Pearl In The Sand by Tessa Afshar (Moody Publishers; 10th Anniversary Edition; Pub date: 6 October 2020) is a beautiful retelling of the Biblical story of Rahab, who played a pivotal role in ancient Israel’s conquest of Canaan.

Readers of the Bible will be familiar with the story of Rahab as recounted in Chapters 2 and 6 of the Book of Joshua.

But other than these short accounts and few sporadic references to her in the Bible, not much else is known about Rahab's life before her encounter with the spies and after she and her family were saved and brought to live with the Israelites after Jericho's fall. So it’s left to writers, past and present, to employ creative licence to flesh out the missing parts of her life story. Tessa Afshar is one writer who had attempted this audacious task and, to me, she had done a remarkable job. The result is a poignant and moving story of despair from poverty, betrayal, innocence lost, guilt and shame, kindness, mercy, grace and redemption. What shines through her storytelling is the constant thread of God's goodness and grace, not only for His people and Rahab but also for people who allow Him to work in their lives. Kudos to her.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the free eARC on exchange for an honest review.

Pearl in the Sand.
In the words of the writer, Rahab’s story is a story of God’s outrageous grace.


This is the first book of Tessa Afshar that I have read and I can’t wait to read others.


This biblical fiction made me to imagine alongside with the author.


Rahab as a character personalises many things apparent in a flawed human life. Her desire to join the children of Israel warmed my heart.


I will recommend this book over and over to anybody seeking for an adventure into Bible times.


I am so proud to add Biblical Fiction genre to my list of favourite book genres.


Thank you, Tessa Afshar.


This book deserves 10 stars rating. I finally got the figure of speech used in the book title “Pearl in the sand“.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Moody Publishers through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are mine.

This book is so beautifully written. The thread of Grace and Redemption is embedded in every chapter. Tessa Afshar is one of my favorite authors and I loved this book so much. The characters are so realistic and the visual storytelling paints a beautiful picture that readers will love. I highly recommend this book.
I was given a copy of this book through Net Galley in exchange for my honest review.

A beautiful retelling of a biblical story
"Pearl in the Sand. A Novel - 10th Anniversary Edition" was written by Tessa Afshar and published by Moody Publishers. Afshar retells the story of Rahab, a prostitute of Jericho at the time when Israel was preparing to conquer the promised land in using the style of a novel with poetic freedom that does not contradict biblical truth. Her retelling, adding historically and culturally appropriate details helps readers to get a better grasp, have an idea, an impression of the life of Rahab, but also of her family, and of the people of Jericho at this point of history. But this is not her only goal. In "A Note from the Author" at the beginning of the book she states that "Pearl in the Sand is a book that examines our worth in God's sight. It focuses on forgiveness and redemption." Furthermore, she underlines, that "Rahab's story is the story of God's outrageous grace" and her goal of writing this novel was to capture the "wild nature of grace, of divine love, of the insane new beginnings that God allows." In the "Author's Notes" at the end of the book Afshar states that "Pearl in the Sand" is "a novel–a fictional account of a historical woman who holds great importance for both Jews and Christians. In my opinion she has achieved this goal.
The Discussion Questions at the end of the book are a valuable resource for personal reflection but can be also helpful for guiding the study when the book is read in a group setting such as a book club. I highly recommend this revised edition of the book for readers who love historic Bible-based novels.
The complimentary copy of this book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley free of charge. I was under no obligation to offer a positive review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
#PearlInTheSand #NetGalley

If you are familiar with the Bible you probably already know the story of Rahab. If you are a biblical fiction reader you probably have already read a fictional tale based on Rahab. Maybe even more than one. So you may be wondering why you would want to read another. I'll answer with two words. Tessa Afshar.

When it comes to biblical fiction there are few authors that can weave a beautiful tapestry of a story like Tessa Afshar. I'm not sure how she does it, but she has a way of bringing the Bible to life and in the process of reading a fictional account of a true biblical story I feel uplifted and encouraged.

