Martha: A Novel

Insightful, inspiring, and enjoyable to read. I loved it! Hard to find books about this saint, so thank you for writing this book.

Thoroughly enjoyed this story. I loved that Martha wasnt a cranky older sister & Mary wasnt irresponsible. The love everyone shared was sweet.

I have always been intrigued by the story of Martha and a little disappointed because I tend to take care of business more than I follow my heart. This was a beautiful story told in such a way that I felt peace with this character while also learning about Jewish culture. The way the story took you back in time , it made you feel like you were there. It opened a door to see Jesus, learn about life in this woman's life, and enjoy a beautiful story.

I really enjoyed this story of Martha of Bethany and her family and friends, including Mary and Lazarus. I had ideas of who I thought Martha was but the author turned her into a living, breathing young woman for me. Martha's hopes, dreams and desires are presented. She was a young girl of which much was asked. Her mother died when Martha was young and it was left to her to run the household and raise the children...especially Mary. She learned and led her family through the Jewish rituals, prayers and holidays. And when her brother befriends Jesus then she is prepared to host him and his disciples. Martha takes on all the work that the above entails and does a good job, she does it willingly but also has a few not so angelic mutterings under her breath. These parts of Martha made her special to me. Martha is shown to be smart, loving, loyal and strong. She suffered much loss and continued to grow and comfort those around her. The death of Lazuras and his rising were told in a way that I have not seen before but seemed so real.This is a special book that will make you see Martha in a different light. It is well written and easy to read. It had a simplicity that reminded me of some books I read as a young teenager. I recommend it to young adults and adults.1 like

This was a very refreshing story, the story of Martha and Mary from Martha's eyes, and the story of their brother Lazarus and Jesus raising him from the dead. Stories we've read so many times in scripture from a fresh perspective. I don't know of any relationship between Mary and Thomas, but creative liberty says there could have been, and why not? Diana Wallis Taylor did a very nice job of writing Martha's story. The insertion of the love interest with the Centurion was perhaps also creative liberty, but again also possible, while I am not aware of any mention of such in scripture. It is so interesting to consider such possibilities in the real lives of these Bible characters we've grown up with. I will look for more books from this author.

This book was disappointing.On the one hand, I liked the historical details the author included. Her description of Jewish holidays, their trips to the temple and to Jerusalem, the food they ate, the homes they lived in, etc, was very interesting. But beyond that the book was very disappointing.The character development was what bothered me the most. Somehow I just can't see Martha sneaking out for a rendezvous with a Roman soldier, even if he does claim to worship the god of the Jews. It seems out of character for Martha based on what the Bible says about her.Mary's relationship with one of Jesus's 12 disciples was illogical. The disciples were so focused on Jesus and the ministry I doubt they would take the time to develop a romance with someone.I also hated how the author portayed Judas' betrayal. The way the author describes it, she implies that Judas had good intentions when he betrayed Jesus. According to the author, Judas thought that if Jesus got arrested, he would suddenly decide to make himself king of Israel, and free the Jews of Roman oppression.This doesn't make any sense. Judas would have known that Jesus couldn't be manipulated like that. Besides, the Bible makes it very clear that what Judas did was an act of betrayal, not good intentions gone wrong. It says that the "Devil entered him".The author's description of Jesus is also sorely lacking. While she mentions some of Jesus miracles, she doesn't once talk about Jesus spiritual message, which focused on the coming of God's kingdom. Thus, the faith Martha, Mary, and Lazarus developed in Jesus came across as shallow.Lastly, the ending of the book is very disappointing. We aren't really told what happens to Mary. And Martha's story ends with her accepting a proposal of marriage. But the author never tells us what happens to Martha and her husband after they get married. Do they get annointed with holy spirit at Pentcost, as many of Jesus followers did? Did they help form a Christian congregation? Did they follow Jesus last command, which was to preach the good news to all the nations? The author doesn't tell us. Thus she puts way more importance on Martha's marriage than she does on Martha's faith in Jesus and her development as a Christian.Overall, a very disappointing book. It came across as more of a romance novel than Biblical fiction. It could have been so much better.

I really enjoyed reading about what it might have looked like for those select people who enjoyed multiple visits with Jesus as He walked on this earth. I really enjoyed seeing life from a Jewish woman’s point of view who experienced a wide range of emotions and miracles performed in her personal life by Jesus. I know the Bible well enough to enjoy following along with what we know is true about Martha, Mary and Lazarus. I hope it ended up in a similar way for the two sisters in real life as in this novel. As a Christian I’ve read the Bible and learned so much about Jesus, the prophecies about him, his life and what it all means for us in our lives. Reading a story through the eyes of a Jewish girl living during those times brings so much of it to life. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it and look forward to reading more from this author.

I enjoyed the book. It is the kind of books I look for. Its Bible base. Yes a story form. Fiction. But the characters from the Bible seems so real. I cried at times. But I was happy through it also.

Once again Jesus will return and it will be as confusing as when He left because it's so spiritual and we are so earthbound. This book helped me feel how Martha felt, how could it be?Lovely for young Christians to read because then they can see it's OK to question.Life was tough for women in those days but Jesus has set us free from all that law.Loved this book.

Book arrived promptly & in great condition almost like new . I bought it at a really competitive price . Great value for money . Many thanks.

This was okay, but nowhere near s good as other novels by this authoress.The most irritating aspect for me was the inclusion of the romance for Martha and Mary. This is not Biblical and really detracted from the story.On a more positive note, the atmosphere is fairly good, and the relationship between Martha and her siblings is well written.

I would be happy to recommend this book, Once I began reading it, I found it difficult to put down. The story of Mary Martha, and Lazarus, is very familiar to me, but I felt that this author has captured who they really were, and you can feel what it must have been like to live during this time, and culture.I am looking forward to see reading her next book.

I really loved this book. Great imagination portraying Mary's childhood. Then the writer's skilful accounting of Jesus life potentially seen through Mary Magdalene's eyes.