WV Stitcher: When Jesus Wept by Bodie & Brock Thoene ~ Litfuse Blog tour with review and giveaway

Paperback: 336 pages
Publisher: Zondervan (March 19, 2013)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0310335930
ISBN-13: 978-0310335931

This book is also available as in e-book and audio book form.

To purchase a copy of "When Jesus Wept"click here.

Book 1 in the Thoene’s new Jerusalem Chronicles.

Brock and Bodie Thoene’s most powerful and climactic writing project to date, When Jesus Wept, captures the power and the passion of the men and women who lived through the most important days in the history of the world.

Lazarus occupies a surprising position in the Gospel accounts. Widely known as the man Jesus raised from the dead, his story is actually much broader and richer than that. Living as he did at Bethany, near Jerusalem, Lazarus was uniquely placed to witness the swirl of events around Jesus. When Jesus Wept, the first novel in The Jerusalem Chronicles series by bestselling authors Bodie and Brock Thoene, unfolds the turbulent times in Judea during Jesus’ ministry, centering on the friendship between Jesus and Lazarus. With rich insights from vineyard owners and vine dressers, the Thoenes explore the metaphor of Jesus as the True Vine, harvesting the ancient secrets found in the Old Testament.

Weaving the life of Lazarus, who owned a vineyard, into the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ will help you understand it is the hand of Love Divine that holds the knife, that cuts and breaks with such tender and loving touch, and that we who have born some fruit, after the pruning, can bear much more.

My take on this book:

I have become a fan of Biblical fiction, because it brings the Bible character that the author is focusing on to life, making me understand their story in a unique, but realistic way. "When Jesus Wept" is the story of Lazarus, and the Thoene's do a remarkable job of bringing his character to life,providing many layers that allows the reader to see thru his eyes how life might have been back when Jesus walked the earth. The story opens up with Lazarus trying to move on after the loss of his wife and infant son, finding solace in tending his vineyards. While custom dictates he should move on he still grieves for his beloved wife, so his sister Martha is there to help and encourage.We learn that Israel is in turmoil, but things are changing in the area, and when John the Baptizer talks about the long awaited Messiah, little does Lazarus know that role that Jesus will play in his life.

I loved the way the authors bring not only the time period to life, but the area as well. I could easily imagine the life that Lazarus lived, he seemed so multi dimensional in this story, and the author's have a unique way of making this story come to life, making the reader feel as if they are witnessing things as they unfold. Reading about the many Bible characters really had me itching to open up my Bible, and because the author's provide so many scriptural notes at the end of the story it's super easy to do just that! Anyone who enjoys Biblical fiction where the telling allows you to have a deeper understanding and connection with the characters your reading about then this book is for you. "When Jesus Wept"is the first book in the Jerusalem Chronicles and if the other books in the series are half as good as this one then were in for a wonderful treat! Highly recommended!

Meet the Thoenes:

Bodie and Brock Thoene (pronounced Tay-nee) are bestselling authors of over sixty-five works of historical fiction. Their timeless classics have sold more than thirty-five million copies and won eight ECPA Gold Medallion Awards. The Thoenes have four grown children and eight grandchildren. They divide their time between Hawaii, London, and Nevada.

Find out more about Bodie and Brock athttp://www.thoenebooks.com/.

Celebrate the release of When Jesus Wept with the Thoenes by entering their iPad Mini giveaway and RSVPing to their {4/23} Facebook Author Chat party!

One fortunate winner will receive:

A brand new iPad Mini
A book club kit – 10 copies of When Jesus Wept

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on April 22nd. Winner will be announced at the “When Jesus Wept” Author Chat Party on 4/23. Connect with the Thoenes, get a sneak peek of the next book in the Jerusalem Chronicles series, try your hand at a trivia contest, and chat with readers just like yourself. There will also be fun giveaways – gift certificates, books, and more!

So grab your copy of When Jesus Wept and join Bodie and Brock on the evening of the April 23rd for a chance to connect with the authors and make some new friends. (If you haven’t read the book – don’t let that stop you from coming!)