Imagine having a life so wrecked, so deep in sin, so full of heartache. How can there be hope for such a person? The story of Rahab shows us that hope is never lost. No matter how deep in sin you are, there is room for redemption. Rahab was a life transformed by the love of God and she is even in the lineage of Christ. How awesome is that? Just like us! When we are forgiven, we are engrafted into the family of Christ and become part of His lineage.

One thing I enjoy about biblical fiction is that it helps you envision a better picture of Bible times. Through the story telling you get more connected to the characters and begin to see them as the real people they were.

I encourage you to pick up this book and read about God's faithfulness, forgiveness and love.

***Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book. All opinions in this review are my own.

Biblically based, the story of Rahab comes alive in the beautifully written book. Rahab's story is one of God's love even if a person does not feel worthy of it. It also is a story of healing a marriage. Recommended!

A beautifully written account of Rahab’s story. I loved this author’s presentation of this Bible story. My thanks to the publisher for my ebook. This is my unbiased review.

I have had the original Pearl in the Sand on my to be read shelf for years but sadly never got around to reading it. So it was a treat to get to read the updated 10th Anniversary version. This Biblical fiction story follows the life of Rahab, the Cannaanite woman who hid Israelite spies which resulted in saving herself and her family. The author of this story imagines what her life was like with such realism that it's hard to put down.
This book imagined and dealt well with many realistic and expected emotions from both Rahab and her husband Salmone. I recommend this book for anyone who loves a good Christian story with some romance thrown in.

Pearl in the Sand
A Novel - 10th Anniversary Edition
by Tessa Afshar
Moody Publishers
You Like Them
Christian
Pub Date 06 Oct 2020 | Archive Date 01 Oct 2020

The original version was published ten years ago and I did not have a chance to read it then. So I was excited when this one came out. I felt Rahab's pain and isolation. This is great telling of the Bible story.
I thought 400 pages was a bit much but it was a quick read.

Thanks to Net Galley and Moody Publishers for the ARC.
5 star

I can’t believe this was Tessa Afshar’s debut book, it was absolutely breathtaking in its approach. Even though this was published ten years ago, and I was obviously not paying close attention to biblical fiction all that well. I am so glad I was able to read it now.

I loved the characters that of course, I was familiar with through reading the story about Rahab (in the bible) and her faithfulness to the Lord. Ms. Afshar’s approach to how she envision how things might’ve gone for Rahab and her ensuring marriage to Salmone I thought was brilliant. I really connected to how Rahab may have suffered because of being a harlot and changing her life entirely (really) to be with the Lord. Salmone may have come off as being gruff and standoffish because he was a soldier, but when it came to Rahab, he was pure putty in her hands. I thought four hundred pages would be a lot, but I don’t know why I thought that because it was a joy to read. I would read this again!

My gratitude to Moody Publishers and Net Galley. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

PEARL IN THE SAND

What a great historical fiction book!!! Tessa does an excellent job retelling Rahab's story. Sold into prostitution at 15 to aid her family became a decision by her father that left Rahab feeling dirty, ashamed and of little value. Her life was shaped by the parents and people in her city that made assumptions and clearly unkind. She had grown mature in the business and stayed with it because she knew little about anything else.

BUT, life changed when two spies came into her abode in the wall of Jericho. Life for Rahab would never be the same. She could be a woman respected and loved and not for her body but for the woman she was.

Tessa Ashfar clearly did her research and was able to create a believable addition to our Biblical references. I came away better for having read Pearl in the Sand.

Classic Tessa Afshar. Beautifully written. Poetic. Excellent dialogue. This story will remain with you after reading this story. Experience it yourself. Five stars.

I love Tessa Afshar's writing style and I have read all of her novels. I was very excited to read this new edition of the Pearl in the Sand and I still loved the story. This book takes the untold story of Rahab and creates a story for her, from being a lonely outcast to become one of the children of God. Not only does the author create a story but reflects the difficulties and hurts that Rahab might have carried. Though this is just the author's idea of what could have happened, I find that there has been a lot of research of the culture back in Rahab's time. That has helped me to understand more of what I read in the Bible, though the events of this book cannot be taken as real.

All in all, Pearl in the Sand is a beautiful story of what life might have looked like for Rahab. In ways, this book brings the Bible to life with its culture and traditions of the day. Tessa Afshar's writing style is captivating and very enjoyable to read. I highly recommend reading all of Tessa Afshar's novels if you are into Christian fiction, and Pearl in the Sand is just the same.

Having never read the original novel, and as only the second Tessa Afshar book I have enjoyed, I found this to be refreshing and delightful. The emotion encapsulated within its pages rings true and in its purest form. Many of the tales told in the midst of the overarching story will stay with me for a long time, if not forever. Truly a remarkable read. Five stars, easily would recommend to anyone- a fan of biblical fiction or not.

Pearl in the Sand (PITS) was a delight to read. It is a classic example of why Biblical fiction can be so enthralling and impactful in the way it strips of the veneers of familiarity and helps readers delve into the substance of a narrative.

While I have read some of Ms Afshar’s books, this is my first time reading PITS. I think her more recent novels are more ‘polished’ (for want of a better word), However, this story is just as potent in its message and delivery. It is a beautifully told portrait of love, pain, healing and victory.

This book gets a solid 4 stars from me. It’s a wonderful story of redemption and restoration. I would definitely recommend it to anyone and everyone, although it might be more meaningful for people who are familiar with the Bible and Rahab’s story because it will give a fresh perspective.

Many thanks to Moody Publishers and Ms. Afshar for a complimentary copy via NetGalley. These opinions are mine.

This is a beautifully written book! Absolutely amazing!
Pearl in the Sand takes us on a journey following the life of the biblical character, Rahab. At the tender age of fifteen, this once naïve little girl was forced into prostitution to support her family. Now, she has grown into an admirable woman of unquestionable faith. The depth and emotion felt throughout this book is so remarkably captured by the author, Tessa Afshar. God's promises and protection of His people is so wonderfully shared in this novel. Tessa Afshar has such a precious gift. She creates the most beautiful biblical fiction stories filled with interesting historical facts. Highly recommended.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publishers, Moody Publishers through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I thought this story of Rahab was excellent!
I love Afshar's work and style of writing. Her version of what Rahab may have been like and I appreciate that she hasn't taken away from the story in the Bible but in fact has added to it. I could never imagine what it must have been like to be in her position and I really wouldn't want to.
Our God is a wonderful God. I love how He shows mercy to us even when We think we don't deserve it. Just like Rahab!
I felt Rahab's emotions coming back to me throughout the story and I ended up admiring her a lot!
Yes, there is some violence in this book but that's to be expected when one goes to war against other countries like Ai. Battles are gruesome and Afshar portrays this very well! I will admit I did skip that part because I don't like gruesome scenes.
I gave this book five stars. It kept me entertained and I finished it in a couple of hours.
The cover is gorgeous! It shows how she feels perfectly! This is the 10th addition of this book. Nothing inside the book was taken away from the original release.
I highly recommend this book. It is an emotional and wonderful read!
My thanks to Netgalley for a copy of this book. I was NOT required to write a positive review and all opinions are my own.

I received a complimentary copy of this novel via Netgalley through Moody Publishers, in exchange for my honest review.


THE BASICS
I've always marveled & admired Rahab's story. And this novel made all my imaginings come to life! Everything in this story fit so well into the brief biblical account we know of this mysterious woman, which showed some amazing research into the real historical evidence & the true accounts found in God's Word.

Liberties are taken to fill in Rahab's background---how she came to be a zonah of Jericho, how she met & harbored the spies of Jericho at risk to her own life, how she & her family were saved from the destruction of their homeland, and how they may have been treated by the people of Israel once adopted into their tribes.

