This Scarlet Cord: The Love Story of Rahab

Biblical Fiction

by Joan Wolf

A chasm lies between Rahab and her beloved Sala that can never be crossed. Though Sala rescues young Rahab from slave bandits, he knows he can never fall in love with a Canaanite. His belief in the One True God prevents them from a future together. Rahab's beauty gains royal notice, and she is selected to entice the King during the annual sacred marriage reenactment praising their pagan god, Baal. But when the King suffers a heart attack and dies, Rahab is saved from the humiliating act. Her despair drives her curiosity about Sala's One True God. Could He accept her . . . even love her? Deceit and pride stand in the way of Rahab's happy ending. Only God can use these events to tell the larger story of forgiveness and redemption.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Biblical Fiction, Christian Fiction, Christian, Fiction, Romance, Historical

307 pages, Paperback

First published July 10, 2012

About the author

Joan Wolf is a USA TODAY bestselling American writer, whose acclaimed Regency romances have earned her national recognition as a master of the genre. Her many historical and contemporary romances, some of which have been chosen as Literary Guild selections, have been highly praised by reviewers and authors alike.

Joan was born in 1951 and she grew up in the Bronx, New York. A former English teacher, she obtained a Bachelor's degree in Mercy College and Master in English and Comparative Literature at Hunter College. An avid rider and horse owner, Joan lives in Connecticut with her husband Joe and two grown children, Jay and Pam.

Reviews

[Donna · Rating 1 out of 5]

I started this one twice and both times I DNFd it. I managed to get past the half way point the second time. I read one other Biblical Fiction book by this author and I gave it three stars.

The Scarlet Cord had one of the same problems as the other one I read: annoying characters. Really annoying. Plus, it sounded too modern, had a fair amount of whining, and the audio narrator amplified all of the above. I wanted to like this one because I enjoy Biblical fiction, but the combination of dislikes wasn't a good mix for me.

[Stephanie · Rating 2 out of 5]

After enjoying Wolf's retelling of the story of Esther in A Reluctant Queen, I eagerly anticipated her next book especially as I've read some other retellings of Rahab and enjoyed them. I really do love reading about the women who are listed in the genealogy of Jesus.

BUT. I really struggled with the first part, which is titled "First Meeting" and introduces Rahab and Sala (Salmon being a name that has unfortunate connotations for most modern readers as Wolf explains) as young people. I was not sure why this was included as it is never shown that the two had met before their story is told in Joshua and it seemed like a weird padding to the story. I also found it very slow-going, which meant it took me longer than usual to finish this book.

However despite my misgivings, I decided to plunge ahead only to dislike more and more. Now obviously there are going to be changes when taking a short story and expanding it to novel-length, adding elements to appeal to a contemporary audience. But I didn't like that Rahab and Sala already knew each other from childhood and basically had insta-love; I also didn't like that Rahab was not a prostitute but merely considered one due to her culture by the Hebrews. The other ding against this novel is how much I loved Pearl in the Sand, a different retelling of the story of Rahab. Because of the strong impression it left on me, I constantly compared this book and whenever something was different, thought it was "wrong."

I don't want to sound completely negative because there were some things I liked. First was the political maneuvering of Jericho's royal family and the presentation of their belief in Baal, deeply entwined. I found this fascinating to learn about. Second was that I really liked Rahab's sister-in-law whose longing for a child and pain over her barrenness sends her into the arms of Yahweh.

Overall: Shaky beginning and my mental comparison to a different retelling left me decidedly not in love with this book.

[Loraine · Rating 3 out of 5]

The writing in this version of the story of Rahab was well done, but the inconsistencies with a Biblical Foundation bothered me throughout the story. Wolf has Rahab a virgin during the entire story. Although she is spoken of as a harlot in the Bible, Wolf had her just running an inn. Also the scarlet cord was brought in by one of the spies which is again never mentioned in the Biblical text so it is assumed that it belonged to Rahab. There were just enough instances like this that kept me from giving it a 4.

[Nora St Laurent · Rating 4 out of 5]

I purchased the audio version of this book to make the drive to and from work more enjoyable. I hadn't read anything by this author before. I looked forward to learning more about Rahab. This story was brought to life and made me feel as if I had been thrust onto the City streets of Jericho. I felt as if I were mingling in amongest the crowds watching Rahab and her family.

I liked the way Brooke Heldman read the book and how she captured the lively spirit of Rahab. She did a good job of creating different voices for the many characters in the novel.

I liked how story was centered around - a sweet and tender love story that almost wasn’t. Rahab and Sala come from opposite ends of the world and worship two different Gods. Neither was willing to give up the God’s that they were raised up with. When Sala talks about his God freeing the Israelites from Egypt and parting the red sea to aid their escape; Rehab soaked it all in. She’d never heard of such a thing.

I liked how the author allowed me to imagine what people of the bible times might have thought, and felt anxiety as the drama of the battle of Jericho started to play out inside the city walls. This story is well written and I had fun listening to it visualizing the events taking place.

The only thing I struggled with was the fact that nowhere in scripture does it state that Rahab was a virgin. (None that I could find) There were several places where Rahab’s referred to as a harlot. One of the beautiful examples of scripture is of God redeeming people who have colorful pasts. Rahab’s testomy is one of forgiveness and redemption. The key point in this story for me is the fact that God redeems our past no matter where we’ve come from. He forgives it all!

When I read a story based on the bible I look for an author that sticks very close to the biblical story as they can. If they’ve deviated from the story I like the author to tell me that up front. Right in the beginning I liked to read something like…. “I made this up to fit the story. In my research I didn’t find evidence to back this up but it made the story flow better.” Now I can head into the story forewarned.

This Scarlet Thread drifted too far from the main point of the story which made me feel uncomfortable. Joan Wolf is a good writer and the story was compelling but the reader was robbed of the powerful message of redemption and forgiveness. God forgave an ordinary - unworthy harlot, brought her into his loving arms, she found salvation, He saved her family, found her a husband and put her in the lineage of Jesus. Bam! That’s powerful!

Disclosure of Material Connection: #AD Sponsored by publisher.
I received a complimentary copy of this book 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”

Nora St Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins www.psalm516.blogspot.com
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[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a beautiful love story and the coming together of two different people do to race, culture, and religious differences. I enjoyed Mrs. Wolf's writing style. I especially enjoyed the way she writes Sala, he is perfect and chivalrous, sweet, kind, courageous, determined, and comes to cherish Rahab okay so I could go on and on about him. It is more than just these qualities, you since how much Mrs. Wolfed loved this particular character by the way she rights him and gives him voice. Okay maybe that sounds weird, but I really really liked him. Am I write Mr. Wolf?
Rahab, is a beautiful young girl when we first meet her that happens upon a terrifying experience. She is strong and resourceful, and manages to get out of said experience with the help of Sala. I have to say that these early interactions were some of my favorites. I liked that Sala viewed Rahab as different in a good way. Rahab is a girl who speaks her mind, which is not common or necessarily acceptable during this time period. There is also a carefree attitude to her that Sala likes and I think envies a little. She is so very brave, and witty, smart, naive, and very courageous. I really liked their bantering with one another.
Time moves forward and we find Rahab in Jericho with part of her family for the Canaanite New Year Celebration of Baal. At the same time Sala is there with his father as spies for the Israelite's. I enjoyed the relationship with Rahab and Sala and how it unfolds, as well as the classic biblical story. Yes, some liberties are taken with the biblical story, so in that aspect it is inaccurate. However I think the social/culture nature of the story is more accurate. Even though there are inaccuracies to the biblical account it was still an enjoyable read. It made me go back and reread and study some of the chapters in Joshua. All in all a enjoyable read with endearing characters, redemption and love.

Thanks Netgalley and Thomas Nelson Publishing

[Rebecca Graf · Rating 3 out of 5]

Many people have heard of Rahab. She is a woman listed in the genealogy of Jesus who was not born an Israelite but adopted their ways. Not much is known about her, but Joan Wolf tries to give a unique picture of this mysterious woman in The Scarlet Cord.

What do we know from the Bible about Rahab? She lived in Jericho. She was called a harlot. She took in Israelite spies and protected them. She helped the spies escape. She hung a scarlet cord outside her window. Her family lived through the destruction of Jericho. She married Salmon. She was an ancestor of Jesus. Anything beyond that is material for a fiction writer.

