Ordinary Women of the Bible

Series · 11 books · 2020-2021

By Sandi Rog, Connilyn Cossette, Elizabeth Adams, and more

Books in series

Pursued by a King

Abigail's Story

2020

A SENSE OF UNEASE settles over Abigail as she learns of her father's choice for her husband. Something about the way Nabal of Maon looks at her makes her uncomfortable, but no amount of pleading can convince her father that there is more to Nabal than what they see. Abigail is sentenced to a life with a volatile, unpredictable man. When David, the rumored next king of Israel, approaches Nabal seeking the customary kindness of strangers, Nabal turns him away, incurring the future king’s wrath. Abigail must be swift to act in order to save her household. Nabal collapses, never to rise again, upon hearing the news of David's wrath and Abigail's actions to appease the future king. And when David’s men appear at her doorstep with an offer of a new life, Abigail must choose between returning to her father’s home, or embarking on the adventure of a lifetime.

Rich Beyond Measure

Zlata's Story

2020

After losing her parents, husband, and child, Zlata is left dependent upon her in-laws who regard her as nothing more than a servant. Worse still, she is left with a heart overcome by bitterness. But then she hears a new teacher speaking. He says that she is blessed although she is poor and in mourning. She thinks this Yeshua might be the madman that her father-in-law, a Pharisee, claims Him to be. Yet she can’t stop seeking Him out and listening to what He has to say because His words are making her feel whole again. Then her father-in-law threatens to turn her out if she seeks out Yeshua one more time. Will fear hold her back or will she dare to trust Yeshua by giving God everything she possesses?

#10

No Stone Cast

Eliyanah's Story

2020

ELIYANAH IS CONTENT with her simple life, serving the poor and outcast in the tiny village of Bethany. She dreams of marrying the love of her life, Eleazar. But her dreams are shattered when her stepfather betroths her to a wealthy spice merchant from Jerusalem. Away from her childhood home, Eliyanah finds herself lonely and aimless—her life’s sole purpose now is to bear a son and an heir for her neglectful and abusive husband. In her despair, Eliyanah turns to the arms of another man, even though she knows the penalty for such a sin should she be caught. When the inevitable happens, and she is dragged—shamed and humiliated—before the enraged Pharisees, a Savior steps in. In place of judgment, He offers mercy. In lieu of guilt’s wages, He offers grace. How can she ever repay such love?

#13

Befitting Royalty

Lydia's Story

2020

AS A SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS OWNER, the widow Lydia is content with her life. She has no intention of paying any heed to the followers of that zealot Yeshua who have come to Philippi. She is a devout Jew, after all, and committed to her faith in the One True God. Yet she finds herself pausing to listen when the man called Paul speaks. As she hears his message, her heart is changed. She comes to realize that Yeshua is the long-awaited Messiah! Lydia opens her home to Paul and his companions and starts the first church in Europe. But the cost of following Christ is high. It is illegal in the Roman Empire, and as a leader of the church in Philippi, Lydia faces opposition and ostracism from her family, her friends, her neighbors, and her customers. When Lydia is on the verge of losing everything she has ever held dear, will she be able to hold fast to her newfound faith?

#15

Daughter of Light Charilene's Story

2021

Daughter of Charilene’s Story is the 16th book in the Ordinary Women of the Bible fiction series. As the Romans and the Jewish Council conspire to persecute followers of the Way, Philip’s four prophetic daughters flee by ship from their beloved home in Caesarea. Charilene, the youngest sister, dreams of a Roman legionary in desperate need of help, and his urgent call haunts her along their tumultuous voyage to Ephesus. God leads Philip and his daughters to the beautiful, broken city of Hierapolis, but their journey is far from over. In spite of the opposition, the sisters use their unique gifts to share the good news about Jesus until tragedy shakes this city’s core. What Charilene discovers below Hierapolis changes everything. She must work closely with her sisters to rescue those—including a Roman legionary—who’ve been wounded in both body and soul.

#17

The Elder Sister

Miriam's Story

2021

When Miriam's mother gives birth to a perfect baby boy, her family feels something other than the usual joy that comes with new life—they feel dread. Egypt’s pharaoh has decreed that every boy born to a Hebrew woman is to be cast into the Nile and drowned. But through the wisdom of El Shaddai within her, Miriam and her mother know that to save this baby they must let him go. Now, decades later, Miriam learns her brother has returned to demand that Pharaoh let the Hebrew people go free. But as supportive of Moses as Miriam desires to be, something other than the Voice stirs within her. After her years spent as a leader and prophetess among the Hebrews, can Miriam set aside her pride and accept the calling God has given her—and her baby brother?

#18

Where He Leads Me

Zipporah's Story

2021

Zipporah, an obscure shepherdess, is unaware that her marriage to an intriguing stranger is part of the Lord’s plan to rescue His people from the chains of slavery. As her new husband attempts to master survival and shepherding skills in the harsh Midian desert, Zipporah struggles to trust both him and the Lord. An encounter with the Living God reveals who she is to Him and thus a choice. Can Zipporah find the strength and courage to see the Lord’s plans through—and trust Moses when he needs her most?

#20

Alone at the Well

Photine's Story

2021

On Photine’s daily trek to Jacob’s well, one step forward is another step back into her past as she relives the dismal events of her life. All she knows is brokenness, much like the waterpot she carries on her head. Rejection from those who used to be her friends is now commonplace. Failure should be her name. After all, who else in all of Samaria has gone through five husbands? And now she no longer sacrifices for her sins. Why bother when she’s just going to commit the same act every single day? She no longer cares. Then one day, a day that started out like all the others, she meets a man at the well who offers something she had all but given up on. Hope. Hope for healing… Hope for forgiveness. Hope for new life. Can she dare believe that His promises are meant for someone so broken? Someone so lost? Someone like…her?

#21

Raised for a Purpose

Talia's Story

2021

Having been raised from the dead at the age of twelve by Yeshua, Talia is certain her life was restored for a reason. But ten years have passed since that miraculous day, and she still has no idea what Adonai wants her to do with her life. Talia believes there must be some purpose, some great mission for her to accomplish. But what could it be? How can she, a lonely and unwed woman, ever do anything worthwhile for the Lord? But things are changing, and Yeshua’s movement is spreading like wildfire, bringing a message of unfathomable love—and a firestorm of conflict. The smell of smoke reaches even Capernaum, and the flames are not far behind. Perhaps the time has finally come for Talia to discover God’s plan to use her for His holy purposes.

#22

Mother of Kings

Zemirah's Story

2021

Zemirah is sold as a handmaiden to Ashira, the wealthy and arrogant wife of Jesse, to pay off her family’s debts. But a terrible argument between Jesse and Ashira leads to Ashira packing her bags and leaving Zemirah behind. Jesse turns to Zemirah, who becomes pregnant when she is seduced by him. Before she can tell Jesse the news, she overhears a conversation that sends her fleeing to faraway Ramah, where she is taken in by the prophet Samuel and his wife. As Zemirah mends her broken heart and prepares for the birth of her child, she learns the wonders of Yahweh’s deep love for her—lessons that she will cling to when Jesse finds her and brings her back to Bethlehem. Zemirah settles into a routine over the next few years as she trains her son to be a shepherd...until the prophet Samuel pays a visit and brings a shocking revelation about David’s future.

#23

The Dearly Beloved

Apphia's Story

2021

Apphia's life changes the day she finds a precious exposita—an abandoned baby—on the steps of the temple and claims it as her own. She names the little girl Kalyani and is thrilled and grateful to finally be a mother. But Kalyani is only three when Apphia’s brother declares that the child is his slave, as Apphia cannot legally adopt her. To save her daughter’s life and future, Apphia flees with Kalyani to Kolossai. There they are welcomed by a house church whose members not only value Apphia’s skills but treat her as family. However, even as Apphia settles into her new life and learns to become a follower of the Way, she fears that her brother may one day locate her and Kalyani. Can she trust those who have taken her in to protect her? Or will her brother’s greed steal away her daughter and the happiness they have found?

Authors

Sandi Rog

Author · 5 books

I'm an award-winning author and have been editing since 1999. I write children's books and hysterical—er—I mean, historical fiction for adults. After living in Holland for thirteen years, I'm now in Colorado with my husband and four children. I loved living in Europe with all its history: the ancient ruins of castles and Roman villas, seeing actual dungeons and gladiator arenas, and eating Roman food. Imagine the stories all those places could tell. When I was a girl, I'd dream up stories and play them out in my mind. Now that I’m all grown up, I make those dreams come to life by putting them down on paper.

Connilyn Cossette

Author · 15 books

Connilyn Cossette is a Christy Award and Carol Award winning author whose books have been found on both ECPA and CBA bestseller lists. When she is not engulfed in the happy chaos of homeschooling two teenagers, devouring books whole, or avoiding housework, she can be found digging into the rich ancient world of the Bible to discover gems of grace that point to Jesus and weaving them into an immersive fiction experience. Although she and her husband have lived all over the country in their twenty-five years of marriage, they currently call a little town south of Dallas, Texas their home. Connect with her at www.ConnilynCossette.com

Elizabeth Adams

Author · 4 books

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.

Texie Susan Gregory

Author · 2 books

Born and bred in beautiful North Carolina, I grew up hearing the Bible stories and wishing I knew more about each person's life. What happened before? What happened next? Unable to find these stories, I began to write my own books and dream of writing professionally. True story: As a 6th grader, I turned in a book report on my own book - written under a nom de plume! I hold a BS in Early Childhood Education, an MA in School Counseling and an MA in Religious Education. I've worked in theatre, as a hospital chaplain intern and as a teacher in both public and private schools. As a pastor's wife, I've served as a lay counselor, written/directed dramas for worship services and co-taught marriage seminars. My most challenging and rewarding life work has been (is) mothering our two children.

Carole Towriss

Author · 11 books

Carole Towriss and her husband live just north of Washington, DC. In between making tacos and telling her four children to pick up their shoes for the third time, she writes, watches chick flicks, and waits for summertime to return to the beach.

Virginia Smith

Author · 33 books

VIRGINIA SMITH is the bestselling author of forty-six novels (and counting!), 2 illustrated children’s books, and over fifty articles and short stories. An avid reader with eclectic tastes in fiction, Ginny writes in a variety of styles, from lighthearted relationship stories to breath-snatching suspense. Her books have been finalists in many prestigious awards, and two of her novels received the Holt Medallion Award of Merit. Learn more about Ginny and her books at www.virginiasmith.org

Melanie Dobson

Author · 27 books

Writing fiction is a fun excuse for Melanie to explore ghost towns and old houses, travel to unusual places, and spend hours reading dusty books and journals. She writes both contemporary and historical fiction with threads of romance and suspense. Melanie is the award-winning author of almost thirty time-slip, historical romance, suspense, and contemporary novels including Catching the Wind, The Winter Rose, and The Wings of Poppy Pendleton. Five of her novels including Chateau of Secrets have won Carol Awards, Catching the Wind won the Audie 2018 Inspirational Fiction award, and Love Finds You in Liberty, Indiana won Best Novel of Indiana. Catching the Wind and Memories of Glass were both finalists for Christy Awards in historical fiction. Melanie and her husband, Jon, have two daughters. After moving numerous times with Jon's work, the Dobsons have finally settled near Portland, Oregon, and they love to travel and hike in both the mountains and the cliffs above the Pacific. When Melanie isn't writing or researching, she enjoys line dancing, biking, and making up stories with her kids. More information about her and her books is available on her website at www.melaniedobson.com. You can also connect with Melanie at www.facebook.com/melaniedobsonfiction.

Tricia Goyer

Author · 58 books

Tricia Goyer is a busy mom of ten, grandmother of two, and wife to John. Somewhere around the hustle and bustle of family life, she manages to find the time to write fictional tales delighting and entertaining readers and non-fiction titles offering encouragement and hope. A bestselling author, Tricia has published thirty-three books to date and has written more than 500 articles. She is a two time Carol Award winner, as well as a Christy and ECPA Award Nominee. In 2010, she was selected as one of the Top 20 Moms to Follow on Twitter by SheKnows.com. Tricia is also on the blogging team at MomLifeToday.com, TheBetterMom.com and other homeschooling and Christian sites.In addition to her roles as mom, wife and author, Tricia volunteers around her community and mentors teen moms. She is the founder of Hope Pregnancy Ministries in Northwestern Montana, and she currently leads a Teen MOPS Group in Little Rock, AR. Learn more about Tricia at www.triciagoyer.com.

Robin Hatcher

Author · 84 books

Robin Lee Hatcher is the author of 90 novels and novellas with over five million copies of her books in print. She is known for her heartwarming and emotionally charged stories of faith, courage, and love. Her numerous awards include the RITA® Award, Christy Award, Carol Award, HOLT Medallion, National Reader’s Choice Award, and the Faith, Hope & Love Reader’s Choice Award, and she is also the recipient of prestigious Lifetime Achievement Awards from both American Christian Fiction Writers and Romance Writers of America®. When not writing, she enjoys being with her family, spending time in the beautiful Idaho outdoors, Bible art journaling, reading books that make her cry, watching romantic movies, and decorative planning. A mother and grandmother, Robin makes her home on the outskirts of Boise, sharing it with a demanding Papillon dog and a persnickety tuxedo cat. Be sure to follow Robin on BookBub so you'll receive new book and special deal alerts: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/robin...

Diana Wallis Taylor

Author · 10 books

Diana Wallis Taylor is the author of the novels Journey to the Well and Martha and lives in California. Find out more at www.dianawallistaylor.com.