Book Review: JERUSALEM MAIDEN by TALIA CARNER

Title: JERUSALEM MAIDEN
Author: TALIA CARNER
Category: Historical Fiction
Pub. Date: 05/31/2011
Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks
Format: Paperback
Pages: 454
ISBN#: 0062004379

Synopsis:

In the waning days of the Ottoman Empire, a young Orthodox Jewish woman in the holy city of Jerusalem is expected to marry and produce many sons to help hasten the Messiah's arrival. While the feisty Esther Kaminsky understands her obligations, her artistic talent inspires her to secretly explore worlds outside her religion, to dream of studying in Paris—and to believe that God has a special destiny for her. When tragedy strikes her family, Esther views it as a warning from an angry God and suppresses her desires in order to become an obedient "Jerusalem maiden."
But when a surprising opportunity forces itself on to her preordained path, Esther finds her beliefs clashing dangerously with the passions she has staved off her entire life—forcing her to confront the most difficult and damning question of all: To whom must she be true, God or herself? 

My Review:   
This book was such a surprise of riveting, interesting, actual knowledge of history and story and character building that it had me from the get go. 

Just the thought of having to marry who someone else told me I had to marry, to know that you must produce male heirs, is not my idea of love and marriage. The characters with in this book by author Talia Carner are very surprising to the fact that listening to, or praying to God and believing in God that things within their lifes are there for a reason and author Talia Carners way with writing the whole book has left me with such a desire to learn more, to listen more, to acknowledge more of God in my life. 

I know that usually I have this all spaced out separate but this book was different so there you go, my review is written differently. 

So due to the above I am giving this book a Breath of Life Rating of: 

Five Clock Rating!!!

Disclosure: I received the above book in exchanged for my honest opinion and review. The opinions are my own and yours may differ.

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About the Author:  

Formerly the publisher of Savvy Woman magazine and a lecturer at international women economic forums, novelist Talia Carner’s heart-wrenching suspense novels, PUPPET CHILD and CHINA DOLL, have garnered rave reviews and are often the choice of reading groups in the USA and abroad. Her new novel, JERUSALEM MAIDEN, (HarperCollins, June 2011) depicts a woman’s struggle for self-expression against her society’s religious dictates.

Carner’s addictions include chocolate, ballet, hats—and social justice. Please check www.TaliaCarner.com.