This is a wonderful story, but if you are walking into it knowing the biblical story, you will be slightly disappointed. Wolf has Rahab and Salmon, or Sala as she has him called, knowing each other and in love before the attack on Jericho by the Israelite army. She also has Rahab pure and innocent but mistakenly called a harlot by Joshua. There is also no time of purification for Rahab and her family. Compared to the biblical account, this story is even more fiction than you imagine.

The writing is excellent. The story telling is wonderful. Coming into the story knowing the biblical story of Rahab, I was very disappointed. Wolf did an excellent job with historical context, but seemed to be more true to outside sources than the Bible where Rahab is mentioned and even honored.

I do recommend this for you to read as it has a section for questions in the back that would be great for book clubs. This might actually help conversation within any group.

Note: This book was provided by the publisher without expectation of a positive review.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well, this was certainly different from what I expected. I enjoyed the love story in this book, though the characters seemed younger than they actually were for the last two thirds of the story. It was a different take on the Bible's account so I had to wrap my mind around a different version. I appreciated the conflict and how the author set it up, but because it was so different than the Biblical account when it came to Rahab's relationship with Sala (Salmon) it was harder for me to enjoy this novel.

On the plus side, there was a Romeo and Juliet feel to the story. However, because people familiar with the Biblical account know it contains an expected happily ever after, it's anticipated in this novel as well, therefore genuine angst is harder to evoke by when reading this novel. For people who enjoy various takes on Biblical fiction this is sure to please. People who like more of an exact retelling when it comes to the actual facts may have difficulty with this one. All in all, I enjoyed it.

[Cari Tavary · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was a good story full of romance, adventure, and redemption. However it didn't follow the story of Rahab at all except for names and places. If you want to read this just to read, it was fine. If you want to read about the story of Rahab try the one by Francine Rivers. It's much truer to the Biblical story.

[Julie · Rating 2 out of 5]

If this were purely fiction I would rate it higher but the author took more liberty with the Biblical account than I liked. It was a very well written book and very interesting but it didn't seem to follow what the Bible said about Rahab.

[Audrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow! This book was intense. However, I was a bit skeptical. The author had Israelites living in Canaan before the Exodus fled from Egypt. I have read of this possibility but have questioned whether it was Biblically accurate. Anyway, the storyline was fascinating. Sala and his family were Israelites living as merchants in Canaan. When Rahab was a child she was kidnapped by slave traders when Sala rescued her. He told her about Elohim, later known as Yahweh, which gave her plenty to think about. Later on, when the Israelites, were camped on the other side of Jordan, Sala and his father moved into Jericho to spy out the city. There he met with Rahab once again.

When Elohim rescued her from a despicable act being performed on her, Rahab is convinced that Yahweh is the One True God. She is determined to save the Israelite spies that came into Jericho. This book made me thrilled to be a follower of the Lord God.

One reason I didn't give it a full five stars was the abovementioned earlier. The Bible states that Jacob's entire family of 70 souls moved to Egypt at Joseph's request. I doubt any were left behind. However, other people groups may have also believed in the One God. Another reason why I docked a star off my rating was because of the touchy-feely aspects of Rahab and Sala's romance. It would have been unacceptable in the Hebrew culture. Even today I think there needs to be more restraint before marriage.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

This Scarlet Cord by Joan Wolf is the love story of Rahab from Joshua. Joan has taken a story contained in about five paragraphs of scripture and turned it into an 85,000 word book according to her explanation in the back of the book. She also took the liberty to use a modern translation of Salmon’s name, Sala, in her story.
This Scarlet Cord is divided into three parts. In the first section, twelve year old Rahab is kidnapped from a caravan that her family is traveling with. Sala’s father is a merchant and part of the Israeli remnant that stayed behind in Canaan when Isaac’s family went to Egypt with Joseph. Rahab and Sala meet for the first time in Gaza where she has just escaped from kidnappers who want to sell her into Egypt. Sala takes Rahab to his father for protection and get word to her family as to a meeting place to return Rahab to her family. The second part of the story takes place two years later in Jericho. Rahab is now eligible for marriage and her father wants someone more influential than just a farmer for her husband, so he takes some of his family along with Rahab to Jericho. Sala and his father are in Jericho under the guise of business, while checking out Jericho’s strengths and weaknesses to pass on to the Israeli spies that Joshua will send in. The third part of the story contains the Israelites conquering of Jericho and the saving of Rahab’s story.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. I had previously read A Reluctant Queen: The Love Story of Esther and thought that this book would probably be just as good. Joan Wolf didn’t disappoint me. She keeps the reader spell bound and has thoroughly researched the time period and historical background. In this story she weaves in some of the religious customs of the Canaanites to give insight into Rahab’s background. While the author has deviated somewhat from the Biblical account of Exodus and Joshua, by placing Sala’s family still in a Israelite town in Canaan instead of with the refugees from Egypt with Joshua, she uses this to bring into the story how Rahab could have come to believe in the One True God.
I received this book free from Thomas Nelson through the BookSneeze® book review bloggers program. 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.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my first experience reading a Joan Wolf book and it certainly will not be my last. The biblical Rahab is only given about 5 paragraphs in the Bible but Wolf provides us with 8,500 words of her story. However, the author does remind us readers that may have forgotten that the gospel of Matthew does state that Rahab was the mother of Boaz and thus quite relevant in the genealogy of Jesus. What lead this woman and her family to take their place in scripture?

