When Jesus Wept by Bodie and Brock Thoene, Book review & GIVEAWAY

Publisher: Zondervan (March 19, 2013)

ISBN-13: 978-0310335931

Synopsis:

Book 1 in the Thoene's new Jerusalem Chronicles.

Lazarus occupies a surprising position in the Gospel accounts. Widely known as the man Jesus raised from the dead, his story is actually much broader and richer than that. Living as he did at Bethany, near Jerusalem, Lazarus was uniquely placed to witness the swirl of events around Jesus. 

When Jesus Wept, the first novel in The Jerusalem Chronicles series by bestselling authors Bodie and Brock Thoene, unfolds the turbulent times in Judea during Jesus' ministry, centering on the friendship between Jesus and Lazarus. With rich insights from vineyard owners and vine dressers, the Thoenes explore the metaphor of Jesus as the True Vine, harvesting the ancient secrets found in the Old Testament. 

Weaving the life of Lazarus, who owned a vineyard, into the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ will help you understand it is the hand of Love Divine that holds the knife, that cuts and breaks with such tender and loving touch, and that we who have born some fruit, after the pruning, can bear much more.

My thoughts:

Each time I read another of Bodie and Brock Thoene's novels I feel as if my faith grows by leaps and bounds in addition to acquiring new biblical knowledge!

'When Jesus Wept' brings to life the deep relationship betwixt Jesus and Lazarus and his extended family. Anyone who follows the Thoene's novels will not be disappointed in Book #1 of the 'Jerusalem Chronicles', yet another reflection of their work of love and faith. Then again, each of their novels seems to get better and better as time goes by! How do they do it?

Like many believers I am familiar with Lazarus' death and Jesus' intervention. Leave it to this gifted writers duo however to unfold a story meticulously detailed about Lazarus, his relationship with his family, his gift for winemaking and his relationship with Jesus thru their common interest in vineyards and their upkeep. 

I marveled at this fictional description of Lazarus' first meeting with the Rabbi from Nazareth...'A pleasant resonant voice, brown eyes containing dancing golden flecks'...
Don't you wish you were there to meet Him?

In his words Lazarus tells of Jesus as He wept at his gravesite: "not a loud frantic keening, but a sigh shaking the universe, a tear trickling down His cheek". 
"And a spring burst forth at my feet, pure clean water spilled from its bank, and flowed down a mountainside, leaving a myriad of new stars, like flowers blooming and rising in its wake". 

Lazarus then remembers thinking: 'On a clear night, constellations above the earth reflect on the still surface of the sea. But here? Only one of Jesus' tears contains a galaxy.' 

Then His voice echoed from Bethany across the universe and commanded: "Roll away the stone"... 

This new series is a testament of the Thoene's deep understanding of the Scriptures albeit some liberties were taken as any scholar will notice for the purpose of writing the fictional 'When Jesus Wept'.
Maps and extensive notes have been included for references but ultimately this is a beautiful story reflecting what might have happened so long ago when a very special Man walked the earth...

5 Stars and a keeper as I am a fan!

Link to buy the book: http://ow.ly/jubpF   

Landing page: 

http://litfusegroup.com/author/BThoene

About the Authors:

 

Bodie and Brock Thoene (pronounced Tay-nee) are bestselling authors of over sixty-five works of historical fiction. Their timeless classics have sold more than thirty-five million copies and won eight ECPA Gold Medallion Awards. The Thoenes have four grown children and eight grandchildren. They divide their time between Hawaii, London, and Nevada.

Additional information available on the authors' website (HERE) 

Celebrate the release of When Jesus Wept with the Thoenes by entering their iPad Mini giveaway and RSVPing to their {4/23} Facebook Author Chat party!

One fortunate winner will receive:

• A brand new iPad Mini
• A book club kit - 10 copies of When Jesus Wept

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on April 22nd. Winner will be announced at the "When Jesus Wept" Author Chat Party on 4/23. Connect with the Thoenes, get a sneak peek of the next book in the Jerusalem Chronicles series, try your hand at a trivia contest, and chat with readers just like yourself. There will also be fun giveaways - gift certificates, books, and more!

So grab your copy of When Jesus Wept and join Bodie and Brock on the evening of the April 23rd for a chance to connect with the authors and make some new friends. (If you haven't read the book - don't let that stop you from coming!)

Don't miss a moment of the fun, RSVP today. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 23rd!

 

I received this book free from LITFUSE as part of their blogger review program. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.