Return to the turbulence of ancient Canaan in Book Three of The Stones of Gilgal. Even the raging floods of the Jordan could not stop the Israelites from crossing the river and setting up camp near Jericho. Canaanite kings and kingdoms–even the Anakim giants–are in turmoil. Former enemies jostle for power in new alliances, united only intheir determination to destroy the Israelite invaders.When … invaders.
When the massive fortifications of Jericho collapse, Salmon rushes into the ruins to save Rahab, the beautiful harlot who had rescued him and his fellow spy from certain death. But saving her from her own city is not so easy. And that is only the beginning of the trouble, treachery and devastating ruins they and their friends face as they settle into their new life in the Promised Land.
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I remember the last book I read from this author and how much I enjoyed it. To say that I was excited about this book is very true. The author takes a Biblical story and makes it come to life. The way she describes the land, the people and what is going on heightens with each paragraph. I absolutely loved reading about the Passover and how it was described. The people were excited but a little hesitant about their future. I had a hard time figuring out how to say some of the names in the story. That is something I have always thought about. It is such a silly thing to ponder over but why are some of the names in the Bible so hard to pronounce? Well that went off on a rabbit trail but I was so captivated by this story that I wanted to know everything including the origin of names.
The excitement starts with the fall of Jericho and oh my does the author do an amazing job of making me experience each stone as it falls loudly to the ground as people ran for their lives. I loved when Salmon came in to rescue Rahab. He was fierce and without any hesitation sweeps her up to freedom. This is exactly what I like about the author’s style of writing. It is so vivid you can see the scene before you and watch as Rahab and Salmon run to safety.
The story is action packed and shines a light on a story I didn’t know much about. Once again I found myself digging in my Bible to see how parallel the two stories were. There is danger, secrets and much deceit that goes on and I couldn’t read fast enough. The Promised Land holds many new adventures and for some it is a big change from what they are accustomed to. There is a lot going on in the story and I did learn a few things. The laws that God had given His people were to be followed. It was hard for some to abide by them but in the end God is in control. He knows what is best for His people. I encourage readers to take their time as they read this account of a time in the Bible when chaos happened and people trusted in their faith to be safe.
I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.
This book 3 of the Stones Of Gilgal series shows the Israelites taking over the promised land after the miraculous crossing of the red sea.
The author’s knack for details is amazing, the conversations, refreshing.
This book focuses on Rehab in Jericho. Her story never ceases to amaze me. Indeed God can turn anyone into who He wants them to be only if they come to Him. It was beautiful how the author portrayed her in this book. I loved the beautiful, unique relationship she shared with the bold and courageous Salmon. It went a long way to show God’s redemption power and how when we come to Him He gives a new life.
The backdrop of the story focuses on the children of Israel in the promised land, their challenges and how they follow God and sometimes fail.
This book is a really great book and I recommend the entire series to be read. The books can totally be read as standalone.
I received a copy of this book and this is my honest opinion.
The Israelites have finally reached the promised land. Now life will be good, right? Perhaps, but not necessarily. After following the direction of the Lord in conquering Jericho, the people are excited to see how the Lord will continue to fight for them. There is, however, ‘achor’ or trouble in their midst. How will this affect their ability to continue to conquer the land? The current inhabitants are nervous and are making new alliances, hoping to be able to send those Israelites back where they came from.
The author has done a fabulous job of fleshing out this period in Biblical history. The characters bring the story to life, and make one feel like you are right in the middle of the narrative. The fulfillment of the tales of their grandparents once again help the people realize how incredible Yahweh is. Lack of faith had dream-crushing consequences for them – how will this play out in the lives of their children’s children?
The celebration of the Festival of Weeks brings a brief interlude where they feel like they have breathed the rarified air of heaven. What lies ahead for the people of Israel? The story continues in the next book in this series…..
This digital copy was received through CelebrateLit. The impressions and comments are my own and were in no way solicited.
Trouble in the Ruins is the third installment from CL Smith’s, Stones of Gilgal series. It is, also, my first experience reading this author’s work. It will not be the last. Even though this one is part of a series, I do believe it could be read as a stand alone. I did not feel like I was missing anything by not reading the first two books. I thought it was a good read. I enjoyed the vivid details the author used to bring this Biblical story and characters to life. It was fascinating to be brought back in time.
I am giving Trouble in the Ruins four and half stars. I would love to go back and read the previous books from the stones of Gilgal series to see what happened before this one. I highly recommend this one for readers who enjoy to read Biblical Fiction.
I received Trouble in the Ruins from the publisher. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion.
An amazing depiction of biblical history
I was impressed with the author’s ability to make me forget I already knew this story. The well-researched historical facts were woven into the telling in a manner which made the story come alive. Characters, drawn from a few short lines of scripture, are so well depicted that the reader really “feels” their experiences and is drawn further into the history of our faith. You cannot help but pick up your Bible and re-familiarize yourself with the scriptures.
This lengthy biblical novel gives a detailed account of stories drawn from the book of Joshua—the attack against Jericho and the rescue of Rahab and her family, the battle of Ai, and much more—with rich fictional additions to flesh out the tales. It includes Canaanite kings, such as an Anakim giant, plotting against Israel when the twelve tribes come to conquer the Promised Land. With so many different characters, it can sometimes be hard to keep track of where each fits in. But they seem real and the setting authentic. The book can stand alone, but it is the third in this series and has continuing characters and connections to past books. Readers can learn life lessons from the saga and find wisdom in this good vs. evil drama. Although the novel includes sorrow, it contains a story of strong faith as they follow the Lord. I received a copy from Celebrate Lit. All opinions are my own.
I think we’ve all studied and read the story of Rahab. We’re thought and made our own mental pictures. But here those pictures are made more vivid for us as the author takes the Bible story and gives it her own twists and turns as well as finesse to make it into a story that is fleshed out. Here the characters will come to life in a way you’ve never experienced before.
I have enjoyed reading the entire series so far and this is the third book. You don’t have to read them in order, but really why wouldn’t you? Reading a series in order always makes it better and better!
This particular book focuses on the fall of Jericho and Rahab. Rahab is not made into something she wasn’t and her character doesn’t get a tidy little makeover to make her more acceptable to our world today. Instead she is portrayed for what she is. And we get some inside looks at what it might have been like as she came out of her former life and was given a new one among the Israelites.
I love this particular look at the Bible. The author has a way of making the characters come to life and now when I read the story in the Bible my mind is thinking and looking and trying to decide what else might have happened. What were the little things that didn’t get added into the story? What didn’t make the cut from the full account of what happened?
This is a great book and I recommend it and the series as well. Enjoy!
I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received through 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.
“Grandpa’s generation, the Exodus generation, found significance in teaching their children to live in covenant with Yahweh. You are the Gilgal generation. The shame of failure is rolled away, and tonight, we celebrate a new beginning.”
Biblical fiction is a difficult genre to write, and in my experience, it tends to be either hit or miss. Enough detail to inform readers about the time period and pique their interest, but without ever adding to the inerrant word of the Bible. Telling a story that will lead readers to the Bible to learn more without compromising THE story. Despite the challenges, I’m glad that there are authors who are willing to produce books set in this era, to make us examine Scripture more closely and to develop an understanding of what life was like for the people who actually lived the Bible.
Book three in The Stones of Gilgal saga, “Trouble in the Ruins” details the Israelite take-over of Canaan after their miraculous crossing of the Jordan. Author C.L. Smith again writes an engaging, page-turning novel replete with action, reality, and faith. In my case, I know that I tend to become so familiar with accounts from the Bible that I can gloss over them without really studying them and considering the details, whether there are any provided or not. That is part of why I love this series so much. I feel as if I am truly an eyewitness to what is unfolding as the scenes and characters come to life on the pages. “Trouble in the Ruins” focuses primarily on Rahab and the fate of Jericho, including its aftermath. I recently read “Rahab: Woman of Jericho” by Diana Wallis Taylor, but I felt that Rahab was portrayed there with a much cleaner backstory and an overall too-much-improved image. Here, on the other hand, Smith presents Rahab as a former prostitute who is nervous and unsure, a refugee along with her family. She is unfamiliar with Israelite customs but willing to learn, which I think may be a part of the reason that she was spared and later given the honor of being in Jesus’ lineage. This also raises a connection to society today: Even if you come from a sketchy background or have a sinful past, all that is needed is to repent and accept the Lord as Your Savior. He will turn every broken piece of your life into a beautiful masterpiece.
A few other facts particularly drew my attention, too. For some reason, my mind never fully grasped the fact that the cord hung in Rahab’s window was scarlet for a specific purpose, as well: “The color of blood and death. The color of Passover faithfulness.” Just as Yahweh miraculously saved the Israelites from slavery in Egypt, led them through the forty years in the wilderness, brought them safely across the flooded Jordan, and delivered Jericho into their hands, His supernatural providence and power provided for them again as Rahab and her family transitioned into life with the Israelites. This, along with the parts of the narrative that feature Salmon and other Israelite characters, underscore the human-ness of the characters, who face fear and doubt but stand behind the God who protects them. Also, the Israelite purification ritual made much more sense to me after realizing that they did this in order to remain clean while in the presence of God, Who inhabited the Ark of the Covenant. I also can’t help but think that America in 2020 greatly resembles Jericho, with its corruption, chaos, and rampant sin, and I think that we would do well to heed Rahab’s story and repent and follow the Lord before it’s too late.
Included at the end of the book is a List of Characters, a very useful guide to both the true and fictional people in the story (I personally think it would have been more useful to place this at the beginning, but that’s just my preference).
I received a complimentary copy of this book through Celebrate Lit and was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are my own.