I’m so excited to welcome Jill Eileen Smith again to talk about her latest novel, Star of Persia, the story of Queen Esther.
During our chat, Jill talks about her reluctance to write about Esther because her story has been told so often before. Her fans will be thrilled she changed her mind!
Join @JillEileenSmith on #NovelistsUnwind #BiblicalFiction @RevellBooks #ChristFic Click To TweetDuring her research, Jill read what the Greek historian, Herodotus, wrote about King Xerxes and learned about Xerxes’ wife, Amestris. While many historians speculate that Amestris may have been another name for either Vashti or Esther, Jill doesn’t agree. We talk about why during the interview.
We also talk about Jill’s current work-in-progress which features Miriam, the sister of Moses and Aaron. I love that Jill has given Zipporah, Moses’ wife, a point of view in this story which spans more than forty years.
Jill also shares a little about her nonfiction projects and lets us know whose story follows Miriam. (I’m excited about that one, too!)
Connect with Jill on her website or on Facebook.
Watch Jill’s first Novelists Unwind Interview.
Purchase Links: Star of Persia and The Heart of a King
Star of Persia
In an effort to complete a war his father had planned to win, King Xerxes calls every governor, satrap, and official in his vast kingdom to his palace in Susa to strategize and feast. After six months of grueling effort, King Xerxes rewards the rest of the city for their tolerance with a week of frivolity. The week ends with him banishing his favorite wife, something he never intended to do. But when he discovers Esther, Xerxes is sure he has a second chance at happiness.
As a young girl raised by her cousin, Esther never imagined that she would end up as the queen of Persia. But she is soon caught up in the middle of palace politics that place her in an impossible position: risk her life or consign her people to the worst disaster ever to befall them. Can she pit her wisdom against a vicious enemy and win?
With her impeccable research and her imaginative flair, Jill Eileen Smith brings to life the romantic, suspenseful, and fascinating story of the queen of Persia.
The Heart of a King
King Solomon was wealthy and wise beyond measure. He could–and did–have anything he wanted, including many women from many lands. But for all his wisdom, did he or the women in his life ever find what they searched for all of their lives?
In this engrossing novel, you’ll find yourself whisked away to ancient Israel, where you’ll meet Solomon and four of the women he loved: Naamah the desert princess, Abishag the shepherdess, Siti the daughter of a pharaoh, and Nicaula the queen of Sheba.
As you experience the world of Solomon through his eyes and the eyes of these women, you’ll ask yourself the ultimate question: Did Solomon’s wisdom ultimately benefit him and those he loved . . . or did it betray them?
This looks so good. Thank you for sharing.
Hi, Lucy. Talking with Jill was so much fun. She does so much research for her novels–I’m humbled by how much she knows!