In the heart of ancient Persia, the empire's Jewish citizens face an ominous edict that threatens their very existence. Roxannah, the daughter of a once-privileged but now impoverished Persian lord, is devastated by the news. Her father sees this edict as a stroke of good fortune, an opportunity to settle his mounting debts by killing the Jewish physician, Adin, and seizing his belongings, but instead he meets his own untimely end, leaving Roxannah destitute and adrift. Desperate and determined to support her mother while settling the debt, Roxannah approaches Adin--the man whose kind eyes still haunt her--to help her find employment in Queen Esther's kitchens.
In the opulent palace of Susa, Roxannah strives to overcome prejudice and adversity as she ascends through the ranks in the royal kitchen. Her culinary talent earns her the trust and mentorship of Queen Esther herself, a woman of grace and wisdom, who is navigating treacherous palace politics and whispers of her inability to produce an heir after six years of marriage. Amid this unfolding connection, Roxannah and Adin uncover a sinister plot against Amestris, the king's most powerful wife and Esther's archenemy. As secrets unravel and alliances are tested, the fate of Amestris and Esther's reign hang in the balance.
In the opulent palace of Susa, Roxannah strives to overcome prejudice and adversity as she ascends through the ranks in the royal kitchen. Her culinary talent earns her the trust and mentorship of Queen Esther herself, a woman of grace and wisdom, who is navigating treacherous palace politics and whispers of her inability to produce an heir after six years of marriage. Amid this unfolding connection, Roxannah and Adin uncover a sinister plot against Amestris, the king's most powerful wife and Esther's archenemy. As secrets unravel and alliances are tested, the fate of Amestris and Esther's reign hang in the balance.
MY THOUGHTS.....
Have you ever tried to express how much you love a book and knew that you couldn't give it the praise that it needed? I was captivated by The Queen's Cook from the beginning sentence and my interest never waned in this fascinating fictional story of Roxannah, a young Persian woman who became a cook in Queen Esther's kitchens. I loved reading the descriptions of the delicious food and how it was prepared, along with Roxannah's difficulties in a male-dominated kitchen! As her story unfolded, readers were also given a glimpse of Queen Esther's life. I've always loved the true story of this young Jewish woman who bravely worked to save her people from annihilation. Her powerful story is related in the Old Testament, in the Book of Esther, and Afshar's talent for weaving fictional details with historical facts has never been more evident!
The Queen's Cook is the first book in the Queen Esther's Court series, and it's left me yearning for more! I loved Roxannah's strength and determination. her sweet romance with the wonderful Adin, the other dynamic characters,and of course, Esther's story! Mystery and subterfuge are a part of Roxannah and Esther's intriguing relationship but above all, we see faith, trust, and encouragement. I was informed, entertained, and deeply inspired by The Queen's Cook and I highly recommend it to all who enjoy historical Christian fiction!
I received a copy of this book from the author and publisher. There was no obligation for a positive review. These are my opinions.
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
The Queen's Cook is the first book in the Queen Esther's Court series, and it's left me yearning for more! I loved Roxannah's strength and determination. her sweet romance with the wonderful Adin, the other dynamic characters,and of course, Esther's story! Mystery and subterfuge are a part of Roxannah and Esther's intriguing relationship but above all, we see faith, trust, and encouragement. I was informed, entertained, and deeply inspired by The Queen's Cook and I highly recommend it to all who enjoy historical Christian fiction!
I received a copy of this book from the author and publisher. There was no obligation for a positive review. These are my opinions.
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Tessa Afshar is an award-winning author of historical and biblical fiction. Her novel Daughter of Rome was a Publishers Weekly and ECPA bestseller. Land of Silence won an INSPY Award and was voted by Library Journal as one of the top five Christian fiction titles of 2016. Harvest of Gold won the prestigious Christy Award in the Historical Romance category, Harvest of Rubies was a finalist for the ECPA Christian Book Award in the fiction category, and Thief of Corinth was an Inspy Award finalist. Tessa also recently released her first bible study and DVD called The Way Home: God’s Invitation to New Beginnings, based on the book of Ruth.
Tessa was born to a nominally Muslim family in the Middle East and lived there for the first fourteen years of her life. She then moved to England, where she survived boarding school for girls, before moving to the United States permanently. Her conversion to Christianity in her twenties changed the course of her life forever. Tessa holds a master of divinity from Yale University, where she served as co-chair of the Evangelical Fellowship at the Divinity School. She worked in women’s and prayer ministries for nearly twenty years before becoming a full-time writer. Tessa speaks regularly at national women’s events. She is a devoted wife, mediocre tomato grower, and chocolate connoisseur.
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QUEEN ESTHER'S COURT
The Queen's Cook
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