May 092013
 
estherProduct Details
  • Title: Esther the Queen a novel
  • Author: H.B. Moore
  • Paperback: 288 pages
  • Publisher: Covenant Communications Inc.; 1st edition (April 1, 2013)
  • Genre: Religious Historical Fiction
  • ISBN-10: 1621084175
  • ISBN-13: 978-1621084174
  • FTC FYI: I received a review copy in exchange for
  • an honest review.
  • Reviewed by Sheila

Book Description

She is a beautiful young Jewess, content in her life of anonymity. He is the most powerful king in the world. When chance brings the two together, the course of history is forever altered. The glittering court of the Persian Empire serves as the backdrop for one of the most poignant tales of courage in the Bible, brought vividly to life in the pages of bestselling author H.B. Moore s sweeping saga. And it begins on a dusty road in the Jewish Quarter. An unexpected meeting between Esther and King Xerxes results in an immediate and unmistakable connection. When Esther is summoned to enter harem the first step toward becoming his wife Esther is torn between her desire to be with Xerxes and the knowledge that they will forever be divided by the secret of her Jewish heritage. Encouraged by her family to do what she must to help her people, she deftly navigates her new position in the palace, quickly becoming beloved by all including Xerxes. But when a treacherous plan threatens to engulf the kingdom in violence, Esther must choose between love and duty. Is she prepared to sacrifice all that she holds dear in order to save her people from certain annihilation?

My Review
I have been looking forward to reading Esther the Queen ever since I knew author H.B. (Heather) Moore would be writing the fictional account of Esther from the Bible. Esther has always been one of my favorite stories from the Bible. I knew that the retelling of her story would be in good hands. I was not disappointed at all. Heather is famous for writing stories of the people from the Book of Mormon like Abinadi, Ammon and the Daughters of Jared and many more.She has also received awards for these novels. Her experience as a writer shows in the magnificent story she has told about Esther.

I  loved the way that Heather brought Esther to life. I always knew how brave Queen Esther had been in order to save her people. The story leading up to that pivotal point in her life has always been a guessing game. I enjoyed Heather’s take on the type of person that Esther was. She is portrayed as being kind, unselfish, and very accepting of all people. As a reader you can’t help but love Esther. King Xerxes (Asahuerus) was also written to my liking. I feel he was a good man in the long run, despite being a Persian King with concubines and a harem. I could see how Esther fell in love with him so quickly. Bad guy Haman deserves the scorn he has received. He truly was a wicked man to call for the destruction of a group of people. Esther’s cousin Mordachai was also written very well. This humble man listened to God and followed promptings from the spirit.

Esther the Queen will enchant you from the first pages. You will be drawn into the splendor of the royal court, and the humble circumstances that the Jewish people lived in. This well researched book will open your eyes to the great sacrifice that Esther made for her Jewish people. I hope that Heather is planning on writing about more heroes from the Bible. Any book written by this author, will for sure make a very satisfying read.

Esther the Queen is available on Amazon, Kindle, and at BYU Bookstore.

 

About the Author:

Heather B. Moore is the award-winning author of several historical novels which are set in Ancient Arabia and Mesoamerica. She is not old and doesn’t remember the time period, so Google has become a great friend. Although she has spent several years living in the Middle East, she prefers to forget the smells. Heather writes her historical thrillers under the pen name H.B. Moore so that men will buy her books. She is also the author of two non-fiction books, and several women’s novels including the co-authored series The Newport Ladies Book Club, the anthology series A Timeless Romance Anthology, and the historical romantic suspense novel Heart of the Ocean. These are all written under her real name so that women will buy her books.
Heather graduated from Brigham Young University with a major in Fashion Merchandising and minor in Business Management–which has absolutely nothing to do with writing novels. But at least she can balance a mean checkbook and color-coordinate her kids’ school clothes.
Visit Heather’s website here: www.hbmoore.com
If you’re an aspiring writer, she also manages the editing company: www.precisioneditinggroup.com