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Temper the Wind: Days of the Judges Book 1 Audible Audiobook – Unabridged

4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 619 ratings

For 18 years, Gilead has been under relentless attack from neighboring Ammon. Javan, a tall, handsome Israelite warrior, has lost everything during the Ammonite attacks. The sole survivor of his family, possessor of nothing but burned land, he joined with Jepthah's army to bring vengeance, decimating 20 cities along the Israelite/Ammonite border.

During the mopping-up after the last victorious battle, Javan finds Taleh hiding in the remnants of her house. Caught off guard by her stunning beauty, he claims her for a wife, not telling her that one of the conditions she must comply with is having her head shaved. That nasty surprise is dumped on her the night their marriage is registered in the village. Now she's bald, and her husband seems to have forgotten her in the village to make her own way among people who are as unhappy to have her as she is to be there.

Unbeknownst to either of them, another soldier had also spoken for Taleh, and he will stop at nothing to get her for himself.

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Product details

Listening Length 11 hours and 33 minutes
Author Mary Ellen Boyd
Narrator Satauna Howery
Whispersync for Voice Ready
Audible.com Release Date September 03, 2015
Publisher Mary Ellen Boyd
Program Type Audiobook
Version Unabridged
Language English
ASIN B014VB7MSG
Best Sellers Rank #366,074 in Audible Books & Originals (See Top 100 in Audible Books & Originals)
#265 in Ancient World Historical Romance (Audible Books & Originals)
#2,665 in Ancient World Historical Romance (Books)
#3,471 in Christian Romance (Audible Books & Originals)

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
619 global ratings

Customers say

Customers find the book enjoyable and satisfying. They appreciate the engaging storyline with enough intrigue to keep them hooked. The writing is well-crafted and easy to read, with well-developed characters that are easy to follow.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

42 customers mention "Readability"42 positive0 negative

Customers find the book engaging and well-written. They describe it as a fun, satisfying read set in an interesting time period. The characters are well-developed and the story is thought-provoking.

"...this book and have already read the sequel "His Brothers Wife" a wonderful author." Read more

"...a little long, could’ve been shortened some but it was still a really good read!" Read more

"Great job, loved the story. Read all the books, could not put them down...." Read more

"...So clean and wholesome, great messages but still beautiful chemistry and great character development. I instantly bought book 2 in this series." Read more

38 customers mention "Story quality"34 positive4 negative

Customers find the story engaging with a good plotline and historical accuracy. They appreciate the fast-paced, interesting storyline with enough intrigue to keep them reading. The beginning is compelling and the book is described as an enjoyable read.

"...This was a wonderful story, well written and very touching. The characters are real and you can believe their troubles and problems are also real...." Read more

"...to do that and keep the reader’s interest, as well as keep a good story line going but Mary Ellen Boyd did it successfully...." Read more

"Great job, loved the story. Read all the books, could not put them down...." Read more

"This is a wonderful story. It is a well written historical fiction told back in the days of the judges of Israel...." Read more

11 customers mention "Writing quality"11 positive0 negative

Customers find the book well-written and entertaining. They say the author did a good job with the story.

"...This was a wonderful story, well written and very touching. The characters are real and you can believe their troubles and problems are also real...." Read more

"...The author did a great job in writing the story. It depicts situations as they might have occurred hundreds of years ago...." Read more

"Beautifully Written. Excited to read the rest of the series...." Read more

"...They are easy reading and enjoyable." Read more

7 customers mention "Character development"7 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's character development. They say the characters are well-written and not too many to keep up with.

"...This was a wonderful story, well written and very touching. The characters are real and you can believe their troubles and problems are also real...." Read more

"...wholesome, great messages but still beautiful chemistry and great character development. I instantly bought book 2 in this series." Read more

"...The characters were very interesting to follow thru the book!" Read more

"I enjoyed this book and found the story and characters compelling...." Read more

4 customers mention "Insight"4 positive0 negative

Customers find the book helpful for understanding biblical times and making the Bible come alive. It provides insight into the days of the Law before Jesus came.

"...Law played out, what life was like in that time, as it helps make the bible come alive and the context of the Word from the time in which it was..." Read more

"I love this book! Really helps me visualize the Old Testament words and brings it alive to me <3 amazing!" Read more

"...There were not too many characters to keep up. Gives a slight insight of ancient biblical times." Read more

"Awesome book - helps to have insight into the days of the Law before Jesus came!" Read more

3 customers mention "Cleanliness"3 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's clean writing style. They find it exciting and romantic.

