Title: A Reluctant Queen
Author: Joan Wolf
Genre: Adult Inspirational Historical Romance
Length: 372 page
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Release Date: June 14, 2011
Source: Self-Purchased
Rating: 5 Stars
Esther, a beautiful young Jewish woman, becomes the wife of the Persian king, Ahasuerus, but when the king is tricked into persecuting the Jews by his minister she feels she must reveal the truth about her identity and save her people.
I am really loving this series of book about the lives of women from the bible. While I'm sure much of it is dramatized to help fill in the blanks in their stories, the way Joan Wolf brings them to life is amazing. She keeps them true to their story while filling in the little details to really bring them to life.
Ester finds herself in a world completely different from her own when she is offered to King Ahasuerus as a potential bride. She must pretend not to be a Jew in the hopes that he will pick her from his harem filled with beautiful women as a wife. She is shocked to find herself chosen and is conflicted as to what she should do.
There was a very touching and sweet romance in these pages as Esther and Ahasuerus came to know one another. It made Esther's deceit that much more difficult to manage. She also doubts her place in the plan her people have put together. Why would a great king listen to her about matters of any importance? But she is more important than any of them realize, and she is destined to help the Jewish people and save them in many ways.
Ester became a very strong person as the story progressed, and even Ahasuerus was changed as he came to know her. A very moving story that I think anyone can enjoy.
Title: Daughter of Jerusalem (Biblical Fiction)
Author: Joan Wolf
Genre: Adult Inspirational Historical Fiction
Length: 320 pages
Publisher: Worthy Publishing
Release Date: April 16, 2013
Source: First Reads
She was a widow, a businesswoman, an adulteress.
In her lifetime, she knew murder, prejudice, and faith. She transformed from a Jewish girl longing for family to one of the closest friends of Jesus of Nazareth—the Son of God.
HER NAME WAS MARY MAGDALENE.
In this fictionalized story of one of the Bible's most compelling women, New York Times best-selling author Joan Wolf beautifully recreates the history, romance, and tradition of Mary's world. Daughter of Jerusalem follows Mary's life from her first love through her loveless marriage, to the moment she heard of a miracle worker in her own town—and ultimately to the moment she saw Him risen from the dead.
As this inspiring chronicle reminds us, Mary was the first to witness history's greatest moment. She was a woman who sought forgiveness for her sins, and a follower of God who yearned for a deeper faith. She was Jesus' beloved disciple. Read Mary Magdalene's story and find yourself in this remarkable woman's journey to discover the Kingdom of God.
Daughter of Jerusalem really surprised me. Mary Magdalene's life was fascinating. I knew a little about her from church when I was a kid, but Joan Wolf really brought her to life. Her first love, heartbreak and look at what life was really like will hit you hard. Watching as she fell from her beliefs and then struggled to find her place once she found them again was quite inspiring.
Her relationship with Jesus was interesting for me. Having never pictured him as a person you can just walk up to and have a discussion with, the talks they had were incredibly well written and brought both characters to life in a whole new dimension.
I hesitate to call this a Christian book - because there is no preaching or being hit over the head with faith. It is just the story of a woman trying to find her way, and the amazing things she was able to do once she had. Absolutely beautiful.
*This book was received in exchange for an honest review*
