Keepers of the Covenant

The Restoration Chronicles #2

by Lynn Austin

In one life-changing moment, the lives of the Jewish exiles in Babylon are thrown into confusion and despair when a decree arrives from the king's palace in Susa. It calls for the annihilation of every Jewish man, woman, and child throughout the empire on the thirteenth day of Adar, in less than one year. Ezra, a quiet Jewish scholar and teacher, is suddenly called upon to lead the community as they seek God for a reason for this catastrophe. When a second decree arrives, authorizing them to fight back, Ezra is thrust into the role of military leader as they defend themselves against their enemies.

When the battles come to an end, Ezra's brother Jude is dead and Ezra is required by the Law he so diligently studies to marry Jude's widow, Devorah, and provide an heir. Fatherhood changes Ezra, and he asks God to make a way for him and the other exiles to leave Babylon for good and return to Jerusalem. His prayers are answered and the exiles move to Judea to revitalize worship at the temple—but the fight to keep God's Law is never easy. As more and more of his community are tempted, a new battle emerges...this one for the survival of God's covenant and the souls of His chosen faithful.

Genres: Christian Fiction, Historical Fiction, Biblical Fiction, Christian, Fiction, Historical, Biblical

480 pages, Paperback

First published September 30, 2014

About the author

For many years, Lynn Austin nurtured a desire to write but frequent travels and the demands of her growing family postponed her career. When her husband's work took Lynn to Bogota, Colombia, for two years, she used the B.A. she'd earned at Southern Connecticut State University to become a teacher. After returning to the U.S., the Austins moved to Anderson, Indiana, Thunder Bay, Ontario, and later to Winnipeg, Manitoba.

It was during the long Canadian winters at home with her children that Lynn made progress on her dream to write, carving out a few hours of writing time each day while her children napped. Lynn credits her early experience of learning to write amid the chaos of family life for her ability to be a productive writer while making sure her family remains her top priority.

Extended family is also very important to Austin, and it was a lively discussion between Lynn, her mother, grandmother (age 98), and daughter concerning the change in women's roles through the generations that sparked the inspiration for her novel Eve's Daughters.

Along with reading, two of Lynn's lifelong passions are history and archaeology. While researching her Biblical fiction series, Chronicles of the Kings, these two interests led her to pursue graduate studies in Biblical Backgrounds and Archaeology through Southwestern Theological Seminary. She and her son traveled to Israel during the summer of 1989 to take part in an archaeological dig at the ancient city of Timnah. This experience contributed to the inspiration for her novel Wings of Refuge.

Lynn resigned from teaching to write full-time in 1992. Since then she has published 27 novels. Eight of her historical novels, Hidden Places, Candle in the Darkness, Fire by Night, A Proper Pursuit, and Until We Reach Home have won Christy Awards in 2002, 2003, 2004, 2008, and 2009 for excellence in Christian Fiction. Fire by Night was also one of only five inspirational fiction books chosen by Library Journal for their top picks of 2003, and All She Ever Wanted was chosen as one of the five inspirational top picks of 2005. Lynn's novel Hidden Places has been made into a movie for the Hallmark Channel, starring actress Shirley Jones. Ms Jones received a 2006 Emmy Award nomination for her portrayal of Aunt Batty in the film.

Reviews

[Nadine Keels · Rating 4 out of 5]

We show our faith in God when we keep moving forward even when our prayers aren't being answered... to keep believing that God is good even when it doesn't seem that way.

I've read more than one biblical fiction novel and have seen at least three different films about the Jews under ancient Persian rule and the origin of Purim. All of those novels and films were primarily concerned with the story of Queen Esther, so it was nice to read an account from another angle, primarily that of the Jewish leader Ezra, and to read more about the aftermath following the well-known Thirteenth of Adar.

In Keepers of the Covenant, author Lynn Austin does a great job of illustrating the likelihood that, even with the Purim celebration, not everything may be all joy and gladness for every Jew after the bloodshed. And how can Ezra succeed in turning his people back to the law of God when many of them now view it as archaic? What about Ezra's hatred toward Babylonians and other Gentiles--is it justified?

I found the relationship between Amina and Hodaya to be simple and touching, and Reuben's journey, though rough at times, is well developed. He and his kippah brought tears to my eyes.

While some of the story's repetition is needful and effective, there are a number of places where the writing is merely redundant, parts when there isn't any new light being shed on ideas as the narrator rehashes the characters' same thoughts or the characters (unintentionally?) repeat themselves in dialogue.

Yet, most importantly, this novel's message about God's goodness, justice, and grace comes through strong and clear.

If only we had eyes to see how God can weave all the broken strands of our life into something beautiful.
_________________
Bethany House provided me with a complimentary copy of this book for an honest review.

[Loraine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lynn Austin is one of my favorite authors for Biblical fiction; and once again, her Scripture based, historically researched story has brought this time period to life. Focused on the remnant who stays in Babylon after King Cyrus decreed they could return to Jerusalem, Ezra leads another group back to the Holy Land.

The story is set in three different places (Babylon, Casiphia north of Babylon, and Bethlehem), and the characters featured in each setting all come together in Jerusalem. Throughout the plot, Austin weaves beautiful Scripture and wisdom gems that speak for the deep faith thread this book contains.

Here are just a few examples:
"We show our faith in God when we keep moving forward even when our prayers aren't being answered."

"It's easy to have faith when we get everything we want from God, everything we pray for. But when we don't, we have to decide if we want His will or our own. We can't manipulate God by a display of faith or by our actions. Only idols can be manipulated. God is sovereign, and He will do what he wills, for His purposes. And those purposes are often hidden from us.

This book is Biblical fiction at its best.

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Biblical fiction has never been my favorite genre', and is something I rarely read, but I have always been impressed with Lynn Austin's Biblical fiction, and am always eager to read it when it comes from her pen. Not only is she a master at this genre', thus far she has written about people and times in the Bible that most Biblical fiction authors doe not write about.

This is the second book in the Restoration Chronicles, set in the time of the Jewish captivity. This book starts out with the plot of Haman to have all of the Jews slaughtered. Although Esther is not in the book, her role is mentioned. For the first part of the book, it deals with the reactions of the Jews as they hear the news that they will be slaughtered and on what day. And then the second edict comes saying that they can defend themselves.

The main character in this book is Ezra. Even with all of my years in a Christian school, college, and church, he is someone I was not very familiar with. And I can't remember the last time I read anything from the book of Ezra. But as Lynn Austin does, she brought this not very well known Bible character to life, and the events surrounding his life. As with all Biblical fiction, not all characters in the book are from the Bible, and neither is everything that happens or is said is in the Bible. However, Biblical fiction of this caliber does not diminish from the Biblical narrative, nor does it add too much, but instead it brings it to life and helps the reader to better understand the life and times of Ezra and his contemporaries.

God's mercy and providence were big themes in the story, and I found myself encouraged as I realized this same God who provided and took His people back to Jerusalem as He had promised, is the same God today who will work in our lives.

I found this a very interesting and encouraging read. It is obvious that the author not only put a lot of time into writing this book, but also a lot of study. It shows.This book, and the one it follows, are not just entertaining reads that are clean and wholesome. They are encouraging reads that take us into the pages of the Bible and through the lens of Biblical fiction, show us what it might have been like for Ezra and the other Jews of his time as they lived under Babylonian rule, and were finally allowed to return to their home.

I definitely recommend this book, and the first book in the series. They do not need to be read in order, but they do follow each other chronologically.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Keepers of the Covenant is the second book in Lynn Austin’s The Restoration’s Chronicles. I felt like I was walking beside and had an understanding of the life, doubts, struggles and actions surrounding the events the Jews experienced leading up to, through and after the 13th day of Adar.

I’ve been amazed at how much I’ve enjoyed Lynn Austin’s biblical stories and how they have brought to life the Old Testament for me. Her stories have encouraged and caused me to delve into my bible and glen more from the Old Testament than ever before! I would definitely recommend all her biblical stories.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

[Andi Tubbs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lynn Austin takes the OT book of Ezra and breathes new life into it. This is an enthralling read of the exiled Jews and their return to Jerusalem. You feel as though you are apart of the story, going through what they are experiencing.
I am a huge fan of biblical fiction, not only are the entertaining, I always find something I didn't know before, and I end up searching my Bible, which always leads to new notes and highlights in my Bible. If you think the OT is boring, pick up a copy of Keepers of the Covenant and I guarantee you will have a different opinion.

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5★

I loved how Lynn Austin brought the story of Ezra and the return of a remnant of Israelites from Babylon to life!

I'm looking forward to the next in the series, but sad that it looks like it's the last!

[Brittany · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Stars ✨

“ It's easy to have faith when we get everything we want from God, everything we pray for. But when we don't, we have to decide if we want His will or our own. We can't manipulate God by a display of faith or by our actions. Only idols can be manipulated. God is sovereign, and He will do what He do what He wills, for His purpose. And those purposes are often hidden.”

