Tuesday, October 3, 2017

Lydia: Woman of Philippi

Lydia, Woman of Philippi 

Paperback, ebook

October 3, 2017

by Diana Wallis Taylor

  • Paperback: 336 pages
  • Publisher: Whitaker House 
  • ISBN-13: 978-1629118963

Smart, strong, and a follower of the Jewish God, Lydia has nonetheless always quietly conformed to the expectations of the wealthy Roman society surrounding her. Even though married off at fifteen to a man she dislikes, she is determined to be a faithful wife. But when her husband is killed some years later, Lydia vows never to remarry and returns to her father's house in Thyatira with her twelve-year-old daughter. There, a new life begins to emerge.      //       

As she is trained in the family dye business, Lydia’s shrewd management quickly creates profit, prestige—and envy. At odds with her jealous brother, who is a staunch Roman and can't understand her obsession with the Jewish religion, Lydia finds herself yet again at the mercy of a patriarchal society. Will fleeing to Philippi be enough to protect herself and those under her care? Will she keep her vow to widowhood when a handsome Greek God-fearer turns out to be more than just an employee? ​And when she meets a strange man named Paul the apostle by the river one Sabbath day, will Lydia have the courage to once more let her life be dramatically changed—this time forever?

My thoughts; LYDIA: WOMAN OF PHILIPPI  has an absolutely lovely cover. I adore what Whitaker House did with it and I know it's going to draw women in to pick it up and read the back cover blurb and maybe even the first chapter before they buy the book. I'd even pick it up and look at it. 

I am not a huge fan (okay, not a fan at all) of biblical fiction so honestly, I kind of cringed when I was asked to read this. I have to admire the amount of research that must go into these stories, the time period, the customs, the foods, the gods, the cities, and so much more.. 

And then I picked the story up -- and read the first chapter. Second. Third. And on and on. I'm still not going to claim I'm a fan of biblical fiction. But I was drawn in. I hurt for her. Cried for her. Cheered with her. And closed the book with a happy sigh. 


Diana Wallis Taylor’s novel will draw you into the life of first century Lydia, the seller of purple. Readers will be captivated and their view of her mentions in the scriptures changed by the power of this story. Fans of biblical fiction are in for a treat. 

1 comment:

Marilyn R. said...

Yes, Lydia will draw the reader into the story. I cried and cheered for Lydia as I read this book.

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