What a powerful, emotional story about Mary Magdalene! I have read several books by this author and have always loved her biblical fiction books. The stories and characters come alive and are rich with history and details.

This story was about heartache, trials, faith, healing and second chances. There were alot of biblical accounts of Jesus of Nazareth's healings and travels as mentioned in the bible, but obviously the author had to take creative liberties with characters like Susannah and Mary Magdalene.

It was so heartbreaking to read about Mary's introduction to demons and how it ruined alot of her life and relationships before being healed by Jesus. The characters and their day to day lives came alive for me and I couldn't put this book down! Highly recommend this intriguing, emotional biblical fiction account of Mary Magdalene!

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions and views expressed are my own.

“Freedom coursed through me. This man, Jesus—I didn’t know who he was or where he came from, but one thing was certain. No one had ever helped me like he had. I never wanted to leave his side.”

Jill Eileen Smith authors a well-researched, Scripture-based fictional account of Mary Magdalene that will have you amazed, terrified, and wondering. You will be amazed by the miracles Jesus does as they are fleshed out with details that truly bring them to life. You will be terrified for Mary as you see her descent into demonic oppression and get a better grip on the horrors that began to be an unpredictable part of her life, until she wishes for death. You will be left struggling with the reality of Jesus’s predictions of his death, wondering how much you might understand if His teachings and miracles were a new thing. What if the Bible were happening before your eyes, not something well-known, documented, and read and learned. I read with fresh eyes as the disciples and others see multiple miracles and still struggle to process it all, to believe Jesus is really the Son of God as He claims. And then the seemingly contradictory statements. As much as possible, Smith has Jesus speaking using Bible passages, in a concerted effort to avoid any conflict with Scripture. It is so interesting to view Jesus’s ministry from a woman’s point of view- so many emotions while the men reasoned and argued.

I found it especially interesting to see how Smith handles a few things, like Mary’s need for deep love. “What I really wanted, I didn’t have. I wanted someone to love me.” As Mary follows Jesus, she has accepted that He truly loves her, but she deals with the human emotion of trying to understand how God can love all people equally, when people naturally want to be the most important in a relationship. Can God love Mary ( and us) specially, uniquely, but still love others with the same intensity? Does His love spur us on to do for Him as it did Mary? And doubts. Can we have doubts? I loved how Smith imagines Jesus addressing the disciples’ doubts: “It is not wrong to have doubts and confusion, Philip.”… “It is what you do with your doubts and confusion that matters. Do they lead you to me, to faith and to seeking the Father, or do they push you to go your own way?”

I received a copy of the book from the publisher through Celebrate Lit via NetGalley. I also bought my own copy. No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own.

Notable Quotables:

“We all have a past, Mary,” he said softly. “Everyone needs Jesus to forgive them of something. If we were all holy as God is holy, we wouldn’t need him.”
-Joseph Justus

“I did not come to make friends with those who think they are righteous. I came to save those who know they are not,”

“To realize Jesus accepted the worst members of society comforted me in a way I could not explain.”

“I think we need him far more than he needs us.”

I thoroughly enjoy reading Biblical fiction, as it brings stories from the Bible to life. While it is partially fictional, it still conveys important messages and inspires readers to learn and grow.

Dawn of Grace is beautifully written, sharing the journey of Mary Magdalene’s from demonic possession to receiving miraculous healing, hope, and love. Although I usually read Old Testament Biblical fiction, I am always pleased when New Testament figures encounter Jesus. Hearts and lives are transformed, healed and filled with immeasurable love from the one and only Savior.

Mary’s transformation in this story was both inspiring and beautiful. It is a meaningful tale that I thoroughly enjoyed.

First Line (Prologue): “It’s this way, Mary. Come on!”
Genre: Biblical Fiction
Author: Jill Eileen Smith
Page Count: 368

#CoverLoverBookReview received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions are 100% my own.

Biblical fiction is one of my favorite genres. I am rather picky, though, because I want what I read to be as Biblically accurate as possible. Dawn of Grace is the first book I've read by Smith; I don't think it will be my last!

Mary Magdalene's story is brought to life, and we're given a clear picture of what her life might have been like, and what life was like in her time.

If you enjoy well-researched and well-written Biblical fiction, be sure to grab yourself a copy.

I received a complimentary copy. These opinions are my own.

Dawn of Grace by wordsmith extraordinaire, Jill Eileen Smith, is a Biblical Fiction novel. This amazing tale brought the New Testament to life with its retelling of Mary Magdalene’s story. The author has a brilliant perspective on what might have happened. It is totally plausible.

I was immediately drawn to this story with its familiar characters. Within the first few pages the story had me totally captivated. It brought new light on what Mary’s life and struggles might have been like. I was moved while reading this beautiful story.

I highly recommend Dawn of Grace. It would be great for a reading group or individuals. I rate it 5 out of 5 stars. A complimentary copy was provided by Celebrate Lit but these are my honest words.

First of all, the cover of this book is beautiful and hope-filled. I have been a fan of Jill Eileen Smith's for some time and this book did not disappoint. I really enjoy Biblical fiction because it allows readers to imagine what it MIGHT have been like. It adds emotion and grows my understanding of what the time period was like. I always like to reread the portions of the Bible that are reflected in the book in order to stay grounded in actual truth and not speculation. Smith creates characters out of the real people of the Bible and develops possible motivations, emotions and experiences that help put you in their shoes. Dawn of Grace is emotional, detailed, and well-written, and I highly recommend it.

What an amazing story the author has captured from the Bible. I was drawn in from the beginning as Mary begins her journey. Trusting her friend, she finds herself consumed with demons. Her struggles and overwhelming cries for help pierced my heart. How did she find herself here?

The author does not venture far from the Biblical story which I appreciated. We do get to see how Mary may have interacted with Jesus and hear her thoughts as she follows Him. Her freedom from the demons stirs her to follow Jesus. As Easter draws near, it was particular meaningful to read how she felt at that moment.

I loved how the author took us through Mary’s life and hit on the different parts from the Bible. I often wonder what Mary must have felt watching Jesus hang on the cross. This part of the story came to life as I saw thru Mary’s eye Jesus giving His life for each of us. Thank you for a story that reminds us of a character who Jesus set free from demons and followed Him to the cross.

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.

In Jill Eileen Smith's latest novel, Dawn of Grace, the radiant light of grace effortlessly illuminates the spiritual darkness. The scriptures pulsate with life as we delve into the captivating world through the eyes of Mary of Magdala, an often misunderstood disciple.

This compelling book vividly explores Mary's past, her demon possession, and miraculous healing, transporting readers into a world of profound spiritual awakening. Exploring famous biblical settings in the story immerses readers in Jesus' ministry. The fast-paced narrative gently guides the imagination through intimate moments, like sitting around a crackling campfire with the enigmatic rabbi. Witnessing his miraculous healings and reimagining his teachings through the protagonist's perspective is the core of the book.

The narrative weaves spiritual insights into every chapter, inviting readers to reflect deeply. Embark on a journey with Mary through a profound spiritual quest, where the mundane transforms into the extraordinary, awakening a deep-rooted faith in the soul as she discovers that the offerings of Jesus extend beyond mere healing. Fans of Biblical Fiction won't be disappointed.

I received a complimentary copy from the author but was not required to leave a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

True to the biblical account (especially toward the middle and end) of Mary Magdalene and the ministry of Jesus while she was with Him. The beginning was a bit hard to get into, but overall a fairly good read. Three and a half stars.

Mary Magdalene’s story as researched, imagined, and told by Jill Eileen Smith, is an interesting one. Mary’s transformation from innocent girl to demon possessed woman was plausibly realistic enough to be unsettling at times, and definitely thought provoking. Her subsequent transformation to faithful follower of Jesus, after he cast out the demons oppressing her, was beautiful and truly inspiring.

For these reasons, I’m glad to have read the book. Even so, I did find the second half somewhat less engaging than the first half. The premise was good: a retelling of Jesus' ministry from a fresh perspective. But without a clear goal on the part of the main character, beyond helping facilitate Jesus' ministry, she became more of a passive observer than an active participant, in a story I already know quite well.

Interesting as it was to see Mary's reactions to familiar events, I think the reading experience could have been even better, had I also had something more to root for on Mary's behalf, or something unique to her story to keep me guessing up to the end.

All in all, a good read, especially well suited for the Easter season, when a fresh look at Jesus' story may be just what readers are looking for.

Thank you to the publisher for providing an Advance Reader Copy of this book via NetGalley.

My thanks to Library Thing Early Reviews and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read Dawn of Grace. I give my unbiased opinion of it in the following review.

Dawn of Grace is a work of Biblical based fiction. The author has mostly written about Old Testament characters, but this time she chose to write about Mary Magdalene. There is little known about Mary Magdalene. We know that Jesus removed her demons and afterwards she was his follower and servant. The author does a good job of imagining what it might have been like for Mary before, during, and after her demon possession. Her writing is straightforward and reads smoothly. Although I didn't really find any problems with the book, the overall fictionalization didn't sit well with me. I am not sure Biblical fiction is for me.

