Love's Sacred Song by Mesu Andrews

Welcome to the blog tour for Mesu Andrews’s book, Love’s Sacred Song. This biblical fiction is based on the Song of Solomon.

Let’s begin with the summary:

Standing in the massive shadow of his famous father, young King Solomon wavers between fear and bravado, wisdom and folly. In the uncertain world of alliances and treachery, Solomon longs for peace and a love that is true and pure—a love that can be his cornerstone.


A shepherdess in the northern city of Shunem, Arielah, remembers the first time she laid eyes on Solomon in Jerusalem when she was just seven years old. Since then she has known that it was her destiny to become his bride. When her father, a leader of their tribe, secures a promise from King Solomon to marry Arielah as a treaty bride to help unite the kingdom, it seems her dreams may come true.


But how can this simple shepherdess live as part of Solomon's harem? Can Solomon set aside his distractions to give himself completely to just one woman? Or will he let duty, deception, and the daily routine divide his heart?

And now, my review:

I haven’t read Mesu’s other book, Love Amid the Ashes, based on Job’s life, but after reading Love’s Sacred Song, I’m definitely motivated. What a rich and powerful story this is!

Writing biblical fiction has its advantages and disadvantages. Advantage: your plot is sort of outlined for you in the Bible. Disadvantage: the Bible doesn’t give a lot of details so you have to fill in the blanks around a very different time period and way of life. Which leads me to research.

According to Mesu’s author’s note, she spent well over twelve years researching this book of the Bible (the Song of Solomon, which is also known as the Song of Songs). Her subject matter intrigued me because I’ve been a student of the Song of Songs since the mid-90s myself. I’ve been fascinated with the allegorical application of this Song, and seeing how our Bridegroom God sees us. But Mesu’s focus (for the purposes of this book) were a literal and historical application. (Some marriage counselors teach couples from the Song of Solomon, which is another type of application. This is one multi-faceted book!)

What I appreciated about Love’s Sacred Song was how Mesu made me think in a new way about Solomon’s reign. The novel begins with a thorough exploration of his early reign and all the politics involved when he first ascended the throne. Through her research of what literally happened (specifics the Bible does give) and understanding of the culture, Mesu painted a believable picture of how politics affected not only Solomon’s world, but the Shulamite’s as well. She may have indeed been a treaty bride meant to bring the nation of Israel together.

And then there was the romantic element. If you’ve read the Song, you’ve probably wondered how these verses came about. Mesu calls them shepherd’s verses and shows how they not only could have applied to the character’s lives, but how they show a progression of their lives together, sort of as an timeline.

As usual with this genre, there is much left to the discretion of the author, but Mesu’s humble, well-educated approach shines through in her writing. If you disagree with this element or that one, no problem. Like the Song of Songs, there are so many gems in the reading, it’s worth it.

I recommend this story to lovers of biblical fiction, historicals, general fiction, and romance. There’s something here for everyone.

Sarai by Jill Eileen Smith

I read and enjoyed Jill’s Wives of King David series. So, when I heard about her new series, Wives of the Patriarchs, I couldn’t wait to read Book One: Sarai.

Here’s the summary:

Sarai, the last child of her aged father, is beautiful, spoiled, and used to getting her own way. Even as a young girl, she is aware of the way men look at her, including her half brother Abram. When Abram finally requests Sarai's hand, she asks one thing--that he promise never to take another wife as long as she lives. Even her father thinks the demand is restrictive and agrees to the union only if Sarai makes a promise in return--to give Abram a son and heir. Certain she can easily do that, Sarai agrees.

But as the years stretch on and Sarai's womb remains empty, she becomes desperate to fulfill her end of the bargain--lest Abram decide that he will not fulfill his. To what lengths will Sarai go in her quest to bear a son? And how long will Abram's patience last?

And now, my review:

One of the reasons I’ve enjoyed Jill’s biblical fiction so much is her work is obviously well-researched. Of course we’re talking about a fictionalization of real events, but sometimes as I read I thought, “This makes sense. It could have happened this way.”

Some spiritual elements snagged my attention too. One of those elements was how Abram heard from God. Jill helped bring those experiences into the context of anyone in a relationship with God. Abram followed the nudge of God, left his tent and stood under the stars, and there God gave him promises. Yes. Relatable! Made me long for more communion with God, and that’s what great Christian fiction does. Also, the way the story glorifies God for His faithfulness. He will keep His promises.

The unavoidable point in Sarai’s story where she felt she had no other recourse than to offer her maid to her husband in order to help God bring about the promise was heart-wrenching. Though I know the biblical account, I found myself wishing they’d never taken that route. I put myself in Sarai’s shoes. She was in her late 70s. And though 77 back then may have been spryer than it is today, she was still certainly facing the facts. Wouldn’t you? Jill’s supposition that at their marriage (or engagement) Sarai promised a child to Abram if Abram took only her as his wife made sense, though how you can promise to have a child, I have no idea. God’s in charge of those things. But it certainly worked in this fictional account to give Sarai motivation to use whatever means necessary. Who knew (back when the story played out in Sarah’s and Abraham’s lives) that 13 years later, she’d have a son, in her post-menopausal state? The portrayal of Sarai’s wishy-washy faith struck me. But with her name change, came faith, and promise fulfillment. (Hebrews 11:11)

For the first, oh, third or more of the book, I felt it moved rather slowly. But then it really picked up. And knowing about the upcoming drama with Hagar kept me reading. We also saw into Lot’s experiences as well, so the book isn’t solely centered on Sarai and Abram. Lot was their nephew, so it makes sense to expand the story and give more content to the story.

I haven’t found anyone who can render biblical fiction like Jill Eileen Smith. If you’re looking for a means of digging out more gems from the biblical pages, I recommend reading her fictionalizations. She brings in customs of the times and portrays realistic story elements. Of course, you have to remember it’s fictionalization, but it’s worth exploring.

For your convenience, here are the links for Amazon: the first is paper back, the second e-book format.



Available March 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Bathsheba by Jill Eileen Smith

I’ve read the other books in The Wives of King David series and knew I couldn’t pass this one up.

Let’s begin with the summary:

Bathsheba is a woman who longs for love. With her devout husband away fighting the king's wars for many months at a time, discontent and loneliness dog her steps--and make it frighteningly easy to succumb to King David's charm and attention. Though she immediately regrets her involvement with the powerful king, the pieces are set in motion that will destroy everything she holds dear. Can she find forgiveness at the feet of the Almighty? Or has her sin separated her from God--and David--forever?

With a historian's sharp eye for detail and a novelist's creative spirit, Jill Eileen Smith brings to life the passionate and emotional story of David's most famous--and infamous--wife. Smith uses her gentle hand to draw out the humanity in her characters, allowing readers to see themselves in the three-dimensional lives and minds of people who are often viewed in starkly moralistic terms. You will never read the story of David and Bathsheba in the same way again.

And now, my review:

There are many ways to approach the infamous story of David’s adulterous affair with Bathsheba and how he then plotted to kill her husband so he could marry her when it was discovered she was pregnant. Jill Eileen Smith’s approach was wise, tasteful, tactful. Readers who are familiar with the biblical account will anticipate the plot’s destination, but with remorse. We’ve come to care for the characters this much. You’ll want Uriah to live, for his marriage to Bathsheba to continue so they can work out their problems. Smith is especially adept at showing the possible motivations of the biblical characters. You’ll see and consider how her imaginative retelling could fit the story. I appreciated how she filled in the gaps, making the characters human. She has obviously done her research. She helped me consider new angles on the old story, making sense of how things possibly played out.

Overall, through the entire series, Smith displays an amazing understanding of the heart of David, his bearing and his wisdom. Through gifted storytelling, she makes him breathe on the page. The Bible stories come to life, teaching more about biblical times and the various settings. Smith’s biblical fiction is not to be missed. She has set a new standard in this genre.

Highly recommended.

Available March 2011 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Abigail by Jill Eileen Smith

Biblical fiction at it's best--today's feature: Abigail by Jill Eileen Smith.

First, the back cover copy:

Abigail's hopes and dreams for the future are wrapped up in her handsome, dark-eyed betrothed, Nabal. But when the long-awaited wedding day arrives, her drunken groom behaves shamefully. Nevertheless, Abigail tries to honor and respect her husband despite his abuse of her. Meanwhile, Abigail's family has joined David's wandering tribe as he and his people keep traveling to avoid the dangerous Saul. When Nabal suddenly dies, Abigail is free to move on with her life, and thanks to her brother, her new life includes a new husband--David. The dangers of tribal life on the run are serious, but there are other dangers in young Abigail's mind. How can David lead his people effectively when he goes against God? And how can Abigail share David's love with the other wives he insists on marrying? Jill Eileen Smith, bestselling author of Michal, draws on Scripture, historical research, and her imagination as she fills in the blanks to unveil the story of Abigail and David in rich detail and drama. The result is a riveting page-turner that will keep readers looking forward to the next book in this trilogy.

And now, my review:

David is one of my biblical heroes, so reading Jill Eileen Smith’s fictionalized accounts of his life has been enjoyable. Smith is insightful, her research thorough.

As happens with heroes, flaws are often missed. Especially with someone tagged by God Himself as “a man after God’s own heart.” But just because David acted in a certain way doesn’t mean he was right to. Smith demonstrates that with David’s contriteness and repentance in a few instances covered by the scope of Abigail’s story. She shows us a tenderhearted king, and in the case of Abigail, a lovesick one.

This book is a standalone, though it covers the next chapter in David’s life following Michal’s story. Readers will find they can read this novel without feeling “lost” if they haven’t read the first in this trilogy.

Whether the biblical accounts are familiar to readers or not, these novels (The Wives of King David) will interest those fascinated by history, by King David, or simply wanting a good story based in truth. So, whether readers are looking for biblical fiction, romance, adventure or women’s fiction, they’ll find this series enjoyable.

Abigail’s story is full of heartbreak and tragedy, triumph and love. And this novel is an enlightening account of her story. Bravo, Jill!

I’m looking forward to reading Book 3: Bathsheba.