My new release is called, Isaiah’s Legacy. Here’s a little bit about the story:
At eight years old, Shulle has known only life in a small village with her loving but peculiar father. When Uncle Shebna offers shelter in Jerusalem in exchange for Shulle's help tutoring King Manasseh, Judah's five-year-old co-regent who displays the same peculiarities as her father, she's eager to experience the royal court. But Shulle soon realizes the limits of her father's strict adherence to Yahweh's Law when Uncle Shebna teaches her of the starry hosts and their power.
Convinced Judah must be freed from Yahweh’s chains, she begins the subtle swaying of young Manasseh, using her charm and skills on the boy no one else understands. When King Hezekiah dies, twelve-year-old Manasseh is thrust onto Judah's throne, bitter at Yahweh and eager to marry the girl he adores. Assyria's crown prince favors Manasseh and twists his brilliant mind toward cruelty, beginning Shulle's long and harrowing journey to discover the Yahweh she'd never known, guided with loving wisdom by Manasseh's mother: Isaiah's daughter, the heartbroken Hephzibah. Amid Judah's dark days, a desperate remnant emerges, claiming the Lord's promise, “Though we're helpless now, we're never hopeless--because we serve El Shaddai.” Shulle is among them, a girl who becomes a queen through Isaiah’s legacy.
I – Intensely emotional. An early reader remarked, “I laughed, cried, and even shouted for joy as I read this book.”
S – Second. Isaiah’s Legacy tells the second part of Queen Zibah’s story that was started in Isaiah’s Daughter.
A – Autism. I’ve characterized King Manasseh’s “peculiarities” in a way people today will recognize as high-functioning autism (HFA). But I’ve been very cautious to ensure his evil actions are a choice, not a result of HFA.
I – Idolatry. Though many kings in the Bible turned away from Yahweh to idolatry, Manasseh chose Babylonian gods—the “starry hosts”—the same patterns of stars used in modern-day astrology fortunes.
A – Alliances. Ancient kingdoms survived on alliances between nations, between families, and between powerful people within a king’s court. The bad guys made alliances, but so did the good guys—and used them to encourage each other to heroic deeds.
H – Heroism. When Yahweh followers were threatened and later persecuted, their heroism was nothing less than magnificent.
S – Sacrifice. There are examples of loving self-sacrifice and unthinkable child-sacrifice (alluded to) in this story.
L – Light. Admittedly, this is a dark story, but the sparks of hope throughout shine so much brighter because of it. And the light at the end erases every shadow.
E – Eccentric Assyrian Queen. One of my favorite characters was Queen Naqia, wife of Assyrian King Sennacherib and mother of Esarhaddon. She had colorful historical facts which made for fun additional fiction!
G – Geography. This book takes readers all around the Neo-Assyrian empire and beyond to meet interesting ancient rulers and get a glimpse of their personalities and foibles.
A – Angelic encounter. You’ll find a surprise angelic encounter in the story, but mum’s the word! No spoiler here!
C – Canine villain and hero. I love animals—especially dogs. You’ll find a kissin’ cousin of the mastiff breed as a momentary villain and a lifetime hero in Manasseh’s world.
Y – Young characters. Ancient culture demanded so much of Manasseh when he became king of Judah at age twelve. It was difficult to write the adult themes for both main characters at their young ages, but authenticity required a balanced approach.
A Novel of Prophets and Kings
The drama of the Old Testament comes to life as Judah's most notorious king ascends to the throne in this gripping novel from the award-winning author of Isaiah's Daughter.
At eight years old, Shulle has known only life in a small village with her loving but peculiar father. When Uncle Shebna offers shelter in Jerusalem in exchange for Shulle's help tutoring King Manasseh, Judah's five-year-old co-regent who displays the same peculiarities as her father, she's eager to experience the royal court. But Shulle soon realizes the limits of her father's strict adherence to Yahweh's Law when Uncle Shebna teaches her of the starry hosts and their power.
Convinced Judah must be freed from Yahweh's chains, she begins the subtle swaying of young Manasseh, using her charm and skills on the boy no one else understands. When King Hezekiah dies, twelve-year-old Manasseh is thrust onto Judah's throne, bitter at Yahweh and eager to marry the girl he adores. Assyria's crown prince favors Manasseh and twists his brilliant mind toward cruelty, beginning Shulle's long and harrowing journey to discover the Yahweh she'd never known, guided with loving wisdom by Manasseh's mother: Isaiah's daughter, the heartbroken Hephzibah. Amid Judah's dark days, a desperate remnant emerges, claiming the Lord's promise, "Though we're helpless now, we're never hopeless--because we serve El Shaddai." Shulle is among them, a girl who becomes a queen through Isaiah's legacy.
Inspirational Historical | Women's Fiction Historical | Inspirational [Waterbrook, On Sale: February 18, 2020, Trade Size / e-Book, ISBN: 9780735291881 / eISBN: 9780735291898]
Mesu Andrews’ deep understanding of and love for God's Word brings the biblical world alive for her readers. Her first novel, Love Amid the Ashes won the
2012 ECPA Book of the Year for a Debut Author. Her three subsequent novels, Love's
Sacred Song, Love in a Broken Vessel, and In the Shadow of Jezebel all released to great reader enthusiasm. Mesu lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband Roy.
No comments posted.
© 2003-2024 off-the-edge.net
all rights reserved Privacy Policy