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A Quiz and a Giveaway

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S__A35FNow that my Restoration Chronicles series is complete, I’m giving away a free set of these three books to one of my readers. The series is based on the biblical books of Ezra and Nehemiah, so take this True/False quiz first to see how much you remember about them:

Ezra & Nehemiah Trivia Quiz

1) Both of these men were born in Jerusalem.

Modern Jerusalem

Modern Jerusalem

2) They lived during the time of Queen Esther.

3) Ezra served as a priest of God.

4) The King of Persia granted the exiled Jews permission to return to Jerusalem and provided funds to rebuild God’s Temple.

5) When the Jews returned to Jerusalem from exile, Ezra encouraged them to intermarry with the people already living in the land.

6) Israel’s neighboring nations helped the Jews rebuild the Holy Temple in Jerusalem.

Model of Temple in Jerusalem

Model of Temple in Jerusalem

7) Nehemiah held an important position in the Persian government before going to Jerusalem.

8) There were women who helped Nehemiah rebuild Jerusalem’s wall.

9) Nehemiah and his co-laborers worked on the wall with one hand and carried a weapon in the other hand.

10) Ezra and Nehemiah celebrated the completion of the wall together.

Me in front of Nehemiah's Wall in The City of David in Jerusalem

Me in front of Nehemiah’s Wall in The City of David in Jerusalem

Answers:

1) False – The Jewish people had been carried into captivity by the Babylonians and both Ezra and Nehemiah were born in exile.

2) True – The time periods of these two biblical books and the Book of Esther overlap.

3) True – He traces his genealogy back to Aaron, the first High Priest (see Ezra 7:1-5).

4) True – A copy of his decree is found in Ezra 1:2-4.

Torah Scroll

Torah Scroll

5) False – When Ezra learned that some Jews had married idol worshippers, he took drastic action (see Ezra 9-10).

6) False – Their offer to help was refused for fear they would mix their idolatry with true worship (see Ezra 3:1-3).

7) True – He served as a cupbearer to the Persian king, a position of great trust similar to a secret service agent who guards the president.

8) True – As unbelievable as this sounds, it’s true (see Nehemiah 3:12).

9) True – They refused to let their enemies halt their work (see Nehemiah 4:16-18).

Looking down at Nehemiah's Wall

Looking down at Nehemiah’s Wall

10) True – Nehemiah 12:27-36 describes the celebration and says that Ezra led one of the processions.

ShofarHow did you do? Don’t feel bad if you didn’t know all of the answers. I didn’t either until I began researching this series! But you can learn everything you need to know by reading my Restoration Chronicles. Book One, Return to Me, tells how the Jews who had been exiled to Babylon returned to their homeland to rebuild God’s Temple—the same Temple where Jesus later worshipped (although it was greatly embellished by King Herod). Book Two, Keepers of the Covenant, tells the story of the second wave of immigrants who returned, led by Ezra the teacher and priest. Book Three, On This Foundation, tells the story of Nehemiah, who took a leave of absence from the Persian king’s court to rebuild Jerusalem’s walls.

ReturntoMe_mck.indd

BenShlim-Book-Cover

BenShlim-Book-Cover

One lucky reader will win a free set of these 3 books. Just leave a comment below to enter.

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Lynn Austin

Lynn Austin, a former teacher who now writes and speaks full time. Lynn was recently inducted into the Christy Award Hall for Fame for winning eight Christy Awards for her historical fiction. One of those novels, Hidden Places, has also been made into a Hallmark Channel movie. Lynn and her husband have raised three children and make their home near Chicago, Illinois.

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Comments

  1. I love Biblical fiction because I learn a lot in a fun way. I definitely did not do well on the quiz.

    • I have almost read all of your books! I bought a few of them on Audible and have many paper copies on my bookshelves. After reading all of Francine River’s books, I needed to find another favorite author and I found you! I only have your newly completed series to read (Return to Me), Eve’s Daughters and Wings of Refuge to read, then I will have read all your books! I have many well loved books that you wrote but Refiner’s Fire and Chronicles of the Kings series are my all time favorites. I’m glad to find out today that you were a teacher before you started to write. Maybe I too will write one day!

  3. I loved this series and found it so spiritually uplifting and challenging. I can’t wait to see what you are writing next!
    Thanks for the giveaway!!!!

  4. I always enjoy your Biblical fiction books! I did a study on Nehemiah last year and learned so much (although I still didn’t get all your quiz questions right 🙂

  6. I got all but one question correct. I love everything you write. I’ve learned so much about the old testament by reading this and your other series,Chronicles. Waiting patiently for your new book.

  10. It was great reviewing what I knew about Ezra & Nehemiah. It would be wonderful to read these books.

  12. I did so-so on the quiz. Love your books. Looking forward to reading this newest one. Thank you for the giveaway–here’s hoping!

  17. I haven’t had a chance to read any of this series yet, looks intriguing! The Old Testament is fascinating, and the time of Esther has long been one of my favorites to read about.

    Thanks for the giveaway, and congrats on finishing up the series!

  18. I would love to win this set! Your work in biblical fiction is so vivid and moving. Thank you for giving this set to a fortunate reader!

  19. These books sound wonderful!I have been waiting to read them and haven’t got the chance. Thanks so much for the giveaway!

  21. I would love to win this series. Biblical fiction is good to read because you not only enjoy a good story but you learn Bible facts. I didn’t do very good on the quiz. 😮

  22. I, too, write biblical fiction because I have always loved reading it. Whether or not I win the set, I would like to get to know you better. My books are at inspirationsbykatheryn.com and, of course, on Amazon. I am between books right now, waiting for my proof copy to arrive, and this is the time I always read other authors’ works. I do look forward to reading everything you wrote.

  23. I love reading Biblical fiction and love reading your books, Lynn! I would love to read this series! I did pretty well on the quiz. Not perfect, but not too shabby. 🙂

  24. I always enjoy the beautiful pictures with your posts. I’ve read all your books except for the last one in the series. Thank you for the giveaway!

  25. I recently read THE STRENGTH OF HIS HAND. I loved it!!! I’m looking forward to reading The Restoration Chronicles!

  27. I have this on my TBR list. I have loved every book of yours that I have read. Would love to win this set. Your series are always so well researched that they make your readers feel like they have been transported back to Biblical times. God Bless you as you continue to write.

  31. I’ve read many of your more contemporary novels, but not any of the Biblical based ones. I would love to receive this series.

  32. Thanks for this quiz. It was interesting to see what I didn’t remember! I would appreciate being able to own your books. Thank you for the chance.
    Blessings!
    Connie
    cps1950(at)gmail(dot)com

  34. These will be fascinating reads! Nehemiah has especially interested me because he went from cupbearer to the king to wall builder for Jerusalem. I will put these on my to read list win or lose. Thank you.

  35. The quiz was very challenging! I wish I’d done better. The three books look wonderful. It is my favorite genre.

  36. O, thank you for such a great opportunity to win your books! Ever since Wonderland Creek, I’m a fan! Thank you. I look forward to reading this series from you.
    Annie JC

  37. I haven’t read your books, but I do appreciate the giveaway. The history seems so real when someone has already done the research & compiled them into novels. Please continue writing. Thanks again for the opportunity to own your books.

  41. This story has always fascinated me. When I think of how diligently they worked to repair the walls with sword in hand, I am ashamed at the little I do for my community. Your books will certainly bring the scriptures alive.

  42. I just finished Chronicles of the Kings. The series helped me understand and get closer to God! Alot of things that I have been struggling with understanding now seems clear. Thank you for an awesome Series!

  43. Lynn, I’ve always appreciated how well you research your books. I always learn so much about whatever time period you’re writing about. I loved revisiting Nehemiah and Ezra after reading On This Foundation, and couldn’t believe how much I had blazed past before. One of my favorites was noticing the line about Shallum’s daughters in Nehemiah 3:12 after reading your book. The Lord has definitely used your words to help me love the Bible more deeply and enter into what I’m reading beyond a familiar story.

  44. Wow, they must have been hard books to write… As such unpaven territory! Keep up your wonderful work 😄

  46. I would love to win the set of these books!I’ve read a few Biblical fiction books and learned a lot through them 🙂 These ones look great, thanks for the chance!

  47. I love that your books are well researched. I am currently leading a Bible study on Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther and Haggai! Talk about being in over my head! I have learned so much and get so excited with each new to me discovery. What really amazed me was that I knew every answer to your quiz. I would have known about half of them if it were not for this study which tells me that you REALLY DID A LOT OF RESEARCH!Thank you for such good reading material.

  48. I love Biblical fiction, and this time period is very unique! Thank you for all the in-depth research you do when writing. I would like to win a set of this series!

  49. I have already replied previously, but wanted to add a bit more. Please don’t award the books to me, because I already own a set, and have read them through, twice. I’ve read some of your other books, three and even four times. I just love your writing. So well researched. Wings of Refuge is a nice mixture of old and new testament. Please keep writing forever!

  51. I didn’t do to bad on the quiz..lol. Thanks for making me think! I would love to win – thanks so much for the giveaway. I thoroughly enjoy Biblical fiction!

  52. I did…. so-so. 😉
    Though I haven’t read these books (I don’t really enjoy Biblical fiction very much), I have enjoyed many of your others– the Refiner’s Fire series is my all-time favorite series! 😀
    However, my pastor’s mother-in-law absolutely loves Biblical fiction so I would love to win this series for her! 🙂

  56. Was reading “inspired by life and fiction’ blurb/email and ran across the books written by Lynn Austin. Had not heard of this series before. This interests me very much. Have always been fascinated by the ‘old’ days before the times of Jesus of Nazareth. Thank you for writing this series and the giveaway. Have a wonderful rest of New Year. (Cindy Castillo Hipolito)

  58. Honestly, I didn’t do well at all. Three or four out of ten. That goes to show that it wouldn’t hurt reading this series, doesn’t it? ;P Hmm.. I think I’ve missed a lot when reading their stories in the Bible. How did you feel about doing research on people that lived such a long time ago and who can be found in the Bible as well as in Jeruzalem?

  60. This is a fascinating time in Israel’s history. I just gave a two-part talk in my Bible study on Nehemiah called “The Prayer Life of a Man of Action.”

    I’d love to read your series takes place in the time of Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther.

  62. I would love to win this series! I’ve never read these books, but they sound really good.

  64. I finished “Though Waters Roar” a couple of days ago (and loved it!) and am currently reading “A Woman’s Place”…would love to read these ones as well!

  69. I have loved your books for so long. I once followed your book writing online and got my high school girls to join. How we waiting for your next writing! Every book that I have read which you have written has been superb. I’d be thankful to win anything you write.

  70. How amazing I can write to you so easily to share how much your books mean to me! They are truly a part of my life and encourage me deeply in the Lord. A Proper Pursuit and Wonderland Creek are my favorites:)) Praise God for your gift of storytelling!! I would love to read and own the Restoration Chronicles too.

  71. What I love about your books is that they always lead me to the Scriptures. I love seeing how closely you stick to the Word in your stories. You really make God’s Word come to life!

  72. I have just finished Risen. I totally loved it. It made me look at the scriptures differently. Sometimes we forget the impact Jesus has on the people. I know I do and it is great to be reminded of who he is.
    Sonnetta_jones@hotmail.com

  74. I work in my church library an I’m constantly recommending your books to people. I’ve read them all but this series. So excellent! I’m looking forward to getting into this one as soon as possible. I didn’t do that great on the quiz, but your books will help remedy that because they cause me to go back to scripture and study with a whole different mindset. After I read “Chronicles of the Kings” I had to go back and re-read all the parts in the Bible that had to do with the period. Such a different experience it is to read the Bible when you feel like you know the people. I love it. Thank you for sharing your gift with the world.

  75. Currently reading the 2nd book of the series – thanks to our local public library 🙂 Blessings to all who read great historical fiction!!

  76. I’ve greatly enjoyed every book of yours I’ve read but I especially love the Biblical ones. They lead me to read the Scriptures the stories are based on and I am very thankful for the care you give to your research to remain true to the Scripture and to the historical facts. Other authors I’ve started to read do not take the care you do and it is frustrating when their stories are Biblically incorrect. I usually do not finish a book once I find an error like that. Thank for your commitment to the truth.

  77. I would love to read these books – I find the books of Ezra and Nehemiah so interesting; both men were such amazing examples of godly leadership.

  78. Am looking forward to reading the third in the series. The first two are amazing! Thank you for sharing.

  79. I’m excited for the third book, having enjoyed the first two. Thank you for an insightful quiz and a fun giveaway! I can’t wait to see what you’re writing next.

  81. Thank you for working diligently to make biblical characters come alive. I find myself thinking about the characters, settings, situations, long after I’ve read and re-read your books.

  82. Love all your books, Lynn. I would love to receive your books and pass them around to friends and family. Keep ’em coming!

  83. I picked up a new book on prayer yesterday. Opening the cover, I paused as memories of how far I’ve grown in my prayer life flitted about my thoughts. One of those memories reminded me of the fear I used to hold about asking God for anything. Every time I tried to pray, thoughts of Hezekiah’s big prayer asking for more years to live loomed big. In my mind that prayer backfired and ended up hurting so many people! I didn’t want to hurt anyone with my “thoughtless” prayers! The legacies of Hezekiah’s prayer were disastrous. Manasseh, one of the worst of the Biblical kings, was conceived and born, and by parading the Babylonians around Judah’s wealth invited them to invade. My fear of asking for something that wouldn’t be good left me paralyzed. Through the promptings of the Holy Spirit, I finally asked God to show me how it could possibly be ok to ask for something from Him. Then I found your Chronicles of Kings series. You had such compassion for Hezekiah and even Manasseh! By the end of the series, my fear faded and, in time, disappeared. I look forward to experiencing your perspective of Nehemiah because, again, I need a mental adjustment. Whenever I read about Nehemiah I feel angry. He became so focused on not “sinning” that he began mandating “righteousness”. In my mind, he was the source of the Pharisee’s legalism that choked the life out of intimacy with God and, quite literally, out of Jesus. I think I’ve lost sight of all the good he did and desperately want a way to redirect my thoughts. I find stories, especially yours, give me a big enough picture of a character’s life that I too find compassion. Thank you for sharing your experiences with God through story. Those stories help in ways you could never anticipate when you write.

  84. Your series sounds interesting, and like an excellent way to help me remember my Old Testament better. I thank Jesus that He led you to write this series of books, enabling many people to either build upon their biblical knowledge base, or introducing people to the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Praise God for writers like you, who use their talents for the One Who gave them the talents.
    I will be honest and say I hope to win, but if not, that’s fine too. To God be the glory. Keep bringing the Bible to the world.

  85. I hope I am not too late to enter . . . I love books that are Bible-fiction. They are so satisfying to read. You don’t walk away feeling that you were reading something you shouldn’t. Books like this make me want to go back to the Bible and see the real story and then make the connections between the two. Always a thrill to find others who enjoy books like this. God bless ♥

  86. I just finished Candle in the Darkness and have read some of your other books set in America. I would like to read these to understand Biblical history better.
    Thanks for all the fine research and moving writing that you do and for sharing your gift with the world!

  87. I love all your books! It’s draws me closer to God. It always made me cry… God bless your ministry…

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