U.K. publisher Authentic Media announces the release today of the latest Biblical novel by Nashville resident Paula K. Parker, “Sisters of Lazarus: Beauty Unveiled”, which examines the story of two of the Bible’s most famous sisters, Martha and Mary. The book is distributed in the U.S. by Capitol Christian Distribution.
Sisters of Lazarus has received endorsements from numerous high-profile celebrities, including actress Roma Downey, best known for her role in Touched By An Angel and as the co-producer of the critically-acclaimed mini-series The Bible, the top-selling TV mini-series on DVD of all time, which recently aired on the History Channel.
“Sisters of Lazarus is a fun and meaningful read, offering the best of what biblical fiction provides–a tale built around beloved scriptural figures. But Paula Parker goes deeper than just creating an entertaining story featuring Mary and Martha. She explores the eternal question of what it means to be truly beautiful,” says Downey.
In Parker’s novel, Martha and Mary, the two sisters of Lazarus, couldn’t be more different. Martha, the elder, is plain and self-conscious; Mary, the younger, is beautiful and vain. One sees her value only in serving, while the other believes her outward appearance is her only asset. Their worlds are turned upside down when Lazarus offers hospitality to an intriguing new teacher named Jesus.
Parker invites her readers in, allowing them to feel like a fellow guest sharing the sisters’ wonder at meeting Jesus for the first time and experiencing His transforming power, demonstrated by one of the most astonishing miracles ever recorded–raising their brother, Lazarus, from the dead.
More than simply a re-telling of a familiar Bible story, Sisters of Lazarus: Beauty Unveiled explores what it means to be a woman of God, and how the true value of a woman does not lie in her outward appearance or her skills, accomplishments, possessions or intellect.
“In Sisters of Lazarus: Beauty Unveiled, Paula K. Parker pens a riveting story of love, longing and faith,” says Bonnie Keen, author and recording artist with the Dove Award-winning vocal trio, First Call. “Parker’s novel bears the profoundly satisfying mark of her gift as a playwright. She combines masterful story-telling with well-crafted dialogue. The result is a cast of Biblical characters fresh and human and real.”
“Through the eyes of Lazarus, Mary and Martha, the reader eagerly connects with three siblings from a normal, dysfunctional family. Gone are the dusty, unapproachable characters of Sunday school,” Keen says. “Set in Bethany, 2000 years ago, Parker breaks the time barrier with her brilliant use of cultural detail. The veil lifts, and we are brought face to face with flesh-and-blood people who jump off the pages and into our 21st century world. We resonate with their struggles, dreams, delights, disappointments, and in the unpredictable ways God continually touches the human heart. Thank you Paula, for giving a powerful new voice to another ageless story.”
For more information about Sisters of Lazarus: Beauty Unveiled or Parker, visit PaulaKParker.com.
