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Mysteries & Wonders of the Bible Series #7
Covenant of the Heart: Odelia's Story
The prophet Jeremiah’s forecast of destruction has haunted Odelia for her whole life, despite her father’s stance against him. When the Babylonian army arrives at Jerusalem’s city walls, Odelia finally understands the truth of Jeremiah’s words. All too soon, she must decide between faithfulness to her family and faithfulness to the ways of the Lord.
When a man who has been like a grandfather to Odelia asks her to help him smuggle the ark of the covenant out of the city, she cannot turn away. Having spent her childhood navigating the underground tunnels and waterways of Jerusalem, she becomes a crucial asset to their mission. But traveling underground while carrying the ark in the way prescribed by the Lord is no easy task. Can Odelia lead everyone to safety? And even if she does, what will be waiting for them on the other side?
When a man who has been like a grandfather to Odelia asks her to help him smuggle the ark of the covenant out of the city, she cannot turn away. Having spent her childhood navigating the underground tunnels and waterways of Jerusalem, she becomes a crucial asset to their mission. But traveling underground while carrying the ark in the way prescribed by the Lord is no easy task. Can Odelia lead everyone to safety? And even if she does, what will be waiting for them on the other side?
- GenresHistorical Fiction
264 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 5, 2025
About the author
Heidi Chiavaroli
21 books1,108 followersHeidi Chiavaroli is a hope-inspired storyteller writing from the deep curiosity of her own heart. Her debut novel, Freedom's Ring, was a Carol Award winner and a Christy Award finalist, a Romantic Times Top Pick, and a Booklist Top Ten Romance Debut. Her Carol award-winning novel, The Orchard House, inspired her to create The Orchard House Bed and Breakfast Series, a contemporary twist on Little Women. Heidi makes her home in Massachusetts with her husband and two sons. Visit her online at heidichiavaroli.com.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
May 17, 2025
I really enjoyed this one! The spiritual wrestling that the main character did was really great, and I loved how she wrote Jeremiah.
October 20, 2025
Heidi Chiavaroli is not an author I get to read often. Her books don't seem to get as much publicity as other authors'; sometimes I'll find a new one of hers months after its stated release date. However, Covenant of the Heart is a book that definitely makes me root for Heidi to become a top author in Christian and perhaps specifically Biblical fiction (this seems to be her first in the genre, and based on it, I want more).
Covenant of the Heart brings the exile to Babylon to life in raw, tender, often heartbreaking detail. It's clear Heidi did her homework on Scripture and the surrounding culture, because here, the prophecies of Jeremiah are lived out in real time. I got to experience the pain of exile with Odelia, Aden, and the others of the "remnant," from physical starvation to the emotional, searing pains of grief and loss. And while these are not pleasant experiences, they are valuable and, under Heidi's pen, not easily forgotten.
I loved Odelia as a protagonist. Her faith in Yahweh inspired me to become stronger, yet I also identified with her insecurities in terms of, being one of the only ones who took Yahweh seriously. More, I have lived her doubts and fears regarding whether my faith is "enough," whether Adonai loves me, or whether I was right or wrong to say or think certain things. Sometimes conviction masquerades as condemnation, and through Odelia, Heidi got it right: that hurts. It creates questions that only God can answer.
Speaking of questions, I *loved* the relationship between Odelia and Aden. They're three-dimensional characters on their own, but I was completely enamored because these two are scholars. They don't mind honesty and hard questions from each other or anyone else. These are my *people,* fictional though they may be. And because their relationship doesn't proceed in a "straight line," so to speak, the way it developed and grew kept my pages turning like lightning.
This brings me to the plot itself, which is so rich I can scarcely believe Heidi made it work in one fairly short book (264 pages isn't exactly lean, but it's less than I normally go for, so there's that). It's clear every thread, from the initial escape through the tunnels to the remnant building a new home amid loss, to Aden and Odelia coming together, got careful, deft attention. As mentioned, there were times I wasn't sure where the plot was going, and that's a good thing. I distinctly remember thinking at about 75% through, "Okay, we've still got a quarter left. What could possibly happen next?" The ensuing twists and turns did not disappoint!
Finally, the spiritual threads in Covenant of the Heart sparkle the way they only do in a book like Covenant of the Heart. As so often happens with Biblical fiction, they can't be separated from the plot. Odelia, Aden, Hashem, even Sherah, and others, grow and change as they learn who Yahweh is, what He has always intended for them, and who they are meant to be in Him. To whatever degree necessary, each character gets a multifaceted, well-developed spiritual journey that speaks well to the highs and lows of real believers' lives. Plus, the promise of the New Testament hovering in the background--ah, my brainy and emotional sides both rejoiced!
As always with a book like this, there are scenes that "popped" for me. As you search for your own treasures, look for:
-Odelia's quiet and uncertain at times, yet courageous leadership in the tunnels
-Aden and Odelia's spiritual conversations, of course
-The sisterly covenant and what that has to say about covenants between God and people
-The scenes with Hashem; watching him grow is both tender and painful because it's so real
-The small but highly effective role of Jeremiah, especially his first scene with Odelia
-Odelia's overall determination to do what is right, regardless of personal risk
There are more, but to go on would probably spoil the book. So I'll stop here and say if you haven't read Covenant of the Heart yet, snag a copy. And if you haven't caught up on this or Guideposts' other Biblical fiction series, now would be a great time for that. You're in for so many treats!
Covenant of the Heart brings the exile to Babylon to life in raw, tender, often heartbreaking detail. It's clear Heidi did her homework on Scripture and the surrounding culture, because here, the prophecies of Jeremiah are lived out in real time. I got to experience the pain of exile with Odelia, Aden, and the others of the "remnant," from physical starvation to the emotional, searing pains of grief and loss. And while these are not pleasant experiences, they are valuable and, under Heidi's pen, not easily forgotten.
