THE THIRD DAWN:
FROM BETHLEHEM TO GOLGOTHA
by
Thomas J. Nichols
Inspirational Religious Fiction / Historical Fiction
Publisher: Nicholson Books
Page Count: 212 pages
Publication Date: September 14, 2023
Updated version with new dialogue and more detailed descriptions
Scroll down for a giveaway!
Nichols turns his award-winning writing career to the greatest mystery of all time in The Third Dawn: From Bethlehem to Golgotha.
Accompanied by His lifelong friend, Nur, the young Jesus ventures throughout the towns and villages of Israel, Palestine, and across the sea to the port city of Ephesus. With Nur always at His side, Jesus experiences the joys and hardships of humanity—Jews and gentiles, rich and poor, believers and nonbelievers, freemen and slaves.
Nichols’s gifted storytelling brings forth this unique perspective on the life of the Messiah, providing a rare insight into His personal joys and suffering. The reader will experience the emotions of His power and authority when, on a mountaintop above Capernaum, He pronounces the future, and a spectacular miracle occurs in the city below.
The Third Dawn was initially published in 2011 but is now updated with new dialogue and more detailed settings.
The Third Dawn is an inspirational story of Jesus the Messiah and his early life. Nichols draws upon scripture from the New Testament to bring this story to life. It was neat to dive into the world back then, to see history of another time, and to experience what Jesus as a child must have been like. I really enjoyed seeing Jesus as a boy and seeing his relationship with his mother Mary.
It was really interesting to have the character Nur introduced to the family. They take him in as his own. To see their bond, their brotherhood, and Nur take on the role of big brother to Jesus, his faith in him, and his devotion was very beautiful. What would it have been like to be Jesus’ brother? Nur is a great character to fill in that question and we really see the strength in their family and the love they share for each other.
It was fascinating to read about their travels as they grew older. To see the world through their eyes and experience how life was back then. I’m not a very religious person but I enjoyed the aspect of their brotherly relationship and the history of what life was like back then.
The story is told through Jesus’ entire life, including the crucifixion and resurection and what occurs after. We hear this story told by Nur, Jesus, and Mary. I loved the different POV’s. Nichols is by far a creative story teller and each character had a strong presence in sharing their stories. Nichols writing is told with depth, with faith, and with vivid imagery that pulls the reader in from the very beginning.
Nichols has created something truly precious for history and religious fans alike. This is a beautiful, biblical story of Jesus, taken from Scripture but woven into a story unlike anything I have ever read before. I appreciate the story for what it is and I think others would really enjoy it!
4/5 stars
Tom’s latest work is The Third Dawn, an inspirational retelling of the early life of Jesus galvanized by his devotion to local and international church affairs. His ideas were brought to life while traveling with Gwen, his wife who also serves as his editor, to experience of the Holy Land—the Church of the Nativity, the Holy Sepulcher, The Annunciation, the Mount of Olives, the River Jordan, Capernaum, Tiberias, the Sea of Galilee, Jericho, and Ephesus.
————————————–
GIVEAWAY! GIVEAWAY! GIVEAWAY!
THREE WINNERS:
First Prize:
Signed copy of THE THIRD DAWN + $25 Amazon gift card
Second & Third Prizes: signed copy.
(US only; ends midnight, CST, 11/24/23)
CLICK TO VISIT
FOR PARTICIPATING BLOGS, ADDED AS THEY POP UP.
blog services provided by
The Page Unbound 
I greatly appreciate your meaningful comments on my book. Thank you very much.
LikeLike
I love how the author created a character to help fill-in the activities during those missing years of Jesus’ life. I look forward to reading this — thanks for sharing your thoughts.
LikeLike
Thank you for reading my book.
LikeLike