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Days of the Judges #2
His Brother's Wife
Hannah has endured six years of a brutal marriage to a husband who used her barrenness as an excuse for his cruelties. Just when she thinks she can endure no more, Levi falls in the river and drowns, a release too good to be true.
In a nation that guards land rights, under the rule of levirate (brother-in-law) marriage, she must go to another. What she does not know is that her husband's brother Joshua has loved her from afar every day of those six years. Having broken the Tenth Commandment, Joshua cannot believe God is now giving him his heart's desire. Surely there must be some punishment to come.
And there is, but not at God's hand. At Levi's. He just never expected to die before his greatest act of malevolence played out, and Joshua and Hannah are left caught in his scheme.
In a nation that guards land rights, under the rule of levirate (brother-in-law) marriage, she must go to another. What she does not know is that her husband's brother Joshua has loved her from afar every day of those six years. Having broken the Tenth Commandment, Joshua cannot believe God is now giving him his heart's desire. Surely there must be some punishment to come.
And there is, but not at God's hand. At Levi's. He just never expected to die before his greatest act of malevolence played out, and Joshua and Hannah are left caught in his scheme.
244 pages, ebook
First published August 11, 2013
About the author
Mary Ellen Boyd
17 books58 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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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
October 6, 2013
This book was a great addition to the Days of the Judges series. Just like the first one I found it so interesting to see a whole story made out of an obscure text of the Bible (a text I've always secretly wondered about). I have a suggestion for a sequel! What about exploring the a story around the cities of refuge?! That's also been an Israelite concept that always interested me.
June 8, 2024
Trigger warning: Domestic Violence
I enjoyed this one more than the first one. Once I picked it up, I couldn’t put it down. There were a couple things that made it not be a five star. But I really did enjoy the story.
While the main story follows Joshua and Hannah, there are times when a POV of Javan from the first book happened. Taleh was in this book as well but no POV.
I liked Joshua and Hannah. I wished there was more. I feel like this was too short. I did love these two together. I loved once Joshua found out what kind of man his brother was, he didn’t make excuses for him.
I enjoyed this one more than the first one. Once I picked it up, I couldn’t put it down. There were a couple things that made it not be a five star. But I really did enjoy the story.
While the main story follows Joshua and Hannah, there are times when a POV of Javan from the first book happened. Taleh was in this book as well but no POV.
I liked Joshua and Hannah. I wished there was more. I feel like this was too short. I did love these two together. I loved once Joshua found out what kind of man his brother was, he didn’t make excuses for him.
February 5, 2018
Excellent read
I really enjoyed this read. There was the perfect combination throughout the book of suspense, mystery, revelation, romance and suspense. I would recommend this book for anyone who enjoys historic fiction with classy romance and wholesome story lines. Perfectly relaxing, enjoyable read.
I really enjoyed this read. There was the perfect combination throughout the book of suspense, mystery, revelation, romance and suspense. I would recommend this book for anyone who enjoys historic fiction with classy romance and wholesome story lines. Perfectly relaxing, enjoyable read.
August 20, 2013
I can't believe how much of a page turner this was for me. It didn't have the same kind of fast moving plot as Temper the Wind but I couldn't put this one down. I'm starting to love this little village and I hope there's more to come.
September 15, 2022
She was still mourning their parents' deaths when her brother had her marriage brokered. He knew little of the groom and cared less about knowing. He stayed through the time when the new husband claimed his sister, the smug, self-satisfied expression on her SIL's face mirrored on his own. Hannah felt alone and frightened.
The groom, Levi had a brorher who had a serious case of hero worship for his older brother. He was a metalworker, and his brother's purchase of his inheritance on the family farm allowed Joshua to have a metalworking shop in the village, where he made everything from scythes to pots to hinges to fine jewelry. He brought Hannah his wedding present: a brooch with a lily design that he had made himself. He had watched her thank people she didn't know for attending a wedding she hadn't wanted, and put the guests at ease with her gentle ways. At the momemt when she opened his gift, and her breath was taken away with the beauty of the craftsmanship and the value of the gift, Joshua lost his heart to her.
He coveted his brother's wife, and the guilt of it tore him up. He was also ruined for marriage, too in love with her to settle for another. Every time he saw her, he ended up working long hours to work off the frustration.
