"The Heart Of A King : The Loves of Solomon"

 By

 Jill Eileen Smith

About the book -  In the engrossing novel, find yourself whisked away in ancient Israel, where you'll meet for remarkable women:

Naamah - the desert princess

Abishag - the shepherdess

Siti - a daughter of pharaoh

Nicaula - the queen of Sheba

As you look at the world of Solomon through his eyes and theirs, you'll grapple with rather this king's storied wisdom ultimately benefit him and those he loved.

My review - I have to say that this is one amazing story!  Like so many people, I have read the story of Solomon in the bible, but "Heart Of A King" by Jill Eileen Smith brings the story to life.  While reading this book I was transported back in time. You can envision yourself back in time, standing on one of the balconies watch the temple for God being built.

You start by seeing the relationship Solomon had with his dad.  He wanted to make sure that the temple was built the way David always envisioned. It was a relationship of respect and love.

 I have to say out of all the women in Solomon's life , I love the relationship he had with his mother. There was so much love there. He went to his mother "Bathsheba" for advice on several areas of his life. He talked to her about his love for God and advice about his many wives.

The next woman in Solomon's love was his first wife "Naamah".  She loved Solomon from such a young age.  She even approached her father about a union between the two.  She was able to give him who's first born son.  It was a very sweet union! She did struggled when Solomon started marrying other women.

Next was Abishag.  She was brought into the picture when King David's health was failing.  She was  his wife, nurse maid and companion.  There was a connection between Solomon and Abishag from the very beginning.  After his father died, Solomon decided to marry Abishag.

Siti, the daughter of pharaoh, was Solomon first  wife whom worshipped other Gods.  She was fascinated by Solomon and his religion and his way of life.  Their marriage was one of allegiance in the beginning, but soon turned to love and respect. You can almost feel the conflict, Solomon felt about marrying a woman who worshipped other God's besides his Lord. He was also concerned about how his mother would feel about this union especially after the conversation they had before he left for Egypt.

The last wife mentioned in the book is Nicaula.  Nicaula was the queen of Sheba.  She came to Jerusalem to seek Solomon's wisdom and to learn About his God.  It was one relationship, that was on the same level as Solomon.

After reading this book, I really began to wonder about Solomon's wisdom.  God gave him wisdom, but I wonder if he used it wisely.



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

When she isn't writing, she loves to spend time with her family and friends, reading stories that Take her away, riding her bike to the park, snagging date night's with her husband.  You can contact Jill through her email (jill@jilleileensmith.com) , her website (www.jilleileensmith.com) Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or Pinterest.

Disclaimer - In accordance with the FTC regulations, I received a copy of this book from the author/publisher. I was not compensated, not was a positive review required.  All opinions expressed are my own

Justice Delivery by Patricia Bradley

     I've never read one of Patricia Bradley books and this will not be the last!  What a great book!

     There is adventure, reunion with people of her past (both good and bad) and romance!

     From the very beginning you are drawn into the life of Carly Smith.  Carly is the main character and throughout the book she has been able to overcome several obstacles from her past life.  She has to come ace to face with her past to be to move forward with life.  She has to learn to forgive, trust and learn to love herself to achieve this.

     Carly at the age of 17, was sold into human trafficking, by a man promising her the world through modeling.  She soon learned that her life would never be the same.  She was sold into human trafficking.  Eventually she was able to escape, but she was always looking over her shoulder for her abuser.  She was hiding from her abuser, but always looking for the man that started it all.  It is through counseling  other that she learn several girls had the same experience.  She needed to stop this nan and in doing so she had to return to the very beginning."

     My favorite quote in the book was "because she was strong and had more faith, she believed in forgiveness instead of judgment".

     I have to recommend this book to anyone who likes a good mystery and a lot of suspense.

     I give this book 4 stars.  I would have given it 5 stars, but it was a little confusing to keep up with all of Carly's names.  You will understand when you read the book.

     I received this complimentary copy of this book from Revell for a honest review.

Far Side of the Sea by Kate Breslin

Far Side of the Sea by Katie Breslin

What can I say about this book? The first thing that come to mind is perfection! If you like a good love story, mystery, and a book written in the WW1 time period this is for you!

This is the first book that I have read of Katie Breslin and it will not be he last.

The story begins with Colin Mabrey, whom is a Luietenant in the British military.  After Colin was injuried in a tunnel accident, which he lost his hand, he was working with the M18 receiving messages through a pigeon program.  It was during his work that he received a message from a person in this past Jewel Reyer.  Jewel helped to hide him from the German's when his plane went down.  It was during this time that he feel in love with her.  When he was well enough to leave he leaves Jewel's with the promise of returning one day.  It was after that he thought she died in the invation of her small town. The message will lead Colin to Paris, where he is met by Jewel's half sister Johanna.  As they search for Jewels they travel to Spain and other locations.

This book is full of adventure, intrigue and romance. The author puts you in the middle of the war and helps you see the importance of the Pigeon program in the winning of the war.  I would highly recommend his book by giving it 5 star's.


Disclaimer - In accordance with the FTC regulations, I received a copy of this book from the author/publisher. I was not compensated, not was a positive review required.  All opinions expressed are my own

Never Let Go by Elizabeth Goddard

   What a amazing mystery!

    I love to read a great mystery and Elizabeth Goddard didn't let me down with "Never Let Go".  This is the first book, I have read from this author and will not be the last. 

    This is the first book in the "Uncommon Justice series".  After "Never Let Go", I will be sitting on pin's and needles waiting for the next installment to be released.

    From the very beginning, she pulls you into the story of forensic genealogist Willow Anderson and her old flame Austin McKade.  When Willow's grandfather die's unexpectedly, Willow decides to finish the last case he was working on. The case is about a kidnapping that happened 21 years earlier, when a new born was taken from the hospital and never seen again. It is apparent from the very beginning that someone was not wanting Willow and Austin on this case.  The case leads them to the state of Wyoming, which is where Austin grew up.  It is in Wyoming, that Austin will have to face his own demon's. How can Willow and Austin solve the case and overcome their past at the same time?

   Elizabeth Goddard is a award winning author of more than thirty romance novels. She is the winner of the Carol Award in 2011 for her mystery "The Camera Never Lies".

My Heart Belongs in the Blue Ridge

"My Heart Belongs in the Blue Ridge" by Pepper Basham

  I have to say that this the first book in the "My Heart Belongs" series that I've the privilege to read and I loved this book.  It reminded me of growing up in Southeast Oklahoma.  My childhood was spent living in the middle of nowhere with no electricity for 6 months.  We even survived with no telephone, which was unheard of in the 1970"s.

     This is just a great book! It starts out with Jonathan Taylor, whom is from Britain, he decided to follow his uncle to the Blue Ridge mountains to teach. Jonathans desire wasn't to teach but to one day be a doctor.  He was just trying to get out from under his fathers controlling hands.

      Jonathan had never been in a place like this,  He was born into a family of wealth and prestige and now he was living in North Carolina living in a one room house where everyday was a adventure and  the winters are very rough. Teaching where anything out of the ordinary was frowned upon.

     The first day there he meets a girl named Laurel McAdams.  She is a girl with big dreams of going to college and returning to help her community by teaching.  Leaving the mountain life, wasn't something that people did in the hills. Laurel had a big family and there was also a family problem that she tried to keep from Jonathon.

     Jonathon was the first one to realize how special Laurel was and how he would like to start a relationship with her, but he was unwilling to come between her and her dreams for the future.

     I love this book and would recommend it to others that love a great Christian book.

     I received a compliment copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to publish a review.

We Hope for Better Things by Erin Bartels

     It's not often that one finds a novel as exciting as "We Hope for Better things" by Erin Bartels.  This really touched my life because in reminds me of doing genealogy of my own family. Erin brings you into this story from the start to the end!

     It is a story about three women at different places in history.  They are all related, strong women that grown through different situation during their lives. The book is written going back and forth in time, makes the reading easy and interesting.
 
     It starts out in modern day Detroit with Elizabeth Balsam.  Elizabeth is a journalist who just lost her job and is wondering what to do with her life now.  She was surprised when someone contacts her to return some long lost photo's to a aunt she never knew she had.  When she finally meets Nora, there is a connection at the very start. Elizabeth is about to learn about the history of the family home and the relatives that have lived in it through the years.

     Nora life spans from modern day Detroit to 1967 Detroit which was during the height of race riots. Her story is about her inter-racial marriage to William.  It shows you the struggles a couple had to face during this time in history.

     Then the last strong woman of this book is Mary Balsam, who lived during the civil war.  She helps in the cause of hiding runaway slave in her home. You see the relationship that she develops with the slaves she has been called by God to help.

  This book is one that I recommend to anyone that once to read a book about a families genealogy through time

The Cumberland Bride by Shannon Mcnear

The Cumberland Bride by Shannon Mcnear

I'm 1794, Kate and her family are traveling to Kentucky by the watchful eyes of Thomas. This story is about the adventures of crossing rivers with its complication, illness and most important the fear of Indian attack.

From the very beginning there was something between Kate and Thomas. Thomas knew that getting them safely across country was very important, especially since the Shawnee Indians were coming unravelled. He spends most of the time trying to keep Kate out of trouble.

The Cumberland Bride is a great addition to the "Daughters of the Mayflower" series. The author was able to make the characters come to life. Shannon made me feel like I was actually back in 1794. I will recommend this to other Christian romance reader's.