Welcome to the Blog Tour for Anna of Arimathea hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: Anna of Arimathea
Series: The Arimathea Chronicles #1
Author: Susanne Blumer
Publisher: Sutton Avenue Press
Release Date: December 7, 2025
Genre: Biblical Fiction

Some wounds are carried in silence. Some healings require more than medicine.

Eighteen-year-old Anna bears the marks of a childhood tragedy that left her motherless, scarred, and lame. Hidden within the household of her father, Joseph of Arimathea, a wealthy councilman of the Sanhedrin, her days are measured in herb gardens and healing tinctures, in the steady work of hands trained to help others, and in the quiet safety of a world made small.

Then Andrew of Bethsaida arrives at her father’s gate with urgent business for Joseph and talk of a teacher who calls ordinary people to extraordinary purpose. A fisherman turned disciple, Andrew follows the rabbi Jesus with a conviction that unsettles every long-held expectation—including Anna’s own.

When Andrew’s kindness cracks open the door to a larger world, Anna faces an impossible choice: remain in the safety of her father’s estate or risk everything for the possibility of healing, love, and a life she never dared imagine.

Set against the dusty roads and fishing villages of first-century Judea, where miracles unfold and mercy walks among the broken, Anna of Arimathea opens The Arimathea Chronicles—a richly imagined tale of faith, first love, and redemption in the footsteps of the Messiah.

Anna of Arimathea is perfect for readers who love:

Biblical and historical fiction with rich period detail
Redemptive love stories that explore the cost of faith
Immersive historical worlds
Characters who choose courage over comfort

MORE IN THIS SERIES

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Susanne Blumer lives her life surrounded by stories—some she writes, and some she sells.
As the CEO and Founder of Sassafras on Sutton LLC, she is the owner of three magical indie bookstores nestled in the North Carolina mountains of Black Mountain and Waynesville and Beaufort, South Carolina. One even has a full coffee bar. Oh, happy day!

She is the author of The Arimathea Chronicles, a series set in first-century Judea and centered on the life of Anna, the daughter of Joseph of Arimathea. The first book, Anna of Arimathea, published in December 2025 and the second, Anna of Bethsaida, will be available in March 2026. She’s also written several children’s books, including the award-winning Bell Tower Bible Adventure series she co-wrote with her husband. Her new children’s picture book series,The Story of You, will release its first book late Spring 2026 called Before Your Story Had A Name.

When she’s not writing or doing other entrepreneurial tasks, you can usually find her hanging out on the floor of one of her stores, drinking coffee and learning the stories of her customers or spoiling her eight chickens. Susanne splits her time between Waynesville, NC in her beloved mountains and Beaufort, SC on the enchanting Lowcountry coast.

Connect with Susanne by visiting susanneblumer.com to follow her on social media and subscribe to email updates.

DEVOTED TO HOPE'S REVIEW OF ANNA OF ARIMATHEA

Anna of Arimathea is a gentle, quiet story that unfolds with patience and softness. Anna’s life feels small and carefully contained, shaped by loss and physical limitation, and that stillness is what made her journey feel so tender to me. When Andrew enters her world, there is a subtle shift … not rushed, not dramatic, but filled with possibility and quiet courage.

This book lingers in the ordinary rhythms of life … gardens, healing, simple conversations, and the slow forming of trust. There is something deeply human in Anna’s longing to be useful and to believe her life holds meaning beyond her pain. Her story carries a quiet ache that many readers will recognize.

This is a story for those who enjoy imaginative fiction that centers on personal growth, gentle romance, and the brave step of choosing hope when safety feels easier.

I appreciated the tenderness of the story and the sincerity of the characters’ hearts. There was a gentle warmth in the way the characters cared for one another, and I could see the author’s gifts reflected in the way human love, patience, and hope were portrayed.

As I reflected on the story, I realized that much of my response came from a longing to see Jesus’ love shine even more brightly than human love. The relationships were tender and meaningful, yet I kept hoping to see them more clearly rooted in the greater truth that His love is what sustains, heals, and ultimately defines us.
I wanted Jesus’ love to deepen their love, to heal their wounds, and to shape every part of their transformation.
I longed for His presence to feel central and active in their lives, not distant or secondary, while still being honored with reverence and without placing words in His mouth.

I did not dislike the story, but I struggled with several aspects of it and felt that the spiritual depth I was hoping for, particularly a stronger focus on God’s love and Christ-centered truth, was much lighter than I expected.

I received a digital version of this book from the author via JustRead Publicity Tours, LLC (I also purchased a copy). I am not required to write a positive review nor paid to do so. This is my honest and unbiased review. My thoughts and opinions expressed in this book review are my own. My review focuses on the writing and the story’s content, ensuring transparency and reliability.

TOUR GIVEAWAY

(2) winners will each receive
a signed print copy of Anna of Arimathea
plus a $50 Bookshop.org Gift Card!

Full tour schedule linked below.
The giveaway begins at midnight January 21, 2026
and will last through 11:59 PM EST on January 28, 2026.
Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway
and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize.
US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

ENTER THE GIVEAWAY

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