Tessa Afshar crafts historical and biblical fiction that brings past worlds to life with compelling characters and profound insights. Her narrative style engages readers by intertwining spiritual seeking with captivating plotlines. Inspired by a love for classic authors and her own spiritual journey, Afshar creates works that resonate with timeless themes of faith and redemption. Her novels explore the human spirit amidst turbulent historical settings.
The beloved daughter of Jewish captives in Babylon, Keren is sold into Daniel's household to help her family survive. She becomes Daniel's most trusted scribe, while taking lessons and swordsmanship training alongside Daniel's sons and their best friend, Jared.
Chariline's journey to the ancient kingdom of Cush is fueled by the need to uncover her parents' hidden past. As she delves into family secrets, the visit becomes a pivotal moment of discovery and connection to her heritage. The exploration of her lineage intertwines with the rich history of Cush, revealing truths that could reshape her understanding of identity and belonging.
Set against the backdrop of first-century Rome, the narrative follows a woman harboring a deep secret and a man seeking validation as they unexpectedly become pivotal figures in the early church. Their romance unfolds amidst murder, betrayal, and the challenges of building a community of believers. As they face exile from their home, they ally with the enigmatic rabbi Paul to transform adversity into redemption. Richly researched and vividly portrayed, the story offers an emotional love tale intertwined with historical depth.
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 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... 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.
"After years spent living with her mother and oppressive grandfather in Athens, Ariadne runs away to her father in Corinth, only to discover the perilous secret that destroyed his marriage: Galenos is the infamous thief who robs the city's corrupt of their ill-gotten gains. She becomes his apprentice, but Paul's message offers something different"--
Purple. The foundation of an influential trade in a Roman world dominated by men. One woman rises up to take the reins of success in an incredible journey of courage, grit, and friendship. And along the way, she changes the world. But before she was Lydia, the seller of purple, she was simply a merchant's daughter who loved three things: her father, her ancestral home, and making dye. Then unbearable betrayal robs her of nearly everything. With only her father's secret formulas left, Lydia flees to Philippi and struggles to establish her business on her own. Determination and serendipitous acquaintances--along with her father's precious dye--help her become one of the city's preeminent merchants. But fear lingers in every shadow, until Lydia meets the apostle Paul and hears his message of hope, becoming his first European convert. Still, Lydia can't outrun her secrets forever, and when past and present collide, she must either stand firm and trust in her fledgling faith or succumb to the fear that has ruled her life.
Without wealth or family, the widow Ruth left her people and followed Naomi, her beloved Hebrew mother-in-law, to rebuild Naomi's home in Israel. Provisions gone and starvation at the door, Ruth used all that she had left--a strong back and a willing heart--to gather grain in a field, abandoned after the harvest.Tormented by others, Ruth is shocked to find the owner of the field watching her. Talking to her. Bringing food to her and Naomi. Boaz tells himself his kindness toward Ruth is repayment for the love she has shown to his cousin Naomi. But his heart knows better.
When Jewish scribe Sarah is forced to marry Persian aristocrat Darius, they find themseleves growing to love one another as Sarah is accused of conspiring with her cousin Nehemiah to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.
The prophet Nehemiah's cousin can speak numerous languages, keep complex accounts, write on rolls of parchment and tablets of clay, and solve great mysteries. There is only one problem: she is a woman. But she learns her very being proves to be a blessing to others.
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 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.
