Welcome to the blog tour campaign for A Reluctant Queen! We are thrilled to help launch Joan Wolf's debut Christian Fiction book. After a successful writing career in the ABA (over 40 titles, including the beloved Avalon series), Joan experienced a major shift in her life, "A few years ago I had an extraordinary experience where God touched my life.  This encounter stirred my interest in writing about other people who had experienced the presence of God in their lives and the CBA seemed to be the best place for me to do that."

Critics and readers alike are giving Joan high praise:

With romance, wonderful characterizations, historically based accounts of the ancient Jewish and Persian cultures, and an amazing ending, this excellent read will be a hard-to-put-down winner for historical romance fans. - CBA Retailers + Resources

A Reluctant Queen (Thomas Nelson) is an original telling of the story of Esther. You'll find more information here and below the book synopsis, but first we're excited to tell you about the FUN Kindle Giveaway. During the blog tour (6/1-6/20), Joan will also be hosting A Reluctant Queen Kindle Giveaway. Joan has partnered with Thomas Nelson and one lucky winner will receive a "queenly" prize package worth over $150.00!

But, wait there's more! Joan will be wrapping up the blog tour and Kindle giveaway at the A Reluctant Queen FACEBOOK party on her FB author page. She'll be announcing the winner of the Kindle, hosting a book chat discussion, testing your trivia skills (Is Esther's story in A Reluctant Queen fact or fiction?), and meeting her readers.

All the details below.

About Joan Wolf:

Joan Wolf was born in New York City but has lived most of her adult life with her husband in Connecticut, where she raised two children and countless numbers of assorted animals. Joan is the author of numerous historical novels including The Road to Avalon which Publishers Weekly lauded as “historical fiction at its finest.” For more about Joan and her other books, please visit www.joanwolf.com.

About A Reluctant Queen:

An inspiring re-imagining of the tale of Esther, a young Jewish woman thrust from a life of obscurity into a life of power, wealth, intrigue . . . and tender love. See the story of Esther in an entirely new way-with all the political intrigue and tension you remember, but told as a passionate and tender love story between a young man and woman. Misunderstood by many, King Ahasuerus was a powerful but lonely man. Esther's beauty caught the eye of the young king, but it was her spirit that captured his heart. Imagine anew the story of Esther, one of our faith's great heroines, destined to play a key role in the history of Christianity. More here.

The Reluctant Queen Kindle Giveaway and Facebook Party:

To celebrate Joan’s debut Christian Fiction title, Joan and her publisher, Thomas Nelson, have teamed up to give away A Reluctant Queen prize package worth over $150!

One grand prize winner will receive:

* A brand new Latest Generation KINDLE with Wi-Fi and Pearl Screen

* A Reluctant Queen by Joan Wolf (for KINDLE)

To enter, just click below. But, hurry, the contest ends on June 20th. Winner will be announced on June 21st during Joan’s A Reluctant Queen Book Club Party on FB! Hope to see you there – bring your friends!

Blog Tour Schedule:

6/1

Michelle at Our Little Corner of the World This was a good book. I enjoyed the change with the story and loved how the two main characters fall in love, in spite of all their differences. The author weaves a wonderful tale and doesn't forget what God can accomplish through us if we are willing.      

Julie Arduini: The Surrendered Scribe It is a captivating romance that makes a romance fan like me turn the pages with anticipation and hope. Joan delivers intrigue, a royal setting with all the customs and yes, a perfect romance to read. I hope once readers finish if they aren’t familiar with the Biblical story of Esther they would research that aspect of her life further. That’s just as fascinating as her romantic life.

Mocha with Linda                    

Tarena at Laughing Family BRAVO!! I hands down loved this book!! I have to admit, I'm a bit bias as I love the story of Esther...just the wonderful reminder that God has each of us here at this moment in time for a great purpose always inspires me and this version blessed me in a new way. It is easy for Fiction books based off of a Bible story to go a bit too far in regards to what might have happened, or for it to become too "romantic". This was just the right balance and it drew me in. I couldn't put the book down!You could tell that Joan Wolf did a lot of research before she wrote this story. I loved the relationship that Wolf created between Esther and her husband and even little details of how the king could have trusted Hamon so much and not seen what was going on behind the scenes. This story was FABULOUSLY created to reflect not only a wonderful story, but something that is honoring to the Lord and the Bible even if some imaginative liberty was taken.          

6/2                         

Jennifer at Reflections in the Window This book captured my attention from the first paragraph, that does not happen very often. Her words made me the reader feel as if I was sitting in Esther's home early in the morning while she made bread. This book was full of love, deceit and romance.  I can not say enough good things about this book. I highly recommend this book.

Holly at 2 Kids and Tired Book Reviews A Reluctant Queen is a fascinating, moving interpretation about one of Christianity's most beloved heroines.  I look forward to more biblical stories from Joan Wolf.   

Apple Blossom at 4 the LOVE of BOOK A wonderful pick up. The author keeps you guessing as to what will happen and you want to keep reading.  Beautiful cover, beautifully written. You feel as if you are living right there in Persia with Esther. You feel her heartache and pain and her joy. You see how God works all things out for His good not ours.   

6/3

Susie at Scraps of Life Enjoyable!

Billie the Girl I was so sucked in it wasn’t even funny. I enjoyed the way the author fearlessly took over the story to make it engaging. She “what if’s” new and interesting characters and scenarios all while sprinkling historical elements in that make the time period come alive.          

Valentina at Carabosse's Library This story caught my attention because of the interesting idea of taking a Bible story and turning it into a deep, complex love story. Now, I am not Christian or Jewish, therefore the Bible is not a book I know very well, but I was familiar with the story of Esther. It interested me to see how Ms. Wolf would manage to turn the characters into multidimensional ones when they are so flat in the original story. In my opinion, she succeeded immensely. Yes, of course, she had to manipulate plot lines and create motives to make the characters’ actions believable, but she managed to build a complex system of actions that make sense. The ambience was fabulous, you could practically feel the hot Arabian sun as you turned the pages, and smell the spices that filled the royal palace. The author does not lose any opportunity to submerge us in the exotic flavors of the land.
I expected the story to be much preachier than it was. It is a Bible tale, after all. But Wolf handled it beautifully, inserting the right amount of God without turning it into a boring sermon. The faults I found are minor, and I can recommend it to anyone who wants to lose herself in a tale that is wrapped in damask and sparkling with jewels.        

Laurie's Here The last time I read a book like this that related to a book of the Bible was "The Red Tent" by Anita Diamant, which turned out to be one of my favorite books. This book is also similar to "Hadassah, One Night with the King, A Novel" by Tommy Tenney. It's wonderful when an author such as Joan Wolf comes along and puts these stories into novels that we can understand when they are so detailed such as this one it. I would read this book again, I enjoyed it so much. I give this book a 4.5 star.

Sharon's Garden of Book Reviews Well written and very interesting as a work of fiction.                     

6/4           

Debbie at Journey of Sisters Joan is a beautiful storyteller with beautiful details intertwined to capture a woman's heart! WE all love a good love story! A wonderful book to add to your summer reading list.             

Brittany at A Flower in the Rain A Reluctant Queen was a great book. I thought I would be bored or uninterested because I have read the story of Esther so many times, but I wasn't. There was romance, intrigue, a hint of mystery, and all of that wrapped up into a beautiful love story. An interesting, fresh, and "readable" story. This fresh take on Esther is definitely a must read

Ruth at This That and the Other Thing A fast-moving romance with enough historical detail to keep it interesting. It keeps to the general outline of the Biblical story though some names are changed,and some events are invented.  One thing I like about Biblical fiction is that at least to me, many Biblical  characters don't seem real.  We don't have a lot of information about them--they play a part in a story and then disappear.  We don't really know their  personalities,their families,their histories, their motivations.  By filling in the blanks, by telling more than is written in the Bible (even if that more is a figment of the author's imagination) the authors of Biblical fiction bring these characters to life for me.

Stacey at Word Up! Well written.

April’s Lifestyle Show I could not put this book down. I loved Ester's character right away and the romance between her and King Asasuerus was tender and sweet. I highly recommend this Love story. 

6/6

Mindy at A Room without Books Empty This book brings the characters to life in a whole new way.

Mary Ann at A Mom With A Blog Joan Wolf did an amazing job. I love the story of Esther, and although I know the ending... I just couldn't put this book down. The author brings so many details into the characters and the surroundings that you are captivated through the end. This is fiction... but it's done in a way that lets us relate to the characters. Esther was used by God. And she was also a young girl. She was human. The picture of Esther that Joan Wolf paints is a beautiful and realistic one. While the story is not completely accurate historically, the author has a note in the back of the book, that specifies the areas in which she made changes to bring this fictionalized story of Esther to life. I was not disappointed. I am looking forward to her next book about Rahab!   

Lena at A Christian Writer’s World AUTHOR INTERVIEW.

Judy at Seize the Book Blog I liked the way that the author created a romance between Esther and the king that is not shown in the Bible. It is a sweet relationship, one to be admired and emulated.            

Sarah at Growing For Christ Joan did a wonderful job in weaving in the historical nature of what Esther may indeed have endured to be a Jewish Persian Queen to save the Jews from extinction, we all know history isn’t always beautiful, but Joan weaves in the details without giving too much detail but just enough the reader can embrace the culture that Esther had to live in. This was a book I thoroughly enjoyed and if I didn’t have to put it down I wouldn’t have.  The fast moving plot of the story and the intrigue that was created from page one added to the depth of the story. I felt like I could actually feel the hear of Persia and the cool mountains of the King’s summer home.  When the author makes a story so real that it feels like leaving friends it’s hard to say goodbye, then they have done their job well and this is one author who has succeeded.             

6/7

Danita at Reviews & Life This book hit the mark! It is a great read and I recommend it highly!! As I was re-reading the Biblical account of Esther, I was impressed with the research that Joan Wolf put into this story to make sure the culture and character of Esther was consistent with Bible times women and Jewish/Persian women. I really liked the characteristics that Wolf included about Esther, although we don't know these things as facts, it made the story more real and definitely more interesting.      

Diane at That's What I'm Here A fresh voice.

Leah at Love Grows Best Homeschool I absolutely loved this book! Yes, the author took plenty of liberties with the Biblical account of Esther, but this is a fiction rendering of the story and I really believe she did a great job! It definitely opened my eyes to how hard it must have been for Esther to become Queen, the courage it took to follow God and allow Him to direct her life completely, when all she really wanted to do was run home. It was endearing to see love develop between Esther and the King; and it made me hope that they really did discover love together. It would seem that way from the Biblical account, but Joan Wolf did a great job of bringing the "love story" to life for us, without lessening the biggest point of the story of Esther..that God uses everyday people to do extraordinary things! Beautifully written with vivid portrayals of both Esther and King Ahasuerus--I can't wait to read more from this author!!   

Kim at Window to My World If you like Bible-based fiction, you will LOVE this book!! Highly recommended!!

6/8

Mollie at The Gandy's Home Base I was captivated by this amazing historical fiction book about Esther. It was a great romantic story of a girl forced to become a man's wife to try to save her people but through it all she was falling in love with him. It was wonderful to watch the characters come to life, first Esther who was so happy in her life as a Jewish girl, then having to change everything to become a Persian woman. After reading The Reluctant Queen, I sat down and read the book of Esther. It was amazing to see how God could, and has many times, used a woman (who were pretty low on the status pole) to save His people and influence those in authority.  I look forward to reading more of Joan's books (she is working on a Rahab story next!).

Danielle at The Happy Wife I absolutely LOVED this book. A Reluctant Queen quickly drew me in and I hungrily read every word. I took it with me everywhere and read it every spare moment I had, even if it was only a few sentences at a time.  It has quickly become a favorite book of mine. You do not need to be familiar with the Biblical account of Esther to enjoy this book.  If you like love stories, I am certain you will love this, whether you consider yourself religious or not. For those who are religious, this is an Old Testament story so it will appeal to both Christians and Jews alike. While religion is a major part of the story, it is not preachy at all. If you want to see how Esther may have felt during her life, the author does a great job sticking to the Biblical account and historical records, using poetic license as necessary. I highly recommend this book to all who enjoy a good love story and to those who enjoy reading about strong women from the scriptures.

Vic's Media Room Ms. Wolf took an exciting book from the Bible and has done an admirable work in adapting it to a fiction book.  Ms. Wolf has made it much more romantic than the Bible portrays it but that is perfectly fine.      

Michele at My Blessings From Above I have to say while this is a work of fiction, I loved reading this story! The characters just came alive in the pages of this book. Familiar characters such as Esther, Mordecai,, Haman and The Great King. I loved the descriptions in the story of what it might have been like to live in Persia during this time period. This is a love story. It is also a story about trust and betrayal. After I read this book, I went back and read the story of Esther from my Bible. It is a wonderful story!

Crystal at Just Another Book Lovin' Girl The details of the time period and characters brought this story to life and made me feel like I was there experiencing it for myself. That's what I liked the most. Being able to envision myself right there with Esther, Mordecai, and King Ahasuerus. A very entertaining retelling of it and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. This is a well written love story that will keep you turning the pages until the very end. Joan is a beautiful storyteller and I look forward to reading more of her work.

Shari at The Knit Wit I found this book to be a real joy, and a real page turner. I hadn't read any of Joan Wolfe's book previous to this, but I would like to read some more, as I found the writing very engaging. This book cover would make you pick it up  The picture of Esther on the front is intriguing and makes you want to read her story.  It is very eye catching. Also it has a Book Group Guide in the back, so if you want to use it for a book group, it can help you to start discussing.      

Hannah Jane at I Review…

6/9

Tammy's Book Parlor The story of Esther is wonderful! Joan Wolf writes a realistic and biblical account of this sad but encouraging time in Jewish history. 5 stars.                                       

Wendy at Minding Spot

Renee at Black 'n Gold Girl's Book Spot Having read a few other Esther stories I found that A Reluctant Queen  was a wonderful book. The author did a wonderful job with Esther. I'm pleased with Ms. Wolf's first foray into the Christian fiction genre and I believe she has a bright future in the genre.

Ruth at Booktalk & More The character of Esther is nicely drawn in this novel. Wolf succeeds in letting us see her human frailty – the fear at losing her home and being thrust into a wholly foreign lifestyle is compellingly portrayed.

6/10

Janet at Along the Way This story written by Joan Wolf was a fresh and exciting look at what the life of Esther might have been like. The author did a fabulous job of making the characters believable, lovable and so very real.  She mixed in a nice mixture of suspense, romance and a deep faith in God. A very enjoyable read!

Kaylea at My Scrappy Life This book takes a fresh look at the story of Queen Esther, which was both unique and interesting. I really liked how this novel caused me to "rethink" a familiar story. I also liked how it examined the personalities of all of the key players from Haman to Esther, and even the people behind the scenes in court life. I also liked how the book really examined the relationship between Esther and the King and unpacked their humanity. On the scale of one to five, with five being the highest, I give this book a solid four. It was interesting, made me think and is a Biblically-based fairytale, that well, has all of the makings of a cinderlla story.                

Briana at I Can't Decide A thought provoking, interesting, and fun read. I also found it interesting to learn more about the customs of Ancient Persia and how women would have lived.  The descriptions of the wedding and religious fests helped me to understand the time period more.                  

