Ilana's Love by Laurel West: A Tale of Old Testament Biblical Times

Ilana's Love, by journalist and best-selling author Laurel West, is a timeless story about Old Testament Israel, the coming of a new prophet people are calling savior and Messiah, and the pangs of adolescent love growing into something more mature and meaningful. This is a story of the time of Jesus, told through the lives he touched peripherally from a distance.

On a political level, his arrival sparks controversy in the Sanhedrin and among local religious rulers, as his radical brand of loving others and putting their needs above all else causes upheaval and social turmoil. On a personal level, Jesus' ministry lights the fire of rebirth and renewal even in the lives of those who cross his path in only the smallest ways.

Asa of Nain's life has always been bittersweet - bitter because of "the curse" put upon his house with the deformity of his foot; sweet because of his tender friendship with Ilana, a girl in his village. Defying custom and tradition for unwed children of the opposite gender, Ilana and Asa spend long hours together as he teaches her how to read and write, as well as the history of their people.

However, things become far more bitter than sweet when their hours of friendship are discovered, and not only is Asa ordered to never come near Ilana again, he is dismissed from rabbinical school, condemned to life as a poor sheep herder. Insult is added to injury when Asa learns that Ilana, whom he secretly holds dear in his heart, has been promised to a baker's son from out of town. Feeling as crippled as his foot, Asa despairs.

Ilana, however, has other plans - a desperate mission to a new, radical missionary calling himself Jesus. Some whisper he is a prophet, others a healer, and Ilana burns with a determination to help her young friend Asa. She believes - with all of her heart, on faith alone - that if only she can reach this strange man, if she pled for the healing of Asa's lame foot, her dear friend would be made healthy and whole at last. Showing courage beyond her years, Ilana slips out and travels many days and roads; until she finally finds herself within the very camp of this man they call Messiah. Her encounter will change her and everyone around her forever - the healing power of Jesus, the son of Adonai, reaching even those out of his sight.

Ilana's Love is touching story, a piece of historical fiction clearly based on research and deep study. West has done her homework, portraying Old Testament life, rituals, and customs well. In fact, it was rather thought-provoking to encounter the rigidity of Old Testament law: we know in an academic sense how restrictive it must have been, but are shocked when the elders of the village debate whether or not Ilana should be sentenced to a stoning for "dishonoring" her father by seeking out Jesus.

There are horror stories about books that have been self-published, however Ilana's Love should be held up as a success story in its own right. This novel is written well, West has clearly mastered the craft, and this novel deserves to be placed alongside the best in Biblical Historical Fiction.

West played with several different points of view in telling this tale, and while I believe one would've been effective, at times it was a little confusing keeping track of who was telling the story - and it was a little jarring when the story ended in one voice and then was taken up in another. Also, at times the narrative lapses a little too long into exposition, rather than driven by dialogue, but this novel has more literary aspirations than commercial, so that fits the framework of the story.

All in all, Ilana's love is poignant, moving story about learning to trust in the healing power of God and His son - all without the benefit of Bibles, tracts, Bible Colleges and the whole Purpose Driven commercial line. Believers today would benefit from reading this story, and rediscovering the simple power of faith. Purchase Ilana's Love at Authorhouse today.