Ordinary Women of the Bible Book 24: The Dearly Beloved

The Dearly Beloved: Apphia’s Story is the 24th book in the Ordinary Women of the Bible fiction series.

Apphia’s life changes the day she finds a precious exposita—an abandoned baby—on the steps of the temple and claims it as her own. She names the little girl Kalyani and is thrilled and grateful to finally be a mother. But Kalyani is only three when Apphia’s brother declares that the child is his slave, as Apphia cannot legally adopt her. To save her daughter’s life and future, Apphia flees with Kalyani to Kolossai. There they are welcomed by a house church whose members not only value Apphia’s skills but treat her as family. However, even as Apphia settles into her new life and learns to become a follower of the Way, she fears that her brother may one day locate her and Kalyani. Can she trust those who have taken her in to protect her? Or will her brother’s greed steal away her daughter and the happiness they have found?