The Centurion's Wife

by Janette Oke and Davis Bunn

Book Overview

Janette Oke has dreamed for years of retelling a story in a biblical time frame from a female protagonist's perspective, and Davis Bunn is elated to be working with her again on this sweeping saga of the dramatic events surrounding the birth of Christianity...and the very personal story of Leah, a young Jewess of mixed heritage trapped in a vortex of competing political agendas and private trauma.Caught up in the maelstrom following the death of an obscure rabbi in the Roman backwater of first-century Palestine, Leah finds herself also engulfed in her own turmoil--facing the prospect of an arranged marriage to a Roman soldier, Alban, who seems to care for nothing but his own ambitions. Head of the garrison near Galilee, he has been assigned by Palestine's governor to ferret out the truth behind rumors of a political execution gone awry. Leah's mistress, the governor's wife, secretly commissions Leah also to discover what really has become of this man whose death--and missing body--is causing such furor. This epic drama is threaded with the tale of an unlikely romance and framed with dangers and betrayals from unexpected sources. At its core, The Centurion's Wife unfolds the testing of loyalties--between two young people whose inner searchings they cannot express, between their irreconcilable heritages, and ultimately between their humanity and the Divine they yearn to encounter.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0764205145
• ISBN13: 9780764205149
• Release Date: January 2009
• Publisher: Bethany House Publishers
• Length: 384 Pages
• Weight: 0.80 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 5.4" x 8.2"

Customer Reviews

the Centurion's Wife

I relly enjoyed this book. It is an interesting book and helps understand how things worked back in the days of the Roman Empior. It would be a wonderful book to read around Easter and just after, however could be enjoy anytime of the year. This book showed the complete turn-around of lives that happens with a contact with real Christians living the real Christian life, without anything being pushed on a person. A very good read. Thanks, Lou G.

Wonderful book!

I absolutely loved this book. Maybe all the historical facts don't line up, but then I'm not reading a history book. I'm reading a Christian romance novel that happens to have an historical setting. I was inspired by the intense desire of Alban and Leah to seek the truth about the Jesus that was crucified. Isn't that what God calls us all to do? I was moved by their growth in character through the book and by the blossoming of their feelings toward each other. Alban changed from seeking status by this marriage to Pilate's niece to simply wanting to follow Jesus and love Leah. Leah overcame her fear of marriage by learning to have faith in Jesus and trusting in Alban's love. I read the church library copy and have ordered my own. This was a great book. As for the authors, I've read most of Bunn's books and loved just about all of them. I haven't read Janette Oke because I don't care that much for historical. The Centurian's Wife was an exception. And an exceptional book.

Simply Amazing: Can't Wait for More

This book is well researched with a fresh perspective. It takes characters that we see a hint of in the Bible and brings them to life. This books inspired me to both laugh and cry. If you like Francine Rivers' historical fiction, this is a great book to pick up. I think this series will be brilliant and look forward to reading the next book in the series.

another great read

Janette Oke & Davis Bunn have wrote yet another wonderful read! Much like the Song of Acadia series, I had trouble putting the book down. Despite several interruptions I was able to read The Centurion's Wife in two days. My only let down is waiting for book 2 to come out or for a glimpse of what is it to come. What a shame I can read faster than they can write such great books. I was enlightened by this book & long to read more. I won't give away any of the story, but rather say read it for your self. You will come away with a greater knowledge and long to learn more. I never thought of the details after the resurrection in this light and found it very helpful. You go much deeper than scripture, you see everyday life and the new struggles that arise. To think of the great faith and trust needed in that day. Today we lack the threat of death and true faith and trust in God. Why is it we don't trust any more? To the nonbeliever this book is the stating point. To the new Christian it is enlightening. To the seasoned Christian it is thought provoking and will make you ashamed at your lack of faith and trust. Oh for more books like this...books with a real meaning and purpose. Thanks for causing me to stop and really think.