Unwavering Heart 

A JustRead Publicity Tour

About the Book Unwavering Heart 

When Rebekah is offered a marriage to Isaac–heir to the wealthy and well-respected Abraham–she leaves behind the only world she has known and ventures into the sunbaked lands of Canaan. In her new household, Rebekah learns of the mysterious Adonai, whose favor has showered Abraham’s family with abundance. To ensure her future children have a different childhood than hers, she makes a promise to God: If blessed with children, she will love all of them equally.

Twenty years later, her prayer is answered with twins who could not be more different. Gentle and thoughtful Jacob captures her heart, while wild Esau seems determined to defy her at every turn. As her sons grow into men, Rebekah finds herself torn between her promise and undeniable truths. Can she keep her love impartial even as she places her faith in God’s covenant?

New York Times bestselling author Angela Hunt brings the world of the Old Testament matriarchs to life in this biblical fiction story of motherhood, love, and God’s everlasting faithfulness. A perfect read for fans of Francine Rivers, Mesu Andrews, Heather Kaufman, Tessa Afshar, Connilyn Cossette, and Jill Eileen Smith.

About the Author of Unwavering Heart 

Christy Award winner Angela Hunt writes for readers who have learned to expect the unexpected in novels from this versatile author. With nearly six million copies of her books sold worldwide, she is the best-selling author of more than 170 works ranging from picture books (The Tale of Three Trees) to novels.

Now that her two children are grown, Angie and her husband live in Florida with Very Big Dogs (a direct result of watching Turner and Hooch and Sandlot too many times). This affinity for mastiffs has not been without its rewards–one of their dogs was featured on Live with Regis and Kelly as the second-largest canine in America. Their dog received this dubious honor after an all-expenses-paid trip to Manhattan for the dog and the Hunts, complete with VIP air travel and a stretch limo in which they toured New York City.

Afterwards, the dog gave out pawtographs at the airport.

Angela admits to being fascinated by animals, medicine, psychology, unexplained phenomena, and “just about everything” except sports. Books, she says, have always shaped her life— in the fifth grade she learned how to flirt from reading Gone with the Wind.

Her books have won the coveted Christy Award, several Angel Awards from Excellence in Media, and the Gold and Silver Medallions from Foreword Magazine’s Book of the Year Award. In 2007, her novel The Note was featured as a Christmas movie on the Hallmark channel. Romantic Times Book Club presented her with a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2006, and American Christian Fiction Writers bestowed the same award in 2019.

In 2006, Angela completed her Master of Biblical Studies in Theology degree and completed her second doctorate in 2015. When she’s not home reading or writing, Angie often travels to teach writing workshops at schools and writers’ conferences. And to talk about her dogs, of course.

My thoughts on Unwavering Heart 

Let me start with brutal honesty.  Biblical fiction is my second least favorite genre.  The first is science fiction.  Why you might ask?  Well, because I feel that a lot of historical fiction adds too much to the Bible and takes away from the story.  

This is where I now add a caveat.  Angela Hunt is one of my favorite authors.  And I love her Biblical fiction.  Why?  Because instead of detracting from the story she adds to it with wisdom and research.  She gives the people we are learning about more of a voice, without going against Scripture.  

In this novel, we visit Rebekah.  And we figure out how she might have felt, what she might have gone through. After all, she leaves her family to go and marry Isaac.  She’s never met him. She’s never met his family. And his God is not her God. 

Her vow. 

This, to me, is the most important part.  It proves her humanity.  She’s not a saint from the Bible but rather just a woman who makes a vow and then, well, you decide whether she keeps it or not.  

What was her vow?  

Rebekah vows that if she can have children, she will love them equally.  And 20 years after her vow, she has twins, Jacob and Esau.  But almost immediately, she loves and favors Jacob.  While Esau she has a hard time understanding and he seems to not try to win her love which makes her maybe more resistant to him.  

As a mom myself, I find this a bit difficult.  I’ve adopted children, and given birth to children, plus I have babies waiting in heaven.  I love them all.  Maybe the love shown is different now because I don’t think the snuggles and kisses I give my 2-year-old would go over the best with my 20-year-old, but my heart is filled with love for each of them. I can’t imagine having twins and not feeling that deep and soul-filling love for one of them.  

Can I confess something? 

I’ve always hated this story.  I have hated how a mother could help one son steal what belonged to the other son.  How could she so blatantly favor one over the other?!

This was a wonderful retelling of a great Bible story.  I loved how the author portrayed it.  But I wish she would have maybe given Esau some more lovable qualities.  It’s almost like everyone has to see him through his mother’s eyes.  As we know from later in the story of their lives, he reacts wonderfully; he’s loving and compassionate, and I truly believe he was that all along.  He just didn’t show it the same way as Jacob.  

I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, which I received from JustRead Publicity Tours. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review, nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC regulations.