| Title | : | Love's Sacred Song (Treasure of His Love) |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | 0800734084 |
| ISBN-10 | : | 9780800734084 |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Paperback |
| Number of Pages | : | 438 |
| Publication | : | First published March 1, 2012 |
A shepherdess in the northern city of Shunem, Arielah has known since she first laid eyes on Solomon that it was her destiny to become his bride. When her father secures a promise from Solomon to marry Arielah as a treaty bride to help unite the kingdom, it seems her dreams will come true.
But how can this simple shepherdess live as part of Solomon's harem? Can Solomon set aside his distractions to give himself completely to just one woman? Or will he let duty, deception, and the daily routine divide his heart?
Mesu Andrews expertly weaves the words of the Song of Solomon into this touching story of the power of love from a master storyteller.
Love's Sacred Song (Treasure of His Love) Reviews
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Have you ever read a book that felt like the author was holding a mirror up to your soul?
Mesu Andrews’ ‘Loves Sacred Song’ was just what I needed this weekend. I felt like a “broken down banner bearer,” and this story showed me exactly what I needed to do to get the flame in my service again.
I appreciated being reminded about:
💝the importance of building on the cornerstone
💝sacrifice and that it prepares our hearts for greater gifts
💝God’s love and that it always forgives even when our love fails
💝our past and that we can’t unlive it, but we can choose our future carefully
💝the importance of allowing mercy and forgiveness to flow through us like water so that they don’t become “stagnant and putrid in our souls”
Most of all, I cherished her message that mercy is rarely deserved. I have so much work to do in this area. I’m chintzy at doling out forgiveness and mercy.
I enjoyed visiting the author’s website and printing off the study guide that accompanies this novel. It took me to Kings and the Songs of Solomon as I read about King Solomon’s early days on the throne. Now that I’ve read the book, I’m going to go back and fill in the gaps I left!
This was the shot of Vitamin B that my souI needed this weekend. -
If I could give this book a ten star rating, I would! To be honest, I'm putting it right up there with Redeeming Love! Yes, it's that good.
Mesu Andrews' newest novel, Love's Sacred Song, is a powerful rendition of the Songs of Solomon. It captivates in the same way the Shula-mite bride captivated Solomon.
Andrews pens a novel that thrusts readers into an emotionally gripping story, capturing the beautiful poetry of the Songs of Solomon and transforming it into magnificent, passion-filled prose that moves the heart. She skillfully works in the historical and biblical implications found in Kings and Chronicles, expounding on the lessons we find inside those ancient pages while masterfully immersing her readers into another time and place, surrounding us with characters and "Sunday school lessons" that become living, breathing people who capture the heart and stir emotions.
Love's Sacred Song is a romance unlike any other. Andrews sweeps us into a passionate story that sheds light on those often hard to comprehend poetical phrases found in Songs of Solomon.
While true to the events and portrayal of the characters found in Kings and Chronicles, Love's Sacred Song draws its main plot from the book of Songs, spinning the poetry into an entire novel. The dialogue between the Lover and the Beloved is worked into the dialogue of the main characters--but it's done in such a way that it never comes across as corny. In addition, Andrews weaves some proverbs into the plot, as well as using Ecclesiastes to create a well-rounded story and character. She even throws some psalms in there, too!
I have not only studied the kings of Judah to a various extent, but I've also delved into studying Songs of Solomon and the theories that surround it. Having delved into these subjects, I give Andrews one of the highest marks in capturing its accuracy historically, Biblically, theologically, and romantically.
While romance is usually geared toward women, I believe both men or women can not only enjoy this novel, but value the depth of Biblical truth etched into the pages of this story.
Love's Sacred Song not only points to the most sacred song ever created, but will earn a scared place in reader's hearts as well.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell publishers in exchange for an honest review.
Available March 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group. -
Mesu Andrews is probably my number one Biblical fiction author. The reason, she will take the Biblical truths and intertwine that with a fictional story which is filled with emotion and characters who pulls you in and holds your attention.
In this story, there were times where I was so frustrated with Solomon. He was know for his wisdom, but he made so many foolish and impulsive decisions when it comes to matters of the heart. Arielah was so wise and such a picture of sacrificial love. I loved her character.
What I loved the most about this story, was the way the author used Song of Songs and made it the dialect and thoughts of Arielah and Solomon and how the fictional story flowed they way Song of Songs was written.
