ANNA the PROPHETESS by H.B. Moore

Anna the Prophetess is the dramatic chronicle of the only woman to be called a prophetess in the Gospels. When Anna’s great-niece Julia is exiled to Jerusalem as punishment for her refusal to marry a man old enough to be her father, Anna shares the story of her early days of courtship with her husband. Although Julia’s parents admonished her to observe firsthand how lonely Anna’s life is, Julia instead discovers that her great-aunt’s life is far from lonely. Instead, Anna’s story is one of love, peace, and incredible faith.

As Anna shares her unwavering testimony of the coming Messiah with her great-niece, these two faithful women are changed forever as they seek the Lord’s will in their lives and joyfully witness the long-awaited sign of Christ’s birth.

Other Biblical Novels by H.B. Moore:
Esther the Queen
The Moses Chronicles
Ruth
Eve: In the Beginning
Anna the Prophetess


 Opening line:
"Dry wind tugged at Anna's embroidered robe as she moved to the side of the road to allow a cart to pass."

I loved the opening of this story and the story of Anna and Julia. Scriptural and historical detail are woven throughout the story without taking away from the storytelling. Moore's ability to tell a good, sweet, intriguing story kept me reading long after I should have been in bed.

The story of Anna, Elizabeth, John, Mary, Joseph and the baby Jesus come to life through this ability to write a story that flows and envelopes. I got teary-eyed as I read of Simeon and Anna's reactions. What a wonderful event to see the babe!

I hope Moore keeps writing Biblical stories, especially ones about the women in the Bible. She has a grasp of the culture, history and people from those eras and knows how to use them to build her stories on their backgrounds.