Then the senior slave came rushing into the house - Levi had been found dead. There was little love lost as Hannah stood like a statue during the funeral until she could leave, her taciturnity taken as shock instead as of a way to hide the relief.
She was barren, and her barrenness increased his beatings of her as it had an enraging effect on him.
Because of the laws of Levirite marriage, though, she would have to marry Joshua. She thought of how nice it was to be independent for less than a full day when she was advised of this requirement. She had no knowledge that he had loved her since the end of her wedding day to Levi; it was something, adter all, to keep secret. The month required passed and they were married. As they entered the village, to their surprise, everyone was out in force, makeshift tables laden with foods and desserts and drinks, and the group dancing and singing. When they finally got to the privacy of Joshua's shop, he showed her around, and finally they consummated their marriage, as she wondered the whole time, "Is he secretly like his brother Levi?"
But as he settled into hunting for the money he had seen Levi earn from sales of his grain and produce, he found nothing and finally realized if Hannah knew, she wasn't telling him, which was unlikely since she would suffer as much. Then, Halel, the head slave, came to them with desperate news that a slave family was sick. Hannah rushes to Joshua's side as he goes to see. She was trained to nurse the sick by her mother. Joshua realizes how little he knows about sickness. But Hannah is too thin, has been beaten too often. And although she saved the life of the husband, the wife is too sick. As Hannah herself takes sick and Joshua had helped out, in between loking everywhere and finding no supplies to speak of, Joshua begins to investigate. further. There is nothing. No seed for the next harvest. No money to be found anywhere. And in her sleep, Hannah confesses to the beatings; the slaves confirm them; and reluctantly, Joshua must confess the man he idolized is not the real Levi.
But where is the money?
Joshua will have to make money to give the soon to be freed slaves what the Law demands, to buy seed, draft animals, and food and cloth for clothing. And that means before Hannah is fully well, he must return to his workshop and get busy selling what he has made, making more, even "noticing" things that need repairs and selling what he can do. At the end, there won't be money for replenishing his shop with metals, but if he makes the requisite money to save the farm, then at least his obligations will be fulfilled.
A trip to the area where he helped his brother move limestone once will give him free stone for fences, but he will make a discovery that might help...and one which points to Levi's intentions towards Hannah. But Hannah has some startling news of her own when he returns to tell her.
The groom, Levi had a brorher who had a serious case of hero worship for his older brother. He was a metalworker, and his brother's purchase of his inheritance on the family farm allowed Joshua to have a metalworking shop in the village, where he made everything from scythes to pots to hinges to fine jewelry. He brought Hannah his wedding present: a brooch with a lily design that he had made himself. He had watched her thank people she didn't know for attending a wedding she hadn't wanted, and put the guests at ease with her gentle ways. At the momemt when she opened his gift, and her breath was taken away with the beauty of the craftsmanship and the value of the gift, Joshua lost his heart to her.
He coveted his brother's wife, and the guilt of it tore him up. He was also ruined for marriage, too in love with her to settle for another. Every time he saw her, he ended up working long hours to work off the frustration.
Then the senior slave came rushing into the house - Levi had been found dead. There was little love lost as Hannah stood like a statue during the funeral until she could leave, her taciturnity taken as shock instead as of a way to hide the relief.
She was barren, and her barrenness increased his beatings of her as it had an enraging effect on him.
Because of the laws of Levirite marriage, though, she would have to marry Joshua. She thought of how nice it was to be independent for less than a full day when she was advised of this requirement. She had no knowledge that he had loved her since the end of her wedding day to Levi; it was something, adter all, to keep secret. The month required passed and they were married. As they entered the village, to their surprise, everyone was out in force, makeshift tables laden with foods and desserts and drinks, and the group dancing and singing. When they finally got to the privacy of Joshua's shop, he showed her around, and finally they consummated their marriage, as she wondered the whole time, "Is he secretly like his brother Levi?"
