{"product_id":"bread-of-angels-by-tessa-afshar-2535i","title":"Bread of Angels by Tessa Afshar","description":"\u003cp\u003ePurple. The foundation of an influential trade in a Roman world dominated by men. One woman rises up to take the reins of success in an incredible journey of courage, grit, and friendship. And along the way, she changes the world.  But before she was Lydia, the seller of purple, she was simply a merchant's daughter who loved three things: her father, her ancestral home, and making dye. Then unbearable betrayal robs her of nearly everything.  With only her father's secret formulas left, Lydia flees to Philippi and struggles to establish her business on her own. Determination and serendipitous acquaintances-along with her father's precious dye-help her become one of the city's preeminent merchants. But fear lingers in every shadow, until Lydia meets the apostle Paul and hears his message of hope, becoming his first European convert. Still, Lydia can't outrun her secrets forever, and when past and present collide, she must either stand firm and trust in her fledgling faith or succumb to the fear that has ruled her life.  Editorial Reviews  04\/10\/2017 Set in Greece during the first century C.E., Afshar's (Land of Silence) detailed novel tells the story of Lydia and her father, Eumenes, a master at creating extraordinary purple dyes unmatched by other craftsmen. From a young age Lydia has been an integral part of her father's business, helping with both dyeing and bookkeeping. When Eumenes is trampled by a horse, Jason, a member of the upper class, comes to his aid. After returning with Lydia's badly injured father, Jason takes an immediate liking to Lydia, even offering to use his successful mother's name to help the dye business to avoid paying the onerous Roman taxes. But Eumenes is thrown in jail after he is brashly betrayed and Lydia barely escapes with her life to Philippi. With only the dye formula, Lydia must try to recreate the successful business and learn the mysterious teachings of a stranger named Paul whom she encounters. Afshar has created an unforgettable story of dedication, betrayal, and redemption that culminates in a rich testament to God's mercies and miracles. (June) - Publishers Weekly  Afshar continues to demonstrate an exquisite ability to bring the women of the Bible to life, this time shining a light on Lydia, the seller of purple, and skillfully balancing fact with imagination. A scant few Scripture verses, making up most of what's known about Paul's first European convert, transform into a fictionalized backstory full of adventure as well as inspiration and redemption. And it's a story that will drive readers deeper into the Biblical account. Readers are also advised to keep their eyes peeled for a fond nod to Afshar's previous New Testament-based story. - Romantic Times Book Reviews  Readers who enjoy Francine Rivers' Lineage of Grace series will love this standalone book from an author who has shown grace and skill in weaving well-known biblical stories with fictional additions to bring these historical figures to life. - Christian Market  06\/01\/2017 In the town of Thyatira, Lydia and her father manufacture the purple cloth prized by wealthy Romans. When her father dies, she continues the business alone, but in the ancient Roman world a single woman with no family to protect her is vulnerable. A chance meeting in Philippi with the Apostle Paul changes Lydia's life when she converts to Christianity. Will the Gospel preached by Paul as well as Lydia's faith allow her to survive the heartbreak of all that life has taken from her? Afshar (Land of Silence) retells the New Testament (Acts 16:15) story of the first European convert to Christianity. With sublime writing and solid research, she captures the distinctive experience of living at a time when Christianity was in its fledgling stages. Ashfar is much more sympathetic than other authors in her depiction of St. Paul, characterizing him as a gentle leader who respects women. VERDICT A solid choice for readers interested in the lesser-known figures of the Bible. - Library Journal\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Book Express","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":41830947160138,"sku":"2535i","price":10.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0618\/9101\/8826\/files\/2535i_fe2b6ad6-b81f-404e-91fa-4244cc2136b3.jpg?v=1764460994","url":"https:\/\/www.bookexpress.nz\/products\/bread-of-angels-by-tessa-afshar-2535i","provider":"Book Express","version":"1.0","type":"link"}