Monday, June 6, 2016

Land of Silence

GIVEAWAY
 
AFSHAR, TESSA
LAND OF SILENCE

Before Christ called her daughter...before she stole healing by touching the hem of his garment...

Elianna is a young girl crushed by guilt. After her only brother is killed while in her care, Elianna tries to earn forgiveness by working for her father's textile trade and caring for her family. When another tragedy places Elianna in sole charge of the business, her talent for design brings enormous success, but never the absolution she longs for. As her world unravels, she breaks off her betrothal to the only man she will ever love. Then illness strikes, isolating Elianna from everyone, stripping everything she has left.

No physician can cure her. No end is in sight. Until she hears whispers of a man whose mere touch can heal. After so many years of suffering and disappointment, is it possible that one man could redeem the wounds of body, heart, and soul?

My Review:

Wow...just wow! I need to stop saying I'm not into biblical fiction because I keep finding great authors who write in this genre. Land of Silence held me spellbound. In fact it made a huge impact on me. Touched my heart in such a profound way.

Told exclusively from Elianna's point of view this story drew me in from the very first page.  Rich details bring this time period to life in vivid detail -- from everyday life and customs to the intricacies of all the aspects of the textile trade. And the way the author weaves biblical truths into the story! Yes, this is a fictional work but the spiritual elements transform this into a powerful tale of redemption and forgiveness and sacrificial love...and so much more.

I loved the notion of exploring the life of this unknown woman who has been immortalized in the pages of scripture. Afshar has created a sympathetic heroine -- courageous but vulnerable. Her struggles became my own as I lived and breathed her triumphs and disappointments right along with her. She arrives at a place of brokenness, barely clinging to hope and that's where God works his miracle. I wept when I reached that famous New Testament moment. Words spun together with such conviction it took my breath away.

Elianna's story resonated with me because I've been journeying in my own season of illness. I know her despair well. The anxiety. The frustration. Isolation and even condemnation. Which is why this novel touched me so deeply. Especially when I got to celebrate in the beauty and wisdom of lines like these:

What a peace comes at the end of surrender. What a relief there is when you stop striving against God and the world and yourself. I was the end of myself. And yet, in a strange way, I had only started the most important journey of my life. p.289

An extraordinary novel that has brought me comfort and hope.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of  Land of Silence please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you post a comment and add your email address, please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in the address to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email please remember to put the title in the subject line so that it's easy for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday June 12 2016. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

49 comments:

  1. This sounds like such an incredible read! And the cover is gorgeous! Can't wait to read it!

    amyputney89 [at] gmail [dot] com

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    1. Yes -- beyond gorgeous! That cover just pulls you in, doesn't it? Good luck, Amy.

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  2. It's simply amazing. Good luck, Kate.

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  3. This book looks so good! Thanks for doing the giveaway.

    rosebudsinjune at gmail dot com

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  4. I loved it too! Tessa Afshar is one of my top favorite authors and I'll stop everything else I'm reading when one of her books comes out. Land of Silence makes the list for best books of 2016! (although I actually read it last Dec)

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    1. Can you believe this is the first book I have read by Tessa Afshar?! My library has four of her books so you can bet I'll be reading more!

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    2. They are so good, read them all! I especially love In The Field of Grace, based on the story of Ruth, fantastic!

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    3. Ooohhhh...I love Ruth's story. Maybe that will be by next one.

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  5. I have only heard great things about this book and author. I can't wait to try her out. Thank you!
    dianemestrella at gmail dot com

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    1. They are all true, believe me. Good luck, Diane.

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  6. I read Tessa's story of Rahab (Pearl in the Sand) and I loved the way that she weaved such a wonderful fiction story around the Bible account. I'm looking forward to reading this one too. Thanks for the wonderful review and the giveaway Kav!
    momrain(AT)aol(DOT)com

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    1. She has an amazing talent. I'm excited to read Pearl in the Sand and all her other books. Thanks for the recommend. Good luck, Loraine.

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  7. This book sounds so great! I've been wanting to read that book ever since I heard about it and your review makes me want to read it even more :D

    samanthabis23 at gmail dot com

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    1. I think it's a must read for 2016. Good luck, Samantha.

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  8. Please enter me. Sounds like an intriguing story. It appears to be a must-read book from your review.

    esterried[at]yahoo[dot]com

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    1. Oh, I definitely think it is. So glad I read out of my comfort zone with this one. Good luck, Charity.

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  9. I love Biblical fiction! This one sounds incredible.
    psalm103and138 at gmail dot com

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  10. LOVE this book! My first of Tessa and it will NOT be my last! I have this, so no need to enter me. Thanks Kav!

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    1. Oh --you're just like me. My first Tessa book too. Seems like everyone loves it. How could they not?

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  11. I would love to read this book.
    1savedfamily (at)gmail (dot)com

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  12. yes! All my yeses to this review!! LOVE this book so much :)

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  13. What a beautiful review, Kav! I'm adding this one to my wish list!

    texaggs2000 at gmail dot com

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    1. Thanks, Britney. You'll love it, I'm sure. Good luck.

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  14. OH Kav, this one sounds like a must read for sure! Thank you for a great interview.

    mauback55 at gmail dot com

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  15. I can't wait to read this!
    J.C. -Indiana-

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  16. It certainly does sound touching. I'd enjoy it very much!
    pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

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  17. I almost forgot to stop in since it's my birthday today and my schedule is out of order. This book sounds great , I'd love to read it.
    Cnnamongirl at aol dot com

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  18. THIS IS BY FAR MY FAVOURITE BIBLE HEALING STORY. I am excited just by the thought of reading it.

    Count me in, please.

    janka(dot)halcinova(at)gmail(dot)com

    P.S. : Hugs, dear Kav.

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  19. I would love to read this one! Thanks for the opportunity to win it, Kav! betherin02 AT gmail DOT com

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  20. I've not yet read one of Afshar's books. This sounds like a good one to try!

    ckbarker at gmail dot com

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    1. It's a great one to start with -- at least I think so and I speak from experience. :-) Good luck, Cheryl.

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  21. I've read a couple of Biblical fiction & enjoyed them very much. Sounds like this would be another winner,one of my favorite stories in scripture! Thanks for the review Kav.

    teamob4 (at) gmail (dot) com

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    1. It's amazing, Trixi. Definitely one you should read. Good luck.

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  22. Biblical fiction is my favorite, and I've been looking forward to this author's new book for quite a while. Please enter me: dguzATgmailDOTcom and Thank you!!

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  23. You're giving me hope, Kav. I, as well, say that I am not into Biblical fiction. I am always drawn to them as a historical, but never take the leap. I am encouraged by your enthusiasm. I have to admit that I have had Tessa's first four books on my wish list along with Roseanna White's for a long time. Their's have been the books that have been the most tempting to me. tlhcoupon(at)hotmail(dot)com

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    1. I've put all of Tessa's other books on my hold list at my library. I really love this author's storytelling skills. Good luck, Terrill.

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  24. I love biblical fiction and feel I will relate to 'Land of Silence' from a standpoint of illness also. I haven't read any of Tessa's books and look forward to this one. Thanks for a beautiful, emotional review, Kav!!

    bonnieroof60(at)yahoo(dot)com

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