What do you think?
Rate this book
Woman of Sin Trilogy #1
Woman of Sin
Alysia of Athens, pampered daughter of a wealthy physician, is taken from her home and sold into slavery when her father is accused of treason during the turbulent reign of Tiberius Caesar. She is purchased by Paulus Maximus, a powerful Roman legate who pierces through her determination to hate her captors. When trouble caused by his jealous stepbrother forces her to run away, she finds herself in the battle-torn land of Palestine, where she meets a man named Jesus who will change her life forever. But in her flight from the intrigues of Rome to the palaces of Jerusalem, Alysia finds she cannot escape her enemies, neither the one who stole her heart, nor the one who wants to destroy her.
356 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 12, 2010
200 people are currently reading
331 people want to read
About the author
Debra B. Diaz
15 books23 followersDebra B. Diaz is the author of the "Woman of Sin" Trilogy, and she has written several novels in the historical and romantic suspense genres. She is retired and enjoys spending time with her family, doing research on Biblical topics, and writing books. Her goal as a writer is to not only entertain, but to challenge and inspire!
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
August 21, 2012
I really liked this book and will be watching for more books from this author. I liked the way she wove the characters into the gospel story - the teachings, death and rise of Jesus Christ. The story line was very plausible and I liked the romance in it. I didn't give it five stars as I think the end of the story and how the author ties it all up lets the book down a bit. However, altogether a very good story and very enjoyable.
September 8, 2012
This is not my typical book to read but I was intrigued by the description. I have to admit I was expecting this to be a romance novel and started it out with that opinion. But as I got deeper and deeper into the book I realized this is a book that mixes religion and death. If you are looking for a true grit love story with loss, sex and death do not try. But if you want to look at the death of Jesus in another life then pick it up and give it a chance. Do not let the title or book cover fool you, you will understand both more after reading the book.
March 20, 2023
Interesting twist, similar to Risen
I wasn’t sure where the “ woman of sin” part of this book was going to come in, and I don’t want to spoil it, but it took me by surprise and was an interesting twist. Most of the plot surrounding the life of Jesus and those in the Gospel is accurate, though some is speculation (such as James and John being cousins of Jesus, a very loose claim at best, but nothing that takes away from the book). The heroine is somewhat annoying at first, but ultimately that’s a good thing because it serves to show her spiritual growth throughout the story. I liked that the author didn’t shy away from sin and presented Jesus as fully divine and fully human, while accurately portraying the apostles as younger men (most movies show them as old men when history notes that likely only Peter was 20 or older).
This kept me engaged and I look forward to the next book in the series, which I plan to start now. Definitely recommend!
I wasn’t sure where the “ woman of sin” part of this book was going to come in, and I don’t want to spoil it, but it took me by surprise and was an interesting twist. Most of the plot surrounding the life of Jesus and those in the Gospel is accurate, though some is speculation (such as James and John being cousins of Jesus, a very loose claim at best, but nothing that takes away from the book). The heroine is somewhat annoying at first, but ultimately that’s a good thing because it serves to show her spiritual growth throughout the story. I liked that the author didn’t shy away from sin and presented Jesus as fully divine and fully human, while accurately portraying the apostles as younger men (most movies show them as old men when history notes that likely only Peter was 20 or older).
This kept me engaged and I look forward to the next book in the series, which I plan to start now. Definitely recommend!
February 24, 2023
It's hard to put into words the effect this story has had on me. Yes, I am a believer and yet, even though the story is fictional it still has the ring of truth. Many times I had to put the book aside to think on what I had read. God works on people's lives in many unseen ways. He knows our beginning and our end. All Alysia went through was foreordained, just as all of our lives are. When we look back over the years and think with a clearer vision we can see that God's ways are far above our own. I wanted to be a hairdresser when I was young but my mother said no, you are going nursing. When my first marriage ended and I didn't know what to do, my daughter said, return to nursing. Both times, God was directing my steps.
July 30, 2019
Fabulous Story!!!
