reviewsbyerin

Before the King tells the story of Joanna, the wife of Herod's steward. Joanna is mentioned in Luke 8:3 as being one of the women who followed Jesus. Heather Kaufman has woven a moving and intricate tale, starting from Joanna's childhood and stretching through the resurrection of Jesus.

Joanna and her sister Dahlia were active and playful children. But when Dahlia developed incurable seizures, the family's life is changed forever. In order to protect his place in the court, Joanna's father chooses to send Dahlia away to live with relatives and pin all his future hopes and dreams on making a successful marriage for Joanna.

Yet things do not always go as planned. Through the ups and downs, Joanna learns to lean on the Mighty God. When she meets Jesus of Nazareth, she knows her life will never be the same.

I loved this imagining of a New Testament woman right in the middle of the biggest moments in history. Joanna is brave but also deeply human, and her inner and outer journey are a pleasure to read. It's fun to see personalities put to familiar names of disciples and others of Jesus's followers, and Heather does a great job weaving in palace intrigue as well.

If you're a fan of Biblical fiction, I highly recommend Before the King.

Listen to my interview with Heather Kaufman:

Watch on YouTube