The Queen's Handmaid By Tracy L. Higley Book Review

/ / The Queen's Handmaid / /

 

Book Review Written By Madi

Book Title: The Queen's Handmaid

Author: Tracy L. Higley

Source: The Litfuse Publicity Group

Genre: Christian Fiction/Egyptian Fiction

Number Of Pages: 390

ISBN: 978-1-4016-8684-0

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Year Of Publication: 2014

Rating: Five Out Of Five Stars

 

/ / Book Description / /

 

From the servant halls of Cleopatra’s Egyptian palace to the courts of Herod the Great, Lydia will serve two queens to see prophecy fulfilled.

Alexandria, Egypt 39 BC

Orphaned at birth, Lydia was raised as a servant in Cleopatra's palace, working hard to please while keeping everyone at arm's length. She's been rejected and left with a broken heart too many times in her short life.

But then her dying mentor entrusts her with secret writings of the prophet Daniel and charges her to deliver this vital information to those watching for the promised King of Israel. Lydia must leave the nearest thing she’s had to family and flee to Jerusalem. Once in the Holy City, she attaches herself to the newly appointed king, Herod the Great, as handmaid to Queen Mariamme.

Trapped among the scheming women of Herod’s political family—his sister, his wife, and their mothers—and forced to serve in the palace to protect her treasure, Lydia must deliver the scrolls before dark forces warring against the truth destroy all hope of the coming Messiah.

 

/ / Book Review / /

 

 When I started this book, I honestly wasn't sure if I was gonna like it or not.  I had never read anything by this author, and I don't remember hearing much about her, but it turns out that Tracy L. Higley is a force to be reckoned with! This book was marvelous! I don't believe that I have ever read a fictional book that included so much history. The amount of research that had to go into the making of this story is astonishing, because it appears the author really knew her stuff. This novel is about Queen Cleopatra's maid, Lydia. Lydia serves as a personal maid for two or three different queens before the facts about her heritage and calling came to light. Though this is a completely fictional book, it is based off of real people in Egyptian history. I don't know a whole lot about the Egyptian culture or their history, but I did of course recognize a few key names, such as Julius Caesar, King Herod and Cleopatra. It was nice to get a little insight as to what Egyptian life was like in those times, and how kingdom's were ruled. I know that a lot of ancient kings (and some not so ancient rulers) govern by cruelty and force, but the way the author described some of the horrors created by these morally polluted politicians made me shiver. Don't get me wrong, it wasn't gory, just eye opening. The thought of having to watch the deaths of your friends and family with indifference upon your face is terrifying. I loved how the characters progressed with the story. Certain ones grew weak, and others strong as the plot progressed. Oh, did I mention that it is a total page turner? I simply couldn't put it down! The suspense was killing me! This is one of those books that you choose over sleep. I also liked how well written it was. The author has a writing style that will keep your eyes glued to the page. She is descriptive (not to the point of boredom, but enough to give you a clear vision of what is happening), she is passionate, and she is very well rounded. I would encourage anyone with a love of historical fiction or Christian fiction alike to read this book. I certainly am glad that I did.

 

 ~The Literary Maidens

 

Note: I was provided with a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion by the Litfuse Publicity Group. I was not further compensated to review this product and all thoughts and sentiments expressed above are completely my own and unbiased.

A Heart's Rebellion By Ruth Axtell Book Review

/ / A Heart's Rebellion / /

/ / A Novel / /

 

{Review Written By Madi}

 

Book Title: A Heart's Rebellion

Author: Ruth Axtell

Source: Revell Buzz

Genre: Christian Fiction/Regency Romance

Number Of Pages: 347

ISBN: 978-0-8007-2090-2

Publisher: Revell

Year Of Publication: 2014

Rating: Four Out Of Five Stars

 

/ / Book Description / /

 

Dutiful Jessamine Barry is tired of waiting patiently for a man to decide her future. So even though Lancelot Marfleet, second son of an aristocrat, is taking an interest in her during the London season, she refuses to consider him as a suitor. Instead, she's ready to take fashionable society by storm--and finds a rakish young man all too willing to help her do it. When things go too far, Jessamine will learn that the man who is faithful through thick and thin is more worthy than the one who speaks pretty words. But will her disgrace keep Lance from reconsidering her as a wife? And when tragedy strikes and Lance becomes his father's heir and a titled gentleman, will he think she only wants him now because of his title?

