Tessa Afshar - Daughter of Rome

Tessa Afshar has the rare gift of seamlessly blending impeccable historical research and theological depth with lyrical prose and engaging characters. In Daughter of Rome, Afshar imagines the multi-textured lives of Priscilla and Aquila, coworkers of the apostle Paul, as they are stretched and shaped through their losses and love. What emerges is a compelling story about their faith and faithfulness a story that invites our response of faith and faithfulness as well.

SHARON GARLOUGH BROWN, AUTHOR OF SHADES OF LIGHT AND THE SENSIBLE SHOES SERIES

Tessa Afshars ability to transport readers into the culture and characters of her biblical novels is extraordinary. From the first chapter youll feel as if you know Priscilla. You might tear up like I did when she meets Aquila and their story unfolds. Daughter of Rome is a feast for your imagination as well as balm for your soul.

ROBIN JONES GUNN, BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF BECOMING US

Afshar again shows her amazing talent for packing action and intrigue into the biblical setting for modern readers.

PUBLISHERS WEEKLY, STARRED REVIEW

Lyrical... [with] superb momentum, exhilarating scenes, and moving themes of love and determination.... Afshar brings to life the gripping tale of one womans struggle to choose between rebellion and love.

BOOKLIST

Afshars well-drawn characters and lushly detailed setting vividly bring to life the ancient world of the Bible. A solid choice for fans of Francine Rivers and Bodie and Brock Thoene.

LIBRARY JOURNAL

Afshar continues to demonstrate an exquisite ability to bring the women of the Bible to life, this time shining a light on Lydia, the seller of purple, and skillfully balancing fact with imagination.

ROMANTIC TIMES

Afshar has created an unforgettable story of dedication, betrayal, and redemption that culminates in a rich testament to Gods mercies and miracles.

PUBLISHERS WEEKLY

With sublime writing and solid research, [Afshar] captures the distinctive experience of living at a time when Christianity was in its fledgling stages.

LIBRARY JOURNAL

Readers who enjoy Francine Riverss Lineage of Grace series will love this stand-alone book.

CHRISTIAN MARKET

With its resourceful, resilient heroine and vibrant narrative, Bread of Angels offers an engrossing new look at a mysterious woman of faith.

FOREWORD MAGAZINE

Readers will be moved by Eliannas faith, and Afshars elegant evocation of biblical life will keep them spellbound. An excellent choice for fans of Francine Riverss historical fiction and those who read for character.

LIBRARY JOURNAL

Fans of biblical fiction will enjoy an absorbing and well-researched chariot ride.

PUBLISHERS WEEKLY

In perhaps her best novel to date, Afshar... grants a familiar [biblical] character not only a name, but also a poignant history to which many modern readers can relate. The wit, the romance, and the humanity make Eliannas journey uplifting as well as soul touching.

ROMANTIC TIMES, TOP PICK REVIEW

Heartache and healing blend beautifully in this gem among Christian fiction.

CBA RETAILERS + RESOURCES

An impressively crafted, inherently appealing, consistently engaging, and compelling read from first page to last, Land of Silence is enthusiastically recommended for community library historical fiction collections.

MIDWEST BOOK REVIEWS

This captivating story of love, loss, faith, and hope gives a realistic glimpse of what life might have been like in ancient Palestine.

WORLD MAGAZINE

Visit Tyndale online at www.tyndale.com.

Visit Tessa Afshar at www.tessaafshar.com.

TYNDALE and Tyndales quill logo are registered trademarks of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.

Daughter of Rome

Copyright 2020 by Tessa Afshar. All rights reserved.

Cover photograph of woman copyright ILINA SIMEONOVA/Trevillion Images. All rights reserved.

Designed by Dean H. Renninger

Edited by Kathryn S. Olson

Published in association with the literary agency of Books & Such Literary Agency, 52 Mission Circle, Suite 122, PMB 170, Santa Rosa, CA 95409

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version, NIV. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Scripture quotations in chapters 6 and 27 and in the authors note and acknowledgments are from the ESV Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version), copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Daughter of Rome is a work of fiction. Where real people, events, establishments, organizations, or locales appear, they are used fictitiously. All other elements of the novel are drawn from the authors imagination.

For information about special discounts for bulk purchases, please contact Tyndale House Publishers at , or call 1-800-323-9400.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Names: Afshar, Tessa, author.

Title: Daughter of Rome / Tessa Afshar.

Description: Carol Stream, Illinois : Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., [2020]

Identifiers: LCCN 2019034281 (print) | LCCN 2019034282 (ebook) | ISBN 9781496428707 (hardcover) | ISBN 9781496428714 (trade paperback) | ISBN 9781496428721 (kindle edition) | ISBN 9781496428738 (epub) | ISBN 9781496428745 (epub)

Subjects: GSAFD: Christian fiction. | Love stories.

Classification: LCC PS3601.F47 D38 2020 (print) | LCC PS3601.F47 (ebook)

| DDC 813/.6 dc23

LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2019034281

LC ebook record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2019034282

ISBN 978-1-4964-2873-8 (ePub); ISBN 978-1-4964-2872-1 (Kindle); ISBN 978-1-4964-2874-5 (Apple)

Build: 2020-01-03 15:35:21 EPUB 3.0

For Jessie:

Kind. Thoughtful. Funny. Smart. Beautiful.

My lovable bookworm.

You will always be a treasure to my heart.

Bread of Angels

Land of Silence

Pearl in the Sand

Harvest of Rubies

Harvest of Gold

In the Field of Grace

We will tell the next generation

the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord,

his power, and the wonders he has done.

PSALM 78:4

HEART SLAMMING AGAINST HER CHEST, stomach roiling like floodwaters, Priscilla stood before the closed door. She had come to this same spot four times already without taking a step within. Today she could not turn back. Time had become the enemy she could not conquer. She had to cross over that threshold.

The wooden slats facing her must have once been painted crimson but had long since faded to a sickly rust color. She raised her hand to knock. Her fingers trembled and she clenched them into a fist. She rested her forehead against the peeling paint. She could not go through with this.

She had to go through with this.

Before she could recoil again, she slammed her fist into the wood once. Twice. The third time, she crashed her knuckles against the door so hard, the skin scraped off. She was already bleeding and she had not even taken a step inside.