In the Shadow of Jezebel (Treasure of His Love #4) by Mesu Andrews -- Audio Review

About the Book

Princess Jehosheba wants nothing more than to please the harsh and demanding Queen Athaliah, daughter of the notorious Queen Jezebel. Her work as a priestess in the temple of Baal seems to do the trick. But when a mysterious letter from the dead prophet Elijah predicts doom for the royal household, Jehosheba realizes that the dark arts she practices reach beyond the realm of earthly governments. To further Athaliah and Jezebel's strategies, she is forced to marry Yahweh's high priest and enters the unfamiliar world of Yahweh's temple. Can her new husband show her the truth and love she craves? And can Jehosheba overcome her fear and save the family-and the nation-she loves?

With deft skill, Mesu Andrews brings Old Testament passages to life, revealing a fascinating story of the power of unconditional love.

GOODREADS | AMAZON | AUDIOBOOK.COM

About the Author

Mesu grew up with a variegated Christian heritage. With grandparents from the Pilgrim Holiness, Nazarene, and Wesleyan Churches, her dad was a Quaker and mom charismatic. As you might imagine, God was a central figure in most family discussions, but theology was a battlefield and Scripture the weapon. As a rebellious teenager, Mesu rejected God and His Word, but discovered Jesus as a life-transforming Savior through the changed life of an old friend.

The desire for God's Word exploded with her new commitment, but devotional time was scarce due to the demands of a young wife and mother. So Mesu scoured the only two theology books available--children's Bible stories and her Bible. The stories she read to her daughters at night pointed her to the Bible passages she studied all day. She became an avid student of God's Word, searching historical and cultural settings as well as ancient texts and original languages.

Mesu and her husband Roy have raised those two daughters and now enjoy a tribe of grandkids, who get to hear those same Bible stories. Mesu's love for God's Word has never waned. She now writes biblical novels, rich with spiritual insight learned through fascinating discoveries in deep historical research.

Her first novel, Love Amid the Ashes (Revell)--the story of Job and the women who loved him--won the 2012 ECPA Book of the Year in the Debut Author Category. Her subsequent novels have released with high praise, shedding light on some of the shadowy women of Scripture. Love's Sacred Song (Revell, 2012) tells the story of the beloved shepherdess in King Solomon's Song of Solomon. Love in a Broken Vessel (Revell, 2013) tells the story of Hosea and Gomer and is the final stand-alone novel in the Treasures of His Love Series. Her fourth novel, In the Shadow of Jezebel (Revell, 2014) tells the fascinating story of Queen Athaliah and the courageous Princess Jehosheba.

The Treasures of the Nile series (Waterbrook/Multnomah, 2015-16) included The Pharaoh's Daughter and Miriam and spanned Moses' life from birth to the Exodus. Her 2017 release, Isaiah's Daughter (Waterbrook/Multnomah), explores the life and ministry of the prophet Isaiah and the tumultuous days of Judah under the reigns of Ahaz and Hezekiah but focuses on the woman Hephzibah--a fascinating character in Jewish legends.

Mesu writes in their log cabin tucked away in the beautiful Appalachian Mountains. Her best friend is an American Staffordshire Terrier named Zeke, who keeps her company on long writing days. Zeke also enjoys watching movies, long walks in the woods, and sitting by the fireplace on rainy days. ​

​FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | BOOKBUB

Review

The story:
 
In the Shadow of Jezebel by Mesu Andrews is a beautiful biblical fiction story of Sheba (Jehosheba), the granddaughter of Jezebel and Amariah, Yahweh’s high priest of the temple.  It was a thrilling and enjoyable tread from the turn of every page. Readers will love how it shows the personality and strength of Sheba as she deals with her manipulative mother and the budding romance between her at first unwanted husband.  This is a story that readers will be inspired by and will remember long after the last page is turned, or in this instance, the last word is spoken.  Well researched, this story will touch readers deep in the soul as they relate to the characters in the story.  A huge theme in this story is unconditional love, both between man and wife and between man and God.  This is an excellent story that readers will not want to put down.
 
 
The narrator:
 
Narrator Lisa Larsen does an excellent job narrating the story.  Her voice is soothing and just right for this biblical romance.  She is a bit more monotone than some narrators, but it’s just right for the type of story she is narrating.  Readers will be soothed and enjoy her take on the voicing of the story.
 
 
Series: Treasure of His Love
Genre: biblical, historical, romance, Christian
Publisher: Revell
Publication date: March 4, 2014 (print), January 2020 (audio via audiobooks.com)
Number of pages: 412
 
Other books in the series:
2-Love’s Sacred Song
3-Love in a Broken Vessel
4-In the Shadow of Jezebel
 
Disclosure statement: A complimentary review copy of this book was provided from tour groups, publishers, publicists, and authors, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, Or borrowed from Kindle Unlimited OR pre-ordered/purchased for review.  A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are my own.