Heather Kaufman is the Christian fiction author of the series Women of the Way. The titles of this three-part series are Up from the Dust: Martha’s Story; Before the King: Joanna’s Story, and On Living Stone: Salome’s Story. This series retells the stories of three biblical figures from the New Testament. Martha is a prominent personage in the Gospels, and Joanna and Salome are somewhat less so. But these women were true disciples and friends of Christ. The books retell the many tribulations of their lives and how circumstances led them to encounter Christ.
Martha seemed to be born for adversity. Her father was widowed, and she is encumbered with managing her unruly sister, Mary, and sensitive brother, Lazarus. The only person who treats her as a valued person is the sheep herder Uri, with whom she falls in love. Uri gives Martha a feathered pendant and tells her that a carpenter’s son named Jesus bar Joseph had given it to him. Martha’s future happiness with Uri is cruelly snatched away, and she has to stay strong for her family. Many years pass, and Martha, Lazarus, and Mary begin to hear of an unusual rabbi named Jesus who could cure many diseases. Lazarus is immediately taken with Jesus and resolves to follow him. Martha bitterly remembers that this is the same Jesus who gave Uri the pendant, and she blames him for her loss of Uri. Will she forever remain bitter, or will Jesus cure her of the grief that she carries? Read this absorbing novel to see if Martha’s encounters with Jesus transform her.
Joanna’s parents were politically ambitious. Joanna’s father, Itamar, holds a priestly position in Herod’s court. Joanna is betrothed to Othniel, who is the son of Herod’s lieutenant. Joanna knows that Othniel prefers to marry Susannah, who is the daughter of Herod’s councilman. Susannah viciously reminds Joanna that Joanna is Othniel’s second choice. An invitation from Susannah brings Joanna tragic circumstances; she is crippled in a stampede. Othniel washes his hands of Joanna, and she later marries Herod’s financial minister, Chuza. Joanna is lonely because her husband is emotionally distant. The religious society shuns her because of her ties to Herod. Joanna later encounters her old nemesis, Susannah at a social gathering. She tells Joanna of a rabbi named Jesus who healed her. Joanna does not trust Susannah, but she secretly wonders if Jesus will heal her injury. Will Jesus heal Joanna’s physical and emotional injuries? Read this wonderful book to see what happens.
Salome lives on the shores of Galilee with her widowed father, who is a stone mason. Salome has lost hope of ever marrying or even having a purpose because the villagers persecute her for her unusual eye color and untamed ways. Salome’s father sees his work as “shaping it with care, give over to its purpose.“ Salome finds her purpose when she marries the fisherman Zebedee. Salome and Zebedee have two sons named James and John. Salome loves her sons like a lioness, as her father said she would. Zebedee moves his family to Capernaum to help his already thriving fishing business. He hopes his sons will eventually be part of his business. Salome and Zebedee are becoming uneasy because James and John fervently want to be disciples of Jesus of Nazareth. They are certain that he is the promised Messiah, and many of the Jewish religious leaders hate Jesus enough to murder him. Salome and Zebedee are not as certain of Jesus. Will Salome be able to give her sons over to Jesus, and will Zebedee have to face that his sons will not be part of his business? What will happen when Salome and Zebedee finally meet Jesus? Will they also become Jesus's followers and disciples? What will become of this family? Read the last but not least book in this excellent series.
Editor’s Note: Cynthia is retiring from HCPL at the end of the month, and we want to thank her for her dedication, grace, and many contributions as both a librarian and colleague. She has made HCPL better through her presence and her work, including her contributions focusing on the Classics and Inspirational Fiction to this website. She is a valued member of the content team, and she will be greatly missed. We wish her all the best in the chapters ahead.
If you know Cindy from Baldwin Boettcher Branch Library or through her writing on this website, please take a moment to leave a comment wishing her well.
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