I was immediately drawn to this book—the cover is stunning, and I love discovering new-to-me authors. Jill Eileen Smith’s writing is beautiful, and her storytelling deeply immersive. However, I found the focus on Mary Magdalene’s possession unsettling, and I ultimately had to put the book down before reaching the moment of her redemption.

This is a personal preference, and I know many will find inspiration in Mary’s journey. If you enjoy biblical fiction with deep emotional themes, this might be a great fit for you!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Content/Trigger: demonic spirits entering a body, mention of possible abuse of some kind to a small girl (not the main character)

Mary Magdalene's is one of my favourite stories in the Bible, and Jill Eileen Smith has done a fantastic job at bringing her story to life in greater detail.. This is an author I am quick to recommend to anyone with an interest in Bible history and Christian fiction. She has clearly done a lot of research on the time period and it is such a fun way to learn more about the culture and life of that time period. The author has also navigated writing a story from the Bible without contradicting or adding to the Bible/Jesus' life.
It was well-written and engaging and I will absolutely be reading more of this author's books.

A big thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for the complimentary copy I received in return for my honest review.

I have officially found my new favorite book written by the talented Jill Eileen Smith. I have always loved her Biblical stories and was excited to have the opportunity to read her newest, Dawn of Grace" Mary Magdalene’s Story. I loved seeing the visual of how Mary Magdalene lived and struggled in her life. The author does a fantastic job bringing to life and showing how her life changes when she meets Jesus.


Five stars is what Dawn of Grace: Mary Magdalene’s Story deserves. I highly recommend it for readers who love to read clean and well written Biblical Fiction. As always, I will be on the look out for more releases from Jill Eileen Smith in the future.




I received a paperback copy of Jill Eileen Smith's Dawn of Grace: Mary Magdalene’s Story from the publisher, but was not required to write a positive review. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion.

When I discovered that Jill Eileen Smith had a book releasing that focused on Mary Magdelene I was quite intrigued. I've read a couple of her other books and have really enjoyed how she brought biblical times and characters to life. With Dawn of Grace she did it again. Only this time, the story was from the New Testament.

We get to see Mary Magdelene as a child and then a young adult before she joins Jesus' followers. I felt the author did a great job showing how Mary may have become possessed by seven demons, what her life could have been like while possessed, and how she felt when Jesus freed her. The reader journeys along with her as she travels with Jesus and his disciples and all the other people who follow him seeking healing and other miracles.

I like the way the author showed how Mary and the other women could have been helping financially and what it may have looked like to follow Him from town to town, listening to His teaching and experience His miracles. In addition to the words Jesus speaks in the Bible, the author has also included conversations He may have had with his followers. At one point I think this would have bothered me as it isn't exactly from the Bible. However, I don't feel what was added contradicts anything that Jesus is recorded as saying. I like thinking of how He might have interacted with His followers aside from what we read in Scripture.

Dawn of Grace is a wonderful book and one I highly recommend. I think it would be a great read leading up to Resurrection Sunday.

I received an e-copy of this book through NetGalley and was not required to write a favorable review. These are my own honest thoughts.

Well I have certainly learned something new. I have grown up in the church. My dad was, and still is, a pastor. I have read the Bible for myself since I was a little girl. I can't tell you the number of times I've read the Bible all the way through.

And I have always thought that Mary Magdalene was a prostitute.

Why did I think that? I have no idea! But there is no Biblical evidence that she was. My mind is blown.

That's one of the many reasons I love Biblical fiction: I feel like I learn something new each time I read a Bibfic book.

All that aside, this book was good. I was thoroughly invested in Mary's story, though I felt that she found Jesus maybe a little too early in the book. Don't get me wrong-the rest of the book was good. But I think there could have been more at the beginning.

But after she met Jesus, I did enjoy seeing the day to day life of a disciple. I know many people won't read this genre because they don't feel that it aligns with Scripture, they don't want this to become Scripture to them, etc. But Jill does a wonderful job of sticking to the Word of God. In fact, almost every word that Jesus said here comes straight from Scripture. And the Passover week? Whew. Nothing could have prepared me for those emotions.

This book made the Bible living, breathing history for me.

NOTE: This review will post on The Well Read Fish Christian fiction review blog (thewellreadfish,com), Goodreads, and BookBub on 02/05/25. Amazon and B&N reviews to post on release day.

Thank you to NetGalley and Revell Books for my ARC.

Jill Eileen Smith is one of my favorite Christian authors, so when I saw Dawn of Grace available on NetGalley, I immediately requested it. This is Smith’s first venture into writing a story set during New Testament times vs. Old Testament. Her novel, The Prince and the Prodigal remains one of my all-time favorite Christian reads, so naturally I was looking forward to Dawn of Grace.

