Hospitality holds a special significance for the people of the Middle East.

But let’s start with something really important.
Let’s start with you.

I want to remind you of a few truths, in case they have grown dim in your heart.

You are precious. You are worthy of unfailing love. You are cherished. Your life has a firm purpose. A universe without you is just not a good enough universe. It’s incomplete.

This is part of your original design according to Scripture. These are unshakable truths about you. You were made to belong, not to be abandoned. That is why Jesus is lovingly pursuing you. He has chosen you. Now, He wants to restore you to your true self and fulfill your destiny.

Whether writing novels or non-fiction, I try to help my readers internalize these truths.

God is invested in redeeming your life. He considers you His treasure and calls you His beloved. His Son, Jesus, is never far from you. He has set His affections on you and desires to heal your heart, forgive your failures, and renew your hope.

I write books that try to capture these truths . . . about you, and about God.

In my novels, you will find laughter and tears.

You may find love stories that capture your imagination. But my dearest hope is that by the last page, you are closer to God, and closer to your true self.

In my Bible study and DVD teaching, I try to make room for God to carve these truths deeper into your soul until you grow in your faith. Until you become more of the blessing God designed you to be.

If that sounds good, why don’t you linger with me a while? I want you to know, I just finished praying for you.

Much love,

Tessa

About Tessa Afshar

Tessa Afshar is the Publisher’s Weekly bestselling author of biblical and inspirational historical fiction, including Land of Silence, which won an INSPY Award and was voted by Library Journal as one of the top five Christian fiction titles of 2016, and Harvest of Gold, which won a Christy Award in the Historical Romance category.

Harvest of Rubies was a finalist for the 2013 ECPA Christian Book Award for fiction.

In 2011, after publishing her first novel, Pearl in the Sand, Tessa was named New Author of the Year by the FamilyFiction-sponsored Reader’s Choice Awards.

Tessa’s latest trilogy of biblical fiction, Thief of Corinth, Daughter of Rome, and Jewel of the Nile are based on minor characters from the book of Acts. Daughter of Rome is a finalist for the Carol Award, 2021.

Tessa’s Bible study, The Way Home: God’s Invitation to New Beginnings, based on the book of Ruth, won the 2021 ECPA Christian Book Award in the Bible Study category. Optional videos of the same title are available with this book. The Way Home was chosen by Moody Radio SFL for their summer of 2020 book study. 

Tessa was born in the Middle East and lived there for the first fourteen years of her life. She then moved to England, where she survived boarding school for girls and fell in love with Jane Austen and Charlotte Bronte, before moving to the United States permanently.

Her conversion to Christianity in her twenties changed the course of her life forever. Tessa holds a Master of Divinity from Yale, where she was elected as the co-chair of the Evangelical Fellowship at the Divinity School for one year.

She served in women and prayer ministries for twenty years before becoming a full-time writer and speaker.

Tessa is a devoted wife, an enthusiastic cook, and a mediocre gardener. But that has not cured her from being exceptionally fond of chocolate.

Literary Awards