Wow! I'd give this book more than 5 stars if I could. It's extraordinary! My heart was touched on such a deep level; I will be pondering this book for a while. I was immediately transported to Israel at the time when Jesus was just beginning his ministry.

The main characters are complicated people. They are people with hopes and dreams. Dreams that come at a high price. I connected the most with Joanna. Her life is one of loneliness. She yearns to have a deeper faith in God. She soon finds a community among Jesus's disciples that heal her heart. Dalia is sweet and wise. Her affliction helps her cling to the Lord. Chuza has built high walls around his heart, but he shows that he can be honorable and compassionate.

The parts of the book that touched me the most were the ones involving Jesus. What a privilege for those who talked and walked with Him! To see the miracles of healing and become a part of His life. His death was not the end, for He is risen!

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

“God is fanning the smoldering wick of my faith into a bright flame.”

This is a heartfelt and inspiring story that follows two sisters and explores how one sister’s powerful faith impacted the other.

Dalia and Joanna, daughters of Itamar the Sadduccee, chief priest in Sepphoris, are raised to live unauthentically and the burden has surprising outcomes. Weaving between 60 AD Rome and 13 AD Israel, this story explores and wonderfully opens up biblical history and shows us how to love the life we’ve been given and bear fruit in unexpected places.

I loved the reminders that happiness takes time to harvest but we need to be busy nurturing it in the growth period, that fear and pride are the two sides of the same coin, and that there’s always a purpose when God gives us things we cannot understand.

I’ll remember this book because of what it taught me about having a faith that clings to God despite my circumstances.

My highlighter was working overtime and my emotions were on high alert as I read this touching, phenomenal biblical fiction story highlighting the life of Joanna from Luke 8 and Luke 24.

I’m looking forward to Salome’s story next!

BEFORE THE KING by HEATHER KAUFMAN is well written Biblical fiction, based strongly on the Bible and on the Author’s research on the time in which Joanna lived. I cannot recommend this beautiful read strongly enough. With Joanna’s experiences faithfully following the Scriptures, and her thoughts and emotions well portrayed, this novel is a gem which should not be missed. The other characterd are also very well portrayed particularly as we see their various responses to Jesus and the Word of God.
We are made aware of the difficulties and dangers of life at the time, the falseness and cruelty of the earthly king Herod as opposed to the love and mercy of God the Father shown in Jesus Christ as He walked amongst men, many of whom reviled Him, the entitlement of the upper class and the error in the teachings of most of the Pharisees and Sadducees………
Joanna and Chuza each have a secret that threatens their marriage……
I’m not going to tell you any more for fear of spoiling things for you.
I found Before the King most inspirational and a story to be savured.
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Bethany House Publishers. The opinions in this review are completely my own.

I really love this quote that I'm starting my review with so I thought I'd share it.
"But faith in what? Faith that Adonai would heal me at a certain age? That's not really faith Joanna. Faith is founded on Adonai himself and not on the condition that Je act in a certain way at a certain time. " Amen I couldn't have said this better myself.
I love Dalia she's a sweetheart even though she has seizures. Poor girl. But I love her stalwart faith in God
This book has gently reminded me of that.
Blessed are those who have faith but have not yet seen.
I was unable to put this wonderful book down. I took my time and savored it because I love Biblical fiction.
I didn't want this story to end for it has touched my heart deeply. I love these two sisters one who has strong faith and is a teacher in her own her own right. God uses ppl in many ways and using Dalia was one of them. She's independespenible.
Kaufman is a wonderful author and I love how she brings her characters to life and makes you feel as if you're there with them.
People really haven't changed all that much from Biblical days just the technology.
5 stars from me for keeping my interest
My thanks for a copy of this book. I was NOT required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine