The Hidden Flame

The Hidden Flame
by
Davis Bunn & Janette Oke

MY THOUGHTS:
Bunn and Oke bring the time period of Acts alive. By giving faces and personalities to the various characters in the Bible, they give us a chance to feel like we are really there, living side by side with new believers as they try to come to grips with life right after the resurrection. I was particularly fascinated with the characterizations of Ananais and Sapphira, the events leading up to and following their donation to the church, and the varied reactions by the believers, Jews, and Romans.

This book is the second book in the Acts of Faith series; the first was The Centurion's Wife. You can read this book without reading the first, but you will have a much better understanding of the people and places involved. I would highly recommend this book as a way to bring the early church times to life. You can buy a copy of the book here.


ABOUT THE BOOK:

In first-century Judea, the followers of the Way have burgeoned into a vibrant, growing community that cannot be ignored. Jerusalem is in turmoil as its religious leaders on one side, and their Roman rulers on the other, conspire to stamp out the fledgling Church. And Abigail, who thought she had finally found home and safety, is caught between the opposing forces.

Two suitors desire the lovely Abigail's hand in marriage. Ezra, a successful Hebrew merchant and widower with important connections among the Sanhedrin, is looking for a mother for his children. The Roman soldier Linux is fascinated by her winsome charm and possibly could offer the sanctuary -- maybe even the love -- for which she yearns. But her heart has been captured by neighbor of these. Will her faith and courage survive a heartbreak beyond comprehension as the followers face a gathering storm of persecution they never could have foreseen?

ABOUT THE AUTHORS:
Davis Bunn is an internationally-acclaimed author who has sold more than six million books in fifteen languages. Honored with three Christy Awards for excellence in historical and suspense fiction, his bestsellers include; The Great Divide, Winner Take All, The Meeting Place, The Book of Hours, and The Quilt. A sought-after lecturer in the art of writing, Bunn was named Novelist in Residence at Regent's Park College, Oxford University.

Janette Oke's warm writing style has won the hearts of millions of readers. She has received numerous awards, including the Gold Medallion Award, The Christy Award of Excellence, the 1992 President's Award for her significant contribution to the category of Christian fiction from the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association, and in 1999 the Life Impact Award from the Christian Booksellers Association International. Beloved worldwide, her books have been translated into fourteen languages.

Thank you to Bethany House publishers for providing a copy of the book for review.