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Highly Favored Mary's Story
Highly Mary’s Story is the first book in the Extraordinary Women of the Bible historical fiction series.
As you get lost in its pages, you’ll marvel at Mary’s passion, sacrifice, heartache, and faith, and what it took for her to trust God day by day. Be there when Mary and her family travel back to Nazareth from Jerusalem after the Passover celebration and realize that a twelve-year-old Jesus isn’t with them. Yet, they are astonished when they find Him in the temple conversing with the teachers. Then, watch as Mary instructs her son at a wedding in Cana that results in His first true steps toward His life of ministry. Explore Mary’s life as a woman who is at the center of God’s great plan. Certainly, the lessons Mary teaches her son, and the ones He teaches her, changed the world!
Be among the first to delve into the story of Mary in this heartwarming new historical fiction.
As you get lost in its pages, you’ll marvel at Mary’s passion, sacrifice, heartache, and faith, and what it took for her to trust God day by day. Be there when Mary and her family travel back to Nazareth from Jerusalem after the Passover celebration and realize that a twelve-year-old Jesus isn’t with them. Yet, they are astonished when they find Him in the temple conversing with the teachers. Then, watch as Mary instructs her son at a wedding in Cana that results in His first true steps toward His life of ministry. Explore Mary’s life as a woman who is at the center of God’s great plan. Certainly, the lessons Mary teaches her son, and the ones He teaches her, changed the world!
Be among the first to delve into the story of Mary in this heartwarming new historical fiction.
266 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 13, 2024
126 people are currently reading
28 people want to read
About the author
Ginger Garrett
38 books189 followersGinger Garrett is the author of the middle grade titles Name Tags and Other Sixth Grade Disasters (Carolrhoda Press) and The Last Monster (Delacorte Press/Random House) as well as other titles for women.
A frequent media guest and television host, Ginger has been interviewed by Fox News, 104.7 The Fish Atlanta, and many other outlets. Ginger resides in Georgia with her husband, three children and her 27th rescue dog, Watson.
A frequent media guest and television host, Ginger has been interviewed by Fox News, 104.7 The Fish Atlanta, and many other outlets. Ginger resides in Georgia with her husband, three children and her 27th rescue dog, Watson.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
October 22, 2025
The Strength of Faith
To know the truth will never convince others that don't want to believe it. How hard it must have been for a young girl barely a woman to hold up in a society that gave little value to women had to require a source of faith that most will never know. It isn't required at that level for most of us. There were so many things that were wrong about how people perceived and received her truth when they were made privy to it. Yet, her truth was God's plan despite the initial response of her betrothed and later her other children. Thankfully, the mercy and grace of God was made available to them as it is made available to us today... freely and without limit.
I enjoyed reading about their doubt and even the anger they felt regarding God's Truth as it opposed their limited understanding and perceptions. It truly helps me in the moments after I realize my own failures and in the moments of my repentance after knowingly doing what I know I should not have done, in a reaction I should not have acted on, or in a response I should never have spoken. God knew we would all fail. Good knew we were all sinners. Good knew we all needed forgiveness and redemption.
Amen.
To know the truth will never convince others that don't want to believe it. How hard it must have been for a young girl barely a woman to hold up in a society that gave little value to women had to require a source of faith that most will never know. It isn't required at that level for most of us. There were so many things that were wrong about how people perceived and received her truth when they were made privy to it. Yet, her truth was God's plan despite the initial response of her betrothed and later her other children. Thankfully, the mercy and grace of God was made available to them as it is made available to us today... freely and without limit.
I enjoyed reading about their doubt and even the anger they felt regarding God's Truth as it opposed their limited understanding and perceptions. It truly helps me in the moments after I realize my own failures and in the moments of my repentance after knowingly doing what I know I should not have done, in a reaction I should not have acted on, or in a response I should never have spoken. God knew we would all fail. Good knew we were all sinners. Good knew we all needed forgiveness and redemption.
Amen.
December 24, 2024
I was thrilled to begin the Extraordinary Women of the Bible series, and thrilled that it began with the story of Mary. Outside of Christmas, Mary doesn't get much focus or attention, so I eagerly anticipated what Ginger Garrett would do with her story. Ginger did not disappoint.
Mary gets not only a full story and a fully developed character profile here, but an entire journey that spans the months before Jesus' birth all the way to His resurrection. I had never seen an author do that before, at least in Christian fiction (so extra points on that, because while I respect the imagination of secular authors, I do think there are certain lines that shouldn't be crossed). I had also never gotten to see Mary, as a character, in the different stages of motherhood, and I fully enjoyed that.
I also enjoyed Highly Favored because Mary is more relatable here than in many books, again, particularly Christian fiction. To clarify, in Highly Favored, she is neither perfect nor constantly nagging, bitter, anxiety-ridden, or in any negative space a reader might expect from the literal human mother of the Son of God. But readers do get a mix of both her gentleness and her frustration with being "on the run" for much of Jesus' early life. They get a great sense of her growing wisdom, and the moments when she breaks down and admits, "I don't know what to do." They get her acceptance and optimism, and they get her homesickness and longing for Nazareth, for more time with Joseph, for a "normal" familial existence.
