"Daughter of Rome" is a Christian romance set in Rome and Corinth around 50 AD. Not a lot is said about Priscilla and Aquila in the Bible, so she added some informed speculation and pure fiction to fill out the story. She also included their working with Paul during his stay in Corinth. In a way, I felt like the story covered too much time (sometimes skipping forward by months) because the author sometimes slipped into telling instead of showing. As in, things were going well, but time passed and now they're not because these new emotions got in the way and needed to be worked through. But it was still an enjoyable story.

The characters acted realistically, were likable, and grew as people. Historical and cultural details were woven into the story. The Christian element was their evangelism efforts and the need for several characters to truly accept forgiveness for past sins. There were (married) sex scenes, but they were emotionally rather than physically focused when described. Priscilla felt shame about abandoning herself to her husband, and this was an issue they had to deal with. There was no bad language. Overall, I recommend this enjoyable novel.

Tessa Afshar brings first century Rome, and the story of Priscilla and Aquila to life in her fiction re-telling of their story in Acts 18.

Her ability to bring the sights and sounds of Rome alive through story is one of the reasons I love biblical fiction,

Daughter of Rome is an intriguing account of what the lives of Priscilla and Aquila could have been like. I was very interested in seeing the research that the author did to determine what type of environment they likely grew up in based on what we know from Scripture.

Aquila experienced firsthand the consequences of choosing to follow Yeshua. Not willing to deny his faith, he was disowned and lost his earthly inheritance.

Despite having been treated abominably by her brother, Priscilla treated others with kindness and compassion. One of my favorite moments in the story was when Marcus, a young boy Priscilla and Aquila took in, was helping minister to a woman who had come to them in terrible condition. When Priscilla questioned him about where he had learned to take care of someone like that, he replied "Don't you know? I learned from you."

I especially loved the way Priscilla was always caring for those in need, even at great cost to herself. She was constantly taking in "strays" and sharing all she had with them.

Another part I really enjoyed was when Aquila was getting ready for their wedding. He was so sweetly funny as he stressed over details and was so absent-minded!

There were many spiritual lessons learned along the way. Aquila had to learn to set aside his pride several different times. Priscilla learned forgiveness - for herself and for her enemies. Salvation was boldly proclaimed.

If you enjoy Biblical fiction, you are bound to enjoy Daughter of Rome.

One of my favourite things about biblical fiction is the way it can take characters of whom little is known beyond their names and give them flesh, blood, and historical context. Daughter of Rome does all that and more for Priscilla and Aquila, the husband and wife who are mentioned several times in the New Testament as Paul’s co-workers in Christ Jesus.

When they first meet, both Priscilla and Aquila know what it is to feel unwanted and to feel the weight of shame, albeit for different reasons. Their romance unfolds alongside their growing understanding of what the work of Christ on the cross means for both Jew and Gentile, and although the story isn’t able to cover this topic to its fullest extent, it was good to be reminded what a period of confusion and adjustment this would have been, particularly for Jews who believed that Yeshua was the prophesied Messiah.

Priscilla and Aquila’s personal experiences with grace, forgiveness, and compassion stand them in good stead as they are eventually forced to leave Rome and start over, constantly needing to set aside their own wills and desires and submit to God’s will for their present circumstances—which involves sheltering both runaways and enemies in the course of their ministry in Corinth. I was particularly taken by the plight of the young boy, Marcus, who comes into their care, and another broken young woman who I won’t name for spoiler purposes.

Priscilla and Aquila’s story is one that will resonate with a powerful reminder of what God can work both in and through us when we yield our lives to His mercy and grace.

In her eighth novel, Biblical fiction author Tessa Afshar gives us a fascinating look at two of the many new Christians Paul spoke of in his letters. Not much is known of Priscilla and Aquila: we know they were a couple, probably married; that Aquila was a Jewish man from a place called Pontus; that they were tentmakers who’d been forced to leave Rome due to an edict from Caesar; they saved Paul’s life at one point; and that they traveled with him from Corinth to Ephesus. It’s not much, but I’ve seen writers do a lot with far less. In Daughter of Rome, Afshar examines some possibilities, including the idea that Priscilla was possibly a Roman citizen, and takes us right to the heart of first century Rome.

