I received a complimentary copy from the publisher and all opinions expressed are mine.

This is the story of Maru Magladene and it took me by surprise as it tackled her story like I never imagined . It tells the story of how she comes from a place of despair until she encountered the healer ,the teacher and comforter .Very well written and researched.

The Dawn of Grace, gave me a lot to consider that I had never thought about before. Like picking up a stone on the well worn path that I had seen again and again and never really considering picking up that stone and looking at it from every angle and in every light. I found this book very interesting as it fleshed out the life of Mary Magdalene and what could have been her early experiences that led her to Jesus and kept her through it all. I have found myself pondering her life after the last mention of her life. After The Dawn of Grace draws to a close and the last page settles into place and the book is closed and put on a shelf. I wonder what she experienced. What she saw. Thank you Mrs. Smith for this walk with the Master through the eyes of Mary. It has been an experience I have enjoyed.

I really liked this Christian fiction by Jill Eileen Smith! Great fiction faith-filled writing. Some may find it interesting or strange that she doesn’t mention Mary Magdalene being a prostitute because some believe Mary was a prostitute because they believe that Mary Magdalene and the woman who was found in the act of committing adultery that Jesus did not condemn, but told her to go and sin no more, was the same person. I believe this too, but when I read the author’s explanation of writing them as not the same, I saw , as she did, that the Bible does not mention the woman’s name, so why do some believe this? That’s a whole other discussion in itself, but this is why she wrote it the way she did. She wrote her as having the seven demons the Bible talks about and that Jesus healed her from. She doesn’t mention the other scripture in the Bible of the accusation of the woman being accused of prostitution and Jesus healing her. But really good Christian fiction story. Recommend to all, especially those who like to read Christian fiction and faith stories. I thank Net Galley, the Publishers, and Author for the arc and opportunity to read and give my own thoughts and opinions of Dawn of Grace.

Dawn of Grace by Jill Eileen Smith

Jill Eileen Smith’s books are ones that I pick up whenever possible. She makes the Bible character come alive to the reader through detailed research and great thought regarding their motivation. The same was true of this book about Mary of Magdalene.

I was viewing The Chosen while I read this book and much of what Smith proposed in her novel dovetailed with how the writers of the Chosen saw Mary. The book brought her thoughts, feelings and love for Jesus alive for me. I thoroughly enjoyed reading the story and imagining what it would be like to follow Jesus during his time here on earth.

I am grateful to have received a complimentary arc of this book in return for this, my honest opinion.

Dawn of Grace is a wonderful Biblical fiction story that is going to take you into the world of Mary Magdalene and the man who saved her. And of course, we know that that man was Jesus. I can’t help but feel that we all can relate to her somewhat. While we might not have literal demons within us, we all have given ourselves to sin. We’ve all felt that draw, that addiction, if you will, to something. And maybe we’ve had to rely on Jesus/God to help us overcome.

And He will! And He did!

What a wonderful and powerful testimony! As Easter approaches and passes, we can think of what she went through and her utter devotion to Him. She comes to the tomb after the Sabbath to dress the body. Only the body isn’t there!

I loved this look into a wonderful woman of the Bible. An example of how something utterly worldly, utterly sinful, can be taken and moulded and made into something new that can shine the light and draw others to Christ.

This was an amazing novel and I cannot wait to dive into another just like it.

I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, which I received from Celebrate Lit. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review, nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC regulations.

I thought this was an interesting story. I have read other books by this author but not any set during the New Testament. I thought that she did a good job of giving us a glimpse into what Mary Magdalene’s life might have been like before meeting Christ and what it would have been like afterwards. I liked seeing the contrast from the before and after. I also liked seeing her faith grow. I also thought that she did a good job of using the information we have from the Bible and weaving it into a fiction story that seemed possible.

I received a complimentary book from publishers, publicists, and or authors.  A review was not required and all opinions and ideas expressed are my own.

What a powerful, emotional story about Mary Magdalene! I have read several books by this author and have always loved her biblical fiction books. The stories and characters come alive and are rich with history and details.

This story was about heartache, trials, faith, healing and second chances. There were alot of biblical accounts of Jesus of Nazareth's healings and travels as mentioned in the bible, but obviously the author had to take creative liberties with characters like Susannah and Mary Magdalene.

It was so heartbreaking to read about Mary's introduction to demons and how it ruined alot of her life and relationships before being healed by Jesus. The characters and their day to day lives came alive for me and I couldn't put this book down! Highly recommend this intriguing, emotional biblical fiction account of Mary Magdalene!

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions and views expressed are my own.

“Freedom coursed through me. This man, Jesus—I didn’t know who he was or where he came from, but one thing was certain. No one had ever helped me like he had. I never wanted to leave his side.”

