The homeless outcast known as Cursed ANNA has spent her days avoiding the reproachful glances of her fellow Jerusalemites and her nights defending against the bitter cold and her growing hunger and fear. Her deepest desire is to find acceptance among her people. For that to happen she must live one more day, and one more day after that. Desperation drives her to turn to the only means of survival … of survival for women without friends or family—harlotry. At Jerusalem’s Dung Gate in the dead of night, a scarlet-caped Roman soldier nears, and Anna quakes at having to approach the imposing, broad-shouldered man. Confronted by the foreigner, who identifies himself as the fortress commander, Anna fears she has made a terrible mistake.
JULIAN OF ALEXANDRIA is counting the days until he could escape this cursed assignment. He suspects his mother, his Jewish mother, is to blame for the bad luck of being stationed in Judea. Raised thoroughly Roman, Julian wants nothing to do with the Jews. Until Anna. Anna, the spirited Jewess who means to be a harlot. Except this frightened half-dead beauty seems an unlikely seductress. Though he should flee this attraction and fulfill his promise to his father to find a Roman wife, Julian makes himself Anna’s protector.
Impossible choices face this desperate Jewess and her hardened Roman commander. Will their rigid beliefs and traditions separate them, or will they follow their hearts?
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Faithful Daughter of Israel was a really interesting read. I read it in three sittings and found the storyline really compelling. I usually don’t read many Christian Fiction stories that are set during biblical times (since I don’t like it if they veer off from what the Bible says), but I liked that, in this case, through the story of the main characters we get to see the latter part of John the Baptist’s ministry. I found the depiction of Anna’s meeting with him believable and liked how his preaching of repentance and forgiveness of sins was portrayed.
As for the main story, I liked both Julian and Anna’s characters through the story, though Anna’s took me a bit more time to warm up to. While I think there were parts of the book that could have been smoothed out in a better way, overall, I liked how their feelings developed for each other, though, at first, it’d seem a relationship between the two of them would have been doomed from the start. I also enjoyed the descriptions of the places (from Herod’s greatest works of architecture to trips through the desert and voyages at sea/river), since they certainly helped to transport me to the setting :).
As for content (with spoilers), one has to keep in mind that this book opens with Anna at her wit’s end and thus, she’s come to the decision of taking up harlotry. Hence, there’s a lot of talk about the subject, both from the Jewish and Roman POV. Plus, one should keep in mind how women, and especially women who had fallen in dire circumstances, were referred to or talked about. Yes, there’s also the fact that this Roman commander (Julian) decides to take Anna under his wing despite his being attracted to her, so there are bound to be glances, caresses, and even thoughts regarding their attraction towards each other. However, (SPOILER) any and all sex scenes happen after they have been married (through a contract), behind closed doors, and/or are implied after it’s already happened by thoughts of their feelings on the matter.
As for violence, the beginnings of a harlot’s stoning are shown.
Overall, I’d recommend this book for fans of the author or fans of Christian Fiction set in biblical times. However, if you’re not familiar with this author’s work, I think this novella would be the perfect way to try it out. ~4 stars
Inspiring story of God fearing interesting characters. When thinking a happy ending the unexpected happens. Couldn’t put it down
This was a brilliant story and I was utterly captivated! I appreciated that, although set in Biblical times, it read as easy as a contemporary, as far as the ease of reading and the spoken language. I even learned several new words, which is always a plus! I loved how, it’s completely fiction and still has a few famous characters such as King Herod and his wife, Herodias. Much of the story wraps around John the Baptist, yet he’s a side character and for the most part, we hear of just a tidbit or rumors throughout the book. But my favorite part is the deep level of God ordained romance despite the incredibly difficult differences! Wanda is a new author to me and I hope to read many more of her books soon! She writes sweet romance with compelling characters. She writes in the Wild West and in first century with a focus on the Herodians.