5 Minutes for Books — The Centurion’s Wife

ByJennifer Donovan Published On: Updated On:

Today one of the members of the 5 Minutes for Books’ team of reviewers will be offering up our weekly book review here at 5 Minutes for Mom. Lauren is a wife, a mother of two, and an avid reader. She blogs at Baseballs and Bows.

On Thursday, we start a new year. To me, it seems that each year passes faster and faster. I am no longer a child who feels like time stands still. Instead, I just want to shout, “Slow down!” I know that our world has many problems, but I am thankful to be alive at this time, and I look forward to the coming year. I hope you do too.

PhotobucketAlthough I am glad to live here and now, I enjoy reading historical fiction. I am always up for a good story, no matter the setting; but I do appreciate learning how others lived in the past. In their latest novel, The Centurion’s Wife, Davis Bunn and Janette Oke explore the days following the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus through the lives of Leah, a servant in Pilate’s household, and Alban, a Roman centurion.

I enjoyed this book. I am familiar with the Biblical account of these events, and it was fascinating to consider the thoughts and actions of the Jewish leaders, the Roman officials, and the followers of Christ through the eyes of these fictional characters. I appreciate fictional accounts of Biblical events because I find myself wanting to reread the stories in my Bible, and novels of this type help me to gain a better understanding of the everyday lives of the Biblical characters I have read about so many times. Of course, I do encourage you to read the accounts in your Bible. Even the most well-written narrative is not the equivalent of God’s word (and I am sure the authors would ask you to do the same).

The Centurion’s Wife is the first book in the Acts of Faith series. While reading it, I couldn’t help but think of Francine Rivers’ Mark of the Lion
series, which is also set in the first century during the early years of Christianity. In my opinion, the characters in the Mark of the Lion
stories are more compelling (so far), but both series are historically fascinating. If you enjoyed the Mark of the Lion series, I recommend The Centurion’s Wife to you. I look forward to following Leah and Alban in future books. While Davis Bunn is new to me, I have enjoyed Janette Oke’s books in the past, and I am excited to see how the story unfolds as Mrs. Oke explores a Biblical setting for the first time.

If you would like to win a copy of this book (U.S. or Canadian shipping addresses) from Bethany House, please leave a comment. We’ll post the winner in next week’s column.

Due to legal restrictions, this promotion is not available in Arizona or Quebec. Please see our site’s Terms and Conditions of Use for a complete list of our Contest and Giveaway Rules.

Jennifer Donovan has been a part of the 5 Minutes for Mom team since 2007. She writes product reviews, covers events, and manages the 5 Minutes for Books weekly column and website. She lives in Houston and blogs at Snapshot about life with her family.

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203 Comments

  1. Amy Griffin says:

    She is a great author, I would love to win in.

  2. kathy pease says:

    PLEASE COUNT ME IN ON THIS AWESOME GIVEAWAY 🙂

  3. Roseann Kies says:

    I’d love to read this book! Thanks!

  4. dorothy l says:

    of course I would love to win

  5. Christina Brunetti says:

    Love to have this.

    Thanks,

  6. I think it sounds very interesting and would definately give me a new persepective. Thanks

  7. Jeanine P says:

    Nice prize! I would love to win! Thanks so much for the giveaway!

  8. Sounds like a good read. Thanks!

  9. Candace McCarthy says:

    this book sounds great.

  10. Lara Aleff says:

    I’d love to read this book!

  11. Looks great! Thanks for the giveaway!

  12. Melanie Miller says:

    great to sit down with a good book like this on a colds winter night!

  13. Sherri Siler says:

    Looks like a great book.

  14. Cheryl F. says:

    I’d love to read this 🙂 *Thanks* for the giveaway!

  15. Francine Anchondo says:

    Thanks for the giveaway

  16. Love this author! hope to win

    Thanks

  17. Love historical fiction! Please enter me into this contest.

  18. Geri Nyland says:

    I have just gotten into reading again since my son is a little older now and he lets me…lol… This looks like a great book!

  19. Marilyn Brenden says:

    I would like to win this book. I enjoy everything Janette Oke writes.

  20. Tamara Burks says:

    This looks like an interesting book.

  21. I love Janette Oke’s books. Winning this would be fantastic!

  22. Thank you for holding such a great giveaway!

  23. Sounds really good

  24. I would love a chance to win.

  25. Melissa P says:

    I love Janette Oke and haven’t read this book.

