Tuesday, January 6, 2015

Esther : Royal Beauty

GIVEAWAY

HUNT, ANGELA
ESTHER, ROYAL BEAUTY

When an ambitious tyrant threatens genocide against the Jews, an inexperienced young queen must take a stand for her people.

When Xerxes, king of Persia, issues a call for beautiful young women, Hadassah, a Jewish orphan living in Susa, is forcibly taken to the palace of the pagan ruler. After months of preparation, the girl known to the Persians as Esther wins the king's heart and a queen's crown. But because her situation is uncertain, she keeps her ethnic identity a secret until she learns that an evil and ambitious man has won the king's permission to exterminate all Jews--young and old, powerful and helpless. Purposely violating an ancient Persian law, she risks her life in order to save her people...and bind her husband's heart.

My Review:

I don't usually read biblical retellings -- partly because I already know the story -- but Esther is one of my favourite bible heroines so I couldn't resist. Not to mention that striking cover is enticing. So, what did I find when I started reading? A sumptuous tale that made Esther's story richer, deeper and more meaningful to me. Wow. Yes, this may be fiction, but Hunt brought this time period to life in an astonishing way. It made me want to savor every word and forget that I already knew the ending. I was carried away by the author's imagination and I'm glad I took the risk and started the journey. Esther : Royal Beauty has definitely brought a new dimension to my appreciation of her story.

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

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of Esther : Royal Beauty please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you post a comment and add your email address, please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in the address to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email please remember to put the title in the subject line so that it's easy for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday January 11 2015. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

23 comments:

  1. ESTHER sounds magnificent and the cover is gorgeous! I would love to read this book and appreciate the giveaway opportunity!

    texaggs2000 at gmail dot com

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  2. I've been looking forward to this book. I've read most of Angela Hunt's book and I particularly enjoyed her series about Joseph--Legacies of the Ancient River. Thank you for offering a copy of Esther: Royal Beauty.
    may_dayzee (AT) yahoo (DOT) com

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    1. She certainly captivated me with her talent for bring bible stories to life. Good luck. Kay.

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  3. What a cover! Stunning. I love the touch of red!
    As for the story - yes, please. Esther is for sure among my favoutite Old Testament girls! Count me in, please.

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

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  4. I love biblical retellings and this one looks very good! Thanks for the great giveaway, Kav!

    freda.mans[at]gmail.com

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  5. thanks for the chance to read angela hunt's latest novel, kav

    karenk
    kmkuka at yahoo dot com

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  6. I look forward to reading this book. Esther is one of my favorite stories in the Bible. Thanks for the giveaway!
    momrain (AT) aol (DOT) com

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  7. The cover is lovely! I don't read much biblical fiction either, but it is fun to imagine/fill in some of the details we are not actually told about in the Bible.

    pattymh2000(at)yahoo(dot)com

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    1. I agree, Patty, especially when the filling in is so skillfully done. Good luck.

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  8. I agree ... what a cover is right. I love " Bible stories ". rrwalter34 ATgnailDOTcom

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    1. The cover really draws you in, doesn't it?

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  9. I am not usually drawn to Biblical stories but your description sounds so intriguing. Please add me! :)
    worthy2bpraised at gmail dot com

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    1. I'm the same way, Merry, but there's something about this one...Good luck.

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  10. I'm in for this! I actually just put this on my wishlist a couple of weeks ago, the story of Esther and how she grows in character and stands up for her people in the Bible is so encouraging. I'd love to read this book!
    lieniitte(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. It's a fascinating look at the lifestyle and customs behind Esther's story. Really brought it to life for me, even though I know a lot of it comes from the author's imagination, though she's done a tremendous amount of research too. Good luck, Lieniitte.

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  11. Reading about Esther sounds interesting.
    pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

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  12. Thought I entered this one. Must have been another blog. Love Esther in the Bible so would like to win this one. Thanks for the review. Maxie > mac262(at)me(dot)com <

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