I received this book from Litfuse Publicity for no charge in exchange for my honest review of this book. The opinions expressed here are my own.
Book Description:
After years of watching his children and grandchildren wander from their faith, Iddo's prayers are answered: King Cyrus is allowing God's chosen people to return to Jerusalem. Jubilant, he joyfully prepares for their departure, only to learn that his family, grown comfortable in the pagan culture of Babylon, wants to remain.
Zechariah, Iddo's oldest grandson, feels torn between his grandfather's ancient beliefs and the comfort and success his father enjoys in Babylon. But he soon begins to hear the voice of God, encouraging him to return to the land given to his forefathers.
Bringing to life the biblical books of Ezra and Nehemiah, Return to Me tells the compelling story of Iddo and Zechariah, the women who love them, and the faithful followers who struggle to rebuild their lives in obedience to the God who beckons them home.
My Thoughts:
Return To Me is the first book in Lynn Austin's latest series The Restoration Chronicles. This is the first novel by Lynn Austin I have had the pleasure of reading but I have many of her books in my to be read pile. Return To Me is a Christian Historical Fiction novel about biblical times when the Jews could finally go home to Jerusalem after decades of being exiled in Babylon. Iddo remembers when the Jews were forced to leave Jerusalem, he was a child. He lost his mother and brother in the attacks in Jerusalem. Iddo became a Priest and continued his families traditions but Iddo was plagued with guilt and nightmares from the events in Jerusalem all those years before and longed to be back in his homeland. Not everyone went. Iddo and Dinah's children decided to stay in Babylon to continue their work and lives. Iddo and Dinah took one grandchild, Zechariah with them. Zechariah was considered an adult, having gone through his Bar Mitzvah and was given the choice. During his Bar Mitzvah he heard God's leading that he should go with his grandparents to Jerusalem. This novel chronicles the journey they take both physically and spiritually in Jerusalem. The hardships and perseverance they had to make it in Jerusalem.
I really enjoyed Return To Me. The story is fiction but had many facts in it from the Bible. Lynn Austin wrote a wonderful story about this time in Biblical history. I found myself unable to put this novel down. Once I got into it, I was IN TO IT! I had a hard time in the beginning getting into it but after a few chapters the book really grabbed me. Lynn Austin writes with authority about historical Jerusalem and Babylon, the politics, the beliefs of all in that time, and the types of tribes and families. The characters were real people experiencing good and bad, some questioning their faith and finding their faith again. Lynn Austin weaves different themes throughout the book dealing with love, forgiveness and following the law instead of having a genuine relationship with the One true God. These themes are relevant today in all of our lives. The messages in this novel are profound. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Christian Historical Fiction, especially during biblical times. Lynn Austin brings these stories from the Bible alive in this novel. I cannot wait to read the rest of this series! I give this book ***** (5 stars).
Lynn Austin is celebrating the release of Return to Me, the first book in her new Biblical fiction series, The Restoration Chronicles, with a Kindle Fire HDX giveaway and a Facebook Author Chat party.
One winner will receive:
- A Kindle Fire HDX
- Return to Me by Lynn Austin
So grab your copy of Return to Me and join Lynn on the evening of October 22nd for a chance to connect and make some new friends. (If you haven't read the book, don't let that stop you from coming!)
Thank you for the lovely review!!
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