Litfuse Blog Tour Event: The Queen's Handmaid by Tracy L. Higley

The Queen's Handmaid by Tracy L. Higley is rich in history and drama. It follows the story of a jealous Egyptian Queen, a lascivious Galilean Governor, a beautiful servant girl, and how their stories come together with prophecy, self-discovery, and revelation.

Goodreads Summary 

From the servant halls of Cleopatra’s Egyptian palace to the courts of Herod the Great, Lydia will serve two queens to see prophecy fulfilled.

Alexandria, Egypt 39 BC

Orphaned at birth, Lydia was raised as a servant in Cleopatra's palace, working hard to please while keeping everyone at arm's length. She's been rejected and left with a broken heart too many times in her short life.

But then her dying mentor entrusts her with secret writings of the prophet Daniel and charges her to deliver this vital information to those watching for the promised King of Israel. Lydia must leave the nearest thing she’s had to family and flee to Jerusalem. Once in the Holy City, she attaches herself to the newly appointed king, Herod the Great, as handmaid to Queen Mariamme.

Trapped among the scheming women of Herod’s political family—his sister, his wife, and their mothers—and forced to serve in the palace to protect her treasure, Lydia must deliver the scrolls before dark forces warring against the truth destroy all hope of the coming Messiah.

My Thoughts 

Higley knows her history. I could not believe how in depth and well written The Queen's Handmaid was. I also the loved the time period that this book was set in, with Cleopatra and Marc Antony, and also how she used her own character Lydia with the Jewish aspect. This is such a heightened time in history where the coming of the Messiah is set up, and it's really exciting to read when authors take this time and make it into their own fictional accounts. As I have said before, it just gives a voice to the possibility, and with the well researched process that went into writing this book it's really a treat to read! 

I loved the drama and the intensity of the palace! It felt like I was watching an HBO series it was that great! Highley's writing style is very loaded, in both good and somewhat not good ways. There where passages that had a purpose I felt, and some that seemed a bit long. Sometimes I did want the story to pick up the pace at times, but from the middle to the end the movement of the pace is nothing but fast. 

I liked Lydia as a character, she wasn't perfect, but she was endearing and a person that people gravitated towards. Her one downfall I felt was loving to feel needed, but she was groomed and trained to be the handmaid of queens, so I guess those feelings came with the job. Plus, there is Simon. I don't think he's even mentioned in the synopsis on the back of the book, but he is a treat as well. I loved the loyalty he had to his heritage and also to Lydia. They made a great pair, their excerpts together where always my favorite. 

If you love reading fiction that takes actual historical accounts as a background development for the plot line this is a brilliant book to pick up to satisfy your needs!

Rating: 4 out of 5 bookshelves 
Disclaimer: I received a free copy for an honest review from Litfuse Publicity Group.

About the Author 

From her earliest childhood, there was nothing Tracy loved better than stepping into another world between the pages of a book. From dragons and knights, to the wonders of Narnia, that passion has never abated, and to Tracy, opening any novel is like stepping again through the wardrobe, into the thrilling unknown. With every book she writes, she wants to open a door like that, and invite readers to be transported with her into a place that captivates.

Tracy started her first novel at the age of eight and has been hooked on writing ever since. After attending Philadelphia Biblical University, she earned a B.A. in English Literature at Rowan University. She then spent ten years writing drama presentations for church ministry. Over 10,000 people have attended drama productions she has written.

A lifelong interest in history and mythology has led Tracy to extensive research into ancient Greece and other myth systems, and shaped her desire to shine the light of the gospel into the cultures of the past.
 
Link to Author's: Facebook, Website, Twitter, and Goodreads
Purchase a copy: Amazon, Barnes&Noble, ChristianBook 

Tracy L. Higley is celebrating the release of The Queen's Handmaid with a fun giveaway.

Retailers + Resources gave it this glowing review: "Rich in historic detail, Higley’s vivid writing brings to life the plots and intrigues that swirled through the ancient world as alliances were built and broken on the calculated schemes of power-mad monarchs." 

• A Kindle Fire HDX
• The Queen's Handmaid by Tracy L. Higley

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on April 19th. Winner will be announced April 21st on Tracy's blog.

Don't miss a moment of the fun; enter today and be sure to stop by Tracy's blog on April 21st to see if you won.

In His Grace,                                                                                                                             Taylor Reid