On Living Stone: Salome's Story

By Heather Kaufman

Book Overview

"A beautifully told and imagined story."--Tosca Lee, New York Times bestselling author on Before the King

"A biblical story with a heart for today's world, pulling out an array of joy and hope, sorrow and loss."--Mesu Andrews, award-winning author on Up from Dust

Every stone sings as it finds its purpose. This is the lesson restless Salome learns from her father as she grows up by the Sea of Galilee. Known as the wild girl with the quick tongue, Salome is determined to silence the critics who claim she has no future. An unexpected romance and the gift of two sons, James and John, leave her hopeful and resolved to prove herself as a mother.

Salome's dreams are challenged, however, when her sons answer the call to follow Jesus of Nazareth. As James and John are drawn deeper into Jesus' ministry, opposition to his message intensifies, leaving Salome with a choice. Can her family continue down the path of discipleship when it might cost them everything? With threats abounding, Salome must confront her fears, even as she discovers her own worth in this most unexpected rabbi.

A journey of faith unfolds in this New Testament-inspired story of Salome, mother of Jesus' apostles James and John. This compelling biblical fiction book explores themes of family, sacrifice, courage, and redemption, making it a stirring read for fans of The Chosen, Francine Rivers, Tessa Afshar, and Angela Hunt.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1540903583
• ISBN13: 9781540903587
• Release Date: January 2026
• Publisher: Bethany House Publishers
• Length: 368 Pages
• Weight: 0.72 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 5.6" x 8.4"

Customer Reviews

The Best of Biblical Fiction!

Each book in Heather’s Women of the Way series has deeply touched my heart and drawn me closer to Jesus, but On Living Stone has been the most emotional book in the series for me, with countless moments that brought tears to my eyes. This story follows Salome, a spirited girl raised by the Sea of Galilee, known for her independent temper and striking golden eyes. Despite criticism from others, Salome finds unexpected romance and the gift of two sons, James and John. As her sons answer the call to follow Jesus and become his disciples, Salome grapples with fears about the cost of discipleship, her own plans for their futures, and the growing tensions surrounding Jesus’ ministry. Through it all, she must discover her own worth in Jesus, the true Cornerstone of her life. This emotional tale of motherhood takes readers on a sweeping journey of love, loss, joy, and sorrow. One of my favorite things about Heather’s books is her ability to make the Bible come alive, bringing characters to life as relatable, real people transformed by encounters they’re with Jesus. I loved imagining what it was like for Salome, mother of two of the disciples. The tender love of a mother, combined with Jesus’ gentle care, fills every page of this beautifully researched story, leaving your heart deeply touched and full. I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

On Living Stone: Salome's Story brings the Bible to life beautifully! 5 stars indeed!!!

I have always been interested in Salome's story as I read about her in the Bible, wondering what her life may have been like as the disciples John & James' mother, as Zeb's wife, and eventually as one of the women that saw to Jesus' needs while He walked on earth. Well, Heather Kaufman has taken this beautiful character from the scriptures, and brought her to life in a exquisite way!  I absolutely loved reading this story, and give it 5 stars!!! It touched my heart from the beginning, where we meet Salome as a girl with fire eyes, who follows her father around as he brings stone to life, to her betrothal to the quiet but steady Zeb, to becoming the mother of the future disciples, "the sons of thunder" who Jesus molds & shapes into His disciples, to encountering Jesus personally, and giving all she had to serve Him!  Her story was so relatable to me at every stage that I felt like I was sitting down with a friend, listening to her story, as I read Salome's story. I know it is, fiction, but it spoke to me so much, as I could relate to every part of it! I don't want to spoil it, but this is a beautiful story, and I highly recommend it. It stays true to Scripture, and I drew so much closer to my Savior thru it! I can't recommend it highly enough!!!  God always has reveals Himself to me when I read Heather's books, and this time He whispered to me the same thing He whispered to Salome in the story, "Every day is a choice to let go and cling. Every day a fresh choice...Keep following Me.". Great reminder from a great book! May you be drawn to Salome's Lord, and mine, thru this story as I was!

Incredible Biblical fiction

“It is not the quality of the stone that matters but the skill of the mason’s hands.” Truly one of the best books I’ve read so far. It’s all about love - the love between husband and wife, the love of a mother, the incomprehensible yet relentless love of God our Father, and sacrificial love of Jesus the Son. This book made me cry, laugh, hurt, rejoice and pray. Wow, Heather Kaufman has outdone herself. Told in first person voice of Salome, the story follows this young girl as she matures into womanhood and motherhood and through her life-changing encounters with Jesus. Her loss, grief, hurts, disappointments, jealousies, discoveries, realizations, and triumphs were all so real, tangible, relatable, universal and timeless. Salome brought the world where Jesus grew up and did His ministry into full color and I loved walking through His ministry in chronological fashion. The author was meticulous in keeping Jesus true to all He said in the Bible. The history of Israel woven through the story was fascinating and I am awed by the amount of research the author must have done. It was really neat to interact with fictionalized James, John, Peter, and Andrew. And the powerful message of Jesus being the Messiah, the Son of God and the Savior of the world was everywhere and boldly proclaimed in the story. I know this book releases in early 2026 but it was the perfect reminder during this Advent season of what Christmas truly means and why Jesus became flesh. You will not regret picking up this book. And you will not be able to put it down until the very end. I received a complimentary copy courtesy of Bethany House via NetGalley and was under no obligation to post a positive comment. All opinions are my own.