 

/ / Book Review / /

 

When I requested this title, I didn't really know what to expect. I had never read anything by this author, nor had I ever heard of her. I had a friend that read this book before I did and said that she thought that it was a bit slow, so I was mildly concerned. When I started reading it, I noticed that the author had a writing style similar to another author that I had trouble with reading because she was pretty slow paced, but my fears were unmerited. This book was a pretty good read! Not a favorite, but I did enjoy it. It wasn't slow moving, as my friend had claimed, but instead it kept me interested until the very end. I'm not saying that it was a super fast paced story that had me sitting on the edge of my seat biting my fingernails, but I had no problem concentrating on it, and toward the end things really started to pick up. The ending was the best part. I definitely think it was worth the time that it took me to read it. And the cover is so pretty! This is one of those beautiful books that you will want to showcase on your favorite bookcase. I am really glad that I got this book, despite my earlier reservations. If you like Christian Fiction or Historical Fiction, I would greatly encourage you to try "A Heart's Rebellion". I will definitely be keeping an eye out for more books by this author.

 

 

 ~The Literary Maidens

 

Note: I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion by Revell Buzz in exchange for my honest opinion. I was not further compensated to review this product, and all thoughts and sentiments expressed above are completely my own and unbiased.

Healer Of Carthage By Lynn Gentry Book Review

/ / The Healer Of Carthage / /

/ / The Carthage Chronicles, #1 / /

 

{Review Written By Madi}

 

Book Title: Healer Of Carthage

Author: Lynn Gentry

Source: The Litfuse Publicity Group

Genre: Christian Fiction

Number Of Pages: 376

ISBN: 978-1-4767-4633-3

Publisher: Howard Publishers

Year Of Publication: 2014

Rating: Five Out Of Five Stars

 

/ / Book Description / /

A modern-day doctor gets trapped in third-century Carthage, Rome, where she uncovers buried secrets, confronts Christian persecution, and battles a deadly epidemic to save the man she loves.Dr. Lisbeth Hastings, a first-year resident, is summoned by her eccentric father to join him at his archaeological dig. She is hesitant to accept his invitation, but when a tragic mistake ends her medical career, Lisbeth decides the only way to redeem her failure is to care for her confused father.

While exploring the haunting cave at her father’s dig, Lisbeth falls through a hidden hole and awakens to find herself the object of a slave bidding war! She tries to escape her captor, a wealthy Roman lawyer named Cyprian Thascius, and discovers that the city she remembers as ruins has somehow become brand-new. Who restored Carthage to a thriving metropolis? And if she is in the third century, how did this happen?

Cyprian believes God called him to rescue the beautiful and strange woman being auctioned off as a slave. He doesn’t understand why saving the church of his newfound faith requires him to love a mysterious woman who seems determined to get him killed by her stubbornness. But who is he to question God?

Their colliding worlds spark an intense attraction as Lisbeth and Cyprian soon find themselves united in a battle against a deadly epidemic. Together they confront Christian persecution, uncover buried secrets, and witness the beginnings of a medical revolution, but they fear Roman wrath will separate them forever. Will Lisbeth save the man she loves and the family she longs for—or will their separate worlds pull them apart forever?

 

/ / Book Review / /

 

 This book. I can't even. I don't know that I could even write a review that would give it justice, but I'm gonna try. "The Healer Of Carthage" is the debut novel of author Lynne Gentry, and let us all hope that it isn't the last! What a way to introduce yourself into the writing business. Lynne weaved a tale of love, tribulation, sorrow and adventure. Every detail was perfect, from the plot all the way down to the small character quirks that you might miss if you don't pay special attention. There was a plot twist in practically every chapter, and once I actually sat down to read it I didn't put it down until I was finished with it. I can't think of a single thing that I would change about it. I couldn't say something bad about this book if I tried. I've kind of been in a book rut for the last few months, but this book blew me away. "Healer Of Carthage" is about a doctor that goes to visit her father in an Egyptian desert and while searching one of her archeologist father's  sites get transported back in time to ancient Rome. Lisbeth gets swept up into the plague that she had only read about in history books. Her medical skills do not extend to such severe fatalities, and the primitive conditions are not helping matters along. The best part of this book (in my opinion) is the people that Lisbeth encounters in her new world. Three very important people are introduced at this point, and she has no idea the significance that they put in her life. Wait! I just thought about something that I don't like about it. The ending. I mean, come on! You can't just leave me hanging like  that! There better be a sequel to this book, or I will start a riot. Yet, even with this ending that left me wanting more, I would recommend this book to just about anyone. I don't care if you like historical fiction. I don't care if you like fiction at all. Read it.

 

~The Literary Maidens

 

Note: I was provided with a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion. I was not further compensated to review this product and all thoughts and sentiments expressed above are completely my own and unbiased.