Jerusalem's Queen

GIVEAWAY

HUNT, ANGELA
JERUSALEM'S QUEEN

Her rise to the throne defied expectations and then she proved to be one of Judea's greatest rulers.

Born in the small village of Modein, a place made famous by the arrior Maccabees, Salome Alexandra knows better than to harbor grand dreams for her future. She pales in comparison to her beautiful older sister, and though she learns to read at an early age, girls are not valued for their intellectual ability. However, when her father and sister are killed, John Hycranus, a distant relative, invites Salome and her mother to live with his family in Jerusalem, where her thirst for knowldege is noticed and indulged.

When her guardian betroths her to a pagan prince, she questions HaShem's plan. When Hycanus finally marries her to a boy half her age, she questions her guardian's sanity. Though Salome Alexandra spends much of her life as a pawn ordered about by powerful men, she learns that a woman committed to HaShem can change the world.

My Review:

Angela Hunt has the uncanny ability to bring biblical history to life. Her lyrical style entices me to keep reading, even when the subject matter isn't always that palatable, which is often the case when it comes to fictional biographies. My happily-ever-after loving heart can't always be satisfied the same way it can when I'm reading pure fiction.

So, that was a real challenge for me because Salome Alexandra did not have an easy life! Trials and tribulations aplenty and I was seething over the unfairness of the patriarchal society that dictated every aspect of her life -- without any consideration to her wants and needs or happiness. But that is historically accurate and I appreciate the meticulous detail this author gives to her research. And I really feel that Angela Hunt is called to write this kind of fiction. Her words are inspired and they make me, in my' 21st century entitled bubble' examine what really defines strength and courage and even faith.

Jersualem's Queen is the third book in Hunt's Silent Years series -- the 400 years between the Old Testament and the New Testament. I didn't even realize there was a gap until I read Judah's Wife (the second book.) So kudos to the author and publisher for challenging readers with fictional biographies that make a difference.

Book provided by Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications inc.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

Please note: winner will receive a gently read copy of this book

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Jerusalem's Queen, 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 . 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 Saturday February 23 2019. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!