A Deeper Well by Jill Eileen Smith Reviewed and a GIVEAWAY

 

                   

Title: A Deeper Well

Author: Jill Eileen Smith

Genre: Biblical Fiction, Christian Romance, Historical

Pages: 336

Publisher: Revell

Format: Audiobook

Source: Purchased & Received one from the publisher, which will be used as a giveaway.

Add to your Goodreads shelf.

In ancient Israel, soon after Nessa is of marriageable age, her father gives her to a wealthy widowed friend, capitalizing on her beauty to bring in the highest bride-price he can find. Nessa is devastated, as she had begged to marry Lavi, who returned her love and saw more in her beyond her appearance. But Nessa's betrothal leads to Lavi's departure, compounding her grief, and she can never forget her forbidden first love.

Nessa tries to accept her fate, but after only a year of marriage, tragedy hits her new family. She is sent back to her father, who quickly finds a wealthy young man who wants to marry the most beautiful woman in Sychar. Misfortune follows Nessa as she is passed from one marriage to another--until she meets an unusual Jewish rabbi at the town's well one afternoon, and her life is forever changed.

Amazon||Barnes & Noble|| Baker Book House

My Thoughts

When I look back at the woman at the well story I'm not sure I viewed it as Jill Eileen Smith wrote it. In the biblical account in John 4 it seems as though Christ is scolding her. Not in a mean or harsh way, yet the story that Jill Eileen Smith wrote is so tender, and kind. We watch Nessa get married off to whomever her father desired, and all because her beauty will bring a higher price. Yet Nessa only wants one man, a boy she fell in love with as a child. The bottom line is that this book is an absolutely beautiful book. It has love and romance, but most of all it has God from beginning to end. It shows His love for His creation, as well as compassion for them. And His desire for us to be better than we are.

I have an extra book that I am going to be giving away. Just follow the guidelines so you can be entered.

 

 

About Jill Eileen Smith

Jill Eileen Smith is the bestselling and award-winning author of the biblical fiction series The Wives of King David, Wives of the Patriarchs, and Daughters of the Promised Land, as well as The Heart of a King and Star of Persia: Esther's Story. She is also the author of the nonfiction books When Life Doesn't Match Your Dreams and She Walked Before Us. Her research into the lives of biblical women has taken her from the Bible to Israel, and she particularly enjoys learning how women lived in Old Testament times. Jill lives with her family in southeast Michigan.

You can learn more about Jill at her website and follow her on the following social media platforms. Facebook || Instagram || Twitter 

I have an extra copy of A Deeper Well and I am going to give it away.

To enter all you have to do is follow my blog, and leave a comment telling me that you follow my blog, along with the first book you've read in 2026.

This will run today 2/22 until 2/28.

Good Luck!!!!

Top Ten Tuesday Tenish Typography Books

 

Happy Tuesday! Welcome to another weekly link-up sponsored by Jana of That Artsy Reader Girl. Today's theme is Typography covers. 

Typography definition: 

1. the style and appearance of printed or online material.

   "I'm very proud of that cover because we really experimented a lot with typography for it."

   • The art or process of arranging type or processing data and printing from it.

I had topography in my mind, so I had to get some help. Thanks, Carrie! 

I looked through my past reads and found some of my favorite covers. I even have a couple from this year.

I'd love to know your typographic covers.

Thanks for stopping by, and have a wonderful Tuesday!

Top Ten Tuesday - 2025 Bookish Discoveries

 

Welcome to the weekly link-up sponsored by Jana at That Artsy Reader Girl. Today's topic is reading discoveries you made last year. Author's, books, new genre's, resources, even a friend. I doubt I'll have ten, but I'll try.

1. The biggest discovery was Audible. I didn't think I'd enjoy listening to books, but I found that I being able to listen to a book and color has been a wonderful discovery. Especially, since reading is still painful, and cloudy.

2. The Timeless series by Gabrielle Meyer. Which I can't wait to read book 7. I'm really proud that I started the series in the fall and thanks to Audible I finished it around the holidays,

3. I've been reading since I was three and 56 years later I gave myself permission to DNF books.

4. I also gave myself permission to try genres that are not in my wheel house, which was a lot of fun.

5. It seems as though I've made more bookish friends, and we trade book suggestions, and ideas for keeping track of reading, books to read, and fun bookish ideas.

Sadly, I just have five, but I'd love to see your's.

The graphic was made by CHATGPT.

Top Ten Tuesday .... Goals for 2026

Happy Tuesday, and welcome to another edition of Top Ten Tuesday link-up sponsored by That Artsy Reader Girl.

Usually, my post is up at midnight, but I wasn't sure what my goals for 2026 would be. I'm still not sure, so we'll see what happens!

1. Have my Netgalley percentage increase. I told them that I wish they'd allow readers to remove books when a family emergency happened, or when the reader got ill.

2. Whether reading words or listening to them being read, do more of it.

3. Go outside more, even if I'm covered in a blanket, swinging on my swing. As well as walking. Walking is not my favorite.

4. Reading more books from my shelves and my Kindle library, instead of purchasing so many. 

5. Getting my bookcases cleaned off and rearranged.

6. Continue to drink more water and eat an apple before bed. That helps medication absorb, so I'm not so sleepy in the morning.

7. Review everything I read, even if it's just a small review.

8. Attempt to read or listen to one book a week. Possibly reading 52 books a week.

9. Add some out of my comfort zone reads to my already growing list.

10. If I can read 52 books, I would be so excited.

What are your goals for 2026, bookish and personal?

Let me know in the comments. 

Top Ten Tuesday Books I am Anticipating Releasing in 2026

Happy Tuesday, and welcome to another edition of the blog link-up sponsored by That Artsy Reader Girl. Honestly, I haven't been looking at upcoming releases for 2026, outside of the one's I know about. I really need to add others to my list.

I look forward to Laura Frantz's release in January every year because the book usually releases around my birthday, and this year it releases the day after.

I have fallen in love with Heather Kaufman's biblical history and can't wait to read this.

I was able to give Ms. Dietze information about epilepsy that helped her write her book.

                                                           
 I am really excited about all of these books. Surprisingly it's only the second week of January, and I have four of these books already. It's crazy how quickly they get published these days. Do we share any books in common? Please tell me in the comments. 

Top Ten Tuesday -- Favorites of 2025

 

Happy Top Ten Tuesday. Welcome to another edition of the weekly blog link-up hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl. Today's theme is my favorite books of 2025. 

Have you read any of my favorites from 2025? Let me know in the comments.

Top Ten Tuesday Recent To Be Read Additions

Happy Tuesday, and welcome to another edition of Top Ten Tuesday sponsored by Jana of That Artsy Reader Girl. Today's theme is books I've recently added to my "to be read" list. Since it's the week after Christmas, it makes perfect sense for this theme.

I'd love to actually read a book, but my eye is still swollen, and I can barely see to type. I'm thankful for audiobooks, so I can read in a small way. 

 

I've been attempting to read this one when I have a little bit of clarity.

Currently reading.

Are any of my recent additions to my TBR on yours? I'd love to know what your additions are. Please let me know in the comments.

Wishing you and your family a very Happy New Year!