From 4-time Whitney Award winning author, H.B. Moore, comes the new biblical novel about Deborah the Judge, a woman who rises from oppression and leads her entire nation to victory.
After years of mistreatment, the Israelites prepare to defend themselves against the oppressive Canaanites. Readying for war not only takes secret military training but also an Israelite leader who is willing to both stand against generations of oppression and follow God.
Deborah, a young Israelite woman, lives a quiet and isolated life with her father and brothers. As a shepherdess in the hills near her home, she knows well the perils of her work. But when faced with incredible danger, she witnesses a series of remarkable events that preserve her life. The hand of the Lord is apparent, and it is clear that hers will be no ordinary life.
Years later, Deborah is a faithful wife and mother when she learns that the Third Judge of Israel has died--and she has been called to take his place. It is a tumultuous time in history, and soon, Deborah--prophetess, judge, and military leader--faces a seemingly insurmountable task: alongside the commander of the Israelite army, Deborah must lead ten thousand soldiers in their final campaign against their Canaanite oppressors with only her faith in God to guide her.
Heather B. Moore is a USA Today bestselling author of more than seventy publications. She writes historical novels and thrillers under pen name H.B. Moore. She writes women's fiction, romance and inspirational non-fiction under Heather B. Moore. This can all be confusing, so her kids just call her Mom. Heather attended Cairo American College in Egypt, the Anglican School of Jerusalem in Israel, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Brigham Young University in Utah. Heather is represented by Dystel, Goderich, and Bourret.
Literary awards: 2019 Maggie Award Winner, 6-time Best of State Recipient for Best in Literary Arts, 4-time Whitney Award Winner, and 2-time Golden Quill Award Winner
This Bible story brings a story of the only female judge mentioned in the Bible - Deborah. Set in ancient time, when Israelites were oppressed by Canaanites: some unjustly imprisoned or forced into the king’s workforce; some children stolen during the night and used as sport in arena games; some women taken by force to work in the temples as prostitutes; all had taxes increased each year and, upon threat of death, were collected.
Deborah is a young Israelite shepherdess who lives in an isolated village of Ramah with her father and brothers. She knows her surroundings well. She knows how to listen to nature. And when danger lurks, she knows how to respond.
When Canaanites invade yet again the valley where they live, Deborah offers a solution to tell Canaanites that a plague has reached their village infecting people, animals and water.
And with that her legendary leadership skills grow.
When family members are lost, a search is set. She sees a smoke that leads her to a hiding place of those who were trying to survive hiding from enemy. Except, there was no smoke, it was a sign from God.
And with that her legend grows as a prophetess of God.
One day, two village elders come to their homestead, bringing a message for Deborah. “Shamgar, the Third Judge of Israel, has requested an audience with her.”
She is told, “Israel needs a spiritual leader to pull it out of its fallen state. (…) Upon my death, you will become the next Judge of Israel. You will be known as Deborah, prophetess and Fourth Judge of Israel.”
The second part of the book moves forward 15 years. Deborah is married to Lapidoth and they have two sons. The second part focuses on Israelites training to defeat Canaanites for good. They’ve been training in secret before, but not on this scale. This is a very dangerous mission. But they’ve been oppressed for long enough, that the determination outweighs the danger.
The day has come, ten thousand Israelites gather at the river Kishon and wait for Canaanites to fight them. God sends help of rushing waters and drowning many chariots of enemy...
This is a quick and engrossing read, bringing a vivid depiction of tumultuous times; Israelites always learning how to navigate the oppressor and how to outsmart them. They strive to “live free of fear and persecution by the Canaanites. (…) Free from the grueling days of teaching men how to fight for their lives.”
Deborah reveals many layers of her character. She is a strong woman, who at the same time is loyal and obeys her father’s wishes. She can fight like a lioness and at the same time she remembers about the respect due to the village elders.
Deborah is such an interesting character that I wished there was more to her story. The descriptions are very captivating including the tense encounters between Israelites and Canaanites, Deborah hunting down the snake that injured the sheep a day before, and Israelites training in secret.
Source: ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I loved everything about this book! We get to know Deborah on a personal level- her daily life and responsibilities, her family, the political climate of the Israelites and Canaanites and how it affects her. The pace of the story is anything but slow though- she is active in defense and her spiritual insights protect her and her family. It was interesting to see her spiritual gift progress as she exercises her strong faith and deepens her relationship with God. I loved the coming of age she experiences as she falls in love, marries, and embraces her role as a spiritual leader. I appreciated that Lapi and the other men in her life deeply respected and protected her not only as wife, daughter, and sister, but recognized how special and important her gift is. It's heartbreaking to learn of the abuses the Israelites suffered at the hands of the Canaanites for so many years, and I was glad to see how the Lord prepared them to finally overcome their oppressors. This Biblical story was brought to life with vivid characters and settings and I was immersed in the book the whole way through!
(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)
What a beautiful story. I was completely engrossed and didn't want to stop reading. So, imagine my delight when I found it also on audiobook and available on a place where I have a subscription. It was so exciting. I loved being able to read and listen. I ended up having to do a lot of driving around so it was wonderful being able to keep on going from where I was at in the book. And I loved the narration. It was very well done!
I loved learning more about Deborah. This book truly brought her to life for me. Yes, I know this is a fictional book and the author has taken liberty to create the story outside of the bible verses. But the author's research and understanding of the time period created a flawless story that makes you feel as if this was truly Deborah's life and history.
I think some of my favorite parts of the book were when Deborah would pray. It was beautiful. Her trust, her learning to hear God speaking to her through the quiet whisperings of the Spirit. Guiding and directing her. I loved how the author showed several moments of Deborah being inspired and guided, especially how that helps show her becoming a Judge of Israel.
I also loved the aspect of family throughout the book. Not just Deborah's family but the other families that were interconnected with hers. These characters completely captured my heart; their ups and downs, their joys and struggles, all of it.
There is a sweet love story woven into the story. Another beautiful aspect that I felt added another great dimension to these characters and story.
There is plenty of suspense and action that will keep you riveted to the story. Between the characters, setting, history, suspense, action and the love story, this is a book that I highly recommend and will find myself returning to again and again.
Content: Clean. This is based on Biblical characters and verses so there are religious aspects throughout the story. The book deals with battles so there are suspenseful moments as well as fights.
I received a copy from the author/publisher. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.
Where do I begin? I'd never read Biblical fiction until three years ago, and now I look forward to each book H.B. Moore writes. She makes these biblical figures come to life for me. I didn't remember the story of Deborah from the Old Testament but loved reading about her.
Deborah showed she had a spiritual gift when she was a young woman guarding sheep. She recognized where the thoughts and inspiration came from and how it helped her and her family whenever she followed the promptings from the Lord. She was blessed to have a husband, Lapi, who not only loved her, but respected her gift and followed her advice. Her father and brothers also respected her gift from the Lord. I loved that these men knew where her gift came from and listened to her counsel. It was wonderful to read how Deborah became the Fourth Judge of Israel, gave counsel to her people and went on to lead them to a great victory over the Canaanites. This isn't just Deborah's story, the story of Barak's family is also woven in.
I always learn so much when I read these Biblical stories and this time I learned a small part of what the Israelites suffered at the hands of the Canaanites. I can tell that the author does a lot of research and as I read I could picture the characters going about their lives. I love reading about some of the lesser known women in the Bible.
Thanks to NetGalley and Covenant Communications for allowing me to read this wonderful book. All thoughts expressed in this review are my own.
I'm always fascinated by H.B. Moore's biblical fiction books because they bring these people to life, allowing me to visualize them as real people with real struggles, strengths, and weaknesses.
Deborah definitely has gifts, as all of us do, but she's humble, living a quiet life with her father and brothers. I loved watching her fall in love, rise to accept her calling in life, and becoming the woman she was meant to be, all while maintaining her dignity, faith, and gentleness. She's a legend and it's easy to see why, as her greatness is clearly obvious in this story.
