The Crimson Cord by Jill Eileen Smith

Wife to a gambler who took one too many risks, Rahab finds herself sold as a slave to cover her husband's debt. Forced into prostitution, she despairs of ever regaining her freedom and her self-respect. But when Israelite spies enter Jericho and come to lodge at her house, Rahab sees a glimmer of hope and the opportunity of a lifetime.

In one risky moment, she takes a leap of faith, puts her trust in a God she does not know, and vows to protect the spies from the authorities. When the armies of Israel arrive weeks later, Rahab hopes they will keep their promise, but she has no idea what kind of challenges await her outside Jericho's walls--or if she will ever know the meaning of love.

Under Jill Eileen Smith's talented hand, the familiar story of Rahab bursts forth in high definition. Immerse yourself in a world of dark and dusty streets, clandestine meetings, and daring escapes as a mysterious biblical figure claims her full humanity--and a permanent place in your heart.

My review:

  I didn't used to like Biblical fiction, and I went years without reading any. Most of what I read years ago didn't impress me and so I avoided that genre'. Then some new authors started writing it, and I started reading some of it again, and found to my amazement that there is some great Biblical fiction out there.

 This book really interested me. We don't know a lot about Rahab. She was a prostitute, hid the spies that Joshua sent into Jericho and was rewarded by having her and everyone in her house spared. She evidently embraced the God of the Israelites, for she married one and is one of four women mentioned by name in the lineage of Jesus. She is a character that needs a story, and this book gives her one.

  Now as with all Biblical and historical fiction, the author takes some license and weaves fiction around the real story. I liked the results of Jill's efforts to bring this story to life, while staying true to the Biblical account. The author gives a scenario from her mind of how Rahab may have gotten into the life she was living, and it worked for the story.

 There is some romance in the book, and the reader gets a look at what it may have been like for a non-Jew to come into the Jewish faith and leave behind their life and gods to worship the one true God. I found myself moved by the story, as I read anew how God defeated Jericho and other cities, how Achan's sin causes so many deaths and what his end was. The book was entertaining, yet had the great message that God can redeem anyone and use them. He even used a harlot in the lineage that would bring Jesus into this world.

 This is book one in the Daughters of The Promised Land Series, and if this book is any indication, this will be a great series.

About the author: 

Jill Eileen Smith is the bestselling author of the Wives of King David series, the Wives of the Patriarchs series, and the ebook novella The Desert Princess, book 1 in the Loves of King Solomon series. Her research has taken her from the Bible to Israel, and she particularly enjoys learning how women lived in Old Testament times. When she isn't writing, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends. She can often be found reading, testing new recipes, grabbing lunch with friends, or snuggling Tiger, her little writing buddy who chews her fingers as she works. She lives with her family in southeast Michigan. She loves hearing from her readers. Learn more at www.jilleileensmith.com.



The Crimson Cord is available from Revell Publishing, part of the Baker Publishing Group.

Thanks to Revell for the review copy.