Lynn Austin is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors for biblical fiction. She makes the Old Testament come to life without manipulating any of the scriptures. I don’t know how she does it but what a gift she has. I want to read all of her books now so much wisdom in her beautiful stories. This is a great series for those seeking to understand certain Old Testament stories from the Bible.

[Paula Vince · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fascinating story about Ezra, one of God's chosen Biblical leaders, and the duties and passions that consumed him. I love how Lynn Austin features such large figures from Bible history alongside her own fictional characters, for her story is also about Reuben, the young Jewish boy who loses the plot when his beloved father dies for the God who could have saved him; and Amina, the lame little Gentile girl who comes to love her surrogate Jewish mother and her God with all her heart.

For a long time, the three threads remain totally separate to the point where I was getting impatient for them to come together. It wasn't until at least sixty percent through the story that they began to merge, but by then, I decided it was a strength after all, because that's how life works. A book focused on my immediate family would have my husband's story separate from mine until we were in our early twenties. It makes the story more powerful in the second half, because even though the characters were strangers to each other, I knew them all very well.

Although this is considered a sequel to 'Return to Me', they really stand alone, as the events of 'Keepers of the Covenant' take place around eighty years later. One thread tying them together is Hodaya. It was great to trace her life, from the discarded, crippled newborn in the first book, to a gracious matriarch and grandmother, living out her full lifespan.

I found Ezra a more likeable leader than Iddo, in the first book, who came across as pushy and autocratic at times, even though his zeal was well placed. Ezra is earnest and humble, finding himself thrust into the leader's role rather than striving for it. In spite of his great learning, he's never too lofty to seek advice from others, such as his wife, Devorah, and younger brother, Asher. (One of my favourite scenes, which highlights Ezra's human vulnerability, is when he describes his mental and physical exhaustion to his brother.)

What makes Lynn Austin my favourite biblical author is the way her characters seem just like us, yet without compromising the authenticity of the times in which they lived. I understand their puzzlement when they hear of King Xerxe's death decree, under the influence of the evil Haman, as they are dealing with two contradictory, fixed opinions; God's Covenant on one side and the Persian king's edict on the other. While Ezra and his cohorts scanned the Torah for answers, I appreciate the irony that the solution ended up having nothing to do with them. (This, of course, is history.) In the story, the characters spend years referring to the events of 'The 13th of Adar' just as we do to September 11th.

I totally get his teenage twins' fascination with Babylon, which seemed grander than anything they knew, and their frustration with their father's passion to keep separate when they felt inferior in so many ways. It's the modern questions about relevance, which we also deal with, and like us, Ezra learns that you can't force feeling into a young person's heart. Since our modern world has been compared to Babylon, it has to make us think. When it came to the issue of mixed marriages, Ezra's personal angst over finding the right balance between grace and mercy was heartbreaking.

I love fiction like this, because so much is explained through the daily lives of the characters and their natural conversations. If Ezra can impact a fixed-minded young rebel like Reuben, he can do the same for readers.

Thanks to Bethany House and Net Galley for my review copy.

[Yvonne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book! I happen to be studying this part of the Bible right now. This book really helps the Bible come to life!

[Victor Gentile · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lynn Austin in her new book, “Keepers of the Covenant” Book Two in The Restoration Chronicles series published by Bethany House Publishers takes us into the life of Ezra.

From the Back Cover: In Their Darkest Hour, Where Would Hope Be Found?

In one life-changing moment, the lives of the exiles in Babylon are thrown into despair when a decree from the king’s palace calls for the annihilation of every Jewish man, woman, and child throughout the empire in less than one year.

Ezra, a quiet but brilliant scholar, soon finds himself called upon to become the leader of his people. Forced to rally an army when all his training has been in the Torah, he struggles to bring hope in a time of utter despair, when dreams of the future–of family and love–seem impossible.

In Keepers of the Covenant, acclaimed novelist Lynn Austin weaves together the struggles and stories of both Jews and Gentiles, creating a tapestry of faith and doubt, love and loss. Here, the Old Testament comes to life, demonstrating the everlasting hope displayed in God’s unwavering love for His people.

