Hidden Faces: Portraits of Nameless Women in the Gospels

Hidden Faces #1-4

by Golden Keyes Parsons

This collection of four novellas takes readers back in time and into some of the most well known biblical accounts...but some of the most mysterious. Acclaimed author Golden Keyes Parsons delves into the lives of four nameless women from the Gospels--the woman caught in adultery, the woman at the well, the woman who anointed Jesus's feet, and the woman who touched the hem of His garment. Discover through the eyes of faith and fiction what may have made these women feel so trapped, so alone, so broken, so hopeless that they would venture boldly into the path of Jesus...and leave forever changed.

Genres: Fiction, Biblical Fiction

278 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 13, 2014

About the author

Golden Keyes Parsons is a popular retreat and conference speaker, author of historical novels and an ordained pastor.

Her book, "In The Shadow Of The Sun King," (Thomas Nelson Publishing), first in a four-book series based on her family genealogy, released Fall 2008, and was named a finalist in the ACFW's Book of the Year Debut Author category. The book chronicles the saga of the Clavell family in 17th century France, where, as French Huguenots, they suffer persecution at the hands of Louis XIV's Catholic government.

The second book, "A Prisoner Of Versailles," was released September 2009. It was a finalist in RWA's Daphne contest as well as a Golden Scroll finalist.

Book Three, "Where Hearts Are Free" released in November of 2010 and was selected as a Women of Faith Library Selection.

His Steadfast Love, a Civil War novel set in Texas, which released in 2011 was named a finalist in the Readers' Choice Awards.

Parsons' biblical novella series released as ebooks through 2012 - 2013 and released as a compilation, Hidden Faces: Nameless Women in Scripture in April of 2014.

Reviews

[Andrea Cox · Rating 2 out of 5]

FTC DISCLOSURE: I won this book on Goodreads. A review of any kind was not required. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.

This book had some great writing, but it just wasn’t for me. Biblical fiction is tough for me to enjoy, because most of the ones I’ve read haven’t been accurate and have taken way too much “writer’s license” from the true Biblical account. This one fell into that category for me. After reading three novellas out of the four and taking a break, I still could not enjoy the fourth novella very well. I think this book will be enjoyable for other folks who don’t mind some inaccuracies from the true events that are recorded in the Bible.

Rating: 2 stars

[Laura A. Grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am really grateful to have read "Hidden Faces" for the book club I lead! It was very eye-opening read concerning the four mysterious women mentioned in the Bible who remain nameless. I felt Golden did a wonderful job of sticking close to Scripture while effectively weaving fiction into each woman’s life as well as other parts of Jesus’ ministry such as a healing/parable. She really brought these ladies lives alive in a new way that I didn’t previously see/think before.

My favorite story was the first one about the adulterous woman (Trapped) followed by the story about the woman who anointed Jesus feet (Broken). Despite that Golden created a fictional telling of what could be there story, it touched me in a deep place that help me relate to both of them. It was with these two that I felt I gained the most spiritual insight. I enjoyed reading about the woman with the issue with blood (Hopeless), but it was a little hard to read being a mom and imaging her pain emotionally. However the woman at the well (Alone) was the hardest story for me to read and I skimmed in a few places because it was so heart breaking.

I would definitely recommend "Hidden Faces" to Biblical fiction lovers because Golden delivers the message of the Gospel through each novella in a beautiful way! She really shows that like how Jesus healed these four women when He walked this Earth, He can (and is continuing) heal us today of our emotional/physical pain too!

[Allen Patterson · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I first entered to try to win this book, I did not realize they were novellas. I do not usually read novels. However, in the spirit of good-reads, in order to write a review, I read them. I really appreciated the homework the author must have done on the culture of the time and location in which these women lived. While one must keep in mind, this is fiction, it could still help us have an even greater appreciation for the love Jesus demonstrated for these women.

[Melissa Board · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found the first two stories a bit slow and they didn't grip me. But the third and fourth got increasingly better. I enjoyed the story of the lady anointing Jesus feet and the discussion questions at the end that encouraged me to dig deeper. I also enjoyed the last story of the bleeding women. Something that the author did really well was incorporate other teachings and parts of the Bible into the stories.

[Nat · Rating 3 out of 5]

Got this through Goodreads give a ways. For the most part, I enjoyed the Biblical historical settings of the stories & the possible prospective of what these women might have been really like & how they may have lived, but the thing that kept me from totally giving this a 5 star rating was the fact that there were a few minor changes in Biblical timeline & happenings that didn't follow "true" to the actual Bible's account of the happenings. I realize, it is a Historical Fiction book, but it bothered me.

This author has great story weaving talents & I am eager to see what else she has written.

[Patricia Quinn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the stories. The dialogue kept me interested. Great read!