I've read Karen Kingsbury's fiction in the past, but it was stories related to the Baxter family--a family of her creation. In this book, she takes 6 people who encountered Jesus (Simon the Leper, Martha, Jairus, Mary Magdalene, Simon Peter, and John the Apostle) and using scripture as a base, develops fictional stories of what might have happened around that base.

What I liked:
*there was a point to each story--a lesson learned by each person and by others who surrounded him/her.
*the people and their stories did interact with each other (a person in a later story would be familiar with things that happened in an earlier story)
*It does make you think

What I didn't like:
*With so much license taken, it's hard to know if it is scripturally sound. This isn't unique to this book for me--I've said this same thing about other fictionalizations of Biblical people's lives.

I've grown tired of the repetition of the series that involves the Baxter family and their related fictional world. This at least is something different from Kingsbury, so there is that. ( )

Have you ever wondered what Jesus' friends would have been like? This book tells the story from their eyes. Two of the disciples' stories are told. You can learn how they met Jesus and how He helped them to discover themselves. Learn about Mary Magdalene and what she went through before meeting Jesus. It's a great read to help you get back i touch with how it must have been to be living in Jesus' time. ( )

I received this book in a giveaway but had already planned on buying it. This is an honest review. I loved the way the author brought each of these individuals from the Bible to life. I feel like I know them, and I feel as if their lives could have played out the way that she describes. Each of these people interacted directly with Jesus, and many probably did interact with each other. Starting with Simon the leper, and how he was unbelieving, until the unbelievable happened to him. Sometimes even when things during us right in the face, we can't believe without the help of God. I can really relate to Martha, and how she must have felt. And when she talked about Mary Magdalene, I could visualize how the demons could have driven her crazy. Everyone of the people in this book was brought to life, and I feel as if I really know them. I would definitely recommend this book! ( )