Moore does a lovely job of bringing a biblical story to life. The title character is Hannah and the story begins while she is trying to deal with not being able to have children. I’m glad the focus didn’t stay there for too long as infertility can be triggering for many people. Instead it moves on to the blessing in her life of her son Samuel. Because of the title of the book I was surprised that almost 70 percent is focused on Samuel. I love learning about the festivals that bring his family to the temple where he serves as a Priest. Also the ritual of repentance and how that works with offerings in the temple is discussed. And the love interest is sweet and plays out nicely. I like that when I read fictional stories based on the Bible that I can go to the source and see what the author adds to tell a full story. I’ve read other scriptural retellings by the author and I know she is one I can trust to be interesting, have good side characters and good pacing. If you enjoy religious fiction this is one I can recommend. Thank you to NetGalley, Covenant Communications and the author for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Heather has such a wonderful way of telling biblical stories and allowing those people to become someone real and relatable that jump right off the page. I was completely immersed in Hannah's story and loved that not only did we get Hannah's point of view, but we were also able to get Samuel's in a dual time line AND multiple point of view retelling. The pacing and side characters really helped this book evolve into a work of art. I've read almost all of her scriptural retellings and this one just might be my favorite!

If you are at all interested anything Christian reading I highly recommend this one for you!

Thanks to the author and NetGalley for the copy. All thoughts in this review are my own.

Moore is SO good at transporting her readers to a specific time in history, and this book is no different. This book brought biblical Israel to life with all the historical and cultural details. I loved learning more about the traditions of the time.

Hannah: Mother of a Prophet is a beautiful retelling of the story of Hannah, who prayed and waited so long for a child. Her story touched my heart on such a personal level. I also admired the relationship she had with her husband. According to tradition at the time, he could have easily abandoned her when she failed to have a child. But his loyalty to her was beautiful! Hannah's faith and experience serve as such a source of strength for her whole family, and it was so rewarding to see her grow to an old age and enjoy her children and grandchildren!

The other part of the book focuses on her son, Samuel, and his time serving at the temple. I loved his faith and strength amidst the corruption around him. I loved watching his interactions with his family - I'm not as familiar with the Old Testament as I should be, but I always assumed that they just dropped him off at the temple. In this book. their family's loving interactions made my mom heart relieved. It would still be so hard to send a young child to live somewhere else for the rest of his life!

I loved this book, but some parts felt rushed. I would have loved more details about the battle, considering it had such a major impact at the time. I also would have loved more details about the characters.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves Historical Fiction, specifically Religious Fiction.

Thank you to NetGalley, Covenant Communications, and H.B. Moore for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest opinions!

I enjoyed how H. B. Moore retold the story of Hannah's famous relief from barrenness, incorporated with the story of her son, Samuel, becoming the high priest as a grown man. She skillfully weaves the retelling of Hannah's struggles as a young woman with her mature perspective and faith as an older woman. The romance in the story is gentle and the spiritual side of the story very tactfully handled. I appreciated the authentic-feeling perspective into ancient Israelite society and the comprehensive look at major events in this era of history.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are completely my own.

This is probably the best story I have read to date. I absolutely loved it. The story brings you in and you feel like you are right there as part of it. Emma and her interactions with both family and friends is very heartwarming. Even through her many trials she is a very strong woman.

This story tugged at my heart. It was so beautiful. It was emotional. I loved the way this author was able to portray Hannah and her sorrow in being barren. Her emotions and humility in her situation in life. I loved how Hannah and her husband, Elkanah's relationship was portrayed. It was such a sweet and beautiful love between them. Of course this is a fictional portrayal of real historical people and what record we have of them doesn't show all the details, but I love to believe that how they are portrayed in this book is fairly close to who they were.

I can't begin to understand the emotions of being unable to conceive and to be taunted about it by your husband's second wife. Remember this is based on the culture and rules of the time, so it was perfectly normal if a wife was barren that the husband divorce her or take a second wife so that he could produce an heir to whom all of his possessions and responsibilities would pass to. Not just the possessions but the leadership of the family, the care of them. It is so interesting to study the concept of a kinsman and the many layers and importance of that role. The fact that Elkanah loved Hannah and didn't divorce her, but cared for her, continued to love and provide for her shows his goodness as well. And his devotion to God in traveling and worshipping at the Tabernacle is another depiction of his character and goodness.

I had tears reading this. Through the struggles and sorrows, Hannah held fast to her faith and hope. Her devotion and humility and continuing forward was inspiring. She wasn't without her days of immense sorrow and struggles, I'm sure, but the hope she must have had and held onto, was beautiful.

The book starts out with Hannah being older and sharing her story of praying and going to the Tabernacle to covenant with God. Again it was just beautiful and heart-wrenching. Then it goes back to the time the books starts and their family going to visit Samuel as a Priest in the Tabernacle. We get to read about some of the events that happened around that time as well as some of Samuel's story. I loved what the author included in the book and how it all came together.

Content: Clean. This book is based on people from the Bible and is a Christian fiction novel. It is not preachy but shows these people living their lives in accordance to following the Lord and their love and devotion to Him. Yes it deals with the subject of barrenness and those many emotions, but was so beautifully written I think those who are as Hannah, might find comfort and peace in her story. But it might be a major trigger for others.

I received a copy from the publisher, Covenant Communications, via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.

Happy Reading!!!

The culture and traditions of Old Testament stories can be hard to comprehend.  Hannah: Mother of a Prophet, takes us on Hannah's personal journey.  As I read this remarkable story,  I found myself feeling emotional about how Hannah was treated by Peninnah and how hard it must've been on Hannah to tolerate all the comments Peninnah made about her not being able to conceive. Hannah also has to deal with in-laws trying to get Elkanah to divorce her because she had not given him any sons. The courage Hannah had to have when she took Samuel to the Temple to serve the Lord at the age of eight, I know she was keeping her word, but I can't imagine how hard that must've been on Hannah after waiting so long for a child! This touching, sweet, love story between Hannah and Elkanah and the trust Hannah has in the Lord will tug at your heart! Hannah never loses faith. H.B.Moore adds characters to enhance the story.  Beautifully written! I was given an advanced reading copy in exchange for an honest review.

Oh I just loves this book! I really needed to remember the story of Hannah and her prophet son Samuel! What a beautiful storyline and Ms Moore just brought it to life just like she always does! She is a master at telling Bible stories in a way that helps me understand! Thank you!!!

HB Moore's Hannah: Mother of a Prophet is another phenomenal read by her. I enjoyed every single page. I highly recommend it. Five stars.

“The morning brought the sun, but it didn’t reach into Hannah’s heart.”

Oh my word! This was one of the most tender, soul searching books I’ve read in a long time! Grab your Kleenex. I was in awe of the author’s ability to whisk me back to 1041 BC to the little village of Ramah, only 5 miles north of Jerusalem, and instantly bond with Hannah.

“The sound of babbling children should have brought a smile to Hannah’s face as she sat cross-legged on a cushion in her bedchamber. Instead, it only twisted her pain deeper, into that hidden place behind her breastbone where she suppressed her tears until all candles were blown out and her husband’s breathing had deepened. For the children weren’t her own, but Peninnah’s. Her husband’s second wife. A wife whom he’d never have chosen if Hannah had been able to conceive.”

For those of us in Hannah’s position, Moore has bottled up the emotions we’ve all dealt with and allowed others to feel what it’s like to be heartbroken, disappointed, resentful and the object of another’s judgement. I’d never before considered the pain and anguish of actually living with a second wife, one who was younger and could provide what you couldn’t. Not only that, but Moore has crafted her as extra cruel. I felt each lash of Peninnah’s sharp tongue!

“Giving in and giving up was the easier path.”

I loved Hannah and Deborah’s friendship and the times Deborah was able to be the go-between and help Hannah turn to God and begin healing. I loved watching the relationship Hannah had with God grow into something so beautiful. Hannah was brought down to her lowest where she had to dig deep and find her faith.

“If she truly believed that the Lord could provide, then did that mean her faith was weak?”

Reaching rock bottom gave Hannah the ability to deal differently with Samuel and identify with Abagail.

“Abigail is faithful. If anyone had reason to become bitter, it would be she, but she has only increased her compassion and service toward others.”

Hannah’s story has always touched me but I was thankful for Moore’s interpretation and her gentle reminder that we don’t always see immediate answers to our prayers and that we can use our experience to help another. Moore has such a wonderful way of expressing herself in writing; it taps into readers' emotions and envelops us in the narrative. This is a spectacular book.

I was generously gifted this advance copy by H.B. Moore, Covenant Communications, and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.

Hannah: Mother of a Prophet was as good as I hoped it would be. H.B. Moore never disappoints. What a wonderful story. She brings the characters of Hannah, her family and friends to life. I felt Hannah's pain and sorrow in the beginning of her journey and rejoiced when God answered her prayers. I felt Abigail's heartache and disappointment in her life's circumstances. I thought about the characters of this book days after I finished reading the book. Hannah is just another reason I look forward to reading this authors next book..

Hannah: Mother of a Prophet
I finished the novel “Hannah: Mother of a Prophet,” by H.B. Moore. I’ve seen her books pop up on Amazon here and there. Netgalley was kind enough to except my request for this title. It was my first time reading from H.B. Moore she writes biblical women fiction and under her name Heather B. Moore she writes regular historical fiction. If you’re a fan of historical fiction and historical biblical fiction I say it’s worth checking out even if it’s not your favorite.

Pros
H.B. Moore has a gift of making the biblical story of Hannah come alive. It was as though you were there thousands of years ago. You can relate to women of the bible because they’ve been through some of the same issues women of today have but they remember to always have faith in God and that everything will work out the way it’s supposed to.

Cons
The biggest flaw of this book was even though it was titled “Hannah: Mother of a Prophet,” it didn’t focus on Hannah as much as it should have. The novel focused heavily on Samuel and Abigail’s love story. Don’t get me wrong Samuel and Abigail’s love story was good but it might make readers confused wondering, “Is this about Hannah? Or is it about Abigail and Samuel?” I understand Samuel is also a main character since he is Hannah’s son but his romance story takes up the book.

Overall
Overall it was a good read. It had been awhile since I read biblical historical fiction. Sometimes Christian fiction can either be really good or really cheesy. This book is something to try. Pre-order it now so you can receive it on June 6th 2022. Thank you Netgalley for excepting my requests to read books.

H.B. Moore does it again! I always enjoy her historical fiction, especially mixed with scriptural text. She captures these people who lived whilst still intermingling them with the story she wants to tell.

Brilliant!

What a beautiful and inspirational story of Hannah and her son Samuel! It helped me more than I would have believed with my Old Testament studies. I am so grateful to H.B. Moore for all the research that was obviously necessary to make this ring true while following the scriptures so closely! I, also, have more respect and admiration for the prophet Samuel who was previously more of a "just a name in my Bible" figure.

Can't recommend enough!

This book was reviewed on GoodReads and will be published on Amazon, as well, once it has been released.

I was pleased to be given this book via Netgalley. It was interesting to read a Christian view of Hannah and Samuel. It was smooth reading ING and full of information. Why did I really want to read this? My Hebrew name is Chana or in English is Hannah. My father, may his memory be a blessing, is Samuel. I enjoyed the book and would recommend it.

I have been a fan of HB Moore for years and couldn't wait to read her newest Christian themed historical fiction. Hannah is another fine edition to my collection. Told through 3 different characters, I enjoyed that the story went before and after the birth and delivering of Samuel to the temple. My only complaint is that the multiple storylines left me unfulfilled in all of them! I wanted more of each of them! Some of the cuts seemed a little abrupt and then were never revisited (example: we leave Samuel on the battlefield and then we never go back) Overall, a great read and I learned that I was not so up on my Bible story history as I might have thought. A wonderful book for a Sunday read- couldn't put it down!

I just finished reading Hannah: Mother of a Prophet by HB Moore. It was a wonderfully written book! Fast enough to keep you interested but slow enough to keep you engaged. I love how she weaved the original bible story in with the fictional characters. Historically accurate with bible references in the back. I love how she wove the story of Samuel and Eli in also, giving the back ground of what was happening with Israel at the time too! I could read books like this all day! Took me only 2 days to read in the midst of all I was doing getting ready for Easter. Thoroughly loved it!!!

I absolutely love HB Moore’s books , and this one is no exception…. I love how she can bring the characters to life
I loved the story of Hannah , I love her scriptures hero stories .. makes me feel like I know them …
Great book , great story …. I love it

#HannahMotherofaProphet #NetGalley

A Biblical retelling of Hannah, mother of the prophet Samuel. Hannah, longs for a child and watches as her husband's second wife has four children. Hannah is treated as no more than a servant. Hannah petitions the Lord, if the Lord, will give her a son, she will give him back to the Lord, as a servant in the temple. What courage Hannah shows after having longed for a child. There are other characters who play a part in this novel about Hannah, and how she shaped other's lives.