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Days of the Judges #1
Temper the Wind
Alternate Cover Edition of ASIN: B00CX7P4EK
Before leaving a review: If you have the edition with the sword and flower cover, you are not reading the final, edited copy.
For eighteen years, Gilead has been under relentless attack from neighboring Ammon. Javan, a tall, handsome Israelite warrior, has lost everything during the Ammonite attacks. The sole survivor of his family, possessor of nothing but burned land, he joined with Jepthah’s army to bring vengeance, decimating twenty cities along the Israelite/Ammonite border.
During the mopping-up after the last victorious battle, Javan finds Taleh hiding in the remnants of her house. Caught off guard by her stunning beauty, he claims her for a wife, not telling her that one of the conditions she must comply with is having her head shaved. That nasty surprise is dumped on her the night their marriage is registered in the village. Now she's bald, and her husband seems to have forgotten her in the village to make her own way among people who are as unhappy to have her as she is to be there.
Unbeknownst to either of them, another soldier had also spoken for Taleh, and he will stop at nothing to get her for himself.
Before leaving a review: If you have the edition with the sword and flower cover, you are not reading the final, edited copy.
For eighteen years, Gilead has been under relentless attack from neighboring Ammon. Javan, a tall, handsome Israelite warrior, has lost everything during the Ammonite attacks. The sole survivor of his family, possessor of nothing but burned land, he joined with Jepthah’s army to bring vengeance, decimating twenty cities along the Israelite/Ammonite border.
During the mopping-up after the last victorious battle, Javan finds Taleh hiding in the remnants of her house. Caught off guard by her stunning beauty, he claims her for a wife, not telling her that one of the conditions she must comply with is having her head shaved. That nasty surprise is dumped on her the night their marriage is registered in the village. Now she's bald, and her husband seems to have forgotten her in the village to make her own way among people who are as unhappy to have her as she is to be there.
Unbeknownst to either of them, another soldier had also spoken for Taleh, and he will stop at nothing to get her for himself.
Kindle Edition
First published May 20, 2013
289 people are currently reading
154 people want to read
About the author
Mary Ellen Boyd
16 books57 followersMary Ellen Boyd is a writer of all kinds of romantic fiction, Biblical, Regency, even time travel. She writes what she loves, but it must have a happy ending. Her favorite is Biblical fiction, her special passion building fictional stories around factual accounts.
She believes that each book of a series should be able to stand alone, complete in itself. She also loves English history, and gladly writes about whatever historical oddities grab her.
A lifelong Minnesotan, snow delights her and she is jealous of everyone who gets a blizzard when she doesn't. She has been happily married since 1982, with one adult son.
If you want to get the most recent news, follow her here: http://www.maryellenboyd.com/newsletter/
She believes that each book of a series should be able to stand alone, complete in itself. She also loves English history, and gladly writes about whatever historical oddities grab her.
A lifelong Minnesotan, snow delights her and she is jealous of everyone who gets a blizzard when she doesn't. She has been happily married since 1982, with one adult son.
If you want to get the most recent news, follow her here: http://www.maryellenboyd.com/newsletter/
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
July 2, 2015
Historical Romance/Ancient Israel Too simplistic
I feel bad leaving this review, I truly do. I normally shy away from books with few ratings, but I was unaccountably led astray by the good reviews.
I should have known better, this has happened before. The Christian Fiction genre seems to be filled with good-hearted reviewers who are only able to offer words of encouragement. I like to be an encourager too, but I can't lie, and the writing here is not up to par, not even for the Christian Fiction genre.
The sentence structure is short and choppy, the dialogue forced. The characters are two-dimensional and wooden. The book is split between his and her perspectives, but even their thoughts are made up of oddly short sentences. The best description I can give of the writing is that it felt like a middle grade novel, except that the subject matter is adult.
