I started reading the Thoene's books several years ago and enjoy them with my heart and mind. They bring history to life. I started out with the Zion Legacy & went on to A.D. Chronicles. I couldn't get enough so I began the Zion Covenant and only need to read the last two of the Zion Chronicles. I have a total of 22 of their books. I just can't get enough of their writing. Their books bring out so many emotions - they are all about God and His son, Jesus, and how they intervene in our lives. Their books are about hope - don't we need that in these days, too?

I love Bodie Thoene's books...all of them and have read most everything she has written and recommended them to others. Brock does the research and it is super! The insight into the Scriptures is beautiful and very informative. This book gives you a lot to think about and has gotten me to not only think about what she has written, but has had me check out the Scriptures again. I have shared her books with friends and now they too are fans. I never start a series of her books until she has quite a few of them out as I hate to wait for the next one. 8th Shepherd doesn't disappoint and the C.D. Chronicles will be rated as among her best.

Loved the book -- continuing the fictionalized (but historically accurate) story of Jesus' time on earth.

This book is faithful to the Biblical message, but "fleshes out" the biblical narrative with fictional characters and events. It is very exciting, very inspiring, and very Biblical.

My friends and I just discovered the A.D. Chronicles within the last year and we are hooked! Once I started the first book I couldn't stop until I had read them all and it was agonizing waiting for "The Eighth Shepherd". I feel as if I personally know these characters. They are living, breathing people to me and I feel their disappointments, their sorrows, and their triumphs. Ancient history is a hobby of mine and after visiting the Holyland, it is wonderful to read this story and know exactly where every section is taking place. I didn't want the book to end and now have the long wait for book #9. I VERY HIGHLY recommend this series to all!

With the crowds growing more excited after Yeshua raised El'azar, the high priest is growing more desperate to crush this threat to his power. And so Yeshua and his followers take off in the middle of the night for the other side of the Jordan to wait out the few months before the Passover.

But in the town of Jericho, there are those who need His love. Shimona, a former leper, has come home healed, only to be sent to tend an orchard in isolation.

But her loneliness is nothing compared to that of Zachai, chief tax collector. Zachai spends his days surrounded by four giant body guards. He is ruthless in his dealings with others, growing richer by the hour. But even he is slowly realizing that his money isn't buying his happiness. But even if Yeshua were to return to the area, would he be able or willing to help Zachai?

I must admit I haven't always found this series as gripping as some of the Thoene's other books, but I loved this volume. Their portrayal of Zachai was wonderful. We got to see how truly despicable he was. Even though I knew the outcome from page one, I was mesmerized, turning pages quickly. It was also interesting to see stories set up for future books.

The Thoenes have always jumped from one character to another, but a few times here those jumps made no sense. Once, especially, we jumped to somewhere in the middle of the night only to return to that afternoon in the next scene. Additionally, there was one scene that was over the top and served little purpose in my eyes. But both of these are minor critiques in an otherwise enjoyable novel.

At times I have felt they were stretching these familiar Bible stories out too far. But not here. This is an encouraging reminder of God's love and forgiveness offered to all.

I have not read this book yet. However, I have read all the other books
in this series and absolutely love them. I am excited to start this one. If you are a believer and want the bible to come alive, read these books!! This is a fact through fiction series that brings the characters and stories to life. I am devoted to read all the books from these 2 authors. I have read at least 4 of their series to date. I will never read secular material again unless it is historical or autobiographical. There is no need or excuse when we have this type of literature available to us.

Second Touch (A. D. Chronicles, Book 2)
As the A. D. Chronicles inch toward Christ's crucifixion, Eighth Shepherd tells the story of Zacchaeus the tax collector in a unique way and interweaves the fictional story of one of the lepers Jesus healed in the earlier novel, Second Touch. Shimona, despite her healing, remains exiled from her family as if she still had leprosy. Zachai, though wealthy and powerful, is also cut off from society to the extent that he even prays to, "God who doesn't see me." Obviously, the Thoenes study the Bible and history extensively; and that research, coupled with their excellent writing, brings Scripture to life, as always. This story was not quite as riveting as some in the series, but it more than kept my attention and gave me new ideas to ponder.

Once again, I must say that the book is too short. The page count given in the product description is misleading, as it includes the pages of the lengthy study guide at the end. While a study guide is nice, the story itself is only 220-some pages long, suggesting that publishers are following the example of food manufacturers and charging the same price for a lesser amount. I can't stop buying a series this good, but am disappointed and frustrated that they are chopping it into so many tiny pieces.