Status
Available
Call number
Publication
Bethany House Publishers (2013), 464 pages
Description
"After years in exile, Iddo and his grandson Zechariah follow God's leading home to Jerusalem, where they struggle to rebuild their lives and God's temple--bringing to life the biblical books of Ezra and Nehemiah"--
User reviews
LibraryThing member wrbinpa
The 70 years of captivity are nearly over. The people of Babylon were told that they should return home, that a new exodus from slavery would be provided. They were instructed to return to Jerusalem, the land that was promised to Abraham, and rebuild the Temple. Without the Temple, their sins would
Iddo made the decision to return to Jerusalem, but his family became divided. He firmly believed if they stayed in Babylon, surrounded by pagan people and their wicked ways, they would become just like them. Iddo's sons told him to look around to see what he had now, here in Babylon, instead of longing for the past or trying to see into the future. They accused Iddo of living in a dream world. Neither son believed in the unseen world of facts and prayer. They had many doubts and questions and weren't willing to make the journey to Jerusalem. Sadness always seemed to hover over Iddo. He was plagued with nightmares about his past life. He still carried a lot of grief and hurt from his younger days in Jerusalem, but he was still able to move on, in spite of those days.
42,000 people from Babylon, start the journey to Jerusalem, in small caravans, leaving a day apart. Leaving many of their family members behind, Iddo, Dinah, and their grandson Zachariah begin the arduous journey for the promised land. But when they arrive, Jerusalem is no longer the beautiful city the psalmists described. Restoring it would be challenging, and the story unfolds ----.
Dinah - Iddo's wife, at age 54, her arms were full with her extended family living together in Babylon, but her heart was content. She was a midwife - the miracle of birth always moved her. She loved the busy life with her family. She had some serious concerns about leaving Babylon, the only home she'd ever known. Moving to Jerusalem would mean catastrophic changes in her life.
Zachariah was nearly 12 years old and was the favorite of Iddo's grandsons. Zachariah was a bright and gifted boy. He decides to leave his parents and travel with his grandparents to Jerusalem.
Yael - Her mother, Miriam, on her deathbed, asked Dinah to take care of Yael after she was gone, to teach her things, and help her to find a worthy husband. Yael becomes strongly influenced by Parthia, a sorceress, who claims Yael has talent for seeing the future. She wants to worship the stars and the moon goddess and becomes defiant and very stubborn through the storyline as she practices pagan astrology. She keeps walking deeper into darkness with each passing year.
Leyla was the same age as Yael and they become best friends. They have so much in common. She was Jewish and they both lost their mother at an early age. Yael has always been frail and sickly through her life. She also worshipped the moon goddess as Yael did.
Shoshanna - Dinah's cousin and a midwife. She was married to Joel. Joel had been in love with Dinah many years ago, before she married Iddo.
This is a story of new beginnings with a rich blend of history, faith, and redemption. The complex characters are well portrayed, bringing the biblical history to life. A beautifully written story and one that I highly recommend. My rating - 5 stars.
I was provided a copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers to read and review. All opinions shared are solely my responsibility.
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continue to separate them from Him. Iddo made the decision to return to Jerusalem, but his family became divided. He firmly believed if they stayed in Babylon, surrounded by pagan people and their wicked ways, they would become just like them. Iddo's sons told him to look around to see what he had now, here in Babylon, instead of longing for the past or trying to see into the future. They accused Iddo of living in a dream world. Neither son believed in the unseen world of facts and prayer. They had many doubts and questions and weren't willing to make the journey to Jerusalem. Sadness always seemed to hover over Iddo. He was plagued with nightmares about his past life. He still carried a lot of grief and hurt from his younger days in Jerusalem, but he was still able to move on, in spite of those days.
42,000 people from Babylon, start the journey to Jerusalem, in small caravans, leaving a day apart. Leaving many of their family members behind, Iddo, Dinah, and their grandson Zachariah begin the arduous journey for the promised land. But when they arrive, Jerusalem is no longer the beautiful city the psalmists described. Restoring it would be challenging, and the story unfolds ----.
Dinah - Iddo's wife, at age 54, her arms were full with her extended family living together in Babylon, but her heart was content. She was a midwife - the miracle of birth always moved her. She loved the busy life with her family. She had some serious concerns about leaving Babylon, the only home she'd ever known. Moving to Jerusalem would mean catastrophic changes in her life.
Zachariah was nearly 12 years old and was the favorite of Iddo's grandsons. Zachariah was a bright and gifted boy. He decides to leave his parents and travel with his grandparents to Jerusalem.
Yael - Her mother, Miriam, on her deathbed, asked Dinah to take care of Yael after she was gone, to teach her things, and help her to find a worthy husband. Yael becomes strongly influenced by Parthia, a sorceress, who claims Yael has talent for seeing the future. She wants to worship the stars and the moon goddess and becomes defiant and very stubborn through the storyline as she practices pagan astrology. She keeps walking deeper into darkness with each passing year.
Leyla was the same age as Yael and they become best friends. They have so much in common. She was Jewish and they both lost their mother at an early age. Yael has always been frail and sickly through her life. She also worshipped the moon goddess as Yael did.
Shoshanna - Dinah's cousin and a midwife. She was married to Joel. Joel had been in love with Dinah many years ago, before she married Iddo.
This is a story of new beginnings with a rich blend of history, faith, and redemption. The complex characters are well portrayed, bringing the biblical history to life. A beautifully written story and one that I highly recommend. My rating - 5 stars.
I was provided a copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers to read and review. All opinions shared are solely my responsibility.
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LibraryThing member vintagebeckie
Lynn Austin has brought the characters, setting and historical events to life of an important, but not always commonly known, part of Israel’s life. Return to Me, book 1 in The Restoration Chronicles, is a captivating tale of the return to Israel of those held in exile in Babylon. This novel is a
The Jewish people have been held in captivity for 70 long years. Many were born in Babylon and have no real connection with the land their God has promised them. But for men like Daniel and Iddo, the promise of their people’s return to Israel has been a long held dream they refuse to give up. And Iddo’s thirteen year old grandson, Zechariah, is also excited at the prospect of returning and rebuilding the temple of God.
Well-researched and beautifully written, Return to Me is a masterful retelling of Scripture. Austin has filled in the historical record with realistic fictional details, blending historical events and people with supporting characters that add a depth to the story. I found myself turning to Scripture to learn more — a sure sign of a successful Biblical novel. But more than just a story of the past, Return to Me spoke to me. I found myself looking at the apathy, fear, lack of commitment and indecision of the men and women of centuries past and identifying those things in my own life. Spiritual truth is never confined by space or time, and Austin adeptly portrays that for today’s reader.
Return to Me is certainly a great book for the fan of Biblical fiction, but I would not hesitate to recommend it to anyone looking for a thought-provoking novel that will challenge and stretch the reader. I am looking forward to reading more books in this continuing series.
Highly Recommended.
(Thanks to Bethany House and LitFuse for a review copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)
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great look into the past with great truths for the present.The Jewish people have been held in captivity for 70 long years. Many were born in Babylon and have no real connection with the land their God has promised them. But for men like Daniel and Iddo, the promise of their people’s return to Israel has been a long held dream they refuse to give up. And Iddo’s thirteen year old grandson, Zechariah, is also excited at the prospect of returning and rebuilding the temple of God.
Well-researched and beautifully written, Return to Me is a masterful retelling of Scripture. Austin has filled in the historical record with realistic fictional details, blending historical events and people with supporting characters that add a depth to the story. I found myself turning to Scripture to learn more — a sure sign of a successful Biblical novel. But more than just a story of the past, Return to Me spoke to me. I found myself looking at the apathy, fear, lack of commitment and indecision of the men and women of centuries past and identifying those things in my own life. Spiritual truth is never confined by space or time, and Austin adeptly portrays that for today’s reader.
Return to Me is certainly a great book for the fan of Biblical fiction, but I would not hesitate to recommend it to anyone looking for a thought-provoking novel that will challenge and stretch the reader. I am looking forward to reading more books in this continuing series.
Highly Recommended.
(Thanks to Bethany House and LitFuse for a review copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)
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LibraryThing member alekee
Return to me is just what it says. God had punished his chosen people, they had strayed to far from him. This story begins in Babylon, when the Jewish people are held in slavery. Some have prospered despite the life.
When God has decided that they must return to Jerusalem, doors open, but not all of
Iddo wants more than anything to return and rebuild the temple, but his sons really don't want to leave. When his grandson Zechariah has a life changing dream, he also leave his parents and returns with his Grandparents.
I loved how this story was brought to life by Lynn Austin, you will follow Iddo and Zaki through the streets and walls of Jerusalem. Will this family survive, and will the young Yael who is reading the stars and accepting the pagan beliefs end up stoned?
Don't miss this first book in the Restoration series, I can't wait for the next one.
I received this book through Litfuse Publicity Book Tours, and was not required to give a positive review.
When God has decided that they must return to Jerusalem, doors open, but not all of
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his people want to leave this pagan culture. We are following the biblical books of Ezra and Nehemiah.Iddo wants more than anything to return and rebuild the temple, but his sons really don't want to leave. When his grandson Zechariah has a life changing dream, he also leave his parents and returns with his Grandparents.
I loved how this story was brought to life by Lynn Austin, you will follow Iddo and Zaki through the streets and walls of Jerusalem. Will this family survive, and will the young Yael who is reading the stars and accepting the pagan beliefs end up stoned?
Don't miss this first book in the Restoration series, I can't wait for the next one.
I received this book through Litfuse Publicity Book Tours, and was not required to give a positive review.
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LibraryThing member mbarkman
Although I like all of Lynn Austin's novels, I really think that her biblical novels are her best niche. In this one, I felt I was walking beside Zaki throughout the story, seeing both Babylon and Jerusalem through his eyes, and with his thoughts and feelings. I have always felt that the story of
Well written, as all of Lynn Austin”s novels are, and definitely worth your time. Not a suspense story, yet I kept turning the pages to see how Zaki would respond to the challenges facing him.
This story resonated with me and I found a new appreciation for Biblical novels, God's love for me and for the Jewish nation.
"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group."
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the Isrealites parallels a Christian's life from being in captivity (in our case to sin) to wandering in the wilderness and eventually arriving the Promised Land. As such, I could see that the distractions the Jewish people faced after they left Babylon to rebuild the temple at Jerusalem are only slightly different in nature to ours today. And as patient and loving as God was then, not forsaking them even when they did not obey (is not slow obedience is no obedience at all?) He will wait for us today.Well written, as all of Lynn Austin”s novels are, and definitely worth your time. Not a suspense story, yet I kept turning the pages to see how Zaki would respond to the challenges facing him.
This story resonated with me and I found a new appreciation for Biblical novels, God's love for me and for the Jewish nation.
"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group."
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LibraryThing member robeik
I enjoyed the previous series (Chronicles of the Kings). This is new series focused on the return of some of the Israelites after their captivity. The primary characters are the prophet Zeckariah, his grandfather Iddo, and a young wayward girl.
Looking forward to the continuation of the story.
Looking forward to the continuation of the story.
LibraryThing member Artfullee
I was really intrigued by the storyline of this book and once I started reading I really didn't want to put it down.
Lana and Tristan meet in a parallel world, both after a traumatic event which has left them hurt and confused. When Lana dies in her world and wakes up in Tristan's, she is
When Tristan goes to see his wife at the hospital after her car accident he is shocked to be told she has amnesia and can't remember him. He is wary though as he and his wife Allanah have had a strained relationship and he is not quite sure he believes her.
As Lana struggles to understand what has happened to her and assimilate to her new world, she discovers that while the people around her seem to have taken different paths in their lives, the lessons to be learned are the same. She doesn't immediately come clean with Tristan as she fears how he will take the news that she really isn't his Allanah, when she doesn't fully understand it herself and what follows is a heartbreaking story of forgiveness and redemption, of lies and deception on both sides, of learning to love and trust someone completely, of living for today.
"Each day was precious and to be savored because tomorrow was not a certainty........to love and embrace that love knowing what pain would follow, or to walk away and feel the pain of an unfulfilled love as it withered?"
This story wasn't only about Lana's growth as a character it was also about Tristan and I loved how Tristan grew and learned how to trust and love another unconditionally. He had some pretty serious secrets and the way their relationship dealt with those secrets, illustrated that trust and love.
Although mostly written from Lana's point of view, at times we are given Tristan's point of view and I really appreciated that. I felt that the story flowed well and once I was familiar with the names and the relationship connections, I followed the storyline easily. I loved seeing the growth and strength emerge in Lana's character. For a while she kept looking at Tristan trying to find Frank in him but she realised that while they had their similarities Tristan was his own man. Lana decides to embrace the world she is now living in and take her destiny into her own hands.
"She realised it was up to her. Was she going to wait around for something to happen or was she going to decide on a destination?"
Overall I really enjoyed this book and will be looking forward to reading more from Mae Archer.
copy kindly provided by publisher
Lana and Tristan meet in a parallel world, both after a traumatic event which has left them hurt and confused. When Lana dies in her world and wakes up in Tristan's, she is
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understandably feeling less than enthusiastic towards the people around her. She sees her husband Frank but is told his name is Tristan. As she begins to meet familiar people she realises that while they may look the same and have the same names, they are living different lives. They each have ties to the other world but after certain events, their lives have taken different paths. When Tristan goes to see his wife at the hospital after her car accident he is shocked to be told she has amnesia and can't remember him. He is wary though as he and his wife Allanah have had a strained relationship and he is not quite sure he believes her.
As Lana struggles to understand what has happened to her and assimilate to her new world, she discovers that while the people around her seem to have taken different paths in their lives, the lessons to be learned are the same. She doesn't immediately come clean with Tristan as she fears how he will take the news that she really isn't his Allanah, when she doesn't fully understand it herself and what follows is a heartbreaking story of forgiveness and redemption, of lies and deception on both sides, of learning to love and trust someone completely, of living for today.
"Each day was precious and to be savored because tomorrow was not a certainty........to love and embrace that love knowing what pain would follow, or to walk away and feel the pain of an unfulfilled love as it withered?"
This story wasn't only about Lana's growth as a character it was also about Tristan and I loved how Tristan grew and learned how to trust and love another unconditionally. He had some pretty serious secrets and the way their relationship dealt with those secrets, illustrated that trust and love.
Although mostly written from Lana's point of view, at times we are given Tristan's point of view and I really appreciated that. I felt that the story flowed well and once I was familiar with the names and the relationship connections, I followed the storyline easily. I loved seeing the growth and strength emerge in Lana's character. For a while she kept looking at Tristan trying to find Frank in him but she realised that while they had their similarities Tristan was his own man. Lana decides to embrace the world she is now living in and take her destiny into her own hands.
"She realised it was up to her. Was she going to wait around for something to happen or was she going to decide on a destination?"
Overall I really enjoyed this book and will be looking forward to reading more from Mae Archer.
copy kindly provided by publisher
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LibraryThing member Violet_Nesdoly
In Return to Me Lynn Austin returns to writing in the genre--biblical fiction--where I first met her. This story is set in the time of the exile and follows the priest Iddo and his son Zacharias as their family returns to a ravished Jersualem with the intention of rebuilding the temple.
The book is
Zachariah's best friend Yael feels the strong pull of astrology as she seeks to discover whether her sick mother will live. The star charts she gets from the Babylonian seer Parthia become a snare to her as she befriends a Samaritan family.
Main character Zacharias often misses his parents but believes that God has him in Jerusalem for a reason--if only He would make it clear.
It's a story that takes place over a generation and gives life to an interesting and dramatic era of Israel's history. However I found it slow-moving in parts, and a tad long. Perhaps this is because the author attempts to stay close to the Bible's story line where there are years without too much happening.
Lovers of Bible fiction and students of Jewish history will want to add this book to their collections.
I received Return to Me as a gift from the publisher, Bethany House. As usual, my Kindle edition from NetGalley was full of weird spacing and missing 'ff's.
The book is
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peopled by believable characters who go through the kinds of things you'd expect returning exiles to go through. Iddo's wife, Dinah, pines for her children and grandchildren that never made the trek back and struggles to be content in her primitive Jerusalem home. Zachariah's best friend Yael feels the strong pull of astrology as she seeks to discover whether her sick mother will live. The star charts she gets from the Babylonian seer Parthia become a snare to her as she befriends a Samaritan family.
Main character Zacharias often misses his parents but believes that God has him in Jerusalem for a reason--if only He would make it clear.
It's a story that takes place over a generation and gives life to an interesting and dramatic era of Israel's history. However I found it slow-moving in parts, and a tad long. Perhaps this is because the author attempts to stay close to the Bible's story line where there are years without too much happening.
Lovers of Bible fiction and students of Jewish history will want to add this book to their collections.
I received Return to Me as a gift from the publisher, Bethany House. As usual, my Kindle edition from NetGalley was full of weird spacing and missing 'ff's.
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Language
Original language
English
Physical description
8.5 inches
ISBN
0764208985 / 9780764208980