Monday, May 21, 2018

The Esther Paradigm

GIVEAWAY
MONZON, SARAH
THE ESTHER PARADIGM

Hannah Pratt dreams of starting a school for the Bedouin clan she grew up with as a missionary kid, and finally her hopes are coming true. But shortly after she returns to the desert from her college years in the U.S., she discovers her parents have received threats from their Muslim neighbors. As the danger escalates, Hannah finds she's in the middle of a battle no one seems to understand. She must decide to what lengths she'll go to stay faithful to the mission God has called her. Even if it costs her everything.

As sheikh,Karim Al-Amir feels the weight of responsibility as the leader of his people. When a mysterious illness ravishes the clan's flocks and threatens to destroy their centuries-old way of life, locals believe the American doctors and their daughter, his childhood friend, Hannah, are to blame. Karim must do something to keep them safe -- even if the only solution can be found within marriage vows.

In a society where the line is drawn between us and them, Christianity is outlawed, and foreigners are mistrusted,will their union heal wounds or inflict the final fatal blow?

My Review:

Well, I'm gobsmacked. Not sure I can find the words to express what an impact this book made on me. How much I loved the hero and heroine and their sublime romance even though it seemed like it shouldn't work.

First things first -- dust off your fainting couch (which shouldn't take too long if you're anything like me. Mine gets quite the work out with all the romance I love to read!) And then prepare to give yourself plenty of savoring time because Monzon has created such spellbinding imagery that you'll be tempted to linger for awhile.

We are treated to two very distinct first person points of view courtesy of Hannah and Karim. And I do mean distinct. Karim's 'voice' is so...exotic. Not sure if that's quite the right word but somehow, the author brings a multicultural flare to his thoughts. It's in the cadence of his words and the imagery he conjures up to describe or explain something...or someone. Like Hannah. Swoon. Fainting couch here I come! And it's also apparent in the reverence he has for his people and his God.

And Hannah -- caught between two worlds. She's lived among the Bedouin clan since she was six with the exception of a sojourn stateside for college. In some ways, she's spent her whole life trying to fit in - not Arabian enough for her beloved clansmen and women and not American enough for her college friends. She's a unique blend of both cultures and doesn't quite fit with either though there's no doubt her heart belongs to the people of the desert.

Hannah is an interesting mix of conviction and trepidation. She struggles, as many of us do, with being 'enough'. Doubts and feelings of inadequacy threaten the life God is leading her towards. Emotions are raw, circumstances uneasy and Hannah has to step out in faith in midst of turmoil. Such a beautiful parallel to the biblical Esther's story.

And the ending -- goosebump-raising, hallelujah chorus-singing perfection.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of The Esther Paradigm, 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 to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday May 27 2018. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!

48 comments:

  1. Super review, KAV! I enjoy Sarah Monzon's books. I'm excited to read The Esther Paradigm.

    psalm103and138atgmaildotcom

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    1. Thanks, Caryl. You are going to love this one! Good luck!

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  2. "And the ending--goosebump-raising, hallelujah chorus-singing perfection."
    Yes, exactly that! Loved your review Kav!
    I'm going to message Sarah on fb and send her over, I think she will love your review too!

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    1. Thanks, Tracey. Such an incredible story...I still think about Hannah and Karim - you know it's an awesome book when the characters won't leave you alone even though their book has been shelved. :-)

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  3. What a fantastic book....and your review...Kav, it is awesomesauce! Hope everyone gets a chance to read Sarah's book!

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    1. ...because it's totally awesomesauce, right?

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  4. Wow. Thank you so much for blessing me!

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    1. Thanks for blessing us with this story!

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  5. oh i'm so glad you loved this one too!!

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    1. Yessss...love might be an understatement though. Awesomesaucely love maybe??? :-)

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  6. Keep hearing about this one and can't wait to read it!
    gatorade635(at)gmail(dot)com

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  7. What a great review for great book! Can't wait to read it! mauback55 at gmail dot com

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  8. I'm literally salivating over your review of this book! An exotic hero?...ay yay yay! I must be living in a cave bc I have heard nothing about this book. Nada. I THINK I have seen the cover on FB or somewhere, and that's about it. So so so happy you decided to read and review it!

    dianalflowers(at)aol(dot)com

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    1. It's unlike any other Christian fiction book out there. Truly inspiring and so pertinent to our world today. Good luck, Diana.

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  9. oh my goodness, thanks for your review. oh this has to go on my TBR list.
    quilting dash lady at Comcast dot net

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    1. It absolutely belongs on that list! Good luck, Lori!

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  10. Nice review. cheetahthecat198ATgmailDOTcom

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  11. You have me convinced I need to read The Esther Paradigm. Thanks for the recommendation and the giveaway.
    pmkellogg56[at]gmail[dot]com

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    1. Excellent...my work here is done. Bwahahaha! Good luck, Pam.

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  12. This one has been on my wish list for awhile, and I would love, love, love to win a copy. I have actually never read any of Sarah’s books, but this one sounds fantastic. Thanks for the chance to win a copy!
    gobersATembarqmailDOTcom

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    1. She's an awesome author but this one is totally unique. Good luck, VanG.

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  13. I keep hearing about this book and wondering what I'm missing..

    teamob4 (at) gmail (dot) com

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    1. Hopefully you won't have to wonder for long. Good luck, Trixi.

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  14. What an awesome review! This is another book I have on my Amazon wish list...

    pattymh2000(at)yahoo(dot)com

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    1. Those wish lists of ours keep growing and growing, don't they? Good luck, Patty.

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  15. Your high praise has me intrigued, Kav. Count me in, please! :)

    ckbarker at gmail dot com

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  16. I have been contemplating tjis one. I think you just pushed me over the edge! paulams49ATsbcglobalDOTnet. Thanks, Kav!

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    1. That sounds dangerous, Paula. Hope it wasn't a long drop. :-) Good luck!

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  17. Been looking forward to this book! Yay!

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  18. Incredible sounding book!! Please add my name to the list, cannot wait to read this! Thanks for the opportunity to win the book. drumb AT att DOT net

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    1. It's a one-of-a-kind read that you don't want to miss. Good luck, Laura.

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  19. Love your review, Kav! This book sounds so appealing that I'm sure I will be caught up in the story. Thank you for a chance to win a copy.
    may_dayzeeATyahooDOTcom

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    1. Thanks, Kay. This is definitely the kind of story that sweeps you away. Good luck.

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  20. I for one cannot wait to read this book!
    Thanks for telling me about it.
    Janet E.
    von1janet(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. You're welcome, Library Lady -- you'll love it! Good luck.

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  21. Thank you for the chance. Blessings
    leliamae54(At)aol(dot)com

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  22. I have heard amazing things about this book, and your review with just enough teasers proves that praise to be true! Throw my name in please, I'd love to finally see what this book is all about. Thanks!
    LLWALTZ [at] gmail [dot] com

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    1. It's amazing -and unlike anything you've read before in Christian Fiction! Good luck, Laura.

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  23. The cover alone wants me to read the book and then your great review drew mde in even more!
    pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

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    1. I know -- isn`t it gorgeous? I love the colours! Good luck, rubynreba.

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  24. Thanks for the giveaway!

    ladysnowangelphotos(at)gmail(dot)com

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