  26. It sounds like a great book!

  27. Joyce Jacobs says:

    Thanks for sponsoring this giveaway.

  28. Please enter me!

  29. Ed Nemmers says:

    Happy New Year!

  30. my mother loves Janette Oke

  31. John Deal says:

    I’d really like to win this.

  32. Cassandra says:

    Subscribed to feed–thanks!

  33. Cassandra says:

    Please enter me–thanks!

  35. ive read some other oke books and loved them

  36. Amy Tucker says:

    Great blog and book. Please add me:

    amyinkamloops @ gmail. com

    Have an awesome day!

    Amy

  37. salina munson says:

    i am an avid reader and am always looking for my next book. thanks for tjhe chance to win!

  38. Janice Wright says:

    I need some new reading material. Thanks for the giveaway!

  39. Adrienne Gordon says:

    looks interesting

  40. I would love the chance to win, thanks.

  41. Jane Anne says:

    Would love to win this one!

  42. Carrie Baird says:

    I would love to read this! Thanks for the chance to win!

  43. thank you for the contest

  44. Mary Otis says:

    Historical novels are definitely my favorites,
    those touching on Biblical Times in particular.
    Would love to have THE CENTURION’WIFE in my library.

  45. would love to be entered.

  46. please enter me!

  47. Great contest, please enter me.

  48. Sheila Pepe says:

    I would like to win this book! It sounds very interesting!

  49. Sandra F. says:

    sounds like a great read! thanks :O)

  50. Sandra Riley says:

    Thanks for the giveaway!

  51. Jason Nickolay says:

    This sounds like a very interesting book, I hope to win

  52. Great prize, enter me please.

  53. Noelia Gutierrez says:

    would love this, I love to read.

  54. valerie mabrey says:

    count me in to win

  55. Kristinia - Loving Heart Mommy says:

    We’ve heard alot about this book, count me in!

  56. Jennifer Hedden says:

    enter me

  57. I would like to read this book.

  58. Would love to read.

  59. Your button is on my blog.

  60. I subscribe to our newsletter.

  61. I subscribe to your feed via email.

  62. The review makes me want to pick up the book and I truly enjoy historical fiction.

  63. Jill Miller says:

    Sounds like a good book! I’d love to win it!

  64. Jennifer Barr says:

    sounds good 🙂

  65. This sounds like an interesting book. Thanks for spotlighting it!

  66. I want to win! I like historical fiction and it sounds like it could be an interesting book.

  67. looks sensational thanks

  68. Kim Smith says:

    This is a book I would love to read.

  69. Courtney from Mommie Blogs says:

    I’d really like a copy and to actually read a book again. I finally have evenings free to read away 🙂

  70. I’d love to read a copy of this.

  71. need a new read for night time

  72. Looks like a great read! Thanks!

  73. this looks great! thanks!

  74. I would love a chance to win. Thank you.

  75. Lisa Fosses says:

    I COULD USE A NEW BOOK TO READ

  76. I would love this. Looks like a great book. Thanks for the chance.

  77. Julie Donahue says:

    I subscribe

  78. Julie Donahue says:

    I have your button.

  79. Julie Donahue says:

    I love Jenette Oke and T Davis Bunn!

  80. I’d love this! Thanks!

  81. Heather S says:

    Sounds good. I really enoyed Francine Rivers series, so if this is half as good, I’m sure I’d like it too! Thanks for entering me.

    Lalycairn (at) gmail.com

  82. I would love to read this..thanks for the contest.

  83. Anita Yancey says:

    Sounds like a good read. Please enter me.

  84. This books looks interesting. I would love to win this!

  85. I love both of these writers. This book sounds great!

  86. Catherine copeland says:

    I’m so very excited about this giveaway

  87. veronica sandberg says:

    want to win this

  88. Shelley K says:

    Subscriber 🙂

  89. Shelley K says:

    I LOVE historical fiction books and this one looks like a good one.

    Thanks for a great giveaway.

  90. Sounds like a wonderful book. A lazy weekend with a good book is what I call relaxing. Crossing my fingers.

  91. Mike Weisberg says:

    I want to win

  92. This book is on my wish list already so I know I would love to win it. Thanks for the chance.

  93. Sweetpeas says:

    I love these authors!! Count me in!

  94. I love historical fiction–especially Biblica fiction– and I LOVED the Mark of the Lion series. I can’t wait to read this.

  95. A book I’d like to have. Thanks.

  96. I love Francine Rivers & have read most of Janette Oke’s books – how awesome there’s a series that’s a bit of both worlds! Yeah!

  97. enter me!

  100. I can use another good book to read.

  101. Thanks for hosting this giveaway!

  102. Susan Heim says:

    I would love to win this. One of my all-time favorite books is “The Red Tent,” another Biblically based novel. This book sounds excellent, too.

  103. Would love a chance to read this!

  104. Ever since reading Marion Zimmer Bradley’s “The Firebrand” I’ve fallen for historical fiction – having a story and characters makes getting a grasp of the time period so much easier and more interesting! This story sounds intriguing…and they don’t have this title at our library. : )

  105. I’ve heard about this book and the reviews I’ve read have been good. I’d love to own a copy. Thanks for the giveaway.

  106. Vicki Wurgler says:

    I would love to read this book

  107. I’m always up for a good read!

  108. This is a good one.

  109. Karen Gonyea says:

    Count me in please 🙂

  110. Christine Jensen says:

    I also am a newsletter subscriber (if that helps with this giveaway)

  111. Christine Jensen says:

    I would love to win a copy of this book!

  112. I heart Janette Oke! My BFF turned me on to her good stuff several years back. I just love her!
    So this is exciting to have a chance to win!
    Thanks.

  113. Linda Howard says:

    Please enter me. I would love to read this book. Thanks!

  114. I have subscribed

  115. If it is written well, can be a good educational tool about the time as well as a good story.

  116. I love anything Janette Oke has her writing in – I would love to win!

  117. I love historical fiction, it makes the facts come alive for me!
    smchester at gmail dot com

  118. Sounds like a good read! Enter me please!

  119. Vicky Boackle says:

    this looks so good.

  120. Intriguing title…I love historical romance and there are few good ones written about this time period.

  121. michele anne jaquays says:

    would like to win this

  122. david basile says:

    a book my wife would enjoy

  123. Vickie Couturier says:

    I love historicals too they are my favorite to read,so please count me in,thanks

  124. Sounds like a great book – I’d love a copy!!

    Susan

  125. maryzell roberts says:

    I study God’s word to us every day. I’d love to read this book. Maybe this centurion corresponds to Cornelius. I’d sure like to see.

  126. maryzell roberts says:

    I study God’s word to us every day. I’d love to read this book. Maybe this centurion corresponds to Cornelius. I’s sure like to see.

  127. Carol Lawrence says:

    Interesting book,hope I win.

  128. I loved reading the Francine Rivers books, so I know I would enjoy this. Thank you!

  130. Melonie (Momma & More) says:

    Janette Oke is one of my favorite authors! Please enter me in this drawing. I don’t see most of the new releases here on base since we don’t have a regular book store and the book area in the PX/BXs is fairly limited in space. I hadn’t heard about this until you posted this review – it sounds amazing!!!!

  131. I’ve always enjoyed Janette Oke’s books. Historical fiction is my favorite!

  132. i need a new book to read!

  133. Samantha R says:

    This sounds like a great book!

  134. Marcia Freeman says:

    What a great way to start 2009. I would love to win.

  135. This looks like a wonderful book! I would love to win it – and if I don’t, I’ll be looking for it at the library 🙂

  136. LOVE IT……WOW, cannot wait to READ this one!!! I love historical fiction with a smidge of romance! Yeehaw!!! 😀 thanks girls!

  137. I’d love to read this!

  138. This looks like a great book to read this coming
    January in Canada.I am a subscriber.

  139. Oh, I love Janette Oke’s books! This sounds like another great one.

  140. Sounds like a great book. I would love to read it. Thanks!

  141. I would love to read this!

    chrisandamyward(at)comcast(dot)net

  142. The Gang's All Here! says:

    A good NEW! book on a cold winter’s night would be so appreciated!

  143. Katherine Frazier says:

    sounds like a good read.

  144. Kathy Amos says:

    This looks great

  145. christopher h says:

    sounds like a really good read

  146. Rhonda Struthers says:

    I would like to read this. Please enter me.

  147. I enjoy reading fictionalized accounts of actual events also. It’s so interesting to see how a writer can flesh out details of long ago lives. Norah Lofts and Jean Plaidy were excellent practioners of that sort of writing and I miss them. This sounds like a good book and I’d love to win a copy.

  148. Thank ou for introducing me to this series. Seems to me it leads to more charitable and loving lives.

    Thanks for the contest and best wishes for a prosperous 2009.

  149. I love historical fiction…this seems like a great read.

  150. I have been really wanting to read this, and the Mark of the Lion series is my very favorite! Thanks for the giveaway, I would LOVE to win! 🙂

  151. I’d love to win – count me in!

  152. I love historical fiction and Janette Oke is one of my favorite authors!

  153. This looks like a great book! Count me in!

  154. Susan Smith says:

    Sounds like a good book

  155. Ann Fantom says:

    I would love to win this! Please enter me

  156. Hi Jennifer,
    I write a blog entitled An American Mom in Tuscany: Jordan’s Cochlear Implant Story http://rallycapsdotnet.blogspot.com. I am also the co-author of the book RALLY CAPS which features a character with a cochlear implant just like my son Jordan. I would appreciate it if you could add this book to your list of books to review and if you would like me to send you a copy, email me at jodi@rallycaps.net
    You can read more about the book at http://www.rallycaps.net
    Thank you,
    Jodi

  157. Sounds like a great read! I’d love to win and then pass it on!

    Thanks

  158. I’m subscribed to your feed, too! Pls enter my name!

  159. I’d love to win a copy of this book because I love biblical fiction.

  160. Ditto, what everybody else said! LOL

    Deidre

  161. I love Janette Oke’s work. She’s also the only other person I’ve heard of who has the same name as I do!

  162. Junglewife says:

    I saw this on 5 Minutes for Books and thought it looked very good – I’d love to win!

  163. Richelle F says:

    I’m subscribed to your feed.

  164. Richelle F says:

    Looks interesting!

  165. Great review! I now want to read a book that I probably would have never looked at before.

  166. Ooo, I’ve read books they collaborated on before and they are good!

  167. susan varney says:

    love to have this one

  168. I love good historical fiction.

  169. Linda White says:

    i love Jannette oakes

  170. I would love to read this book!

  171. subscriber

  172. looks interesting

  173. Kathy Scott says:

    I love to read and this looks like a good read.

  174. Christine says:

    Looks like a great read!

  175. Linda Peters says:

    would love to read this, thanks

  176. Sherry B. says:

    I would love to read this! I am one of those “history buffs” who always wonders how the people surrounding a main character might have been affected by the actions of the person that we are learning about. This is right up my alley!

  177. Shannon Baas says:

    I love to read. Please enter me.

  178. Shirley Stubbe says:

    I love historical romances.

  179. Terra Heck says:

    I’d like to read this book.

  180. I’d love to win! Thank you!

  181. I would love to read this! Thanks so much for the chance!

  182. My kind of book-would love to read this.

  183. This book sounds really interesting. Would love the chance to read it. Thanks!

  184. This book sounds so good!

  185. Deborah Wellenstein says:

    Thank you for this giveaway!

  186. C. clemens says:

    enter me please thankssss

  187. I would love to read this. It sounds wonderful.

  188. John Rasmussen says:

    sign me up

  189. Loved Mark of the Lion series and historical fiction. Thank you for the opportunity.

  190. Ahhh, this book is on my Amazon wishlist! I’ve been wanting it for awhile now. Pick me, pick me! 😀

  191. I love historical fiction. Sounds like a good read.

  192. A cold winter day and a good book, sounds like a great combination. Please sign me up!

  193. This sounds really interesting. Count me in!

  194. This sounds really interesting. Like you, I enjoy historical fiction quite a bit.

  195. Michael Capp says:

    I’d love to win!

  196. Hello,

    Great review – I love books that are in a series! Please sign me up for the giveaway!

    Kristi

  197. Angela C. says:

    I would love to win. I loved the Mark of the Lion series and would like to read this version.

    accoupons at gmail dot com

  198. I subscribe to the newsletter.

  199. This sounds wonderful!

  200. I have your button linked on my blog.

  201. I am subscribed to your feed.

  202. I was just reading the reviews on this last week. Looks interesting – I loved the Mark of the Lion series!

  203. Definitely

Comments are closed.