The setting and characters are vivid and I felt transported to another time and place. A big thanks to this author for helping me understand this story better, making it real and relatable.
Content: mild romance (fade to black between a married couple); mild+ violence (times of war and self-defense); mild+ religion (as this is a Christian biblical story)
*I received a complimentary copy through Netgalley from the publisher. All opinions expressed are my own and were voluntarily given.*
H.B. Moore is a brilliant writer. She has taken two chapters from the Judges in the Bible and created a novel. I can't help but think what a daunting task that is to remain true to the scriptural account and the historical time period.
Deborah is a story that I do not remember from the Bible. Her story is miraculous. She was a woman of Ancient Israel who became the Fourth Judge and led an army to victory against the Caananites. In the middle of this book, I knew that I needed to read the passages in Judges 4 and 5.
This novel gives an idea of what her life may have been like. It tells of a family, hopes, and dreams. I loved the people that surrounded her, the real and the fictional characters. The story is told with such vivid detail that I could picture myself there.
The best part of reading books of fiction based on the Bible is that it leads me to want to know more. I thank H.B. Moore for bringing the scriptures to life for me.
Source: I received a complimentary copy. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
H B Moore has such a way with writing these Biblical historical novels. I love the way she makes the scriptures come alive. Deborah became a real person to me, not just a word on the page. I love that!
Deborah is just a girl when this book begins. She’s a shepherdess, living in the hills, just trying to stay away from the Canaanites. The reader gets to see how she was favored of the Lord, being led by him from a very early age. They also get to see the way she’s able to protect her family and sheep when she needed to. She really was a remarkable young woman.
I loved the way this book helped me understand what would have been going on in the time period between the Israelite and the Canaanites. It’s not a time period I’ve studied, but it really helps to put the whole framework of the Bible together.
If you like to read historical fiction, you won’t want to miss this book!
I love when authors expound on the people in the scriptures! Knowing what their lives might have been like and adding in everyday details helps me envision more fully the person. When I then turn back to the scriptures and read their accounts I can have a greater understanding. I adore that this author has chosen to write about some of the women from the scriptures. Their stories give me hope and courage to live my life with greater faith. Study the life of Deborah both in this book and in the scriptures.
Note of Interest- At the Facebook Launch for this book I had a chance to ask the author, "How do you know what kinds of fictional characteristics to add in while keeping the book pretty authentic?"
Her answer was, "The first thing I have to decide is what her family structure is like, and what her father does for a living. Then how does she fit into the family, what are her relationships? And what's her age starting the story out. Is she married? Or will there be a romance? Then I look at her cultural and era and religious beliefs that will define a lot of how she'll react to things and how she'll spend her days. Since I decided that her father lives on the outskirts of the village and raises flocks, she'd have a nomad type lifestyle, which also defines her daily tasks and her knowledge of the world beyond her."
I am truly grateful for H.B. Moore's studies and her talent for writing. I thoroughly enjoyed this book!
Deborah, Prophetess of God is another fascinating historical fiction story, told by a talented author. I was immediately taken into the story and admired and respected the characters portrayed. The author was able portray beautifully who Deborah could have been. I also enjoyed the switch to Barak’s perspective. He and Deborah had a wonderful respect for each other. I always enjoy any book from this author, and I appreciate the time and research taken on behalf of the readers. Deborah is a women of miracles. She exemplifies courage, resilience, respect, and love.
I was really intrigued when I read the back copy for H.B. Moore's new Biblical historical fiction Deborah: Prophetess of God. Moore has a way of bringing historical figures to life and Deborah has always fascinated me, being a female judge in Israel and leading armies. I was excited to read it!
The obvious meticulous research into everyday lives of those who lived in Biblical times really brings Deborah to life. Ms. Moore has a way of using the setting and small details to allow the reader to truly experience the scenes with the characters and Deborah is no exception.
Deborah is living a quiet life, taking care of her sheep. She knows her father and brothers are helping two men, Barak and Lapidoth, to train the Israelites for the day when they rise up against the Canaanites who oppress them. But when an incident requires her to use all of her skills with a bow and arrow to escape death, her quiet life is upended.
I was captivated by the way the story unfolded, with Deborah using her faith to provide hope for those around her and how she accepted her calling. I loved that there was a love story included and that the supporting characters were fleshed out and completely believable. I admit, I went back to the Bible to see what events were recorded in scripture of this remarkable woman. The pacing is just right as we go from preparing for war to the battle and I could hardly put the book down.
Full of action and unexpected emotional attachments, Deborah is a book you won't want to miss.
If you're a fan of Biblical fiction like me then you'll love this story about Deborah. Taken from the book of Judges Deborah was Israel's 4th prophet. I think it's amazing how all of these authors can take the characters from the Bible and let us readers get to know them personally. This is Biblical fiction at it's finest and it is well worth the read and yes even rereading!! This is the 1st book I've read by this author and I was hooked! I spent most of the night reading this book. I was taken back to Biblical times and felt like I was invisible by Deborah's side as the battle with the Cannanites and truly felt God's power as He helped His ppl. I was like get get him! I was hooting and hollering until my husband told me to be quiet and that he was trying to sleep but I just stuck my tongue out at him lol!! He really doesn't know what he's missing by not liking to read. I feel sorry for him. My son only reads when he has to. But anyway, this is story you won't soon forget! It will leave you thinking about it long after it's over. I hope this book will bless you and remind you of God's love for us. I think this is the most exciting biblical story I've read in awhile. My thanks to Covenate Influencer reading group and Netgalley for a complimentary copy of this book. NO compensations were received. All opinions are my own.
Deborah: Prophetess of God is another well written and researched book by H.B. Moore. Once you start reading one of her books it's near impossible to put down. When I first picked it up in the evening (which was a big mistake) I kept telling myself..."Just one more chapter." Well, 9:00 p.m. turned into 1:30 a.m. very quickly. Moore's writing pulls you into the plot in a way that you forget you are reading a book and not watching a movie.
This particular book is about Deborah the Prophetess spoken of in the Holy Bible. There is not a lot written of her, so this makes this novel an even bigger achievement for Moore. Readers are swept away to the time when the Israelites are preparing to defend themselves against the oppressive Canaanites. With only little known facts of Deborah and her family, they are brought to life in rich, vivid detail. We learn a little about her upbringing and then go to years later when Deborah is made one of the judges of Israel. Deborah is portrayed as a woman of not only faith but great courage and wisdom. I enjoyed this book so much. I feel that this is one of her best novels yet and she has written A LOT of books. If you like historical/Biblical fiction with adventure and romance, you will truly love Deborah: Prophetess of God.
An interesting look at life during the Bible times. I really enjoyed this story about Deborah and the challenges she had to face during this period in history. The plot is well thought out even though there is little history about Deborah to go on. I felt like I was transported back to Old Testament times and watching the story unfold.
I received a free digital copy of this book. All thoughts above are my own.
I loved Deborah as a character! This is a story I've heard and read over in the Bible, but never knew much about. Moore did a great job building characters and context for the story of Deborah, Prophetess of God and Judge of Israel.
It made me think about what I do to prepare and receive personal revelation from God. This book also made me ponder the times that I have heard and felt the Spirit in my life. I also felt the desire to be closer to the Lord and the Holy Spirit. Overall, a thought provoking and uplifting read.
My only criticism was that I got a little bored near the end of the book with the battle sequences- and it kinda felt like it ended alright but a little flat compared to the quality of the rest of the book.
I'd rate this appropriate for about 14-15+ readers.
What a beautiful story. I was completely engrossed and didn't want to stop reading. So, imagine my delight when I found it also on audiobook and available on a place where I have a subscription. It was so exciting. I loved being able to read and listen. I ended up having to do a lot of driving around so it was wonderful being able to keep on going from where I was at in the book. And I loved the narration. It was very well done!
I loved learning more about Deborah. This book truly brought her to life for me. Yes, I know this is a fictional book and the author has taken liberty to create the story outside of the bible verses. But the author's research and understanding of the time period created a flawless story that makes you feel as if this was truly Deborah's life and history.
I think some of my favorite parts of the book were when Deborah would pray. It was beautiful. Her trust, her learning to hear God speaking to her through the quiet whisperings of the Spirit. Guiding and directing her. I loved how the author showed several moments of Deborah being inspired and guided, especially how that helps show her becoming a Judge of Israel.
I also loved the aspect of family throughout the book. Not just Deborah's family but the other families that were interconnected with hers. These characters completely captured my heart; their ups and downs, their joys and struggles, all of it.
There is a sweet love story woven into the story. Another beautiful aspect that I felt added another great dimension to these characters and story.
There is plenty of suspense and action that will keep you riveted to the story. Between the characters, setting, history, suspense, action and the love story, this is a book that I highly recommend and will find myself returning to again and again.
Content: Clean. This is based on Biblical characters and verses so there are religious aspects throughout the story. The book deals with battles so there are suspenseful moments as well as fights.
I received a copy from the author/publisher. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.
Deborah, a shepherdess, lives a fairly simple life—but that is turned upside down when encounters with the Canaanites lead her, as well as others, to realize that God is working in her life, for her sake and for the sake of His people. Although she is told by the Third Judge of Israel that she will be the next judge of Israel, when that becomes reality, Deborah must summon all her faith to face the challenges ahead, as the time has come for her, along with her husband’s cousin, Barak, who has been training the Israelites in battle, to lead the Israelites against the Canaanites to end their oppression. I always enjoy reading H.B. Moore’s Biblical fiction because they make me think about people from the Bible in a totally different way. While this is a work of fiction, the setting is highly researched and it really brings to life how the ancient Israelites lived. The plot of this book is really interesting—the first part focuses a lot on Deborah and her future husband, Lapidoth, and their love story, while setting the stage for the eventual battle between the Israelites and Caananites, while the second part moves fifteen years ahead to when Deborah becomes the Judge of Israel and the imminent battle looms large. I thought both parts were really interesting—I loved the romance of the first part but also really liked seeing how Lapi continued to believe in and support Deborah in her sacred calling in the second part. I also liked Barak’s character and seeing his worries, which were so realistic, as he was supposed to lead the Israelites, and how he had to push through them. This was just a pleasure to read! I read an ARC provided by the publisher. All opinions are my own.
If you're a fan of Biblical fiction like me then you'll love this story about Deborah. Taken from the book of Judges Deborah was Israel's 4th prophet. I think it's amazing how all of these authors can take the characters from the Bible and let us readers get to know them personally. This is Biblical fiction at it's finest and it is well worth the read and yes even rereading!! This is the 1st book I've read by this author and I was hooked! I spent most of the night reading this book. I was taken back to Biblical times and felt like I was invisible by Deborah's side as the battle with the Cannanites and truly felt God's power as He helped His ppl. I was like get get him! I was hooting and hollering until my husband told me to be quiet and that he was trying to sleep but I just stuck my tongue out at him lol!! He really doesn't know what he's missing by not liking to read. I feel sorry for him. My son only reads when he has to. But anyway, this is story you won't soon forget! It will leave you thinking about it long after it's over. I hope this book will bless you and remind you of God's love for us. I think this is the most exciting biblical story I've read in awhile. My thanks to Covenate Influencer reading group and Netgalley for a complimentary copy of this book. NO compensations were received. All opinions are my own.
I love biblical fiction and I have read every single book by this author and this book didn't disappoint! I LOVED IT and couldn't put it down!
I was so enthralled with the story of Deborah and all the characters. She really came to life for me and I enjoyed reading about her training and how God protected her over the years. The story covers at least a 15 year span over her life in parts 1 and 2 of the book. In the beginning of the book the author notes what biblical characters are fiction and what ones are mentioned in the Old Testament. I was immediately drawn to the characters and how they interacted and their traditions during that period of time.
Very well written with some clean romance, drama and war action. If you have read other biblical fiction books by this author or by others and enjoyed them, than this book should be on your next "to be read" list! Highly recommend! I will be keeping this book on my bookshelf to read again!
I received a copy of this book complimentary for blog and social media review. All opinions are my own.
I enjoy reading about amazing women who are strong, dedicated, and have so many good qualities as human beings. Deborah had it in spades. Being a judge in Israel can't have been easy on many levels, particularly as a wife and mother. And going on the battlefield against the Samarians. More great storytelling by H.B. Moore! The stories of women in the scriptures need to be told!
A true joy to read! I thought I knew the stories of the bible pretty well but I was surprised by this book! I was not expecting to be as engaged and engrossed as I was! I couldn’t put it down! The author sets the scene with such skill that I could view the desert sunsets, smell the smells, and feel the emotions that were being depicted. The characters come to life on the page and evolved in ways that make them very real. I felt as if I had been transported back in time! I laughed with them, cried with them, feared with them and for them, and rejoiced and mourned with them as they navigated through a very tumultuous time. This book contains some scenes of graphic violence, innuendo, endangerment, and war as depicted in the biblical setting. At the same time it includes sometimes raw emotion and romance, without compromising the values or morals of mainstream Christianity. *Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
To preface, I don't normally delve into the Biblical in the Historicals I read, but I was given this one by the publisher and decided to give it a real chance. I was not disappointed.
I could feel the weight of this mantle that she carried. As depicted she was sensitive to God from a young age and was able to pray with a faith that I don't quite grasp myself.
The characters were very real to me as they were written in a way that anyone can relate to. I could see the turmoil surrounding them and the need for a strong leader. The story was old and yet fresh and new. I found it difficult to put it down as I wanted to learn more about this strong leader.
H.B. Moore did a wonderful job of keeping the tone and the reverence in the book. I can't imagine writing a book about someone who was mentioned in a chapter or two. By using the setting of the novel, the author was able to bring life into Biblical figures that may otherwise be overlooked.
I honestly wasn't sure about Deborah's story, I knew little of it and I was quite pleasantly surprised by how quickly I was drawn into it. I loved this look into Deborah's life and her becoming not only a prophetess but a judge in Israel. The immense study into life back then by Moore lends an authenticity to the story and brings the reader straight into the everyday life of the Israelite people. The oppression they were under by the Canaanites was shocking and sickening. I wanted the Israelites to rise up and take back their freedom. Training armies, being a judge and a mother, Deborah seemed to balance it all wonderfully. Her story is powerfully told and is one I keep reflecting on even days after I have finished it. Bold, powerful, and majestically written, Deborah Prophetess of God will leave you wanting more. I received a copy of this book for free, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
I have read a few books by HB Moore and this is the first biblical fiction of hers that I have read. This story starts out introducing us to Deborah a shepherdess as she faces two very different dangerous situations at one time.
Deborah attributes her successes in life to her constant prayers to God. The people (men) around her see her unique gifts and want to protect and help her.
This is not only a story of Deborah and her calling as the fourth judge of Israel but an enduring love story between her and Lapidoth.
HB Moore diligently did her research pertaining to customs and laws of the old testament times. She also helps the reader to understand the plight for the Israelites need to be out from under the Canaanites rule.
I enjoyed reading this biblical fiction! It really helped bring the story of Deborah to life for me.
Deborah: The Prophetess of God by H.B. Moore is a beautiful and touching story. Moore has crafted a tale about a young shepherdess and a chosen daughter of God and her influence. This story tells of the oppressions of the children of Israel and their faith through their hardships. But this is not only the story of the Israelite people, but one in particular. It’s the inspiring story of Deborah, a women of strength and of faith. This novel is excellently written and well researched, bringing to life the stories from the scriptures. Readers will be enticed and mesmerized by this excellent biblical novel.
Genre: Christian, biblical Publisher: Covenant Communications Publication date: September 1, 2019 Number of pages: 232
A review copy of this book was provided by Covenant Communications. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are my own.
Excellent writing! The story captured me from the beginning. It was hard to take breaks-it’s always fascinating to me to read of stories set in biblical times. Ms Moore has a true talent for sharing fantastic history in her novels!
Disclosure statement: I receive complimentary books for review from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including Netgalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255.
I was completely impressed with this book! I was familiar with the Biblical story of Deborah, but this book made it come more alive for me! Heather Moore is a very talented writer and weaves believable stories that just always keep me engaged! The story of Deborah is a beautiful mix of true Biblical events, mixed with the author's imagination to fill in the gaps. A beautiful combination! I love Deborah's character and felt her faith! I was inspired by her prayers and her confidence. Even though there is not a lot mentioned in the Bible of Deborah's husband Lappidoth, I love what the author did with his character. Being the husband of the first woman Judge of Israel had to be many things - daunting, humbling, and maybe intimidating? I absolutely LOVE his courage and devotion to the Lord's calling - and his devotion to Deborah. A beautiful picture of a Godly man. And... I love the clean romance that develops between Deborah and Lapi. Very well done. Deborah learns to trust God more and more as she accepts her calling. Barak is the commander of the Israelite army and I enjoyed what the author did with his character too. He's strong, but has to come face to face with his fears. There were several supporting characters that were well written as well. The events that lead up to the riveting ending kept me page turning long into the night! I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions expressed here are my own. If you love historical Biblical stories, mixed with a clean romance, and several great characters, then you will enjoy this book! I highly recommend it!
Actually 2.5 stars Deborah is one of the most extraordinary women in the Bible. She was the only female judge in The Bible and was a prophetess who successfully led a rebellion against King Jabin. Because Deborah’s story is one of courage and faith, renowned Christian author, H. B. Moore spins her own take on Deborah. In this version, Mrs. Moore chronicles Deborah’s story from her courtship with Lapidoth to when she becomes one of Israel’s greatest leaders.
In this version, Deborah is portrayed as a tomboy. She learned archery alongside her brothers at an early age. She is feisty and is tough-as nails. She is capable of defending herself. She is bold, mischievous, and can outwit her enemies. Thus, Deborah is portrayed as a modern heroine. She does not have any flaws. I found this Deborah to be very unrealistic to her historical counterpart. I could not help but compare Mrs. Moore’s version of Deborah to Jill Eileen Smith’s version of Deborah. I found Mrs. Smith’s version to be more likable because while Deborah was strong-willed, she had her flaws. Thus, Mrs. Smith’s version was more realistic and relatable than Mrs. Moore’s version because she seemed perfect and unrealistic.
Overall, this novel is about love, faith, and choices. I found that Barak’s story overshadowed Deborah’s story. It felt as if Barak was the main character in the book rather than Deborah. The rest of the characters were flat and were not given any character development. I was also annoyed by how the author’s kept a modernized version of their names rather than using their historical names. One example is Lapi for Lapidoth. It made me cringe I every time I read his name. The novel’s strength is her setting. I found the author’s vivid details made ancient Israel come alive. Thus, I was really disappointed in this version of Deborah. I have loved H.B. Moore’s novels, especially Anna the Prophetess, and Ruth. However, Mrs. Moore did not do Deborah justice. For a more superior version of the infamous Deborah, I recommend The Prophetess by Jill Eileen Smith. (Note: I read an ARC copy of this book in courtesy of Netgalley.)
This is the first book I've read by this author, and I plan to read many more! I don't know many of the Bible stories as well as I should... because...well... unfortunately, reading the Bible tends to put me to sleep. 🫣 The author took a Bible story and made it entertaining and easy to digest for anyone! This book definitely uplifted me and actually got me excited to learn more about people and events from the scriptures. It also was a great reminder that the people in the scriptures were people with real emotions and that we can relate to them on an individual level.
I love her positive attitude. The story of Deborah is not one I was familiar with - now I need to go to the book of Judges and study her story. I love how with every prompting - She acted! People trusted her and counted on her advice.
I need to be more like that - act when asked by the Lord to do something.
I really enjoyed reading Deborah the Prophetess of God..it was interesting and entertaining!
This story kept my interest all the way through. It was a thrilling read and I learned a lot about Deborah the Prophetess of God. I like the fact that it brought the women in the Bible into the story and how they contributed to all of the history of events.