Francine Rivers, Unveiled (Tamar)

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In the first of five novels on the women of the Bible, Rivers draws on the Bibles brief mention of Tamar to create a tribute to  hope. Tamar is sold as a child to be the bride of Judahs oldest son, Er. When  Er dies, Tamar believes that he was struck down by God for pride and arrogance.  According to custom, she is given Onan, one of Ers brothers, as husband to  beget a son in Ers memory. When Onan refuses her rights, he too falls dead. The  third brother, Shelah, is deemed too young to be a husband, but when Judah  promises Tamar a child when the boy grows up, she lives on hope for years. When  she realizes that Judah has no intention of keeping his promise, she dresses as  a temple prostitute and seduces him. After being threatened with death because  of her disgraceful pregnancy, Tamar forces Judah to honor his promise. In  return, she bears twin sons, Zerah and Perez, a forefather of Jesus. The  different mores and customs of Tamars time take some adjustment for a modern  mindset, but a glimpse into what might have happened is worth the effort. 

Lineage of Grace series, Book 1