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Mysteries & Wonders of the Bible Series #1
Unveiled Tamar's Story
Tamar’s Story is book one in the Mysteries & Wonders of the Bible fiction series.
Each year, head weaver Tamar supervises a team of young women to craft the temple veil—a beautiful, sacred curtain that separates the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies in the tabernacle in Jerusalem. Tamar takes great care to ensure that the curtain meets the exact specifications of Jewish law. But on one momentous Friday, the earth shakes, the skies turn black, and the unthinkable occurs. The massive temple veil rips in two!
The temple priests are quick to blame Tamar and her weavers for what has occurred. With both her life and livelihood at stake, Tamar sets out to discover what happened to the veil. She will find unexpected help from a Roman centurion and his wife, but can she trust someone who works for Caesar? And how is the torn veil linked to the execution of a mysterious rabbi named Jesus?
Each year, head weaver Tamar supervises a team of young women to craft the temple veil—a beautiful, sacred curtain that separates the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies in the tabernacle in Jerusalem. Tamar takes great care to ensure that the curtain meets the exact specifications of Jewish law. But on one momentous Friday, the earth shakes, the skies turn black, and the unthinkable occurs. The massive temple veil rips in two!
The temple priests are quick to blame Tamar and her weavers for what has occurred. With both her life and livelihood at stake, Tamar sets out to discover what happened to the veil. She will find unexpected help from a Roman centurion and his wife, but can she trust someone who works for Caesar? And how is the torn veil linked to the execution of a mysterious rabbi named Jesus?
272 pages, Paperback
Published November 21, 2024
137 people are currently reading
106 people want to read
About the author
Roseanna M. White
60 books3,817 followersRoseanna M. White is a bestselling, Christy Award nominated author who has long claimed that words are the air she breathes. When not writing fiction, she’s homeschooling her two kids, editing, designing book covers, and pretending her house will clean itself. Roseanna is the author of a slew of historical novels that span several continents and thousands of years. Spies and war and mayhem always seem to find their way into her books…to offset her real life, which is blessedly ordinary. She and her family make their home in the beautiful mountains of West Virginia. You can learn more about her and her stories at www.RoseannaMWhite.com.
see also Roseanna White
see also Roseanna White
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
October 25, 2025
I learned so much reading this book
August 4, 2025
I really enjoyed this deep, thoughtful Biblical fiction story of the weaver who led the team of women who wove the veil for the Holy of Holies in the Temple in Jerusalem. What might have happened when Jesus was crucified and the veil is torn in two from top to bottom - did the High Priest blame that woman and her team of weavers? Each character brings a very personal touch to the story as the reader realizes it could have happened that way. Insights into those early believers in the Messiah are thought-provoking.
February 13, 2025
Unveiled is one of those rare books I would give more than five stars if I could. I'm talking ten, fifteen, even more. First off, kudos to Roseanna M. White for writing a completely unexpected story. When I saw the name "Tamar," I expected Unveiled to be about one of the heroines of the Old Testament, which would've been great. This book, though, was not only great, but blew me away.
The plot of Unveiled kept me on my toes in the best way. It revolves around the central story of Christianity, the events of Holy Week. Yet I never quite knew where Tamar, Valerius, and their trajectories were going--and I loved every minute of it. To wit, I was a classic "Sunday school kid." My parents read me Bible stories as much if not more than they read me Grimm's fairytales and Beatrix Potter. I was raised on the crucifixion and resurrection, from the days of coloring sheets to days of detailed, historically accurate sermons.
But that's the thing. When you grow up with the story, it becomes comforting, but familiar. It becomes difficult to see it through new eyes. Unveiled did that for me. Roseanna crafted Tamar, Valerius, Bithiana, Mariana, and the other characters so well, I could see who and what Jesus was to them in real time. I understood how He affected each of them, how He spoke to and healed their broken places, and how He cherished them as individual creations. That not only filled me with emotion, but reignited my appreciation and love for Jesus. My words are woefully inadequate, but let's just say I loved learning and embracing Him right along with the book's cast.
Additionally, I loved Roseanna's choice to tell the story of the veil ripped asunder on Good Friday and the guards watching over the tomb Jesus would exit on Sunday morning. These are perspectives you don't get, no matter what church you attend, what your faith background is, or how long you've believed. My "brainy" side gobbled up new information regarding the construction of temple veils and how interactions between Judeans and Romans worked. Meanwhile, my "emotional," more introspective side thrilled to watch these characters learn from each other and from God.
Yes, don't despair, I didn't forget Roseanna's fantastic characters. They sparkle on the page. I identified with them, but they challenged me at the same time. Tamar in particular got under my skin in the best way. In many ways, I am her and she is me, not because our backgrounds are similar but because our personalities are. Like her, I have fretted about the rules, about perfection, about what God will think if I step out of line, even though Scripture doesn't specify something. Like her, and to my shame, my knee-jerk reaction to unjust treatment is resentment. I don't trust easily, and though I endeavor to be merciful, I'm awful at receiving it. In fact, I caught myself saying to Tamar, "Why are you blaming Davorah? Do you hear yourself?" Yeah, and the next second, I got a nudge, like, "I think we both know a real person who might do that, don't we?" Um, yes, God. Thanks for the reminder.
As for Valerius, Mariana, Claudia, and the others, I loved them, too. They all get the page time needed for authentic spiritual journeys, some of which I didn't expect. Some of those journeys are more detailed than others, but they're all memorable. In particular, I applaud Roseanna for making Valerius a main character because so often, the Roman guards in the Holy Week story are left as antagonists; they're not explored as people, let alone potential believers. I do wish Roseanna had time to show more of Valerius' story in real time, but what exists works great, especially along Mariana and Claudia.
Not to spoil it, but I also loved the thread with Caiphas near the end. Unlike Valerius, he does remain an antagonist, which is true to Scripture. But his trajectory and how it ties into Tamar's was one surprise after another. I literally read until my eyes burned, eager to see how Caiaphas' part of the story would turn out. What I ended up loving most was, it didn't "turn out," exactly. As in, Roseanna didn't tie everything up with a pretty bow. However, Tamar's introspection left me thinking, as the whole book did.
Finally, I can't say much about the spiritual threads in Unveiled, because they can't be separated from the plot. Plus, even if you know the Holy Week story inside out, they contain spoilers. I can say two things for sure, though. One, I can't give Roseanna enough kudos for crafting such an in-depth, gorgeous story that takes place over a little more than three days. Two, the presence of Jesus in this story is straight out of Scripture, but also brand new. I have never seen His teaching, personality, and presence described as it is here. As with the best Biblical fiction, Roseanna left me longing for Him, even if the experience might knock me off my feet and more.
Speaking of "more," like the best books, I expected Unveiled to leave me wanting more. It did, in that I want more of this series. This book itself though, ended right where it needed to. It left me filled, grateful, uplifted, and eager to share. I exhort you to read it and to check out the Ordinary and Extraordinary Women of the Bible series. Roseanna M. White's contributions are particularly good. This one, though, might be her very best yet.
The plot of Unveiled kept me on my toes in the best way. It revolves around the central story of Christianity, the events of Holy Week. Yet I never quite knew where Tamar, Valerius, and their trajectories were going--and I loved every minute of it. To wit, I was a classic "Sunday school kid." My parents read me Bible stories as much if not more than they read me Grimm's fairytales and Beatrix Potter. I was raised on the crucifixion and resurrection, from the days of coloring sheets to days of detailed, historically accurate sermons.
But that's the thing. When you grow up with the story, it becomes comforting, but familiar. It becomes difficult to see it through new eyes. Unveiled did that for me. Roseanna crafted Tamar, Valerius, Bithiana, Mariana, and the other characters so well, I could see who and what Jesus was to them in real time. I understood how He affected each of them, how He spoke to and healed their broken places, and how He cherished them as individual creations. That not only filled me with emotion, but reignited my appreciation and love for Jesus. My words are woefully inadequate, but let's just say I loved learning and embracing Him right along with the book's cast.
Additionally, I loved Roseanna's choice to tell the story of the veil ripped asunder on Good Friday and the guards watching over the tomb Jesus would exit on Sunday morning. These are perspectives you don't get, no matter what church you attend, what your faith background is, or how long you've believed. My "brainy" side gobbled up new information regarding the construction of temple veils and how interactions between Judeans and Romans worked. Meanwhile, my "emotional," more introspective side thrilled to watch these characters learn from each other and from God.
Yes, don't despair, I didn't forget Roseanna's fantastic characters. They sparkle on the page. I identified with them, but they challenged me at the same time. Tamar in particular got under my skin in the best way. In many ways, I am her and she is me, not because our backgrounds are similar but because our personalities are. Like her, I have fretted about the rules, about perfection, about what God will think if I step out of line, even though Scripture doesn't specify something. Like her, and to my shame, my knee-jerk reaction to unjust treatment is resentment. I don't trust easily, and though I endeavor to be merciful, I'm awful at receiving it. In fact, I caught myself saying to Tamar, "Why are you blaming Davorah? Do you hear yourself?" Yeah, and the next second, I got a nudge, like, "I think we both know a real person who might do that, don't we?" Um, yes, God. Thanks for the reminder.
As for Valerius, Mariana, Claudia, and the others, I loved them, too. They all get the page time needed for authentic spiritual journeys, some of which I didn't expect. Some of those journeys are more detailed than others, but they're all memorable. In particular, I applaud Roseanna for making Valerius a main character because so often, the Roman guards in the Holy Week story are left as antagonists; they're not explored as people, let alone potential believers. I do wish Roseanna had time to show more of Valerius' story in real time, but what exists works great, especially along Mariana and Claudia.
Not to spoil it, but I also loved the thread with Caiphas near the end. Unlike Valerius, he does remain an antagonist, which is true to Scripture. But his trajectory and how it ties into Tamar's was one surprise after another. I literally read until my eyes burned, eager to see how Caiaphas' part of the story would turn out. What I ended up loving most was, it didn't "turn out," exactly. As in, Roseanna didn't tie everything up with a pretty bow. However, Tamar's introspection left me thinking, as the whole book did.
Finally, I can't say much about the spiritual threads in Unveiled, because they can't be separated from the plot. Plus, even if you know the Holy Week story inside out, they contain spoilers. I can say two things for sure, though. One, I can't give Roseanna enough kudos for crafting such an in-depth, gorgeous story that takes place over a little more than three days. Two, the presence of Jesus in this story is straight out of Scripture, but also brand new. I have never seen His teaching, personality, and presence described as it is here. As with the best Biblical fiction, Roseanna left me longing for Him, even if the experience might knock me off my feet and more.
Speaking of "more," like the best books, I expected Unveiled to leave me wanting more. It did, in that I want more of this series. This book itself though, ended right where it needed to. It left me filled, grateful, uplifted, and eager to share. I exhort you to read it and to check out the Ordinary and Extraordinary Women of the Bible series. Roseanna M. White's contributions are particularly good. This one, though, might be her very best yet.
September 4, 2025
Roseanna White’s creative imagination shines brightly in Unveiled, a Guideposts biblical fiction novel. I love that she’s chosen fictional characters whose roles (jobs) would have been very real in ancient times. Our first introduction to the heroine, Tamar, is laced with tension. Ultimately, the scene proves she’s not only meticulous and demanding but also a merciful teacher to those under her authority. I liked Tamar right away and am so thankful I didn’t have her job as overseer of the Temple veil’s weavers!
Ms. White’s skill of weaving a plot, characters, and biblical Truth is as spectacular as the description of Tamar’s woven veil. We meet Ciaphas, the nemesis high priest, who demanded Jesus’s death on the cross. We’re also introduced to both Roman and Jewish characters who must navigate the volatile political climate during the days after Jesus’s crucifixion.
Each character and plot twist is multi-layered and necessary to tell the huge story of the Early Church after Jesus’s death. In a novel half the length of her other epic tales, Roseanna White uses precise details from the Bible, ancient history, her imagination to make Unveiled characters leap off the page. Even in this short novel, the fictional characters felt like friends. They made me yearn for the sort of fellowship the 1st-century Church experienced. With intrigue, danger, good guys and bad, Unveiled shows us more of the brotherly/sisterly love of the early church than the romantic love that can be so fleeting.
Readers who follow Connilyn Cossette’s books and prefer the use of fictional people in real-life Bible events will enjoy Tamar’s story of a faithful woman who remained strong despite the mysterious tearing of the Temple veil. Check out all the books in Guideposts’ Mysteries and Wonders of the Bible series!
Ms. White’s skill of weaving a plot, characters, and biblical Truth is as spectacular as the description of Tamar’s woven veil. We meet Ciaphas, the nemesis high priest, who demanded Jesus’s death on the cross. We’re also introduced to both Roman and Jewish characters who must navigate the volatile political climate during the days after Jesus’s crucifixion.
Each character and plot twist is multi-layered and necessary to tell the huge story of the Early Church after Jesus’s death. In a novel half the length of her other epic tales, Roseanna White uses precise details from the Bible, ancient history, her imagination to make Unveiled characters leap off the page. Even in this short novel, the fictional characters felt like friends. They made me yearn for the sort of fellowship the 1st-century Church experienced. With intrigue, danger, good guys and bad, Unveiled shows us more of the brotherly/sisterly love of the early church than the romantic love that can be so fleeting.
Readers who follow Connilyn Cossette’s books and prefer the use of fictional people in real-life Bible events will enjoy Tamar’s story of a faithful woman who remained strong despite the mysterious tearing of the Temple veil. Check out all the books in Guideposts’ Mysteries and Wonders of the Bible series!
November 3, 2025
Take a walk through Jerusalem when Jesus is crucified and experience the aftermath. This book is amazing and lets the reader see what happens through the eyes of head weaver Tamar, Roman centurion Valerius, his wife Mariana, their friends and relatives. Tamar is head weaver for the temple veil and supervises 70 women responsible for producing the sacred curtain that separates the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies in the tabernacle in Jerusalem. As told in the Bible, there is an earthquake at the moment of Jesus's death and the veil is ripped in two. Roseanna writes a believable fiction exploring what happens at this time. Historical figures Caiaphas, high priest of Israel, and Pontius Pilate, Roman governor of Judea, play important roles that affect the lives of the fictional characters. This story is so realistic as it explores what happens to people of the day who might be held responsible for events that were unexplainable. I felt the fear, suspense, and confusion that must have existed at this time. This is definitely something to wonder about, and Roseanna does a great job of sparking the imagination. This book is offered through the Guideposts series Mysteries and Wonders of the Bible.
January 19, 2025
Unveiled Tamar's Story opens on the day Christ died. The earth quakes and the temple curtain rips. Caiphas blames Tamar as she is in charge of the weavers. Valerius is the the Roman who oversaw the execution and the tomb. Tamar goes into hiding in the garden where the tomb lies. This story by Rosanna M. White is fiction. However there are lessons to be learned. God tore down the curtain so we can approach Him, the old covenant is replaced. God doesn't need us we need him. God id ever merciful. Jesus gave us a way of forgiveness, light, love, and hope. He tore down the divide between Himself and us. If He could forgive from the cross we should be able to forgive. Valerius realizes the rules prevent different people from seeing how much we are alike. He sees difference creates fear and fear creates power. Tamar felt the world would mark the time between The time before Jesus and the time after. The tapestry was no longer the same. She wished to follow Jesus and let Valerius and his wife into her life. I loved this story.
January 2, 2025
The story brings the story of Jesus death and ressurection to life trough the eyes of the personal story of Tamar. I loved how the short sentence in the Bible about the torn veil is brought into light through this story. It really is an amazing mystery and wonder. There is a beautiful dept in the characters and the author is really true to the situation between Jew and Gentile. There are plenty of sentences you can ponder over in the light of your own life.
The story is a 'small' story about just handfull of characters situatated around "just" 3 days. That makes this story an easy read without much 'surprise' but with something to think about.
The story is a 'small' story about just handfull of characters situatated around "just" 3 days. That makes this story an easy read without much 'surprise' but with something to think about.
November 18, 2025
A fascinating slice of history, the story takes place at the time of Jesus's crucifixion and resurrection.
Tamar, the head weaver of the temple, witnesses the torn veil that she worked on. Accused by Caiphas of shoddy work, she escapes to the garden of Gethsemene to avoid being punished by death.
Valerius, a Roman soldier, is a secret believer in the Lord. He witnesses the crucifixion. Then he's assigned to oversee the soldiers watching over the tomb.
The Roman believer crosses paths with the Jewess unbeliever as they watch Jesus arise from the dead. Both their lives, and ways of thinking, and seeing the world, change in that powerful moment.
Tamar, the head weaver of the temple, witnesses the torn veil that she worked on. Accused by Caiphas of shoddy work, she escapes to the garden of Gethsemene to avoid being punished by death.
Valerius, a Roman soldier, is a secret believer in the Lord. He witnesses the crucifixion. Then he's assigned to oversee the soldiers watching over the tomb.
The Roman believer crosses paths with the Jewess unbeliever as they watch Jesus arise from the dead. Both their lives, and ways of thinking, and seeing the world, change in that powerful moment.
February 12, 2025
“She’d wanted to do it herself. She’d wanted to prove she was worthy. She’d wanted to know that her work had helped God.”
How often I struggle with this myself. This story was a beautiful reminder that only God can make us worthy, only God leads us to Him, and only God can help us. This story showed the drastic changes that can take place in one’s life once they cling to Jesus, just beautiful and worth the read. Definitely a great book for Easter!
How often I struggle with this myself. This story was a beautiful reminder that only God can make us worthy, only God leads us to Him, and only God can help us. This story showed the drastic changes that can take place in one’s life once they cling to Jesus, just beautiful and worth the read. Definitely a great book for Easter!
August 20, 2025
Love the way it was written
The story was amazing. The writing was exceptional. The words drew me in and held me. Very interesting perspective and storyline. It was enjoyable and entertaining. Looking forward to the next book. Hope that without is just as talented. The preview gives me hope.
The story was amazing. The writing was exceptional. The words drew me in and held me. Very interesting perspective and storyline. It was enjoyable and entertaining. Looking forward to the next book. Hope that without is just as talented. The preview gives me hope.
January 27, 2025
Great story, very imaginative!
February 1, 2025
I want to read this again and underline passages. Powerful unfolding story of the veil torn in two.
February 10, 2025
A beautiful story of God's amazing grace. I felt as if I were there when Christ was crucified and rose again!
February 26, 2025
I like to be pushed by a Christian fiction book to think about something different and then look it up in the Bible. This one did that.
July 19, 2025
Roseanna M. White writes some of the best biblical fiction!
April 8, 2025
"and the veil of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom"
What a fantastic novel which is a perfect read for Easter. Roseanna M White took a few words of scripture buried among the crucifixion account and created a great thought provoking read. The historical content is great. Scripture is brought to life thru Unveiled Tamar's Story.
What a fantastic novel which is a perfect read for Easter. Roseanna M White took a few words of scripture buried among the crucifixion account and created a great thought provoking read. The historical content is great. Scripture is brought to life thru Unveiled Tamar's Story.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews