Daughter of Jerusalem. Review and Giveaway

Waves hi from a very sunny England.  I have the fan blasting, and daintily slurping a mug of tea.

Today I am reviewing and giving away a copy of DAUGHTER OF JERUSALEM by Joan Wolf.

 

Copyright Amazon.com

 

She was a widow, a businesswoman, an adulteress.

In her lifetime, she knew murder, prejudice, and faith. She transformed from a Jewish girl longing for family to one of the closest friends of Jesus of Nazareth -- the Son of God.
HER NAME WAS MARY MAGDALENE.
In this fictionalized story of one of the Bible's most compelling women, New York Times best-selling author Joan Wolf beautifully recreates the history, romance, and tradition of Mary's world. Daughter of Jerusalem follows Mary's life from her first love through her loveless marriage, to the moment she heard of a miracle worker in her own town -- and ultimately to the moment she saw Him risen from the dead.

As this inspiring chronicle reminds us, Mary was the first to witness history's greatest moment. She was a woman who sought forgiveness for her sins, and a follower of God who yearned for a deeper faith. She was Jesus' beloved disciple. Read Mary Magdalene's story and find yourself in this remarkable woman's journey to discover the Kingdom of God.

 

My Review

 

Ok, my experience with the historical novel has been with the mainstream ones about English history. All I know of Mary Magdalene is from the Bible and Jesus Christ Superstar.  So for me this is a new foray.  Bit dubious at first, some Christian novels are rather 'in your face' preachy.  However...Daughter of Jerusalem surprised me in many ways.

First the storyline flowed smooth as silk. My preconceptions about Mary Magdalene as a prostitute in this book were unfounded. The book is fiction, and thoroughly enjoyable.  As I read certain parts, especially those referring to women during their cycles as 'unclean', well the women's lib side of me wanted to go 'grrrrr' at whoever made that ridiculous rule.  

As the storyline unravelled, I found myself enjoying the setting, and most of all that Mary became stronger and stronger.  Establishing her own identity and refusing to be subservient to any man.  She stood up for her beliefs and when she met Jesus, knew that he was the Messiah.  The Jewish leaders spoke of someone who would save them and in their own mind became blinkered to the events happening around them.  They had their own ideals, and refused to believe that God would walk among them in human form.  Experiencing for himself the world he had created.

 

So, as a conclusion.  Please do not judge a book by it's cover.  I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and have no problem recommending this to friends and family.

 

I have one copy for a lucky commentator.  Just pop in the comments section what appeals to you about this book and I will let one of my sons choose the winner.  Don't forget to put your email address so I can contact the winner for their mailing address. 

 

Good luck and keep it kooky!          

 



BOOKS TO GO NOW CHRISTMAS IN JULY BLOG HOP

 

 

A warm welcome to the Books To Go Now Christmas in July Blog Hop.  Please comment here and around the hop for a chance to win:

 

We have TWO grand prizes. You as a reader can go to EACH blog and comment. To take part readers must enter their name and email address in their comment to win.

We are going to also offering two Grand Prizes!! In order for readers to take part, they must leave their comment and email address.  Two winners will be chosen at random and notified no later than July 29, 2013.

1st Grand Prize: (1) $100 Amazon Gift Card

2nd Grand Prize: (1) $25 Amazon Gift Card

I am offering two commentators a chance to win a pdf copy of my book Without Saying A Word.

All you need to do is leave a comment about your ideal romantic hero.

Don't forget to leave your email address and please hop around to read work by my amazing fellow authors.



 

Here is a snippet from my book to whet your appetite.  Enjoy

Prologue

Two years earlier...

Laura slammed the door behind her. Thank God, home at last. She lugged her heavy plastic bag full of groceries into the kitchen, and then glanced at the clock on the wall, yawning as she switched the kettle on. Her children would be home from school soon, with their demands for snacks and help with homework.

As she put away the groceries, she remembered in her haste dropping her handbag by the front door. Laura grumbled under her breath as she dashed into the hall, noticing her husband's leather wallet as she happened to glance down at the phone stand. Well that's odd, Laura thought. He's normally at work this time of the day. As she touched it, a slip of paper floated to the ground. She reached down to pick it up and her forehead crinkled as she read the words. What on earth is going on? She peered round the door into the lounge. All was fine, the room as neat and tidy as before. Laura headed up the carpeted stairs to her bedroom. As she tiptoed toward the closed door, Laura heard the muffled sound of grunting and moaning. As she opened it, the creak of the bed alerted her to the fact that her husband was not alone. The bed frame shook with the force of his thrusts as his milky white buttocks moved in and out of the woman beneath him. Shock flooded Laura's body. Her eyes widened in disbelief. Nausea rode up in her stomach. Aghast, her hands flew to her face and her voice sounded in a whisper.

“Max. What on earth?” Laura’s body shook. She steadied herself by clutching the door, her knuckles white with strain, mentally willing herself to remain upright. This must be a dream; he wouldn’t do this to her. The whole scenario seemed unreal.

Her husband pulled himself off the woman and walked toward her his erection beginning to subside. Max's handsome face contorted into a snarl. His lips curled, nostrils flared, and his eyes looked cold. Laura held her breath as she managed to let go of the door and back away from him. Out of the corners of her eyes, Laura glimpsed the blonde-haired woman run to the bathroom, a cream-colored sheet wrapped around her. Laura’s eyes then fixated on Max who raised his hand toward her. She desperately needed to escape, but she stumbled over a shoe, which gave him the chance he sought.

