Book Recommendation - The Heart of a King

My most recent read in the biblical historical fiction genre, was "The Heart of a King", which chronicles the life of Solomon and four of the women he loved.

King Solomon was wealthy and wise beyond measure. He could--and did--have anything he wanted, including many women from many lands. But for all his wisdom, did he or the women in his life ever find what they searched for all of their lives?

In this engrossing novel, you'll find yourself whisked away to ancient Israel, where you'll meet Solomon and four of the women he loved: Naamah the desert princess, Abishag the shepherdess, Siti the daughter of a pharaoh, and Nicaula the queen of Sheba. As you experience the world of Solomon through his eyes and the eyes of these women, you'll ask yourself the ultimate question: Did Solomon's wisdom ultimately benefit him and those he loved . . . or did it betray them?

It was interesting to see the differences in the women, as well as to see things from Solomon's viewpoint. The book is fully in 3rd person, so there are no switched perspectives, so to speak, but it is 3rd person omniscient, so you see the thoughts and feelings of Solomon and the women he loved. 

This book releases April 30, 2019. 

Jill Eileen Smith is the bestselling, award-winning author of the Wives of King David series, the Daughters of the Promised Land, the Wives of the Patriarchs, and The Loves of King Solomon series. Her research has taken her from the Bible to Israel, and she particularly enjoys learning how women lived in Old Testament times.

When she isn’t writing, she loves to spend time with her family and friends, read stories that take her away, ride her bike to the park, snag date nights with her hubby, try out new restaurants, or play with her lovable, “helpful” cat Tiger. Jill lives with her family in southeast Michigan.

Contact Jill through email (jill@jilleileensmith.com), 
her website (http://www.jilleileensmith.com), 
Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/jilleileensmith), or 
Twitter (https://twitter.com/JillEileenSmith).

For my full review of this one: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2783828719

Book Recommendation - The Edge of Mercy

Fans of heavily emotional story-lines, Heidi Chiavaroli is a name you should be on the lookout for! Her latest novel, The Edge of Mercy releases April 9, 2019. It's one I highly recommend!

This story was first born in the author's mind when a hiking trail for her son's Tiger Cub Scout troop ended at Abram's Rock. Legend had it that Abram was a poor native American who had left his tribe and came to live peacefully at this place, between the world of the Natives and the White men, taking shelter in the cave beside the rock. He was eventually found and captured, and was given the choice of death, or leaping from the top of the rock 3 times. He took the chance and though he survived the first 2 jumps, the 3rd jump killed him. While this tale is simply legend, a story was formed in Ms. Chiavaroli's mind. Here's a photo of Abram's Rock, for reference.

Though this is the author's third published book, it was the first one she penned. For that reason, fans of her other works may find this dual timeline a bit different, as it was her first attempt at such a feat. This book takes place solely in modern times, but Sarah Rodrigues (our heroine) has been tasked with transcribing a journal from a woman in 1865 named Elizabeth. Through Elizabeth's story, Sarah learns the unrelenting love of God and finds peace in her own tumultuous life. 

This story was a beautiful redemptive story about the love of God and forgiveness. It deals with some very difficult topics - broken marriage, fear of losing one's child, infidelity, and unforgiveness in families. These topics are handled with just the right amounts of emotion and grace. The faith element, while not overbearing or preachy, is definitely present, and the ending is oh-so satisfying. I would strongly recommend this book!

Here's a blurb:

Two women, three hundred years apart, must face the devastation of all they hold dear...

Suspecting her husband is having an affair, Sarah Rodrigues fights to appear unbroken while attempting to salvage her family. Though distracted by her own troubles, Sarah is summoned to an elderly friend’s deathbed for an unusual request—find a long-lost daughter and relay a centuries-old family story.

Determined not to fail her friend, Sarah pieces together the story of her neighbor’s ancestor, Elizabeth Baker, a young colonist forced into an unwanted betrothal but drawn to a man forbidden by society.

While Sarah’s family teeters on the edge of collapse, her world is further shaken by the interest of a caring doctor and a terrible accident that threatens a life more precious than her own.

Inspired by the unconditional love she uncovers in Elizabeth’s story, Sarah strives to forgive those who’ve wounded her soul. But when light shines on the dark secrets of her neighbor’s past and the full extent of her husband’s sins, will looking to a power greater than herself rekindle lost hope?

See my full review here:

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2751201475

You can learn more about the author (and order the book) here:

https://www.heidichiavaroli.com/