A Reluctant Queen

Title: A RELUCTANT QUEEN
Author: Joan Wolf
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
June 2011
ISBN: 978-1-59554-876-4
Genre: Inspirational/biblical fiction

Esther was orphaned as a young girl, and raised by her Uncle Mordecai. Uncle Mordecia worked for the palace as a treasurer and was privy to some of the palace gossip, so he knew some news, and shared it with Esther, before it was common knowledge.

Esther was planning on marrying another man, but instead was chosen to be one of the maidens to “audition” to be the new queen. And the rest is history. But, does Esther end up falling in love with the king? What will it take for her to get used to the new life that was forced upon her?

Those of us who grew up with the Bible story of Esther in Sunday school, learned it as a tale of courage. A young Jewish girl, chosen against all odds, to marry the King of Persia. A girl who dared to cross the advice of Haman, and ended up saving the Jews. A RELUCTANT QUEEN is that story, but written as a love story.

I found many scriptural errors in this book, the biggest of which is that this author says that Xerxes and Ahasuerus were brothers, when they were actually different names for the same man. The story is written very well, with Esther and her friends acting like typical “boy crazy,” gossipy young girls about fifteen years of age. The love scenes were different than any I’ve seen in other Christian fiction, but they were still tastefully done. If you like biblical fiction then A RELUCTANT QUEEN is a book to consider. Totally different than any other fictional recounting of Queen Esther than I’ve ever read. The author pages were interesting to read. Discussion questions are included at the end of the book. $15.99. 378 pages.

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About the book: A Reluctant Queen

An inspiring re-imagining of the tale of Esther, a young Jewish woman thrust from a life of obscurity into a life of power, wealth, intrigue . . . and tender love.

See the story of Esther in an entirely new way-with all the political intrigue and tension you remember, but told as a passionate and tender love story between a young man and woman. Misunderstood by many, King Xerxes was a powerful but lonely man. Esther's beauty caught the eye of the young king, but it was her spirit that captured his heart.

Imagine anew the story of Esther, one of our faith's great heroines, destined to play a key role in the history of Christianity.

About Joan: Joan Wolf was born in New York City but has lived most of her adult life with her husband in Connecticut , where she raised two children and countless numbers of assorted animals. Joan is the author of numerous historical novels including The Road to Avalon which Publishers Weekly lauded as “historical fiction at its finest.”

For more about Joan and her other books, please visitwww.joanwolf.com.

Link to buy the book: http://www.amazon.com/Reluctant-Queen-Love-Story-Esther/dp/1595548769/ref=sprightly-20

About the giveaway and party:

To celebrate Joan Wolf’s debut Christian Fiction title, A Reluctant Queen, Joan and her publisher, Thomas Nelson, have teamed up to give away A Reluctant Queen prize package worth over $150!

One grand prize winner will receive:
* A brand new Latest Generation KINDLE with Wi-Fi and Pearl Screen
* A Reluctant Queen by Joan Wolf (for KINDLE)

To enter, just click the icon on the sidebar. But, hurry, the contest ends on June 20th. Winner will be announced on June 21st during Joan’s A Reluctant Queen Book Club Party on Facebook! Hope to see you there – bring your friends!

Join the fun on June 21st!

Joan will be wrapping up the blog tour and Kindle giveaway promotion during her A Reluctant Queen FACEBOOK party on her FB author page. During the party she'll announce the winner of the Kindle, host a book chat discussion, test your trivia skills (Is Esther's story in A Reluctant Queen fact or fiction?), and more. Don't miss this chance to meet the author and make some new friends!

Blog tour schedule: http://litfusegroup.com/blogtours/text/13334561)

SEATTLE - The story of Queen Esther is full of romance, suspense, and danger. A Reluctant Queen, The Love Story of Queen Esther (Thomas Nelson, June, 14 2011, ISBN: 1595548769, $15.99) is a fresh account of the journey of biblical heroine Esther from common orphan to queen of Persia. Master story-teller Joan Wolf sees Esther and King Ahasuerus as a young couple on a difficult road together: Esther is wracked with guilt for lying to her husband about her heritage, and the king, despite his vast kingdom, is a lonely man. Haman proves to be a cunning antagonist, seducing the king into trusting him implicitly, while threatening the existence of the king's love, Esther, and her people. The fate of the Jews is in Esther's hands-but her own life is at risk no matter her decision.

Author Joan Wolf says, "A Reluctant Queen is a fresh look at the story of Esther, the book in the Bible that for me has always held the seeds of a deeply moving love story."

More than a fairy tale, the moral imperatives of A Reluctant Queen go far beyond the Brothers Grimm and turns Esther into one of the great heroes of the Old Testament. A beautiful heroine, an exciting and complex hero, an evil villain, a stirring love story - the story of Esther has it all, and Wolf brings it vividly to life. It's the story of a love that triumphs over hate because a woman stands up for her God, becoming a courageous hero to her people throughout the ages.

More about A Reluctant Queen:

You know the Bible story. Now discover the love story.

Experience the intimate, profoundly stirring story of Esther, a simple Jewish girl, and the Great King of Persia, who finds in her the companion of his soul.

In this meticulously researched novel, you'll journey into the mind and heart of Esther. Experience her first frightened days in the king's harem and her gradual awakening love, her anguished realization that she is God's chosen instrument, and her courageous defiance of Persian law that ultimately saved her people from destruction.

What has for been a powerful historical story for thousands of years will come alive when seen through fresh eyes as a tender love story. Be immersed in the richness of the culture, be thrilled with the political and personal intrigues, and be inspired by the incredible act of faith of one young woman-chosen by God "for such a time as this."