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At the Cross: an Easter Short Story
Experience the Easter Story through the eyes of those who witnessed it…
PETER: The disciple who denied the One he swore to follow even to the end.
SIMON OF CYRENE: An ordinary man whose path unexpectedly collides with that of a stranger condemned to death.
FELIX MAXIMUS: A Roman centurion charged with carrying out a crucifixion unlike any he’s overseen before.
MARY: A mother struggling with the death of her firstborn son.
MARY OF MAGDALA: A woman faced with the shocking discovery that the body of the man who delivered her from seven demons has vanished.
The death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus impacts each of their lives in a different way… But this impact is one that will reach into eternity.
PETER: The disciple who denied the One he swore to follow even to the end.
SIMON OF CYRENE: An ordinary man whose path unexpectedly collides with that of a stranger condemned to death.
FELIX MAXIMUS: A Roman centurion charged with carrying out a crucifixion unlike any he’s overseen before.
MARY: A mother struggling with the death of her firstborn son.
MARY OF MAGDALA: A woman faced with the shocking discovery that the body of the man who delivered her from seven demons has vanished.
The death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus impacts each of their lives in a different way… But this impact is one that will reach into eternity.
- GenresHistorical Fiction
45 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 23, 2021
2 people are currently reading
49 people want to read
About the author
Ashton E. Dorow
9 books184 followersAshton has loved books for as long as she can remember, and at age fourteen, that love became a passion when she began writing her own novels. She currently resides in Conroe, TX with her real-life prince–AKA her husband, Austin. When not writing, Ashton can be found reading, spending time with family, serving at the church she’s attended since childhood, or drinking copious amounts of chai tea. Her greatest desire as a writer is to point readers to the ultimate Author—Jesus.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
April 3, 2021
Captivating, respectful, accurate, beautiful.
April 8, 2023
If you need something quick to read this Easter weekend, or any time to remind you of the magnitude of what Jesus did for us — this is your story!!
Told from 5 different perspectives from the time in the garden until the resurrection this book was so powerful and beautifully written.
To be in so many people’s heads while they experienced their friend, brother, son, teacher, even a stranger, die such a BRUTAL death and not truly understanding the real “WHY” was so impactful for me. I saw them as human and not just these “historical people”. They felt emotions I feel, they reacted in ways I would’ve reacted. It was just…great!
It reminded me a bit of the Passion of the Christ, which I really enjoyed because I love that movie!
I highly recommend for anytime, but definitely for Easter! (Can’t wait to read the Christmas story)
5/5 stars
Told from 5 different perspectives from the time in the garden until the resurrection this book was so powerful and beautifully written.
To be in so many people’s heads while they experienced their friend, brother, son, teacher, even a stranger, die such a BRUTAL death and not truly understanding the real “WHY” was so impactful for me. I saw them as human and not just these “historical people”. They felt emotions I feel, they reacted in ways I would’ve reacted. It was just…great!
It reminded me a bit of the Passion of the Christ, which I really enjoyed because I love that movie!
I highly recommend for anytime, but definitely for Easter! (Can’t wait to read the Christmas story)
5/5 stars
April 2, 2021
Wow. Just...wow. If I could give At The Cross 5 bajillion stars, I would - it was that amazing.
God has gifted Ashton and she did an amazing job on this book! I had never read or seen anything to help me envision the events leading up to and after the Cross, so it hit me really hard. It helped me see the crucifixion in a new way and put emotions to the events.
Honestly, I cried. I never cry for books, so that shows me just how deeply moving At The Cross is! I was on the brink of tears the whole time, but when Jesus came back to life - I totally lost it. Having read what each of the people possibly thought broke my heart and just...my words are gone. It was beautiful.
And at the end of the book - Ashton added how she researched for the book and the POVs and her thoughts from that. It was so neat to hear the behind the scenes and her heart behind the story!
Everyone should read this. Any time of year is great, but especially with Easter approaching this weekend, it's the perfect opportunity! You won't regret reading this beautiful short story!
God has gifted Ashton and she did an amazing job on this book! I had never read or seen anything to help me envision the events leading up to and after the Cross, so it hit me really hard. It helped me see the crucifixion in a new way and put emotions to the events.
Honestly, I cried. I never cry for books, so that shows me just how deeply moving At The Cross is! I was on the brink of tears the whole time, but when Jesus came back to life - I totally lost it. Having read what each of the people possibly thought broke my heart and just...my words are gone. It was beautiful.
And at the end of the book - Ashton added how she researched for the book and the POVs and her thoughts from that. It was so neat to hear the behind the scenes and her heart behind the story!
Everyone should read this. Any time of year is great, but especially with Easter approaching this weekend, it's the perfect opportunity! You won't regret reading this beautiful short story!
September 12, 2021
A beautiful novella! I loved how Ashton filled in those “blank” moments in between lines in the Bible- it truly brought the story to “life” in a very vivid way. Ashton kept her story tight and fast paced which is key with biblical retellings :) The story is written from a couple of different perspectives but I personally liked Mary, Jesus’s mother, perspective the best! It was so personal and emotional that you couldn’t help but be in awe at how strong and faithful she was. Ashton keeps her writing super faithful and accurate to the Word and I loved how it felt I was reading the Bible but at the same time experiencing all the emotions that the characters did!
I highly recommend it! It is a perfect story to read on Easter or whenever you want to remember God’s most beautiful gift to us , Jesus❤️
I highly recommend it! It is a perfect story to read on Easter or whenever you want to remember God’s most beautiful gift to us , Jesus❤️
April 13, 2021
Wonderful!
April 7, 2021
Such a beautiful and wonderful story. Ashton is now one of my favourite authors as I have loved all three of the works she has published so far. I'm so in love with her writing style and it was such a joy to read such a familia story from different perspectives. I appreciate the phenomenal amount of research that went into this piece of work and this was evident throughout the book. I was so blessed reading this story which reminded me of the wonderful sacrifice our Saviour made for us at the cross. We have hope that Jesus is alive and that hope can never be taken away from us :)
March 6, 2021
No review since I wrote the book—but I hope readers will enjoy my imagining of what it may have been like to witness the Easter story firsthand! This story was an honor to write and will always have a special place in my heart. ❤️
April 4, 2021
Poignant and emotional
This short story detailing the events of Jesus’ death and resurrection was beautifully and accurately written. I was drawn into the story- a story I’ve heard a thousand times and experienced it anew. I wept as they wept and rejoiced as they rejoiced. I had never let myself imagine the scenes from another perspective and this was such a wonderfully detailed description of the real people who were really there as my savior became the ultimate sacrifice for my sins and defeated death, hell, and the grace for me.
This short story detailing the events of Jesus’ death and resurrection was beautifully and accurately written. I was drawn into the story- a story I’ve heard a thousand times and experienced it anew. I wept as they wept and rejoiced as they rejoiced. I had never let myself imagine the scenes from another perspective and this was such a wonderfully detailed description of the real people who were really there as my savior became the ultimate sacrifice for my sins and defeated death, hell, and the grace for me.
April 4, 2021
This was a seamlessly woven story told through the eyes of five witnesses...Peter, Simon of Cyrene, The Roman Soldier, Mary the mother of Christ, & Mary Magdalene. The death & resurrection of Jesus is the most beautiful love story & it was a pleasure to read. Thank you Ashton E Dorow.
March 17, 2024
The humanizing nature that Dorow weaves into her writing is so compelling. She stays true to the history, uses excerpts directly from Scripture, and is honest about the parts she fills in the gaps. I could feel the anger, sorrow, and eventual peace and joy from each character. I must read leading up to Easter.
April 17, 2025
Such a beautiful and poignant short story about the day our Saviour sacrificed His life to save us.
Written from the perspective of different people who surrounded Jesus, starting with His arrest and ending with His resurrection.
The perfect read for this Passover weekend.
Written from the perspective of different people who surrounded Jesus, starting with His arrest and ending with His resurrection.
The perfect read for this Passover weekend.
January 6, 2023
A must read for every Christian!
April 8, 2023
4.5 stars!
February 17, 2025
9.25/10⭐️
April 22, 2023
This was the perfect story to read for Easter! I appreciated the author’s note about the research behind the five perspectives: Peter, Simon of Cyrene, Felix Maximus, Mary, and Mary of Magdala. This was a quick read of about 45 pages!
May 21, 2021
Beautiful rendition of the ancient story of the biblical Easter. The author does an amazing job of making the characters come to life through the narrative while maintaining the accuracy of the true account.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews