This story was filled with scripture, and thoughtful research. It was well written, and the author sets the stage well with her characters and with the time period. I was taken on an emotional journey with the siblings, Martha, Mary, and Lazarus. The story itself was carefully constructed to implement as much historical, cultural, and biblical context as it can without reading like a history book. I do not agree with all the choices of fiction the author decided to go with, and Mary was a character that I had some issues with, but overall I could tell that the author put a lot of thought into her story/characters. I love that the author wrote (at the end of the book) why she decided to make the choices that she did with her story. Overall I would recommend this book, and I am interested to read more books by this author.

Heather Kaufman's 'Up from Dust' is biblical storytelling at its finest, blending the lives of Martha, Lazarus, and Mary into a tale that is as vivid and emotive as it is effortless to read. Kaufman's finesse in writing transports readers directly into Martha's world, a realm richly painted with the hues of joy and sorrow, hope and loss.

Scripture acts as waypoints in Kaufman's storytelling, illuminating her fictional retelling with known biblical events. These markers provide Bible-literate readers with familiar reference points, guiding them through Kaufman's imaginative exploration of the lives and interactions of these biblical figures with Christ. Despite taking creative liberties, her approach remains reverent and respectful to the biblical account, infusing the story with depth and texture while honoring its origins.

Central to this tale is the poignant portrayal of Martha and her siblings, who endure the profound loss of their mother and the subsequent neglect from their father. This hardship profoundly shapes their self-perception and relationships, with their tangible insecurities adding a layer of authenticity to their characters.

'Up from Dust' is more than a novel; it's a heartfelt invitation to delve into the biblical world with a new perspective. I firmly believe that this book's exceptional quality positions it as a strong contender for major awards in the Christian publishing industry. For those yet to experience the richness of biblical fiction, or even those skeptical about the genre, 'Up from Dust' stands as a compelling entry point, promising to transform any preconceived notions with its profound storytelling and emotional resonance.

Selected Quotes:
"I am old now and gray, and my heart is full of found things. I have found the nettling burn of sorrow. I have found the relief of joy and the gift of love. I have found the goodness of God, and it is sweet on the lips like honeycomb."

“I confess that I’ve often not understood it. I’ve not understood the winding path Yahweh placed me on. All I do know is that it led me here . . . to you.”

"Abba’s harsh words had landed hard on me. They needed someplace to go, or I would internalize them, swallow them into my very being like poison."

“Loss can lead to bitterness. Knowledge can lead to pride. Both the hard and good things in our lives can take root in ways that produce death.”

"In loving Him with our whole being, our hearts will be fertile ground, ready to receive all that Yahweh ordains for us. So that when the hard and the good come into our lives, they land in soil that will produce fruit.”

"I hungered for Jesus’ presence and yet also dreaded it, for in his presence I felt uncannily seen."

Author Heather Kaufman is a new-to-me author. I have become enraptured with her writing and appreciate what she wrote in her Author Notes, “Scripture is preeminent, and the hope is to ignite love of the Word which will drive you deeper into its pages.” The author absolutely did that for me. Why is Mary never around to help her sister Martha? Martha has a big job trying to be both mother and sister to her siblings after their mother dies. All three struggle to find their place when they hear of a new rabbi Jesus and their encounter with Him is life changing. Author Heather Kaufman has done meticulous research which breathes life into the story and fleshes out the Biblical characters. I look forward to reading more of Author Kaufman’s books. You will, too!
I received a complimentary copy from the author and publisher. All opinions are my own.

Up From Dust by Heather Kaufman
January 12, 2024
What a enjoyable book about Martha, Mary and Lazarus. The story of the Bible comes to life in this christian historical fiction.

The story has everything! The story is about the love between siblings and the ups and downs of their relationship. Its about the coming of age and wondering what God has in store for them. There is also, the struggle over this man called Jesus. How is he able to heal the sick, and is He really the Messiah whom was talked about in Micah. Martha learns that she much trust her faith about Jesus to help in her time of need!

I highly recommend this story about Martha, Lazarus and Mary.

I received this complimentary copy from the publisher through Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are mine and mine alone

DNF

I really loved the way this author wrote- I had a hard time following the story.
I’ve read biblical fiction before, but I was feeling a little lost. I think it’s because I had a really hard time with the made up story of Mary and Martha. Other biblical fiction I’ve read doesn’t have the Bible character as a MC. And it was getting really hard for me to read it as fiction.

I tried to keep reading but was not enjoying myself. I’ll plan to read more from this author in the future.

Readers who like biblical fiction will enjoy this story. The story is divided into two parts and told in first person by Martha. The first part features Martha as a young girl losing her mother and becoming her sister Mary's caretaker. The second is told about ten years later when Jesus comes, sets out on his ministry and befriends Lazarus. The author has quite the imagination in creating the background of Martha, Mary and Lazarus. Very enjoyable. Lots of characters to keep up with was my only complaint. A list of characters with brief biographical information would have been great. Recommended!

This is a debut novel from Heather Kaufman as she dives into the world of Biblical fiction. In her novel, she explores some "what ifs" regarding Mary, Martha, and Lazarus of Bethany--focusing on Martha. The book begins with a prologue of sorts of Martha as an older woman. Then it jumps back to when she's just a young teenager on the day her sister Mary is born.