Fans of Biblical fiction should pick this story up. I would recommend reading Song of Songs before reading this story, to get the complete setting for this story. -
THIS. BOOK. WAS. AMAZING! 😍😭 I have no idea what to do with my life now.
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At the beginning of the week you may have seen the flyer posted about this book. Could the book cover get any more yummy? Now if you had a Bible cover like this, wouldn’t you want to jump in and read about these characters/people and try to understand their emotions and the events surrounding them? I would! Sometimes reading your Bible is hard and you need a bit of a jump start on your imagination. That is what you find in these Biblical Fiction books from Mesu. She uses scripture as a baseline and then adds possible fiction to the storytelling to bring the names to life and gives them form and face in imagination. It causes you to want to go back and delve more. Read more about abba David from the sheep field to the harp in the courtyard to the pain in treachery and then the death bed. To Solomon’s encounter with God and to the events in his kingdom.
If you know me and my opinion and thirst for Christian Historical Fiction you might have heard me mention that my first introduction was through Liz Curtis Higgs and her Scottish Lowlands Series. While her historical novels might be staged in Scotland and hosted in a different century the elements and foundation of a scripture story is there. Now, would you believe me if I told you my heart and curiosity was even moreenraptured by the storytelling’s of the book Song of Songs telling King Solomon, son of the shepherd and poet King David in a novelization from Mesu Andrews?
This book had me by the heart and held on. Our Beloved Arielah captured my sympathy and interest and made me turn the page in the same way that any historical romance from others of my favorite author’s like Mary Connealy, Julie Lessman, or Susan Page Davis and MaryLu Tyndall might force me to do. Yet she did something even more. While it is not entirely surprising for me to explore some related scripture after reading a particular Christian Historical Fiction novel, the storyline from Mesu caused me to venture in and read Song of Songs in its entirety from my Bible without interruption and with a new set of lenses for my eyes. They are not rose colored glasses, but they sure are vivid… and enchanting.
As a reader, one is pulled into the life and times of a Biblical monarch that finds himself a real man enduring such troubles and tasks tobe realistic and interesting. There is romance of course, but it doesn’t stop there as the suspense and drama propels each page forward. In the end it is a fascinating take that just makes me want to crack the spine on my Bible more often.
Well done Mesu! Need I even say it? Highly recommended!
*Thanks to Mesu and Revell for providing a copy for review.*
“Available March 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker
Publishing Group.”
Don’t forget you may want more and to go back and read Dinah’s story in Love Amid the Ashes. -
Well, this book was a long one, but beautifully written to the point that it captured my heart and I spent two solid days reading it until I finished. It had everything I love to read in a book. Deep truths about faith and God's love, intense emotion and intrigue, and people shown as flawed, but redeemable because they are loved by a Holy God who only wants to claim their hearts and devotion. That was well portrayed in this book. It made me think more deeply about God's ways not being our ways, and how He uses willing vessels to accomplish His perfect will, even though it often hurts.
Real love is not without pain. There were many beautiful illustrations of this fact in Love's Sacred Song. I loved how Arielah exemplified Christ's love in many ways. I was riveted by her devotion to Solomon despite everything, but at the same time saw it as real and painful and not painted to be perfect and easy as is often the case. And in some crazy way, this story helped me to see that while having a ton of wives was never God's will, that He blessed Solomon despite it, and at the same time it was Solomon's downfall. I loved how Arielah's love was shown as being so pure and intense that it often broke Solomon's heart, because he felt so unworthy of her. Just like Christ's love overwhelms us to the point of repentance.
This was a deep and profoundly beautiful story that gave me a greater appreciation for the Old Testament because it helped shine a light on God's plan and setting the stage for the Messiah. I loved this book and was emotionally moved by it on many occasions. It's making my favorite fiction list for 2012. Well done! -
Love's Sacred Song is a stunning accomplishment. Mesu Andrews has brought to life the story of Solomon in a way that I have never before appreciated. It is clear that the author has done careful research in crafting this story, creating a story that is true to the Biblical account while forming a fast-paced plot that is emotionally gripping. When I have considered Solomon's story in the past, I have always wondered how a man with such an incredible number of wives and concubines as Solomon could possibly form the level of intimacy with one woman that would explain the writing of the beautiful and intimate Biblical book Song of Songs. For the first time, Mesu Andrews has helped me to consider how this could have occurred. The characters are beautifully developed, and the plot is filled with twists and turns that captured my interest from start to finish. Prepare to be moved by this skillfully written story, one that is going to stick with me long after I place this book back on the shelf. This is indeed a book I will be picking up again and again, not only because it is a well-written and entertaining read, but because it carries a powerful message of love and faith and the battle between God's will and our own desires, that his plan is always far greater than our own.