I have read this book as well as the 2nd and 3rd in this Trilogy on numerous occasions . I found it so interesting that sometime after reading these books I ran across information regarding very similar experiences of the People who actually lived in this time period as those of the characters in this series. I Love the way Debra Diaz writes and the vast range of emotions I felt reading her series. All Three of these books are wonderful !!! I highly recommend them.
I have read this book as well as the 2nd and 3rd in this Trilogy on numerous occasions . I found it so interesting that sometime after reading these books I ran across information regarding very similar experiences of the People who actually lived in this time period as those of the characters in this series. I Love the way Debra Diaz writes and the vast range of emotions I felt reading her series. All Three of these books are wonderful !!! I highly recommend them.
September 15, 2020
I just finished the entire trilogy, and I must say that I really enjoyed them. The way the fictional characters were woven in with the gospel was really compelling. If you are Christian or even if you’re not but just looking, these are the stories for you.
The story of Christ’s crucifixion and how it worked into the lives of these 2 generations just blew me away. I really wish there was more to this story. I’m on my way to search for more of the author’s books to see she writes more along this line.
The story of Christ’s crucifixion and how it worked into the lives of these 2 generations just blew me away. I really wish there was more to this story. I’m on my way to search for more of the author’s books to see she writes more along this line.
March 4, 2020
Excellent book!!! I loved it. The characters were very believable. I felt like I'd known many of them for years. It's always wonderful to see how meeting Jesus and getting to know Him causes such big changes in people. Then watching as they learn how to walk in that newness of life is always amazing too. I heartily recommend this book for everyone. It has "real" characters, romance, suspense, mystery, humor, and a great ending.
April 5, 2020
I was seriously pleasantly surprised by this book. Honesty: I don't even know how it got on my Kindle, lol. I thought it was a romance, and it is! But it's so much more!!!! I often read books in one sitting, mostly out of habit, but this one I read in one sitting, not out of habit, but because I literally COULD. NOT. PUT. IT. DOWN.
Fabulous!
Fabulous!
April 23, 2021
Good book
Very dscriptive characters. Good story line. Great action. I read it all the way to the end. 1 Problem : the author of this ebook ( and all other authors ) , need to do some serious editing before submitting their ebook. I found many errors.
The story would flow along better without all these errors & read better.
Very dscriptive characters. Good story line. Great action. I read it all the way to the end. 1 Problem : the author of this ebook ( and all other authors ) , need to do some serious editing before submitting their ebook. I found many errors.
The story would flow along better without all these errors & read better.
June 9, 2022
Better than expected....
This was good, I didn't know there would be the story of Lazerith, the crucifixion of Jesus, and a couple of Romans in another storyline. This read was heartfelt and brought tears to my eyes, I didn't think it was to preachy either. I would read this again and recommend to anyone who has questions about said event.
This was good, I didn't know there would be the story of Lazerith, the crucifixion of Jesus, and a couple of Romans in another storyline. This read was heartfelt and brought tears to my eyes, I didn't think it was to preachy either. I would read this again and recommend to anyone who has questions about said event.
December 26, 2020
A great read and help to understand the time of Christ
while reading the story you feel that you are feeling some of the same experiences they felt back then. It helps to understand the times and it is hard to put down
while reading the story you feel that you are feeling some of the same experiences they felt back then. It helps to understand the times and it is hard to put down
January 20, 2021
I really enjoyed this book.
Keeps you interested from the very beginning. So glad to read a book, without explicit sex and foul language. Loved that it included scripture in a New Testament setting.
Keeps you interested from the very beginning. So glad to read a book, without explicit sex and foul language. Loved that it included scripture in a New Testament setting.
March 6, 2021
A woman of sin
I completely enjoyed this book. Although the woman in this story is fictional, it is a story based on the woman of sin in the Bible who was caught in the act of adultery. Beautiful in a believable way.
I completely enjoyed this book. Although the woman in this story is fictional, it is a story based on the woman of sin in the Bible who was caught in the act of adultery. Beautiful in a believable way.