Smith went straight to the heart of difficulty in tackling the story of Mary Magdalene. There has been much speculation about Mary’s backstory and how her life intersected with that of Jesus. Of the women who populate the New Testament, she is the certainly the most notable (with the exception of Jesus’s mother, Mary).

In Dawn of Grace, the reader meets Mary Magdalene as a young child, then becomes witness to her life as it unfolds. From her possession by demons to being set free by Jesus, following him during his ministry years, to witnessing his crucifixion and resurrection, Smith allows us to experience events through Mary’s eyes. Carefully considered fiction weaves with historical elements, but the blend feels seamless, and Jesus’s teachings are delivered as written in the four Gospels. Those parts are much like reading scripture.

I liked the inclusion of many of the women of the New Testament—Susanna, Joanna, Martha, and Mary—to name a few—but some characters are more fleshed out than others. Given the scope of territory the novel covers and the amount of people who populate it, the author did well in bringing familiar moments (and settings) to life. Faith elements are strong, especially as related to Jesus. I got a true feel for how it must have been for the Jews of the time, expecting their Messiah to be a conquering king, questioning if Jesus was going to deliver them. Even his own disciples had doubts.

If I have one quibble, it’s the lack of emotional attachment I usually feel to the lead characters when reading one of Smith’s novels. The book skews more plot-driven than character-driven, which is perhaps why I felt a smidgen of detachment. I DID ache for Mary, especially in her fear for Jesus, and her dread that he might someday leave her.

Overall, this is a well-presented blend of plausible fiction and Biblical history woven into an uplifting tale of faith, hope, and devotion to our lord and savior, Jesus Christ. If you enjoy Biblical fiction, you’ll find this novel well worth your time.

In my opinion this wasn't so much a book about Mary as it was about all those who followed Jesus and Jesus himself. The book was very bland. The choice to reimagine Mary's life was sound and historically it was entirely plausible. Having read and enjoyed several of the author's previous works I expected more than just a rehashing of the Bible. The majority of the book was the group moving from one place to another and everyone being confused by Jesus' teachings. While the writing was good the pace was entirely to slow.

Dawn of Grace
Mary Magdalene's Story
by Jill Eileen Smith
Pub DateFeb 18 2025
Revell
Christian| Historical Fiction




Revell and Netgalley have provided me with a copy of Dawn of Grace for review.


What happens when the hope she has found slips from her grasp when she's pulled from the depths of despair?

Mary, bound to her demons and incapable of freeing herself, walks in shadows until one day she meets a healer, a rabbi who is radically different from the religious leaders and family members who were powerless to help her. Since her earliest days, Mary Magdalene has experienced fear and loss so deep she can never recover. One day, Mary walks in shadow, bound by the demons inside her and incapable of freeing herself--until she meets a healer, a rabbi radically different from the religious leaders and family members who were unable to assist her.


Mary's only mission in life is to serve the one who freed her. As long as she has him, she is determined never to leave, fearing that if she loses him, she will return to her former bondage. Even if the unthinkable happens and her savior is arrested and sentenced to execution, she cannot abandon him. Let her be buried in his tomb, for she cannot live without him.



When Mary is on the verge of despair, she realizes that while faith is never perfect, perfect love casts out fear--and Jesus makes all things new.


I give Dawn of Grace five out of five stars!

Happy Reading!

If I could give this half stars, I would give Dawn of Grace a 4.5. The pacing of the first part of the book was really fast. I can understand why this might have been because much of Mary's life before we meet her when Jesus casts out her 7 demons is unknown. So I read this section like I read a lot of fiction... quickly. It was fascinating to read about the culture back in the New Testament times and how common demon possession and paganism were and how intertwined they were.

After Mary meets Jesus, the story pace starts to slow. This is such a fine line for Jill Eileen Smith to walk because she wants to hold true to the Bible and not misrepresent Jesus, but still write a complete and compelling fictional novel. I thought Smith does a fine job of incorporating the Biblical text. I appreciated her using Jesus's words and not expanding on them much and not writing what Jesus was thinking. Where Smith's judgement comes in is Mary's thoughts, which is fine because we don't know much about them from the Bible.

I did feel like there were parts that were repetitive. It was almost like I was reading the Bible with all the miracles, even though I know Smith doesn't include everything in the Gospels. I might have preferred more about Mary after the resurrection of Jesus and less from before.

Overall, this was a great piece of Biblical fiction that holds true to the Jesus in the Bible and doesn't try to add to His life.