The book begins when Rahab, a young girl on the cusp of her teenage years is kidnapped as she travels with her Canaanite family. Rahab is able to escape her captors and pleas aide from Lord Nahshon, a wealthy sea trader and his young son Salma( Salmon). Although his father is nervous to help a Canaanite girl, the two Israelites decide they cannot let the girl be sold into slavery in Egypt. Rahab returns home with the men and a special friendship develops between Rahab and Salma. Soon word is sent to Rahab's family and her older brother Shemu comes to take his sister home. Readers are left with a great impression that these two young people will someday cross paths again.

In fact, it is several years later that they find themselves both in the city of Jericho. A love begins to blossom between the two young people, but when word reaches the city that an Israelite army is heading towards the city lead by Joshua, will love be enough?

I really enjoyed the story of Rahab as Wolf portrays the inner religious conflicts that she has throughout the book. Although our modern ethics differ from those that lived so many years ago, Wolf treats it with great consideration of the people at the time.

[Wisteria Leigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

History is often controversial whether sacred of secular. This Scarlet Cord will generate debates as well. It is biblical Ffiction and Wolf adheres close to the history of what is gleaned from the Old Testament and research of ancient manuscripts found written in Canaanite. She uses five paragraphs from the Book of Joshua in the Old Testament to cleverly create a memorable adventurous historical novel.
Rahab arrives in Jericho with her father. Alluringly beautiful and she captures the eye of the degenerate old king, who lusts to make her his ritual bride during the annual pagan New Year festivities. Rahab, being female, has no rights and must acquiesce to the offensive king’s will. Sala, a young Israelite accompanied by his father is a spy for Joshua’s army. He is in love with Rahab. Rahab is portrayed as a devoted daughter, self-determined heroine who embraces the One True God theory. With brave confidence yet high risk of death she aids Sala and Joshua in their mission to destroy Jericho.
Readers will discover a beautiful love story and learn about Rahab, a brave woman heroine who will inspire all.

June 20, 2012
Wisteria Leigh

Disclosure: I was sent a free copy of this book from HNR for review and publication. The review is submitted without bias. This review originally appeared in Historical Novels Society Issue 61, August 2012. http://historicalnovelsociety.org/rev...

[Tara · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a retelling of Rahab the Canaanite prostitute in the Bible. Basically, Rahab protects the men from the Hebrew nation who come to spy in the city of Jericho before the ensuing battle. She does this against her country in faith of the one true God. God honors her by allowing her to be an ancestor of Jesus Christ.

I have a particular interest in seeing the stories in the Bible brought to life through various author’s eyes in their fictional retelling. I love looking for stories that stay true to the heart of what can be found in the Bible, while adding detail that moves one emotionally. Rahab is a difficult tale to tell because of how little information is given in the Bible; therefore, I have respect for the author for building such a rich story with historically accurate details. However, the story feels more like a modern romance with a complicated storyline of coincidences. It feels as if the Bible account was stretched to fit her imaging of what could have happened instead of keeping it simplistic and changing her story to fit what the Bible has. The power of the forgiveness of sin is overlooked by the way she explains how Rahab is a “prostitute,” which did not sit well with me. Otherwise, it is a very cute romance novel even without being connected to the Bible.

[Jasmyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't know much about Rahab and the story of Jericho - other than the walls fell down and the Israelites were victorious. But Joan Wolf has a way with words. The city jumps off the pages, from the crowded and congested lower city, to the pristine temples of Baal and Ashera.

Rahab is a very fascinating character. She is a strong woman that seems to really look at what is going on around her, choosing her decisions based on what her heart tells her. She seems a great math for Sala, but there is one huge problem. She is a Canaanite and he is an Israelite. Neither of their families would ever agree to a marriage.

But as her life begins to fall apart, she begins to re-think her beliefs and her way of life. This was no sudden epiphany, but a good long soul-searching that was quite touching and a little scary. As an army approaches the city of Jericho, her decisions will mean the life or death of her entire family.

While this is an inspirational romance, you do not have to be religious to enjoy the romance and time period. It's a very well told story of two amazing people during a time that isn't visited very often.

[Martin Thomas · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book was okay but overall disappointing. Any resemblance to the biblical story was purely coincidental. In fact the author ripped the power and meaning out of the biblical story replacing it with something quite bland and unlikely. For instance Rahab, in 'This Scarlet Code', was not even a Harlot but a beautiful respectable young girl. The reason for her being referred to as a harlot was absolutely laughable and insulting to the story which is one of faith and bravery. I will not waste words explaining.

If you ignore the biblical story element the book is relaxing to read being something along the lines of a Mills and Boone book, but of better writing quality.

Finally, the story takes place in the book of Joshua at the beginning of the Old Testament, but her explodes are praised in the books of James and Hebrews at the end of the New Testament. She is praised for faith and mentioned alongside the giants of the Old Testament. This facet of her life is ignored in 'This Scarlet Code'. As I said any resemblance to the biblical story. is purely coincidental.

[Dawn · Rating 2 out of 5]

The action at the end didn't make up for the very slow majority of the book. Plus there was a lot I found where I felt the author took too much leeway with what we know from Scripture.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This Scarlet Cord is a well written book by Joan Wolf. This is the first I have read by this author and will not be the last. I'm looking forward to more from her. Highly recommended.

[Tgar · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author writes in the back of each book a letter to her readers.
Joan Wolf states for this book she took 5 paragraphs from the Bible and created 85,000 words. She based her story on the fact that Rahab was a believer in the Isralelite God and Sala and Rahab being in Jesus' Genealogy.
It is a work of fiction and doesn't follow the biblical account exactly. But it will give you an idea of what the time period was like and a visual of the battle.
I hope the author writes more novels soon.

[Sarah · Rating 1 out of 5]

I know writers of Biblical fiction have to, well, fictionalize parts of their story. But this author chose to take the truths that we do know from the Bible and twist them all so that there is very little factual basis in this story. I don't even want to bother to list all the errors. Big fail for me.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

love the story of Rahab in the bible, event though it is only a few paragraphs. This was an entertaining look at her story and life. Even in fiction, Joan Wolf shares a unique look into the biblical world. Not taking away the truth of the word, just expanding on it.

[Mary J · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting view of the battle of Jericho. Characters are credible. Radna being perceived as a harlot because of her religion's reputation of women,
being redeemed to show that she want only to love Sada and save her family. Enjoy reading this biblical inspiration novel in my summer reading.

[Phillip · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's an interesting take that drags in places. The characters are OK, and I don't mind an independently minded woman (I'm married to one), but I doubt a teenage girl in this society would act or get away with acting like Rahab does in this book.

[Amber M · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this fictional telling of Rahab. It includes a lot of the facts and gives details on what life was like during that period in Jericho but also takes creative license to keep the story interesting. I plan to seek out other books from this author.

[Ashton Kever · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun read- I didn’t go in with the expectation that it follow the Bible verbatim. There’s a lot we don’t know in this story, but I did kinda enjoy the beginning where we learn more about the characters before they were older.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fictional story of Rahab taken from a few scriptures in Joshua from the old testament. A sweet romance of young adults in biblical times.

[Stephani Austin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun book! I enjoyed how the characters came to life! It was neat to place these people into the culture and understand how impossible this seemed and yet how nothing stands in Yahweh’s way.

[Kat Todd · Rating 4 out of 5]

A unique look into the world that Rahab lived in and a beautiful story of finding one’s true beliefs.

[Susan Hyland]

I read this Scarlet Cord not the other one and this one is excellent

[Amy Engelhard · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was really interesting to hear another side of a well known story!