The Restoration Chronicles is a series that should be read in order and in an unhurried relaxed manner. There is so much packed between each books pages that you just want to sit and savor every moment as the story unfolds. Not all of the Jewish people left Babylon when the decree was given that they could, so most are trying to rebuild Jerusalem while the others are scattered. “Keepers of the Covenant” follows the story lines of Ezra, Nehemiah and Esther. Ms. Austin has taken the task of running those books together to make a cohesive whole. Quite an undertaking that she does with incredible accuracy and realism. Reading this book was somewhat similar to taking a time machine and going back to then. There are great characters that are well written. I felt that I met these people and was traveling with them. I got to know them, appreciate them and go through what they went through. Ms. Austin is a highly talented author who brings you into the immediacy of the moment. I recommend this book highly and am greatly looking forward to the next book in this excellent series.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Litfuse Publicity Group. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

[Beckie Burnham · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think it must be really hard to write Biblical fiction — fiction that is entertaining and engaging while at the same time faithful to God’s Word, His intent and His purposes. Lynn Austin is an author who does an exemplary job of combining all the necessary ingredients to do just that. In her latest book in the Restoration Chronicles, Keepers of The Covenant, Austin combines the stories of Ezra and Esther to bring forth a cohesive narrative of the life of post-exilic Israel. She also does the best thing I like about Biblical fiction, she inspires her readers to open up God’s word to look into scripture for themselves.

Ezra is a scholar with no other desire but to study the Torah. But when word comes of the Persian king’s edict in which all Jews are to be killed, he is called to become a leader of his people in Babylon. Reluctantly he follows God’s call and embarks on a journey to know Him. Amina and Reuben are children in the days of Haman’s schemes and Esther’s triumphant victory, but the thirteenth of Adar changes their lives for ever. Austin follows these characters and their families in examining God’s everlasting covenant with those He calls His own.

Keepers of The Covenant is three stories in one that come together as the people of Israel return to their home in Jerusalem. All the characters face doubts and fears as well as decisions that change the course of their lives. I found all of the characters realistic and relatable for readers in the 21st century. There really isn’t anything new under the sun, and the difficulties of life are as real now as they were then. Austin has created a wonderful sense of place as well. You can almost see the the green hills surrounding Jerusalem and feel the sandy grit of 4 months travel from Babylon to the Holy Land. The theme of justice tempered by mercy is strong and a good lesson for readers today. But it was the the inclusive love of God that really spoke to me.

Keepers of The Covenant is an excellent novel, one that I will recommend to anyone regardless of their favorite genre. This historical novel is much more than dates and places in the past, but a retelling of God’s timeless truths and promises.

Highly Recommended.

Audience: older teens and adults.

(Thanks to LitFuse and Bethany House for my review copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)

[Janae Dale · Rating 5 out of 5]

Keepers of the Covenant (The Restoration Chronicles Book #2)
By Lynn Austin

The nation of Israel has been in captivity for many years, first to the Babylonians then to the Persians. They are scattered throughout the Persian empire. Though Nehemiah had been allowed by Cyrus to return with a remnant to rebuild the temple, that window of opportunity has closed for the Jews. They are slowly becoming assimilated into the Gentile culture and many are starting to fear that God has forgotten them. An edict of the king then goes out stating that all Gentiles are to arm themselves to annihilate and plunder the Jewish people throughout the Persian empire. The Jews are overwhelmed by the implications of the king’s order and many sink into despair and hopelessness, while others respond with bitterness and hatred. Where is the God who swore a covenant to Abraham making these people His own? Is there now any hope of restoration to Him and the land that He has promised?

Let me say that I’m a HUGE fan of Lynn Austin – beginning with the Chronicles of the Kings series (amazing!) – and this book was wonderful as well. Thinking that it was going to be about Ezra, I started to wonder a bit when the story began with Xerxes edict by the hand of Haman. My immediate thought was that it was going to be a book about Esther instead, but Mrs. Austin focused the story instead on the exiles who knew nothing of the Jewish queen. I loved hearing the story from their perspective, and it gave me a new outlook on what it must have been like during this “waiting to die” period of the people’s lives. Ezra’s life and work quickly came into the picture, and I loved “getting to know” him as a real person, not just someone who wrote a book of the Bible. There’s so much more to this story than I’ve written here, but I don’t want to spoil a thing for those who are going to love this book as much as I did. I’m giving it an A+: now on my favorites list for Biblical fiction – clean and safe for all audiences too!

I received a free advance copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley.com in exchange for my honest review.

[Christian Fiction Addiction · Rating 5 out of 5]

The second novel in "The Restoration Chronicles" series is a truly compelling read, bringing the historical figures in the Bible to life in a new way. The novel follows a number of different characters on their difficult journeys, weaving the various plot lines together into a unified whole. You will live and breathe alongside these characters as they face what seems to be certain death, as with Ezra or Devorah, or despair over the mistreatment they suffer at the hands of those who should love them, as with Amina. What I've come to appreciate about Austin's Biblical fiction is that it is all too easy to skim over a story in the Old Testament and not have a true understanding of what the people in the Bible experienced, but this novel and others she's written definitely change that! For example, I've never really thought about the thoughts and feelings of the average Jew who lived through Esther's time, and viewing that event through these character's eyes gave me a much deeper appreciation for what God did. Austin has done a wonderful job at capturing the mindset and culture of the day, exposing the racism and the oppression that the people suffered, the depth of the division between the Jews and the people they lived among. I loved getting to know all the different characters, and seeing them grow in courage and in purpose in their lives. Their stories portrayed God's grace and his provision in a powerful way. I can truly say that I will be reading this book again in the future as it made me think deeply about God's nature and how both his mercy and judgment are portrayed in the Old Testament.

I greatly enjoyed "Keepers of the Covenant" and award it 4.5 out of 5 stars. I look forward to the third book in the series!

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

[Katherine Wacker · Rating 3 out of 5]

In Lynn Austin’s Keepers of the Covenant, the Jews are days away from extinction. Held captive in a foreign land for disobeying God’s laws, the Lord orchestrates a way of escape, but it comes with a price. Wives become widows, and children are left fatherless. Convinced that his people will forget God’s salvation in Babylon, Ezra, leads the exiles back to the Promised Land. Will he remain faithful to his calling as he shoulders the responsibility of leading his people?
Keepers of the Covenant tells the biblical story of Israel’s prominent and beloved priest. As historical fiction, it traces the second wave of exiles who return home from Babylon. The characters are relatable and empathetic. The plot is intriguing, entertaining, and filled with fascinating historical tidbits. The story is theologically solid. Austin’s knowledge of Old Testament Law is amazing and her grasp of biblical history is unlike any author I’ve read.
The only drawback in Austin’s work is the constant summarizing and sermonizing. It interrupts the flow of the story, detracts from valid theological points, and makes the book seem longer than it is. A little lighter touch and Keepers of the Covenant would be the perfect book.


I was given a free copy from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

[Cindy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I won this edition of Lynn Austin's book "Keepers of the Covenant". I see now where the title originated, the characters of the story keep the covenant and battle against the Babylon, Cannanites. We have the main character from the Bible Deborah (Judges 4-5) as Devorah. We have Ezra the prophet. We have Reuben. And we have a few other characters thrown in here and there.
What I liked about the story; the three dimensional characters you don't get out of the Bible. There are some twist and turns with Deborah's life (especially) that I will not provide just to keep you guessing in the book. The story follows the pattern of historical events as the Bible.
What I did not like; the story felt lacking in energy and storyline. If you know the Historical account out of the Bible the reading of this book is lacking intensity to draw you in to the story.
I like many of Lynn Austin's books, but this one isn't my favorite. I think I would have brought Devorah (Deborah) to the forefront at the beginning of the book instead of giving us pre-history to her coming in to the story. I would have created Devorah with more grit and fire, because she is a Judge and does play the key to the leading of the battle to save the Israelites in God's calling and strength.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lynn Austin is an awesome writer. This book has so much depth! I enjoyed the fact that this story is told from the viewpoint of the Jews that were the target of Haman's decree to kill all the Jews in Queen Esther's time. Usually the story is from her viewpoint. :) There are several storylines that connect throughout the book and the author doesn't shy away from the tragedy of death and the choices people make out of grief and anger. You'll ache for the losses and rejoice as they find their way back to God. A long story that is not a fast read but worth the effort to finish!

[Christy Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my goodness. Just finished this second book of the trilogy and I loved it more than the first. This Biblical historical fiction gave me such an understanding of the time period when the exiles were in Babylon from Ezra's point of view. It takes you into the story to see how his life is being impacted by what is happening in the book of Esther. You can't finish this book without being excited to go and read the passages of the Bible it is based on. Great read!

[Manon Kroneman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Weer een dikke 5+.
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

Door alle angst, onmacht en verdriet heen, blijf ik terugkomen op: God is genade. God is liefde.

Én het is me duidelijk geworden dat God aan vrouwen een bijzondere rol geeft door zijn geschiedenis heen.
Dappere, krachtige en integere vrouwen zijn de rode draad in het verhaal.

Needless to say: ik ben fan.

[Darius Murretti · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would have given it 5 Stars for the vivid writing but I docked 2 stars because of the author's historical misrepresentation that only the Jews were good and that they alone had knowledge of and a personal relationship with the true God .

