars

Mary and Martha are two very different sisters. Mary loves to learn, study prophecies, and even lingers outside the synagogue in the hopes of catching pieces of knowledge unavailable to women of her time. Martha keenly feels her responsibilities at home and places great emphasis on fulfilling her duties. Both sisters live with their brother Lazarus, who is a wealthy olive oil merchant, and his young family. Then one day, amidst the toil and bustle of small village life, Jesus Christ enters their lives and things take a turn. Discipleship brings unexpected friendships and unexpected challenges. Each sibling must learn for themselves how Jesus' teachings apply personally to them, and the hope and healing that only He can provide.

For anyone who enjoys a nice biblical retelling, I would give this book a 4-Star rating. For my own personal tastes though, I give it a 3-Star rating.

I'm going to be completely open here--Scriptural fiction is not really my cup of tea. I love the scriptures and take them very seriously, and because of my deeply-held feelings about scripture, it can be hard for me to enjoy scripture-based fiction.

That being said, I know there are some who really enjoy scripture-based fiction. Here is a breakdown of my thoughts about this book:

I really enjoyed the loving family dynamics and the strong theme of faith in this story. It was very refreshing to read a fictional story that directly promotes faith in Jesus Christ and the application of His teachings in family and community settings.

Trying to imagine what it might have been like to witness Jesus' miracles firsthand and to consider His healing influence in my own life was really powerful. There were many direct quotes from the Old and New Testaments, which I loved. Everything that Jesus said was taken directly from the New Testament, and the author didn't try to create any new words from Jesus Christ's mouth. I appreciated that and interpret that as reverence for His words.

I also appreciated the cultural and contextual accuracy of the fiction. The plot, characters, and details all jive with my (limited) knowledge of ancient Jerusalem, the surrounding area, and Judaism in biblical times.

Unfortunately, there were some relationships that just didn't seem totally believable for me. There is a fictional romantic relationship that didn't feel totally developed, and it didn't seem like the family interacted enough with Jesus Christ to have the depth of relationship with Him described in the New Testament.

Overall, this was a cute book with a pleasant story. However, it didn't really stand out to me enough to recommend it to someone, unless it were someone I knew loved scripture-based fiction.

I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley.com. All opinions are entirely my own.