• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Home
  • Bio
  • Bookshelf
    • Audio
    • Complete List of Chautona’s Books
    • The Rockland Chronicles
      • The Vintage Wren
      • The Aggie Series
      • The Hartfield Mysteries
      • Sight Unseen Series
        • Sight Unseen Series Archives
      • The Agency Files
      • Christmas Fiction
    • Legacy of the Vines
    • Meddlin’ Madeline
      • Madeline Blog Archive
    • Ballads from the Hearth
      • Ballads from the Hearth Blog Archive
    • Legends of the Vengeance
    • Journey of Dreams
    • Wynnewood
    • Webster’s Bakery
    • The Not-So-Fairy Tales
    • Heart of Warwickshire
  • Start HERE
    • If You Like…
    • Characters
    • Suggested Reading Order
    • Free Books
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • Podcast
    • Advertising
    • Podcast Guest Information
    • Podcast Interview FAQ
  • Merch Shop
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • Bonus
  • Speaking
  • New & Coming
Chautona Havig

Chautona Havig

Using story to connect YOU to the Master Storyteller

What Do I Think of This Biblical Retelling?

by Chautona Havig · 12 Comments

Sorry for the delay in getting this up.  Fell asleep while writing last night.  Hope that’s because my sleep cycle is messed up and not because I am writing something that boring.  Eeep!

So… retellings.  They’re popular.  Just think about how many Cinderella retellings there are out there! Currently, Austen retellings are the craze—contemporary, continuing-story, and even one set that takes place in 1930s United States.  Dickens retellings are fun and becoming more popular…

And then there are Biblical retellings.  Although those aren’t as popular, I recall one about Jesus coming to earth in the late 19th century and how that would have affected the world if it had happened then.  Good book, actually.  Esther is a popular story in these, as is Isaac and Rebekah.

Of all, though, Ruth and Boaz’s story is probably the most common.

A few months ago, I came across a new book—Shadow Among Sheaves. It would be a retelling of Ruth and Boaz in mid-nineteenth-century England, with “Ruth” being a young woman from India. I immediately requested a review copy.

Shadow Among Sheaves review

Note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you. Additionally, I received a free review copy and chose to share my opinion of my own accord.

What Do I Think of This Biblical Retelling?

Will you forgive me if I say I don’t know?  I really don’t. So, I think I’m going to just give you the good, the bad, and the verdict. Maybe that’ll help me sort out my thoughts.

The good:

  • Brilliant writing. Seriously, this woman can spin a lovely tale that holds your attention and keeps you wanting more.
  • Ms. Stephens knows how to write a consistent character who holds your interest.  Even Lord Barric, who is rather erratic, is consistent in being so.
  • The story is interesting, compelling, holds your attention for the most part, and does it all without being pretentious. One of the best things that Naomi Stephens did was to stick to the spirit of Ruth and Boaz rather than attempt recreating the exact story in two cultures so very different from the original cultures.

The bad:

    • This is more of a warning for others than my problem. I read a paperback that was not marked ARC, which might be why I didn’t have some of the problems others did. I also could have gotten interrupted at just the right moment so I missed it.  But supposedly there is an idiom of the time that uses the word “bastard.”  This is not used in a swearing way—but rather in a common speech way.  It would have been said, at the time, in mixed company.

I caught sight of a use of hell, and while I don’t remember the exact place, I do remember thinking, “Well, she didn’t use it for swearing.”   Still, some people are complaining that the book has unnecessary language in it.  So, I either missed it because of having to start and stop so much, OR… they had ARCS (which I suspect) and it was all removed later.

  • Lord Barric/Boaz. I didn’t like him.  The whole time I felt like a likable, relatable Barric was right on the edge… just hovering there.  But he didn’t arrive. I suspect this is due to the character wrestling against caring for someone who will bring censure on his title.  The guy is an Earl.  This is a real concern for him.  However, this deviated so far from the part of the real story that I was disappointed.  See, Boaz is my favorite character in God’s version of this story.  He wasn’t in Ms. Stephens’s.
  • The vitriol.

Look, I know she needed to show us just how badly Rena would be treated in Victorian society, but Ms. Stephens did treat us to a lot of reminders of the uncouth things men would say to and about her. Instead of making me sympathetic to her, it just got wearisome.

  • The proposition: Where Rena has to offer herself to Barric’s family (not a spoiler. We know it has to happen some way) is where the entire story broke down for me.   I’ve seen reviews talk about it—how “racy” it and the post-marriage scenes were.  While they are more sensual than some books, I wasn’t actually uncomfortable, and we all know what a prude I am.

What I was uncomfortable with was the method.  It absolutely does not work for the height of the Victorian Era (right as Prince Albert dies.). What the Naomi character recommends Rena do just would not have happened.  Period.

This actually ruined the book for me. 

I promptly deducted a star for it because in a book that was so good to stick to the theme and tone of Ruth/Boaz without being too “on the nose,” that’s exactly what Ms. Stephens did there.  The scene on the threshing floor in the Bible isn’t a sexual one, but it did have the potential to ruin Ruth’s reputation if she was observed.  Perhaps that’s why the author used it so literally, but it rang untrue to me in reading Rena in Barric’s bedroom at night when there were many alternate options that would have worked in English society.

That’s what God did in His version of the story—He used the customs of the society in which Ruth and Naomi lived to play out His plan for their lives.

The verdict:

While Shadow Among Sheaves didn’t live up to its potential or my hopes, it was a good book, well written, and engaging. The spiritual content wasn’t there on Boaz’s side, which bothered me, but Rena’s saving faith felt natural and understandable as a result both of Nell (Naomi)’s example and the parson’s involvement in their lives.

All in all, I wanted to love it, but I didn’t.  I liked it, but it was just a bit above “okay.”

Still, I’ll be watching Naomi Stephens’s books in the future.  I do really enjoy her writing.

Share116
Pin
Tweet
Email
119Shares
Share
Pin
Tweet
Email
119Shares

Related

Filed Under: Book Reviews

Previous Post: « What Happens When a Christian Doesn’t “Look” Like One?
Next Post: A Poem on Your Pillow Day… Who knew? (a FREE short story) »

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Or, you can subscribe without commenting.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Comments

  1. Caryl Kane says

    May 11, 2019 at 12:49 pm

    Chautona, Thank you for your honest review!

    Reply
  2. Debbie P says

    May 6, 2019 at 12:24 pm

    This sounds like a very intriguing read.

    Reply
  3. James Robert says

    May 6, 2019 at 3:18 am

    Congrats on this tour and thank for the opportunity to read about another great book out there to read. It helps out so I can find books I know my family will enjoy reading. Thanks as well for the giveaway.

    Reply
  4. Dianna says

    May 5, 2019 at 7:02 pm

    I love your reviews. They’re very thoughtful and specific without giving away too much!

    Reply
    • Chautona Havig says

      May 6, 2019 at 12:29 am

      Thank you. That’s my pet peeve–if I want a synopsis, I’ll read the publisher’s back of the book thing. I want to know WHY someone did or didn’t like it.

      Reply
  5. Becky Lewis says

    May 5, 2019 at 11:02 am

    Thank you for honesty with clarity and kindness. I am still figuring this out.

    Reply
    • Chautona Havig says

      May 5, 2019 at 3:46 pm

      I always want to be kind, and there’s no kindness in dishonesty, but there’s such a fine line sometimes because no matter how careful I may be, it doesn’t mean the other party can feel it. It’s hard to hear that someone took issue with your book.

      Reply
  6. Faith says

    May 5, 2019 at 8:44 am

    Your description of this book is exactly why I simply never read books that are Bible stories retold in a different way/era. I have tried but every time I got very frustrated with poetic license used with God’s Word. I don’t think the Bible version can be improved and don’t care to read attempts to do so. BTW–I don’t watch the movies either!

    Reply
    • Chautona Havig says

      May 5, 2019 at 3:45 pm

      This is why different eras are ones I do like! LOL. I like that it’s so removed from the real story that I never have to “remind myself” that xyz attitude or motivation was from a (Biblical fiction) book rather than scripture. In a different era, it’s not a frustration.

      That other one I mentioned was by Isabella Alden (aka “Pansy”) who was Grace Livingston Hill’s aunt. It’s called “Yesterday Framed in Today” and what she did so well was show the story by Jesus’ effect on everyone rather than showing HIM. She never brings him in as a POV character at all. I thought that was well done.

      Funny how different we all are, no?

      Reply
      • Faith says

        May 7, 2019 at 10:24 am

        Yep, we are all so different in some ways and yet so alike in others! 🙂 I don’t recall ever being on a different page than you before! I just can’t seem to separate my thoughts from the Bible story and thus my aversion to reading these books. If I could, I would probably enjoy them. I might like to try one again sometime. Any exceptional one you would recommend for me and my picky brain that might lend itself to separation from the Bible story?

        Thanks for your reply!

        Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Do You Really Want a Ruth and Naomi Relationship? • Aryn the Libraryan says:
    August 11, 2019 at 3:36 am

    […] Just the Write Escape, May 5 […]

    Reply
  2. Shadow Among Sheaves blog tour and giveaway - janicesbookreviews says:
    June 29, 2019 at 6:21 pm

    […] Just the Write Escape, May 5 […]

    Reply

Primary Sidebar

The Because Fiction Podcast

The Because Fiction Podcast
The Because Fiction Podcast

Taking the pulse of Christian fiction

Episode 264: A Chat with Romance Author, Sarah Monzon
byChautona Havig

Finally getting a chance to chat with Sarah Monzon was a total delight, and learning all about her latest release, All’s Fair in Love and Christmas was equally awesome.  My copy is here and waiting for me to dive into the battle of the celebrations!  EEEP! Listen in to see what that even means!

Note: I sound like I’m underwater. We heard it during our interview, but I couldn’t make it behave and couldn’t fix it. Sorry!

Note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you.

How Does an Intense Christmas Competition Lead to Love?

All’s Fair in Love and Christmas has so much going for it that I don’t know where to start! Fun mom who made our heroine’s childhood Christmases an international delight without ever leaving home?  Check!  Social anxiety adding to the stress of competing for a promotion?  Check?  Romcom hilarity?  Check, check?  And add to all that Sarah’s wonderful writing and delightful characterization?  I’m all in.

We also chatted about why she chose to write about a woman with social anxiety, her preferred reading methods, and some of my favorite books by her. For a refresher, those are The Isaac Project, 12 Days of Snowmen, and Book Nerds & Boyfriends (a collection of three novellas).

All’s Fair in Love and Christmas by Sarah Monzon

Two workplace rivals. One festive competition. And a romance that upends it all.

Every December two things are guaranteed for graphic designer Mackenzie Graham–Christmas celebrations and the annual promotion at her workplace. Those two things are by no means mutually exclusive. In fact, the better an employee is at harnessing the Christmas spirit, the more likely they’ll win the new job. With her social anxiety, Mackenzie never thought she’d be a contender in her company’s holiday competition, so how exactly has she found herself dueling her workplace crush with wrapping paper tubes and using tinsel as her weapon of choice for a much-needed raise?

Jeremy Fletcher’s life is meticulously planned out, including how to win this year’s promotion at work. Not only will the new position fulfill some of his career goals, but as a single guardian to his twin niece and nephew, he needs the salary increase to support his family. Jeremy has barely noticed Mackenzie Graham around the office, but now that she’s his rival, he can’t stop thinking about her. Her quirkiness intrigues him, and he’s afraid that if he can’t get his head on straight, the promotion isn’t the only thing he’ll end up losing to Mackenzie.

“Inspirational rom-com readers are going to love this one.”–BETHANY TURNER, bestselling author of The Do-Over

You can learn more about Sarah on her WEBSITE.  Also follow her on BookBub and GoodReads.

Like to listen on the go? You can find Because Fiction Podcast at:

  • Apple 
  • Castbox 
  • Google Play
  • Libsyn 
  • RSS
  • Spotify
  • Amazon
  • and more!
Episode 264: A Chat with Romance Author, Sarah Monzon
Episode 264: A Chat with Romance Author, Sarah Monzon
September 26, 2023
Chautona Havig
Episode 263: A Chat about The Love Script w/ Toni Shiloh
September 23, 2023
Chautona Havig
Episode 262: Chatting about The Legacy of Longdale Manor with Carrie Turansky
September 19, 2023
Chautona Havig
Episode 261: Chatting with Christian Youth Fiction Author, Candice Yamnitz
September 15, 2023
Chautona Havig
Episode 260: A Chat with Rachel Hauck
September 12, 2023
Chautona Havig
Episode 259: A Chat with Debut Author, Laura Conaway
September 8, 2023
Chautona Havig
Episode 258: A Louisiana Christmas to Remember
September 2, 2023
Chautona Havig
Episode 257: A Chat with Fantasy Author, N. Ford
September 1, 2023
Chautona Havig
Episode 256: A Chat about Summer in the Spotlight w/ Liz Johnson
August 29, 2023
Chautona Havig
Episode 255: A Chat about He Should Have Told the Bees
August 25, 2023
Chautona Havig
Search Results placeholder

Love Audio Books?

audio book ad

Check out the Sparrow Island novels. A tiny island with a lot of heart

independence islands series

Featured Books

A Ransomed Grete

A Ransomed Grete
Buy This Book Online
Buy from Amazon
Buy from Amazon Kindle
A Ransomed Grete
Buy now!

Twice Sold Tales

Twice Sold Tales
Buy This Book Online
Buy from Amazon
Buy from Amazon Kindle
Twice Sold Tales
Buy now!

Under the Hibiscus

Under the Hibiscus
Buy This Book Online
Buy from Amazon
Buy from Amazon Kindle
Under the Hibiscus
Buy now!

Upcoming Posts

Sorry - nothing planned yet!

Or just subscribe to the newsletter

Recent Blog Posts

  • How Does an Intense Christmas Competition Lead to Love?
  • How Many Lies Does It Take to Expose the Truth That Love Brings?
  • What Heart Issues Connect These Two Troubled Women Together?

I buy my stickers here! (affiliate)

Custom Stickers, Die Cut Stickers, Bumper Stickers - Sticker Mule
Reposted from @lisaphillipsbks Woot! Happy release Reposted from @lisaphillipsbks Woot! Happy release day, @lovereadwriterepeat
What are you reading tonight? #AmReading #MiddleG What are you reading tonight?
#AmReading 
#MiddleGradeFiction 
@julieandrews
Squeee! The Chosen Kids Saga. Book 3 is coming, bu Squeee! The Chosen Kids Saga. Book 3 is coming, but for now, these two will be part of the next #Bookstrings book.
Oh, and, "Me and my cousins "? I wouldn't have said that as a kid, much less now. Maybe it's time for bed! Snort!
@thechosenkidssaga 
#ChristFic
#MiddleGradeFiction
When a long-anticipated book arrives and you are o When a long-anticipated book arrives and you are on a tight deadline.
Aaaaakkkk
#AmWriting
#HistoricalChristianFiction
#AprilsPromise
Reposted from @celebratelit ONE MORE WEEK! ⁠ ⁠ Reposted from @celebratelit ONE MORE WEEK! ⁠
⁠
Just ONE MORE WEEK until the release of Tropical Target by Jennifer Pierce! Preorder now to get 30% off the paperback plus free shipping or the ebook for only $2.99. Don't wait, you only have one more week!⁠
⁠
Click on the publishing page in the linktree in our bio then the 30% off page in the menu! ⁠
⁠
⁠
#suamalieislands #celebratelit #christianfiction #contemporaryfiction #romance #christianromance #contemporaryromance #fiction #bookstagram #booklovers #bookloversofinstagram #readers #readersofinstagram #jenniferpierce #tropicaltarget
Reposted from @lisaphillipsbks As summer is coming Reposted from @lisaphillipsbks As summer is coming to a close, what better way to celebrate the changing of the seasons than with the Summer Heat: Christian Romantic Suspense Anthology?! 🍁 All 3 volumes are OUT NOW for a LIMITED TIME ⏰ Don't miss this unique collection of 12 novels by 12 authors! Because when these volumes are gone, they won't be coming back 😭 Check out my link in bio to find out more today!

🧡📖📱Stay With Me - Volume 1: Liz Bradford, Sara Blackard, Jennifer Pierce, Kari Trumbo
💙📖📱Through Every Danger - Volume 2: Lisa Phillips, Lynn Shannon, Michelle Aleckson, Rebecca Hemlock
💜📖📱Come What May - Volume 3: Emilie Haney, Cara Putman, Chautona Havig, Katy Lee

#staywithme #througheverydanger #comewhatmay #SummerReading2023 #summerreading #summerheatseries #avidreadersofchristianfiction #amazing #Amazing #deals #shopping #bookseries #bookshelf #christianauthorsofinstagram #firstresponderromance #newreleases #authorlisaphillips #ebooks #newbooks2023 #newbookalert #readerlove #christianromanticsuspense #christianfiction #romanticsuspenseseries
I love this book so much. And it wouldn't be an "A I love this book so much. And it wouldn't be an "Anne" story without Gilbert and Diana... meet Gage. He's not quite Gilbert, but he's got everything a Gilbert should have--including the ability to completely annoy Anne when he doesn't mean to. She's speaking to him here... barely.
Coming October 3 (I hope!)
#Bookstrings
#ClockTowerBound
#BerneIndiana
#BookishBooks
#ChristFic
#AmWriting
  • Home
  • Bookshelf
  • New & Coming
  • Blog
  • News!
  • Disclosure & Policies
  • Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2023 · Chautona Havig · All Rights Reserved · Coding by Gretchen Louise

Don't go before you grab your FREE short story collection!