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Tuesday, March 17, 2015

The Tomb: A Novel of Martha - Giveaway and Review



I can honestly say without a doubt that Stephanie Landsem is one of the finest biblical fictional authors I've read to date. Her ability to take the well known Bible stories that are masked in so much unknown and breath such life into them, you'd swear that they were a part of the Bible. The elements that she utilizes to create the back story for such well loved characters in her previous novels in the Living Waters Series, such as "the thief on the cross," the Samaritan woman at the well," and now the beloved character so many women can relate to, Martha, the sister of Lazarus and Mary.

In her latest novel, The Tomb, is the third novel in the Living Water series. Trust me when I say, if you love those well known stories from the Bible, you will want to pick up this entire series. Before the story opens, the readers are in for an explanation by Stephanie Landsem about how these stories evolve and one I had never really considered, until I got the "A-ha" moment hit over my own head. In The Tomb: A Novel of Martha, is not her attempt to recount the historical events that took place in Bethany two thousand years ago. Instead, it is a re-imagining of how Martha, a woman who was "anxious and worried about many things," might have been transformed into the faith-filled woman of John 11:22, who said to Jesus - as her brother lay in his tomb - "Even know I know that whatever you ask of God, God will give you."

Another author Jill Eileen Smith,in her praise for the Tomb, captured the essence of this entire Living Water series when she adds, "Often when we read the biblical story, we don't stop to think about who these people were, what they thought, how they lived - especially when we are unfamiliar with the culture of the day. The Tomb gives us a rich glimpse into that culture and into the lives of these characters: their hopes, their joys, their fears. You will never see Martha quite the same way again."

That is precisely what the reader will glean from this inside look into what really made Martha, the beloved character from the Bible, the proverbial worrier, the woman who never stopped and was always busy working hard to make sure everything was perfect, couldn't see where all her efforts were truly going. I had never really considered what her story might be. The Bible doesn't speak of their parents and with Martha being the oldest, one might assume that all the household responsibilities of raising her younger brother and sister would fall naturally to her. Thoughts of her own future would pale with making sure everything else would be addressed before her own needs were considered.

This translates so beautifully in this novel and it truly saddens me every single time, that the novels are over too soon. I feel like I have truly been given a look into the lives of characters of the Bible I had never considered before until I have finished another one of Stephanie's novels. Her introductions to other secondary characters is woven so seamlessly you often find yourself asking if you missed connecting those pieces together when you read the Bible so many times before. From the demon possessed man, to the plots against Jesus by the Sanhedrin, the story is breath-taking, magical, and one I know I will read again and again. These novels are so rich in detail, you can't put them down. You simply won't want to. So be sure to set aside time to take a virtual vacation back to the time of Christ and see for yourself one of the most unforgettable miracles from the Bible as you read, The Tomb.

I received The Tomb: A Novel of Martha by Stephanie Landsem compliments of Howard Books for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation for a favorable review and the opinions contained here are strictly my own unless otherwise notated. Such a beautiful novel that captures the demon possessed man, Simon the leper, Martha, Mary and Lazarus, as well as the saving grace that can only come from time spent with Jesus Christ as you witness first hand these events as though you are part of the action and not just reading a novel. This is one of those novels when you read it, you want to tell every single person about it, so they can enjoy it as much as you have. My only hope, is that like most series, it doesn't end at the third one and Stephanie has plans for another one, fingers crossed!!! Hands down, a well deserved standing ovation and worth every one of the five out of five stars.

For more information about The Tomb, Stephanie Landsem, or where you can pick up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:


You can also find Stephanie Landsem on Facebook to stay up to date with all her latest novels.

To read more reviews on The Tomb, please visit Howard Book's website. 

Now for the best part, thanks to Stephanie Landsem, she is providing a complimentary giveaway copy to one lucky follower of my blog, Reviews From The Heart. Here's all you need to do to enter:

1. Be a follower of my blog, Reviews From The Heart. 

2. "Like" Stephanie Landsem's Facebook page and leave her a comment there congratulating her on The Tomb's release.

3. Be a resident of the US or have a US mailing address. Please No P.O. Boxes.

4. Leave a comment below telling me why you'd love to win a copy of The Tomb: A Novel of Martha. Don't forget to include your email address, otherwise I can't notify you if you're the lucky winner. You can use (at) and (dot) instead of the symbols.

I will email the winner once the giveaway ends on March 26th. If I don't hear from the winner within 72 hours, another winner will be selected.


37 comments:

  1. Thank yo so much for the beautiful review and for sharing The Tomb with your readers. I'm so glad that my books have touched your heart. I do hope to continue writing books that open our eyes to the truths in the Bible and the love of Jesus.

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  2. Thanks for sharing this! My teenage daughter and I avid readers of Christian novels, and this one sounds amazing! I read an amazing story about the woman at the well, and I bet Stephanie's novels are just as good!

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    1. Thanks, Danielle. I love to share my books with my daughters, too.

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  3. I would love to win a copy of this book which would be my first by Stephanie Landsem. I enjoy reading biblical fiction,and this sounds so good! Thanks for the chance to win


    Cagould15(at)Yahoo(dot)com

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  4. Thank you for the fantastic review of The Tomb. I LOVE Biblical fiction. This book would be a great witnessing tool. Thanks for the giveaway.

    I follow your blog and left a congrats msg for Steph on her facebook page.

    psalm103and138[at]gmail[dot]com

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    1. Thanks Caryl! I so appreciate hearing from readers.

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  5. I would love to read this book, it's sound really good!
    shellymae1002@yahoo.com

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  6. I am captivated with this novel and your beautiful review. Thanks for this great giveaway. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

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  7. I have heard so many good things about Stephanie's novels and would love to win so I can join in on this wonderful series! Great review!
    sylvesternator at yahoo dot com

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  8. Congratulations & Wishing you much success Stephanie!
    I would love to win a copy this book. I do enjoy Biblical Fiction & this sounds sooo good!
    I follow and I liked Stephanie on FB :)
    dkstevensneAToutlookD OtCoM

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  9. I commented on the author's Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/stephanielandsem/photos/a.378717235490655.101217.376801192348926/1030797396949299/?type=1&theater

    I've always had a soft spot for Martha. She gets a bad rap a lot of times, but I think she really was trying to do the right thing when she got into it with her sister for not helping to serve the meal. And she had that faith and trust in Jesus too!

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    1. That's what I think too, Barb. Jesus clearly loved Martha just as much as Mary, and he always had a reason for what he did, and that's what I wanted to explore in The Tomb.

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  10. I am so excited about the release of THE TOMB and would love to win a copy! I completely agree with you..."Stephanie Landsem is one of the finest biblical fictional authors I've read to date." I have been completely captivated by her Living Water Series! She certainly brings the biblical time period and characters to life and I can't wait to read this novel of Martha. Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful review and giveaway.

    texaggs2000 at gmail dot com

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    1. P.S. I followed your blog via email. Also, I already "like" Stephanie's Facebook page and left her a comment there congratulating her on The Tomb's release.

      texaggs2000 at gmail dot com

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  11. Hi! I am a follower of this site. I liked Stephanie Landsem's FB page.
    I am a citizen of the US. I would like to win this book, The Tomb to read this author's view of what Martha's life might have been like. I do think tho that there would be many women in their kitchen's preparing a meal if they knew it would be needed, and also picking things up make the house neat. Don't you? I hope I might win this book. Maxie > mac262(at)me(dot)com <

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  12. I loved Stephanie's first two books! You're right - she really makes the Biblical characters come to life in ways I hadn't ever thought of. Sara msara(at)centurytel(dot)net

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  13. Following your blog by e-mail, already like Stephanie's FB page and have commented. I would love to win a copy of this book, it sounds like a great read.
    myfacebookemail23 at yahoo dot com

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  14. I enjoyed reading this great review of THE TOMB. This book is a wonderful witnessing tool.

    I follow your blog and left a congrats for Stephanie on her facebook page.
    psalm103and138[at]gmail[dot]com

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  15. I love to read biblical fiction to learn what you think the women of the bibal might have really been like.

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  16. That was women of the bible.
    Thereadmaster@me.com

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    1. Yes, I love to imagine what it must have been like for women in Jesus time. A difficult life, but also a lot simpler than ours :)

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  17. I really enjoy Biblical fiction and have read Jill Eileen Smith. I wouuld love to win and read your book also. wileygreen1(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  18. What a great review - I have not read any of Jill Eileen Smith's books in the past, but that may change now - this sounds amazing! Am now following your blog, liked, and commented on Jill's page. Blessings! jeaniedannheim (at) ymail (dot) com

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    1. Jill is a fantastic writer and a lovely person. She wrote a great endorsement of The Tomb that is on the front cover!

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    2. Like Stephanie stated in her reply Mama Cat, that I just referenced a great quote from Jill when she reviewed Stephanie's book. Hope you clicked on Stephanie's page to leave the comment as provided in the review.

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  19. Well I'm half way through The Thief and I am really enjoying this book and how you took John 9 snd made a whole story about yhe blind man. Im also enjoying the character of mouse snd was pleasantly surprised....so needless to say I would love to read The Tomb, next in The Living Water Series!

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  20. I love books that 'flesh out' other books that I love. And what better book to love than the Bible? luann(dot)braley(at)gmail(dot)com

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  21. My daughter and her friends are avid readers, and we've been looking for good Christian/Catholic books to add to their reading list. We borrowed The Theif from the library and my daughter didn't put it down till she was done. So glad to have found it and would love our own copy.

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  22. I am a follower and liked Stephanie's Facebook page. I can't wait to see what will happen to Martha & her guy. Healing, restoration . . . totally God at work! chris_davebures@bellsouth.net Thanks for the opportunity to win and the review.

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  23. I really enjoy reading the story of Lazarus and how Jesus knows the miracle he's going to perform for these dear friends of His and love that He pours out brings tears of joy to my heart.
    jennydtipton(at)gmail(dot)com

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  24. I love her books and can't wait to read this last book in this series. Thank you! chris_davebures@bellsouth.net I am a follower & live in the US!

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  25. I would love to read The Tomb and perhaps gain a new perspective of this wonderful Bible story. Thank you for this giveaway.
    Connie
    cps1950@gmail.com

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