April 6, 2021
Biblical fiction at it's best!
This was such a great story! It had some biblical truths mixed in with the fictional story of an unlikely couple. I can't wait to read the next book in the trilogy!
This was such a great story! It had some biblical truths mixed in with the fictional story of an unlikely couple. I can't wait to read the next book in the trilogy!
April 24, 2021
This is such an intriguing book!
If you read Christian fiction, you have all read of the death and resurrection of Jesus from a believers point of view, but this book tells the vast majority from a skeptic’ s view.
Really enjoyable!
If you read Christian fiction, you have all read of the death and resurrection of Jesus from a believers point of view, but this book tells the vast majority from a skeptic’ s view.
Really enjoyable!
June 26, 2021
Enjoyed , lovely!
Author has captured Roman you will see an feel what is written. Jesus an his apostles come to life, part historical part love story. You will enjoy from first page great series!!
Author has captured Roman you will see an feel what is written. Jesus an his apostles come to life, part historical part love story. You will enjoy from first page great series!!
September 13, 2023
great story
This is the first book I’ve read by Debra and I’m very much looking forward to reading the other two in the trilogy. Hoping the story of Alyssa and Paulus might be developed.
Penny Callaghan
This is the first book I’ve read by Debra and I’m very much looking forward to reading the other two in the trilogy. Hoping the story of Alyssa and Paulus might be developed.
Penny Callaghan
April 30, 2024
Woman of Sin
I really enjoyed this story! It was very easy to read, and I didn't feel that there were any dull or slow sections. It wasn't "preachy." It was a nice, concise history of the time Jesus lived, although it didn't focus on him.
I really enjoyed this story! It was very easy to read, and I didn't feel that there were any dull or slow sections. It wasn't "preachy." It was a nice, concise history of the time Jesus lived, although it didn't focus on him.
December 19, 2019
A story from the bible brought to life. Not usually a go to for me, but enjoyed the story. It gave background to a story from the bible without making it seem wrong.
April 14, 2020
Very interesting way to look at a very turbulent time in history!
December 28, 2020
Read it. Loved it. About to read it again.
I love this story revolving around a Biblical era. Ms. Diaz creates a great story. Classic storytelling!
I love this story revolving around a Biblical era. Ms. Diaz creates a great story. Classic storytelling!
June 23, 2021
Highly recommend
This book is a wonderful story, well written and researched. I am looking forward to reading the rest of the trilogy.
This book is a wonderful story, well written and researched. I am looking forward to reading the rest of the trilogy.
January 9, 2023
Not very Christian
This lust filled story is very unchristian. The author thinks mentioning Jesus is enough to make something about faith. Truly disappointing novel.
This lust filled story is very unchristian. The author thinks mentioning Jesus is enough to make something about faith. Truly disappointing novel.
June 24, 2023
Spellbinding!
Well written, historically factual. Characters were vividly alive. Anyone wanting to understand the reason for Christ absolutely should read this book.
Well written, historically factual. Characters were vividly alive. Anyone wanting to understand the reason for Christ absolutely should read this book.
February 20, 2024
Loved it
Im a believer and loved how the truth is woven into this novel
It is a romance story
The greatest of all
The characters you can relate to emotionally
Highly recommend
Im a believer and loved how the truth is woven into this novel
It is a romance story
The greatest of all
The characters you can relate to emotionally
Highly recommend
June 5, 2011
A while back, I was needing a break from nonfiction, and decided to ask some publishers for fiction to review. I found Borg's book, Helms' book, Deeth's book, Witherington’s book (not yet reviewed) … and this one, with the steamy title. Woman of Sin … (cough). Romance? Really?? That would be a first for me! I was assured it had a Christian theme, but I remained unconvinced, and resigned myself to hiding the book under the couch. Now, having read it, I understand the title and find it hilariously appropriate. Great stuff, Diaz!
The story takes place in the years just before and after the crucifixion of Jesus, so the setting is naturally appealing to me. I think it’s only fair to point out that the book does have a religious flavor. By book’s end, the characters undergo a conversion to Christianity. I hope you don’t take this as a spoiler; it needs to be said. This shift of focus will be off-putting to some, but will increase the reading enjoyment of others.
Precisely because of the religious nature of the book, it invites a more rigorous criticism, more than just “great read, well researched, buy it now.” It is a great book, and Diaz is a very good fiction writer. She has eloquently captured the life and politics of first-century Jerusalem and the Empire, and has spun a terrific story around one of the Bible’s most mysterious characters. But if Diaz had an evangelical purpose in writing, this may be the only five-star review she doesn’t appreciate; I found the most “fictional” part of her book to be the assumptions she makes about early Christianity.
By her own concession, Diaz had as a goal to be “historically and Biblically accurate.” But when the two clashed, she clearly preferred “Biblical.” If her research into all things non-religious weren’t so precise, her portrayal of the origins of Christianity wouldn’t stick out.
One example will suffice: Immediately after the resurrection, the characters repeatedly refer to Jesus as God. Kudos for Biblical accuracy: In John’s Gospel, Thomas, upon feeling the nail prints of the risen Jesus, exclaims, “My Lord and my God!” But in truth, it was likely many years afterward before Jesus would first be considered God, as evidenced by the evolving understanding of God that surfaces when we read the New Testament in chronological order. (John’s Gospel was written 60 years or more after Jesus died.) It would be less jarring in a historical novel for Diaz to reflect the very earliest Christian beliefs, rather than the religion that grew later in Jesus’ name. Laying a current-day version of Christianity atop an early first-century story made me feel the book was trying to convert me.
Religious content aside, it remains a very entertaining work of fiction. I absolutely loved it and wholeheartedly recommend it! From now on, only pseudo-romance novels will grace my book review blog! :)
The story takes place in the years just before and after the crucifixion of Jesus, so the setting is naturally appealing to me. I think it’s only fair to point out that the book does have a religious flavor. By book’s end, the characters undergo a conversion to Christianity. I hope you don’t take this as a spoiler; it needs to be said. This shift of focus will be off-putting to some, but will increase the reading enjoyment of others.
Precisely because of the religious nature of the book, it invites a more rigorous criticism, more than just “great read, well researched, buy it now.” It is a great book, and Diaz is a very good fiction writer. She has eloquently captured the life and politics of first-century Jerusalem and the Empire, and has spun a terrific story around one of the Bible’s most mysterious characters. But if Diaz had an evangelical purpose in writing, this may be the only five-star review she doesn’t appreciate; I found the most “fictional” part of her book to be the assumptions she makes about early Christianity.
By her own concession, Diaz had as a goal to be “historically and Biblically accurate.” But when the two clashed, she clearly preferred “Biblical.” If her research into all things non-religious weren’t so precise, her portrayal of the origins of Christianity wouldn’t stick out.
One example will suffice: Immediately after the resurrection, the characters repeatedly refer to Jesus as God. Kudos for Biblical accuracy: In John’s Gospel, Thomas, upon feeling the nail prints of the risen Jesus, exclaims, “My Lord and my God!” But in truth, it was likely many years afterward before Jesus would first be considered God, as evidenced by the evolving understanding of God that surfaces when we read the New Testament in chronological order. (John’s Gospel was written 60 years or more after Jesus died.) It would be less jarring in a historical novel for Diaz to reflect the very earliest Christian beliefs, rather than the religion that grew later in Jesus’ name. Laying a current-day version of Christianity atop an early first-century story made me feel the book was trying to convert me.
Religious content aside, it remains a very entertaining work of fiction. I absolutely loved it and wholeheartedly recommend it! From now on, only pseudo-romance novels will grace my book review blog! :)
February 26, 2011
Woman Of Sin
Author: Debra Diaz
Date Reviewed: February 17th, 2011
Reviewed by: Christian Book Reviews
10.0 stars on a scale of 10.0 stars
Be transported back through the very portals of time in the novel “Woman of sin”. In a time when Caesars ruled and Rome was at its height of authority and power. Enter into a land harsh to the poor and kind to the rich and elite. One where slavery was common and justice had little place. A land and time where Jesus ‘the Nazarene’ walked the earth in the midst of the injustice and chaotic darkness. This is a gripping novel that will keep you coming back for more.
