Before the King: (Women of the Way 2)
Shortly before her father starts a new, prestigious position, Joanna and her family find Joanna’s sister Dalia having a seizure. Fear of the shame and gossip Dalia’s condition would garner, Joanna’s parents send Dalia away to live with an aunt. But Dalia is never far from Joanna’s mind as she grows into a beautiful young woman. After being betrothed to a handsome but selfish man, Joanna secretly sends a letter to Dalia inviting her to attend the wedding ceremony. Happily, Dalia arrives! While showing her Sepphoris’s theater, tragedy strikes, leaving Joanna with a broken leg and a broken heart. Years later, Joanna encounters the rabbi named Jesus. His message reminds Joanna of Dalia’s own faith-filled words, but can she find a place in her heart to forgive herself after what happened at the theater?
Heather Kaufman’s characters are intricately crafted; they vibrantly reflect the fears, struggles, and hope of the period. Joanna’s emotions are tumultuous, and Kaufman explores them with grace and compassion. Readers accompany Joanna, struggling to keep her faith and cope with her grief, on a moving emotional journey. After witnessing her sister’s suffering, Joanna can’t fathom accepting forgiveness and healing for herself. Yet it’s Dalia’s example that eventually leads Joanna to a faith that blossoms beautifully. The prose is lovely, and the way the author uses moments in Joanna’s life to provide light in difficult moments is heartwarming. Kaufman has a talent in bringing Biblical times to life in a way that’s accessible to modern readers. Before the King is a stand-alone read that I joyously recommend.
