Review/Giveaway: Abigail

A WINNING READINGS GIVEAWAY!

Title: Abigail
Author: Jill Eileen Smith
Genre: Biblical historical fiction
How to enter: Leave a comment on THIS post right here! If you're a subscriber or a follower, leave a second comment for a second entry.
Entry deadline: March 10, 2010
Restrictions: Open internationally!

That's right, enter right here for this giveaway. This is my review copy, so it has been gently read.

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I love biblical historical fiction. It's interesting. Even the worst of it drives me back to scripture to verify what's truth and what's fiction. And the best of it helps me gain a better, broader picture of the messages God has in His word.

It's funny - I had just been contemplating the story of Abigail and thinking it would make a great book when this review opportunity popped into my email. Perfect timing - and it DOES make a great book!

Abigail is the second of The Wives of King David series - and it stands very well alone - though I suspect most readers will want to grab Michal, the first book, as well! This 375-page paperback is published by Revell and has a list price of $14.99.

Here's the publisher's synopsis:

What price must she pay for true love?

Her days marked by turmoil and faded dreams, Abigail has resigned herself to a life with a man she does not love. But when circumstances offer her a second chance at happiness with the handsome David, she takes a leap of faith to join his wandering tribe. Still, her struggles are far from over. How can she share his love with the other women he insists on marrying?

Abigail follows the bestselling Michal and continues Jill Eileen Smith's rich story of David's wives.

And info on the author:

Jill Eileen Smith has more than twenty years of writing experience, and her writing has garnered acclaim in several contests. Her research into the lives of David's wives has taken her from the Bible to Israel, and she particularly enjoys learning how women lived in Old Testament times. Jill is the author of the bestselling Michal and lives with her family in southeast Michigan.

The author did something powerful with this book. How do you write a romance when one of the parties has multiple wives? And most of all, how do you write it to glorify God? She's done it.

Jill Eileen Smith has portrayed characters who are real. Wise, yet not sure. Foolish at times, yet repeatedly seeking Him to pull them back up and guide them once again. And lovable, in spite of their failures.

I appreciated this exploration back into history - this portrayal of how relationships worked, how families were formed, back in the time of Abigail. This is a book that remains true to biblical and historical facts while bringing them to life in a believable way.

A book that leaves me strangely unsettled (God still has a work to finish, folks!), yet in awe of a God who can use imperfect people in mighty ways, I would say this is a must-have for all lovers of biblical fiction.

Thanks to Baker Publishing Group for the review copy of this book.