Review: In the Shadow of Jezebel

In the Shadow of Jezebel (Treasure of His Love - Book 4) by Mesu Andrews

Publication Date: 03/04/2014
Publisher: Baker Publishing Group
Imprint: Revell Books
Genre: Biblical Fiction
Pages: 416
ISBN-10: 0800721705
ISBN-13: 978-0800721701

(Received for an honest review from Revell Books)

Purchase: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Book Depository, ChristianBook, Indiebound

Mesu Andrews on the WEB: website, blog, twitter, facebook, goodreads

Books in the series: 

Click on the links to see my reviews of previous books in the series.

Treasure of His Love:

1.) Love Amid the Ashes
2.) Love's Sacred Song
3.) Love in a Broken Vessel
4.) In the Shadow of Jezebel

Coverart: Click the Image for a larger, clearer view of the covers in this series.

Excerpt from, In the Shadow of Jezebel, courtesy of the author's website.

Synopsis:

Princess Jehosheba wants nothing more than to please the harsh and demanding Queen Athaliah, daughter of the notorious Queen Jezebel. Her work as a priestess in the temple of Baal seems to do the trick. But when a mysterious letter from the dead prophet Elijah predicts doom for the royal household, Jehosheba realizes that the dark arts she practices reach beyond the realm of earthly governments. To further Athaliah and Jezebel's strategies, she is forced to marry Yahweh's high priest and enters the unfamiliar world of Yahweh's temple. Can her new husband show her the truth and love she craves? And can Jehosheba overcome her fear and save the family--and the nation--she loves?

With deft skill, Mesu Andrews brings Old Testament passages to life, revealing a fascinating story of the power of unconditional love.

Thoughts:

Highly acclaimed Biblical fiction author Mesu Andrews brings readers her latest book, In the Shadow of Jezebel. A combination of history, fiction and Biblical accounts combine to create this story about a princess who defied the odds and finds true unconditional love. Andrews is able to project feelings and emotion into little known Biblical characters and bring them to life. With astounding research this novel broaches, political, cultural and historical aspects of Biblical times and gives the reader and authentic and real experience as they read. An amazing new book from a well respected author.

What I liked:

Mesu Andrews is an author that I have watched for a long time. I have had the opportunity to review some of her books and I think it is safe to say that she is one of my favorites in Biblical fiction. In case some of you are wondering what Biblical fiction means, it is basically where an author takes the Biblical account of a story or person and uses fiction to enhance the story. It brings the characters to life or continues the story as it may have happened. It is important to remember that this is fiction. The author isn't trying to add to, or take away from the Biblical account, it is just the author's interpretation of what if. Andrews is a master at it. 

Princess Jehosheba's story is one that is often overlooked in the Bible, even though she had a great contribution to the history of the people of Judah. When Jezebel's daughter, Athaliah was on the throne she was determined to kill all of the sons of the royal household in order to establish her place on the throne and keep herself in power. Jehosheba is the woman who hid Joash and his nurse from the queen for several years before he assumed the throne. 

Very little is really known about this remarkable woman, but Mesu Andrews has taken her and made her into an amazing character. She is serving in Baal's temple when she is married off to one of the high priests in order to appease Athaliah. Then from her husband she learns of Yahweh and his love. It is just a remarkable 'what if' tale about a young woman who was a priestess to idols who learned the love of the one true God. I thought Andrews did such a fantastic job with this one. 

Andrews has a gift for bringing characters to life. Readers learn a lot about the history through the real life historical characters of the book and they learn a lot about life in Bible times and the culture of the people and their every day life from the fictional secondary characters. I don't know about you, but I have often read the Biblical accounts of people from the Bible and wondered about them. How did they get from point A to point B, what made them they way they were and I think Andrews really satisfies that part of me as a reader who wanted to know more about these amazing people.

What I didn't like:

I liked everything about this one. Jehosheba is a woman who lives in under a tyrannical queen, yet she finds a way to save her nephew the future king of Judah.

Bottom Line:

If you enjoy Biblical fiction or think you might, this is the author to try. Mesu Andrews has a real handle on this kind of writing. She is very descriptive and readers will almost feel like they are a part of the story, everything is so vivid and realistic. I loved it!

Available March 2014 at your favorite bookseller, from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

I'm giving this one 5 out of 5 apple from my book bag!

About the Author:

Mesu Andrews is the award-winning author of Love Amid the Ashes, Love's Sacred Song, and Love in a Broken Vessel. Winner of the 2012 ECPA Christian Book Award for New Author, she has devoted herself to passionate and intense study of Scripture, bringing the biblical world vividly alive for her readers. She lives in Washington. Learn more at www.mesuandrews.com.

Giveaway Details:

Check out Carole Towriss's website for your chance to win a copy of In the Shadow of Jezebel, a $100.00 giftcard to Christianbook.com and several other prizes. You have six days left to enter, so hop over there and take advantage of this great giveaway!