NOVEL REVIEWS

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THE MASTER'S WALL

“It's a grand thing to find an intriguing story told by a talented storyteller, and that's just what we have in The Master's Wall by Sandi Rog. This story has it all: ancient Rome, authentically depicted; a hero worth rooting for; and a feisty, charming heroine—all flowing through a rousting tale beautifully spun. Rog—and every reader—has a winner with this one.”

ROBERT LIPARULO, best-selling author of Comes a Horseman, Germ, and the Dreamhouse Kings series

"Powerful, faith-challenging, epic in nature, The Master’s Wall beckons readers to ancient Rome where Sandi Rog delivers a captivating story that transforms lives––and not only those of her characters. Highly recommended!"

TAMERA ALEXANDER, bestselling author of Within My Heart (Bethany House Publishers) and The Inheritance (Women of Faith Fiction, Thomas Nelson)

". . . If you love gladiator scenes—you’ll love this book. If you enjoy coming-of-age stories, you’ll enjoy Alethea’s journey from girlhood to adult. If you thrive on romances, the sweet love story will grasp your heart. A must read for all the right reasons. “

DARLENE FRANKLIN, The Prodigal Patriot

"The Master's Wall" is a meticulously researched story that grips you tighter and tighter with every page you turn. Sandi Rog has a knack for engaging, nail-biting narrative--I'm glad to see this is the first in a series, because I definitely want to read more from her.

-Alison Strobel, author of "The Weight of Shadows" and "Reinventing Rachel"

“He fights for his freedom. She fights for her life. Together they fight for each other.”

Can I just say “Wow!”? Or maybe “Stunning!”? I love stories set in the first century, and The Master's Wall ranks as one of the best I've read to date. The characters are exactly what a reader wants—full of spirit, full of fire, full of temper that leads them into trouble . . . and faith that helps them through it. The setting is so richly portrayed that you'll feel like you've donned a toga and are wandering through the villa.

Sandi Rog uses these gripping characters and stunning setting to execute a plot that will keep you guessing and dreaming and yearning along with Alethea and David. The Master's Wall is so enthralling that it even haunted my dreams when I put it down halfway through—and you can bet I finished it the next day!

There's so much I loved about it—the brutal reality of slavery depicted. The sweet hope of a girl whose innocence has been marred by tragedy. The enduring faith of a boy who determines to spread the Gospel, even in captivity. And when the depravity of man butts against the perfect will of God, you can bet there's going to be a lot of conflict to keep those pages turning!

For lovers of Biblical and first century fiction, you will not want to miss this one! And for those unfamiliar with the genre but interested in history, pick up The Master's Wall for a trip to Ancient Rome that will make it feel like home. This is one I'm going to be recommending to everyone I know.

---Roseanna M. White, author of A Stray Drop of Blood

Filled with fascinating details of life in first century Rome, The Master’s Wall is a story that will linger in readers’ memories.

---Amanda Cabot, author of Scattered Petals

Sandi Rog's landmark book, The Master’s Wall, Book One in the IRON AND THE STONE series, is a sweeping tale of pain and healing, forgiveness and redemption, and, most importantly, love. With every word, every phrase, Rog weaves a tale so compelling that readers will not be able to put it down. When they do so, it will be with tears borne of appreciation for a truly inspirational read.

—Jane Choate, multi-published author of over 28 books. Her 2010 release is Bride Price, an Avalon romance.

Sandi skillfully transported me back to the harsh world of Roman rule with this engaging story about David and Alethea that moves at breakneck speed. I also learned a great deal about the courage of the "early adopters" of Christianity.

—Mike Yorkey, co-author of The Swiss Courier and the Every Man's Battle series

Awesome! Sandi Rog grabbed me from the very first sentence and didn't let go until the last page. But I wanted more. I wanted to again run barefoot through the villa, climb the master's stone wall, look out over the lush vineyards, and escape to ancient Rome in the distance. So . . . I read The Master's Wall again.

—Wendy Chorot, Words To Life Editing

I laughed, I cried, I worried, and I forgave as I read to the end of this wonderful story. I am impatient waiting for the next book.

—AJ Hawke, author Caught Between Two Worlds

YAHSHUA'S BRIDGE

Sandi Rog has done it again. With Yahshua’s Bridge, the sequel to the enjoyable and award-winning The Master’s Wall, Rog proves that her first effort was no fluke: This lady knows how to spin a page-turning adventure that is at once heartwrenching and uplifting. Yahshua’s Bridge has that rare and immensely satisfying quality of being a wonderful story, brilliantly told. ~Robert Liparulo, author of The 13th Tribe, Comes a Horseman and The Dreamhouse Kings

Sandi Rog's novels are sneaky good. She has an excellent understanding of the first century and is able to convey the details of New Testament culture without making it feel like a history lesson. Like her debut novel, Yahshua's Bridge is complex without being confusing and teaches truth without being preachy. With a story that hooks you and encourages you in your own life, Yahshua's Bridge is a fast but engaging read that is sure to please any lover of historical or Biblical fiction. -Alison Strobel, author of Composing Amelia and many others

In Yahshua’s Bridge I found an amazing novel full of romance and intrigue just as I’ve come to expect from Sandi Rog. Beyond that, I found an epic struggle of good versus evil played out against a backdrop of martyrs, coliseums, and gladiators. This book illustrated to me more than any other novel the fact that life is but a pale illusion and the glorious reality awaiting us in eternity far supersedes any temporary pain or struggles we might face on this earth.  ~ Dina Sleiman, author of Dance of the Dandelion

Yahshua's Bridge is a powerful story about forgiveness and loyalty to the Christian faith. I loved the theme that God loves us enough to allow whatever is necessary to bring about our spiritual good and to produce healing in our lives. Sometimes what He allows makes no sense to us at the time. 

Yahshua's Bridge reminded me of Francine Rivers's Mark of the Lion trilogy in that it was also set during the first century when Christianity was still growing, and when gladiators fought to the death for mere entertainment of Roman citizens. Sandi Rog draws you into the story so deeply that you feel each character's pain and you hurt along with them. Well-written and fast paced, Yahshua's Bridge has the potential to heal hearts and touch many lives because it doesn't soft-step or minimize human suffering. The greater the darkness was, the more the light of Christ shone in this book. I loved it! ~Michelle Sutton, author of over a dozen inspirational novels.

WALKS ALONE