But first, readers must get past the prologue. It isn’t a sweet entry into the story. I found it shocking, to be honest, but the realist in me supposes that the situation it contains probably did happen “in those days” as, to use another well-known phrase, there really is “nothing new under the sun.” All I can say is, read this scene and move on. It’s actually important to the story and Afshar refers to it at the end of the book.

Speaking of the end, I’m not a fan of including excerpts for previous novels at the end of new novels. It gives me a false sense of how long the main story is going to last. Thinking I still had a good number of pages to go, I was stunned to abruptly find myself at the end of Daughter of Rome. I felt that the story wasn’t complete, that there was so much more that could’ve been written. But we don’t know what really happened to Priscilla and Aquila. But maybe the ending is just perfect the way it is, and I just can’t immediately see it.

One thing I can see, however, is that Tessa Afshar has written a book that is subtly connected to her previous title but truly stands on its own merits. I read Thief of Corinth – I reviewed it – but I don’t remember much about it. In the pages after the ending, the excerpt is from that very title and contains mention of a young man named Theo. And, as I read, I realized that it was the same Theo that’s in this book. Had I been confused about him while reading? Had I felt as though some of his story was missing? Not at all. There was absolutely nothing to say, “You must read and remember Thief of Corinth before you read Daughter of Rome.” I appreciate that, and it means that if you’ve never read a single Tessa Afshar book in your past you can come to her freely and become a new fan of her work.

Four point five stars – only because I was initially thrown by the ending.

Disclaimer: Although I received a copy of this book courtesy of the author and the publisher, the words and opinions below are my own.

Have you ever wondered what day-to-day life was like for the early Christian church? What it truly meant to become a follower of The Way in the initial years after Jesus’ resurrection? This is where Biblical fiction, when done well, can seek to take readers into the ancient world alongside the historical figures of old with their customs and etiquette, thereby facilitating a greater understanding of Scripture. Granted, this is no easy task, and although Biblical fiction is one of my favorite genres, there are only a few authors whose work I trust to remain true to God’s Word without adding to or taking away from it. One of these authors is Tessa Afshar.

Afshar’s latest work, “Daughter of Rome,” explores the lives of Aquila and Priscilla, the enigmatic New Testament couple whom the apostle Paul described as “my fellow workers in Christ Jesus” (Romans 16:3). The Bible mentions them six times, and their faith and influence are apparent, but their backstory and the details of their lives are not given. Implementing historical research and drawing from established facts about this period in time, Afshar ignites renewed interest in this husband and wife gospel team by creating a narrative that imagines what their individual lives may have been like before transitioning into their romance and eventual ministry. The beauty of this lies in demonstrating that they are real people with real flaws; as is evidenced over and over again in the Bible, God chooses to work through people who are broken and imperfect.

Priscilla and Aquila’s story diverges somewhat from Afshar’s usual style, effecting a deeper and more somber tone that makes the narrative all the more poignant. Gritty, realistic circumstances impress upon readers the harshness of life in ancient Rome. There is abortion, murder, persecution, and betrayal, but all are handled with grace and sensitivity. And as Rufus tells Priscilla, “It is hard to put to words. Trouble itself can be transformed, you see, in the hands of God. Instead of a place of destruction, pain and heartache can lead to hope.” As Priscilla grows in her faith, Aquila learns spiritual maturity. Far too often we, like Aquila, judge others for being what we consider to be inferior; the marriage of Roman Priscilla and Jewish Aquila truly speaks to the unity and unconditional love that Christ brings. As we struggle with our own burdens, we forget that those around us carry encumbrances of their own. Priscilla later testifies: “I can tell you that my own dreams have been crushed more than once. But when I condemned myself, God extended forgiveness to me. When I felt broken, he gave me strength. When I thought the future held nothing but pain, he gave me joy. Those are the actions of love.”

“Daughter of Rome” does not shy away from the vicissitudes of life, particularly Christian life, and as such it offers encouragement and inspiration. It is a story of second chances, a poignant and at times heartrending narrative, made all the more so because every reader can identify with it in some way. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus” (Romans 3:23-24). As Aquila wisely counsels, “The only way to peace is by learning to accept, day by day, the circumstances and tests permitted by God. By the repeated laying down of our own will, and the accepting of his as it is presented in the things which happen to us.” The apostle Paul demonstrates this throughout Scripture, and his role in this novel was one of my favorites because of his witty humor. He has a remarkable attitude toward suffering, but there is also evidence of his humanity, again emphasizing that God can use anyone for His glory. The fervor of the early church is something that, in many ways, I think we need to return to; our faith is dynamic, not static, and we should never lose our joy and awe at the priceless gift of salvation offered to each of us. With Christ as our cornerstone, we can become His instruments of love and peace. Priscilla “had been born a daughter of Rome. But she had become a daughter of the Most High God.” Whose child are you?

I received a complimentary copy of this book to facilitate this review. All opinions are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, part 255 Guidelines, concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in advertising.

This was a fantastic biblical fiction novel. This story was based on Priscilla and Aquila who helped Paul. This showed that a Roman and a Jew could marry and become Christians together and help bring others to Christ. I love how Tessa Afshar can bring people from the Bible that are just referenced and give them a whole life and great characteristics. I could not wait to see how all these characters lives intertwined and ended. I received a copy of this book from the author for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.

Tessa Afshar’s writing has a way of making me feel more connected to the events of Biblical times. As I read this particular book, I understood a little bit more what daily life might have been like for the believers in Rome. I enjoyed reading about their sharing Christ’s love and caring for each other in tangible ways. I also appreciate the research this author puts into her books. This is not quite the backstory that I would have initially imagined for Priscilla. However, the themes of Christ’s love for us and His grace and forgiveness came through beautifully in Priscilla’s story.

I enjoyed reading about the romance between Aquila and Priscilla. In the Biblical account, there seems to be a strong partnership between them, and Tessa Afshar did a great job of including that in this book. The only small caution that I would have for some readers is that the author gives us a couple of glimpses of private married intimacy between them. It’s appropriately handled, and fits in well with the theme of God’s grace and forgiveness in Priscilla’s life. I just wanted to make the reader of this review aware that it is there.

I enjoyed this book and its strong emphasis on loving others as Jesus loves them. Even though this story is set in Biblical days, there are principles that can apply to us today.

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

Biblical fiction is a tricky genre — a writer has to balance the scriptural record with the what-ifs of story. Tessa Afshar is one of the best at it, and her newest novel, Daughter of Rome is a great example of why. Set during the days of the early church, this book brought to life a woman who is mentioned several times in the Book of Acts as well as other NT books. Afshar takes the barest of details and weaves a credible and intriguing account of Priscilla and the era in which she lived. If you are a fan of this genre, then Daughter of Rome is a must-read!

With meticulous research, Afshar creates a backstory for Priscilla. Born in Rome, daughter of an acclaimed general, yet on the outside of society, Priscilla is wooed by God. The fictional account of a first century Priscilla will resonate with modern women. Daughter of Rome is a love story between a man and a woman, but more a love story between a woman and her God. Of course, Aquila (always mentioned with Priscilla in the Biblical accounts) plays a large part in the book, but it is really Priscilla and her struggles and victories that take center stage. Afshar has included historical figures in her book, namely Paul, that give it authenticity and believability. The depiction of the day to day of the characters emphasizes their ordinariness — it is really an extraordinary God who transforms their lives. Priscilla faithfully lives a hidden life, a quiet life of sacrifice which proves a great example and motivator for today’s believers. As I read this book, I pondered how much impact today’s church could have if we followed the example of 1st century believers.

Daughter of Rome with its many themes and topics — Jew and Gentile, law and grace, power of prayer, belief in the miraculous — is perfect for book club discussions. In fact, I have chosen this book for a Bible study/book club that I lead. I look forward to a great conversation. So grab this book (and perhaps a few reading friends) and dig in — I think you will love it!

