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    Harvest of Rubies
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    Harvest of Rubies
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    Harvest of Rubies
    Audiobook10 hours

    Harvest of Rubies

    Written by Tessa Afshar

    Narrated by Laural Merlington

    4.5/5

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    Currently unavailable

    Currently unavailable

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    About this audiobook

    Remarkable talent threatens to cloud a life…

    The prophet Nehemiah's cousin has been catapulted into the center of the Persian court - working long hours, rubbing elbows with royalty, and becoming the queen's favorite scribe.

    Not bad, for a woman living in a man's world. But a devastating past has left Sarah believing that God doesn't love her and that her achievements are the measure of her worth - a measure she can never quite live up to.

    Darius Pasargadae is accustomed to having his way. A wealthy and admired aristocrat, the last thing he expects is an arranged marriage to the queen's scribe, an intelligent woman who scorns him.

    Can two such different people help one another overcome the idols that bind them?

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherOasis Audio
    Release dateOct 1, 2014
    ISBN9781621884354
    Author

    Tessa Afshar

    TESSA AFSHAR’s books have been on Publishers Weekly, CBA, and ECPA bestseller lists and have been translated into many languages. Her Bible study, The Way Home: God’s Invitation to New Beginnings, won the ECPA Christian Book of the Year in the Bible Study category. Tessa’s novels have been the recipient of the ECPA’s Bronze Milestone, Christy, and INSPY Awards. She holds a master of divinity from Yale, where she was elected to serve as co-chair of the Evangelical Fellowship for one year. Tessa is a devoted wife, a mediocre gardener, and an enthusiastic cook of biblical recipes. Learn more at TessaAfshar.com.

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    Reviews for Harvest of Rubies

    4.5/5

    144 ratings13 reviews

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    • 4/5
      "Harvest of Rubies" was set in ancient Persia, which I thoroughly enjoyed. The author had clearly done her research to try and bring that period alive for her readers, and I think she succeeded.Sarah was a wonderful protagonist and I liked her from the start. She was a reader and had taught herself to scribe. She was intelligent, but awkward, and didn't fit the norm. Often she found herself accidentally horrifying polite society, and her antics made me laugh. I enjoyed following her journey and her personal growth. I also liked Darius, Sarah's husband. Despite her misconceptions, he was kind and caring, especially to his workers. Their relationship was complicated, serious and fun. I especially enjoyed the snappy comebacks Sarah gave him on many occasions."Harvest of Rubies" was an entertaining read. It had intrigue, adventure, romance and humour. However, I did have a couple of issues with this book. I felt that the dialogue was often too modern for the period and it jarred with the rest of the story. Secondly, things weren't fully resolved. I have discovered that there is a sequel, so I will reserve judgement until I've read it.
    • 5/5
      Sarah finds purpose and fulfillment as scribe to the Queen of Persia. Pleased with Sarah's work, the Queen arranges Sarah's marriage to Darius Pasargadea, a respected and handsome aristocrat, as a kindness. However, after a disasterous wedding celebration, Sarah finds that marriage has stripped her of position, security and dignity. Locked in a miserable marriage and missing her old life, Sarah must open herself to new ideas and people, including her distant husband. With Harvest of Rubies, Tessa Afshar cemented herself as one of my favorite authors. Having previously read Pearl in the Sand, I had high expectations for Harvest of Rubies and I was not disappointed. It had a unique storyline filled with a memorable protagonist, a little mystery and suspense, a history lesson and plenty of romance. I loved Sarah's personal and spiritual development. This is the type of book I could sit down with in the morning and read all day. Although I didn't have that luxury, it was that good! I am definitely looking forward to reading the sequel.Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from River North Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."
    • 4/5
      I thoroughly enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more from Tessa Afshar. I'm sure there were many literary liberties taken in the writing of the book and I don't think it was intended to be an exact historical rendition. The story was still fun and enjoyable. Many others felt the romance came too late in the book but I felt that the build-up was very good and we got to witness the transformation within Sarah. The story of redemption and sacrifice for sins was also woven into the story. This was surprising for the story being in the time-period prior to Jesus. It showed that even before the ultimate sacrifice was paid, there were those that may have had a true revelation of the need for that sacrifice. I recommend this book.
    • 5/5
      Some of the most amazing things I've discovered through Christian Historical Fiction, is the author's talent to weave a story about someone from the Bible in a whole new way through their fictional novel. In fact, sometimes it's so well written it sounds as if we were a part of that story and the character is someone we got to know through their words.That is just what you, as a reader, will find when you open the cover of Harvest of Rubies by Tessa Afshar. Here you are immediately drawn back into 457 BC to the home of Sarah, Nehemiah's cousin, where we find she struggles to find the attention of her father. Now that Sarah has taught herself to read, something forbidden for women, her father is more than pleased at her new found abilities and offers to help her learn more. However, her Aunt Leah, confronts her father and explains how this might get them all in trouble if anyone finds out. When he isn't willing to give up helping Sarah, Leah confronts Nehemiah who works in the palace as a way of convincing them both of their foolish ways.When Nehemiah shows up, he reminds them all of Queen Esther's gifts of saving God's people through her beauty, and tells Sarah to continue to pursue her love of reading because no one knows just how God will chose to use her gifts in the future. Now she is able to read Persian, read and write Akkadian, another complicated language practiced only by royal scribes for the keeping of important administrative records but also Aramaic as well. Becoming a proficient keeper of records in an empire that relied on its administrative skill to prosper made Sarah a valuable commodity to her father. By the time she was twenty, she was more scribe than woman. Yet the God that Nehemiah spoke so highly of, was one Sarah now couldn't believe in. He was the one she blamed for her mother's death, believing that he was simply too busy to bother with their daily needs. It was Nehemiah that made certain that Sarah learned Hebrew after discovering her discouragement with God. Once Nehemiah is satisfied that Sarah has learned proficiently enough, he informs her and her father, that she shall now serve as the Queen's senior scribe and live at the palace for such a post.It is here that Sarah's life will be forever changed and where the book Harvest of Rubies begins the adventure to live in a palace - to be surrounded by beauty and culture and new wonders. To occupy such a high position - one rarely enjoyed by a woman, no less. To have her abilities acknowledged in such a public fashion. Her life will serve a purpose she could never have conceived. This is a door that the Lord has opened for Sarah. God who has called her will also equip her. Everything she lacks will be provided. Now if she can only get over her fear of failure.I have had the delight to read a previous novel by Tessa Afshar, Pearl in the Sand, and she truly does possess a beautiful gift for words in taking your typical Bible story and weaving a completely different light on it, while still capturing the essence of the Bible. For this reason, I know if you love great Historical Bible Fiction, then you will absolutely LOVE Harvest of Rubies. I received this book compliments of Christian Fiction Blog Alliance for my honest review and have to give this one a 5 out of 5 stars.
    • 5/5
      The prophet Nehemiah's cousin has been catapulted into the center of the Persian court - working long hours, rubbing elbows with royalty, and becoming the queen's favorite scribe.Not bad, for a woman living in a man's world. But a devastating past has left Sarah believing that God doesn't love her and her achievements are the measure of her worth - a measure she can never quite live up to.Darius Pasargadae is accustomed to having his way. A wealthy and admired aristocrat, the last thing he expects is an arranged marriage to the queen's scribe, an intelligent woman who scorns hims.Can two such different people help one another overcome the idols that bind them?*Terrific story. Found myself rooting for the characters to have their happy ending. Can't wait for the sequel.*
    • 5/5
      What a wonderful book! I'm ignoring the fact it had most of the earmarks of a romance, which I never read willingly, and going for the fact it's excellent historical fiction. This is one very great writer.
    • 5/5
      This is the second book I have read by Tessa Afshar and she is becoming one of my favorite authors. Her stories so far are written during biblical times and seem very real and plausible. The characters have struggles and conflicts that touch your heart and the author does a good job of bringing forth biblical truth as she writes.This story is about Sarah, a Jewish girl who can read and write Persian during the reign of King Artaxerxes, which was not common for a girl during this time.. Her cousin is Nehemiah, the king's cupbearer and her father is Simeon a scribe. Sarah finds herself being sent to work for the Queen, Damaspia, as her senior scribe at the age of 20. Life seems good to Sarah as she works at doing her best to please the Queen. But to show her gratitude for a job well done the Queen arranges a marriage between Sarah and Darius, an official who works under the King. Sarah has no desire to marry and does nothing to prepare for her wedding, so when she arrives at the wedding feast she finds herself causing shame to her new husband and to the royal family and her own family. Darius takes her to his home, but wants nothing to do with her. Now Sarah must learn how to gain her husband's trust and love. It is a long journey for them both, but well worth the time as you watch each of them grow in their marriage closer to one another. Sarah must learn to seek her worth in the Lord and not in anyone else. As she does she will find she can face anything and become the person that will draw her husband to her. I continue to appreciate this author's style of writing and also enjoy reading about life during Bible times. I look forward to reading more by this author and I know she is writing a sequel to "Harvest of Rubies" because she had a sneak peek at the back of this book called "Harvest of Gold". I highly recommend her books to read and enjoy and fall in love with her characters.Pages: 342Year: 2012Publisher: Moody PublisherISBN: 0802405584
    • 5/5
      Absolutely loved this story! There was a part I think in Chapter 27 that spoke to me. She was saying what God had put before her that can go with anyone's life.
    • 5/5
      At first it was a little slow but intriguing! I love the history of Persia and the beautiful descriptions of not only the characters but the scenery. Maybe because I could identify with the feelings of the main character and her relationships with her father, friends and other men in her life I really felt something and was always wanting more. So much forgiveness of self and others. It was wonderful to see her heart open up to God’s will! Loved this book!
    • 5/5
      Love her books. Feel like you are living right there.
    • 5/5
      Sarah finds purpose and fulfillment as scribe to the Queen of Persia. Pleased with Sarah's work, the Queen arranges Sarah's marriage to Darius Pasargadea, a respected and handsome aristocrat, as a kindness. However, after a disasterous wedding celebration, Sarah finds that marriage has stripped her of position, security and dignity. Locked in a miserable marriage and missing her old life, Sarah must open herself to new ideas and people, including her distant husband. With Harvest of Rubies, Tessa Afshar cemented herself as one of my favorite authors. Having previously read Pearl in the Sand, I had high expectations for Harvest of Rubies and I was not disappointed. It had a unique storyline filled with a memorable protagonist, a little mystery and suspense, a history lesson and plenty of romance. I loved Sarah's personal and spiritual development. This is the type of book I could sit down with in the morning and read all day. Although I didn't have that luxury, it was that good! I am definitely looking forward to reading the sequel.Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from River North Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."
    • 4/5
      Harvest of Rubies is the second book I have read from author Tessa Afshar. I thoroughly enjoyed reading about the adventures of Sarah. I found myself imagining myself as a lowly Jewish girl living alone with a father whose work occupied most of his time and attention. It is difficult to imagine how limited women of that time and culture were in the path of their own fate. I felt angry toward the unfairness of the situations Sarah faced. Using the uncommon gifts God had blessed her with Sarah gained the favor of the queen which set her life on a different path than she desired. God used the situations in Sarah’s life to show her the true value she held in simply being His child. As is often the case, the pressure of life transformed Sarah into the woman He created her to be.Harvest of Rubies is a wonderful book that exemplifies God’s sovereignty and grace toward His children.I give this book 4 out of 5 stars.Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."
    • 5/5
      Well written Christian historical fiction bases on biblical truth. I love that these books explore human relationships in all its complexity, it's not just a love story. And mostly I love that the main characters relationship with God is transformed and then reveals things about herself she didn't realise, how your past shapes you.