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Swords in the Desert: A Novel Based on the Book of Luke
Fans of The Chosen will love this unforgettable biblical novel“And a sword will pierce your own soul, too.”
The meaning of those prophetic words to Mary are now painfully clear as Jesus’s journey to the cross begins. Told from the perspective of five individuals—a priest, former tax collector, two fugitives, and daughter of a Jewish rebel—Swords in the Desert follows Jesus through the Gospel of Luke’s harrowing final twelve chapters.
As the shadow of the cross looms ever closer, these intertwined stories unfold with stunning vividness, revealing the human cost of divine sacrifice. Experience the cultural tensions, political intrigue, and spiritual warfare that defined first-century Judea in ways you've never imagined.
Swords in the Desert doesn't just retell the greatest story ever told—it plunges you into the hearts and minds of those who witnessed it firsthand. From the anguish of Gethsemane to the triumph of the empty tomb, this novel allows you to experience familiar stories with fresh perspectives and emotional depths. This powerful retelling will challenge your understanding and deepen your faith.
Begin your journey through Luke's Gospel as you've never experienced it before.
The meaning of those prophetic words to Mary are now painfully clear as Jesus’s journey to the cross begins. Told from the perspective of five individuals—a priest, former tax collector, two fugitives, and daughter of a Jewish rebel—Swords in the Desert follows Jesus through the Gospel of Luke’s harrowing final twelve chapters.
As the shadow of the cross looms ever closer, these intertwined stories unfold with stunning vividness, revealing the human cost of divine sacrifice. Experience the cultural tensions, political intrigue, and spiritual warfare that defined first-century Judea in ways you've never imagined.
Swords in the Desert doesn't just retell the greatest story ever told—it plunges you into the hearts and minds of those who witnessed it firsthand. From the anguish of Gethsemane to the triumph of the empty tomb, this novel allows you to experience familiar stories with fresh perspectives and emotional depths. This powerful retelling will challenge your understanding and deepen your faith.
Begin your journey through Luke's Gospel as you've never experienced it before.
324 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 16, 2025
274 people are currently reading
68 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
May 9, 2025
An old story with new characters
I enjoyed the addition of these new characters and how The Gospel was experienced by them. It was interesting to get to know these newly created characters. I found myself cheering some on while booing others.
There are some happy endings, some surprising ends, and hopeful futures. I sure hope the book of Acts is soon to come. I will definitely want to read it.
I enjoyed the addition of these new characters and how The Gospel was experienced by them. It was interesting to get to know these newly created characters. I found myself cheering some on while booing others.
There are some happy endings, some surprising ends, and hopeful futures. I sure hope the book of Acts is soon to come. I will definitely want to read it.
June 8, 2025
It was a few years back that I attended a Palm Service sermon and the lesson was centered on the emotions and possible thoughts of the people surrounding Jesus. This book reminds me of how some people were Christian followers and how they could and possibly were as confused as some of us today. That has stayed in the forefront of my memory, so it was wonderful to read this book with the various characters and their personal conflicts. Also the story of normal people and how they contributed to the telling of this brief time in the life of Jesus.
This is a fictional account of Holy Week and the lead up to it and is in no means a replacement of one's daily devotions, but it definitely highlights the fact that they were people like you and me that needed someone to look up to and become our ultimate Saviour.
This is a fictional account of Holy Week and the lead up to it and is in no means a replacement of one's daily devotions, but it definitely highlights the fact that they were people like you and me that needed someone to look up to and become our ultimate Saviour.
August 12, 2025
Christian Fiction
Yes it is a work based on fictional characters. However as you read this book you soon realize that the author knows his Bible. This book follows the life of Jesus and his disciples very well but through the eyes of fictional characters. Will not offend a strict Bible follower. I cannot say enough praises about this wonderful book. I would recommend it to all my friends and Christians everywhere.
Yes it is a work based on fictional characters. However as you read this book you soon realize that the author knows his Bible. This book follows the life of Jesus and his disciples very well but through the eyes of fictional characters. Will not offend a strict Bible follower. I cannot say enough praises about this wonderful book. I would recommend it to all my friends and Christians everywhere.
June 13, 2025
Beautifully written
While you don’t have to read the first book in the series ( this is a wonderful stand alone) I suggest you do read the first one. It adds more meaning to the relationships in this book, I really enjoyed this book and if you enjoy Biblical fiction, I think you would enjoy it as well.
While you don’t have to read the first book in the series ( this is a wonderful stand alone) I suggest you do read the first one. It adds more meaning to the relationships in this book, I really enjoyed this book and if you enjoy Biblical fiction, I think you would enjoy it as well.
May 18, 2025
wonderful book
I really enjoyed these two books. The author does a good job of following scripture and develops the characters to help you relate to what they experienced. He mentions continuing in the book of Acts and I hope he does.
Read and enjoy.
I really enjoyed these two books. The author does a good job of following scripture and develops the characters to help you relate to what they experienced. He mentions continuing in the book of Acts and I hope he does.
Read and enjoy.
May 26, 2025
Kingdom Come series
A surprisingly accurate account of parts of, Jesus' life end death told in story form following the lives of two women and those in their lives. Very good storyline!
A surprisingly accurate account of parts of, Jesus' life end death told in story form following the lives of two women and those in their lives. Very good storyline!
September 1, 2025
JESUS CHRIST IS LORD!
Great read made Luke's history feel as if I had lived it. I'd love for Mr. Peterson to write a sequel with Acts as the foundation. GOD is so wonderful. HE loves even me, and HE chose me for salvation. Praise HIS Holy Name!
Great read made Luke's history feel as if I had lived it. I'd love for Mr. Peterson to write a sequel with Acts as the foundation. GOD is so wonderful. HE loves even me, and HE chose me for salvation. Praise HIS Holy Name!
December 21, 2025
Different
Good story but at times I struggled to follow the storyline. Doug has a vivid imagination to be able to write a book such as this one. Took me a long time to finish it but I was determined to and it was worth it.
Good story but at times I struggled to follow the storyline. Doug has a vivid imagination to be able to write a book such as this one. Took me a long time to finish it but I was determined to and it was worth it.
May 15, 2025
Delightful historical fiction.
Follows the Gospel of Luke, chapter by chapter. I suggest reading each chapter of the Bible before the corresponding chapter of this book.
Follows the Gospel of Luke, chapter by chapter. I suggest reading each chapter of the Bible before the corresponding chapter of this book.
May 19, 2025
wonderful book
This was an awesome book! It brought the Gospel to life! It helped to understand some of what was going on at the time. Would highly recommend it!
This was an awesome book! It brought the Gospel to life! It helped to understand some of what was going on at the time. Would highly recommend it!
June 26, 2025
Luke
Mr. Peterson has done an excellent job of combining fictional characters with the book of Luke. I have enjoyed this second book in this series.
Mr. Peterson has done an excellent job of combining fictional characters with the book of Luke. I have enjoyed this second book in this series.
October 18, 2025
Exquisite
The characters just jumped from the pages and took you along their journey with them. Historically accurate and so inspiring you don't want to stop reading.
The characters just jumped from the pages and took you along their journey with them. Historically accurate and so inspiring you don't want to stop reading.
December 25, 2025
Good read
Very enjoyable, easy and captivating. The end came so quickly. Would recommend to others who are looking for adventure and a love story.
Very enjoyable, easy and captivating. The end came so quickly. Would recommend to others who are looking for adventure and a love story.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews