In the Field of Grace - by Tessa Afshar (Paperback)

About the Book

With lost love, a barren womb, and an empty future, Ruth leaves her home to follow the woman she has grown to love as a true parent, her late husband's mother, Naomi.

Ruth arrives in Israel with nothing to recommend her but Naomi's love. She is reduced to gathering leftovers once the harvesters have finished collecting from the field--a job only for the lowest of the low, to keep them from starvation.

But God has other plans for Ruth's life.

Ruth is shocked when the owner of the field--one of the wealthiest and most honored men of Judah--begins to show her favor. He tells himself he is only being kind to his cousin Naomi's chosen daughter when he goes out of his way to protect her from harm, but his heart knows better.

Obstacles. Heartache. Withered dreams. How can God forge love, passion, and new hope between two such different people?

Book Synopsis

Two women. All alone. With no provision...Can they find hope in a foreign land?

Ruth leaves her home with a barren womb and an empty future after losing her husband. She forsakes her abusive parents and follows the woman she has grown to love as a true parent, her late husband's mother, Naomi.

Ruth arrives in Israel with nothing to recommend her but Naomi's love. She is destitute, grief-stricken, and unwanted by the people of God.

But God has great plans for her.

While everyone considers Ruth an unworthy outsider, she is shocked to find the owner of the field--one of the wealthiest and most honored men of Judah--is showing her favor. Long since a widower and determined to stay that way, Boaz finds himself irresistibly drawn to the foreign woman with the dark, haunted eyes. He tells himself he is only being kind to his cousin Naomi's chosen daughter when he goes out of his way to protect her from harm, but his heart knows better.

Obstacles. Heartache. Withered dreams. How can God forge love, passion, and new hope between two such different people?

From the Back Cover

Love resurrected from lifeless dreams happens in the arms of a loving God.

Without wealth or family, the widow Ruth left her people and followed Naomi, her beloved Hebrew mother-in-law, to rebuild Naomi's home in Israel. Provisions gone and starvation at the door, Ruth used all that she had left--a strong back and a willing heart--to gather grain in a field, abandoned after the harvest.

Tormented by others, Ruth is shocked to find the owner of the field watching her. Talking to her. Bringing food to her and Naomi. Boaz tells himself his kindness toward Ruth is repayment for the love she has shown to his cousin Naomi. But his heart knows better.

Review Quotes

"Tessa writes Biblical fiction with a personal and scholarly background that makes her characters and plot convincing. Her novels feel like a cross between The Lineage of Grace series (Francine Rivers) and the Chronicles of the Kings series (Lynn Austin). Tessa's years working in women's ministry has given her valuable insight into a woman's psyche. All three novels demonstrate a true understanding of women's fears, insecurities, doubts, joys, and sorrows. She addresses these with sensitivity and sound advice spoken through other characters. The plots in her novels are biblically based, but they also include political intrigue and romance (not that the Bible is devoid of romance) that makes you stay up far to late reading "just one more page." Despite her MDiv and personal experience living in Iran, she always points the reader back to exploring the Biblical text instead of taking her word for events and traditions. In the Field of Grace is based on the biblical account of Ruth. Afshar adds detail to the intersecting stories of Boaz, a wealthy landowner in Bethlehem, and Ruth, a poor widow from Moab. Their love story is familiar, but I enjoyed the fictional (but plausible) nuances that Afshar draws out of their individual stories. It was intriguing to consider the circumstances of both Ruth and Boaz's lives before they met one another. I especially enjoyed the epilogue - a look at David's reaction to his great-grandmother's heritage. Like in her other novels, Afshar is an expert at revealing wisdom through her character's dialogue. I underlined many truths about suffering and God's timing."

Reviewed by Emily Gardner, Aug 4, 2014

"Tessa Afshar has taken one of the most beloved stories in the Bible and alighted it on my heart once more. In the Field of Grace exemplifies how God delights in using the most unlikely people to fulfill His divine purposes. Through a series of seemingly unrelated events, Tessa Afshar reveals how the Lord begins to weave Ruth into the lineage of Israel. Ultimately He provides hope for the world through the union of Ruth and Boaz.

The opening chapters lay a strong foundation for the remainder of the story by opening a window into the lives of Boaz, Ruth, and Naomi before their lives begin to intertwine. Over the course of the novel additional characters enrich and endear the story to its readers.

Just as I would envision Ruth of the bible, Tessa portrays her character as a humble servant - kind and compassionate. I was drawn to her light hearted humor that seemed to chase away the grief that she had to bear. She extended grace to those who mistreated her and won their affections through her selfless service to Naomi.

I particularly liked how the author created Boaz to be more than just a rescuer or romantic interest in the story. Written as a strong male character, Boaz is not exempt from fear and insecurities. He took interest in the lives of those who worked for him, acted honorably in his pursuit of Ruth, and personified a cheerful giver.

By virtue of it's delightful storytelling, biblical truths, and irresistible characters I give In the Field of Grace 4 stars. It will be available for purchase July 1, 2014 from River North Fiction, a division of Moody Publishers."

Reviewed by Amanda Geaney, May 28, 2014

I had a long business trip and planned to scan In the Field of Grace while on the road. Well, forget that - I was hooked from teh first page! This is an amazing narravtive. I was overwhelmed by the beauty of Ruth and Boaz's story. The biblical account came alive as the love story of Ruth and Boaz unfolded. I feel blessed to have read this book. I devoured it, reading late into the night. - Debbie Macomber, New York Times bestselling author

Packed with spiritual truth, impeccable research, and well-placed humor, In the Field of Grace takes your heart on a journey of love, loss, and triumph. This powerful retelling of Ruth and Boaz's story is my favorite novel this year.
- Mesu Andrews, author and ECPA Christian Book Award winner

Tessa Afshar is a brilliant writer and a beautiful soul. With a strong, poetic voice, Tessa brings biblical stories to life in a way that makes me want to kneel, pray, shout, and sing, all at the same time. In Tessa's lates novel, In the Field of Grace, she explores the story of Ruth and Boaz, their hardships and their breakthroughs. I finished the book feeling grateful again for God's intimate goodness and grace, and I remembered afresh how He sees us, loves us, and cares about every detail of our lives. Tessa crafts such beautiful books; I never want the stories to end! And the beautiful thing is these stories have the power to shape us and change us when we give God access to our own stories. I can't wait for the next book! - Susie Larson, national radio host, speaker, and author of Your Beautiful Purpose and The Uncommon Woman

Tessa Afshar offers readers one of the most cherished love stories from the Scriptures! Wonderfully researched, In the Field of Grace brings to life the tenderhearted and vulnverable Ruth, who is sure to captivate biblical fiction lovers!
- KacyBarnett-Gramckow, author of The Genesis Trilogy and Dawnlight

The love story between Ruth and Boaz is reimagined with truths as timely today as they were thousands of years ago; reminders of faith, love, and the sovereignty of God. - Tracy L. Higley, author of The Queen's Handmaid

A beautifully told story that will truly capture your heart. A must read for biblical fiction fans! - Ginger Garrett, author of Chosen, Reign, and Desired

About the Author

TESSA AFSHAR's books have been on Publishers Weekly, CBA, and ECPA bestseller lists and have been translated into many languages. Her Bible study, The Way Home: God's Invitation to New Beginnings, won the ECPA Christian Book of the Year in the Bible Study category. Tessa's novels have been the recipient of the ECPA's Bronze Milestone, Christy, and INSPY Awards. She holds a master of divinity from Yale, where she was elected to serve as co-chair of the Evangelical Fellowship for one year. Tessa is a devoted wife, a mediocre gardener, and an enthusiastic cook of biblical recipes. Learn more at TessaAfshar.com.