Jill Eileen Smith authors a well-researched, Scripture-based fictional account of Mary Magdalene that will have you amazed, terrified, and wondering. You will be amazed by the miracles Jesus does as they are fleshed out with details that truly bring them to life. You will be terrified for Mary as you see her descent into demonic oppression and get a better grip on the horrors that began to be an unpredictable part of her life, until she wishes for death. You will be left struggling with the reality of Jesus’s predictions of his death, wondering how much you might understand if His teachings and miracles were a new thing. What if the Bible were happening before your eyes, not something well-known, documented, and read and learned. I read with fresh eyes as the disciples and others see multiple miracles and still struggle to process it all, to believe Jesus is really the Son of God as He claims. And then the seemingly contradictory statements. As much as possible, Smith has Jesus speaking using Bible passages, in a concerted effort to avoid any conflict with Scripture. It is so interesting to view Jesus’s ministry from a woman’s point of view- so many emotions while the men reasoned and argued.

I found it especially interesting to see how Smith handles a few things, like Mary’s need for deep love. “What I really wanted, I didn’t have. I wanted someone to love me.” As Mary follows Jesus, she has accepted that He truly loves her, but she deals with the human emotion of trying to understand how God can love all people equally, when people naturally want to be the most important in a relationship. Can God love Mary ( and us) specially, uniquely, but still love others with the same intensity? Does His love spur us on to do for Him as it did Mary? And doubts. Can we have doubts? I loved how Smith imagines Jesus addressing the disciples’ doubts: “It is not wrong to have doubts and confusion, Philip.”… “It is what you do with your doubts and confusion that matters. Do they lead you to me, to faith and to seeking the Father, or do they push you to go your own way?”

I received a copy of the book from the publisher through Celebrate Lit via NetGalley. I also bought my own copy. No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own.

Notable Quotables:

“We all have a past, Mary,” he said softly. “Everyone needs Jesus to forgive them of something. If we were all holy as God is holy, we wouldn’t need him.”
-Joseph Justus

“I did not come to make friends with those who think they are righteous. I came to save those who know they are not,”

“To realize Jesus accepted the worst members of society comforted me in a way I could not explain.”

“I think we need him far more than he needs us.”

I thoroughly enjoy reading Biblical fiction, as it brings stories from the Bible to life. While it is partially fictional, it still conveys important messages and inspires readers to learn and grow.

Dawn of Grace is beautifully written, sharing the journey of Mary Magdalene’s from demonic possession to receiving miraculous healing, hope, and love. Although I usually read Old Testament Biblical fiction, I am always pleased when New Testament figures encounter Jesus. Hearts and lives are transformed, healed and filled with immeasurable love from the one and only Savior.

Mary’s transformation in this story was both inspiring and beautiful. It is a meaningful tale that I thoroughly enjoyed.

First Line (Prologue): “It’s this way, Mary. Come on!”
Genre: Biblical Fiction
Author: Jill Eileen Smith
Page Count: 368

#CoverLoverBookReview received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions are 100% my own.

Biblical fiction is one of my favorite genres. I am rather picky, though, because I want what I read to be as Biblically accurate as possible. Dawn of Grace is the first book I've read by Smith; I don't think it will be my last!

Mary Magdalene's story is brought to life, and we're given a clear picture of what her life might have been like, and what life was like in her time.

If you enjoy well-researched and well-written Biblical fiction, be sure to grab yourself a copy.

I received a complimentary copy. These opinions are my own.

Dawn of Grace by wordsmith extraordinaire, Jill Eileen Smith, is a Biblical Fiction novel. This amazing tale brought the New Testament to life with its retelling of Mary Magdalene’s story. The author has a brilliant perspective on what might have happened. It is totally plausible.

I was immediately drawn to this story with its familiar characters. Within the first few pages the story had me totally captivated. It brought new light on what Mary’s life and struggles might have been like. I was moved while reading this beautiful story.

I highly recommend Dawn of Grace. It would be great for a reading group or individuals. I rate it 5 out of 5 stars. A complimentary copy was provided by Celebrate Lit but these are my honest words.

First of all, the cover of this book is beautiful and hope-filled. I have been a fan of Jill Eileen Smith's for some time and this book did not disappoint. I really enjoy Biblical fiction because it allows readers to imagine what it MIGHT have been like. It adds emotion and grows my understanding of what the time period was like. I always like to reread the portions of the Bible that are reflected in the book in order to stay grounded in actual truth and not speculation. Smith creates characters out of the real people of the Bible and develops possible motivations, emotions and experiences that help put you in their shoes. Dawn of Grace is emotional, detailed, and well-written, and I highly recommend it.

What an amazing story the author has captured from the Bible. I was drawn in from the beginning as Mary begins her journey. Trusting her friend, she finds herself consumed with demons. Her struggles and overwhelming cries for help pierced my heart. How did she find herself here?

The author does not venture far from the Biblical story which I appreciated. We do get to see how Mary may have interacted with Jesus and hear her thoughts as she follows Him. Her freedom from the demons stirs her to follow Jesus. As Easter draws near, it was particular meaningful to read how she felt at that moment.

