It is always a real treat to read Angela Elwell Hunt books. She brings out details of the culture and interweaves a complex but simple character. All of it is relatable and all of it turns you to the scriptures.

At the end of the book, Angela will share the research that was done in weaving this beautiful story of Saul (who later was called Paul) and his sister. The narration is done between brother and sister Aya during the time of Jesus' ministry and beyond. If you recall, Saul is the one that prosecuted and killed many Christians. You are brought back in time of the Jewish culture. The privilege of being a Pharisee/teacher of the law, marriage and the traditions of faith. In those times and for the safety of of Jewish women, families would arrange marriages. Aya wanted something more. She loved her music and felt God had given her a gift to share. The contrast between her parents wishes and her own desires played out and it gave the reader a sense of what was at stake.

The relationship between Aya and her brother was of adoration and then when Saul had his encounter with Christ, it had changed. The narration also includes the scriptures that reveal who Jesus was and how difficult it was for the Jewish people to see their redeemer. A book like this only increases your desire to know Christ more and that God is good. It connects the dots to Old Testament to New. Highly recommend.

A special thank you to Bethany House and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.

Paul has always been a character of interest to me. He went from murdering and arresting followers of Jesus, to being one of the most influential apostles of all time. His life is a lesson on how God can use anyone for his perfect plan. My interest in Paul’s life led me to enjoy this book.

The Apostle’s Sister is a Biblical fiction book that chronicles the life of Paul and his sister. His sister, Aya, longs to be a singer, while her parents envision a more traditional life for her as a traditional wife and mother. Paul just wants to be a student of God’s word and law, but finds himself also getting married to please his parents. At first, I was skeptical, because in the Bible, Paul talks about not being married. But the author saw a slightly different perspective, making Paul a widow by the time he wrote those books of the Bible that we are familiar with.

I found this book to be very engaging, even though I already knew Paul’s story. Seeing his life and events from the viewpoint of his sister was interesting, and I enjoyed seeing Aya’s growth from the beginning of the book until the end. It took some difficult life experiences for her to realize what is truly important in life, and to finally see the One who had been with her through it all.

The Apostle’s Sister is a beautiful story of Jesus’ relentless love and pursuit of each of us, and how He can truly change our lives. It also does a good job of describing the time period of Jesus, and the viewpoint of devout Jews who lived at that time. If you enjoy Biblical fiction, check it out!

AD 30. The story brings two parallel stories of brother and sister. They both get married and arrive in Jerusalem, first Sha’ul with his wife, then Aya with her husband.

Aya’s future was decided for her at sixteen. She didn’t want to marry, but she also didn’t have a choice. She didn’t want to follow the role of Jewish women, be an obedient wife, bear her husband’s children, and her own desires would not matter. But she couldn’t openly voice it with her father. Thus, she was forced to follow the path. However, with her strong personality when opportunity presents to be her own person in some measure, she seizes it.

Their lives are set against the time when Yeshua of Nazareth and his followers continue coming back to Jerusalem. Their increasing influence is seen as potential for trouble.

The story is well-embellished with religious observations, festivities and traditions. It has a good flow and has interesting aspects to it. However, I didn’t feel a strong connection and it’s due to the style of writing. It’s mostly telling, not showing.

The Apostle’s Sister by author Angela Hunt, is Book Four in her Jerusalem Road series. This is an amazing Biblical Fiction that tells what have happened in the personal life of the Apostle Paul. Author Hunt obviously did extensive research and remained true to the Bible. She just filled in some gaps.

This author has a gifted way of storytelling. I always gleans bits and pieces of knowledge that had previously escaped me. I was captivated by this book as she brought Bible times and people to life in an interesting fashion.

This is the story of Aya, Sha’ul’s (Paul) younger sister. Set in Tarsus in A.D. 30, Aya is a young girl with a love of singing and a gift for it. She does not want to marry but finally relents. Sha’ul marries in obedience to the Law and to further his ambition to become a member of the Great Sanhedrin.
Aya and her husband, Avidan, leave Tarsus and go to Jerusalem so that he can study the Torah. It is difficult for him due to his poor eyesight, but Aya helps.

I often wondered what it was like to experience life during the time Jesus walked among us. This exquisite book described it in such great detail that made me feel like I was there. I was riveted to this book reading about Yeshua and His followers. I became emotional reading about miraculous healings and messages of salvation spreading throughout the world. I highly this to everyone. It is an inspirational, educational, moving novel, and gets 5 stars from me. A copy was provided by NetGalley, but these are my own words.

I have read the other books in this series so was excited to hear of this one. Just like the others this didn't disappoint. Great story and a beautiful ending. Angela Hunt is a fantastic novelist.

An amazing story bringing to life what would have been the experience of early believers in Jesus. Such a reminder to me that God uses all things in my life for his glory.

This is another wonderful historical fiction book by Angela Hunt. This time she is telling about Paul's life through the eyes of his sister. Angela;s books bring the Bib;e to life Her research into the culture of the time and the Jewish law is spot on. I learn so much from these novels because it helps me understand how the people lived, what they ate, that their day looked like, what the locations in the Bible are all about etc. And even though I am very familiar with the Bible story, there is still a story told here that is not famliar and "old hat."

I have voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book that I received from NetGalley. All views expressed are only my own honest opinion.

I really enjoyed reading The Apostle's Sister. It is my new favorite by Angela Hunt. I highly recommend it and am giving it five stars.

Angela Hunt is one of my favorite Christian authors, and this book was excellent. I love how she brings out Biblical truths as a natural part of the narrative.

Paul’s sister, Aya, is a devout Jew with an amazing singing voice, and her passion is to sing in public. Unfortunately, with all the oral laws and restrictions of her faith, she is denied much opportunity to use this gift of God. Through a hard life she finds ways to use her musical abilities, but her brother Saul’s conversion on the road to Damascus causes lost opportunities and the shunning of friends. She is not a follower of The Way and does not understand Paul’s conversion…to her mind he is a blasphemer. Even so, she longs to see him.

Saul is as single minded in his desire to preach the salvation of Jesus Christ as he was earlier in his persecution of Christians. He has little time for Aya and her son, and doesn’t visit them for years at a time. When he does, she is resentful and refuses to listen to his message of salvation. When her son becomes a student of the Law, he sees Jesus in the Torah, and to her dismay becomes a believer.

I don’t think it’s a spoiler to say that eventually Aya does become a believer. Her journey is interesting, and her reluctance makes sense, considering her upbringing and how little she knew about Jesus.

THE APOSTLE’S SISTER is the fourth novel in the Jerusalem Road series by ANGELA HUNT. This author has an amazing way of telling her stories, backed by solid knowledge of scripture together with its Jewish roots. She has also obviously done a great deal of research.
We first meet Aya, Sha’ul’x younger sister, in Tarsus in A.D. 30, as a young girl with a beautiful voice and a love of singing. She sees her voice as a gift from God and the main thing that makes her unique. Although she does not want to marry, Avidan, the man chosen by her parents, is good and kind and they come to love one another. Sha’ul, on the other hand, only marries Bettina in obedience to the Law and to further his ambition to become a member of the Great Sanhedrin.
Aya leaves Tarsus with Avidan, who is going to study Torah under the great teacher Gamaliel in Jerusalem.
I like to see how Aya helps her husband, who has poor eyesight, to study for his examinations by reading to him, They have intelligent discussions and we see how Yeshua is right there in the Hebrew scriptures. It is interesting to see the rigidity of the Law, especially as it is practised by the pharisees. When Sha’ul meets Yeshua on the Damascus road, Aya is angry with him for causing her to be shunned by the Jews. Will she ever be able to go against her beliefs and accept Yeshua for herself?
This incredible time in history is described in great detail, with Yeshua and His followers, the miraculous healings and deliverances, and the message of salvation spreading throughout the known world.
I found The Apostle’s Sister to be full of biblical insight and altogether an inspirational and interesting read. I cannot recommend it highly enough.
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Bethany House Publishers. The opinions in this review are completely my own.