Book Review: A Reluctant Queen by Joan Wolf

I have read and reviewed a few other Biblical fiction books recently: one I liked, and one I really didn't like. I tend to be pretty picky about how an author treats the Word of God, even when it is a work of fiction. Artistic license should only go so far.

A Reluctant Queen is the fictionalized story of Queen Esther (to read the real, "God-breathed" account, read the book of Esther in the Bible). Esther is chosen by the king to be his wife and because she is a Jew, she influences her husband in foreign and domestic policies, thereby saving her people from annihilation. She is a true hero of the faith.

Although I would have written some of the things in A Reluctant Queen differently (most of them having to do with the portrayals of the characters and their personalities), I think Mrs. Wolf did a decent job with this novel. She added some characters and stretched the plot, but it seems to follow the basic story fairly well.

I liked the way that the author created a romance between Esther and the king that is not shown in the Bible. It is a sweet relationship, one to be admired and emulated.

I did always think of Mordecai as being more loving and considerate than he is in this book, but maybe that is my own imagination and not necessarily truth. I also usually considered Esther to be willing to do God's will, not so "reluctantly", but bravely and with a solid faith and trust in God to see her through. Is that just my own interpretation of what is in the Bible, or what?

Nevertheless, A Reluctant Queen is a good book. I do recommend that you read the book of Esther first. Your knowledge of her story will enhance your reading of this book.

I give A Reluctant Queen 3 1/2 out of 5 stars.

(I received this book from LitFuse for review purposes. I received no monetary compensation for this review. All opinions expressed are completely my own.)

To celebrate Joan Wolf’s debut Christian Fiction title, A Reluctant Queen, Joan and her publisher, Thomas Nelson, have teamed up to give away A Reluctant Queen prize package worth over $150!

One grand prize winner will receive:

* A brand new Latest Generation KINDLE with Wi-Fi and Pearl Screen

* A Reluctant Queen by Joan Wolf (for KINDLE)

To enter, just click one of the icons below. But, hurry, the contest ends on June 20th. Winner will be announced on June 21st during Joan’s A Reluctant Queen Book Club Party on Facebook (details below)! Hope to see you there – bring your friends!

Join the fun on June 21st! 

Joan will be wrapping up the blog tour and Kindle giveaway promotion during her A Reluctant Queen FACEBOOK party on her FB author page. During the party she'll announce the winner of the Kindle, host a book chat discussion, test your trivia skills (Is Esther's story in A Reluctant Queen fact or fiction?), and more. Don't miss this chance to meet the author and make some new friends!

Book Review: Immanuel's Veins by Ted Dekker

I don't know if I have mentioned this yet on this blog, but I am a writer. I have written several short stories and articles and have been published about four or five times. I have often thought about writing fiction that depicts the Gospel in a way that is meaningful to the reader without straying from biblical truth. I want my writing to glorify God, and to think about writing an allegory that speaks of God's love and redemption of man has excited me, but it also has caused me to keep the story in my head and not put it on paper for fear of misrepresenting the Truth.

I believe Ted Dekker has come very close to doing what I have feared to do. He has taken the Gospel story and placed it in the time of castles, queens, knights, and swords. He has shown us, as a great story does, what happens when man faces evil and what happens when loves conquers all. This, to me, is one of Mr. Dekker's best works.


The year: 1772. The place: Moldavia. The main characters: Toma and Alek, soldiers sent by Catherine the Great to guard and protect two sisters, Lucine and Natasha. They are challenged by a Russian by the name of Vlad van Valerik and his minions, Stefan, Sofia, and Simion. Here is how the plot is described on the back cover of the book:

"It is a dangerous tale of times past. A torrid love story full of deep seduction. A story of terrible longing and bold sacrifice.


Then as now, evil begins its courtship cloaked in light. And the heart embraces what it should flee. Forgetting it once had a truer lover.

With a kiss, evil will ravage body, soul, and mind. Yet there remains hope, because the heart knows no bounds.

Love will prove greater than lust. Sacrifice will overcome seduction. And blood will flow.

Because the battle for the heart is always violently opposed. For those desperate to drink deep from this fountain of life, enter.

But remember, not everyone is for this story."

If you like books that will challenge, stir and maybe even change you, then you will like Immanuel's Veins. I know I did.

I give Immanuel's Veins 5 out of 5 stars.

Published by Thomas Nelson Publishers, September, 2010.

(I checked this book out of the local library to read and review. No need to say anything else.)

Book Review: Winston Churchill by John Perry

"We are all worms, but I intend to be a glowworm." - Winston Churchill

This biography of Winston Churchill is one of the books in the Christian Encounters Series published by Thomas Nelson Publishers. I read the book quickly, but I had to make myself finish, because it lagged in several places. I like biographies if they are written well, but I have discovered that there are very few biographers who can make people's lives interesting. I must admit I have become hard-to-please when it comes to biographies. They must be extremely difficult to write.

I did enjoy some parts of the book. I think Mr. Churchill must have been quite a character, judging from some of the things I read in this book:

"His life is one long speech. He does not talk. He orates."

(During WWII) "Since he entertained in an official capacity every day, he was exempt from the strict food rationing that was in place, and he tucked into every meal without apology. A typical prime minister breakfast during the war included two eggs, ham, chicken, coffee, toast, butter, marmalade, two mangoes, orange juice - essentially the same as his regular fare for years. He also managed to keep plenty of his favorite Romeo y Julieta brand Cuban cigars and the special Canadian matches he preferred."

Some of the best parts of the book were the portions of speeches he gave during WWII. I admire his courage and strength during such tough times. Here is one quote I like from a speech he made:

"We are resolved to destroy Hitler and every vestige of the Nazi regime. From this nothing will turn us - nothing. We will never parley, we will never negotiate with Hitler or any of his gang. We shall fight him by land, we shall fight him by sea, we shall fight him in the air, until with God's help we have rid the earth of his shadow and liberated its people from its yoke. Any man or state who fights on against Nazidom will have our aid."

One thing that puzzles me about the book is the title of the series: Christian Encounters. When I saw that, I thought, "Hm. I never knew Churchill was a Christian." Well, I don't see that there was much evidence in the book that he was.

"A reporter asked him what made him so sure he'd make it to heaven. Jovially he replied, 'Surely the Almighty must observe the principles of English common law and consider a man innocent until proven guilty.'" (We are actually guilty until Gods changes us and gives us a new heart that comes to him in faith.)

Perhaps the authors of the books in this series are not trying to tell us that these people were Christian, but I was disappointed to find very little in the book that demonstrated faith in God. I'll be hesitant to read any more of these.

What do you think? Have you read any of the books in this series? Did you like them? Leave me a comment.

(I received this book from Thomas Nelson Publishers for the purposes of this review. I received no monetary compensation. All opinions in this review are strictly my own.)