I absolutely judge a book by its cover, and I have to admit that one of my main reasons for picking up Diana Wallis Taylor’s Lydia was because the cover hypnotized me. I’ve also come to appreciate Biblical fiction because it offers the chance to experience a world that often seems so dry and unreal to me anymore. And Lydia is so little known in the Bible.
But, Lydia certainly was an anomaly in that day and age. Not only was she a woman, but she also ran her own business! I love that.
About Lydia
Name of book: Lydia
Author: Diana Wallis Taylor
Genre: Biblical Fiction
Release Date: October 3, 2017
Smart, strong, and a follower of the Jewish God, Lydia has nonetheless quietly conformed to the expectations of the wealthy Roman society into which she was born. Her father marries her off at age fifteen to a much older man whom she dislikes. Despite an unpleasant wedding and a marriage that doesn’t improve with age, Lydia remains a dutiful and faithful wife. When her husband is killed, years later, Lydia vows to remain single and returns to her father’s house in Thyatira with her twelve-year-old daughter.
There, a new life begins to emerge as she is trained in the family dye business. Lydia displays an aptitude for trade in the male-dominated world of first century commerce. Her brother, who had chosen service in the Roman army rather than work in his father’s business, is at odds with his sister. Jealous of her quiet success as she learns the dye business, he’s especially befuddled by what he considers to be Lydia’s obsession with the Jewish religion. When their father dies, Cassius inherits the family’s home; Lydia inherits the business, and unbeknownst to her brother, a small villa in the city of Philippi.
Lydia flees with her mother and daughter to Philippi where she sets up shop. At the mercy of a patriarchal society, Lydia needs a man to serve as the public face for her business. She discovers the right person in the handsome face of Greek man she’d hired — an employee with whom she develops a close friendship. The plot thickens as Lydia meets a strange man named Paul the apostle who is stirring up crowds in town. When Lydia’s brother shows up in Philippi, determined to force her to sell the business, he discovers plenty of fuel to accomplish his goals.
Click to purchase your copy.
About the Author
Diana Wallis Taylor is best known for her creative stories based on women in the Bible. Thousands have read and enjoyed her books including Mary Chosen of God, Ruth, Mother of Kings, Martha, Journey to the Well, Mary Magdalene, and Claudia, Wife of Pontius Pilate. She is the recipient of numerous awards and honors with the San Diego Library naming her one of 12 “Writers to Watch” in 2017 for Mary, Chosen of God. Her books have received Gold and Silver Medallion Awards for Christian Fiction and she is a San Diego Christian Writer’s Guild “Writer of the Year.” Mary, Chosen of God is a 2017 Christy Award nominee. An inspirational speaker, Diana also leads creative writing and poetry workshops. She lives in San Diego with her husband, Frank. They have six grown children and ten grandchildren
Blog Stops
A Bakers Perspective, October 3
Carpe Diem, October 3
Moments Dipped in Ink, October 4
Books, Books, and More Books., October 4
By The Book, October 5
A Simply Enchanted Life, October 5
Red Headed Book Lady, October 6
Blogging With Carol, October 6
A Reader’s Brain, October 7
A Greater Yes, October 7
Just the Write Escape, October 8
His Grace is Sufficient, October 8
Aryn the Libraryan, October 9
Cordially Barbara, October 9
Pursuing Stacie, October 9
The Fizzy Pop Collection, October 10
Ashley’s Bookshelf, October 10
Zerina Blossom’s Books, October 11
Mary Hake, October 11
Radiant Light, October 12
Singing Librarian Books, October 12
Lights in a Dark World, October 12
margaretkazmierczak, October 13
Pause for Tales, October 13
Tell Tale Book Reviews, October 14
Cafinated Reads, October 14
To Everything A Season, October 14
Bigreadersite, October 15
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, October 15
Henry Happens, October 16
For The Love of Books, October 16
Book Bites, Bee Stings, & Butterfly Kisses, October 16
Giveaway
In honor of her tour, Diana is giving away
Grand Prize Package: Lydia, Woman of Philippi, “Give Thanks” painting on plate by Donna White for The Hearthside Collection, Inc., commemorative Whitaker House/Anchor Distributors coloring book (not in photo).
1st Place Package: Lydia, Woman of Philippi, abba Jerusalem pillar candle, cassia scented, commemorative Whitaker House/Anchor Distributors coloring book (not in photo).
2nd Place Package: Lydia, Woman of Philippi, abba Jerusalem Spikenard candle tin with lid!
Click the link to enter! https://promosimple.com/ps/c173
Sadly, the button to enter the giveaway doesn’t work. Maybe you can fix that? 😉 Thank you! The book sounds absolutely lovely 🙂
Julia, thank you so much for bringing this to my attention. I’m not totally sure why the link broke in the first place, but it should work for you now.
In general, I have a hard time with Biblical fiction – because I don’t like the feeling that I lose clarity regarding what is real (and truly in Scripture) and what is not (the extra, fictional stuff). However, I do enjoy that time period — there’s something about reading a story in the biblical setting that, like you said, can really make the realities of the times come alive. So I guess, I prefer reading in that genre if the characters are fictional or just briefly interact with real persons from the Bible.
Maybe this one is worth a try, though. 🙂
I like that point you bring up, Kate. And I think you have such an analytical brain (I like the way you think!) to recognize the pros and cons of Biblical fiction. Have you heard of Tosca Lee? I recently read her The Legend of Sheba, and that book was STUNNING. Better yet, the main character briefly interacts with Solomon. All that to say, The Legend of Sheba just might meet your requirements. 😉
Also, check into Wings of the Wind by Connilyn Cossette! I think it fits your parameters as well! 🙂
Biblical setting is not my favorite genre but this one looks sooo good!
I’m honestly with you on Biblical fiction.
For a while, I was seriously steering clear, but then I read a few really good ones. Like Wings of the Wind by Connilyn Cossette and The Legend of Sheba by Tosca Lee. These two inspired me to try other Biblically set books.