“You stupid bitch,” he spat in contempt and slapped her around the face. The gunshot crack echoed in the room. Laura screamed out loud as white-hot pain seared her cheek and caused it to throb with fire-like intensity. The metallic taste of blood filled her mouth. Heat flooded her face as Laura sobbed out loud. Black spots danced in front of her eyes, and blurred her vision. Confusion and shock overwhelmed her as her head swam.

“Stop, Max. I don't understand,” she whimpered. Why had he hit her? What had she done to him?

“You wouldn't, would you?” Max maintained his rant. “Lovely Laura has it all— money, a house and children. But guess what? You don't have me. You never did,” he sneered.

His hand rose again. Laura tried to duck, but it landed on her other cheek, and knocked her to the floor. She sobbed harder, the salty tears stinging the grazes on her cheek. Laura lost her vision as her check swelled. By instinct, she curled into a ball, to protect herself from his blows. What on earth caused her loving husband to act this way?

“I should never have married you, you fertile, frigid bitch!” The hateful words rained down on Laura,

Laura, huddled on the floor, begged him to stop. Tears streamed down her face. Her eye closed. Fear and nausea racked her body, and combined with the pain from her face, Laura's body shook. She wanted him to stop. What had she done to deserve this?

“Max, stop. Please. I love you. Please stop hurting me,” she begged in a cracked, harsh voice, but to no avail. His foot swept toward the upper part of her body and collided with her chest. Her ribs cracked. Laura felt the sudden whoosh of air as her lung collapsed. As the breath left her body she tried to scream out. Her voice hoarse and mouth full of blood, she struggled for air. He’s going to kill me, Laura thought. Her children— they would be left alone with this monster.

“Help me,” Laura whimpered from the floor. “Please, help me.”

“Take this, you whore!” Max yelled as his foot came toward her yet again. When it collided with her side, Laura's body jerked at the impact. Too weak to run, too weak to hide, Laura lay on the floor unable to move. Her mind raced with images of her children, and she willed herself to live, to protect them. She could feel herself slip into unconsciousness from her injuries, as her body shut down in self-preservation.

 As blackness encompassed her Laura thought she must be hallucinating, when she heard her eldest son scream.

 “Leave my mother alone, you bastard!”

 

 

Have fun hopping around

 

Love  Manda x

HUMP DAY HOOK!

Welcome to a very hot and sticky Wednesday, and welcome to the HUMP DAY HOOK!

For my hook, I'm not sure if this snippet will help cool you off or perhaps intensify the heat.  This is from my novel WITHOUT SAYING A WORD, available from Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk

A cool breeze blew across Laura’s face as she walked towards the poolside. When she saw movements in the water, her breath caught in her throat at the sight that greeted her.

****

Rhean was swimming laps in the pool. He loved the feel of the water against his skin and the exercise helped burn off excess energy. The villa was the one place where he could relax and recharge his batteries. It also took his mind off his wife sleeping in their bedroom. As he turned in the water to make another lap, he felt eyes on him. Stopping, he  trod water and saw his wife, still dressed in the swimsuit and sarong, her heated gaze on him. Rhean smiled, swum over to the steps and stood up.

****

Laura saw Poseidon in the flesh as Rhean stood up and let the water stream off his muscled body. Droplets clung to his chest hair and nipples. He was nude and gloriously erect, his hardness pointed toward her, beckoning Laura, enticing her, tempting her. Rhean held out a hand toward her and taking courage in both hands, she looked at him. Her green eyes sparkled with passion, and she slowly drew off her swimming costume, leaving herself bare to his midnight blue gaze. The hungry look he gave her spoke volumes and made her nipples peak in anticipation.

She stepped into the water, taking hold of Rhean’s hand and steadied herself as the warmth flowed around her feet. Never taking her eyes away from her husband’s, Laura reached out and touched his chest. She loved the way the hair felt under her fingers and she curled her fingers around it and pulled gently.

What happens next?  Aha, just wait and see.

Hope you enjoyed today's hook.  Please hop around and enjoy more of these very talented authors work.

TTFN! KOOKS xxxxxxxxxxx

COMING SOON

Hi all from a very sunny England. 

For all those that are followers of the blog, I would like to give you a heads up on some exciting events over the next two weeks

First off, on the 19th July I am taking part in a blog hop with Books To Go Now (publishers of Without Saying A Word) and will be giving away 2 pdf copies of the book.  There is a grand prize, so please hop along with these amazing authors taking part. Pop along to the main blog page.

 

 



 

On Wednesday it will be hump day hook.  Hop along and see sexy snippets of our work.

 

 

 

 

Finally, save the date of 20th July as I will be reviewing and giving away a copy of  Joan Wolf's Daughter of Jerusalem.  For a lucky commentator there will be a paperback copy of the book as a prize.



So a few events coming up on Kooks Nook. Not forgetting I will be neck high in edits, reading and also my children's summer holidays are coming up. 

Hope to see some lovely comments, enjoy the sun, be safe and above all.........Keep it Kooky xxxxxxxxxx