Publisher, Author Bio & Review ~
ABOUT THE BOOK:
She
has prayed for deliverance from Egypt.
But perhaps the greatest liberation happens within the heart.
From the very beginning, Miriam has lived in her younger brother's shadow.
Thrust into the role of protective older sister before Moses was even born, she
will grow up into a woman who not only keeps her family's secret but bears the
burden of leading a new nation.
In her mind, she knows that she is serving both her God and her people. But in
her heart, Miriam yearns for more. She longs to experience the privileges Moses
has--to talk with God face-to-face. But when God finally does speak directly to
her, the outcome is not at all what she expects.
With her impeccable research and keen eye for detail, bestselling author Jill
Eileen Smith offers this epic novel to fill in the gaps in Miriam's story,
following her from childhood to motherhood, obscurity to notoriety, and
yearning to fulfillment as she learns that what God promises He provides--in
His own perfect timing.
LINK TO EXCERPT COURTESY OF THE PUBLISHER:
http://cdn.bakerpublishinggroup.com/processed/book-resources/files/Excerpt_9780800734725.pdf
Praise for the novels of Jill Eileen
Smith
"Smith uses poetic intervals to infuse the narrative with the sensuality
and beauty of the ancient culture."--Booklist on The Heart of a King
"An intriguing, gripping look into the life of one of history's most
famous kings."--Interviews & Reviews on The Heart of a King
"Emotional depth and a modern sensibility not typically seen in historical
novels."--Publishers Weekly on A Passionate
Hope
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Jill Eileen Smith is the bestselling and award-winning author of the biblical fiction series The Wives of King David, Wives of the Patriarchs, and Daughters of the Promised Land, as well as The Heart of a King and Star of Persia: Esther's Story. She is also the author of the nonfiction books When Life Doesn't Match Your Dreams and She Walked Before Us. Her research into the lives of biblical women has taken her from the Bible to Israel, and she particularly enjoys learning how women lived in Old Testament times. Jill lives with her family in southeast Michigan. Learn more at www.jilleileensmith.com
MY REVIEW:
This novel, set in Biblical times, features the family of Miriam and her younger brothers, Aaron and Moses. I felt one of the most powerful themes in this novel was the close bond that these three prophets/spiritual leaders had with each other. They were the core of a large extended family which included their spouses, children, and grandchildren. It seemed as if the entire family did everything they could to support and help each other.
The book opens with the well-known story of baby Moses being discovered in a basket woven by his mother, floating in the Nile River near the palace of the Egyptian Pharaoh Thutmose I. The baby was discovered by the pharaoh's daughter, Hatshepsut, who decided to raise the baby as her own even though she was very young at the time. Moses's biological parents had a strong sense that their son was destined to carry out God's will for the Hebrew people, so they were willing to make the sacrifice to have him raised by the Egyptians rather than being killed.
The remainder of the novel is filled with fact and fiction about the lives of Moses, Aaron, and Miriam, and the Hebrew people. There is good amount of graphic violence depicted in the book. A lot of cruelty was perpetrated by the Egyptians against the Hebrew people whom the Egyptians had enslaved for centuries. I found the beatings, inhumane treatment, and killings to be disturbing. The violence brought a negative tone to the story for me.
There is a strong faith element running throughout the manuscript, with God portrayed in a manner that appears different from the teachings found in the New Testament. There were many incidences of God's wrath and anger toward the Egyptians and the Hebrews documented in this book.
The author has done a fine job of researching this time period, and her descriptions of the daily lives of the Hebrews was interesting and gave me an insight into their lifestyle which I did not previously possess.
I received a paperback copy of this book from the publisher. My opinions and views expressed here are solely my own.
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