On this Good Friday I am sharing the first line of Mesu Andrews’ latest Biblical novel, Of Fire And Lions. I am looking forward to reading this imaginative look at the life of Daniel. It may be a departure from what you’ve always heard about Daniel, but Andrews always provides a thoughtful perspective on the life and times of God’s people. Have you read this book yet? I’d love to know what you thought.
In the meantime, leave a comment with your first line and then head over to Hoarding Books for more fabulous first lines!
Survival. A Hebrew girl first tasted it when she escaped death nearly seventy years ago as the Babylonians ransacked Jerusalem and took their finest as captives. She thought she’d perfected in the many years amongst the Magoi and the idol worshippers, pretending with all the others in King Nebuchadnezzar’s court. Now, as Daniel’s wife and a septuagenarian matriarch, Belili thinks she’s safe and she can live out her days in Babylon without fear — until the night Daniel is escorted to Belshazzar’s palace to interpret mysterious handwriting on a wall. The Persian Army invades, and Bellili’s tightly-wound secrets unfurl with the arrival of the conquering army. What will the reign of Darius mean for Daniel, a man who prays to Yahweh alone?
Ultimately, Yahweh’s sovereign hand guides Jerusalem’s captives, and the frightened Hebrew girl is transformed into a confident woman, who realizes her need of the God who conquers both fire and lions.
To purchase, click HERE.
Mesu Andrews grew up with a variegated Christian heritage. With grandparents from the Pilgrim Holiness, Nazarene, and Wesleyan Churches, her dad was a Quaker and mom charismatic. As you might imagine, God was a central figure in most family discussions, but theology was a battlefield and Scripture the weapon. As a rebellious teenager, Mesu rejected God and His Word, but discovered Jesus as a life-transforming Savior through the changed life of an old friend.
The desire for God’s Word exploded with her new commitment, but devotional time was scarce due to the demands of a young wife and mother. So Mesu scoured the only two theology books available–children’s Bible stories and her Bible. The stories she read to her daughters at night pointed her to the Bible passages she studied all day. She became an avid student of God’s Word, searching historical and cultural settings as well as ancient texts and original languages.
Mesu and her husband Roy have raised those two daughters and now enjoy a tribe of grandkids, who get to hear those same Bible stories. Mesu’s love for God’s Word has never waned. She now writes biblical novels, rich with spiritual insight learned through fascinating discoveries in deep historical research.
Mesu writes in their log cabin tucked away in the beautiful Appalachian Mountains. Her best friend is an American Staffordshire Terrier named Zeke, who keeps her company on long writing days. Zeke also enjoys watching movies, long walks in the woods, and sitting by the fireplace on rainy days.
On my blog today, I’m featuring Love, Stock & Barrel by Crystal L. Barnes. Here, I will share the first line from Chapter 6 of the same book. “Russell herded his two brothers and five sisters into the church house Sunday morning and almost tripped over his own boots when he finally stepped through the doors. What had Mrs. Roxie done?” Happy Easter weekend!
Hope you have a wonderful Easter weekend!
This book is on my #TBR mountain! I hope to someday be able to read it! Have a wonderful Easter weekend!
Hope you have a great one as well!
I keep seeing this book everywhere and I definitely need to get a copy. 🙂
On my blog, I’m sharing the first line of The Artful Match by Jennifer Delamere, but I’ll share here from A Most Inconvenient Marriage by Regina Jennings. “First, you are going to write a good-bye letter to my sweetheart, and then you’re going to marry me.”
Well! LOL! Great line. Have a wonderful Easter!
This book sounds interesting.
I can’t wait to dig in!
Happy Friday!
This week on my blog I am sharing the first few lines from All Made Up by Kara Isaac. It’s such a fantastic novel. I highly recommend it. You can go to my post by clicking the link: https://tinyurl.com/Friday83. Currently, I am reading Weddings, Willows, and Revised Expectations by V. Joy Palmer. It’s really good. I’m on chapter seven, so I will share a line from there.
“Don’t see me. Don’t see me. Don’t see me. ‘Courtney!’ Walk faster. Walk faster. Walk faster. ‘Courtney!’ Dallas yelled. ‘Please! We need to talk.'”
Hope you have a blessed Easter weekend. Happy reading! 🙂❤️📚
Love those lines! Have a great Easter!
Happy Friday! I’m sharing from my current read, Spring Magic by D.E. Stevenson. This is the first line from Chapter 18:
“This was the day upon which Frances had been invited to take tea at the Castle, and, as always, there were half a dozen people ready and willing to advise her how to attain her objective.”
Have a wonderful Easter weekend!
Hope you do as well. Thanks for sharing!
I thoroughly enjoyed that book! Today I’m sharing the first lines from The Edge of Mercy by Heidi Chiavaroli: “I slipped the two rings off my finger to cradle them in my palm.”
https://moments-of-beauty.blogspot.com/2019/04/first-line-fridays-edge-of-mercy-by.html
Looking forward to reading The Edge of Mercy soon. Have a wonderful Easter!
Happy Easter Beckie!
Hoping you have a wonderful Easter too!
Have a great weekend! My first line is from “All for the Cause” by Gail Kittleson:
“What do you say, Lilly?”
Have a wonderful Easter weekend!