Litfuse Blog Tour Event: The Thief (The Living Water Series #2) by Stephanie Landsem

I can confidently confirm that The Thief by Stephanie Landsem is going to be in my top 20 of most favorite books of 2014. (I don't do top 10 because there are quite a handful of books out there so please don't make me narrow it down to just ten!) Landsem takes the account of the blind man that Jesus heals with mud in the Bible and weaves it all together with a beautiful story of seeking, forgiveness and mercy. This is not a book-- or series-- that you want to miss out on, and if you don't believe me just read the rest of my review to see how true that is. 

Goodreads Summary

My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?

Nissa is a Jewish woman with a sharp tongue and no hope of marriage. Abandoned by the God she once loved, her only recourse is to depend upon Mouse, the best thief in Jerusalem, to keep her blind brother, Cedron, fed and the landlord satisfied.

Longinus is a Roman centurion haunted by death and failure and is desperate to escape the accursed Judean province. Accepting a wager that will get him away from the aggravating Jews and their threats of revolt, he sets out to catch the thieves harassing the marketplace.

When a controversial teacher miraculously heals Cedron, Nissa hopes for freedom from her life of lies. But the supposed miracle brings only more misfortune, and Longinus, seeking to learn more about the mysterious healer, finds himself drawn instead to Nissa, whose secret will determine the course of both their futures.

Cedron, Longinus, and Nissa are unexpectedly caught up in the arrest, trial, and crucifixion of Jesus. As danger closes in on them from every side, they must decide if the love and redemption Jesus offers is true or just another false promise. How can the so-called Messiah save them from their shackles, when he cannot even save himself?


My Thoughts 

Wow! Why did I wait so long to start reading this book? Why didn't I start reading it the moment I ripped it out of the package when it came in the mail? What was I doing for three days? Oh yeah, not reading this astonishing book. 

I adore books that take actual occurrences during the time of Jesus's life. Yes, it's fiction but there is something about it that makes it great to read. Somehow it gives maybe a glimpse into a possibility of the new believers in the Roman Empire.

I appreciate the lengths that Landsem went to in order to create such a vivid storyline that incorporated Jesus, his followers, the blind man and also the man who nailed Jesus to the cross. Even if most of these characters were elaborated on through fiction it's simply breathtaking. It was potent and beautiful to read. You could see the grace and mercy that takes hold of all of these people, and it was a story that I would enjoy to revisit again soon. 

Nissa was a spunky, fiesty  Jewish woman that grew on me throughout the story. She was rigid and harsh to the world and God for many reasons that I understood. She grew on me though and it was special to read of her growth in her faith and identity with God and as a person in society. Her relationship with her brother Cedron is motherly. It took me by surprise when I figure out that Cedron is the man that Jesus heals and uses. Don't want to give to much away but there the story really picks up the pace, and you can't help but keep turning pages until you get to the end. That is what happened to me, guilty as charged! 

Back to the characters, Longinus--be still my heart-- was a heroic centurion who you couldn't help but want to hug the living life out of. I liked that he was attracted to Nissa's strengths from the beginning instead of her physical traits. It was a different route than what is the usual norm of what the romance interest is started on. Simply put I enjoyed seeing how their opposite personalities complimented each other and how genuinely caring Longinus was for Nissa. 

Ok, so the ending. When I got there my reaction was, "Why are the pages blank?" My guess is that my reaction will be the same as yours, and for you to figure out why...well my friends you will have to read the story to find out the shocking and surprising ending that Landsem had kept hidden for her readers. 

Seriously, get this book and have your mind be blown! It's fantastic! Highly recommend for young adults and (older/regular aged?) adults! 

Rating: 5 out of 5 bookshelves 
Disclaimer: I received a free copy for an honest review from Litfuse Publicity Group. 

Purchase a copy: Amazon, Barnes&Noble, ChristianBook
Learn more about the author on her website

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. CLICK THE BUTTON to find out more and enter to win.

Find out what readers are saying HERE.

In His Grace, 
Taylor Reid