Highly Recommended.

Audience: Adults.

“The only way to peace is by learning to accept, day by day, the circumstances and tests permitted by God. By the repeated laying down of our own will, and the accepting of His as it is presented in the things which happen to us.”

This was one of my favorite quotes from Daughter of Rome. Tessa Afshar’s talent for creating fictional accounts around Biblical characters amazes me! Her writing style always draws me in and I’m always excited to see where she takes the story. In Daughter of Rome, Ms. Afshar takes the little we know about Priscilla and Aquila, and turns it in to a wonderful story about what it might have been like for Christians as the church was just starting.

This storyline kept my interest the entire time. It had some twists and turns that I did not see coming. I loved the theme of forgiveness that ran throughout the story. The characters are what made me really love this story, though. I loved how Paul was portrayed and Aquila and Marcus were amazing. I am hoping to see a story about Marcus soon! But, My favorite character, by far, was Priscilla. She beautifully showed the love of Christ. She was so giving and helpful - I loved her character.

I was not ready to see this story end. I really wished there would’ve been another chapter or two or an epilogue. I can’t wait to see what Tessa Afshar brings us next.

As with all Tessa Afshar novels, I find myself at a loss for how to explain just how much I adore Daughter of Rome. This novel is exquisite. It is a beautifully deep and complex story. There is so much spiritual goodness contained in the pages of this novel I find one read is definitely not enough. The plot of Daughter of Rome is highly engaging, so much so the pages flew by! The characters are superb. Afshar did an outstanding job bringing Priscilla, Aquila, and Paul back to life. These are people I would love to personally converse with today. Can you imagine that conversation?! I also enjoyed how Afshar depicted 1st-century life in Rome and Greece. The crowded marketplaces, the wealthy homes of the Senators, the degradation of the rough city streets, the bathhouses — I was truly transported back in time. Afshar did her homework with this novel as the research is impeccable and quite enthralling. And, I love Afshar’s discussions about faith, love, and forgiveness. Afshar knocked this one out of the park; Daughter of Rome may be her best novel yet!

Priscilla is one of the most selfless and kind characters I’ve ever read. She is a role model for today’s women. If we had 1/10th of Priscilla’s selflessness as described in this book, our world would be a much better place. Throughout the novel, Priscilla is constantly squirreling away food. She only ever eats half of her meals, and she does this so she can save up food to give away to people less fortunate than her. In addition to being selfless, she is also incredibly wise. One day, gathered in a small group to discuss the Scriptures and Yeshua, Priscilla states, “The more we study, the more I realize it’s not so much about understanding or knowledge. Faith is trust. Trusting our future and our past into Yeshua’s keeping. Learning that the Christ is the beginning and end of all our needs.” What beautiful truth! Too many times our relationship with Christ is defined by how much we’ve memorized from the Bible. But how is the condition of our hearts? If we lost everyone and everything today would we cling to God in faith or raise our fist at Him in anger and fear?

Faith — real, genuine faith — means trusting Jesus with our entire lives. It means putting our lives, our loved ones’ lives, our finances, and our futures into God’s capable hands and saying, “Alright, Lord. I’m yours. Your will, not mine, be done.” It was such a blessing to me to watch Priscilla live out her beautiful faith in Daughter of Rome. It was quite inspirational, really. I long to live strong and sure in my faith. I know I have a lot of work to do in my life to get there, but Jesus is worth making the changes and putting in the hard work to be less of me and more of Him. Jesus is worth me losing what I don’t need so I’ll rely on Him more. He is worth pain, suffering, and weeping. He is worth my joy, love, and happiness. He is worth my everything!

Daughter of Rome is a 2020 must-read! It’s a story that will stick with me long after the final page has been read. I absolutely adore this story and cannot recommend it enough. Purchase a copy today. It will leave you with so much love for Jesus you won’t be able to keep from overflowing in His joy and thanksgiving.

I received a review copy of this novel in eBook form from the author via her publisher, Tyndale House, through NetGalley. In no way has this influenced my review. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Daughter of Rome, by Tessa Afshar, is a stunning example of how thrilling Biblical fiction can be! As equally fascinating as it is moving, this novel is profoundly thoughtful and utterly enjoyable. With threads of history, romance, faith, and mystery, Ms. Afshar skillfully weaves a story that is truly compelling and utterly uplifting.

From the ancient historical setting, to the intriguing characters, to the fascinating plot, Ms. Afshar presents a story that is wholly satisfying! Within the homes and neighborhoods of first century Rome and Corinth, the story captivates as it draws the reader back in time to experience a culture and a civilization from long ago. Living under the constraints of cultural and religious expectations, the characters strive to honor God with their choices, their attitudes, their obedience, and their acts of compassion. As they dedicate themselves to sharing the Gospel message with their friends and neighbors, they find that they must face their fears, address their insecurities, pursue redemption, renew their hope, and nurture their faith all while the threat of persecution looms dangerously over them.

As the gripping story unfolds, relevant themes of forgiveness, grace, courage, faith, and compassion are explored. These themes enhance the novel and ensure that it is thought-provoking and meaningful. Very well-researched and carefully written, it is a novel that uplifts and inspires while it also entertains.

Daughter of Rome is certainly a special book! A pleasure to read, an experience to savor, and a book worth sharing, it is definitely a novel I can recommend wholeheartedly.

*I was given a copy of this book by the author/publisher through NetGalley. A review was not required. The review I have written is voluntary and contains opinions that are entirely my own.

Biblical fiction writer Tessa Afshar has once again knocked it out of the park with her newest novel, Daughter of Rome. This beautifully written tale transports us to the world of Aquila and Priscilla in the days of the early Christian church. It offers a plausible backstory for how this Jewish man and Gentile woman might have met and eventually grown together as the Biblical couple in Corinth who were tentmakers and active in Paul’s ministry.
The Bible gives little detail about the couple, but Afshar has done a wonderful job weaving together a plausible tale with as much historical detail as possible. It was inspiring to see the characters evolve as their relationship with Christ grew. In fact, Priscilla and Aquila, as well as the other characters in this story, are so multidimensional and relatable that it seems like they could walk right out of the pages. It is a powerful tale of hope, compassion, grace, and forgiveness that I will not soon forget.
I received a complimentary copy of this book, but I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are entirely my own, and I would give it more than five stars if that were an option!

Once again the reader is drawn into a possible back story to some Biblical characters. This story brings us into the first-century church that is struggling to grow outside of Jerusalem. Priscilla is the daughter of a Roman general, who is living a life more like a slave than that of a daughter of the privileged class. Aquila is the eldest son of a wealthy merchant, that is working as a tentmaker in Rome. How can these two people come together when they have such different backgrounds? Leave that to the pen of Tessa Afshar. She is able to intertwine these two people in a way that is interesting and thought-provoking at the same time. This story has secrets that can kill a person or tear apart a marriage. There are a lovable dog and an orphan that you will cheer for when he finds his forever home. Then there is the enthusiasm of Priscilla and Aquila for Jeshua that is contagious. Their hospitality breathes life into a fledgling church.

Once again, Afshar's research and theological studies breathe life into characters in a way that you feel you have met these people. I feel like I have been to Corinth and sat in on meetings with Paul, Priscilla, and Aquila. I had never thought of the unique position that Priscilla had of being a leader in the church at a time when women were not leaders. Yet, Priscilla is named as being a leader in scripture. This story helps to flesh out why this might have been possible. This story is filled with grace and forgiveness. As is typical with an Afshar story, I come away learning more about myself and how to give grace and forgiveness to others. I am always changed in positive ways by reading Ms. Afshar's books.

My thanks to Tyndale House Publishers and Netgalley for providing me with a free e-book copy to read in exchange for my review.

