This Scarlet Cord

Book description:  "Within one of the Old Testament’s most famous battles lies one of its most tender love stories.

Hidden within the battle of Jericho is the story of Rahab, a beautiful and brave young Canaanite woman who aided the Israelites by hanging a piece of scarlet cord from a window. This act of faith changed her life by placing her in the genealogy of Christ.

Rahab is the beautiful youngest daughter of a Canaanite farmer, taken to Jericho for the pagan New Year celebration so that her father can find her a wealthy spouse. Sala is the only son of an Israelite merchant, in Jericho as a spy for Joshua’s army. Their love would have been destined for heartache, were it not ordained by God.

When Rahab finds favor with the king, and is to become his ritual bride, she abandons the pagan gods who have abandoned her and pleads with the One True God of the Israelites for deliverance. With her prayer answered, she vows to deliver Jericho to Joshua, risking her life to do so.

Motivated by love and empowered by a new faith, Rahab saves her family, and secures her future as one of the most important women in the Bible."

My review:  When reading this book, readers have to remember that this is a fiction book.  This Scarlet Cord is a carefully woven story with historically significant events included.  There are plenty of Biblical characters, but the Bible does not give a lot of information about Rahab, so there is very little Biblical fact found within this story.  Joan Wolf has written an intriguing tale and did a great job imagining the course that Rahab's life might have taken.  Readers are reminded that no matter what a person has done God can still use that person to accomplish His will.  This is another story that sent me back to the Bible to the book of Joshua to read what little the Bible records about Rahab.  There are some events in the story, though tactfully detailed, that would not be appropriate for young readers.  I would recommend that parents read this book first in order to decide if it would be appropriate for your children.  I received a complimentary e-copy of this book from Thomas Nelson Publishers through their Booksneeze Blogger program in exchange for an honest review.  All opinions are my own.