Jewel of the Nile

By: Tessa Afshar

Narrated by: Lynette Freeman

Whispered secrets about her parents’ past take on new urgency for Chariline as she pays one last visit to the land of her forefathers, the ancient kingdom of Cush.

Raised as an orphan by her aunt, Chariline has only been told a few pieces of her parents’ tragic love story. Her beautiful dark skin is proof that her father was Cushite, but she knows nothing else. While visiting her grandfather before his retirement as the Roman official in the queen’s court, Chariline overhears that her father is still alive, and discovering his identity becomes her obsession. Both her grandfather and the queen have reasons for keeping this secret, however, and forbid her quest. So when her only clues lead to Rome, Chariline sneaks on the ship of a merchant trusted by friends.

Theo is shocked to discover a stowaway on board his vessel and determines to be rid of her as soon as possible. But drawn in by Chariline’s story, he feels honor-bound to see her safely to shore, especially when it appears someone may be willing to kill for the truth she seeks.

In this transformative tale of historical fiction, best-selling author Tessa Afshar brings to life the kingdom of Cush and the Roman Empire, introducing listeners to a fascinating world filled with gripping adventure, touching romance, and a host of lovable characters - including some they may recognize from the biblical book of Acts.

©2021 Tessa Afshar (P)2021 Recorded Books

Wonderfully Written! Love this author….but….Awkward Narration

I pre-ordered this book because Tessa Afshar is one of my favorite authors. Her stories are so well-written and heart-felt, as well as well-researched! But the narration was a disappointment. I wish I had read the book, instead. The narrator is talented. Her voice is pleasant; even the voices she uses for male characters is fine. But the high, screechy voice and over-emphasis she uses on the leading females voices is terribly annoying! The leading character sounds like a whiney toddler. It almost ruined the book for me. My teen sons cannot even stand to hear the book read; they ask me to turn it off when they came in the room because of the voices used for female characters are so over-dramatic. I highly recommend reading this book over listening to it. The story is worth it!

Okay Story but narrator screeches

I really liked Tessa’s first book Pearl in the Sand, but this felt like she was just full filling a contract. There were some good parts but it didn’t have any true depth, more like she was just going though the motions.
The worst part was the narration for most of the women, it often left me wincing, their voices were very high pitched and screechy. The men’s voices were nicely done, and so was the Queen’s.

Good story, terrible narratioin.

Really looked forward to another Tessa Afshar book and she did not disappoint! Although there was less focus on God and more on cruel earthly circumstances, it was still a good story with a good ending. The narrator is terrible. The 24 y/o main character sounds like a whiny flighty immature 5 y/o, when she really should sound grown up and mature, and most women's voices sound like screeching witch characters. The men mostly sound growling. That really detracts from the story.

**Edited after second listen in April of '22. I can more relate to the story now and wanting to know your father after accidentally discovering that my dad is not my dad through DNA. But I hope I never sound this whiny and screechy, ha.

Narration

I love Tessa Afshar’s books. The narration of male voices is excellent; however, the narration of female voices is so disappointing…even irritating. I admire and respect this art and trust that the narrator will reserve this high pitched voice for children’s books.

Trite

Have read many of her books. This one not up to par! Main character immature, self centered and stupid.
Did not help that performers voice made her sound like a 6 year old.
Could not recommend.

amazing

Tessa Afshar is my favorite author! Her books bring the Bible to life for me. I love this book and many more

Like nails on a chalkboard

I loved the story and everything else except the screeching of the female characters. Please don’t use those again. The narrator using her feminine voice would have been so much better. The screeching was almost too much.

Narration is a Trial

I can’t tell if I liked the story because the narration was a sore trial. I like the author so I listened to the whole thing but the voices for the females especially was impossible to adjust to.

love story, Hate Narration

I love Tessa's books, but this is the first time that I simply hated the narration. I'm sure Ms Freeman is a wonderful person and actress, but her voice of the characters were unbearable. I endured it because I wanted to see the story to its conclusion. I am African American, so it has nothing to do with race. I love her voice, I just hated the way she did the voice of the characters.

Jewel of the Nile

Story was interesting and enjoyable, but high-pitched voices of female characters were hard to listen to.