Blood of a Stone

". . . gripping story of friendship and betrayal, love against all odds, and the brutal Roman Empire . . .” —National Book Award Winner, Gloria Whelan

“. . . leads the reader on a journey of surprise and suspense.” —Wall Street Journal Top Ten book selection author, Diane Foley Mabrey

“ . . . powerful and fast-moving tale of sin and redemption." —American Fiction Prize Winner, Clint McCowen, author of Haints

“Blood of a Stone feels alive on every page . . .” —Nance Van Winckel, author of Boneland

". . . stunning evocation of 1st-century Palestine in all its teeming, multifaceted complexity . . . " —Diane Lefer, co-author of The Blessing Next to the Wound

Set in the first century on the edges of the Roman Empire and the Jesus movement, Blood of a Stone is a sweeping story of murder, betrayal, love, and the search for redemption.

Faced with the brutality of slavery, Demetrios confronts his master and flees by the blood of a stone. Determined to escape his past, he struggles to create a new life and a new identity with his friend and fellow escaped slave, Elazar.

However, freedom has its price. Secrets cannot remain secret forever. A chance for love is lost. Elazar betrays Demetrios to a so-called prophet named Jesus of Nazareth. Fearing the Roman authorities and Jesus, Demetrios risks everything to silence those who would enslave him again. His quest leads him to startling discoveries and dire choices. Demetrios must answer the question we all ask: Can we ever be free of our past?