I received a free copy for my honest review.
About the Book:
Publication Date: March 5, 2015
Cappuccino Books
Formats: eBook, Hardcover
Pages: 368
Genre: Historical Fiction
Based on historical, biblical, and archaeological research, visits to the Middle East, and a large measure of creativity, ANGELS AT THE GATE is the story of Adira, destined to become Lot’s wife. A daughter of Abram’s tribe, Adira is an impetuous young girl whose mother died in childbirth. Secretly raised as a boy in her father’s caravan and schooled in languages and the art of negotiation, Adira rejects the looming changes of womanhood that threaten her nomadic life and independence.
But with the arrival of two mysterious strangers – Northmen rumored to be holy or possibly even “Angels” – Adira’s world unravels. Raiders invade the caravan, and she loses everything she values most – her father, her freedom, and even the “Angels.”
Caught between her oath to her father to return to her tribe and the “proper life for a woman” and tormented by an impossible love, she abandons all she has known in a dangerous quest to seek revenge and find her kidnapped “Angel.” With only her beloved dog, Nami, at her side, Adira must use the skills she learned in the caravan to survive the perils of the desert, Sodom, and her own heart.
About the Author:
T.K. Thorne’s childhood passion for storytelling deepened when she became a police officer in Birmingham, Alabama. “It was a crash course in life and what motivated and mattered to people.” When she retired as a captain, she took on Birmingham’s business improvement district as the executive director. Both careers provide fodder for her writing, which has garnered several awards, including “Book of the Year for Historical Fiction” (ForeWord Reviews) for her debut novel Noah’s Wife. Her first non-fiction book, Last Chance for Justice, was featured on the New York Post’s “Books You Should Be Reading” list. She loves traveling, especially to research her novels, and speaking about her books and life lessons. She writes at her mountaintop home, often with two dogs by her side and a cat on her lap.
She blogs at www.TKs-tales.com and her web site is www.TKThorne.com. You can also find her on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Goodreads. Sign Up for T.K. Thorne’s newsletter.
My Opinion:
This is my second book by Ms. Thorne and I do hope it is not my last. I have a fascination for Biblical fiction and what Ms. Thorne does so very well is tell the story behind the story. Her first book, Noah’s Wife brought us the story of the Flood from a brand new point of view. In this book she takes a very minor character from the Bible – one who wasn’t even given a name – and gives her a life. A vivid, full and wonderful life. She takes “Lot’s wife” and gives us Adira – a young woman who hides behind the identity of a boy so she can stay with her widowed father. She makes her a fully fleshed out character.
We first meet Adira as she turns 15 and is in a caravan with her father and the “Angels” are traveling with them. Adira does not want to be a young lady and leave her father but he knows that she needs to fulfill her life as a woman. No matter how much she tries to hide it or fight it, she is growing up. She is also starting to notice men but doesn’t fully understand why.
Most know the story of Lot and his family fleeing from Sodom as it is destroyed. Despite instructions not to look back Lot’s wife does and is turned into a pillar of salt – or so goes the Bible story. Why would she do that? If you ask me it’s another teaching tool put in by men to keep women obedient but this book will give you another point of view through the tale of a headstrong young woman. Ms. Thorne performs a magical alchemy with her characters and the ability to transport her reader back to Biblical times. I felt as if I were walking in the desert with Adira and feeling the sand, feeling the heat. So little is known about the women of the Bible as they were pretty much considered unimportant by the men who put it together. It’s wonderful to have someone imagining their stories. I can’t wait to see who Ms. Thorne will bring to life next.
Rating:
4.5
You can read my review of Noah’s Wife
The Giveaway:
To enter to win a Hardcover copy of Angels at the Gate please complete the giveaway form below. Five copies are up for grabs!
* Giveaway is open to US residents only.
* Giveaway ends at 11:59pm on April 17th.
* You must be 18 or older to enter.
* Only one entry per household.
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* Winners will be chosen via GLEAM on April 18th and notified via email. Winners have 48 hours to claim prize or new winner is chosen.
* Please email Amy @ hfvirtualbooktours@gmail.com with any questions.
