The Esther Paradigm Review, Author Interview and Giveaway!

Posted by abakersp in Contemporary / 3 Comments

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The Esther Paradigmjpg

Genre: Christian, Contemporary, Romance
Publisher: Radiant Publications
Publication date: November 2, 2017

The daughter of missionaries, Hannah Pratt dreams of starting a school for the Bedouin clan with whom she spent her childhood. After completing her education in the United States, she returns to the desert to pursue that dream—only to learn her parents have been receiving threats from within the community they serve. As the danger escalates, Hannah must decide how far she’ll go to stay faithful to a calling that could cost her everything.

As sheikh, Karim Al-Amir feels the weight of responsibility as the leader of his people. When a mysterious illness ravages the clan’s flocks and threatens to destroy their centuries-old way of life, some of his people believe the American doctors and their daughter, his childhood friend, are to blame. Karim must do something to keep Hannah and her parents safe—even if the only solution is to be found within marriage vows.

In a society where the line is drawn between us and them, where Christianity is outlawed and foreigners suspect, will Karim and Hannah’s union heal wounds . . . or inflict a final, fatal blow?

Old Testament history meets Twenty-first Century tensions in this compassionate, tender inspirational romance.

GOODREADS | AMAZON

Wow. I do not think there are words that I can put in a review that will do this book justice. This book, simply amazing. I dare say it is the book of the year for me. Yes, it is that good. I will cherish this book for years to come, share it with my daughter when she is old enough to understand the meaning of it, and share it with my friends and family. If you see this book in the store, online, at a friends house, or wherever, MAKE SURE you grab it and start reading!

First, I must applaud Sarah Monzon on taking on this story. The research she put into it is phenomenal and is evident in every scene and on every page. She presented two people of different faith in a loving and compassionate way, careful not to step on toes and be ever so respectful to the Muslim faith. I think this is the story we need to see of this culture, instead of all the negatives you find in the news. But the heart of the story is really how these two faiths come together, intertwine, and learn to live with each other. And just maybe, the two shall become one……

Hannah and Karim were beautiful characters that I had an immediate connection to. Their love story was endearing, passionate, had me biting my fingernails, and jumping for joy. Can you really find true love with your best friend? I think you certainly can if you look down deep, and it was so nice to read a story of two best friends coming together. Not just to save their people, but maybe even to save themselves.

I found Jesus presented throughout the entire book in such a way that I think the pages would have felt empty if Ms. Monzon had written it any other way. Perhaps some of my favorite scenes were that which Hannah was teaching at school. It gave me glimpses into what it might be like to be a missionary, working with children and teaching them about the Lord. And since that is not in the cards for me at the moment, I devoured these scenes imaging myself standing right next to Hannah.

I really could go on and on about all the things I love about this book, but I would probably give too much away. The bottom line is, this book is poetic, wonderful, amazing, heartwarming, and touching. I will be thinking about this book for a very long time. And I will read it many more times, and probably find something new each time I read it. Book of the year – that’s what I am calling this one. Let me know what you think after you’ve read it!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a favorable review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

sarah-monzon-hr-4

Sarah Monzon is a Navy chaplain’s wife and a stay at home mom to the two cutest littles in the world. Playing pretend all day with them isn’t enough, she spends the evenings after their heads hit the pillow to create her own imaginary characters. When she isn’t in the world of make believe, she can be found in the pine forests of western Washington taking care of her family, fostering friendships, and enjoying all the adventures each day brings. Her debut novel, The Isaac Project, skyrocketed to Amazon bestseller status while her Sophomore book, Finders Keepers, won the 2017 SELAH award for contemporary romance.

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When you are not writing, what other “hats” do you wear?
I am the happy (exhausted) mother of two, Elijah (6) and Arianna (3) and the wife of the most wonderful Navy chaplain in the military (not biased at all).

What does your writing process look like?
I never really know how to answer this question because I don’t feel like I have much of a process. It starts with a small idea that germinates, takes root, and won’t go away until I write down the story the characters tell me. Usually I may have a vague idea of where the story is going to go, but I’m often surprised by it myself. Mostly, I just sit down and write and let the story come out organically. Is that a process?

What inspired the idea for The Esther Paradigm?
Is it okay to say I didn’t really have a direct inspiration? I’m not even sure where the idea came from except from God. One day the idea for a modern day story inspired by Esther entered my head and the need to write it was so strong, the character’s voices so loud, that I had to write it then even though I was in the middle of writing another series. This story…it was more like it wrote me than the other way around. Like I was but a tool to get it down, it flowed so freely. No other story has been like that before.

What do you want readers to take away from reading The Esther Paradigm?
Love. I want readers to take away love. Love for those who are different, whether they believe differently, live differently, or look differently. I want 1 Corinthians 16:14 to take root in everyone’s hearts. “Let all that you do be done in love.”

What is your current WIP? What can you tell us about this project?
Shhh…It’s a super secret project at this point, but I CAN tell you it’s also a super fun novella story that will be in a collection with some super awesome authors. You can expect some info to start leaking about the project come the new year.