"...So clean and wholesome, great messages but still beautiful chemistry and great character development. I instantly bought book 2 in this series." Read more

"A very enjoyable read, clean, exciting, romantic, just totally enjoyed reading this! Kept me wanting to turn the pages till book was done!" Read more

"Excellent book. I was very glad that I found this book, and it's clean!" Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on October 6, 2013
    This was a captivating story! Javan a officer in the Israelite army has fought for years with Jephthah the leader of the army fighting to destroy the Ammonites who have been attacking farms in Gilead, killing families or taking them prisoner to sacrifice to their god Molech. When they reach the city of Minnith it is their final battle, once the city is conquered the army is allowed to search the houses for treasure and they must kill or enslave the people. Israelite soldiers can marry slaves if they follow the law, the woman must be a virgin, he must shave her head and not touch her for a month once he has declared his intention to the village leaders.

    When Javan sees Taleh he is instantly in love and once he determines that she is pure he tells her to tell anyone who asks that she belongs to him. Taleh cannot abide the murder of babies to sacrifice to Molech she has refused to attend the ceremonies and her mother has told her that Molech will not save them from the Israelites if everyone does not support the sacrifices. When the city is overrun with Israel soldiers Taleh hides in her home and is discovered by Javan and taken as a slave. Taleh does not know what will happen to her in Gilead but at least she is alive.

    Javan and Taleh return to his home to rebuild his farm they work together and in spite of difficulties they begin to understand each other. Taleh is starting to believe in the law of Israel, no one is killed to appease this God and no babies are sacrificed, she can live with that. But her one worry is that she cannot conceive and the thought of Javan taking another wife is terrifying.

    This was a wonderful story, well written and very touching. The characters are real and you can believe their troubles and problems are also real. I enjoyed this book and have already read the sequel "His Brothers Wife" a wonderful author.
    10 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on March 6, 2022
    I love how the story tells the sides of 2 people involved within the story. It can be difficult to do that and keep the reader’s interest, as well as keep a good story line going but Mary Ellen Boyd did it successfully. It ran a little long, could’ve been shortened some but it was still a really good read!
  • Reviewed in the United States on March 25, 2024
    Great job, loved the story. Read all the books, could not put them down. Even though they are fiction, I do believe someone has gone through the very same things.
  • Reviewed in the United States on June 8, 2023
    This is the kind of book that reminds me of everything Christian romance can be. So clean and wholesome, great messages but still beautiful chemistry and great character development. I instantly bought book 2 in this series.
  • Reviewed in the United States on November 13, 2022
    This is a wonderful story. It is a well written historical fiction told back in the days of the judges of Israel. The author did a great job in writing the story. It depicts situations as they might have occurred hundreds of years ago. I recommend it to people of all ages.
  • Reviewed in the United States on September 16, 2013
    I read the other book, His brother's wife, before reading this one. This story pales in comparison to that one.

    Although the beginning of Temper the Wind was compiling, it's ending failed me. At times I was a bit confused on who was feeling what and why Taleh questioned Javan's affections.

    Overall it was a good read but again nothing like His Brother's Wife, which I think is a must read.
    4 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on March 22, 2022
    Story good ! PAGES are NOT ATTACHED and ARE FALLING out ! NOT PROFESSIONAL
    I should have a new sent to me . One that’s not falling apart
    One person found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on April 22, 2023
    I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and am looking forward to the next book in the series! The characters were very interesting to follow thru the book!

Top reviews from other countries

  • john. Callaghan
    5.0 out of 5 stars So well written
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 29, 2022
    My first novel by Mary Ellen. Such a good storyteller and well versed in the laws and practices of the Israelites. I loved the main characters and their transformations were believable. Looking forward to the next novel in this series.
    By Penny Callaghan
  • Ermelinda Makkimane
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Biblical fiction of empathy
    Reviewed in India on May 29, 2021
    A deeply moving and well researched book on the times of the Judges, as described in the Bible. I highly recommend this book for a finer understanding of what went on in those dark and distant days.
  • Ashley
    5.0 out of 5 stars Very well researched and written
    Reviewed in Canada on March 18, 2016
    I have not found many books that take place in this time period, so this book was of great interest to me. I could not put the book down. I enjoyed learning how a young pagan woman might act and behave when uprooted from all she knows and brought to a different people, a new culture, a new language, and introduced to a new God. I never gave much thought to that law about captive brides before.
  • j g mcbrearty
    4.0 out of 5 stars ... of a series and the story is relly a nice read about everyday people
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 9, 2014
    this is part of a series and the story is relly a nice read about everyday people. Worth reading
  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars good read
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 4, 2013
    Great book.
    Interesting indeed, gives a good insight to how life was like for the Israelites during the days off the law.
    Would recommend it to any historical lover