A Perilous Journey Phoebe's Story

Ordinary Women of the Bible

by Mary E. DeMuth

Tasked with taking the Apostle Paul’s letter to the church in Rome, Phoebe embarks on a tumult-filled journey over land and sea accompanied by her closest friend and a mysterious freed slave. Already having suffered persecution for her stalwart belief in Yeshua, Phoebe must overcome deep betrayal, a violent pirate raid, and the loss of every scrap of security she’s ever had, to travel to an unknown location and deliver Paul’s greatest treatise of the faith.

Genres: Biblical Fiction, Fiction, Christian

240 pages, Paperback

Published August 14, 2024

About the author

Mary DeMuth is literary agent, international speaker, podcaster, and she’s the novelist and nonfiction author of over forty books, including Love, Pray, Listen: Parenting Your Wayward Adult Kids with Joy (Bethany 2022). She loves to help people re-story their lives. She lives in Texas with her husband of 31 years and is the mom to three adult children. Find out more at marydemuth.com. Be prayed for on her daily prayer podcast with 4 million downloads: prayeveryday.show. For sexual abuse resources, visit wetoo.org. For cards, prints, and artsy fun go to marydemuth.com/art. Find out what she’s looking for as a literary agent at marydemuthliterary.com

Reviews

[patricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this next book in the ordinary women of the Bible it is Phoebe's story. Phoebe and her husband turned to Christianity; they were rejected by their families. Phoebe is now a widow and a deconess in the church. She uses her fortune to help widows and others in the church. When the apostle Paul asks her to journey to Rome to deliver a letter and read it she is hesitant. The journey is a perilous one. Phoebe agrees to take on this mission. With her on this journey is her maid Trecia and Joses, chosen by Paul to protect them. The journey is fraught with peril, from the sailors on the ship, to storms and a pirate raid. Phoebe prays and fears she will not be successful. Mary E. DeMuth' A Perilous Journey has Phoebe learning to trust the Lord and if He sends you on a mission or task He will give you all you need. A look at the very early church and the dangers it faced.

[Gayle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the sixth book I've read in this Ordinary Women of the Bible series. It was wonderful. Even though I knew she would make it, it was suspenseful. Hiding in a stinky cabin in the lower part of a ship, fearing harm from pirates, and thieves on the road. I loved the author's portrayal of the characters. Phoebe was a significant servant. A Gentile Christian from the port city of Cenchrea. I love the way this story brings to life her journey to deliver Paul's letter to the Roman Church. I've read the book of Romans but never thought about how the letter got there and the trials and hardships she suffered to get it there.

[Wendy Park · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adore Biblical Fiction that covers little known characters. This book ranks up there as one of the best, tackling Phoebe, mentioned at the end of Romans. I would call this book half devotional/half novel. Phoebe deals with her security in Christ throughout her journey. Extra bonus...she’s a widow portrayed accurately. Pick this book up!

[Phoebe · Rating 3 out of 5]

My name is Phoebe
It was very special to read about the amazing woman, especially as there is very little said about her. And I enjoy Mary's writing

[Ceste Stanly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my 14th book that I have read by Mary deMuth & truly it never gets old. I equally enjoy her nonfiction & her fiction books. I loved learning more about Phoebe. I never really knew about this important woman of the Bible and what she would have been tasked to do from Paul. I love how Mary infuses such a realness to these Biblical characters that we tend to look at as having achieved immortality.

[Jean · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book, the author brought Phoebe to life! Phoebe’s story is not a romance, but an adventure. My only regret is that it stops sooner than I wanted!

If you are a fan of biblical fiction I would recommend this book. This story had very little Bible context to draw from; the author built a believable world based on what is known, the historical first century world.

[Paula White · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was disappointed in this story. I never got to know the characters and it left you hanging. I felt the story was told in too many words when I longed for it to be shown. I wouldn’t read this author anytime soon.

[Mary Reed · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was about someone I never heard a Bible story about. I really enjoyed this book.

[Claudia Cook · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked it and loved how they showed the other religions during that time and how some (same as today) seem to think of Christianity as a cult

[Brenda Seefeldt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good historical fiction. It's more about how the first church functioned than about Phoebe, because we really know so little about her.

[Jenifer Jennings · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wasn't a fan of the story or the flow. I gave it a chance and finished it.

[Mary Ellen Barringer · Rating 2 out of 5]

I've read several of this series about women in the Bible. I did not find this story interesting or compelling.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story centers around Paul's letter to the Roman church led by Prisclla and Aquila. He entrusts 2 scrolls to her, one with almost step by step instructions on how to find them. The other is the letter, which Paul has read and reread as a scribe took his dictation. Phoebe has memorized his inflection and emphasis with some coaching from Paul.
Phoebe is a deacon in the church in Cenchrea, not far from Corinth. She was left a wealthy widow when her husband died, from the description of his symptoms, I would say he had tuberculosis (I am a retired RN). Though she would rather have Albus than the wealth, she has put the money to good use, helping the poor, widows and orphans, and leading them to Jesus.
Paul says she is the only one who can deliver the letter, and so she goes, along with Trecia, whom she rescued from the streets, and who serves her out of a loving obligation, and Joses - to whom Paul has instructed to protect the women and their precious scrolls, and who has had Joses memorize the way to Priscilla's and Aquila's household.
And so Phoebe's, Trecia's, and Joses's adventure begins, with all effort expended to keep the messenger and the message safe. Dangers test their faith, and weariness is their companion on the journey as they make every effort to complete their mission.

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eye Opening Perspective

When we read in scripture about Phoebe and her relationship to Paul and the church, it doesn't really describe the harrowing experiences of women in ministry during that time period. it is interesting to note how perilous the journey would be for a woman, even a woman of means.

I truly enjoyed the added peril, danger and scoundrels to make the experience more realistic and vivid.

I also enjoyed the created backstory the author gave to Phoebe of how she became a widow and her family's rejection of Christ as a messiah, ultimately leading to their rejection of her. It makes her story and her ministry that much more beautiful picture of Faith.

[Lisa Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful story of forgiveness, learning to trust, and a perilous journey. I so enjoyed reading Phoebes story. Though she traveled a dangerous and heartbreaking journey, she trusted in Christ and learned to forgive others as well.

[Mr John Callaghan · Rating 5 out of 5]

wonderful story

The story of Phoebe, entrusted with Pauls mission to deliver his letters to the church in Rome. Despite a series of disasters on her journey she finally arrived at Pricilla and Aquilas house and delivered the precious scrolls. Brilliant storytelling!

[Katie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don’t know if it’s the author’s way of writing, but Phoebe was very 1-sided and flat. She was also very childish in her actions. I finished the book, but it took a lot of effort to do so.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like this series

[Theresa Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

Enjoyed the book. Love the part at end to talk about the apostle and all that transpired with Priscilla and Aquilla