Author Debra Diaz, in her fast paced novel, “Woman of Sin” takes you back through the centuries in her timeless classic. Follow young Alysia down her road of capture from her place of privilege in her Athenian home, to a Roman household to be bound forever as a slave. Taken from her home she loses everything, but she is yet to gain everything at the end of her road of travel. She is about to find true love in every sense of the word.
Author Debra Diaz elegantly and beautifully weaves an unforgettable story of true love, mirroring scenes taken from the scriptures, where young Alysia is tested by trials and tribulations back in a time where women were of little esteem, except for their purpose in child bearing. Perseverance, romance, forbidden love, and endless unfailing love, take you on an adventure that you will not forget.
With the use of beautiful, descriptive and explosive imagery, biblical scenes come alive as the author uses the “Woman of Sin” to introduce the reader to a man called Jesus as He walked the earth and preached. Some called him ‘rabboni’ the word for ‘great teacher.’ Yet as the story unfolds you will see that he is more than a great teacher, for he can perform such miracles as healing a leper, healing the blind and the paralyzed, even raising the dead. He was the Son of God walking the earth, the lamb without sin, crucified for our sins so that we might live. Without His resurrection from the cross, he would be little more than a famed teacher to once have graced this earth. The author leads you to want to know more about this Jesus.
Filled with suspense and romance, this novel is eloquently written and will take the reader back through time and lead you on a journey that is so real, so tangible, you’ll not want it to end. A true masterpiece! This book comes highly recommended. You will not be able to put this one down, I assure you! The book is truly a mini-series in the making. Take a journey through the very portals of time, back through the centuries and experience the thrill of entering into a never-ending tale of undying love that will grip your very soul.
Woman Of Sin by Author Debra Diaz
10.0 stars on a scale of 10.0 stars
Reviewed by: Christian Book Reviews
Highly Recommended, A Must Read Novel
Author: Debra Diaz
Date Reviewed: February 17th, 2011
Reviewed by: Christian Book Reviews
10.0 stars on a scale of 10.0 stars
Be transported back through the very portals of time in the novel “Woman of sin”. In a time when Caesars ruled and Rome was at its height of authority and power. Enter into a land harsh to the poor and kind to the rich and elite. One where slavery was common and justice had little place. A land and time where Jesus ‘the Nazarene’ walked the earth in the midst of the injustice and chaotic darkness. This is a gripping novel that will keep you coming back for more.
Author Debra Diaz, in her fast paced novel, “Woman of Sin” takes you back through the centuries in her timeless classic. Follow young Alysia down her road of capture from her place of privilege in her Athenian home, to a Roman household to be bound forever as a slave. Taken from her home she loses everything, but she is yet to gain everything at the end of her road of travel. She is about to find true love in every sense of the word.
Author Debra Diaz elegantly and beautifully weaves an unforgettable story of true love, mirroring scenes taken from the scriptures, where young Alysia is tested by trials and tribulations back in a time where women were of little esteem, except for their purpose in child bearing. Perseverance, romance, forbidden love, and endless unfailing love, take you on an adventure that you will not forget.
With the use of beautiful, descriptive and explosive imagery, biblical scenes come alive as the author uses the “Woman of Sin” to introduce the reader to a man called Jesus as He walked the earth and preached. Some called him ‘rabboni’ the word for ‘great teacher.’ Yet as the story unfolds you will see that he is more than a great teacher, for he can perform such miracles as healing a leper, healing the blind and the paralyzed, even raising the dead. He was the Son of God walking the earth, the lamb without sin, crucified for our sins so that we might live. Without His resurrection from the cross, he would be little more than a famed teacher to once have graced this earth. The author leads you to want to know more about this Jesus.
Filled with suspense and romance, this novel is eloquently written and will take the reader back through time and lead you on a journey that is so real, so tangible, you’ll not want it to end. A true masterpiece! This book comes highly recommended. You will not be able to put this one down, I assure you! The book is truly a mini-series in the making. Take a journey through the very portals of time, back through the centuries and experience the thrill of entering into a never-ending tale of undying love that will grip your very soul.
Woman Of Sin by Author Debra Diaz
10.0 stars on a scale of 10.0 stars
Reviewed by: Christian Book Reviews
Highly Recommended, A Must Read Novel
December 21, 2021
Really liked this book, kinda Francine Rivers Mark of the Lionish.
March 16, 2011
I would probably rate this one a 4.5 or even 4.7, but of course that's not an option. I don't know what part of my circuitry doesn't allow me to rate books a 5, I am not sure I've ever rated one a full 5 stars! :) I really, really, REALLY enjoyed this book!!
It's not for someone who doesn't love Christian fiction though. It's a free ebook I downloaded from Amazon, but the cover picture and title don't really convey what it's about. That's why it got some bad reviews at Amazon - people downloaded it thinking it was a romance or maybe even a Harlequin type book. That couldn't be further from the truth. It's very good Christian fiction.
A slave, Alysia of Greece, is sold to a Roman soldier, and the story progresses to Palestine and Judea. There Alysia encounters people such as Lazarus, Mary, Martha (she even marries their cousin Nathan), the apostles, Jesus the Nazarene, Herod, Pontius Pilate, etc. It's a wonderful fictional weaving of a fictional story with facts from the Bible. I loved the way she wove in the characters and how she portrayed Biblical events and made them part of these characters path.
In finishing this book, I tried to find the equivalent page numbers, since I keep track of not only books I read, but pages. I never could find a page number, since this is apparently just an ebook and not a printed book. I was delighted, however, to discover the author lives and writes in my home state :) For reference sake, I'm going to ballpark the page numbers at 300, although I think it was probably longer than that. It was hard for me to put down though, especially right now during Lent. Highly recommend.
It's not for someone who doesn't love Christian fiction though. It's a free ebook I downloaded from Amazon, but the cover picture and title don't really convey what it's about. That's why it got some bad reviews at Amazon - people downloaded it thinking it was a romance or maybe even a Harlequin type book. That couldn't be further from the truth. It's very good Christian fiction.
A slave, Alysia of Greece, is sold to a Roman soldier, and the story progresses to Palestine and Judea. There Alysia encounters people such as Lazarus, Mary, Martha (she even marries their cousin Nathan), the apostles, Jesus the Nazarene, Herod, Pontius Pilate, etc. It's a wonderful fictional weaving of a fictional story with facts from the Bible. I loved the way she wove in the characters and how she portrayed Biblical events and made them part of these characters path.
In finishing this book, I tried to find the equivalent page numbers, since I keep track of not only books I read, but pages. I never could find a page number, since this is apparently just an ebook and not a printed book. I was delighted, however, to discover the author lives and writes in my home state :) For reference sake, I'm going to ballpark the page numbers at 300, although I think it was probably longer than that. It was hard for me to put down though, especially right now during Lent. Highly recommend.
May 2, 2013
I just finished the Woman of Sin trilogy; it had me completely hooked from beginning to end. I could not put the book down, and find myself still thinking about the characters a few days after finishing it. The gospel is shared liberally throughout the pages, and acts as a witness to anyone reading it, which I appreciate. The third book, Child of the King, stands alone from the other two, but completes the series nicely. If you enjoyed Francine Rivers' Mark of the Lion series, you will love this. Thank you, Debra Diaz, for some wonderful, engaging reading that also shares the love and grace of Jesus. My one tiny constructive critism is that the picture on the cover does nothing for the book. In fact, it almost made me not want to read it. Definitely a time when I am glad I did not judge a book by its cover.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews