Friday, February 23, 2018

Judah's Wife

GIVEAWAY
HUNT, ANGELA
JUDAH'S WIFE

To be silent would be to deny their God. To defy would bring the wrath of the King.

Seeking quiet and safety after a hard childhood, Leah marries Judah, a strong and gentle man, and for the first time in her life Leah believes she'll have peace. But the very nation that Judah has been named for has been conquered by a cruel king, who decrees that all Jews are to conform to Syrian laws or risk death for following the law of Moses.

Judah's father resists the decree, igniting a war that will cost him his life. But before dying, he commands Judah to pick up his sword and continue the fight -- or bear the responsibility for the obliteration of Israel. Leah, who wants nothing but peace, struggles with her husband's decision -- what kind of God would destroy the peace she has sought for so long?

The miraculous story of the courageous Maccabees is told through the eyes of Judah's wife, who learns that love requires courage...and sacrifice.

My Review:

I'm a toe-dabbling biblical fiction reader so I approach this genre with a bit of trepidation. Hence Judah's Wife sat on my TBR pile for a couple of weeks while I gathered the gumption to crack it open. And wouldn't you know it? Once I did, I couldn't stop reading. Seriously, I was instantly mesmerized. Hunt's words seamlessly flow, creating captivating images that helped me feel like I was actually witnessing events as they unfolded.

Using alternate points of view, this story comes to life through the eyes of both Leah and Judah. Now I'm not a biblical scholar. At all. And I knew absolutely nothing about the Maccabean Revolt -- or even thought much about that 400 year gap between the Old and New Testament so I learned a lot from this novel. It's a brutal piece of history so not always the easiest of reads but the author balances that with Leah's and Judah's developing love story.

There's tragedy and triumph and deep sorrow -- all the hallmarks of an epic tale. And as I read, I found myself making modern day connections. In 168 BC, the Jewish faith was threatened by assimilation from Greek culture. The result was the watering down of the old ways which led to unimaginable hardships. Thousands of years later Christians face the same challenge -- do we assimilate current cultural mores in order to please the society we live in? Or do we stand true to biblical teachings? It really got me thinking about where I stand and if I'm ready to answer the hard questions when my answers aren't going to be popular with today's culture. Pretty humbling...and, if I'm truthful, terrifying. I love it when a novel challenges like that!

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications Inc.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like the chance to win a copy of Judah's Wife, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you add your email to a comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it's easy for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday February 25 2018. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!

41 comments:

  1. While I am beginning to really love well-written Biblical fiction, I've not read Angela Hunt's books. The only author I've enjoyed this genre by is Jill Eileen Smith and she knows her Bible! Just like what you said here, in her novels you feel like you are walking right beside the characters. She breathes new life into Old Testament stories and "humanizes" the accounts in scripture. She does extensive research and really just makes the scriptural accounts jump off the page. I'd highly recommend her to you Kav if you are looking to expand your authors.

    Anyway, I'm looking to add authors as well and I think Angela Hunt would fit the bill :-)

    teamob4 (at) gmail (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. OOoh, thanks for the recommend, Trixi. I haven't read anything by Jill Eileen Smith though I've seen her books around. It's the nervous Nelly toe dabbling thing. :-) I'll get brave and try. I think you'll be impressed with Angela Hunt's storytelling abilities as well. Good luck.

      Delete
    2. You so need to read Jill Eileen Smith. And Mesu Andrews. Such well done Biblical fiction.

      Delete
    3. Another endorsement for Jill Eileen Smith! I have only read one Mesu Andrews. I think the biblical fiction writer I've read the most is Tessa Afshar. I'm just embarking on this journey so glad to have another author to check into.

      Delete
  2. I love Biblical fiction! KAV, thank you for the great review and chance to win a copy.

    psalm103and138atgmaildotcom

    ReplyDelete
  3. I am glad to know about this book. I have not read much biblical fiction and I need to change that. Stephanie Landsem is a great biblical fiction writer. Thank you, Kav! mauback55 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Now that's a name I haven't heard before. Thanks for the recommend, Melanie. I'll check her out. Good luck.

      Delete
  4. Ooh. Love Angela Hunt and her Biblical fiction. Thanks for the chance!

    mindyhoungATmsnDOTcom

    ReplyDelete
  5. Yay! I've been on the lookout for this book. Such an intriguing time-period that we don't get to see much of! I can't wait to read this one!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I have never even thought about this time period! So, yes, eye opening for me. Good luck, Elly.

      Delete
  6. a wonderful review. I love to read about the women of the Bible.
    quilting dash lady at Comcast dot net

    ReplyDelete
  7. I'm discovering that. Good luck, Kate.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Kav, your review is awesomesauce...loved it! I have not read any of Angela's books. I love Biblical fiction and usually read Jill E.Smith. Don't count me in 'cause I have a big TBR pile...just wanted to say I really liked your review.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Jackie. And here's another recommendation for Jill Eileen Smith. I have not excuse now!!! Thanks for stopping by.

      Delete
  9. I was fascinated the moment I saw the cover, and after reading the synopsis and your review, I am eager to tread it even more. Please include me in the giveaway, thanks Kav!

    freda.mans[at]gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. *read not tread, but I'm sure you knew that. :-) I often has fast fingers.

      Delete
    2. It's a gorgeous cover!!!! This genre has some of the most amazing covers out there. Good luck, Freda.

      Delete
  10. Great review! I have loved every Angela Hunt book that I have read. Thanks for the chance! Becky lelandandbecky [AT] reagan [DOT] com

    ReplyDelete
  11. I've never read a Biblical Fiction book before (That I know of) This one sounds interesting
    Thanks
    iamabho AT gmail DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  12. The beautiful cover, the synopsis, and your review have really whetted my appetite for this book. I would really love to win a copy. Thanks for the chance to do so. 😍
    gobersATembarqmailDOTcom

    ReplyDelete
  13. That is a stunning cover. I love Angela Hunt's novels. Biblical fiction is something I enjoy mostly because it makes the Bible stories seem so vivid in my mind!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes -- the imagery is incredible. Makes me able to really imagine what it was like. Good luck, Dianna.

      Delete
  14. I’ve learned to really love Biblical Fiction since reading Mesu Andrews and Connilyn Cossette. I haven’t read Angela Hunt but this book has been on my radar. Thank you for sharing.
    leliamae54(at)aol(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh -- yes -- Connilyn Cossette is another author of biblical fiction that I love. Good luck, Lucy.

      Delete
  15. I'm new to this genre as well, but I've loved the books I've read by Tessa Afshar and Connilyn Cossette. I could not put them down once I started reading. Thanks for the review of Judah's Wife. Guess I have another author to check out!
    pwestfall7 at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes -- do check her out. I think you will love her books too. Good luck, Pam.

      Delete
  16. I really haven’t read much biblical fiction but your review had me wanting to read this. Thanks Kav, paulams49ATsbcglobalDOTnet

    ReplyDelete
  17. This book sounds amazing! I only ever read one book by this author (Risen's novelization), but I absolutely loved it. I'm sure this one is just as good :D

    samanthabis23 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. And interesting that she writes in different genres too. I read speculative fiction by her. Super talented. Good luck, Samantha.

      Delete
  18. This sounds amazing!

    Count me in, please.

    janka(dot)halcinova(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  19. Thanks for the giveaway!

    ladysnowangelphotos(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete