Status
Checked out
Due 12 May 2024
Call number
Series
Publication
River North, Imprint of Moody Publishers (2013), Edition: New, 356 pages
Collection
Description
Fiction. Historical Fiction. HTML: A hidden message, treachery, opposition, and a God-given success will lead to an unlikely bounty. In Harvest of Gold (Book 2), the scribe Sarah married Darius, and at times she feels as if she has married the Persian aristocracy, too. There is another point she did not count on in her marriage�??Sarah has grown to love her husband. Sarah has wealth, property, honor, and power, but her husband's love still seems unattainable. Although his mother was an Israelite, Darius remains skeptical that his Jewish wife is the right choice for him, particularly when she conspires with her cousin Nehemiah to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. Ordered to assist in the effort, the couple begins a journey to the homeland of his mother's people. Will the road filled with danger, conflict, and surprising memories, help Darius to see the hand of God at work in his life�??and even in his marriage… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member Lynn_in_MI
A beautiful ending to the love story of Darius and Sarah. Entwined in the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem, this is a story of learning to trust God and of putting aside our will. The subplots of Nehemiah and the Persian aristocracy are well placed and add to the charm of the novel.
LibraryThing member imakittycat
The scribe Sarah married Darius, and at times she feels as if she has married the Persian aristocracy too. But there is another point she did not expect in her marriage - Sarah has grown to love her husband. She has wealth, property, honor, and power, yet securing her husband's love seems
*Great book. Wasn't disappointed. Love Sarah and Darius. Love their story.*
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unattainable. And though Darius has been on numberless battlefields facing fierce enemies, he finds himself standing before Sarah with a fear he has never before felt - all because he wishes to express the truth to his wife.*Great book. Wasn't disappointed. Love Sarah and Darius. Love their story.*
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LibraryThing member judyg54
This is book 2 ("Harvest of Rubies" is book one) and can be read as a stand alone story, BUT . . this is a continuation of the life of Sarah and Darius, from book one, and how they continue to learn to live together as man and wife. I recommend everyone reading them in order, they are both very
Sarah is a scribe and finds herself married to Darius, a Persian aristocrat who works for the King. They both have a lot to learn as husband and wife and about trusting in God to work out the details in life. The story will take them both to Jerusalem at the time when Nehemiah was sent to rebuild the wall. There will be treachery, opposition and danger throughout this story. Sarah will come to realize she loves her husband, but must face his wrath over a secret she kept hidden, and then wait patiently for him to declare his love for her.
This was a very engaging historical story that gives one a glimpse into what it might have been like in ancient Jerusalem and in Persia in the days of Nehemiah. As the author states so well in the 'author's notes' at the end of the story: "Harvest of Gold is a love story. But at its core, it is also a novel about overcoming in the midst of battle. Jerusalem is under attack. The king's life is threatened. Darius and Sarah's marriage is slowly unraveling. How do you respond to the interior and exterior forces that threaten to destroy you? Harvest of Gold tries to answer that question based on the timeless principles we find in the book of Nehemiah." Well doneTessa Afshar!
(For a biblical account of the rebuilding of Jerusalem read the books of Ezra and Nehemiah in the Bible.)
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good stories!Sarah is a scribe and finds herself married to Darius, a Persian aristocrat who works for the King. They both have a lot to learn as husband and wife and about trusting in God to work out the details in life. The story will take them both to Jerusalem at the time when Nehemiah was sent to rebuild the wall. There will be treachery, opposition and danger throughout this story. Sarah will come to realize she loves her husband, but must face his wrath over a secret she kept hidden, and then wait patiently for him to declare his love for her.
This was a very engaging historical story that gives one a glimpse into what it might have been like in ancient Jerusalem and in Persia in the days of Nehemiah. As the author states so well in the 'author's notes' at the end of the story: "Harvest of Gold is a love story. But at its core, it is also a novel about overcoming in the midst of battle. Jerusalem is under attack. The king's life is threatened. Darius and Sarah's marriage is slowly unraveling. How do you respond to the interior and exterior forces that threaten to destroy you? Harvest of Gold tries to answer that question based on the timeless principles we find in the book of Nehemiah." Well doneTessa Afshar!
(For a biblical account of the rebuilding of Jerusalem read the books of Ezra and Nehemiah in the Bible.)
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LibraryThing member BeautyintheBinding
After nearly a year of marriage to Darius, Sarah has gained Darius' respect, desire, and perhaps even his trust. Her love for him, though, is unrequited. When they discover a plot to assassinate the king, they begin an unexpected journey that will lead them from the king's palace to Jerusalem, a
Harvest of Gold by Tessa Afshar is the sequel to Harvest of Rubies. Although Harvest of Gold probably could work as a stand alone novel, I highly recommend reading Harvest of Rubies first for greater enhancement of Sarah and Darius' complete story. Like Tessa Afshar's previous novels, her writing style was lovely and the settings were realistic, but somehow enchanting at the same time. I enjoyed reading about the Persian and Jewish civilizations. The plot's pace as well as a few unexpected elements kept me interested throughout the story.
My only complaint about this book was that somehow Sarah and Darius of Harvest of Gold didn't feel quite like the same Sarah and Darius of Harvest of Rubies. Some of this could have been the switch from first person point-of-view (in Harvest of Rubies) to third person point-of-view (in Harvest of Gold). However, I think it was more of an unprecedented character shift that was not derived from normal character development and its subsequent progress. I don't say this to discourage anyone from reading the books, I say it as a simple word of caution. I LOVED Harvest of Rubies, so when Harvest of Gold wasn't quite what I expected, I was initially a little put off. Obviously, that feeling passed and I went on to enjoy Harvest of Gold. I do recommend both of these books to anyone who enjoys historical Christian fiction.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. 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."
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city of broken walls and broken spirits. While Darius investigates the plot behind the thwarted assassination attempt, Sarah serves as a scribe to Nehemiah, her cousin and Jerusalem's new governor. When tragedy strikes Sarah and Darius, their relationship unravels and their only hope lies with the One who can heal all. Once before, God redeemed Sarah's missteps and turned it for her good. Will He do so again? Or is her hope for Darius' heart lost forever?Harvest of Gold by Tessa Afshar is the sequel to Harvest of Rubies. Although Harvest of Gold probably could work as a stand alone novel, I highly recommend reading Harvest of Rubies first for greater enhancement of Sarah and Darius' complete story. Like Tessa Afshar's previous novels, her writing style was lovely and the settings were realistic, but somehow enchanting at the same time. I enjoyed reading about the Persian and Jewish civilizations. The plot's pace as well as a few unexpected elements kept me interested throughout the story.
My only complaint about this book was that somehow Sarah and Darius of Harvest of Gold didn't feel quite like the same Sarah and Darius of Harvest of Rubies. Some of this could have been the switch from first person point-of-view (in Harvest of Rubies) to third person point-of-view (in Harvest of Gold). However, I think it was more of an unprecedented character shift that was not derived from normal character development and its subsequent progress. I don't say this to discourage anyone from reading the books, I say it as a simple word of caution. I LOVED Harvest of Rubies, so when Harvest of Gold wasn't quite what I expected, I was initially a little put off. Obviously, that feeling passed and I went on to enjoy Harvest of Gold. I do recommend both of these books to anyone who enjoys historical Christian fiction.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. 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."
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LibraryThing member HeatherLINC
I was so disappointed with this sequel and didn't enjoy it nearly as much as the first. “Harvest of Rubies” was a delightful read, helped by the humorous dialogue between Sarah and her husband, Darius. In “Harvest of a Gold”, that humour was missing and the wonderful relationship between
The so-called mystery was disappointing, in fact it was also non-existent. Also, I found the plot dragged in parts, especially when it focused on the rebuilding of the Jerusalem walls. Overall, a meh read.
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them felt stilted in this book. Also, in “Harvest of a Rubies”, Sarah was portrayed as an intelligent, hard working and resourceful. In this book, sadly, she was reduced to a love-sick wife pining for her husband - such a waste.The so-called mystery was disappointing, in fact it was also non-existent. Also, I found the plot dragged in parts, especially when it focused on the rebuilding of the Jerusalem walls. Overall, a meh read.
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LibraryThing member SashiG
Great continuation of the story of Sarah and Darius. I loved that Afshar fleshed out the biblical account of Nehemiah and the rebuilding of Jerusalem walls. In both the previous book and this one, I really felt thatthe centerpiece of the story was how much God loves and fights for His people and
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even brings foreigners to faith. Show Less
Awards
Christy Awards (Nominee — Historical Romance — 2014)
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2013
Physical description
356 p.; 8.5 inches
ISBN
9780802405593