Theresa at Frugal Experiments Although the Biblical recounting of Esther's story has all the makings of great storytelling, Ms. Wolf brought the characters to life and wove the story into a beautiful story of love, without compromising the underlying premise of the Bible story: God has a plan and He works His plan through real human people.  

Ruth at Thoughts From a Princess Joan Wolf, through her research of this culture and period in history, paints a beautiful love story. Her written imagery, paints scenes of luxurious silks, floral fragrances, and jewels contrasted with the humble and simplicity of Esther’s home. I look forward to reading more from this author. 

6/11

Carlybird's Home I have started reading some biblical fiction because I think if done correctly, biblical fiction can enhance a Christian’s Bible reading experience.  Biblical fiction can also feel a bit dry and slow.  With all that said, A Reluctant Queen  was far from dry and slow.  It was actually surprisingly light and easy to read. It is a well-written work of fiction and should be taken in by readers as such.

Renee at Little Homeschool on the Prairie The author writes beautifully. Highly recommended to others looking for a good christian fiction read.   

Lindsey at Kindred Spirit Mommy I have a real respect for authors that can tackle these events and make them real for us – and Joan Wolf is no exception. I thought Joan did an excellent job bringing Esther’s character to life. I enjoyed reading Joan’s interpretation of the event and will definitely be looking for more by this author.   

LaVigne's Blog    

Amy at Writing in the Margins Wolf demonstrates a strong mastery of the historical fiction genre. She interweaves historical facts with dialogue so as not to bog down the reader and keep a fast pace. To tell the truth, I had a really hard time putting the book down.     

Whitney at Rambles of a SAHM I must say that the writing is superb. I was completely drawn in to the storyline, even though it is well known to me. Towards the beginning of the novel there was a point that I felt was inaccurate so I dug my Bible out to check it and sure enough I was right. After that I just decided to read it for what it was, a work of fiction based on the book of Esther. I enjoyed the way the author fleshed out the characters and made them living and breathing people. Her writing style is fantastic. My advice to any prospective reader would be to skip the book if you are a stickler on Bible stories being retold accurately. But if you can read this as a work of fiction and enjoy seeing God’s hand at work in the life of an ordinary woman who was asked to do extraordinary things, this just may be the book for you.  

Christine at Write to the Heart In this book, Joan Wolf personifies Esther as a young Jewish girl living in Susa during the Persian rule. Joan’s historical information enriches the characters and gives a tremendous setting to the story. Additional characters such as Esther’s handmaid and eunuch guard also bring the story to life. What I appreciated was the emotional journey of Esther. Joan shows the doubts and fear Esther may have felt as she entered the competition to be queen. This is an enjoyable read. I look forward to more from this author.   

6/13

Cindy's Book Reviews Esther is my favorite Bible story, so I have read lots of books about Esther, so after a while you start wondering what can be done that is new in this story.  Well I have to say Joan Wolf did it, the whole story was unlike most books written about Esther. I loved watching Esther fall deeply in love with her King! I truly loved this book. Great job Joan Wolf!!              

Freda's Voice I wish I was Esther. Strong, beautiful, courageous, intelligent, and honest. Such great morality and character that I want to know more about the "real" Esther. I loved how this book flowed, and I read it pretty quick too, not just because of the great writing but also the fantastic story told. Even if you don't know about these biblical people, you can easily fall into the story. A definite book for my must-read list!              

Kelley at Geaux 2 Girl I wasn't all that interested in reading another rendition when I heard about A Reluctant Queen: The Love Story of Esther. Until, that is, I noticed the author's name. Joan Wolf. I knew that name. She wrote historical romance novels, not Christian stuff. One of her books has been on my shelf for years, reread several times. She's good! I'm so pleased to say that Wolf transferred her considerable research and writing skills from historical to biblical fiction. A Reluctant Queen gives the character of Esther a truly human face, showing her as a woman in conflict, at any given moment, with herself, her family, and her enemies. Her relationship with the king takes on nuances and depth that most other fictionalized accounts do not explore. Wolf's interpretation of the way in which Esther was entered into the beauty contest to become queen is the most unique of all I've ever read. While staying true to the biblical script, Wolf has expanded it into an entertaining, emotional, and enjoyable story. Even more heartwarming and intriguing than the novel is the story behind the author's spiritual turnaround. 

