Pearl in the Sand: A Novel Paperback – September 1, 2010

Evocative, masterfully-written, riveting, Tessa Afshar strings together words in a debut that will knock the wind out of readers with its sheer beauty. Many have most likely said this and it's true: Pearl in the Sand is a rare pearl in its genre. The depths to which this story isn't afraid to go is astonishing. Piercing through the thick walls of Jericho and crossing over the river to Israel's camp, Afshar turns the spotlight on a masterful contrast between inhumanity and humanity, leaving me flipping pages as though they were on fire. Then she goes even deeper. 'Pearl', in my eyes, is like baptism. Characters are immersed into a thickness of sorrow so great, it's almost too much to bear, until Grace yanks them out of nowhere, bringing people that are gasping for air, into a light that can only be divine. Afshar has accomplished something very few authors are able to do. Not only could I not stop reading this book but the message at its foundation - a message on trusting God - tugged at my heart with a magnetic intensity that sprung tears to my eyes. I cried, to be honest, and it's been a while since I've cried in a story. I cried as I noticed that Rahab's insecurities and fears starkly mirrored some of my own. I ached as I watched her take baby steps toward The God of the universe and most of all I understood, oh did I understand, her longing, thirst and hunger for the One True God. For all the differences in our backgrounds, she's proven to be the most relatable heroine I've encountered so far. Wholly trusting God is one of my big aims, and several times have I felt Him speak to me on this. Tessa's work has provided a good dose of His Word. When a book rises above its pairs to a level where the strength of the anointing is enough to bring you to your knees, that is superior storytelling, a testimony to the prayers that have most likely been poured into this work.On a light note, I was surprised to find witty and very amusing quips in Pearl in the Sand. Tessa made me laugh and grin which immensely added to my delight. I also empathized with Salmone as he struggled to adjust with God's will. I found Salmone to be an amazing man, really. He's got an ironclad exterior but on the inside, he is as smooth and as soft as melted butter. His heart genuinely touched my own heart. Rahab, Salmone, Joshua, Miriam, Ezra and Hanini from Pearl in the Sand are some of the very best characters living in the Christian Fiction world and moreover, Rahab and Salmone's romance is authentically one of the most richly drawn romances I have ever read. Among the beautiful love scenes, one of them was so special, it sprung even more tears to my eyes and I've reread it several times now.I have heard - and I agree!- that this book is comparable to Francine Rivers' Redeeming Love. But make no mistake, Pearl in the Sand is a gem of its own kind.

There are really no words that are good enough to express how much I truly enjoyed this book. Every single female should read this book. Once for the story and then many more times for the great lessons imparted in the words.As I began this book I started a list of questions to review and look into. I was not far into the book when I stopped even looking for the questions because I was so enthralled with the story.This is a listing of the questions that were revealed while reading the book (from the first 60 or so pages only): * Do your eyes tear up when you think how dependent you are on God? * When you let the day to day "stuff" let you believe you are self-reliant? * When you depend on yourself more than you depend on God? * Do you feel the freedom when you remember that God alone must be your strength? * Does the stress of your burden of responsibility ease when you remember you can not do anything by yourself but that you need the strength of God to get through everything? * How often does the Lord have to rise up and encourage you? * How often do you need the Lords to strengthen your resolve? - daily * How often do you battle within yourself the discouragement that tries to rise to the top? * God is not on your *side*. You can not "claim" God for yourself for your own interests. You must be for God's interests. * What do you see before you that seems bigger every day? What do you think you need to "do" to conquer it? Yes thats right - you need to give it to God so His army can defeat it for you. ((there is nothing impossible for God))This is a direct quote from the book that I just could not bare to forget: * Pride is the bane of the righteous. On the outside you may seem more upright than a woman with such a past, but God sees us from the inside. You've been so busy trying to keep the Commandments, trying to do everything right on the outside that you forgot your inner world can never bear the holy scrutiny of the Lord. And you have missed the self-righteousness that's crept through your front door. You are mistaking condemnation for good judgment. (page 101)Tessa Afshar tells a great story of Rahab that is very well thought out and written. The characters are well developed and while there is an assumption of many players (the entire land of Israel), the cast is pretty tight and smooth. Weave in the biblical truths and you definitely have a "Pearl in the Sand".Highly Recommended! I will be re-reading this one :)I received this book free from Moody Publishers as part of their Blogger Review Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

I didn't want to put this book down. 'Rahab the Harlot' emerges in full colour so that any twenty-first century woman can relate to her - especially those who have been betrayed and manipulated by the people who should have protected and loved them most. In recent years, I have been impressed with the value of using our God-given imaginations for their God-designed purposes. Tessa Afshar has brought the life and times of Joshua and the defeat of Jericho to life so effectively that anyone reading the Book of Joshua in future will find themselves crossing the Jordan on dry ground or standing beside Rahab on the city wall, anxiously watching the hosts of Israel march around their city. The details of this well-researched period have been illuminated, and - as the walls come down in Rahab's life - God's marvelous grace is underlined time and again. Yes, a worthwhile read for all those who love Christian historical/romantic fiction, and also for those who don't.

Afshar is on the way to the top! I predict bestsellers from this author if this first offering is anything to go by.I don't want to give too much away. Pearl in the sand is a narrative about Rahab the prostitute. Afshar explores redemption, faith and forgiveness in a way which brings the Bible to life and will have you running to God in order to experience His closeness.The characters are well developed and the narrative unravels at a perfect pace. The reader travels with Rahab as she seeks God.God is present throughout the whole novel which is rare in Christian fiction.It offers passion, agape love, romance and explores some very difficult questions which have plagued Christians through the ages.I picked up this book when I was going through one of the toughest experiences of my life and I couldn't put it down. I missed a birthday party just so I could stay in and finish the book. It was worth it! By the end,although fictional in part, I was reassured that God loves me and that He will make a way for me.

I really enjoyed this book. Tessa style.of writing is really easy to read and the way she builds the characters are awesome. Highly recommended 👌

Loved this book! Stayed up until 5.30am reading it one night as I just couldn't put it down and finished it the following day within 24 hours. Really enjoyed the characters and the description of life then. A good book about God's redeeming and restoring love and forgiveness.

Excellent couldnt put the book down. The characters are so real and the insight given to the period in time when Jericho was defeated is enlightening. The whole emphasis on grace and forgiveness touches your heart and your heart goes out to Rahab.