1. The Thief, Living Waters Series #2
    Stephanie Landsem
    Howard Books / 2014 / Trade Paperback
    Our Price$14.39 Retail Price$15.99 Save 10% ($1.60)
    4.7 out of 5 stars for The Thief, Living Waters Series #2. View reviews of this product. 21 Reviews
    Availability: In Stock
    Stock No: WW689105
4.7 Stars Out Of 5
4.7 out of 5
(18)
(2)
(0)
(0)
(1)
Quality:
4.9 out Of 5
(4.9 out of 5)
Value:
4.6 out Of 5
(4.6 out of 5)
Meets Expectations:
4.7 out Of 5
(4.7 out of 5)
95%
of customers would recommend this product to a friend.
SORT BY:
SEE:
Displaying items 1-5 of 21
Page 1 of 5
  1. barbjan10
    Arlington, TX
    Age: Over 65
    Gender: female
    5 Stars Out Of 5
    MIRACLES HAPPEN AT THE FOOT OF THE CROSS
    March 20, 2014
    barbjan10
    Arlington, TX
    Age: Over 65
    Gender: female
    Quality: 5
    Value: 5
    Meets Expectations: 5
    Exciting and compelling, the scenes written so realistically that moments of holding my breath during the tense drama of this saga were literally "breathtaking." My personal reading appetite for Biblical fiction mixed with fact was satiated upon complete digestion of The Thief by Stephanie Landsem. My imagination needed no help as the characters leaped into my mind lucidly through Ms. Landsem's colorful word paintings describing ancient Jerusalem in a wholly distinctive approach during the most life changing events to ever occur.

    Nissa, a shrewish unmarried Jewish woman feeling abandoned by God, was pressed to provide for her household and blind younger brother Cedron. Their uncaring and abusive parents were sinful addicts, her mother to wine — her father to gambling. There are the usual traits peculiar to human nature at all times, it seems. Nissa has a secret about her relationship to Mouse and the Greek Dismas, both talented thieves. Cedron could be a depiction of the blind man healed by a mysterious healer in the Pools of Siloam. One might think the parents would be overjoyed over Cedron's healing, however their unwarranted shame caused their complete abandonment and disowning of Cedron and Nissa, again left to fend for themselves. Longinus, a Roman centurion was a bystander at Cedron's healing and for the first time noticed Nissa, to whom he was strangely attracted; as well as questioning the new mixed emotions and amazed curiosity about the miracle he had just witnessed. Could the Hebrew belief of there being only One God be true? Who is this miracle worker called Jesus? Longinus has problems of his own having just lost his best childhood friend and comrade centurion to murder; and assigned the duty to arrest the thieves before Passover to earn a transfer out of Judea. The breed of personalities encapsulating the Roman soldier's brutality and unmerciful violence was compulsory to author this story to its paramount finality. The supporting cast is spectacular and many surprises and shocks are yet to come.

    Ms. Landsem's research into Biblical history, layout of Jerusalem's city streets and alley ways, study of religious laws and holy commandments were only a few of the facts that drew this fictional story together as a sensational read. I deeply appreciated the background she drew into each character adding more depth to the story's significant consequences from the actual incidents. Stephanie Landsem's narrative brings the glory to God as each character is brought to the foot of the cross to recognize the Messiah. Ms. Landsem's pen was indeed guided by the master author of the universe. It touched my heart and soul. Well done!

    Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from LitFuse Publicity Group in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own, and no monetary compensation was received for this review.
  2. Fitzysmom
    5 Stars Out Of 5
    March 7, 2014
    Fitzysmom
    From the very beginning this book pulled me in. It has a nice balance of descriptive language that puts you inside the story without boring you with unnecessary details. I could easily picture Mouse scurrying through the streets and back alleys of Jerusalem.

    One of the things that I'm pretty particular about with Biblical/Historical Fiction is accuracy. I appreciated the careful way that Ms. Landsem stayed true to the Scriptures, yet embellished enough to make the story feel full and complete. Jewish terms and practices were used and explained through dialogue that allowed the reader to understand why the situation was important.

    The contrast between the Romans and Jews made for an intriguing tension between Nissa and Longinus. While the main point of the book was the redemption and grace found through Jesus of Nazareth, I completely enjoyed the romantic aspects of the contentious relationship between Nissa and Longinus. There is so much that separates the two that it seems impossible that they could ever come together.

    There were so many moments in the story that drew me to the Savior. Ms. Landsem has written a novel that will be remembered for so much more than an entertaining tale. It is a piece of work that I am sure her Savior is smiling about.

    I received a copy of this book to facilitate my review.
  3. Laura of Harvest Lane Cottage
    Carthage, MO
    Age: 55-65
    Gender: Female
    5 Stars Out Of 5
    The tears have finally stopped, the sniffles, too.
    March 7, 2014
    Laura of Harvest Lane Cottage
    Carthage, MO
    Age: 55-65
    Gender: Female
    Quality: 5
    Value: 5
    Meets Expectations: 5
    My thoughts early in the book:

    I like historical fiction because, when well-written, it can bring a depth of understanding to a time period that I may not be very familiar with. The Jewish people not only had a million and one laws set forth in Deuteronomy, Leviticus, and Numbers, but innumberable laws and customs that the Jewish priests and people created themselves. The Romans had their own customs that are so different from any I could imagine even after studying Rome with my children.

    I love the way that Mrs. Landsem brings the time of Jesus to life. I never really thought too much about the way the beggars lived or why they might live that way. It's so easy to judge when we don't see the heart issues.

    My thoughts after I finished:

    It's been a couple of hours now.

    The tears have finally stopped, the sniffles, too.

    They started in the garden.

    They continued at the whipping post.

    They increased during the long walk to Golgotha.

    They broke loose at the cross.

    This book moved me.

    The deep love and peace Jesus gave and continues to give

    is unspeakable. It cannot be put into words,

    and yet He Himself is the Word.

    Thank you Jesus.

    Thank you Mrs. Landsem for reminding me.

    I received this book in exchange for an honest review.
  4. tenneniii
    Yuma AZ
    Age: 55-65
    Gender: female
    5 Stars Out Of 5
    To Love a Thief
    February 12, 2014
    tenneniii
    Yuma AZ
    Age: 55-65
    Gender: female
    The Thief- Stephanie Landsem

    Capturing both the essence of contemporary Rome as well as the universal experiences of atonement and compassion - Master storyteller Stephanie Landsem displays s whirlwind of historical fact, drama, love, and the works of Jesus, all woven together to make a remarkable biblical story with characters that come to life. The details of life in an era when women were treated as chattel, blind men had to beg, Romens were hated, and outcast Jews were un-hirable is so rich and vibrant, you sympathize and burn over the arrogance of some of the men's thinking, their laws and beliefs.

    The picture of the thief's suffering is so vivid, that you hope she never gets caught, pray that she will stop, and find some other way to make a living and support her family. And through it all, you see God's hand overseeing and directing, even through the failures.

    This was a time of great disruption, domination, and turbulence; which laws to follow and what to believe in. The events that were occurring around them, would reach into their lives, change their beliefs and turn their worlds upside down. Their story describes their struggles and, the miracles that changed their lives and how they learned to believe. "The Well", "The Thief" of the Living Water Series is a must read for all who love Biblical fiction.
  5. Marbie
    The Netherlands
    Age: 35-44
    Gender: female
    5 Stars Out Of 5
    January 21, 2014
    Marbie
    The Netherlands
    Age: 35-44
    Gender: female
    Since I read The Well by Stephanie Landsem last year, I have been looking forward to more books by this talented author. The Thief was another excellent and exciting adventure set during Jesus' walk on earth. This book tells the story of the sister of the man born blind who was healed by Jesus in John chapter 9. In this book his name is Cedron.

    Nissa is Cedron's sister and she is the one taking care of their family. Their father gambles away their rent money and their mother is drunk most of the time. One day when Nissa was out pocket-picking, she was caught by a tall Greek named Dismas. The Greek is also a thief and teaches her the rules of stealing. Since then they would always go thieving together, forming an excellent pick-pocket duo. Dismas distracts the people so that Nissa gets the opportunity to grab purses or jewelry. Dismas does not know Nissa is a girl. When they meet she is dressed like a boy and he calls her Mouse. One day she is caught by a Roman centurion, but Dismas distracts the man so that Nissa can get away.

    After Cedron is healed by Jesus, he is rejected by his parents and no longer welcome in their home. Nissa takes him with her to the hideout where she always changes her clothes and becomes Mouse. They stay there for the night and shortly afterwards she finds a house to rent. But in order to make the monthly payment, Nissa must continue stealing. Although she does not want to do it anymore, there is no other way for her to make money. There is just simply nothing she is good at, except for picking pockets. No man is willing to marry her, because she is not pleasing to the eyes and has a sharp tongue. Besides that she cannot make decent bread or do good weaving. The only thing she's good at is stealing.

    Longinus is the centurion we have met before in The Well. He is still looking for Cipio's murderer and now he is also looking for the thief called Mouse and his companion. They knew to escape once, but he will make sure that does not happen twice.

    Longinus is a witness of Cedron's healing and after Cedron and Nissa are rejected and scorned by their own people, he brings them to safety. He is concerned about the Jewish brother and sister and checks on them regularly. Not looking for a woman, he finds himself attracted to Nissa anyhow . . . but a relationship between a Jewish woman and a Roman centurion is as good as impossible. When he does not make any progress finding the thieves, he hires Cedron to go out and gather information about them. Longinus made a deal with his superior that he would find the thieves before Passover. If he does not succeed, he will loose his sword–the precious reminder of his father, who was a brave Roman centurion.

    One day when Nissa meets Dismas, he has brought another man with him, and they go out stealing together. The man is called Gestas and he is mean and greedy. He leads Nissa in a terrible situation. Nissa decides she does not want to steal anymore . . . ever! But afterwards Gestas discovers Mouse's secret and threatens her. She has no other choice then to continue pick-pocketing for this evil man. After months of stealing for Gestas, she comes up with a plan to get rid of him, but that does not go as she had hoped or planned.

    When Cedron finds out that Nissa is the thief called Mouse, will he ever forgive her or will he also turn against her like everyone else? And what will happen when Longinus discovers who Mouse really is?

    Will the Jewish young woman and the tough Roman centurion find healing and forgiveness?

    This is a wonderful book full of rich historical details, well developed characters, excellent writing, and a fabulous plot. At times I found myself on the edge of my seat; almost too anxious to continue reading–how could this book ever have a satisfying ending?

    Highly recommended!
Displaying items 1-5 of 21
Page 1 of 5