Saturday, February 27, 2010

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.

83 comments:

misskallie2000 said...

Loved your review. I would love to read this book. I love to read about figures from the Bible. I had forgotten about Abigail.
Thanks for the wonderful giveaway.

Pls enter me.

misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com

misskallie2000 said...

I am a follower and subscriber


misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com

Jill Eileen Smith said...

Hi Jane,

Thank you for such a kind review of Abigail! Your words touched my heart and are most appreciated. I'm so glad you enjoyed my version of Abigail's story.

In His Grace,
~Jill Eileen Smith

Lisa Harris said...

Loved Jill's first book and definitely want to read this one!

Ticia said...

I'm with you, I think it would be interesting to read. Hope I win!

Ticia said...

I follow!

Kaizen Fashion Project said...

I would love to win + read this!

Kaizen Fashion Project said...

Blog follower!

Renee G said...

Would love to read this.
rsgrandinetti@yahoo(dot)com

MOMFOREVERANDEVER said...

Would love to read this

ann said...

sounds almost like a fivash book!

ann said...

my Bible narratives bookshelf is slowly filling up. like you say, it is a great way to explore deep into the Bible, inspiring us to read "that story" again...

Anonymous said...

HORTON111@AOL.COM

I AM NOT A SUBSCRIBER....BUT I DO LIKE YOUR BOOKS AND THIS SITE

Simply Stacie said...

Please count me in.

simplystacieblog at gmail dot com

Simply Stacie said...

follower

simplystacieblog at gmail dot com

Benita said...

Sounds like a fabulous book. I'd love to read it.

bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com

mverno said...

i love to read this would be fun mverno@roadrunner.com

Anonymous said...

I would love to read this I have done a BIble study on women of the Bible I would like to see how well it follows the Bible.

409cope said...

I would live to read this one! cardshark42(at)hotmail(dot)com

Anita Yancey said...

I really enjoy historical fiction, and would love to read this book. Please enter me. Thanks!

ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net

Anita Yancey said...

I subscribe via email.

ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net

apple blossom said...

I'm named after Abigail in the Bible. I'd love to win this book. Thanks

ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

apple blossom said...

subscriber/follower

ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

Jennifer Wilson said...

Please enter me! I haven't read any in this series, and I have been facinated with King David even more since I was in Israel a few years back.

jenndiggy at gmail dot com

Jennifer Wilson said...

I follow google connect.

jenndiggy at gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

please count me in...thanks

karenk
kmkuka(at)yahoo(Dot)com

Anonymous said...

i'm a subscriber :)

karenk
kmkuka(at)yahoo(dot)Com

Rhonda said...

i would love t o read this novel

rhondastruthers at yahoo dot ca

Rhonda said...

I follow

rhondastruthers at yahoo dot ca

Unknown said...

this looks great

rugerpuppies at hotmail dot com

wmmahaney said...

I would love to win a copy.
wmmahaney(at)att(dot)net

wmmahaney said...

I subscribe.
wmmahaney(at)att(doT)net

buddyt said...

I am a Follower.

I have not read a biblical historical for quite a while and this sounds like a good one.

Please enter me in the drawing.

Thanks

Carol (International)

buddytho {at} gmail DOT com

Nicole C. said...

I would love to read this book.

choateorama(at)gmail(dot)com

Merry said...

Please include me in the drawing for Abigail. Thanks!

worthy2bpraised[at]gmail[dot]com

Debbie said...

Please enter me.

genrereviewer (at) hughes (dot) net

Debbie said...

I'm also a follower.

genrereviewer (at) hughes (dot) net

Michelle - Blessed Mom of 5 said...

I would love to read this one!

Michelle - Blessed Mom of 5 said...

I'm a follower.

Megan said...

I loved Michal, and am really looking forward to this one! Would love the chance to win it. Thanks

inspiredbyfiction[at]gmail[dot]com

Megan said...

I am also a follower!

inspiredbyfiction[at]gmail[dot]com

David Johnson said...

Please count me in, thanks.

EVA SB said...

This sounds interesting. please count me in

EVA SB said...

I'm a follower

Cheryl B said...

Please count me in!
cln1812(at)gmail(dot)com

mmentor said...

i;m in

mmentor said...

i;m in

Katy said...

I'd love to read this one! :)

srfbluemama at gmail dot com

Katy said...

I'm a follower!

srfbluemama at gmail dot com

Edna said...

Please enter me



mamat2730@charter.net

Edna said...

I am a follower on google



mamat2730@charter.net

Katrina said...

i think this is one of the best reviews I have seen in a while...the book looks great

ykatrina at hotmail dot com

Alexia said...

I love to read fiction about people in the Bible, please enter me!

grams said...

Can't wait to read all these ones! Haven't seen these ones.

Smooshy said...

enter me!

Anonymous said...

Please enter me.

Wendy
ebeandebe at gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

I follow with google reader.

Wendy
ebeandebe at gmail dot com

grannyvon said...

Thank you for the chance win this book, I have never read a book like this but would like to. ybutler@oppcatv.com

grannyvon said...

I subscribe and follow both. Thanks for the extra entry.Thanks ybutler@oppcatv.com

Curling up by the Fire said...

I would love to have a chance to read this. Please count me in.

icewoman96 at gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

Enter me please

jim.coyne2@verizon.net

Nancye said...

This sounds like a great book! Thanks for the chance.

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

Nancye said...

Follower

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

Melissa B. said...

I think my mom would like to read this, but only after I read it first!

Aimee said...

Sounds wonderful. Count me in please. Thanks

gevin13{at}gmail{dot}com

Aimee said...

I follow your blog

gevin13{at}gmail{dot]com

Nickolay said...

Another great book. Thanks for the chance

jason(at)allworldautomotive(dot)com

Nickolay said...

Follower

Nickolay

jason(at)allworldautomotive(dot)com

Jessica said...

i understand the foolish at time quality, would love to read the book.

PaintedPony17@yahoo.com

SeahorseLady said...

You always write such good reviews. You make me want to read all of them.

Anonymous said...

For the teenager on the block!

theyyyguy@yahoo.com

Valerie Taylor Mabrey said...

Nice contest thanks

Linda Kish said...

This looks really good.

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

cman said...

Please enter me :)

disneyfanheather said...

I'd love to read this!

disneyfanheather said...

Following your blog!

Naomi said...

I love the sentences you write.I really love to read this book.I need to know.Please enter me.
naomi20 at live.jp

Naomi said...

I am follower with google.
karamelchan@gmail dot com

giggling kids said...

I would love to read this!
heatherstamper09@aol.com

Jodi said...

Wonderful review, I want to read this one and the first in the series. Thanks for the chance.

purehrt555(at)yahoo(dot)com

Aisling said...

Thank you for your review. It helped me know I'd love to read this book.

Unknown said...

This sounds like a great book. I would love to win it. garrettsambo@aol.com

John Deal said...

This sounds like an interesting book in an interesting series. AztecFeller@aol.com