A Voice in the Wind: Mark of the Lion Series Book 1 (Christian Historical Fiction Novel Set in 1st Century Rome)

This book is too good to put down. It’s adventurous and filled with beauty that brings tears to the eyes.

This was a fascinating heart wrenching great story I recommend highly awed by the characters and they will stay with me

My wife has read a LOT of Francine Rivers' books. I had never read any. My reading preferences lean toward courtroom dramas and investigations fiction. But my wife pleaded with me to read this book simultaneously with her so we could discuss it. I relented and purchased it for my Kindle. (She prefers reading "real" books.)The first chapter or two started out just a little "ho hum", and I began questioning why I agreed. But then all of a sudden it just took off and I was enthralled. Hadassah is such a sweet, kind, and inspiring character that it's totally understandable how she could touch the lives of nearly everybody she meets. As a reader, you care about her and admire her steadfast faith while in the midst of such decadence all around her.The other characters are drawn up so skillfully that you feel as though you know each one. And that you've probably known a few people like them, albeit in a different time and culture. This book is an excellent example of the battle between good and evil that we all experience because of our human nature.I ended up passing my wife's reading pace, although she started before me. Even before finishing the book last night, I had already purchased the 2nd book in the series for my Kindle. I was that certain that I wanted to read all three.Excellent book that I would recommend to all...

A Voice in the Wind by Francine Rivers begins around 70 AD with the destruction of Jerusalem. Hadassah a Christian from Galilee becomes of a slave of Rome. Through amazing character development and storytelling I felt like I was there with her as she struggles to live out her faith in a household of unbelievers who are living only for themselves. The horrors all the characters faced in a world where most people only cared about themselves and thought nothing of death - even found it to be a sport - was so real. The story had a way of putting me in the shoes of each of the characters. There are so many tough issues (and triggers - warning) in this book that I felt like the author approached in a nonjudgmental way. As I read this story I did wonder if a nonbeliever would find it enjoyable and I think so. This book depicts Christianity through Hadassah in such a beautiful way and how believers should strive to live out their faith in a loving, nonjudgmental and peaceful way. This is a book I’ll be thinking about for a long time.

I almost rated this book a 3 because I was devastated by the ending. Luckily, the author placed the first chapter of the next book in the end. While I was planning to order the next book but had not ordered, I decided to go ahead and read the beginning ch of the next book in the series. I am so glad I did!The book is a slow start trying to learn the new characters and there is quite few but once you get past all the new characters, it's a page turner. Like said above, the ending was devastating but looks as if the author rips the hope from you only to restore a sliver of hope in the sequel.There is much detail about the corruption of Rome in this book and can get very gruesome. Many times, it is hard to read the details..But it does opens ones eyes to how utterly corrupt Rome was and how they treated the Jews, Christians, and conquered cities. At times when the writer wrote about Rome, it was as if she was writing about America. America mimics Rome is many aspects that I was unaware of until reading this book.I was very disappointed to see denominational ideas in this book. I had read Francine rivers attended a non denominational church but the author seeds some of the denominational ideas into the main character. For instance, using the thief on the cross as a justification for baptism not being a need for salvation. I've heard this from many denominations so many times but this idea doesn't work. Before Jesus was crucified, some were baptized under johns baptism. After Jesus's death, they were baptized in Jesus's baptism. The physical acts of being immersed in water represents being buried in Christ and the rising out of the water represents being risen in Christ. There was no such thing as Christ baptism until after he had been risen therefore Jesus's followers and the theif was still under the old law. Jesus even followed the old law. Jesus was the New Testament/ new law and one could not be baptized in to Christ until after his resurrection. If you look in acts, there were some who were baptized in johns baptism. Paul asked if they had received the Holy Ghost, they tell him, they had never heard of the Holy Ghost so he then ask which baptism were they baptized in. They tell him johns baptism. He tells them they should believe in Christ, and they were baptized. In acts 2:38 it reads, " peter said to them, "Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. " if you read through acts, there are many examples of when people believed, they were baptized. The act of believing results in following Christ's will. And Christ's will is to repent and be baptized. The eunuch is another example where Philip preached Jesus to the eunuch. They were traveling and the eunuch saw much water. He asked what stops me from going down into the water and being baptized. Philip told him,if you believe then you can. And they stopped the chariot, they went into the water, and Philip baptized him. This is in acts 8. There are many examples in the New Testament that make it clear that baptism is necessary for salvation. Just as the devil deceived eve by using one little word not, you shall not die if you eat of the tree, he has deceived many by saying you do not need to be baptized for salvation. Like I said, there is too much scripture saying to be baptized to try to justify this idea that it is not. God is not the author of confusion. The devil is.Anyways good read except the above listed. I can't wait to read the next book in the sequel!

I love this book so much. I was getting so addicted to technology lately and social media and every day I would feel so gross in my spirit because I was filling myself with junk. I ordered a couple Christian Fiction books and ordered this one as well. It was the first book I read AND finished in probably years. When I read the end of the book, I was so desperate for the sequel I prayed they would show up quicker! I fell in love with the characters, with the storyline, and how Haddassa served God with everything inside of her, and loved even when it was so hard and challenging. I have even learned I must serve more in my everyday life, no matter the circumstances. I have found it challenging to find books as good as Francine River's books! I am almost done with the second book and will be reading the third in the next couple of days. Thank you Francine for your talented work, and your dedication to the Lord by providing your readers with edifying literature!

Good reading