Do I need to read Diana Wallis Taylor's books in a specific order?

No, all of Diana Wallis Taylor's novels are completely standalone. You can read them in any order you prefer, though many readers enjoy reading them in biblical chronological order.

What is Diana Wallis Taylor's best book to start with?

We recommend starting with Journey to the Well (her debut novel about the Samaritan woman) or Claudia, Wife of Pontius Pilate (which was nominated for a Carol Award).

Did Diana Wallis Taylor write the entire "Ordinary Women of the Bible" series?

No. Ordinary Women of the Bible is a multi-author series published by Guideposts. Taylor's contribution to this series is Pursued by a King: Abigail's Story (2024), which she co-authored.

Has Diana Wallis Taylor written books outside of biblical fiction?

Yes, she has written three contemporary fiction novels set in mountain communities: Smoke Before the Wind , House of the Forest , and Shadows on the Mountain , as well as a book of poetry and children's books.

Are Diana Wallis Taylor's novels historically accurate?

Taylor conducts extensive historical and biblical research to reconstruct the cultural, political, and social settings of first-century Judea, ancient Persia, and ancient Egypt, staying true to scripture while building her fictional stories.

Diana Wallis Taylor Books in Order

How to Read Diana Wallis Taylor's Novels

Diana Wallis Taylor is best known for her vivid, emotionally resonant biblical fiction that centers on the women of Scripture. Because her biblical novels are completely self-contained standalones, there is no single mandatory reading order. You can read them in any order you like without worrying about cliffhangers or missing plot points. However, readers generally prefer one of two approaches: following the chronological timeline of the Bible, or reading in the order the books were published.

Recommended Order: Biblical Chronology

Reading Taylor's novels chronologically according to when their characters lived in the biblical narrative offers a fascinating journey through scripture. This timeline is split into Old Testament and New Testament eras.

The Old Testament Era

Rahab, Woman of Jericho (2020): Set during the battle of Jericho (around 1400 BC), this novel explores Rahab's transformation from a woman of the streets to a woman of faith.
Ruth, Mother of Kings (2013): Set around 1100 BC, this story follows the Moabite widow Ruth as she travels to Bethlehem with Naomi and finds redemption.
Hadassah, Queen Esther of Persia (2019): Set in the Persian Empire around 480 BC, this book retells the courageous story of Esther saving her people.

The New Testament Era

Mary: Chosen of God (2016): Chronicles the life of Mary, the mother of Jesus, from her youth through the birth, ministry, and crucifixion of Christ.
Journey to the Well (2009): Focuses on Marah, the Samaritan woman who encounters Jesus at Jacob's well.
Martha (2011): Explores the life of Martha of Bethany, her relationships with her siblings Mary and Lazarus, and her encounters with Jesus.
Mary Magdalene (2012): Follows the life of Mary Magdalene, her struggle with demons, and her devotion to Christ.
Claudia, Wife of Pontius Pilate (2013): Explores the life of Pilate's wife, her prophetic dreams, and her perspective on the crucifixion.
Lydia, Woman of Philippi (2017): Set during the early church era in the book of Acts, following Lydia, a seller of purple cloth who becomes the first European convert to Christianity.

Publication Order of Biblical Fiction

If you prefer to see Taylor's style develop, you can read her biblical fiction in the order they were published. (Note that her debut novel, Journey to the Well, was published in 2009, though some early catalog records associate her initial drafts or works back to 2003).

Journey to the Well (2009)
Martha (2011)
Mary Magdalene (2012)
Claudia, Wife of Pontius Pilate (2013)
Ruth, Mother of Kings (2013)
Mary: Chosen of God (2016)
Lydia, Woman of Philippi (2017)
Hadassah, Queen Esther of Persia (2019)
Rahab, Woman of Jericho (2020)

Diana Wallis Taylor's Contemporary Fiction

In addition to her biblical novels, Taylor has penned three contemporary romance and mystery novels set in cozy mountain communities. These are also standalones and can be read in any order:

Smoke Before the Wind (2009): A contemporary Christian romance about a woman returning to her mountain hometown and facing a choice between her wealthy fiancé and a high school crush.
House of the Forest (2012): A mystery novel set in a rustic mountain house, where a woman clearing her late aunt's estate uncovers old secrets about a bank robbery.
Shadows on the Mountain (2013): A drama about a veteran who was presumed dead in Vietnam for 25 years returning home to reconcile with his family.

The Guideposts "Ordinary Women of the Bible" Series

You may see Diana Wallis Taylor's name associated with Guideposts' multi-author series, Ordinary Women of the Bible. It is important to know that this is a collaborative series written by various authors (such as Carole Towriss, Roseanna M. White, and Virginia Smith). Taylor did not write the entire series; she co-authored Pursued by a King: Abigail's Story (2024) alongside Elizabeth Adams and Beth Adams. Since these books are standalone historical portrayals of lesser-known women in scripture, you can read Taylor's contribution at any point.

What to Know Before You Start

Taylor's books are highly appreciated for their emotional depth and historical accuracy. Rather than changing scripture, she builds rich backgrounds for women who only receive brief mentions in the Bible. If you are new to her work, we recommend starting with Journey to the Well, which remains her most popular novel, or Claudia, Wife of Pontius Pilate, which was a finalist for the ACFW Carol Award.