Lisa at The Overweight Bookshelf   

Tina’s Book Reviews I loved the simple way Wolf brought Esther to life.       

6/14

Charla at For What It's Worth Wolf conveyed a love story in an interesting and thought-provoking manner. A reading group discussion guide included at the end of the book provided some of the best discussion questions that I have seen with regards to the book of Esther, and bring back the focus to how important her story is for believers across time and cultures.

Hillary at Our Homeschool Studio    

Marissa at The Review Stew I absolutely loved this book. I was really drawn into the love story Joan Wolf made from Ester's story and I loved learning about the Persian lifestyle and methods of Bible times! If you love the story of Esther from the Bible, then you will love A Reluctant Queen. Just remember this book is fiction and the storyline and characters may not all be based on the Bible!

Laura at Day by Day in Our World Joan Wolf has taken the story of Esther and woven an enchanting novel that captured my attention. There is an interesting exploration of the characters to show what might have been the motivations influencing their actions.  This helped to make the story feel more authentic with human frailties exposed.  I have to say that I completely LOVED this novel. It is not too often that I keep reading until the wee hours of the night with little desire to put the book down. When I came to the concluding pages, I found myself longing for more… a yearning for what happens to the fictionalized Esther next.  What I do know is that I will be seeking out more novels by Ms. Wolf.

6/15

Michelle at Beyond The Silver and The Gold

Linda's Lunacy A Reluctant Queen answers the question of what if, with a very believable storyline. I truly did not want to put this book down while I was reading it. A Reluctant Queen has it all: a love story, a villain, and a hero. It's a great book that I thoroughly enjoyed reading.       

Cecilia at The EPIC Rat  Joan Wolf created such a richly-detailed retelling that will surely captivate anyone who loves a good, tasteful romance! There is no better place to learn about Esther’s story than A Reluctant Queen – I guarantee that you will fall in love with Esther and her people!  

Angie at Never A Dull Moment The basic bones of Ester's story are there and I loved it. I read this book in three days which is extremely fast for me, so that should tell you how much I enjoyed it. Reading about Ester go from your ordinary Jewish girl to Queen all the while doubting that God really wanted this for her was quite interesting. I also really enjoyed the love story between Ester and the King. It was actually quite sweet. So if you want to read a sweet romance about an amazing woman then I highly recommend The Reluctant Queen. 

Chrissy at Lil Baby Booty I have to say this is a must-read for anyone who loves Bible-based fiction. I could not put this book down. It captivates you with all the heartfelt emotions and is a real page turner. It is a powerful romance novel showing the true meaning of unconditional love. In the author's note, Joan Wolf readily admits that she found it necessary to "re-arrange some of the original material". I found the book to be a quick read which is important to busy moms like myself. As I previously said, a real page turner that pulls you in and makes you want to "read one more chapter before bed". I do recommend that you read the Biblical story first but don’t compare them, remember this is fictional book. Highly recommended!

6/16

Simply Stacie This historical romance was fascinating reading and I simply could not put this book down from beginning to end. Mystery, political and court intrigue and romance are weaved together quite nicely in this story and I was so captivated that it inspired me to go back to my bible and read the Book of Esther again. There is even a reading group guide at the end of the book and I enjoyed thinking about the questions posed by the author. This is the first book that I have read by Joan Wolfe but it will certainly not be the last. I appreciate how the author was able to bring Esther “to life” and tell her story in such a creative and believable twist to the biblical story.

Melanie at So Many Books…so little time Joan Wolf has taken the book of Esther, created a scene rich in history and added dynamic characters to satisfy our imaginations as readers. The life of a Queen is detailed so exquisitely that I could imagine the Queen’s chambers, her beauty, and her love for the King. The historical places and descriptions brought to life the Biblical Esther in a beautiful novel. I appreciated the authors note on how she came to write this love story. “To turn the book of Esther into a novel, I had to give the characters humanly understandable reasons for acting as they did”.

Missie at Thirsty I have read quite a few fictional stories about the book of Esther, but this one is my favorite. Wolf did a great job adding history into the novel, making the book come to life. Written from Esther’s point-of-view we are given a direct link to her thoughts. We can feel Esther’s fear, stress and agony over the role she was given. We are also given an intimate look into the love story between Esther and the King. This is a great read, perfect for a warm summer afternoon.

Tammy at Bluerose's Heart It's a beautiful story.                

Jennifer at For Such a Time as This I TOTALLY loved this book! Esther has always been my favorite woman of the Bible! (Can’t you tell by the title of my blog? LOL) I really enjoyed the way that they portrayed her in this book. It helps you to kind of see what it might have been like for her as she fell head over heels in love with the King. Her story is one that will always be in my mind as a true love story for all time!

Kelli at The Zen of Motherhood Superb - a marvelous read for lovers of historical romance.  Wolf does an excellent job of immersing the reader in the grandeur and opulence of ancient Persia.  The love story is tender and believable.  And, Wolf does a masterful job with the suspense toward the end of the tale. Highly recommended.

Hey Lorri I really enjoyed this book and love it when an author can take stories from the Bible and make it more real.             

Jami's Reviews Let me first say that this book was an out-of-the-park Home Run!! This story completely captivated me, and I have to say that this is a must-read for any of you ladies out there who love Bible-based fiction. Joan brings the story to life, describing Esther's feelings, Ahasuerus' personality, and giving vivid character to the role of Haman. I highly recommend this book for those who like a fictionalized story. It's sensational!

Stacie at Hobbit Door Oh. Wow. People. I loved this book. I could. not. put. this. book. down. Seriously. Now, she admits to using some artistic license with the story to keep the plot going and you'll notice them but I felt she stayed true to the spirit of the story. I would read a sequel to this. I loved the characters. I love her writing style. It was exciting and romantic and fun. Put it on your list. This is a must read.

6/17

Tales of a Ranting Ginger Very enjoyable read.

Renee at Doorkeeper A Reluctant Queen is a story I’ll save to read again.     

Kat at  Reviews From The Heart T his one is beautifully crafted to take the reader more in depth to the true story of love and betrayal in the retelling of Esther. This one rates 5 out of 5 stars and I would highly recommend this one. I can't wait to see if more Biblical stories will follow in the same pattern. It draws the reader in to wanting to read the Bible after becoming immersed in this novel. The reader must remember that this is a fictional story based on the Biblical one of Esther so the details contained within are there to enhance the story, not rewrite the actual one.

Betsy Ann Writer at Large Biblical fiction at it's finest.

Revka at The Porch Light I found A Reluctant Queent o be believable, tender, interesting, well-paced, and well-written. Although Mrs. Wolf does create a deeper, more loving relationship between the king and queen than is explicitly stated in the Bible, that adds to her story's charm.

Jen at Happy Little Homemaker I really enjoyed reading this book. In fact, I was in bed with a mini-Maglight trying to finish it last week because it was so good I couldn’t put it down. Recommended!

Mandie at Taking Time for Mommy Awesome book.                   

6/18

Michelle at Healing Hearts Book Review Blog Her characterization was definitely her greatest strength.  Enjoyable and I plan to read more of Joan Wolf's novels in the future. She really knows how to pull a reader in so they forget they are reading a book and instead feel like they are experiencing the fictional realm with the characters. I love that!          

Megan at The Joys of Life I was surprised by this book - recommended!

