Smart, strong, and a follower of the Jewish God, Lydia has nonetheless quietly conformed to the expectations of the wealthy Roman society into which she was born. Her father marries her off at age fifteen to a much older man whom she dislikes. Despite an unpleasant wedding and a marriage that doesn’t improve with age, Lydia remains a dutiful and faithful wife. When her husband is killed, years later, Lydia vows to remain single and returns to her father’s house in Thyatira with her twelve-year-old daughter.
There, a new life begins to emerge as she is trained in the family dye business. Lydia displays an aptitude for trade in the male-dominated world of first century commerce. Her brother, who had chosen service in the Roman army rather than work in his father’s business, is at odds with his sister. Jealous of her quiet success as she learns the dye business, he’s especially befuddled by what he considers to be Lydia’s obsession with the Jewish religion. When their father dies, Cassius inherits the family’s home; Lydia inherits the business, and unbeknownst to her brother, a small villa in the city of Philippi.
Lydia flees with her mother and daughter to Philippi where she sets up shop. At the mercy of a patriarchal society, Lydia needs a man to serve as the public face for her business. She discovers the right person in the handsome face of Greek man she’d hired — an employee with whom she develops a close friendship. The plot thickens as Lydia meets a strange man named Paul the apostle who is stirring up crowds in town. When Lydia’s brother shows up in Philippi, determined to force her to sell the business, he discovers plenty of fuel to accomplish his goals.
There, a new life begins to emerge as she is trained in the family dye business. Lydia displays an aptitude for trade in the male-dominated world of first century commerce. Her brother, who had chosen service in the Roman army rather than work in his father’s business, is at odds with his sister. Jealous of her quiet success as she learns the dye business, he’s especially befuddled by what he considers to be Lydia’s obsession with the Jewish religion. When their father dies, Cassius inherits the family’s home; Lydia inherits the business, and unbeknownst to her brother, a small villa in the city of Philippi.
Lydia flees with her mother and daughter to Philippi where she sets up shop. At the mercy of a patriarchal society, Lydia needs a man to serve as the public face for her business. She discovers the right person in the handsome face of Greek man she’d hired — an employee with whom she develops a close friendship. The plot thickens as Lydia meets a strange man named Paul the apostle who is stirring up crowds in town. When Lydia’s brother shows up in Philippi, determined to force her to sell the business, he discovers plenty of fuel to accomplish his goals.
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My Review
Her faith will be remembered...
Let me just say that this book has a lovely cover, Lydia's trademark purple is sumptuously on display both on the front and back. I think that's part of what first caught my attention about Lydia, Woman Of Philippi. The author, Diana Wallis Taylor was new to me, though I had heard her name before, but the lovely cover beckoned so I had to check it out.
At first the story seemed to move a little too fast, skipping quickly over several years, but then things became interesting as Lydia becomes a widow and must make a life for herself and the women in her household who depend on her. As a history lover I found the details of ancient Roman life to be fascinating. And as a Christian I found the familiar Biblical account taking on a new light with the fictional background of Lydia's life.
On the whole, Lydia, Woman Of Philippi is a fairly quick read and an interesting look into the early Church and the (fictional) life one of the Bible's more intriguing women.
Tell Tale Book Reviews gives Lydia, Woman Of Philippi by Diana Wallis Taylor a 3.5 Bark rating.
Let me just say that this book has a lovely cover, Lydia's trademark purple is sumptuously on display both on the front and back. I think that's part of what first caught my attention about Lydia, Woman Of Philippi. The author, Diana Wallis Taylor was new to me, though I had heard her name before, but the lovely cover beckoned so I had to check it out.
At first the story seemed to move a little too fast, skipping quickly over several years, but then things became interesting as Lydia becomes a widow and must make a life for herself and the women in her household who depend on her. As a history lover I found the details of ancient Roman life to be fascinating. And as a Christian I found the familiar Biblical account taking on a new light with the fictional background of Lydia's life.
On the whole, Lydia, Woman Of Philippi is a fairly quick read and an interesting look into the early Church and the (fictional) life one of the Bible's more intriguing women.
Tell Tale Book Reviews gives Lydia, Woman Of Philippi by Diana Wallis Taylor a 3.5 Bark rating.
(I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are entirely my own.)
Diana Wallis Taylor
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Diana Wallis Taylor is best known for her creative stories based on women in the Bible. Thousands have read and enjoyed her books including Mary Chosen of God, Ruth, Mother of Kings, Martha, Journey to the Well, Mary Magdalene, and Claudia, Wife of Pontius Pilate. She is the recipient of numerous awards and honors with the San Diego Library naming her one of 12 “Writers to Watch” in 2017 for Mary, Chosen of God. Her books have received Gold and Silver Medallion Awards for Christian Fiction and she is a San Diego Christian Writer’s Guild “Writer of the Year.” Mary, Chosen of God is a 2017 Christy Award nominee. An inspirational speaker, Diana also leads creative writing and poetry workshops. She lives in San Diego with her husband, Frank. They have six grown children and ten grandchildren.
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Books, Books, and More Books.
October 5
By The Book
A Simply Enchanted Life
October 6
Red Headed Book Lady
Blogging With Carol
October 7
A Reader’s Brain
A Greater Yes
October 8
Just the Write Escape
Simple Harvest Reads (Spotlight)
October 9
Aryn the Libraryan
Cordially Barbara
Pursuing Stacie
October 10
The Fizzy Pop Collection
Ashley’s Bookshelf
October 11
Zerina Blossom’s Books
Mary Hake
October 12
Radiant Light
Singing Librarian Books
Lights in a Dark World
October 13
margaretkazmierczak
Pause for Tales
October 14
Tell Tale Book Reviews
Cafinated Reads
To Everything A Season
October 15
Bigreadersite
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations
October 16
Henry Happens
For The Love of Books
Book Bites, Bee Stings, & Butterfly Kisses
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