My Rating: 5 StarsDescription: The prophet Nehemiah's cousin can speak numerous languages, keep complex accounts, write on rolls of parchment and tablets of clay, and solve great mysteries. There is only one problem: she is a woman.
In her early childhood years, Sarah experienced the death of her mother and her father's subsequent emotional distance and she came to two conclusions: that God does not care about her, and that her accomplishments are the measure of her worth - the measure of her self.
Sarah, the talented scribe and cousin to Nehemiah, is catapulted into the center of the Persian court, working too many hours, rubbing elbows with royalty, and solving intrigues for the Queen. Ironically, it isn't failure but success that causes Sarah to lose her only source of external validation.
Sarah soon learns that she has something of worth to offer beyond her ability with languages and sums - her very being proves to be a blessing to others particularly the aristocrat, Darius, she was given to in marriage.
Sarah and Darius' story continues in Harvest of Gold. Darius may be able to learn to love his wife, but can he ever learn to trust Sarah and her Lord?
My Thoughts: This is my second time reading this novel, which just shows how much I love it. Sarah is one of the most relatable characters I have ever read. So many often, I have felt just as she does, that the only thing that makes me worth anything is what I can do for other people, not who I am. That people would only want me around if they could get something from me. So when Sarah worries about being good enough at her job, and then being good enough as a wife, I understood what her fear felt like.
Sarah's encounters with others through out the book, and particularly Darius, are hilarious. Both times reading it, I found myself laughing out loud and had wave off questions from my family as to what was so funny.
I am glad that I now have this book for my collection, because I will be reading it many times in the future.
I received this novel from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
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