Aside from the writing, the plot is lacking as well. The sequence of events is predictable, including love at first sight by Javan, the hero. Also, we are never given a plausible explanation for how Taleh, the heroine, speaks Hebrew fluently, when she's never been outside of Ammon and was not highly educated.
But I think my biggest issue with the novel is that Javan, purportedly a devout, godly man, chooses to take an Ammonite wife based purely on looks.
God is clear in the Old Testament that He wanted Israelites to marry Israelites so that pagan religions wouldn't creep in. Yes, He gave an allowance for taking captives as wives, but He gave an allowance for divorce too. Just because God mercifully gives an allowance doesn't mean that's His desire.
Surely Javan, a righteous man, knew this. It is pure luck that his wife turned out to be a good one and Obed's turned out to be irredeemable. Javan didn't know Taleh at all, he had no way of knowing she would comply with his wishes and give up the Ammonite ways.
In my opinion, a godly man's first priority would be to make sure his children are brought up in his own religion, and the best way to ensure would never be to marry the enemy.
Perhaps I'm being too harsh here, but when you combine that inconsistency with the fact that Javan's family was killed by Ammonites, and he's been harboring hatred towards them for the last fifteen years, the plot just doesn't make sense.
It also bothered me that I guess, bottom line, I like more conistency in my characters.
The book is clean in terms of both intimacy and language. Although I categorized it as Christian Fiction, it would more appropriately be called Judeo-Christian Fiction as it takes place during the time of the Judges.
I feel bad leaving this review, I truly do. I normally shy away from books with few ratings, but I was unaccountably led astray by the good reviews.
I should have known better, this has happened before. The Christian Fiction genre seems to be filled with good-hearted reviewers who are only able to offer words of encouragement. I like to be an encourager too, but I can't lie, and the writing here is not up to par, not even for the Christian Fiction genre.
The sentence structure is short and choppy, the dialogue forced. The characters are two-dimensional and wooden. The book is split between his and her perspectives, but even their thoughts are made up of oddly short sentences. The best description I can give of the writing is that it felt like a middle grade novel, except that the subject matter is adult.
Aside from the writing, the plot is lacking as well. The sequence of events is predictable, including love at first sight by Javan, the hero. Also, we are never given a plausible explanation for how Taleh, the heroine, speaks Hebrew fluently, when she's never been outside of Ammon and was not highly educated.
But I think my biggest issue with the novel is that Javan, purportedly a devout, godly man, chooses to take an Ammonite wife based purely on looks.
God is clear in the Old Testament that He wanted Israelites to marry Israelites so that pagan religions wouldn't creep in. Yes, He gave an allowance for taking captives as wives, but He gave an allowance for divorce too. Just because God mercifully gives an allowance doesn't mean that's His desire.
Surely Javan, a righteous man, knew this. It is pure luck that his wife turned out to be a good one and Obed's turned out to be irredeemable. Javan didn't know Taleh at all, he had no way of knowing she would comply with his wishes and give up the Ammonite ways.
In my opinion, a godly man's first priority would be to make sure his children are brought up in his own religion, and the best way to ensure would never be to marry the enemy.
Perhaps I'm being too harsh here, but when you combine that inconsistency with the fact that Javan's family was killed by Ammonites, and he's been harboring hatred towards them for the last fifteen years, the plot just doesn't make sense.
It also bothered me that I guess, bottom line, I like more conistency in my characters.
The book is clean in terms of both intimacy and language. Although I categorized it as Christian Fiction, it would more appropriately be called Judeo-Christian Fiction as it takes place during the time of the Judges.
April 30, 2015
All I can say is WOW. Powerful and very Moving I have never before read a book that kept me interested page after page after page. I didn't feel the need to flip to the end to see if I could find my favorite characters name to still see if they were still in the store. I have told my friends and co-workers this book is a must read. It was hard to put down, took me 14hrs to read the whole thing split into 3dys time. I had to find out what happened to her, what happened to him how it turned out in the village. The store line was beautiful and easy to follow I could very will see the store play out in front of me. I can't wait to sink my teeth into the next store and all the store's to come, if there any thing like this one.
