For me, this book started slowly and there was a huge cast of characters to sort out in my head. However, soon the story started to flow and so I became immersed in the plot with its vivid descriptions and complex characters. Although Deborah was the many protagonist, I actually preferred Talya, Deborah's daughter, and Jael. The characters were all flawed with their own fears, doubts and anxieties, but this made them more relatable and realistic. They had to deal with their families, feelings of terror and a longing to be freed from oppression. The descriptions of what happened to the women captured by Sisera were horrific. However, in the end they all proved to be strong, capable women.

I also liked Lappidoth, Deborah's husband, and Barak. Suffering from the death of his wife, Barak was fierce and determined to seek revenge. However, he was also willing to follow Deborah without question. I enjoyed how the relationship between Deborah and Lappidoth changed and grew. He was always supportive of his wife, encouraging and he taught her how to read. Even though Deborah was unsure about how she felt about her husband, Lappidoth loved her from the start.

Overall, "The Prophetess" was an interesting and entertaining read. ( )

I never know whether I'll like a book written about a Biblical person. Once I started I didn't need any convincing. I loved it. Jill Eileen Smith created a beautiful story around what the Scripture reveals about Deborah. It's engaging and compelling. She included suspense, romance, and faith. Her characters that surround Deborah are strong and add to the harmony of the storyline. The prophet's life will always stand out to me whenever I encounter her again in the Bible.

I highly recommend The Prophetess: Deborah's Story by Jill Eileen Smith. I received a copy of this book by Net Galley and the author for my honest review. I thank them for this delightful opportunity.
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The Prophetess is book 2 in the Daughters of the Promised Land written by Jill Eileen Smith. This is a Biblical fiction book of Deborah based on Judges 4:1-5.

Deborah is Lappidoth’s wife, and mother of Lavi, Elior and Tayla. Lappidoth is a Levite who is also a scribe, writing copies of the law and writing letters for the elders. He teaches Deborah how to read and write so she can also do this. Deborah learns the law and spend her time sitting at the city gate as a Judge answering people’s questions regarding the law.

Deborah also receives visions from God. As the country is being terrorized by Sisera who travels around killing people and taking the girls, God reveals to her that this will not end until everyone stops worshiping idols.

The story also introduces us to Deborah’s extended family as well as Barak, a man whose wife was murdered by Sisera. Deborah’s daughter, Tayla, is interested in Barak and would like to be his wife, but he rejects her.

I enjoy reading stories of women in the Bible and this story is really good. I like how the author brings the customs of the time into the story . I appreciate the research the author has done to bring this story to life. I also appreciate that even though this is a series, the book is a stand alone story.

I was gifted this book from Baker Publishing Group for an honest review.

The Prophetess, by Jill Eileen Smith, takes Judges 4 and 5 and brings the story of Deborah and Barack to life in living color. Well-researched, true to Jewish culture and history, we are fearfully caught up in the lives of Deborah and her family, starting with her marriage and proceeding all the way through Israel's victory over Canaan.

This is more than a story of Deborah, though. It also is a novel of backslidden,desperate Israel, looking for a rescuer from cruel oppressors. It is a tale of Barack and his background and growth as an Israelite leader. We even are treated to an inside view of Jael and Heber's family. While we don't know exactly how history occurred, Smith stays true to Scripture while weaving a dazzling novel of fear, faith, love, uncertainty, and forgiveness.

I loved that while the "big" sins were addressed and dealt with, several characters realize that pleasing God is keeping ALL the commandments, something we humans cannot do. These people urged their compatriots to forgive the major, obvious sins, pointing out that we all displease God and need His amazing grace!

Jill Eileen Smith has created a book sure to be a bestseller! I gratefully received a copy of this book from Revell Reads and Connywithay. ( )

The Prophetess is the second in the “Daughters of the Promised Land” series by one of my favorite authors, Jill Eileen Smith. It follows the outstanding book The Crimson Cord, which brought the Biblical harlot-turned-heroine Rahab to life.
In The Prophetess, Smith once again has vividly painted a plausible back story for a Biblical woman we know little about, except – in this case – what we can glean from Judges 4 and 5. She weaves a tale that takes us back in time to gain a sense for what life may have been like for the wife of Lappidoth and respected judge over Israel.
The story begins in 1126 B.C., when Deborah, at the age of just 15, receives a message from God. We then fast-forward a decade to find Deborah married with two sons and another baby on the way. She begins to receive more messages from God and discerns that the reason He is allowing her people to suffer at the hand of the Canaanites is that people are worshipping other gods.
Though clearly a woman who is called by the Almighty, the strong-willed Deborah deals with human struggles that make her very relatable. These include, among others, tension both in her marriage and in her relationship with her daughter.
The story is set in an extremely challenging time in Israeli history, but Smith was clearly up to the challenge of writing about it. This is a wonderful addition to her newest book series, and I can’t wait to meet the next Promised Land daughter!
I received this book from the author for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” ( )