The truth is that holy men of the same spiritual status as Jesus and Moses take birth in all cultures and give the exact same teachings which are that GOD IS WITHIN US . He is not in some book nor in some city (like Jerusalem or Mecca ). He is the holy spirit of the Christians( called the wine of divine love by the Perisan saints )

Historian and Persian Scholars agree that the fakirs and dervishes like Shamasi-Tabriz , and Jalaluddin Rumi taught that all beings were manifestations' of the one BELOVED GOD and that LOVE was the way to unite ones souls with God and that that love extended to all beings of all religions and cultures --that first and foremost every being is a manifestation of the BELOVED .

The message this book should have given ( to be historically and spiritually correct ) is that
there are only 2 types of people -those who turn to God and those who turn away from him and that both are to be found in every religion ,

In every religion their are people who sincerely value conscious contact with God and love all humans and those who merely view the religion as a social and political platform and hate any one who does not believe as they do .

The book would have been better if she made at least one Persian person who did not covert to Judaism kind and loving and compassionate as all who know God and see him is every creature are but she made every Persian a villian . The truth is that God himself incarnates into every culture and teaches that God is like the sun and we are all rays of that sun and they teach us how to trace the ray of consciousness that illumine us back to it source but after they depart their true teachings are obscured and those who merely view the religion as a social and political platform and hate any one who does not believe as they do seize power and begin to make war on .Even the sincerest among them merely guess at then true teaching by reading the writings of the founders .Instead of finding the CURERNT PRESENT LIVING INCARNATION OF THE HOLY SPIRIT those born into teh families of the past incarnation's students tyr to follow them by reading and interpreting the books left by the DEAD PAST incarnations and invent all kinds of "Religious Laws" and ritual's and "Holy Places "and Their own and fight over these places.

Actually "The Promised Land" and "Jerusalem" never meant any place in the physical world .These terms we designations the early "Jewish" incarnations of God assigned to the highest level of consciousness where all ignorance is shed and the soul attains and the soul realizes its unity with God and dwell with him ( as Him) for eternity.

But after those Masters passed away and the technique of ascending to "Jerusalem" on the holy spirit was lost the followers of the ignorant scholars who merely read they scriptures instead of teaching ascension to Jerusalem on the holy spirt where lost and they designated a crappy worldy city as Jerusalem ( probably where more of them lived )then and they foolishly told the followers that a pilgrimage to these "holy " places and made all kind s of bull shit rules like “if you husband dies you have to marry his brother or you are not a true follower “

The truth is that there is only one holy place and that is the human body above the eyes where the holy Spirit resounds day and night . There si only one holy pilgrimage and that is to take our scattered attention away from sex and violence and mereg it in that universal love and ascend back to God


sorry I have no more time to elaborate

[Faith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Title: Keepers of the Covenant
Written By: Lynn Austin
Genre: Biblical Fiction
Recommended Ages: 15 & up

Introduction:
I read this book under orders. Okay, not really. It was suggested to me by a wise friend, that I take a break from writing and do some reading. So I did and of course, had to decide which of the hundreds of books on my to-read list to read. I’d recently heard from multiple writing friends that Lynn Austin wrote excellent books and I happened to own one, so I chose that one. I am so glad that I did. Not only is this series Biblical Fiction (a genre I am writing at the moment), but these are also about prophets I don’t know super well.

Characters: .75/1
I loved the characters. There was one that turned me off quite a bit, but he was supposed to, so I guess that’s all right. I loved the author’s depiction of Ezra and his wife. They were such opposites in so many ways and yet perfect for each other.

Dialogue: 1/1
The dialogue seemed very appropriate to the times and never took me out of the book.

Plot/storyline: 1/1
I’ve written some Biblical fiction, but I’ve never considered taking on this big of a project. Writing about the book of Ezra is ambitious and I can’t imagine how much research went into it. That being said, I think Lynn Austin did a wonderful job with this storyline and tying in so many details together.

Overall writing quality: .75/1
I’ve said this before, but I judge traditionally published books a little higher than independently published books due to the amount of editors they generally have. There were a few places in this book that I thought a sentence here and there could have been reworded to make it stronger. Overall, it was great, though.

Un-put-down-ability: 1/1
I didn’t want to put the book down. If I’d been single, I would have stayed up all night reading it. Or if I hadn’t had anything to do the next day. Unfortunately, I had both.

Conclusion: 4.5/5
I loved this book. This is the second in the series, but first that I read and that was not a problem. Having since read book one, a few of the characters are recurring and I can understand a couple things slightly better, but this book could be read on its own.

I did mention above that the recommended ages are 15 & up. There are a few things mentioned that anyone under 15 should have a parent’s approval before reading. Nothing too descriptive, I’m just putting that caution out there.

Note: I received a free paperback of this novel from the publisher and was not under any compulsion to post a positive review.

[Marguerite Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great way to study biblical history through the lives of vibrant characters who truly rose to the challenges of returning to Jerusalem. Ezra accepted God's plan and set out on a journey of faith.

[Onisim Pînzariu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fiecare pagina din cartea asta a avut ceva deosebit. Și știu sigur ca o sa fie in top 5. Mult diferită de prima și tratând totuși teme asemănătoare, a avut un fir narativ excepțional și personaje deosebite. Am sa privesc complet diferit de acum povestea Esterei și a lui Ezra, care acum îmi place și mai mult decât îmi plăcea înainte.

[A.M. Heath · Rating 4 out of 5]

As with the other books of the series, Keepers of the Covenant is packed full of timeless truths. Austin was able to weave in an abundance of life lessons into a story that was both original and Biblical all at the same time.
Keepers tells the story of Ezra and while Austin had to use her imagination in places and even fictionalize portions to create a full novel, she also stayed close to what the Bible DID portray and brought this story and it's cultural setting to life. The one complaint that I had was that there were portions or characters that fell flat for me and this isn't something that I'm used to saying about Austin's work. Despite this issue, I was able to enjoy the story and learn so much along the way.
One of the things that I really enjoyed was the story of Esther from a new perspective. We rarely hear the Biblical tale of Esther outside of Esther and her uncle. But in Keepers, Austin brought to us the tale of the "other" victims in the story. The ones that are silent in the Bible were given a voice and we were able to witness the event through their eyes.
I appreciated the lessons she brought out such as: Having faith through trials, the contrast between pagan and Jewish customs, respect and honoring all life, and following God with your whole heart.

Rating and Recommendation: I highly recommend Keepers of the Covenant to anyone who enjoys Christian Fiction or Biblical Fiction. I'm giving it 4.5 stars.

Quotes:
Here's one of my absolute favorites:

“We show our faith in God when we keep moving forward even when our prayers aren't being answered. It's the highest form of praise to keep believing that God is good even when it doesn't seem that way.”

And this one is a little long, but such strong and sturdy truth that I just have to share:

“It's easy to have faith when we get everything we want from God, everything we pray for. But when we don't, we have to decide if we want His will or our own. We can't manipulate God by a display of faith or by our actions. Only idols can be manipulated. God is sovereign, and He will do what He wills, for His purposes. And those purposes are often hidden from us. I admit I don't like God's will when it means that my brother has to die. God no longer seems to fit the tidy little portrait I've drawn of Him. But God doesn't change, Devorah. Only our image of Him can change – and any image we create of an infinite God is an idol.”...”The question we have to ask, the question I ask myself is, will we allow grief and disappointment to erect a barricade between us and God? Or will we allow God to be the barricade, the shelter, between us and our sorrow?”

[Marie Burton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Long before the birth of Jesus, the Jews were persecuted and punished. The Old Testament shows us in the book of Esther how Queen Esther saved the Persian Jews from complete annihilation which resulted in the celebration called Purim. While the biblical story in Keepers of the Covenant begins with this well-known story of Haman and Mordecai of Esther 3-8, the author gives us a wonderfully fictionalized retelling of the prophet Ezra's family during this period of war and hardship. In the bible, the Book of Ezra tells us how God shows his forgiveness and restores the faith of his wayward people.

As with the first book in the series which gives us Zechariah's story, book two in the Restoration Chronicles focuses on characters who pull us into their re-imagined lives with absorbing and exciting storytelling. Ezra and his brothers were hard-working members of the Levite tribe exiled to Babylon when the king of Persia sends out a decree allowing all Jewish people to be slaughtered on a specific day. Ezra forces himself to become a leader of his Jewish peers and fight back. Meanwhile, we are also introduced to characters such as Amina and Sayfah, young daughters of the pagan Babylonian Gentiles who are eager to destroy the Jews; and Reuben, the young boy whose faith is tested when he loses almost everything during the violent thirteenth day of Adar.

Some favorite lines from characters in Keepers of the Covenant:

"As the psalmist wrote, our hope is in the Almighty One's unfailing love."