January 18, 2024
The synopsis hooked me. I wanted the drama with a Biblical backdrop. The first 30% of the book was great. Then it started to go downhill for me once they returned to Israel.
I also wish there was more talk about God. I feel like either Sarah or Javan could have written to show Taleh what the Law is and how the Israelites got the Law from Yahweh.
This had potential. I do have the second book on my TBR now. I won’t pick it up this month. This series has four books and I do want to read all four books this year.
P.S. I didn’t like the description of tears in this book. She called them silver drops or silver streaks. I just wasn’t a fan of that.
I also wish there was more talk about God. I feel like either Sarah or Javan could have written to show Taleh what the Law is and how the Israelites got the Law from Yahweh.
This had potential. I do have the second book on my TBR now. I won’t pick it up this month. This series has four books and I do want to read all four books this year.
P.S. I didn’t like the description of tears in this book. She called them silver drops or silver streaks. I just wasn’t a fan of that.
October 4, 2014
THe first thing I noticed was the rich, historical, realistic details, which I loved about this book. The second thing was the developing characters. I came to know them very well: brave and vulnerable Taleh, strong and compassionate Javan, foolish and loyal Obed, sad and lovable Leah, wise and elderly Saul, tough and tender Sarah... They all held my attention. I also loved how the author showed us the true nature of Israel's enemies. How harsh it seems to wipe out entire civilizations, but Boyd shows the depravity and evil of these people.
Over all, I couldn't find one thing that was negative! Read this book! You won't regret it!
Over all, I couldn't find one thing that was negative! Read this book! You won't regret it!
January 7, 2015
This is the kind of book I would love to read more of: set in Bible times, yet without rewriting or imagining lives for any Biblical historical figures beyond what is revealed in the Bible, Mary Ellen Boyd takes the reader on a fascinating visit to a very different time and place. The way she weaves together a great story with the customs, laws and culture of Bible-time Israel is a delight, reminding one of the humanness of the contemporaries of the time which is often so easy to overlook otherwise. I find this to be a very enjoyable sort of historical fiction.
May 10, 2022
I really felt this was more of a romance novel. There were some 'Christian' references, especially Old Testament laws and some applications. But I prefer a LOT more scripture, and application of scripture, doctrine, etc. It did not have lurid sex scenes but perhaps a wee bit too much of noticing legs, muscles, beauty, lustful thoughts and longings etc.
Still, it was okay...well written, but in my opinion more geared towards being a romance novel,
than a full on Christian one.
Still, it was okay...well written, but in my opinion more geared towards being a romance novel,
than a full on Christian one.
September 15, 2022
This is the first in a series about the times of the Judges and is based on the book of Judges in the Old Testament.
Ammon, the country neighboring Gilead in Israel, has spent years plundering peaceful farmers, tradesmen, and merchants, claiming that Gilead is theirs and the Israelites have no right to it. Yet, Gilead was taken pfrom Ammon by the Amorites, who held it for a while before the Israelites first conquered it as they conquered the Promised Land. Every country pretty much honored the law of conquest, and ceded the land as lost, but not Ammon.
In the aftermath of the raids in Gilead, people lost most or all of their families. Young men soon found themselves gathering to the side of a man who proposed to take the fight back to rhe Ammonites. This includes the male protagonist, Javan.
One of the things that sickens the Israelites about Ammon and the worship of Molech is the sacrifice of infants, primarily male infants, to Molech. This also horrified the female protagonist, a woman of Ammon named Taleh, whose family blames her for their armies' defeat because she doesn't show a unity of purpose with the worshippers and infant sacrifices.