The book tries to present Martha in such a way to give background as to why she speaks as she does in that special moment when she's working hard to provide for the house when Jesus is there--when she asks Jesus to rebuke her "lazy" sister.

Why? What led her to that point?
That's what this book explores by making her a "real" person with faults and challenges. Hurts. weaknesses. Insecurities.

Sometimes I don't like biblical fiction because of the heavy speculation...but I think this one was actually done pretty well. And when it culminated in that moment from the Bible--well, it just made sense. Plus the view of the event surrounding their experiences with Jesus the Christ was beautiful.

I think this book will resonate with many many who carry heavy hearts in this world. Who have allowed their hurts to shape their lives and relationships. And how only a release to our Lord and Savior of all our hurts to allow the peace and love to fill in our cracks...well. It definitely will relate with many readers.

One of my favorite parts was the scene with Mary washing Christ's feet. The poignant description of the atmosphere of the room and people was well done and believable. Additionally, knowing that Mary, Martha and Lazarus would have experienced the darkness and storming and earthquakes of Christ's death. I never pondered that.

4 stars for this book! Well done.

*I received this complimentary ARC from the publishers and NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions are 100% my own.

Prepare to time travel to the turbulent Roman Empire in Palestine, to the home of Mary and Martha in Bethany. It’s not all that you think. The author has given Martha a believable backstory that leads up to the time of Jesus’s ministry, when he periodically makes himself a guest in their home. Her words and actions in the Biblical account make sense in light of the traumas of her childhood and early adult years.

The characterizations of Martha, Mary, and Lazarus are strong, along with their father, and Cleopas, Uri, Simon the Pharisee, and others. The story is compelling and poignant, told through Martha’s point of view. Well-researched, the historical facts and details blend perfectly into the beautifully-written narrative. This tale pushes all the right buttons with its portrayal of faith, doubt, love, longing, sorrow, anger, sibling rivalry, forgiveness, and healing.

I’m always a bit apprehensive when reading a story with Jesus as a character, but Kaufman treats this with great care, staying true to what we know of the Biblical Jesus. She deepens the scenes we’re familiar with, through Martha’s own pain and perspective, and creates a few scenes and dialogs of her own.

The story takes us just beyond Christ’s resurrection. Though Martha wasn’t present during any of the events on Good Friday and the days following, the author kept the tension going, even when Martha was only hearing things secondhand.

There were a couple of things that frustrated me, but I can’t mention them without spoilers. But overall, my frustrations arose from being heavily invested in the characters and their problems. That’s a good thing. I feel like I know these people now.

But the point isn’t just Martha. The story shows her way to finally grasping who Jesus is, and why he’s there. And how that impacts the rest of her life.

Be sure to read the author’s notes at the end. I received a complimentary copy courtesy of Bethany House through NetGalley for my honest review.

This was such an inspirational book. The message in it was very well done. The romance was very sweet. I would highly recommend this book!

Well written, captivating story of love and loss. The story of Martha’s family and their relationship with Jesus is intertwined through the pages while facing relationship issues, family situations and loss. The love among siblings and their meeting of Jesus made me not want to put it down. I’m looking forward to the next one already.

Thank you to the author and publisher for my ARC copy.

Up From Dust (part of the Women of the Way series) by Heather Kaufman is a must-read for anyone who likes Biblical fiction. This story focuses on Martha, the sister of Lazarus. The author takes us on a journey from Martha’s life and includes her trials and challenges, the complexities of a female living in Biblical times, and complicated family relationships. Her life-changing encounters with Jesus reflect what we read in the Bible. Kaufman’s easy-to-read writing style and meticulous research help the story have an authentic Biblical era feeling. The ending made me want to throw my fist in the air and shout, “Yes!” I highly recommend this book and cannot wait for her next one in the series.

I was so happy when I got this book to review! Martha is someone I always look up to and her story written by Heather Kaufman spoke to me volumes. The author added her own spin on tbe story but the writing was real that it did not overbear the truth of the character we all know. The way Martha is written here will stay with me for a long time and the way she is always ready to serve without questioning or complain...what a grace!


Thank you NetGalley and thank you Heather for writing a beautiful story!

UP FROM DUST by HEATHER KAUFMAN is biblical fiction at its best. It is the story of Martha of Bethany, her early life with her widowed father, her studious younger brother Lazarus, and her handful of a younger sister, Mary. The author describes the life and customs of the time, and her analysis of the characters’ emotions draws one right into the story.
Part two of the novel takes us into Martha and her siblings’ friendship with this amazing carpenter, Jesus of Nazareth, who sees each one of them individually and relates to them where they are at. The biblical stoies are well told against the background of their friendship and the political climate of the times.
I like the way Jesus becomes real to each one of them and how they are never the same after meeting Him and experiencing His unconditional love and seeing the miracles He performs. …..
This novel, with its biblical truth, reflects the story of our walk with the Lord as we come to know Him as our Friend, Saviour and Deliverer…….
I cannot recommend Up From Dust highly enough.
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Bethany House Publishers. The opinions in this review are completely my own.

This book touched me in so many ways! This story drew me in instantly and kept me hanging on to every page from beginning to end. This story all though fiction, has Biblical truth woven all through it. So beautifully written, that I found myself weeping many times through out the story. I love how the author captures Jesus’s characteristics and has you yearning for his presence. This story is one that will stick with you for a long time and keep you pondering on our sweet Lord and Savior’s love. I truly can't express with words how fabulous this book is, you will have to read it for yourself to understand. My favorite book of 2023!
Was given a complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.

I recently had the pleasure of diving into "Up from Dust: Martha's Story" by Heather Kaufman, and let me tell you, it was an absolute gem! Kaufman's storytelling is so vivid and immersive that you can't help but get swept away in Martha's journey.

The way the author captures the essence of resilience and determination in the face of adversity is truly commendable. Martha's character is beautifully crafted, and you can't help but root for her every step of the way. It's a powerful narrative that resonates with the strength of the human spirit.

Kaufman skillfully weaves together elements of history, emotion, and triumph, making the book not only an entertaining read but also an enlightening one. The vivid descriptions and well-developed characters create a world that feels authentic and relatable, drawing readers in from the very first page.

"Up from Dust" is not just a story; it's a testament to the indomitable spirit that resides within us all. It's a reminder that even in the face of seemingly insurmountable challenges, we have the power to rise above and emerge stronger. Kaufman's work is a celebration of resilience, and Martha's journey is a beacon of hope that will stay with you long after you finish the last page.

If you're in the mood for a compelling and uplifting read, "Up from Dust: Martha's Story" is definitely worth adding to your list. It's a story of triumph, courage, and the enduring power of the human soul. Happy reading!

#UpfromDust #NetGalley

Well my opinion is that this is a great story! It is a fictional account taken from a true Biblical story that has been written about several times, and one I usually pass up because of that reason, but I kept hearing about this book, so I decided to give it a try. I am so glad I did! It hooked me from the start, and focused on the Biblical Martha from Bethany, but did not only tell how Martha complained about her sister Mary not helping her with the work when Jesus came to visit them (which really happened), which is normally written about her. No, Heather Kaufman took a familiar biblical character,and brought her to life in an amazing story, one that was super engaging, well written, interesting, and held my attention all the way to the end. She kept it true to Scriptures, but shared her own ideas of what she imagined about Martha, and wove that into an amazing story...a sort of "what if" story, that I really related to, and really enjoyed! She made Martha real to me, and along with her brother, Lazarus, and her sister, Mary, the whole story came to life in an incredibly enjoyable way!!! So I highly recommend this book, and give it 5 stars, and am so glad I didn't pass it up!!!

This was my first time reading a book by this author, and I found her writing style very enjoyable. The story was well developed and kept my interest. Since not a lot is known about the biblical character Martha, the author took of liberties in developing her character and the events surrounding the biblical accounts. This was done tastefully, and while it was believable in a realistic sense, I appreciated that it did not cause me to think differently of the biblical narrative. The story develops not only Martha's life, but also that of Mary and Lazarus as they all grow up together.

I was given a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Up from Dust is excellent biblical fiction about Martha of Bethany & her siblings Mary & Lazurus. It’s a fascinating look into what life was like during the days of Jesus’ ministry.

It was a moving and powerful story, especially when Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead. I enjoyed the times when Jesus was with Martha’s family. Mary’s anointing his feet was lovely. I felt their desolation when Jesus was crucified and their joy when he rose from the dead.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historical fiction. I thoroughly enjoyed it!

An extraordinary book that offers the background of Martha, Lazarus, and Mary. Wow! The story of these siblings has always fascinated me, and Heather Kaufman brings Biblical history to life! The story is unique and interesting.

I love Martha. I enjoyed the way she was portrayed in this book. The elder sister, competent, hardworking, longing for love. I liked the interaction between the siblings. There's love, some jealousy, and an inclusiveness in their relationship.

The glimpses of Jesus and his ministry are wonderful! I especially liked the part where Mary anoints his head and feet with perfume. It's a holy moment that is imprinted on my heart. Another favorite part was the time when Lazarus rose from the dead. Such a celebratory time!

This book awakened me to want to not only read scripture but to let it touch my heart. Heather Kaufman is a new author to me, but she is now a favorite! I look forward to reading more of her books!!

I was provided a copy of the book from Bethany House through Interviews and Reviews via Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

In Up from Dust, Heather Kaufman expertly crafts a soul-stirring tapestry of heartbreak and healing, seamlessly weaving threads of adversity and the transcendent hope emanating from the empty tomb. Kaufman skillfully guides us through Martha's poignant journey of responsibility, love, and shattered dreams, creating a narrative that is both haunting and profoundly hopeful. As Martha encounters Jesus of Nazareth, unexpected connections to her past unravel, unveiling a thorough exploration of trust, belief, and the tender renewal of a once-hardened heart. Kaufman's storytelling brilliance, coupled with timeless themes, crafts an emotionally charged and uniquely uplifting experience, resonating with the ineffable spirit of enduring hope.