Daughter of Rome
Wonderful and familiar Biblical characters painted with creative insight as to how their life and love story might have happened. Author Tessa Afshar weaves a creative story bringing the facts we know from scripture to life, blended with imagination, giving us a story of how it might have been for a Jewish young man, Aquila, when he encounters a gentile young woman with a troubled and secret past. Priscilla hungered and yearned for acceptance, yet did not quite belong and planned to never marry. Exciting story, so beautifully created. The characters draw me back to scripture to see how Tessa joined Biblical history and imagination so beautifully.
"It takes courage to stand your ground. Strength to lose everything, and still hold to the truth."
I received an e-copy of the book from the publisher and NET GALLEY with no requirement for a review.

Tessa Afshar brings the Bible alive again in Daughter of Rome.
A woman with a secret, stuck with a family that could care less about her. A man who thought he had it all but lost everything. A God who is bigger than both of their heartaches.
Daughter of Rome has you turning the page and wanting more, by the end of the book you will be wanting more.

Have you heard of Priscilla and Aquila? If you've read the Book of Acts in the Bible, you'll recognize their names since they're a couple who worked with the Apostle Paul. Something notable about these two is that Priscilla is not only listed alongside her husband, but listed first, which is nearly unheard of in a highly patriarchal society. With this background, I couldn't wait to read Tessa Afshar's historical novel, Daughter of Rome, featuring Priscilla and Aquila.

Tessa does a fantastic job of bringing Priscilla to life. Though a fictionalized account, Tessa infuses her stories with as much research as possible. Priscilla is an incredible young woman, especially since she lived in first century Rome. The book begins during a difficult choice in Priscilla's young life before fast forwarding to her meeting of Aquila. The choices she made shape her and her view of herself, but do not taint her willingness to help others.

Aquila is a Jew born outside of Israel. Though disowned by his family for choosing to follow those called Christians who believe Jesus is the Messiah spoken about in the Torah, Aquila desires to live a pure life according to the Law of his ancestors. Meeting Priscilla, a Roman gentile, begins to change his perceptions... on everything.

I have read several of Tessa Afshar's books and enjoyed every one of them. I love how she writes what is traditionally considered Biblical Fiction in a Historical Fiction tone. It breathes life into the story and adds a depth I miss in many other books of the Biblical Fiction genre. It's also obvious how much research Tessa has put into her books. She brings the historical setting alive with textures and smells and sounds.

In Daughter of Rome, my only wish was that the last quarter of the book was not quite so episodic in an effort to bring the plot to a close. The rest of the story is fantastic in it's ability to draw the reader into the emotional dilemmas of Priscilla and Aquila. One note about a possible trigger warning and spoiler alert: some of Priscilla's struggles surround the topics of abortion, miscarriage, and childless-ness. This brings an emotional depth to the story that makes Priscilla even more real than before.

I would definitely recommend Daughter of Rome. And, if you like it, check out my reviews on two of Tessa Afshar's other books: Thief of Corinth and Harvest of Rubies. I hope you'll enjoy Priscilla and Aquila's story as much as I did.

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I received this book free from the author and her publisher in order to provide an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Tessa Afshar has written numerous works of Bible-based fiction so when I saw Daughter of Rome, I knew I wanted to read it. What I didn't realize until I started reading is that it is the story of Priscilla and Aquila. While our information on Priscilla and Aquila from the Bible is limited, Afshar does a marvelous job of doing extensive Biblical and extra-biblical research to have the fictional story be as historically accurate and real as possible and includes numerous other characters from the Bible and history that they did or might have crossed paths with. Beyond historical accuracy, one of the aspects I really enjoyed about Daughter of Rome is that Afshar's characters model Christian character and show the changes that occur in their lives due to knowing Christ.

Highly recommended for anyone who enjoys well-written, historically accurate Christian fiction!

I received an ARC of this book from Tyndale House via NetGalley.

I've read a number of Biblical fiction stories, so I was looking forward to this one. However, I had a hard time getting into it. I did enjoy the detailing, particularly about Ancient Rome. Key themes of mercy and forgiveness are key. Characters are well developed, but they just didn't pull me in as expected.

What a beautiful book! Tessa Afshar has really brought biblical times to life in this book! With great characters and a wonderful story-line, this book just nailed it. I was so drawn into the story and thoroughly enjoyed reading it.

I was provided an advanced reader's copy of this book for free. I am leaving my review voluntarily.