Kindle Edition Amazon Linda Caddick Category:  Religion Publisher: Linda Caddick ISBN-10:  148123305 Type: Fiction Pages: 290 Copyright: Dec 9, 2012 ISBN-13: 9781481233057 Price: $4.99 (eBook) This captivating story follows the footsteps of a vulnerable young girl in 1st Century Palestine as she desperately seeks fulfillment and meaning to life. Wilful and high-spirited, Shushana is determined to cast off the restraints of her father's oppressive rule and seek the life she yearns for and the love she desperately craves. Enticed down a slippery path of self-deception, passion and turmoil, she stands to lose everything. A shocking encounter with a controversial young rabbi changes her forever, but still she must reap the consequences of her actions. Confronted with an agonizing predicament, she is forced to make a choice - her will or God's will. Does love demand her all? "This captivating story propels you into a place you keep longing to return to. It's like taking a holiday - you don't want it to end." Excerpt Rafael crouched in front of her to tie the thongs. How pretty her feet were, the milky skin smoothing over curved ankle bones, and her small square toes touchingly delicate with a hint of childlike vulnerability. He wanted so much to take them in his hands and kiss them. She watched his long shapely fingers, so skillfully nimble with the leather. He drew back and they were bathed in a moment of happiness, until a shadow fell again over Shana’s countenance and Rafael saw it. He looked at her with a grave expression clouding his features. He drew a breath and hesitated. “I release you, Shana,” he said softly, without animosity. He got to his feet, preparing to leave. An uncertain smile played on her lips. She wanted to say thank you, but no words would come. He smiled and patted her shoulder as he left. “Friends always,” he said. Shana stared down the road after him feeling a shiver of cold in spite of the afternoon heat. It was what she wanted, but she felt suddenly abandoned. He did not come around much after that. She could see that he was trying to maintain their friendship, but that it cost him. She missed him more than she ever thought she would. It had been easier before he returned.

An easy read with surprising depth
I was at first rather wary of reading a novel set in Bible times - not usually my kind of thing but I liked the girl on the cover! She reminded me of someone.. I found myself quickly drawn into the plot and to the true-to-life main character, a person who quickly starts to discover the truth about her own vulnerability and imperfections. I was fascinated to follow what happened to her after a particularly life-changing encounter. Ms Caddick has clearly done her research homework and I enjoyed her Biblical insights. Her explanation in the introduction about how women lived and moved in those days, I found very interesting especially the aspect of women being part of Jesus' 'entourage'. As I have also visited Israel and walked some of its roads, I found what she said about the country to be accurate and nicely descriptive. This is a very enjoyable book which will provoke thought and perhaps it is book to recommend to one's teenage daughter.

Thought provoking
This book is written with an evident indepth knowledge of both the area and the culture, as well as portraying a real sense of the time. It takes one along a journey that draws one back into a simplicity we may have forgotten, while incorporating the complexity that is the human condition.

Young woman's journey into adulthood
Interesting read, set in the time of Jesus's preaching, the author has painted a picture so well you can see the story play in your mind as if you were watching a movie. It centers on a young girl who has feelings and rebelliousness much as young girls today. This book takes us on her journey and provides some insight to what it might have been like during the time when Jesus was preaching. This book is unique, I have never read anything like it. It is very well written, not a preachy sort of religious fiction, nor totally a historical fiction. It's just a good story of a young woman's journey.