"If people follow God's laws at all, it's out of habit or legalism, not love. Some of us are no better than the Gentiles, ignoring God and His laws and then creating our own image of what God is like and what He wants from us."

"If we deny god, our lives aren't worth living."

Keepers of the Covenant is a captivating story of hardship, love and faith which depicts a historically important period for those of the Jewish community. I loved the first book, and I knew I would love this next installment. I was not disappointed at all, but I was reminded to continue to pick up the rest of Lynn Austin's work. I know I can't go wrong with any of her skillfully retold biblical novels. I highly recommend Lynn Austin and the Restoration Chronicles to any reader of biblical fiction. I especially love the larger size of these novels as well - nearing 500 pages, Keepers of the Covenant is a wonderfully engrossing and satisfying epic bible story.

[Bethany · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love this author, and have really enjoyed several of her previous releases. But sadly, I had a hard time enjoying this book as much as I wanted to. I felt the same way about the first book in this series, Return to Me. Even though I had a hard time getting into the first book, I decided to still give this sequel a try, and am glad I did.

I've always thought that biblical fiction is such an interesting genre that has so much potential. Sadly this genre isn't as popular as others, which is why I really wanted to love this novel, being how there aren't many books out there like this one. For some reason, I just had a hard time getting into the story. I love any type of book that is girly and feminine, and I don't think this story really fit into that, as there were more male characters, and it wasn't a sparkly book due to the setting. While this is in no way a bad thing, I think all the males and the setting was something that I'm not quite used to and it took a bit of adjusting to go that far back in time. This is really only one of the things I can think of that made me like the book instead of loving it, as there wasn't anything I particularly disliked.

This book is nearly 500 pages, and for a while it was a bit daunting to look at the sheer length of it! Being that the novel was as long as it was, I think the author did a good job making the story read smoothly without getting dry. There were so many different characters, and the book covers such a long period of time, making it a bit hard to keep up at times for me personally. However it wasn't a huge deal, as things kept moving smoothly.

Out of all the characters and their stories, I think my favorite was Amina's. It was such an interesting one that I enjoyed-especially the ending! However the other story lines were a just so-so for me, making Amina's story the highlight of the book for me.

Overall, this was a nice one-time read for me. Being able to go back in time to Bible times was such an exciting journey! I recommend this book for fans of biblical fiction!

D I S C L A I M E R :: I received a free copy of Keepers of the Covenant from the publisher to review. I was not paid to do so, and all thoughts expressed are my own, completely honest and unbiased.

[Elena · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story gripped me from very beginning and keep this way till the end. Book of Ezra unfolded vividly animated while I read this book. Many of events I knew about for the long time look differently when I "lived" through them along with main characters. One thing when you just read about decree that on one day a group of people should be killed, and totally different when you imagine it could be you and your family who have to meet this destiny. Then questions like "what to do" and "how to escape" haunted you and you desperately want to find a solution.
I particularly like one idea from this story, that sometimes we have to make a hard decision, and after it finalized in our heart, it may never come to the point of doing this. Like when Abraham decided to be obedient, his sacrifice became unnecessary.
All these components: story, ideas, language, style - make this book a really enjoyable reading.

[Beverly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again, Lynn Austin did not disappoint.
I loved how Lynn wove the story of Esther into the life and ministry of Ezra. I appreciated the faith struggles in the midst of tough circumstances, and the way the Word of God was sought to give direction, hope and inspiration in a pagan world that threaten to extinguish their love and longing for the Almighty.
I was also impressed with the process of balancing the fear of the Lord and the need to keep His Law with the Grace and Mercy of the Lord. I loved how Ezra sought God and His Word until he found the parameters for God's Grace as he did his best to govern God's people in accordance with His Word!
Austin does an amazing job of helping the reader to understand the times and the challenges of being part of the diaspora, the remnant of God's people following the years of exile!
I found my soul struggling with Ezra to lead God's people with integrity and mercy.

[Rachael · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you know me, then you know that I don’t do very many five stars. It isn’t because I didn’t like the other books, but because they didn’t have the same pull for me as this one did nearing the end.
Biblical fiction.
#AtoZAuthorRead
That is basically it. Very clean (only two mentioned kisses that I remember and a few desires to hold someone).

[Callie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book! I love Biblical fiction, and this book covers part of the story of Ezra. Great characters and it seemed really biblically accurate to me. I received a copy of this book for free from Netgalley.

[Victoria Bylin · Rating 5 out of 5]

No one writes Biblical fiction like Lynn Austin. Thoroughly enjoyed this second installment of the Restoration Chronicles.