Special Christmas Giveaway on November 27, 2015 - Esther

I was recently invited to review a new novel about Esther; since I have always been interested in the account of Esther, I thought I'd enjoy the book and accepted the invitation. Today I'm very happy to share with you what I think about the new novel; Esther.

Esther: A Novel
Author - Rebecca Kanner
Publisher - Howard Books

Favorite Features -

• The author does an excellent job of weaving historical information, her imagination of what might have been with the Biblical account of the very real Esther.
• Engaging and compelling story - it will capture your attention and leave you not wanting to put the book down!

Howard Books says; "From the award-winning author of Sinners and the Sea comes a breathtaking new look into the timeless tale of Queen Esther.

A glittering Persian king has a vast empire which reaches farther than where the sun meets the horizon. He is bathed in riches and commands a frightening military force. He possesses power beyond any other mortal man and rules his kingdom as a god. Anything he desires, he has. Any woman he wants, he possesses. Thousands of them. Young virgins from all across his many lands.

A Jewish girl is ripped from her hut by the king’s brutish warriors and forced to march across blistering, scorched earth to the capitol city. Trapped for months in the splendid cage of the king’s palace, she must avoid the ire of the king’s concubines and eunuchs all while preparing for her one night with the king. Soon the fated night arrives, and she does everything in her power to captivate the king and become his queen.

But wearing the crown brings with it a new set of dangers. When a ruthless man plies the king’s ear with whispers of genocide, it is up to the young queen to prevent the extermination of the Jews. She must find the strength within to violate the king’s law, risk her life, and save her people.

This is a story of finding hidden depths of courage within one’s self. Of risking it all to stand up for what is right.

This is the story of Queen Esther."

Howard Books does an excellent, and accurate, job of describing this book! Esther: A Novel will give you a new appreciation and even understanding of what it may have been like for the young Esther to find herself in the king's harem. It will encourage you to be strong and to show courage when faced with difficult situations. Esther: A Novel is my favorite book I've read this year (as far as books for adults go!) It would make an excellent choice as a gift for the person on your gift list who enjoys reading historical novels and/or who has wondered about Esther . . . and it will be an absolute treat for you to read it as well!

I'm extremely happy to say not only did Howard Books send me a copy of Esther: A Novel in exchange for my review sharing my opinion of the book, but they are also making another copy available for me to give away (USA only)! If you live in the USA, are over the age of 18 and would like to be included in this giveaway for the Esther: A Novel, which will be on November 27, 2015, please comment below to tell me about another Bible person who you would enjoy the opportunity to read about in a novel . . . for me it would be Jehoshaphat!

In addition if you have followed on Google Friend Connect, followed by liking on facebook with the tab in the "Find us on Facebook" box ON THE BLOG or at this link (not just liking the post) and/or have followed grandma's cookie jar by email you will receive one entry for each of these which you have done. Plus, if you "share" this post, you'll receive another entry (please let me know if you share on facebook, and/or google +, and or twitter as you will be able to receive one entry for each of these which you use to share). This will help me be able to draw names from among people who would like to win Esther: A Novel as it gives you several ways to enter the give-away! Thank you for reading grandma's cookie jar and for sharing it with the  people you know!