Robin at Scribbles of the Heart

Michelle at  Life in Review This is a very lovely story. I think she stayed true to the character of Esther and the lessons of courage we learn from Esther. I very highly recommend this book. It is very beautifully written. The author will transport you to another time and place and leave you feeling as if you knew Esther. I really enjoyed Ms Wolf’s writing and her telling of Esther’s story. I look forward to more from this author.

Marjorie at The Writer's Tool I'm fascinated at the perspective Joan Wolf has taken with fleshing out the story of Esther, bringing the characters and the time alive a little differently than the traditional interpretations of the times usually give us. Highly recommend.        

Savannah at Ridiculous Reviews Entertaining.            

Patty at Broken Teepee Enjoyed!

Jill at Book Review Travels

Molly at Reviews By Molly This novel really spoke to me of Esther's story. A powerful, powerful love story, Wolf brings these two together and recreates their Biblical story in a history filled, romantic new light, to capture the hearts of her readers every where.  I was immediately drawn into the Biblical world and saw the dress of the time period, I felt the emotions of Esther, felt the love of the King. I could see the work of God through this novel, and learned of the betrayal, the faith and the honor that Wolf weaves between the pages. If you are new to Biblical fiction of any kind, please, start here right now, with Joan Wolf's 5 star novel of a beautiful young Jewish woman. She will touch your heart, open your eyes and fill you with God's love. If you are new to Joan Wolf's work, like me, you will quickly become a devoted fan! I can't wait for more books by this highly talented author!  

Lauri at Knits, Reads and Reviews I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I have read several books based on Bible stories and the story of Esther was simply wonderful. 

6/20

Musings By Lynn I enjoyed the characterization, the beautiful setting, the relationships - love, intrigue, trust, honor all woven together.This book is an interesting 'take' on the story of Esther. Being a lover of all things historical, I read this book with interest. Well done, Joan Wolf!      

Laura at Lighthouse Academy The story is written very well, with Esther and her friends acting like typical “boy crazy,” gossipy young girls about fifteen years of age. The love scenes were different than any I’ve seen in other Christian fiction, but they were still tastefully done. If you like biblical fiction then A RELUCTANT QUEEN is a book to consider. Totally different than any other fictional recounting of Queen Esther than I’ve ever read.

Felicia  at The Darling Girlfriends Review Spot I was very pleased with how well Joan was able to tell the story of Esther in her novel. She does a great job of making you feel the characters frustrations with the choices and challenges they are given. The fact that she was able to weave so much of the truth of this well known story into a fictional novel is amazing, it left me with the feeling of actually being able to take a small glimpse into Esther’s world.      

Joyce at Apple Cores Enjoyable.  Ms. Wolfe provides a conscience-pricking look a life in an ancient harem for the girls as well as the eunuchs who provided protection.  The remainder of the book is a tale of love and intrigue as God’s provisions for his people are unveiled through the doors opened for Esther.  Readers will find themselves reviewing personal histories for those crossroads moments.  How have doors opened or closed to bring you where you are today?  For what purpose is your life destined?      

6/21

Caroline at Happy Four What a beautiful book about a young woman called to fulfill God's plan for His people.  I have always admired Esther and reading a novel from the view of what Esther could have been thinking and experiencing is truly amazing.  This is a must read book that you will thoroughly enjoy from beginning to end as you embrace Esther's journey from young teen to Queen and the love story that unfolds in this historical fiction.

Cara at The Law, Books and Life     

Vera at Luxury Reading Obviously well researched, and well written. A Reluctant Queen was a sweet, beautiful, entertaining spin of an ancient love story that anyone who reads it, will surely enjoy.

Holly at The Bookshelf  The author made the characters seem human - as she explains at the end, she had to give them motives to do what they did - Haman's hatred for Mordecai, Esther's love for her people and King Ahasuerus. This book intrigued me enough that I think I am going to read Esther in the Bible this week. Maybe I will even do a study on it.

Stephanie at Sustainable Steffanie Lovely. I am looking forward to reading more Christian fiction by Joan Wolf.