The Daughter of Rome by Tessa Afshar is the story of Priscilla and Aquilla–how their relationship evolved until they became great leaders of the early church.
This page may contain affiliate links. Read the full affiliate disclosure.
My Review of Daughter of Rome
Table of Contents
The story of Priscilla begins with her in the most unlikely of places. The author starts her life not as an influential member of the early church but as a woman who had made mistakes and was seeking redemption. I loved Priscilla’s character. She was humble, generous, and loving. Tessa Afshar did a great job showing how we can help our brethren in simple ways—even when we ourselves don’t have a lot. She also shows how the things we do for others which we sometimes undervalue can be treasured in the eyes of the ones on whom they were bestowed.
The relationship between several characters and their Heavenly Father bloomed on the pages of this book. This happened in various ways and over varied periods of time but they all had one thing in common: the study of God’s Word. While many of the characters were unable to study the Word for themselves, they showed up for the teaching and made themselves available to learn from those who had the knowledge to impart.
The reader spends a lot of time walking around with the main characters Priscilla and Aquila who were like the two opposing facets of human character. One saw themselves as beneath the esteem of others and the other occasionally looked down on the other person for their supposed shortcomings.
Both characters had to come to the realization that who they are according to the standards of the world was not who they were according to their identity in Christ. They had to choose who they wanted to be.
Priscilla and Aquila had a series of hard things happen in their lives. But, like us, they had to learn that their trials are easier to bear when we rely on God. They also highlighted the lesson that sometimes when we think God has deserted us, that’s when He has drawn closest to us and is directing our path.
I received an advanced reader’s copy of Daughter of Rome from the publishers through JustRead Tours and NetGalley; a positive review was not required. Get your copy of Daughter of Rome.
About Daughter of Rome
A woman with a devastating secret. A man bent on proving his worth. A chance encounter that catapults them into the heart of history.
When the daughter of a prominent Roman general meets a disinherited Jewish immigrant, neither one can dream of God’s plan to transform them into the most influential couple of the early church. Nor can they anticipate the mountains that will threaten to bury them.
Their courtship unwittingly shadowed by murder and betrayal, Priscilla and Aquila slowly work to build a community of believers, while their lives grow increasingly complicated thanks to a shaggy dog, a mysterious runaway, and a ruthless foe desperate for love. But when they’re banished from their home by a capricious emperor, they must join forces with an unusual rabbi named Paul and fight to turn treachery into redemption.
With impeccable research and vivid detail, Daughter of Rome is both an emotive love story and an immersive journey through first-century Rome and Corinth, reminding readers once again why Debbie Macomber has said that “no one brings the Bible to life like Tessa Afshar.
About Tessa Afshar
Tessa Afshar is the award-winning author of many biblical and inspirational historical fiction books, including Harvest of Gold which won a Christy Award and In the Field of Grace, a biblical fiction on the life of Ruth. Born in the Middle East, Tessa spent her teen years in England and later moved to the United States.
Her conversion to Christianity in her twenties changed the course of her life. She holds a Master of Divinity from Yale, where she was co-chair of the Evangelical Fellowship. She served in women and prayer ministry for twenty years before becoming a full-time writer and speaker. Contact Tessa at tessaafshar.com or on Facebook.
You may also like: