My edition: Kindle Unlimited
Pages: 398
Standalone
Genre: Biblical Fiction, Historical, Christian
Published: June 6, 2017, Tyndale House Publishing
Rating: 4 stars
Synopsis:
Purple. 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.
Review:
I am once again in love with Tessa’s writing. I absolutely loved Lydia and her journey as well as Rebekah.
At first, this started slow, but once it hit the halfway mark I was hooked. I loved it even more when Paul showed up. I may or may not have fangirled. I also love how empowering it was for Lydia to make her way as an unmarried woman in historical times. This story is beautiful. There is a little romance but it isn’t until the end and it doesn’t even shift the focus. It still remains on Lydia and her growth with God.
I have more of Tessa’s books on my kindle and a wishlist for physical copies. I can’t wait to read more of her stories.
The Kansan Reader 