The scene, and trait of Mary's, that sticks out for me is encapsulated in her moment with Gabriel. Most pastors or teachers focus on the fact, Mary simply asked, "How will this be, since I am a virgin," and kind of leave it at that. And yes, that is what happened, and how Highly Favored presents the moment. But I also like that Gabriel exhibited patience and gentleness with Mary, and that she was able to work through more questions and grow in faith and wisdom later. I could relate to that; I think in Mary's place, Gabriel might've either laughed at me or gotten exhausted because I peppered him with the desire for details! (Not from a lack of trust, you understand, I just like to know as much information as God is willing to give). :)
Finally, I'd like to give Ginger extra kudos for some "popping" scenes. Thank you, first of all, for lingering on the scene with the Magi; my inner brainy Christian rejoiced. I also loved the scene between Jesus and little James. He was such a good big brother, my heart absolutely melted! I remember thinking, "James, you might not believe yet, or for a long time. But once you do, you're gonna be amazed!"
Ginger does lapse into telling over showing or narrative summary off and on throughout the novella. She also gets a little wordy toward the end, which kind of jarred me from the actual focus. That said, these are fairly minor issues, and Highly Favored is still a highly recommended book. It's an accurate, but creative and brand new take on the Bible's most famous lady, and although you don't need to read the series in order, I'd urge you to start with this one.
Mary gets not only a full story and a fully developed character profile here, but an entire journey that spans the months before Jesus' birth all the way to His resurrection. I had never seen an author do that before, at least in Christian fiction (so extra points on that, because while I respect the imagination of secular authors, I do think there are certain lines that shouldn't be crossed). I had also never gotten to see Mary, as a character, in the different stages of motherhood, and I fully enjoyed that.
I also enjoyed Highly Favored because Mary is more relatable here than in many books, again, particularly Christian fiction. To clarify, in Highly Favored, she is neither perfect nor constantly nagging, bitter, anxiety-ridden, or in any negative space a reader might expect from the literal human mother of the Son of God. But readers do get a mix of both her gentleness and her frustration with being "on the run" for much of Jesus' early life. They get a great sense of her growing wisdom, and the moments when she breaks down and admits, "I don't know what to do." They get her acceptance and optimism, and they get her homesickness and longing for Nazareth, for more time with Joseph, for a "normal" familial existence.
The scene, and trait of Mary's, that sticks out for me is encapsulated in her moment with Gabriel. Most pastors or teachers focus on the fact, Mary simply asked, "How will this be, since I am a virgin," and kind of leave it at that. And yes, that is what happened, and how Highly Favored presents the moment. But I also like that Gabriel exhibited patience and gentleness with Mary, and that she was able to work through more questions and grow in faith and wisdom later. I could relate to that; I think in Mary's place, Gabriel might've either laughed at me or gotten exhausted because I peppered him with the desire for details! (Not from a lack of trust, you understand, I just like to know as much information as God is willing to give). :)
Finally, I'd like to give Ginger extra kudos for some "popping" scenes. Thank you, first of all, for lingering on the scene with the Magi; my inner brainy Christian rejoiced. I also loved the scene between Jesus and little James. He was such a good big brother, my heart absolutely melted! I remember thinking, "James, you might not believe yet, or for a long time. But once you do, you're gonna be amazed!"
Ginger does lapse into telling over showing or narrative summary off and on throughout the novella. She also gets a little wordy toward the end, which kind of jarred me from the actual focus. That said, these are fairly minor issues, and Highly Favored is still a highly recommended book. It's an accurate, but creative and brand new take on the Bible's most famous lady, and although you don't need to read the series in order, I'd urge you to start with this one.
April 24, 2025
Little bit disappointing
I love my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and I love reading stories of him. I looked forward to reading this novel but am sad that the author used so many liberties in writing. I know this is a fictional novel....supposedly based on the Truth but there are too many parts of this story that do no match the story in the Bible........the biggest difference is the story on Sunday morning after He arose......so if you read this realize it is NOT completely in line with the Bible.
I love my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and I love reading stories of him. I looked forward to reading this novel but am sad that the author used so many liberties in writing. I know this is a fictional novel....supposedly based on the Truth but there are too many parts of this story that do no match the story in the Bible........the biggest difference is the story on Sunday morning after He arose......so if you read this realize it is NOT completely in line with the Bible.
January 11, 2025
Wonderful Bible story!
Mary is a wonderfully blessed woman of the Bible! She is the virgin woman who gave birth to Jesus, The Messiah!
This book is a great fictionalization of her life before Joseph and the magnificent pregnancy with Jesus. Welcome to Mary’s blessed life, she was a wonderful woman of God, and a blessed mother to several children! Read her story, it was so great, including parts from the Bible along with fictional scenes!
Mary is a wonderfully blessed woman of the Bible! She is the virgin woman who gave birth to Jesus, The Messiah!
This book is a great fictionalization of her life before Joseph and the magnificent pregnancy with Jesus. Welcome to Mary’s blessed life, she was a wonderful woman of God, and a blessed mother to several children! Read her story, it was so great, including parts from the Bible along with fictional scenes!
December 23, 2025
4.5 stars. A really good read from Mary’s perspective, helping the reader to imagine what the reality of the nativity story might have been like. I was pleasantly surprised to see the author go beyond Jesus’ toddler years. As you’d imagine, there’s a lot in there that isn’t in the gospels, but done very skilfully and respectively, causing the reader to consider different perspectives. It felt like it wrapped up rather quickly at that point and I was sad it was over. Recommend.
March 7, 2025
this story revealed Mary in a new way
The unknown aspect of Jesus being the Messiah. When would He reveal Himself. Powerful story of their journey. I love the Bible stories that cause me to stop and think.
The unknown aspect of Jesus being the Messiah. When would He reveal Himself. Powerful story of their journey. I love the Bible stories that cause me to stop and think.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews