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About the Book
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Title: Before the King
Series: Women of the Way, Bk 2
Author: Heather Kaufman
Publisher: Bethany House
Genre: Biblical Fiction
Released: January 21, 2025
Joanna’s wealthy family aspires to Herod’s inner circle, but when her father’s esteemed position in the Sepphoris Sanhedrin is threatened, her family harbors a dark secret. Entangled in the complexities of aristocratic life and an impending arranged marriage, Joanna is caught between her own desires and maintaining appearances. When tragedy strikes, Joanna grapples with a new future that challenges her sense of duty and hope for love.
Years later, Joanna is forever changed when a rabbi comes preaching a new kingdom and healing the sick. As she contributes to his ministry, Joanna treads a perilous path between a court that mocks Jesus of Nazareth, disciples who view her with suspicion, and a husband who guards his own secrets. With pressure increasing on all sides, Joanna must decide where her allegiances lie and protect her relationship to the Christ, whose message is as compelling as it is dangerous.
About the Author
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Heather Kaufman lives in the Midwest with her husband and three children. She holds a BA from McKendree University and an MA from the University of Missouri—St. Louis. When not reading or writing, she can be found drinking copious amounts of coffee and exploring new parks with her family.
My Impressions
“I have to believe,” came her simple reply. “In order to live, I have to believe that He is present and that He cares.”– Dalia
What a Biblical fiction adventure this book is! Before the King: Joanna’s Story by Heather Kaufman brings us into an influential Jewish family’s life during the time of Herod Antipas and Jesus. ( Having read Kaufman’s debut Biblical novel, Up from Dust: Martha’s story, I knew I wanted to read Kaufman’s second novel, too!)
“I am an ordinary woman whom God chose to put in extraordinary places. Any strength to be found in my story is His alone. I only did what I could with what I had, and this, I now know, is how His Kingdom advances. Each of us doing what we can with what we have by His power. So no, I am not brave. I am needy—desperate for Adonai to meet me with His strength. My story is how He did just that.”– Prologues can be wealths of information, tone, and general direction setting of the novel. Kaufman’s prologues are not to be missed!
Though the story is told in first-person by Joanna, I find Joanna’s sister Dalia very central to the novel. Dalia has a serious illness, and the family decides to hide that fact in order to prosper in Herod’s court. Joanna rises to prominence and hopes for an advantageous love-match, yet her sister is never far from her mind. How can one sister have nothing and yet be happy, while the other has the world at her fingertips, and is still searching for that elusive feeling?
I love this novel because it shows how Jesus can reach down and touch any life, transforming even one that seems hopeless. It also shows, as does Kaufman’s debut novel, how Jesus cares about women’s needs for love, significance, and security: needs that were totally ignored and trampled in that society.
I received a copy of the book from the author and publisher through Celebrate Lit via NetGalley. I also bought my own copy for the keeper shelf . No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own.
Notable Quotables:
“You are frightened to accept God’s abundance, as was I once. You say His mercy is what drew you to Him, and yet you push that mercy back in His face.”
“Then we would be in God’s hands—…“An infinite God who promises His presence is worth trusting.”
“You must release them from whatever untruths they knowingly or unknowingly harbored. You must do this for yourself.”
“What do we do when God doesn’t give us what we want?”“Well . . .” Dalia had scrunched up her nose in thought. “I suppose we trust Him to give us what we need instead.” “But what if He doesn’t answer us at all?” “Oh, He does, Jojo. You just may not hear it because it’s not what you expected.”
“I am learning that sometimes God gives us things we cannot understand in order to shake us apart. To undo things we believe that we shouldn’t. To make room for the things we must believe.”– Joanna’s father
“God is as near as our own breath.”
“What others think of me has no bearing on who I am…What people think changes all the time. What is true never changes.” -Dalia
My Rating
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Image may be NSFW.
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Truly Magnificent!! We all have some of Joanna in us- searching for love, significance, and security that only Jesus can fulfill!