Book excerpt: Young Magda - a naughty, lovable Mary Magdalene - is sent to live in Nazareth when her mother dies. In Nazareth she meets Mary, who becomes her best friend. Mary, who is unwed, confides in Magda that she is with child. Magda stands by her friend saying, "I can't wait to see what a Messiah looks like." When Mary's son Jesus begins his ministry, Magda is his beautiful companion and wealthy patroness. But when he rebuffs her sexual advances, she deserts him, going off on a debauched, sexual spree. Months later they reunite after Jesus intervenes in her stoning. Jesus' enemies, upset by his claims to be the Son of God, convince the Romans to crucify him. But Magda, a powerful, resourceful woman, conspires to save him from dying on the cross, a plot that is foiled by Jesus, who is intent on doing the will of God. Revived, Jesus comforts Magda after she learns that her childhood was a lie. He exorcises her demons, but one survives - lust. Magda, fearing Jesus' ascension into heaven is imminent, begs him to make love to her. The finale is a tender love scene where Jesus resists Magda's seductive charm...or does he?