Biblical fiction is one of my favorite genres, and Stephanie Landsem is fast establishing herself as a talented re-teller of familiar stories. The Thief, her second novel, is the story of a Jewish woman, Nissa, who is caring for her blind brother, and Longinus, a Roman centurion, who witness a miracle by the mysterious Nazarene, Jesus. (Disclaimer: I received a free copy of the ebook from Litfuse Publicity Group in exchange for my review.) 
Nissa is hiding a secret that could kill her, and Longinus is holding on to bitterness over a friend’s death, and The Thief follows them both on a journey that will change their lives. When I read The Well, Landsem’s first novel, last year, I was impressed with the way the story caused me to rethink the characters in John 4. In The Thief, Landsem zooms in on Jerusalem and the events leading up to Jesus’ final Passover, culminating in his crucifixion and setting up the story for her third book, The Tomb. I feel like reading this story drew me in to the events I often skim over in the Bible. I could see, hear and feel, and because the focus was on ordinary people in Jerusalem, I got a better understanding of what it was like to live in that time.
The Thief is captivating and emotional, a story I couldn’t put down. And it whetted my appetite for the next book. 
Don’t miss Stephanie Landsem‘s outstanding sophomore effort, The Thief.
Best-selling author Tosca Lee had this to say of the book: Filled with memorable characters, The Thief is a tale of hopelessness turned to hope, of high stakes made higher, and ultimate love. What happens when a character at the lowest rung of society crosses paths with the most well-known figure in history? The story of The Thief. I couldn’t stop reading.
Stephanie is hosting a Kindle Fire HDX and book giveaway at her website.
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