When Jesus Wept by Bodie and Brock Thoene | iPad Giveaway and Facebook Party {4/23}

About When Jesus Wept: 

Book 1 in the Thoene's new Jerusalem Chronicles.

 Lazarus occupies a surprising position in the Gospel accounts. Widely known as the man Jesus raised from the dead, his story is actually much broader and richer than that. Living as he did at Bethany, near Jerusalem, Lazarus was uniquely placed to witness the swirl of events around Jesus. When Jesus Wept, the first novel in The Jerusalem Chronicles series by bestselling authors Bodie and Brock Thoene, unfolds the turbulent times in Judea during Jesus' ministry, centering on the friendship between Jesus and Lazarus. With rich insights from vineyard owners and vine dressers, the Thoenes explore the metaphor of Jesus as the True Vine, harvesting the ancient secrets found in the Old Testament. Weaving the life of Lazarus, who owned a vineyard, into the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ will help you understand it is the hand of Love Divine that holds the knife, that cuts and breaks with such tender and loving touch, and that we who have born some fruit, after the pruning, can bear much more. 

Link to buy the book: http://ow.ly/jubpF            

  

Meet the Thoenes:  

  

 Bodie and Brock Thoene (pronounced Tay-nee) are bestselling authors of over sixty-five works of historical fiction. Their timeless classics have sold more than thirty-five million copies and won eight ECPA Gold Medallion Awards. The Thoenes have four grown children and eight grandchildren. They divide their time between Hawaii, London, and Nevada.

Find out more about Bodie and Brock at http://www.thoenebooks.com/.

My Review:
I was so excited when I found out that Bodie and Brock Thoene had a new series coming out.  Growing up, my favorites authors were the Thoenes.  When I hit college, my leisure reading went out the window with so many required books to read and I graduated from college back in '99.  I just started reading for fun again a couple years ago and have realized how much I've missed it!  When Jesus Wept is the first book in the Thoene's new Jerusalem Chronicles series.  When reading any historical fiction book written about Biblical characters, the reader must remember that it is that, just fiction.  The author has read into the story to "fill in" the missing details.  When Jesus Wept is told from Lazarus' viewpoint.  In the book, Lazarus seems to witness much of the stories about Jesus in the Gospels.  I love how the book makes you identify with the characters.  The reader begins to see Lazarus, Mary and Martha as real people just like him.  They were people who were oppressed by the government and looking for their Messiah to come and rescue them.  Lazarus also owns a vineyard and many applications are drawn from the vine analogy that we read about in John 15.  Mary's background is one thing I didn't really like.  The author made Mary the adulteress women in John 8:1-11 that Jesus defends by telling the ones holding stones to cast them if they themselves have no sin.  Otherwise, I really enjoyed reading this book.  I loved the part where Lazarus is called from the grave.
           "Her [Mary] joy at our reunion was not something I shared.  'I saw them, Mary,' I told her         quietly.  'They're all there.  Waiting for us to join them.'  I could not tell her the glory and beauty I had left behind.  This world was a faded image of what I had experienced."(pg. 284)
           "I spotted Jesus over Mary's shoulder.  Sorrow for me filled his eyes.  Of all those who witnessed my return from the vineyards of heaven to fallen earth, only Jesus knew what joy and beauty I had left behind." (pg. 285)

This made me think about what it really would of been like to be called back from paradise.  Lazarus would of had a right perspective of this life.  And He would of understood a little of what Jesus left behind for us.  This was so fitting to read as we just celebrated Easter not too long ago.  He gave up so much for us.  This book ends with Jesus traveling into Jerusalem for the Passover and the crowds shouting, "Hosanna!"  Then Jesus looks over Jerusalem and weeps.
I'm really looking forward to reading the next book in the series.  Make sure to pick up your copy!!  You can head over to the landing page to read more reviews for the When Jesus Wept blog tour by clicking here.

Facebook Party and Ipad Mini Giveaway info:

Celebrate the release of When Jesus Wept with the Thoenes by entering their iPad Mini giveaway and RSVPing to their {4/23} Facebook Author Chat party!

One fortunate winner will receive:

• A brand new iPad Mini
• A book club kit - 10 copies of When Jesus Wept

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on April 22nd. Winner will be announced at the "When Jesus Wept" Author Chat Party on 4/23. Connect with the Thoenes, get a sneak peek of the next book in the Jerusalem Chronicles series, try your hand at a trivia contest, and chat with readers just like yourself. There will also be fun giveaways - gift certificates, books, and more!

So grab your copy of When Jesus Wept and join Bodie and Brock on the evening of the April 23rd for a chance to connect with the authors and make some new friends. (If you haven't read the book - don't let that stop you from coming!)

Don't miss a moment of the fun, RSVP today. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 23rd!

**I received this book free from Litfuse Publicity Group in exchange for an honest review.  All opinions are my own.