Almost 70 years after the fall of Jerusalem, a new Babylonian king releases the captive Jews and mandates that they return and rebuild God?s temple in the remains of the Holy City. Iddo, who witnessed the fall as a child, is overjoyed to return home, but his children were born in Babylon and refuse to leave the pagan city. Undeterred, Iddo, wife Dinah, and grandson Zechariah make the months-long trek with thousands of other Jews, only to find a hostile welcome from the Samaritans who make the land around Jerusalem their home. As years pass, the immigrants face daily challenges to their faith as they listen for God?s voice to lead them over the next 30 years. VERDICT Eight-time Christy Award?winning author Austin (Hidden Places; Wonderland Creek) launches a powerful new historical series that brings the Old Testament books of Ezra and Nehemiah to life. This work is sure to attract fans of Francine Rivers?s biblical series (?The Mark of the Lion?; ?Sons of Encouragement?).