I loved how the author took us through Mary’s life and hit on the different parts from the Bible. I often wonder what Mary must have felt watching Jesus hang on the cross. This part of the story came to life as I saw thru Mary’s eye Jesus giving His life for each of us. Thank you for a story that reminds us of a character who Jesus set free from demons and followed Him to the cross.

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.

In Jill Eileen Smith's latest novel, Dawn of Grace, the radiant light of grace effortlessly illuminates the spiritual darkness. The scriptures pulsate with life as we delve into the captivating world through the eyes of Mary of Magdala, an often misunderstood disciple.

This compelling book vividly explores Mary's past, her demon possession, and miraculous healing, transporting readers into a world of profound spiritual awakening. Exploring famous biblical settings in the story immerses readers in Jesus' ministry. The fast-paced narrative gently guides the imagination through intimate moments, like sitting around a crackling campfire with the enigmatic rabbi. Witnessing his miraculous healings and reimagining his teachings through the protagonist's perspective is the core of the book.

The narrative weaves spiritual insights into every chapter, inviting readers to reflect deeply. Embark on a journey with Mary through a profound spiritual quest, where the mundane transforms into the extraordinary, awakening a deep-rooted faith in the soul as she discovers that the offerings of Jesus extend beyond mere healing. Fans of Biblical Fiction won't be disappointed.

I received a complimentary copy from the author but was not required to leave a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

True to the biblical account (especially toward the middle and end) of Mary Magdalene and the ministry of Jesus while she was with Him. The beginning was a bit hard to get into, but overall a fairly good read. Three and a half stars.

Mary Magdalene’s story as researched, imagined, and told by Jill Eileen Smith, is an interesting one. Mary’s transformation from innocent girl to demon possessed woman was plausibly realistic enough to be unsettling at times, and definitely thought provoking. Her subsequent transformation to faithful follower of Jesus, after he cast out the demons oppressing her, was beautiful and truly inspiring.

For these reasons, I’m glad to have read the book. Even so, I did find the second half somewhat less engaging than the first half. The premise was good: a retelling of Jesus' ministry from a fresh perspective. But without a clear goal on the part of the main character, beyond helping facilitate Jesus' ministry, she became more of a passive observer than an active participant, in a story I already know quite well.

Interesting as it was to see Mary's reactions to familiar events, I think the reading experience could have been even better, had I also had something more to root for on Mary's behalf, or something unique to her story to keep me guessing up to the end.

All in all, a good read, especially well suited for the Easter season, when a fresh look at Jesus' story may be just what readers are looking for.

Thank you to the publisher for providing an Advance Reader Copy of this book via NetGalley.

My thanks to Library Thing Early Reviews and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read Dawn of Grace. I give my unbiased opinion of it in the following review.

Dawn of Grace is a work of Biblical based fiction. The author has mostly written about Old Testament characters, but this time she chose to write about Mary Magdalene. There is little known about Mary Magdalene. We know that Jesus removed her demons and afterwards she was his follower and servant. The author does a good job of imagining what it might have been like for Mary before, during, and after her demon possession. Her writing is straightforward and reads smoothly. Although I didn't really find any problems with the book, the overall fictionalization didn't sit well with me. I am not sure Biblical fiction is for me.

I was immediately drawn to this book—the cover is stunning, and I love discovering new-to-me authors. Jill Eileen Smith’s writing is beautiful, and her storytelling deeply immersive. However, I found the focus on Mary Magdalene’s possession unsettling, and I ultimately had to put the book down before reaching the moment of her redemption.

This is a personal preference, and I know many will find inspiration in Mary’s journey. If you enjoy biblical fiction with deep emotional themes, this might be a great fit for you!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Content/Trigger: demonic spirits entering a body, mention of possible abuse of some kind to a small girl (not the main character)

Mary Magdalene's is one of my favourite stories in the Bible, and Jill Eileen Smith has done a fantastic job at bringing her story to life in greater detail.. This is an author I am quick to recommend to anyone with an interest in Bible history and Christian fiction. She has clearly done a lot of research on the time period and it is such a fun way to learn more about the culture and life of that time period. The author has also navigated writing a story from the Bible without contradicting or adding to the Bible/Jesus' life.
It was well-written and engaging and I will absolutely be reading more of this author's books.

A big thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for the complimentary copy I received in return for my honest review.

I have officially found my new favorite book written by the talented Jill Eileen Smith. I have always loved her Biblical stories and was excited to have the opportunity to read her newest, Dawn of Grace" Mary Magdalene’s Story. I loved seeing the visual of how Mary Magdalene lived and struggled in her life. The author does a fantastic job bringing to life and showing how her life changes when she meets Jesus.


Five stars is what Dawn of Grace: Mary Magdalene’s Story deserves. I highly recommend it for readers who love to read clean and well written Biblical Fiction. As always, I will be on the look out for more releases from Jill Eileen Smith in the future.




I received a paperback copy of Jill Eileen Smith's Dawn of Grace: Mary Magdalene’s Story from the publisher, but was not required to write a positive review. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion.