Jewel of the Nile

By: Tessa Afshar

Narrated by: Lynette Freeman

Length: 12 hrs and 49 mins

Publisher's Summary

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

Caution the narrator is HORRIBLE!

I’m a big fan of Tessa Afshar so I preordered this book and couldn’t wait to listen. The voice the narrator used for the main character is so bad it actually hurt my ears sometimes. I thought at the beginning it was a little girl and she would grow up and her voice would change, nope! Ugh I pushed through the story because it was good but I had to stop and walk away her voice felt like fingernails on a chalk board. I’m hoping it’s just me but I don’t think so. I think they should re-record it, it’s that painful! I don’t know why the narrator couldn’t use her normal voice? She has a nice voice why make it a squeaky, annoying baby voice? Looking forward to seeing if anyone else feels the same way. The story was great.

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!

Narration is unacceptable

I love Tessa Afshar’s books but the narrator was so irritating and squeaky with most of the women that it totally ruined the story. I wish I had bought the book instead of the audio!

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.

Voice Annoying

The high childish voice that was used at times was annoying to the extent that it detracted from the story. I considered giving up on the book several times because of the voice used, but it’s a good story. I’d like to listen to it being read with a normal voice.

Wonderful Story Awful narration!

I was so excited about this book, that I pre ordered it and sat with bated breath for the release date. I was sorely disappointed with the naration though. Why oh why did the narrator sound like that! It was painful listening to. I was totally annoyed because it's such a beautiful story! I am a huge fan of Tessa Afshar. I listen to each of her books several times. This one however I could not endure. Please Tessa, this book deserves a recording do over.

Distracting narrator

It was difficult to follow the story because of the voices used for some of the characters especially the main character. She was portrayed with a squeaky shrill voice. I couldn’t finish the book because of it.

Tessa Afshar does it again!

I loved this book. I loved the storyline, the narrator and the message. I’m sad that I read it so fast. I’m also sad there isn’t another Tessa Afshar masterpiece waiting for me now that I have finished this latest book.

I hate to give spoilers for books and movies, so I’ll just say get it! Get all of her other books while you’re at it!

Thank you Tessa!

Jewel of the Nile

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

Voice

I struggled with Caroline's voice. Lost some of the story in feeling annoyed at her tone.

Great story, narration not so much

i really enjoy biblical fiction and in that regard the story did not disappoint. The story is romantic and intriguing, always keeping you wondering. I just didn't enjoy the narration. I didn't like how Caroline is made to sound like a four-year-old and I sometimes felt as though she didn't prepare for the recording before hand.

So frustrating…

I loved the book Love Amid ashes by the same writer, so I was eager to listen to this book. The beginning of the plot is incredible and the overall plot is really clever; however halfway through it seems the write was affected by external factors. The age of the main character is wrong, in view of the historical reality. It’s not clear how the main character is a Christian and how some of her connections take place, in view of her parentage. Where the story begins to have tension the problems are dramatic but the solutions are over romanticised. Everything works out too quickly. The emotional responses are not realistic. There was so much more this book could offer. I wished the story would have been developed in 2 or 3 books and the story really researched, with a more mature and realistic human response to each character. The last third of the book was so cheesy and quite Americanised. The culture is no longer Roman or Cush. The narrator also infantilizes some of the women’s voices. Theo is a Saint and than suddenly out of no where develops a physical attraction that does not coincide with the character as it was initially presented. No human being Christian or otherwise acknowledges, realises, confesses and overcomes serious trauma in a matter of hours or days. This is the type of book my 16 year old self, completely detached from reality and living in church lala land would have swooned over. My 43 year old self is left disappointed, seeing what could have been a fantastic trilogy delivered in a fast food, happy skies, happy endings sort of way.

terrible experience

I can't listen a minute longer. the narration is appalling. the voices for the characters is beyond belief. no one on earth talks like that. The main character Caroline is a witless individual. this is the worst story I have ever listened to.

such a beautiful story of healing and grace.

never wanted it to end. Tessa always tells stories of surrender with depth and skill