I loved her personality in this story, and I can definitely imagine this to be what she was like---gentle, meek, strong when necessary, organized, jumps to any task, not afraid to get her hands dirty, and all with a thirst for a God she never knew existed. Her faith, and how it was portrayed, was amazing!

Salmone was not quite who I expected him to be. But that was a good thing. He was a leader in the tribe of Judah with a gazillion responsibilities, not to mention his role as a warrior in Israel's army---respected by all, and still not without his flaws & pride. Actually, he ALMOST reminded me of Mr Darcy...


VIOLENCE
Young children pelt a beggar with stones & obscenities; one stone hits his forehead, drawing blood.

At one point, Rahab helps lower a man by rope out of her window & down the side of a massive wall. His body weight (certainly double her own) causes the rope to chafe her palms & arms, drawing blood & peeling away skin where it was wrapped around her arm. She struggles greatly, but ignores the pain, focusing on seeing the men to safety.

A child (toddler) was sacrificed to the god Molech for his blessing---burned in fire. (TT_TT this was HEARTBREAKING to read)

Mention of all the Israelite men being circumcised & waiting until they were healed & had regained their vigor before taking the next steps in conquering their Promised Land.

When the walls of Jericho collapse, we see the carnage---limbs sticking grotesquely out from debris; the odor of burning wood, flesh, & blood; a headless body blocks the threshold as a group of people exit an inn (the head in a few feet away---a horsefly flies out from the mouth). *gags*

A man is found guilty of thieving---the punishment death by stoning (we do not see the stoning, but hear that his death was carried out as the Law demanded).

A large battle ensues at Ai; men stab, slash, pound, & war with each other with swords, daggers, javelins, axes, etc. A knife throw hits a man in the back. Another man is hit by a thrown knife in the abdomen---we later learn the severe wound penetrated his stomach & nearly severed his liver in two. Due to that injury, his complexion appears quite orange. The ladies administering to him are given lessons in how to care for & change the dressings (which had to be done multiple times a day & at night). Fresh & old blood is seen, as well as a nasty yellow pus.

A woman is hit in the cheek by a solitary stone thanks to a mob's rising anger.


SPIRITUAL CONTENT
Obviously a Christian, biblical history, fiction!

Rumors run rampant in Jericho of the god of the Hebrews parting waters & their numberless army's growing reputation. At one point, Rahab prays to the Hebrews' God, and feels a near-tangible peace rest on her.

Joshua, divinely appointed leader of the Hebrews, is met by an otherworldly warrior before the walls of Jericho. He falls to his face, realizing this being is a Messenger from his God. The warrior bids him remove his sandals for he stands on holy ground.


LANGUAGE // ALCOHOL & DRUGS
None.

An anonymous person calling out the phrase "filthy dogs" to a family adopted into the Israelite camp.

//

Men & women share barley water & fig wine. Medicines & poultices, including a kind of wine, are used in the sick tent to treat the wounded after battle.


ROMANTIC CONTENT
A desperate family struggling to survive a severe drought sells their 15 year old daughter into prostitution, saying she must earn money by the "...way of women. The way of our gods." She, however, sets high terms for her years as a harlot, and to her credit (in this novel at least), has only been "with" a dozen men.

At some point, Rahab speaks of her lovers & her choice to accept them. She still maintains a modest fashion of clothing, believing it to be far more appealing than the skimpier ones.

During a certain time of the month, ladies retire to the women's tent for seven days.


CONCLUSION
All told, I really enjoyed this book & the fictional take on Rahab's character. I could easily imagine this being who she was before & after Jericho's fall. And the bits & pieces of history woven in between was simply marvelous!

Salmon's character, as mentioned earlier, was not quite who I expected him to be. I suppose I imagined him as an accepting, gentle sort of man, rather than the firm, Mr Darcy-stern-like, leader of an entire tribe would most likely have been. So good! And the romance was very well written, in my opinion. These were two, very broken, very flawed people, and even with all their failings & mistakes & misunderstandings---which is seen in any marriage---when they turned back individually to the very One who brought them together, they were then brought closer to each other themselves. Such a beautiful example of an imperfect, yet lovely marriage. <3

Due to the themes of prostitution---though everything is MARVELOUSLY well written & NEVER graphic in any way---I would certainly recommend this to a more mature reading audience.

This book was wonderful!! This tales the story of Rahab from the Bible. It obviously is the authors view of how she saw the story unfold. It pulled me in within a few pages. Ms. Afshar has such a wonderful style of writing and I have enjoyed every book I have read by her. This story of Rahab blew me away. The details that Afshar includes in the text is so powerful, you can almost taste the sand! If you love Biblical stories... you MUST read this one!!

I have read several novels centered around the story of Rahab, and each one has left me both convicted and filled with an intense warmth that can only come from God. Pearl in the Sand by Tessa Afshar is no exception. Rahab, the biblical savior of Hebrew spies who ventured into the land of Canaan. Rahab, the rescuer of her family from the Hebrews’ swords. Rahab, the believer, who hung a scarlet cord from her window. The Bible does not cover her in detail, but she is important enough to be one of the few women listed by name in the genealogy of Jesus Christ. Tessa Afshar portrays this brave woman as a scarred creature who God wrapped in His love, faith, and forgiveness.

The first half of Tessa Afshar’s Pearl in the Sand felt disjointed to me. Choppy. It was as if the story did not include me. I was only a detached observer. Afshar seemed to glaze over Rahab’s past because she wanted to rush to the romance element of the woman’s story. Each sentence was short, and the sentence structures were too simple. Sentences quickly jumped forward in time. Afshar does not really break open Rahab’s heart besides her zeal for God, despite her status as a Canaanite harlot. I wanted to know more of the character’s feelings before God brought down Jericho. I did not see her anguish, discontent, or her shame. I only saw her fear of and respect of a powerful God, a God more powerful than any she had ever heard.

The last part, though, Afshar seemed more in her element. The words flowed from one to the next on the page. She presented the main two characters and their problems, and led them down a path of growth. Pearl in the Sand did not only center on a romance, although that was theme. With vivid imagery—almost like parables—Tessa Afshar revealed snippets of the character of God. At one point (the point where the title’s meaning is revealed), my heart smiled. Pearl in the Sand reminded me that God was so good. That I can be covered soot, yet He gives His beauty for my ashes. That others’ opinions do not determine my worth in Him. I may be black with sin. When He looks at me, though, He sees Christ’s red blood and the white cloak of His redemption.

I mentioned my conviction in the first paragraph of this review. Any time I read about Rahab, I feel that gut-wrenching discomfort that I have prostituted myself to other things. I am not a harlot who owns an inn, but I definitely have put the wrong things before God. I have my idols, my sins. In Pearl in the Sand, Tessa Afshar presents a Rahab who is entirely focused on her past faults. God, however, does not see those infirmities—He sees His fearfully and wonderfully made creation. Rahab begins a new life, and God blesses her with a husband and a son.

I wish the first half of Pearl in the Sand had been more like the second. The first half was too general, and it moved far too quickly when compared to the rest of the book. I knew so little about Rahab’s emotional and mental scars until someone pulled them out of her. For how much the book broke into characters’ inner feelings later on, the first half was sorely lacking. In a way, I feel like Tessa Afshar missed an opportunity with Pearl in the Sand.

I liked Pearl in the Sand. It was a quick read with a satisfying conclusion. With how simplistic the first half was, though, when compared with the intense lessons in the second…I almost wish I had skipped right to the latter.

**Note: This review may also be posted to Life Is Story (https://www.lifeisstory.com/) in the near future. I felt it was more important, though, to provide my feedback in a timely manner rather than wait for it to be published.