Before the King - (Women of the Way) by Heather Kaufman

I was left gobsmacked after reading this as it left me utterly speechless. Biblical Fiction is a hard genre to get it right and this author is right up there with my favorite authors as she paints such a beautiful, soul searching scenario that it feels like it shakes you to your core. I can imagine the author praying over this as she researched and wrote this story from the little that is known about Joanna. You can feel the love she had for her characters as it shines through. I felt like I walked the road with Joanna as her life was a journey until she met Jesus and how her heart beat then to follow. I loved the multifaceted story and how woven in was her marriage of convenience to Chuza and the tension and romance that follows. I’m having difficulty expressing just how much I enjoyed this book so I will just say it will be with me for a while mulling it over in my mind. It will also go on my list of top books this year. Beautifully written and woven with truth and hope in the Messiah. I was blessed to receive a complimentary copy from CelebrateLit/Bethany House. The honest review and opinions are my own and were not required.

This story was truly wonderful, transporting me to a different time and place. I felt like I was actually there, witnessing events through Joanna’s eyes, and feeling all her emotions. She has a lot of interactions with people mentioned in the Bible — John the Baptist, Mary Magdalene, Herod, and most notably, Jesus Christ. These are obviously fictional encounters, and yet they felt very believable and authentic. Her interactions with Jesus were especially moving and powerful. The story is so immersive and vividly told that I couldn’t put it down. The writing was excellent, with great attention to accuracy and detail. I loved the themes of hope, belief, faith, and acceptance. I especially loved Joanna and her growth, faith, courage, and commitment to her beliefs. This is a beautiful and thought provoking story. I highly recommend it for anyone who loves Biblical fiction or fans of The Chosen. I received a copy from the publisher, but a positive review was not required.

𝙄𝙛 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙤𝙣𝙡𝙮 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙙 𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙗𝙞𝙗𝙡𝙞𝙘𝙖𝙡 𝙛𝙞𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙗𝙤𝙤𝙠 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙮𝙚𝙖𝙧, 𝙢𝙖𝙠𝙚 𝙞𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙤𝙣𝙚! 𝐁𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐊𝐢𝐧𝐠 is absolutely un-put-downable. The setting is so immersive that it feels like you’re walking in Joanna’s shoes, seeing the world through her eyes, and experiencing the life-changing, soul-piercing moments she did. It’s difficult to even write a review because I feel that no matter what I write, it won’t do it justice. I was completely engrossed, staying up late into the night reading, and was deeply moved. The story is so vivid that it felt like a movie playing in my head, with me in the role of Joanna. Seriously, readers, this story is more than just a story—it’s an experience. I loved it and didn’t want it to end. With central themes of hope, love, and faith, this powerful story reveals that God is always near. #CoverLoverBookReview received an advanced reader copy of this book. Opinions are 100% my own.

A powerful story of hope, love and restoration. Torn apart by tragedy and married out of convenience, Joanna is curious to learn more of a mysterious teacher who preaches of a coming kingdom and holds the power to heal. A moving and evocative tale that explores the time that Jesus walked the earth through Joanna, a woman mentioned briefly in Scripture as a woman who supported the ministry of Jesus from her own means. Joanna is a beautiful woman, who has suffered a great deal of loss, while her family seeks to position themselves well among society. Her story is brought to life, as we see her go from a uncertain young woman to a devoted follower of Jesus. I could feel her heartaches, through the emotionally rich storytelling, and strong character arc throughout. This is the kind of story that sucks you in from the very beginning and doesn't let go until the final page is turned down. I was quickly drawn into the life of Joanna and that of the people surrounding her. I especially liked the unique point of view, that the story explores. Overall, a compelling and well done work of Biblical fiction, with wonderful attention to accuracy and detail. A gripping novel, with well developed characters, and a powerful message of faith, hope, and love. Highly recommend! I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

“My eyes mist, for I am not brave, and I tell him so. I am an ordinary woman whom God chose to put in extraordinary places. Any strength to be found in my story is His alone. I only did what I could with what I had, and this, I now know, is how His kingdom advances.” After reading Martha’s story in Up from Dust, I have been so looking forward to reading Joanna’s story in Before the King. This was one of my most highly anticipated 2025 books, and it was everything I’d been hoping for. Before the King is full of beauty and truth and goodness. There’s sorrow and hardship, but joy and restoration too. I loved the friendships, the sister bond, and the romance in this story. It was so fascinating to me how the author was able to put much of this story together through researching Joanna’s husband, Chuza. Amazing! Writing biblical fiction is tricky, because the author needs to write a compelling story while also staying true to the Bible. Heather Kaufman does this SO well. The books in this series are so well researched, full of biblical theology, and true to Scripture, while also bringing historical women we meet in the Bible to life, telling us stories of what their life could have been like. Though this is the second book in the series, Before the King can absolutely be read as a stand-alone–no spoilers for you. However, Up from Dust, the first book in the series, is absolutely phenomenal and you do not want to miss it! Highly recommend!

I absolutely loved this book and could NOT put it down. Though we don't know much about Joanna other than her 2 mentions in Luke, I really appreciate how Heather Kaufman used the little we do know and can deduce from history and the Bible and then used her sanctified imagination to fill in some of the blanks about what her life may have been like. Biblical fiction can be great, or it can be terrible and Heather has done an excellent job here and I cannot wait to read installation #3 in the Women of the Way series. I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

In January 2024, I read a debut novel that remained with me the entire year and now, I already have my "talk-about-novel" for 2025! Before the King is the story of a young woman mentioned only twice in the New Testament so extensive research was required for a narrative based on only three verses of Scripture. Heather Kaufman successfully weaves facts and fiction to share this powerful story. It is a captivating tale of hope, belief, and acceptance, and tissues are recommended for the poignant ending! Before the King verifies Kaufman's talent for sharing God's Word through fiction and she's now on my list of favorite authors of Biblical Fiction. I look forward to book three in the Women of the Way series! I received a copy from the author and publisher. There was no obligation for a positive review.

This book was beautiful from start to finish. It sucked me in immediately with the intrigue of Joanna, a woman in the Bible I did not know much about. From there, the story sprang to life, weaving rich historical details about Herod's court with the introspective spiritual journey of Joanna herself. Once again, Author Heather Kaufman brought the story of Christ to life, exemplifying his healing and his mercy that felt so real and beautiful. The depth of emotion and authenticity of the characters make this a truly unforgettable journey. This is absolutely a 5 star read!

"I grew up under a plethora of gods as unfeeling and unresponsive as the stones that bore their image. Your God is the only one I have encountered who moves like a spirit. He refuses to be engraved on stone but chooses to engrave His people on His own hands." Such a beautiful story of love and faith! I knew very little about Joanna before reading this book and I felt inspired by her perseverance. Biblical Fiction is so special, in the way that you feel transported to stories you've read your whole life. Just with a different perspective. It was easy to relate to Joanna's journey towards faith. Her interactions with Jesus were so powerful! Read if you enjoy: Slow Burn Romance Biblical Fiction Women's Fiction Stories of Healing *Thank you to Bethany House Publishers for the complimentary copy! All opinions expressed are my own.

I find I’m struggling to put into words how much I loved “Before the King.” I feel as though my own words are inadequate and won’t do justice to this heart rendering story. Biblical fiction is my favorite genre as it often convicts me and helps me learn and grow in my own faith, Kaufman did just that through her beautifully crafted story of Johanna. Kaufman poured her heart into Joanna’s story and it flowed straight from the pages into the readers heart and mind. From garden to garden, and everything she experienced between, Johanna’s story blossomed and captured my heart. I cried so many times through the heartache and joys she experienced. Watching her find healing inwardly and physically, watching her struggle in faith and grow in faith, and watching her find forgiveness and give forgiveness was the greatest joy. My expectations for “Before the King” were extremely high after reading “Up from Dust,” and H. Kaufman far surpassed every expectation I had and has left me pondering this story from a Biblical sense even more so. I was provided an advance reader copy by the publisher. I was not required to provide a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own