"Jerusalem Queen" by Angela Hunt is a Biblical fiction book. Salome Alexander is from a small village called Modein. Her Father and sister are killed in the beginning of the book. After their losses, a relative John Hyranus invites Salome and her mother to live with him in Jerusalem. She is given a slave to care for her but in reality they become good friends. John hired a tutor to teach her various subjects. He wanted her to be well informed. He eventually had her married to a boy who was half her age. Through all the ups and downs of life Salome stayed faithful to God Hashem. She knew she could be different have high standards and change the world. The book gives the reader insights of what life was like during Bible times. How does Salome uphold her values with pagan standards all around her? I appreciate the publisher sharing this book with me for an honest review. I also appreciate netgalley for giving me a copy of this book. It is well written and very insightful.

An Unconventional Christmas Story

Before reading this book, I had never heard of Salome Alexandra and was grateful for my Kindle and its search features, Wikipedia aiding me in my historical deficiencies. Not that the book is lacking in information, it’s teeming with detailed facts and a rich tapestry of images that place you in this early civilization. Growing up hearing the popular Bible stories, it’s always intriguing to learn about the integral characters that didn’t quite make the canon.

Anyone who thinks that females took a backseat role in the B.C. era should read this book. Salome was a dynamic force, learned in the Torah, fierce in her convictions but gracious and respectful. She nobly endured an arranged marriage to a cousin much younger than herself, a bloodthirsty man who entertained countless concubines until the day of his death. Upon his demise, she assumed the role of leader and attempted to repair a nation torn to shreds and prepare her sons for their eventual inheritance.

With her faithful slave by her side, whom she later freed, Salome survives starvation in the desert, escapes persecution from her in-laws, and despite these many trials, is fiercely loyal to God and the laws of the Torah. She challenges her rabbis and studies the scriptures in anticipation of the coming Messiah.

The prophecies that proclaim the coming of Jesus are a main theme throughout the book which makes this the perfect book for the holiday season, since the time of Salome’s death was estimated to be only one generation removed from the birth of Christ.

While this is historical fiction, a believable saga has been created outside the bare bones the annals have provided, ensuring a pleasurable read that is comprised of faith, hope, and facts.

Beautiful enriching story. So much more than what you can find in Wikipedia! A very well written story of Salome Alexandria, based more on the writing of Josephus. The characters come to life and illuminate a time a generation before our Messiah. It helps so much to envision this part of the old testament and history. Told in first person through the eyes if Salome and her servant who came from Egypt. Salome doesn't think she is good enough compared to her sister, but God knows she will change lives and be remembered throughout time. Excellent teaching of the Jewish civilization.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the Bethany House - Netgalley book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

I have always enjoyed books by Angela Hunt and this is no exception. She did a wonderful job of portraying this queen. This is a fictionalized version of history.

I asked to read and review this book through Netgalley and was given an advanced reader's ebook to do so. Even though it was not fully edited, There were so few errors, I'm not even sure there were any at all. It was very well done.

The story was well researched and the characters were totally believable. The story flowed well and left me wanting more but not feeling like it was ended too soon.

I recommend this book and give it 5 stars out of 5. If you like clean, Biblical, Christian books you will enjoy this.

I really enjoyed this book. Yet again Angela has taken us on a journey expanding on the bible and bringing to life the reality of what it was like to live in those times.

As the silent years continue, an unlikely leader emerges to guide the Jewish nation.

Salome Alexandra has spent all of her six years of life in the small town of Modein. But when her father and sister are killed in an accident, she and her mother’s lives are on the brink of change. A distant relative from Jerusalem has come to claim them to live in his house. He is the son of the high priest and they will have a good life. As the time draws near for them to come to Jerusalem, the high priest and two of his sons are murdered and the relative that claimed them has now become high priest. When they arrive in Jerusalem, Salome begins to get educated and is given a personal attendant. These two women, slave and free, begin to realize they are merely pawns in a man’s game and neither are truly free. But God works in mysterious ways and Salome was always told that she had a purpose in life for which God had set her aside.

I think my favorite part of reading historical fiction by Angela Hunt is that she picks characters that I know nothing about and gives me a history lesson. She makes me go research the characters so that I can compare sources I can find against her work and I love it. I love the research she does to make these past figures come back to life and I love the research she makes me to do learn more about it. This book was no exception. I had not heard of Salome Alexandra before, but I know about her now. Told between viewpoints of Salome and her attendant Kissa, this story unfolds tragedy, growth, forgiveness, and purpose.

I recommend this book to historical fiction lovers, biblical fiction lovers, and people who enjoy Hunt’s work!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

I'll admit I was nervous about this book as I have never read any of Angela Hunt's novels but I am so glad that I not only started this book but continued on and finished it. Not that finishing it was hard because shortly after I started I could not put this book down. What a delight to read this novel! The scenery was painted so vividly and the character development was strong that I felt like I knew them. This book is one of those rare gems that when you finish it you wish you hadn't because you start to miss the people inside the book. If you are looking for a fast paced Christian historical fiction novel this one is for you!

Angela Hunt's books never fail to captivate and Jerusalem's Queen was no exception. She wove an intriguing tale of royalty and Israel's history that held my interest from start to finish. However, as with most of her books, I didn't connect with any of the characters which was a major let-down for me. However, other fans of Biblical fiction might well love this book - it just wasn't my favorite.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

Jerusalem's Queen
By Angela Hunt
This book follows Salome Alexandra through her life in Hasmonean dynasty Israel from Salome’s poor and broken childhood to becoming queen of Jerusalem. During Salome’s life, she had to use discernment to judge what she believed. I have so many Bibles and biblical resources telling me about my faith. Salome, however, was required to find her faith in a whole different manner. Hunt tells the story of Salome falling in love with God so well. I really enjoyed this read and would recommend checking this book out.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This entire series has been an enjoyable read and learning about this time period I admittedly know very little about was interesting. The story coming from the very different perspectives of Salome Alexandria and her Egyptian handmaid Kissa allowed for a more well rounded view of the events of this Queen's life. I would call this a slow burn as the majority of the story is spent during Salome's younger years in the house of her uncle John Hyrcanus, an interesting man himself. Hunt did a wonderful job researching this story and that really shines through. I'm so glad that the author and publisher decided there was one more story that needed to be told in this series and will be looking forward to reading about life in the court of King Herod! I would recommend this entire series for those looking for a good Biblical fiction read.

*I received a copy of this book from netgalley. I was not required to leave a positive review. These opinions are my own.

Angela Hunt never fails to deliver a well-written, well-researched piece of work that makes you feel like you are IN the story. This book was no different. One thing that I love about historical fiction (and particularly biblical historical fiction) is that it brings that time-frame to life for me and allows me to learn more about a time and culture in a way that is also entertaining. I've really enjoyed this series so far, that takes place in the "silent years" between the old and new testaments. Though this is book 3 is the series, you really don't need to read the other 2 first. The first 2 books actually did not connect at all, and this book referenced both of them... however, the references were detailed enough that you still get the gist without the prior history.

In this book, we follow the life of Salome Alexandra, who lived in Judea during these silent years. She was actually born in Modein, where the Maccabees had lived, but moved to Jerusalem while she was young. It was there that her thirst for learning was recognized and appreciated, and she grew up under the guardianship of the high priest. Since the exile, Judea had not had a king and so the high priest served a dual role. I loved Salome's way of analyzing the politics and religious practices from up close and how it trained her to eventually be queen. This book is a fictional account of her life - how she came to be in a position of power 1 generation before Christ was born, and how she managed to be a righteous leader in a time when there was bloodshed and chaos. While this is fiction, a lot of the story is rooted in fact, and I love that Ms. Hunt offers up what pieces are factual and which ones are fictional in her author's note at the end. Suffice it to say that in spite of the leaders before her and after, Salome Alexandra was known as a righteous ruler in Judea and her time in leadership was described as "Judea's Golden Age". As a student of the scripture who has not read the aprocryphal books or other materials from this time-frame, I found this story utterly fascinating.

Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my ecopy of this book. I was not under any obligation to write a review and the opinions contained herein are my own.

Jerusalem's Queen
This is the third book in The Silent Years series. I am loving and learning so much from these books! This one is about Salome, who I had never heard of. There is lots of palace intrigue which I love. Salome was a great character. I loved how wise she was, and she had such a heart for her people. This is also a story about friendship. Salome's servant plays a big part in her life. It's also romance free which was nice.

I received this book from Netgalley for the purpose of review.

What an inspiring read! While i have not heard this part in history before I was vastly amazed and want to research this some more. It showed me how highly underrated this woman can be and through God found the courage she needed! She was such a strong woman!

I was really drawn into this book. Having not heard of Salome Alexandra before, made this even more interesting. She was a strong biblical era woman that is unrated to be sure, and it's a shame more people don't know about her. It shows how Salome discovers and grows in her faith in God, it is very inspiring. Though this is a work of fiction, it is very well researched and well written. It you love Biblical era - type books, this is a must read.

Another amazing, rich historical read from Angela Hunt. I enjoyed delving deeper into history with this delightful story. I recommend the whole series.

Angela Hunt is one of my ALL TIME favorite authors. I have read every single novel she has ever released, and will continue to do so. When I saw that "Jerusalem's Queen" was up for review, I about died of happiness. I also devoured the book in two days flat. What an incredible, amazing and inspiring story! I love a book with a strong heroine, and Queen Salome Alexandria was the strongest of the strong. She was behind-the-scenes for many years, but made her name known among her people due to her unwillingness to waver from the Law of Moses and her devout love towards HaShem. The best part was that Salome is an historical person; I had so much fun researching her life after completing this book. A definite recommend!

"Jerusalem's Queen" is a glimpse into the life of the Hasmonean dynasty in Israel during the silent years. There is everything, including the good, the bad and the ugly, the author is not sugar coating or glorifying anything or anyone. Here we have a very solid character in Salome Alexandra, who does what's right and makes lemonade out of the pile of lemons she was given. She was given away to her relative half her age, someone with different attitude and moral choices. Not only this book shows an example of faith but also makes life in ancient Israel a little more vivid.

There were several things I did not like. I think Kissa's story line is not necessary, it just drags the story longer and makes it boring. It takes half the book to get us through Salome Alexandra's childhood, it is very repetitive. I wish there were more stories about the high priests and politics of the temple. Here we have only bits and pieces.

This book was really amazing! It made me hunger and thirst for more of the story, but more importantly more of His word. I'd never heard of this strong godly woman before and I am a bible reader. She falls on the scene in the silent period between the old and new testament. She was in the Hasmonean family - that of the Maccabees.

I am drawn to her. She is strong in her faith and continues even when those around her that hold all the power don't, she continues to seek out God and his will and word. Her faith and devotion to her God and her people truly changed the world around her.

I highly recommend this book!

I was intrigued as soon as I read the summary for this book...and I was not disappointed! The story of Salome Alexandra sucked me in from the first page. While I know that many aspects of her story was fictionalized, the author did it in a way that was believable, and made the book a true page turner! From becoming fatherless at a young age, to living with a distant uncle, to surviving an arrange marriage to a much younger man who became a tyrant, Salome held on to her faith in God and persevered. If you enjoy historical fiction, you will want to pick up this book!

JERUSALEM'S QUEEN by ANGELA HUNT tells the story of Salome Alexandra, who was taken into her uncle, John Hercanus, the High Priest's home in Jerusalem, when she and her mother were left destitute after her father and sister were killed in an accident.
She didn't have a good relationship with her mother who mourned the death of Keturah, her beautiful daughter, for the rest of her life. She had a good friend in Kissa the young Egyptian slave and, as she was taught by the tutor her uncle arranged for her, she taught her young friend what she had learned.
She had started learning the Torah as a young child with her father, and yearned all her life to live righteously before Hashem. This stands her in good stead when her young husband becomes king and when she eventually rules Jerusalem as queen.
The story takes place during the silent years between Malachi and Matthew.
The author has obviously done a great deal of research and it is an exciting and inspirational read. I particularly like the way she describes the rift between the Pharisees, Essenes and Saducees, and the realization to which Salome Alexandra comes, that it is impossible to keep the whole Law, especially with what men have added in order to "protect" the Law. She has heard the prophecies about the promised Messiah and longs for His arrival.
I was given a free copy of the book by Bethany House Publishers from NetGalley. The opinions in this review are completely my own.