Top Ten Tuesday | Most Anticipated Releases for the First Half of 2021

Bethany House, Christian Fiction, Historical Fiction, Novels, Revell, Romance, Romantic Suspense, Top Ten Tuesday, Writing Spot

Welcome to Top Ten Tuesday!
For my first TTT post of 2021, we’re looking at the books due to release over the next six months and hoping I can narrow it down to my top ten favorite ones. I couldn’t do it. I tried and tried, but there are just way too many good ones for me to choose from! January alone holds at least two of my top releases, so getting this list down to eleven feels like I sacrificed limbs to do so. On that note, and without further ado, here is my list of most anticipated releases for the first half of 2021.

Reading Wednesday | Daughter of Rome

Bible, Biblical Fiction, Books Review, Culture, Gender, Historical Fiction, NetGalley, Novels, Writing Spot

Have you heard of Priscilla and Aquila? If you’ve read the Book of Acts in the Bible, you’ll recognize their names since they’re a couple who worked with the Apostle Paul. Something notable about these two is that Priscilla is not only listed alongside her husband, but listed first, which is nearly unheard of in a highly patriarchal society. With this background, I couldn’t wait to read Tessa Afshar’s historical novel, Daughter of Rome, featuring Priscilla and Aquila.

Reading Wednesday | Harvest of Rubies

Bible, Biblical Fiction, Books Review, Christian Fiction, Historical Fiction, Novels, Writing Spot

This past summer, I had the privilege of attending the Northwestern Christian Writers Conference in Minneapolis, Minnesota. While I was there, I had the opportunity to meet Tessa Afshar, author of several novels. I had read her book Thief of Corinth and told her how much I enjoyed it, especially since Biblical fiction is not often one of my favorite genres. She immediately suggested that I would probably like another of her books, Harvest of Rubies.

Reading Wednesday | King’s Shadow

Bethany House, Bible, Biblical Fiction, Books Review, Historical Fiction, Novels, Writing Spot

Angela Hunt’s latest novel, King’s Shadow, is based on the years of King Herod’s reign before the calendar turns to the Common Era. It follows two women, one fictional, one historical, as they seek to survive amid treachery, rumors, and conspiracy.

Reading Wednesday | Shelter of the Most High

Bethany House, Biblical Fiction, Books Review, Historical Fiction, Novels, Romance, Writing Spot

Shelter of the Most High, by Connilyn Cossette, is a captivating tale set in 1388 BC. Sofea is a young woman taken from her home on the Island of Sicily. She is eventually brought to Kedesh, a City of Refuge among the Hebrews. Eitan is a young man who wishes to leave Kedesh, but cannot under the risk of death. Together, these two must unravel betrayal before those closest to them pay the price.