There is a law in Israel that a man can take a foreign wife from among the captives, but she will have to trim her nails, shave her head, bathe and put on clean clothes, and burn old clothes, hair, nails, and mourn her family for a month. After that, the couple may consummate the marriage. There is a special sheet beneath the woman that stands as proof of her virginity, which Taleh will keep as her family is gone now.
Javan and Obed both work with slaves (Javan) or family (Obed) to make their new homes so their wedding nights can be private. Meanwhile, Merab has done little but complain but Taleh has done her work. and learned things about everyday housekeeping from Sarah. She befriends the blind potter, who, despite his blindness, produces exquisite pieces. She is befriended by a young woman and her child who live in a repaired slave house. She is a widow, and glad of it since her husband physically abused her. She is the first person welcoming to Taleh, but before long, not only Leah, but also other people, notice her kindness, her faithfulness to Javan, her hard and willing work with Sarah, and she finds acceptance, though she doesn't realize it yet.
She takes a few months to get pregnant, has an initially miserable time, settles into it, has a miserable end, when something goes very wrong outside of the pregnancy which will test Javan, his friend Obed, and of course Taleh, to their limits.
Will the baby survive unharmed? How will the situation resolve itself? Will Javan get the chance to tell Taleh something very important?
Ammon, the country neighboring Gilead in Israel, has spent years plundering peaceful farmers, tradesmen, and merchants, claiming that Gilead is theirs and the Israelites have no right to it. Yet, Gilead was taken pfrom Ammon by the Amorites, who held it for a while before the Israelites first conquered it as they conquered the Promised Land. Every country pretty much honored the law of conquest, and ceded the land as lost, but not Ammon.
In the aftermath of the raids in Gilead, people lost most or all of their families. Young men soon found themselves gathering to the side of a man who proposed to take the fight back to rhe Ammonites. This includes the male protagonist, Javan.
One of the things that sickens the Israelites about Ammon and the worship of Molech is the sacrifice of infants, primarily male infants, to Molech. This also horrified the female protagonist, a woman of Ammon named Taleh, whose family blames her for their armies' defeat because she doesn't show a unity of purpose with the worshippers and infant sacrifices.
There is a law in Israel that a man can take a foreign wife from among the captives, but she will have to trim her nails, shave her head, bathe and put on clean clothes, and burn old clothes, hair, nails, and mourn her family for a month. After that, the couple may consummate the marriage. There is a special sheet beneath the woman that stands as proof of her virginity, which Taleh will keep as her family is gone now.
Javan and Obed both work with slaves (Javan) or family (Obed) to make their new homes so their wedding nights can be private. Meanwhile, Merab has done little but complain but Taleh has done her work. and learned things about everyday housekeeping from Sarah. She befriends the blind potter, who, despite his blindness, produces exquisite pieces. She is befriended by a young woman and her child who live in a repaired slave house. She is a widow, and glad of it since her husband physically abused her. She is the first person welcoming to Taleh, but before long, not only Leah, but also other people, notice her kindness, her faithfulness to Javan, her hard and willing work with Sarah, and she finds acceptance, though she doesn't realize it yet.
She takes a few months to get pregnant, has an initially miserable time, settles into it, has a miserable end, when something goes very wrong outside of the pregnancy which will test Javan, his friend Obed, and of course Taleh, to their limits.
Will the baby survive unharmed? How will the situation resolve itself? Will Javan get the chance to tell Taleh something very important?
January 11, 2025
Interesting and Inspiring
Interesting
I liked reading this book. It made me think about people who did not like the child sacrifices and did not want to partake, but was forced to do so. I really liked how she was willing to do what was necessary to adapt to her new life. Love is very powerful. Thank God that he loved us first, so, that we could learn to love others. I did feel a bit sorry for Merab, but her character was not willing to let go of the past. Sometimes, we have to let go of the past to be able to move forward.
Interesting
I liked reading this book. It made me think about people who did not like the child sacrifices and did not want to partake, but was forced to do so. I really liked how she was willing to do what was necessary to adapt to her new life. Love is very powerful. Thank God that he loved us first, so, that we could learn to love others. I did feel a bit sorry for Merab, but her character was not willing to let go of the past. Sometimes, we have to let go of the past to be able to move forward.
November 6, 2023
I was very disappointed in this book. For one thing, it could benefit from another round of editing. I saw some ambiguous sentences and anachronisms, as well as weak plot points and continuity gaps. This is supposed to be Biblical fiction, but it’s really just historical fiction. While the Law is prominent, the Lord is not, and that makes it feel kind of shallow. Taleh annoyed me, Javan is a straight up bad husband most of the time and I just didn’t really feel chemistry between them.
October 7, 2018
A wonderful and intriguing story
This was a truly inspirational story about discovering trust and finding love amid difficult times! The characters were compellingly unique and the strong storyline about their relationships and struggles with their faith is one I'm sure that the readers wanting something different will love!
This was a truly inspirational story about discovering trust and finding love amid difficult times! The characters were compellingly unique and the strong storyline about their relationships and struggles with their faith is one I'm sure that the readers wanting something different will love!
September 17, 2019
I love biblical fiction based on historical facts. I’d like to give this book a five star rating but I can’t. The writing leaves gaps that are unexplained such as how could Javan go from building his house, planting trees and expanding his livestock to harvesting in less than a year. I question how a godly man could marry an enemy and not teach her about the God of the Israelites.
March 6, 2022
Good read
I love how the story tells the sides of 2 people involved within the story. It can be difficult to do that and keep the reader’s interest, as well as keep a good story line going but Mary Ellen Boyd did it successfully. It ran a little long, could’ve been shortened some but it was still a really good read!
I love how the story tells the sides of 2 people involved within the story. It can be difficult to do that and keep the reader’s interest, as well as keep a good story line going but Mary Ellen Boyd did it successfully. It ran a little long, could’ve been shortened some but it was still a really good read!
November 13, 2022
A wonderful wholesome read
This is a wonderful story. It is a well written historical fiction told back in the days of the judges of Israel. The author did a great job in writing the story. It depicts situations as they might have occurred hundreds of years ago. I recommend it to people of all ages.
This is a wonderful story. It is a well written historical fiction told back in the days of the judges of Israel. The author did a great job in writing the story. It depicts situations as they might have occurred hundreds of years ago. I recommend it to people of all ages.
January 12, 2018
Liked it
I was looking for an easy, relaxing read and I found it. I like historical fiction with some romance that is not distasteful. This book had a perfect combination of action, dilemma and love. Good read.
I was looking for an easy, relaxing read and I found it. I like historical fiction with some romance that is not distasteful. This book had a perfect combination of action, dilemma and love. Good read.
March 7, 2021
Historical fiction from the time of the Judges
The writing is very nice, but the storyline is pretty simplistic. There are also a number of historical and Judaic inaccuracies, (e.g. oranges were only introduced to the area about 1000 years later than the book's time period).
The writing is very nice, but the storyline is pretty simplistic. There are also a number of historical and Judaic inaccuracies, (e.g. oranges were only introduced to the area about 1000 years later than the book's time period).
Read
May 29, 2021Excellent Biblical fiction of empathy
A deeply moving and well researched book on the times of the Judges, as described in the Bible. I highly recommend this book for a finer understanding of what went on in those dark and distant days.
A deeply moving and well researched book on the times of the Judges, as described in the Bible. I highly recommend this book for a finer understanding of what went on in those dark and distant days.
January 27, 2022
Temper the wind
This is the third book of this series that I have read . Each is a separate story about people in Biblical times. The stories are interesting, maybe a bit too moderernized in language at times. They are easy reading and enjoyable.
This is the third book of this series that I have read . Each is a separate story about people in Biblical times. The stories are interesting, maybe a bit too moderernized in language at times. They are easy reading and enjoyable.
June 16, 2022
So Amazing
I can't even imagine what it means to suffer such loss and yet to find love. Not just love but love with one who was at one time your Enemy. You must read this amazing story about how love can Mend a two broken hearts.
I can't even imagine what it means to suffer such loss and yet to find love. Not just love but love with one who was at one time your Enemy. You must read this amazing story about how love can Mend a two broken hearts.
September 29, 2022
So well written
My first novel by Mary Ellen. Such a good storyteller and well versed in the laws and practices of the Israelites. I loved the main characters and their transformations were believable. Looking forward to the next novel in this series.
By Penny Callaghan
My first novel by Mary Ellen. Such a good storyteller and well versed in the laws and practices of the Israelites. I loved the main characters and their transformations were believable. Looking forward to the next novel in this series.
By Penny Callaghan
November 4, 2022
Just Wow..
I loved this book. As a follower of Christ, I have had a fascination for Gods chosen people, the Jewish race has been so blessed of God. This book was so real to me. Thank you Mary Ellen, I will continue to read all of your books..
I loved this book. As a follower of Christ, I have had a fascination for Gods chosen people, the Jewish race has been so blessed of God. This book was so real to me. Thank you Mary Ellen, I will continue to read all of your books..
May 14, 2018
interesting read.
July 5, 2022
intriguing
This book had me from the first chapter. I laughed, cried, sad, happy, and felt like it was a fun read as well as deep into the soul kind of read.
Enjoyed every page.
This book had me from the first chapter. I laughed, cried, sad, happy, and felt like it was a fun read as well as deep into the soul kind of read.
Enjoyed every page.
July 16, 2022
Enjoyable But Not Accurate
The story had an interesting premise. I seriously doubt men would be allowed anywhere near a laboring or birthing scene.
The story had an interesting premise. I seriously doubt men would be allowed anywhere near a laboring or birthing scene.
March 25, 2024
Loved!
Great job, loved the story. Read all the books, could not put them down. Even though they are fiction, I do believe someone has gone through the very same things.
Great job, loved the story. Read all the books, could not put them down. Even though they are fiction, I do believe someone has gone through the very same things.
January 4, 2022
Overall a good book, still too predictable with characters having forced conversations...
One of the main female characters is too perfect in appearance, goodness, everything. Does almost nothing wrong.
It is unrealistic how fast Taleh falls in love with Javan, after hating him so much! I would have liked some twists and turns before their marriage.
Also, Obed's wife just disappeared from the story, without any trace, which was abrupt.
I loved the historical details though and I believe that the author has potential!
One of the main female characters is too perfect in appearance, goodness, everything. Does almost nothing wrong.
It is unrealistic how fast Taleh falls in love with Javan, after hating him so much! I would have liked some twists and turns before their marriage.
Also, Obed's wife just disappeared from the story, without any trace, which was abrupt.
I loved the historical details though and I believe that the author has potential!
September 7, 2013
Who knew Bible-based fiction could be so action-packed and suspenseful? What creativity to play out the application of an obscure text in the Bible! I love it and can't wait to read more in the series!
October 4, 2014
Great book based on the law of Moses. The author took parts of the Bible we normally overlook, and based a great story on it. It really made some previously confusing passages clear. Good choice if you like Mesu Andrews or Jill Eileen Smith.
August 3, 2016
I loved how accurate this book was to biblical history. So hard to find these days. I can truly recommend this book to anyone looking for a 'clean' read.
April 26, 2014
This could have been a good book but way to many editing errors to enjoy. Some paragraphs, in their entirety, were repeated over and over. Once it's fixed I think it will be a good book.
June 21, 2014
Enjoyed the book.
The story was fast paced and interesting. I could hardly put the book down.
I would recommend to readers who enjoy reading biblical romance.
The story was fast paced and interesting. I could hardly put the book down.
I would recommend to readers who enjoy reading biblical romance.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews