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18 February 2014

Teresa S. Mathews reviews The Thief by Stephanie Landsem


The Thief by Stephanie Landsem
The Living Water Series Book Two
Howard Publishing

Reviewed by Teresa S. Mathews
5 Stars*****

Once again Stephanie Landsem takes us on a journey back to Biblical times. Opening page finds us in the crowded streets of Jerusalem, where we are following along with the infamous Mouse, a young thief who is known for his speed and agility. His partner an older Greek man named Dismas has taught Mouse well; to anyone seeing Mouse they would think him just a poor, dirty, hungry boy wandering the streets. No one would ever guess Mouse's true identity.

Mouse is almost caught stealing by a fierce red-haired Centurion named Longinus. Thankfully Dismas came back to help Mouse escape or he would have been scourged or maybe worse. Now Mouse has to watch his every step because Longinus is determined to catch the thieves and Diamas has warned Mouse he won't come back again to rescue him because Mouse it not worth dying for.

Nissa, a young Jewish girl has been abused her whole life by her father, a lazy gambler and her mother, a drunk. She learned early on she is a plain, worthless girl that no one will ever want to marry.  The only person in the world that Nissa knows loves her is her blind older brother Cedron. When their father gambles away their rent money, Nissa knows she has to take up his slack so they won't starve or be thrown in the street. So with the help of Mouse she provides for her family.

When rumors are spread about a man named Jesus healing people Cedron begs Nissa to take him to meet this healer. To Nissa's joy and amazement Jesus heals Cedron but that joy is crushed when the Sanhedrin bar Cedron from ever coming to the Temple again when he gives Jesus praise for his healing. The last straw was when their parents banish them from their house. With no money and nowhere to go will Nissa be able to get help from Mouse once again or will they be caught by the dreaded Centurion?

What an incredible story this is! From the minute I read the blurb on the back I knew I was hooked. It was so incredible to be drawn into a time when Jesus walked the earth, Stephanie did a superb job describing the different things that led up to the time of Jesus' crucifixion. I don't want to give anything away but I will tell you I had tears streaming down my face at the powerful descriptions Stephanie used to portray Jesus' prayer in the Garden and then his crucifixion. Thank you Stephanie for this moving story, and I can't wait for The Tomb to come out next year! 

You can find this book at AmazonChristian BookBarnes and Noble and your local bookstore.

Giveaway:  We are giving away one copy of this great book this week, winner's choice of paperback or ebook. International Winner ebook only. To enter the giveaway please like Stephanie's Facebook Author Page and tell us you did in your comment. Don't forget your email address so we can contact you if you are our winner!

43 comments:

  1. Excellent review, TERESA! I just love it when a book moves me to tears. Sounds crazy, but I know I have just finished a rewarding and satisfying read when that happens. Unless I'm crying b/c the book has a bad ending. :P

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    1. DIANA I know what you mean...I was sitting in the car reading this after I had left the DR office on Friday and I didn't care who saw me crying. I love it when I'm moved to tears or talking to the characters! :-)

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    2. I'm glad it was a good cry, Teresa! I had many days of tears as I wrote those chapters.

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  2. Great review, Teresa! Always love to read what you think about books. Biblical fiction seems to be getting more popular again.

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    1. Thanks CARRIE! I think you are right about the Biblical Fiction, I will admit I wasn't too fond of it at first but STEPHANIE has changed my mind. :-)

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    2. Carrie, there seems to be a lot of new Biblical out there. Some of it is really fantastic, too.

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  3. I just liked Stephanie's page. :) I've heard a lot about this book and would love to read it!
    jensmithwriter(at)yahoo(dot)com

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    1. Hi JENNIFER! Thanks for stopping by and especially for liking Stephanie's page! I know you will be blessed by this book, hope you get to read it soon! :-)

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  4. I'm so glad you also enjoyed Stephanie's fabulous book! Loved your review!! I also can't wait to read The Tomb! :)

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    1. Thanks, Marian. I so appreciate your encouragement.

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    2. Thanks MARIAN! I was so excited to be able to read this, I have The Well on my Kindle and I hope to get to it soon! :-)

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  5. LIKE!
    Great books are great friends! Great books are sharing books also! Love to read and share!
    mandn(at)wisper(dash)wireless(dot)com

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    1. ANONYMOUS (I hate to call you that) but thanks so much for stopping by. You are right when I find a good book I want to share with my friends about it! :-)

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  6. I went a like Stephanie Landsem fb page .This sounds like a really good book to read .Blessings ,DanaGirl

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    1. Hi DANA glad you stopped by and thank you for liking Stephenie's page. This one is at the top of my faves list that's for sure. :-)

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  7. Well you've certainly heightened my interest in this book TERESA!! Fantastic review... Very clear that you have immensely enjoyed it!! I love books that move me to tears also. They stay with you a lot longer when they move your soul and your spirit. Within reason though lol... I once read 2 out of a series of 3, and as much as I LOVED the story, I cried, no, bawled most of the way... so it was just too exhausting to read the third! I'm sure Stephanie's book isn't anywhere near that intense though!! :)

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    1. I know what you mean, Noela. There are some books I love, but they are so emotionally wearing that I have to read something lighter after them.

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    2. Hi NOELA!! I really did enjoy this book, Stephanie is a wonderful writer! I think I would be exhausted if I had to bawl through 3 books! LOL!! The Thief is very spellbinding but not so intense you cry the whole way through. I do promise it's so moving it will stick with you for quite a while. :-)

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  8. I need to read the first book. I don't like to read out of order. I'm an emotional reader.

    FB

    marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com

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    1. MARY that's good idea, I usually don't read books out of order either but I didn't have a problem reading this one first. Thanks for coming by and thanks for liking Stephanie's page! :-)

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    2. Thanks, Mary. You don't have to read The Well before The Thief, but I think you would enjoy The Thief a little bit more if you know the backstory of some of the characters. :)

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  9. What an exciting, and emotional, picture you painted of "The Thief" with your review, Teresa!!

    I 'm one of those emotional people who enjoys being moved to tears by the books I read!! I also love biblical fiction and seeing dysfunctional people and relationships redeemed by the grace of God!! I haven't read any of Stephanie's books, and "The Thief" sounds like one I will love!! Thank you for an opportunity to win a copy of "The Thief", although it sounds like I will want to put all 3 books on my TBR list!!

    bonnieroof60(at)yahoo(dot)com
    OWG
    I have "liked" Stephanie's Facebook page!

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    1. Oh BONNIE I know you will enjoy this series by Stephanie. :-) Thank you for coming by and for liking Stephanie's page.

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    2. Thanks, Bonnie. I hope you enjoy them.

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  10. I enjoyed your wonderful review, Teresa! I love reading a book that evokes strong emotions and it sounds like this one certainly does! Thank you for the opportunity to win a copy of THE THIEF. I am adding Stephanie's name to my TBR list and have liked her FB page also.

    texaggs2000 at gmail dot com

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    1. Thanks, Britney. Teresa's review was beautiful, wasn't it? And thanks for liking my page!

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    2. BRITNEY thank you so much, I'm so glad you enjoyed it! Good luck in the drawing! I know you are going to love Stephanie's books! :-)

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  11. Great review Teresa. No wonder you were picked to be an OWG gal. Love you all. This book sounds it will be wonderful to read. I would love to win it. I have already liked Stephanie's FB page and you know I follow all of you sweet girls. Would be lost if I didn't get to visit this place. Imagine being into this book of where Jesus was there. Oh my will for sure need a full box of Kleenex. Please toss my name in, and please don't miss the hat. Thanks . Maxie mac262(at)me(dot)com

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    1. thanks so much, Maxie! There will be more info about The Thief coming up on my page. I hope you win!

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    2. Hi beautiful MAXIE!! It's brings a smile to my face when you drop by for a visit! :-) I know you are going to love this book, even if you have to use a few tissues! My throwing arm might not be the best but I'll make sure I get your name in that hat!! lol

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  12. Teresa,
    This was a very heart touching review. I have never read any of Stephanie's books and definitely would love to read them.
    I liked her F B page
    Thank you
    mcnuttjem0(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. JACKIE I'm so glad the review touched you, I sure hope you get to read this wonderful treasure. Thanks for stopping by! :-)

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    2. THanks for the FB like, Teresa. I hope you enjoy my posts and good luck in the drawing.

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  13. I am definitely an emotional reader! I cry, I laugh out loud, I give advice and have been to known to get super mad at a character, too ;) I'm super picky about my Biblical Fiction but this series sounds excellent. I think I have The Well on my Kindle. Is it the first in the series?

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    1. ANNE yes The Well is the first one in this series. I knew there was a reason I love you so much, it sounds like we're a lot alike!! LOL I talk to characters all the time and I have been known to put a book down for a while if a characters upsets me too much! :-) Thanks for stopping by, here's hoping for a win for ya.

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    2. Anne, I hope you like The Well. I think it will always be my favorite since it was my first book.

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  14. I have liked her facebook page. The books sound fabulous! I cannot wait to check them out :)

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  15. Ooh--souB page as well.
    Vicki
    vmarney at hot mail

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  16. Teresa, what a great review. I would love to read The Thief. Thank you for what you do.

    mauback55 at gmail dot com

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