Should anyone ever try to tell you that Biblical fiction is boring, put a copy of this book in their hands. They will not be disappointed. I highly recommend this book and award it 5 out of 5 stars.
Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group. -
Focusing on King Solomon from the death of his father, King David, to his death, Mesu Andrews once again writes an incredible fiction story based on in depth historical and Biblical research. Just as Bathsheba was the true love of King David's life, Mesu creates a wife named Arielah who was the love of Solomon's life. Solomon had 700 wives and 300 concubines as told in the Bible, but none of them were specifically named other than the one referred to as the daughter of Egypt's Pharoah. The Bible does refer to a Shulammite bride though and this is whom Andrews builds her story upon.
This is a well written speculative fiction story and gives a better understanding of what Solomon's life might have been like. It definitely recounts the differences and problems between the northern and southern kingdoms as Solomon tries to reunite the 12 tribes. Arielah was an amazing character and a strong, faith-filled woman. To have lived through the things she encountered due to the hatred of some for the northern tribes was incredible. The intertwining of verses from Solomon's "Song of Songs" in the Bible added a depth and sweetness.
I look forward to reading Love in a Broken Vessel the story of Hosea and Gomer. Andrews does a wonderful job of bringing the Biblical stories to life and directing the reader back to Scripture. -
This covers the life of King Solomon following the death of his father, King David, until his death. The main part of the book spans about four years and the book he wrote of his Shulamite bride in the Song of Solomon.
Two pages of names and roles were enough to put this one off on my list, but I dove in because I know Andrews writing is really good. Overall, the writing is good but the prose stumped me. Interesting character development by the end of the book. -
Stunning in its depth and scope, LOVE'S SACRED SONG is a story of love and passion, faith and flaws that will haunt you forever. Mesu Andrews crafts characters that will capture your heart with prose that will stir your soul. Masterful.
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I always knew Solomon had many women, but I never knew he had so many. Even though it’s a love story but will Solomon really decide on one women?? Solomon story is hard. These women will eventually be his downfall.
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Wow. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. When I first saw it I wondered how such a book existed and doubted it would be any good.
But here I am at the end of this beautifully crafted book and it was marvellous. I really enjoyed seeing how well Solomon was portrayed. He was man who was full of wisdom when it came to the practicalities of his kingdom yet so easily ensnared by pleasures.
And Arielah a picture of pure. Deep. Abiding love.
I want to say more but I can’t quite word it. -
I never really liked the story of Solomon and was hoping for a story to help redeem him and flesh out his character with redeeming qualities. Unless you want to end up hating Solomon even more, don’t read this book.
King Solomon never truly repented or changed, even after everything that happened to Arielah. And any “changes” he did make failed the test of time and were proven to be shallow.
I get that his weakness was women, but Author, don’t try to convince me that she was “the only wife of his heart.” His actions speak louder than words. Apparently, the additional 700 wives and 600 concubines were just “entertainment” (the author’s word’s, not mine) after she died in childbirth because of her weakness from being almost beaten to death on the way to stop him from having spite-sex (I have no better word for it) with a harlot…again…for the third time. “Entertainment” is not the right word to choose for a repentant and changed man. Obligations to grow the kingdom, maybe, or duty, but since the wives and their idols lead Solomon astray, until basically a deathbed repentance, I would say his heart wasn’t very pure.
It’s a terrible premise for a story about love, the power of Gods forgiveness, and its ability to change a person.
Seriously, it’s a book about redemption, where’s the redemption?!
The secondary characters are excellent, but really don’t make up for the abuse of Arielah and Solomon’s continual betrayals.
If you want to read a story about someone who learns about the love of God and changes their life, skip it. -
Richly woven Biblical Fiction, based on Song of Solomon.
I was surprised at how easily I was swept into another time and place, with Love's Sacred Song. Mesu Andrews expertly mixes historical fact, with well-crafted fiction, creating a page-turning, Biblical romance that is nearly impossible to put down.
Now you might be wondering, "How do you make a story about a man with numerous wives, romantic?" Well, you'll have to read this book to find out! I had some doubts too, about this story, but Love's Sacred Song completely blew me away.
I think that this book gave me some new insight on the struggles that Solomon faced, and helped me understand the circumstances under which he ended up with so many wives!
My favorite character ended up being Jehoshaphat, Arielah's father. He was a man full of faith, with wisdom, character, and an innate sense of honor, that made him someone that I instantly admired.
Overall, Love's Sacred Song is a bitter-sweet, yet powerful love story.Based on Song of Solomon, Love's Sacred Song is so different from the kind of book that you might typically expect to get as a result. I highly recommend this book. Even if you're like me and don't typically read Biblical Fiction, Love's Sacred Song is so good that it's totally worth giving a shot.
Final Rating: 5 out of 5
With thank to Revell and Donna Hausler for providing me with this review copy in return for an honest review :) -
Men f*cking up since 900BC.
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A sweet story and about love and forgiveness! While the author did a good job at keeping it mostly factual, I think the actual character of Arielah was fiction. I’m not sure if we know if Solomon was in love with or devoted to one of his wives. However with that being said I loved that the entire book was devoted to Songs of Solomon. I love that all of Mesu Andrews books inspire me to read the Bible! Songs of Solomon has alway been a hard book in the Bible for me to understand but reading this book has helped me understand a lot better. I’d highly recommend reading Songs of Solomon either before or after reading this book. Overall good read!
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Love's Sacred Song is the third book I have read by Mesu Andrews and I have loved every one. At this point, Love's Sacred Song is a close second to Love In A Broken Vessel.
I know this is fiction but Ms. Andrews has a wonderful talent that makes me think "Yeah, it could have happened that way" when the bible is silent. My biggest question about Solomon has always been; if he was so wise and the author of Songs of Solomon, how did he become an idol worshipper, have so many wives and raise his son so badly? Andrew's Solomon is so strong and weak that I got a glimpse of the answer to my questions. Throughout the story I kept thinking how could his treaty bride love him so much? Then it would dawn on me that God is so like that when I have been so consistently sinful and unfaithful. I would find myself being grateful that that kind of love is God's specialty and wanting to love Him back more faithfully. As is the author's practice, I am now in the middle of the accompanying bible study where she asks the kind of questions that make me leave the fictional account and settle into the truth of the bible. I'd recommend this book to anyone. -
I really enjoy how Mesu Andrews brings biblical stories to life. I know they are fictional but I like how these stories challenge me to think how people in the Bible are connected and I also like the reminder that those in the Bible were human and struggled just how we do.
Solomon is a great example of someone who was anointed, flawed but loved the Lord. My heart broke for Arielah but I admired her love for Solomon.
I give Lisa Larsen 4 stars for an engaging audio performance.
Recommended for biblically fiction fans -
This is the first Christian romance written from a biblical story that I've read and I loved every second of it. While I know that of course some things had to be added to make the book a book I found the overall story to be accurate as I've been told it and read for myself in the bible.
Love's Sacred Song centered around King Solomon and his Shula-mite wife Arielah. Solomon's life and his dependence on having a harem was an eye opener. The more you read the more it was almost like you could tell he didn't even want that life but felt pulled to it because of politics and tradition which is sad for a man that had such a deep and abiding faith in the Lord. The amount of intrigue and betrayals that surrounded him was such an attention grabber and this wasn't even just from the men in his life - his concubine was filled with treachery and backstabbing. I am pretty sure the women were more brutal than the men. Yikes! I noticed in another review that it was mentioned that reviewer didn't like that Solomon kept messing up and hurting Arielah and then apologizing only to repeat his behaviors. Although, I get this sentiment I believe it to be historically correct so I'm pretty sure Arielah nor God liked it much either.
The faith and love that Arielah displayed was incredibly humbling and I got so much out of reading her story. Whether it was her father and mother (whom loved her just as much), or her brothers (who abused her terribly), or Solomon (who loved her but hurt her more times than one can count), or God (who was the only perfect love) she didn't care. She loved and she loved hard. There is so much to be learned from anyone that has this kind of love for her fellow man and our savior.
My only complaint (if I have to have one) is that this book ended so abruptly. It was like you were reading along and then boom it was done. But, that's such a small complaint for an otherwise amazing read. -
When I think of King Solomon, I recall the wisdom and prosperity God granted him, along with the peace of his reign. This book shows that although Solomon’s time on the throne of Israel was unmarred by war, factions conspired against him. The northern tribes of Israel might easily have been stirred to rebellion against Judah, with the right provocation. Parties within Solomon’s own court conspired to that end. To sow peace, a “treaty bride” was offered to unify the tribes with Judah.
Shepherdess, Arielah, has known she’s been destined to marry Solomon from the time she was a child, but the path to marriage and the union after is not smooth. Between Solomon’s struggle to give his heart to only one woman and Arielah’s insistence that she have no less, the odds seem insurmountable—especially when Arielah is faced with navigating the nuances of a harem wife. But the insurmountable is not an obstacle to God.
The underlying theme is one of love and forgiveness. Solomon, like his father David, is presented as a man of many flaws. Even when caught up in his love for Arielah, he continues to make foolish and hurtful mistakes. It’s that very fallibility that makes him so relatable, showing the man more than the king.
At 450 pages this is a somewhat long read, but it covers a great deal of territory and time. There is a large roster of secondary characters in the novel, but each is wonderfully fleshed out, with all the story threads tied at the end. A vivid retelling that weaves passages from the Song of Solomon into the story and shines a light on one of Israel’s most famous kings. -
When Arielah was a child she accompanied her father Jeheosephat, a respected judge of Shunem, to Jerusalem, where she spied the young prince Solomon. And ever since that day she's carried in her heart the certainty that they would one day wed. Years pass, and the great King David lies on his deathbed, comforted by the prize of Shunem, the beautiful Abishag (1 Kings 1& 2), who serves as his "belly-warmer," an intimate but platonic relationship. Abishag's lack of any official status in the royal household becomes a lightening rod, symbolizing the northern tribes' discontent with their favored southern brethren, the tribe of Judah's, rule and dominance in Israeli affairs. With the once-mighty warrior king near death, the time is ripe for conflict to erupt between those who favor a united Israel and David's chosen heir, Solomon, and those who would usurp God's anointed and seek to advance the pre-eminence of Judah. Into this politically volatile climate steps Solomon, a prince of privilege possessing the promised gift of godly wisdom with which to govern his people -- but with an equally competing temptation to succumb to the paralyzing fear of failure. When Arielah is offered as a treaty bride in an attempt to appease the simmering temper of the northern tribes, Solomon accepts, but is wholly unprepared for his unconventional bride and the surrender the love she offers him requires. While the cost of the pure love Arielah offers seems impossible to grasp, with the future of his kingdom and very character at stake, can Solomon afford to reject the hope of love's sacred song?
After Mesu Andrews brought Job's story to life in her debut, Love Amid the Ashes, I was left eagerly awaiting her next novel. I must confess that beyond a rather rudimentary knowledge of Solomon's reign and his famous wisdom, I don't think I've ever given the man his due (I've always been more of a David girl). :) And while the Song of Songs is among the most passionate of texts, I never really connected with it -- perhaps because that slim book always seemed to lack context, a place in the greater narrative of the Old Testament that would put faces to the passionate declarations in those short eight chapters of verse. But ever since I began reading Love's Sacred Song, I feel as though God has been whispering the intent of that book to my heart, birthing within me a love and understanding for this book within the context of my faith. Through Andrews' intricately plotted, brilliantly recreated, colorfully evocative portrait of ancient Israel, the purpose and passion of Solomon and his Shulammite bride spring to life on the page in such a way that -- if one is willing -- you cannot help but be changed and inspired by the journey.
Love's Sacred Song is epic in its scope, embodying everything I love about biblical fiction, making characters on the pages of scripture once again living, breathing people full of passion and life, leaving you cheering for their victories and heart-broken over their (all-too relatable) mistakes. Andrews restores Solomon's humanity, much needed as his legendary wisdom too often leaves him seemingly unrelatable. Here Andrews gives us Solomon early in his reign, a young man attempting to establish himself outside the shadow of his famous father, often paralyzed by the fear of failure and subsequently blinded by pride and the trappings of position. Arielah is a woman you'd like as your friend, a window into the world of a royal harem and its politics and heartbreak, incomprehensible by today's standards. Yet, such was the reality she faced -- and that makes the challenge and victory of the love illustrated in Solomon's sacred song all the more powerful.
More than a love story, though, Love's Sacred Song speaks to the heart's cry of the Father and the unfathomable depth of the love He longs to lavish on each one of His children -- if we but accept it. If the marriage relationship is a gift, an earthly expression of the relationship God desires with mankind -- then the Song of Songs is much more than a picture of God-ordained, sacred love between a man and a woman as outlined in the Song. Since the church is the bride of Christ, the Song of Songs and the love that inspired it point back to the giver of every good and perfect gift, the only one, ultimately, who is capable of offering a lasting love because He knows us best, as He is the one who fashioned us in our mothers' wombs (Ps 139:13). And because He so loved, because the sacred passion He harbored demanded no less, His Son was sent to earth to suffer unspeakably at the hands of His creation, in doing so offer the ultimate bride-price -- His precious blood, covering our failings and reconciling mankind with the creator.
Rich with atmosphere and historical detail, including fascinating glimpses into everything from wedding customs to court protocol and intrigue, Love's Sacred Song is sure to delight historical and biblical fiction lovers alike. With lead characters who send sparks flying from the page and a host of well-drawn supporting players, Mesu Andrews's second novel is a rich, meaty read that will not only entertain, but if you'll let it, challenge and grow your faith, inspiring a deeper appreciation for the texts from which Song draws its inspiration. An intricately plotted page-turner, I particularly appreciated how Andrews seamlessly wove the scriptures that head each chapter into her narrative -- by giving a face and voice to the scripture, the words and their potential impact take root in your soul in a powerful, fresh way. This is fiction at its best, a masterfully crafted work that challenges, inspires, and will break your heart with its beauty all the while encouraging your faith even as tears threaten to fall -- because at its heart this masterclass in biblical fiction points straight back to the Master Storyteller. This novel is an extraordinary gift, one I won't soon forget. -
This book is very well written with so many details of the time period. I really enjoyed the Israelite wedding customs which were unique. Each chapter also begins with Scripture to relate what it will be about.
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This has to be the best book I've read ....in a long time. So close to fact of the Bible and so much insight to life. May have to reread soon!
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I always thought that Song of Songs is the most confusing book from the Holy Bible, I mean the metaphors are so hard to understand that I am confused who is the beloved; is it King Solomon or a humble shepherd; and if he is Solomon did he disguised himself as a shepherd so he can visit his beloved one?! And the most important question how this little book of 8 chapters show and speaks of God's love or God in general?!
Well
Love's Sacred Song propose to answer these questions. The story is about one shepherdess' love to Solomon that parallels God's love for us sinners. In this case her love is so strong for Solomon despite the many things he made her go through and hurt her in the process in ways only the ones that love with all their heart know. Despite Soloomon's unfaithfulness , Arielah like God, persuades him in showing that true love means innocence, sacrifice, trust, intimacy but also pain and joy.
I loved the moral of the story and how it portraits God's determination to love us despite our ugly side the problems I had with this book were:
- the writhing was awful, I mean in every chapter someone had to shed tears because if they do not it does not show the honesty of the feeling that the character felt. I was so full of the tears that when Solomon cried tears of redemption it did not moved me at all. My thought was oh no again he cries and this I believe it was a scene were fine that the characters cried because of the mistakes and hurt he did but the unique of the redemption went of the window because of the many tears the characters shed , be them out of joy, sadness or overwhelming ....
- another problem I had with is the fact that it felt like a cheap soap opera, especially the last 100 pages so I kinda skipped them
The ending was accurate to the original book and I think it showed the reality of Solomon's tragedy that all his live he searched love in all the wrong places with women that destroyed him in the end but on his last days like he write in Ecclesiastes all is futility and the greatest duty of mankind is to obey and fear Him.
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Oh what a story!! Mesu Andrews has taken the Bible book Songs of Solomon, and Biblical history and woven a beautiful story, centering around King Solomon and his love for his Shulammite princess Arielah. This story is a beautiful story of love that is pure, and life lasting. Arielah, first saw Solomon when he was a teen and she just a child of seven years old, but she knew that she would one day be his bride. And she dared to dream that she would win his heart. And win his heart she did, however she was a strong young woman, determined to follow the laws of Jehovah and often angered Solomon with her actions. Once the wedding day arrived and Arielah was a beloved queen in the palace, she became the target for the secret group of men trying to overthrow the kingdom, the Sons of Judah. A target that was in dire danger, a target that Solomon was unable to protect, and Arielah, nearly lost her life at the hands of this covert group.
This story was divided into two parts and while each part was important to revealing the whole story, I often found myself bogged down in part one of the book, while part two moved quickly and kept you reading to find out what would happen next. All in all this story was a good story, a story that will open your eyes and bring the stories of the Bible to life for you. 438 pages $14.99 US 4 stars
Available March 2012 from your favorite seller of Revell Books, a division of Baker Publishing Group.
This book was provided by Revell Books for review purpose only, no payment was received for this review. -
First posted on my blog,
Legacy of a Writer.
Mesu Andrews has done a BRILLIANT job with her newest release! Centered on the book in the Bible, Song of Solomon, Love’s Sacred Song takes you back in time to the beginning of Solomon’s reign.
When I first began Love’s Sacred Song, I wasn't sure how Andrews could stretch that small book in the Bible into a 400+ page book…but she did! I flew through the pages effortlessly and reached the end with a contented sigh. True, the ending was rather bitter-sweet, but it was a very satisfying conclusion, staying true to the Bible and history.
I was also glad to discover that it wasn’t as ‘graphic’ as one might think, since this is based on the Song of Solomon. Andrews did a great job with this, making Love’s Sacred Song a book that would be fine for a teenager of any age to read, in my opinion.
What I found extremely neat about Love’s Sacred Song was that this isn't just a story about the Shulamite woman and King Solomon…this is also a story about a life in a harem, the politics behind a kingdom, and a journey to discover what love really is. Solomon is living a life that is void of love—the women he marries are just to further the kingdom or to satisfy a passing fancy. But all that changes when Arielah comes as his treaty bride. Love’s Sacred Song is not to be missed! -
Title: LOVE’S SACRED SONG
Author: Mesu Andrews
Publisher: Revell
March 2012
ISBN: 978-0800734084
Genre: Biblical Fiction
Arielah is a shepherdess who has known ever since she met Solomon that it’s her destiny to become King Solomon’s bride—but Solomon finally reluctantly agrees to take Arielah as a treaty bride to help unite the kingdom. Aielah is content, as it seems all her dreams will come true.
King Solomon is standing in King David’s famous shadow, and Solomon wavers between fear and bravado. He does take Arielah as a treaty bride, but he adds her to his harem, something Arielah never expected or wanted.
Can Arielah live as part of Solomon’s harem? Can Solomon set aside his distractions to give himself to just one woman? Or will duty, deception, and the daily routine divide his heart?
LOVE’S SACRED SONG is the latest release by biblical fiction author Mesu Andrews. Those who are familiar with the biblical stories of King Solomon will know some of the details of this story, and the rest is pure imagination that vividly brings the time period, the characters, and the setting to life.
Arielah becomes real on the pages of this book, as does King Solomon. I enjoyed getting to know these characters and seeing where this story would take them. Knowing that Solomon had many wives and a huge harem, it seemed unlikely Arielah would get her dreams of a forever love, but I hoped that she would. Author’s notes are included at the end of the book. $14.99. 448 pages. -
I enjoy Christian romances quite a bit, but ones based on Biblical stories are usually ones I am eager to read, and this one was no exception. However, this was the first time I didn't get a high level of enjoyment out of reading one.
This book centered around King Solomon and Arielah, one of his wives from Northern Israel. It takes place shortly after the death of King David, and chronicles some of Solomon's reign. The story was interesting and kept me involved and caring about what happened to the characters, but some of the themes of the books were repeated too much for my tastes. Solomon required Arielah's forgiveness too many times for my liking, and he kept doing things that hurt her! It made me hate him as a character, especially after Arielah was injured because of his actions. The story also ended abruptly for me, and I was jarred out of the flow because of it. To me, this was worse than the author's first work,
Love Amid the Ashes, but I enjoyed it enough to keep reading the author. It just wasn't my favorite book of hers. Here's hoping that
Love in a Broken Vessel is better!