But as he settled into hunting for the money he had seen Levi earn from sales of his grain and produce, he found nothing and finally realized if Hannah knew, she wasn't telling him, which was unlikely since she would suffer as much. Then, Halel, the head slave, came to them with desperate news that a slave family was sick. Hannah rushes to Joshua's side as he goes to see. She was trained to nurse the sick by her mother. Joshua realizes how little he knows about sickness. But Hannah is too thin, has been beaten too often. And although she saved the life of the husband, the wife is too sick. As Hannah herself takes sick and Joshua had helped out, in between loking everywhere and finding no supplies to speak of, Joshua begins to investigate. further. There is nothing. No seed for the next harvest. No money to be found anywhere. And in her sleep, Hannah confesses to the beatings; the slaves confirm them; and reluctantly, Joshua must confess the man he idolized is not the real Levi.
But where is the money?
Joshua will have to make money to give the soon to be freed slaves what the Law demands, to buy seed, draft animals, and food and cloth for clothing. And that means before Hannah is fully well, he must return to his workshop and get busy selling what he has made, making more, even "noticing" things that need repairs and selling what he can do. At the end, there won't be money for replenishing his shop with metals, but if he makes the requisite money to save the farm, then at least his obligations will be fulfilled.
A trip to the area where he helped his brother move limestone once will give him free stone for fences, but he will make a discovery that might help...and one which points to Levi's intentions towards Hannah. But Hannah has some startling news of her own when he returns to tell her.
January 5, 2022
Excellent
I have been searching for an author, without even knowing it, that writes stories about what could have happened in the old testament. When I read scripture I often wonder what it was like for them. This book fills in all the gaps. I enjoy the encouragement of the parable and my imagination gets sparked. My favorite is the romance. Not the hoky fake Hollywood stuff, but the real life love that is often hard and gritty but overwhelmingly gratifying down to our souls!
I have been searching for an author, without even knowing it, that writes stories about what could have happened in the old testament. When I read scripture I often wonder what it was like for them. This book fills in all the gaps. I enjoy the encouragement of the parable and my imagination gets sparked. My favorite is the romance. Not the hoky fake Hollywood stuff, but the real life love that is often hard and gritty but overwhelmingly gratifying down to our souls!
January 11, 2025
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.
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.
January 20, 2022
Wow!! What a Love Story!!!
People think of love as only being Intimate with each other! This story shows love is a blessing from God, marriage has ups and downs but watch your tongue and you can make it thru. Hannah went thru hell !! Levi was full of the devil but Our Lord blessed her , he heard her prayers . I Loved this story , I lived this story , now married to a good man 39 years !! God is Always there !!
People think of love as only being Intimate with each other! This story shows love is a blessing from God, marriage has ups and downs but watch your tongue and you can make it thru. Hannah went thru hell !! Levi was full of the devil but Our Lord blessed her , he heard her prayers . I Loved this story , I lived this story , now married to a good man 39 years !! God is Always there !!
June 12, 2023
Another great book also, you can purchase online or Barnes and noble stores wherever you maybe. Josh is a great character in this book living and learning from his mentor and role model, josh started to slowly pick up on his own talents and shy away from hardcore drugs and regain his relationship with his family again... USA today says it's a nail bitter story...
May 14, 2018
good read
September 19, 2019
I enjoyed the story. I appreciated the scripture verses. I wonder why there are so many grammatical errors. Does anyone edit the book before it’s released?
May 28, 2022
Great story
Great story preceded by the first in the series. I’m going to read the third and fourth books in the series as well.
Great story preceded by the first in the series. I’m going to read the third and fourth books in the series as well.
October 2, 2022
another great novel
Loved this wonderful story, told so well. Great characters again, some revisited from the first novel in the series (I love that).
By Penny Callaghan
Loved this wonderful story, told so well. Great characters again, some revisited from the first novel in the series (I love that).
By Penny Callaghan
September 12, 2023
Good read
I loved the main characters in this book: their struggles, their passion , and the way love replaced and healed their hurt. A sweet romance.
I loved the main characters in this book: their struggles, their passion , and the way love replaced and healed their hurt. A sweet romance.
January 28, 2024
What a book!
I couldn’t put this one down and you won’t either! Begin this wonderful story when you know that you have lots of time to read!
I couldn’t put this one down and you won’t either! Begin this wonderful story when you know that you have lots of time to read!
January 18, 2026
Holds your attention- can’t put it down.
September 23, 2015
His Brother's Wife by Mary Ellen Boyd surprised me by how much I enjoyed it. I'm a huge fan of historical romance of the Regency era variety; and I also enjoy Highlander stories set during the 12th and 13th centuries. I have to admit that when I agreed to listen to this audiobook in exchange for an honest review, I thought the story was set during the days of the Crusades. Instead, it is set during the Old Testament era in ancient Israel. Despite having a biblical reference at the beginning of every chapter, I didn't find the story religious or preachy at all.
The story centers around Hannah who is married to an abusive man who regularly beats her. Thankfully other than knowing it has occurred, there are no descriptive beating scenes. Rather we are told a story of how Hannah emerges from the isolated cocoon she built around herself after her husband drowns and she slowly learns to trust again.
The title of the book is taken from ancient biblical law requiring a widow to marry her brother-in-law so that the issue from the marriage can inherit the deceased husband's land. Although Hannah at first fears her brother-in-law Joshua because he is a virtual stranger to her, she soon starts to realize Joshua is very different from the man she used to be married too. As a bonus, he's been secretly in love with Hannah since the day she married his brother.
Pamela Lorence narrated this audiobook and did an excellent job. She had differing voices for all characters and had good tempo and inflection in her voice. Her narration definitely contributed to my enjoyment of this book.
The story centers around Hannah who is married to an abusive man who regularly beats her. Thankfully other than knowing it has occurred, there are no descriptive beating scenes. Rather we are told a story of how Hannah emerges from the isolated cocoon she built around herself after her husband drowns and she slowly learns to trust again.
The title of the book is taken from ancient biblical law requiring a widow to marry her brother-in-law so that the issue from the marriage can inherit the deceased husband's land. Although Hannah at first fears her brother-in-law Joshua because he is a virtual stranger to her, she soon starts to realize Joshua is very different from the man she used to be married too. As a bonus, he's been secretly in love with Hannah since the day she married his brother.
Pamela Lorence narrated this audiobook and did an excellent job. She had differing voices for all characters and had good tempo and inflection in her voice. Her narration definitely contributed to my enjoyment of this book.
November 4, 2015
His Brother’s Wife is a historical romance that takes place in Israel among the Hebrew people. This is a touching story about a young woman who learns to love again after an abusive marriage. She never thought any man could be so caring. The sweet tenderness of Joshua teaches Hanna that she can trust someone and that she is of great worth.
Pamela Lorence did a great job with the voices of the two main characters. Hanna's voice was perfect because it reminded me of a young woman who was afraid of marrying again and not wanting to have the same abuse as before. Joshua's voice sounded very caring and tender toward her. The concern in his voice could be heard when Hanna became deathly ill. –Written by Author Linda Weaver Clarke
Pamela Lorence did a great job with the voices of the two main characters. Hanna's voice was perfect because it reminded me of a young woman who was afraid of marrying again and not wanting to have the same abuse as before. Joshua's voice sounded very caring and tender toward her. The concern in his voice could be heard when Hanna became deathly ill. –Written by Author Linda Weaver Clarke
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May 11, 2015i can't decide between 3 or 4 stars. the biblical aspect of the story was intriguing. i felt like the chapter headings were spoilers for the chapter. i liked the characters and i liked how all the loose ends were tied up at the end. i didn't like that the whole book was about their hardships and even though there was joy in parts the dark outweighed the light- which is probably more realistic but less appealing to me as fiction reader.
December 27, 2015
Great reading to see how the people of Israel lived under the law.
This shows how Jesus was really the liberation of women and of all the the world. Jesus knew the hardship of living under the law.
This shows how Jesus was really the liberation of women and of all the the world. Jesus knew the hardship of living under the law.
January 20, 2016
Excellent read
His Brother's Wife was a fabulous read. I loved it. This is book 2 in the Days of Judges series and it was even better than the first which is a rare thing. I couldn't put it down. Hannah's story was intriguing and I couldn't wait to see how it played out.
His Brother's Wife was a fabulous read. I loved it. This is book 2 in the Days of Judges series and it was even better than the first which is a rare thing. I couldn't put it down. Hannah's story was intriguing and I couldn't wait to see how it played out.
December 13, 2013
Great sequel! Not as exciting as the first but still really good.
October 4, 2014
Interesting take on the Biblical principle of the kinsman redeemer.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews