Harvest of Gold by Tessa Afshar - As this story opens, Sarah and Darius are still building upon the tentative affection that has begun in their arranged marriage, but Darius is still unwilling to open his heart at all. Darius is able to thwart an attack on their small travel party as they head to the capital city, but is disturbed to discover that the attackers were on their way to assassinate the king. This is reported to the king and Darius is determined to find out who originated the plot. To this end, the king orders Darius to travel to the Syrian provinces along with Nehemiah, the cupbearer who has just been granted permission to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. Nehemiah is Sarah's cousin, and because Sarah is a scribe, it is arranged that she will go as well, and serve as scribe to him in his role as governor.
Sarah is thrilled at the prospect of seeing Jerusalem, and connecting with her Jewish heritage, but fears that Darius will leave her behind, especially if he knows what she has begun to suspect - that she is carrying his child. Her choice to delay telling him ends up shattering his trust and leaving them both grieving and angry. Sarah must request his forgiveness and exercise patience and faith in God as she waits for him to work in Darius's heart. Darius must confront his own childhood memories and how his experience has caused him to close his heart to Sarah. He learns a new respect for Nehemiah when his wife's cousin challenges and guides him even while leading and managing the massive building project.
In the first part of this duology, Harvest of Rubies, Sarah's character arc is dynamic as she learns to recognize and deal with her own pride, stubbornness, and fears. She grows in her faith and acceptance of God's leading in her life. In Harvest of Gold, it is Darius's turn to undergo character crisis and growth, as he sees his own shortcomings and fears, and reaches his own crisis of faith. Their fictional story is woven into a well-researched narrative highlighting the rebuilding of Jerusalem as described in the Biblical book of Nehemiah, giving insights into the social and political settings.
From the publisher:
An arranged marriage. A man whose heart is closed to love. A king whose life hangs in the balance. A nations on the brink of annihilation. Harvest of Gold (Book 2)
The scribe Sarah married Darius, and at times she feels as if she has married the Persian aristocracy, too. There is another point she did not count on in her marriage — Sarah has grown to love her husband. Sarah has wealth, property, honor, and power, but her husband's love still seems unattainable.
Although his mother was an Israelite, Darius remains skeptical that his Jewish wife is the right choice for him, particularly when she conspires with her cousin Nehemiah to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. Ordered to assist in the effort, the couple begins a journey to the homeland of his mother's people. Will the road filled with danger, conflict, and surprising memories, help Darius to see the hand of God at work in his life — and even in his marriage?
By the same author: Harvest of Rubies
This is a book that is 300-400 pages long (#51) for The 52 Book Club's 2025 Reading Challenge.
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This post will be linked at the current BookWorms Monthly link-up hosted by At Home A Lot, and at the Historical Fiction Reading Challenge 2025 hosted by The Intrepid Reader and Baker.
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This sounds like an interesting read - a bit different from what I would normally read.
ReplyDeletePopping over from Book Worms Monthly.
Glad to know it is a part of a duology, I would have assumed it stood alone. Great review!
ReplyDeleteI think you could read this as a standalone, but it certainly builds on the character arcs from Harvest of Rubies. Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteI've seen quite a few book challenges lately and I'm taking part in one myself. This is not something I'd normally read but I guess it would tick off a book from a Country I've never visited. I'd like to learn more about the cultures, in particular with this difficult era in time. Thanks for linking to bookworms monthly
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this review with the Historical Fiction Reading Challenge
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