I loved Odelia as a protagonist. Her faith in Yahweh inspired me to become stronger, yet I also identified with her insecurities in terms of, being one of the only ones who took Yahweh seriously. More, I have lived her doubts and fears regarding whether my faith is "enough," whether Adonai loves me, or whether I was right or wrong to say or think certain things. Sometimes conviction masquerades as condemnation, and through Odelia, Heidi got it right: that hurts. It creates questions that only God can answer.
Speaking of questions, I *loved* the relationship between Odelia and Aden. They're three-dimensional characters on their own, but I was completely enamored because these two are scholars. They don't mind honesty and hard questions from each other or anyone else. These are my *people,* fictional though they may be. And because their relationship doesn't proceed in a "straight line," so to speak, the way it developed and grew kept my pages turning like lightning.
This brings me to the plot itself, which is so rich I can scarcely believe Heidi made it work in one fairly short book (264 pages isn't exactly lean, but it's less than I normally go for, so there's that). It's clear every thread, from the initial escape through the tunnels to the remnant building a new home amid loss, to Aden and Odelia coming together, got careful, deft attention. As mentioned, there were times I wasn't sure where the plot was going, and that's a good thing. I distinctly remember thinking at about 75% through, "Okay, we've still got a quarter left. What could possibly happen next?" The ensuing twists and turns did not disappoint!
Finally, the spiritual threads in Covenant of the Heart sparkle the way they only do in a book like Covenant of the Heart. As so often happens with Biblical fiction, they can't be separated from the plot. Odelia, Aden, Hashem, even Sherah, and others, grow and change as they learn who Yahweh is, what He has always intended for them, and who they are meant to be in Him. To whatever degree necessary, each character gets a multifaceted, well-developed spiritual journey that speaks well to the highs and lows of real believers' lives. Plus, the promise of the New Testament hovering in the background--ah, my brainy and emotional sides both rejoiced!
As always with a book like this, there are scenes that "popped" for me. As you search for your own treasures, look for:
-Odelia's quiet and uncertain at times, yet courageous leadership in the tunnels
-Aden and Odelia's spiritual conversations, of course
-The sisterly covenant and what that has to say about covenants between God and people
-The scenes with Hashem; watching him grow is both tender and painful because it's so real
-The small but highly effective role of Jeremiah, especially his first scene with Odelia
-Odelia's overall determination to do what is right, regardless of personal risk
There are more, but to go on would probably spoil the book. So I'll stop here and say if you haven't read Covenant of the Heart yet, snag a copy. And if you haven't caught up on this or Guideposts' other Biblical fiction series, now would be a great time for that. You're in for so many treats!
July 14, 2025
4.5 stars for this foray into Biblical fiction by Heidi Chiavaroli! I've long been a fan of Chiavaroli's books and have read her entire backlist. In addition, I love the genre of Biblical fiction as it brings the scriptures to life for me, so this book was a no brainer to me. This book looks at the possibility of what happened to the Ark of the Covenant during the time of the exile to Babylon. Though I struggled a bit with the heroine of the story, the premise was a fascinating one and that kept the story moving along quite well. I enjoyed Odelia's and Aden's relationship with Adonai and how they sought Him above all things, and I loved how the story ended, though with the way it was going, I didn't think I would. The author is known for women's fiction that tackles difficult topics with grace and though it was to a slightly lesser extent, she transferred that same style to this book as well, with Odelia being the daughter of the priest who had the prophet Jeremiah flogged (so it might stand to reason that he was also unkind to his family). As a side note, I believe this is the 5th fictional work that speculates on the fate of the Ark and all 5 have assumed different things, which only draws me into greater fascination! I thoroughly enjoyed this speculation as well and enjoyed reading about this time in Israel's history that is not often written about in Biblical fiction.
April 21, 2026
Covenant of the Heart is a stunning example of why Heidi Chiavaroli is a master of split-time fiction. This novel gracefully moves between past and present, drawing emotional and spiritual connections that are both powerful and deeply moving.
The historical thread is rich with detail and authenticity, while the contemporary storyline brings the themes of forgiveness, healing, and faith to life in a way that feels personal and relatable. Each character is beautifully developed, and the story’s pacing builds a quiet intensity that kept me turning pages late into the night.
What I loved most is how Chiavaroli explores the promises we make—to God, to others, and to ourselves—and how those covenants can shape generations. If you’re looking for a heartfelt, faith-filled novel that lingers long after you finish, Covenant of the Heart is one to treasure.
Highly recommended for fans of dual timeline fiction, historical drama, and redemptive Christian storytelling.
The historical thread is rich with detail and authenticity, while the contemporary storyline brings the themes of forgiveness, healing, and faith to life in a way that feels personal and relatable. Each character is beautifully developed, and the story’s pacing builds a quiet intensity that kept me turning pages late into the night.
What I loved most is how Chiavaroli explores the promises we make—to God, to others, and to ourselves—and how those covenants can shape generations. If you’re looking for a heartfelt, faith-filled novel that lingers long after you finish, Covenant of the Heart is one to treasure.
Highly recommended for fans of dual timeline fiction, historical drama, and redemptive Christian storytelling.
March 8, 2026
Odelia's love for Adonai and her struggle to do what is right is rewarded over and over again in this sweet story of a young woman living during the time of Jeremiah. Odelia's trials with family, friends, circumstances, faith and love kept me reading to the end which did not disappoint!
June 1, 2025
I enjoyed this story. I was a little surprised that through the intensive research done by the author with history and different commentaries that Maccabees was not mentioned as a site referenced.
July 12, 2025
4.25⭐️ This story pulled me in. I sat outside in the shade and read until I finished it.
November 13, 2025
Slow. Just ok
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews