The Desert Princess

The Loves of King Solomon #1

by Jill Eileen Smith

Solomon captured her heart. But can she hold on to his?

King David is running for his life with his young son Solomon in tow when Naamah first encounters the prince. Her father is loyal to the king, and that loyalty will be sealed years later--through the marriage of Solomon and Naamah.

For her part, Naamah is happy to wed the handsome prince and enter into palace life. But all is not well in Jerusalem. Solomon must navigate constant threats to his life--even from within the palace walls. And when peace is restored, can Naamah ever be truly happy as she watches the love of her life taking more wives?

Genres: Biblical Fiction, Historical Fiction, Christian Fiction, Fiction, Christian, Historical, Romance

102 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 5, 2014

About the author

Jill Eileen Smith is the bestselling, award-winning author of the Wives of King David series, the Wives of the Patriarchs, Daughters of the Promised Land, Heart of a King, Star of Persia, Miriam's Song, The Prince and the Prodigal, Daughter of Eden, and The Ark and the Dove. Her research has taken her from the Bible to Israel, and she particularly enjoys learning how women lived in Bible times.

When she isn’t writing, she loves to spend time with her family and friends, read stories that take her away, ride her bike to the park, snag date nights with her hubby, try out new restaurants, or play with her lovable cats Kody and Kaelee. Jill lives with her family in southeast Michigan.

Contact Jill through email (jill@jilleileensmith.com), her website (http://www.jilleileensmith.com), Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/jilleileensmith), or Twitter (https://twitter.com/JillEileenSmith).

Reviews

[Jill Smith]

This was also a fun book to write. It was a change to 1st person for me, but the voice of the story demanded it. It should release to e-book 8-1-14. I hope you enjoy it!

[Loraine · Rating 5 out of 5]

King Solomon is known as a wise king and the writer of Song of Songs in the Old Testament. He was also know for his seven hundred wives and three hundred concubines of which most were given in settlement of wars or to prevent wars. But this novella focuses on his first and most beloved wife, Naamah. They met when they were both very young, Naamah only 10 and Solomon 15; but they had an immediate connection which resulted in the marriage of these two nobles, Naamah was the daughter of an Ammonite King, five years later.

An excellent speculation on the developing romance and early marriage of Naamah and Solomon. Based on a Biblical foundation and accompanied by historical research on the life and times during this period, Jill Eilleen Smith once again brings a Bible character to life.

[Stacy Wilson · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. It was a short read about Solomon's 1st wife. It's hard to imagine having 100's of wives or how they must have felt. Interesting read.

[Christine Dillon · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting set of stories but this one ends very abruptly.
I like that the author tackles the issue of what it must have been like to battle with the issue of not being an only wife.

I also like how this wife comes to know Israel's God.

[Anne Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jill Eileen Smith has her own way of bringing out possible Biblical romances. In this series (The Loves of King Solomon), Jill's view of Solomon's first love just melts your heart.

Naamah is the beloved in the Song of Solomon, daughter of one of the princes subject to the Israelite king. She first meets Solomon when David is running from his son Absalom, and even at ten years old is enamored of the favorite of the king. Solomon and she exchange correspondence for a few years, but then he abruptly stops when she reaches the age of thirteen. Naamah wonders why. Finally she talks her father into taking her with him to Jerusalem.

Her adoration of Solomon has, if anything, increased, and she begs her father to offer her as a wife to Solomon. Naamah's father warns her that a king must have many wives to form alliances and establish his power, Solomon will, of course, become king--but Naamah is love-blind..They become betrothed, and a year later they marry. She's ecstatic--and so, apparently, is Solomon.

How will this young woman from thousands of years ago handle what would devastate the modern woman? Find out at Amazon or Barnes and Noble or several local bookstores!

I was given a free copy of this book by the author, but the opinions and evaluations are my own.

[Dorothy Brandes · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Great and Imaginative Story of Solomon's First Wife

This story of Namath, Solomon's First wife and Mother of the heir to his throne, wrenched at my heart. Although based in part on Jill Eileen Smith's imagination, the story made sense as I followed along with a young girl's longing to be Solomon's revered and only wife, and how she came to accept her role in Solomon's life, as she slowly began to realize that Solomon's role as King took precedence over any first love he may have felt for the young, intelligent and beautiful first of many wives. Even though I only vaguely remembered from my early readings of the Old Testament that Namath's early dreams and wishes were not to be, I kept turning the pages, hoping the outcome would be different. I highly recommend this novella of young and naive love.

[Betsy Byrne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series!

I love to read about the Biblical Era. The way women were treated and the whole culture is fascinating.
Beautiful stories of faith and love, sacrifices made , even though so long ago, we can compare the lives to our own.
To hear the woman's aspect of her situations really makes me pause. I love Jill Eileen and although alot of the story is made up, she makes sure we know that. It doesn't matter alot to me once admitted. The story makes me think of the woman's life and decisions she made. Makes me want to read more of the factual people talked about. This is my first book read from Jill Eileen and I will be reading so much more from her. This book ended so fast for me, but that's why it's called a novella I suppose! I just absorbed the story like a sponge. I need more books from this author! She's great. Thank you

[Anne Rightler · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Desert Princess by Jill Eileen Smith is the first novella in The Loves of King Solomon series and I liked it! It is thought provoking as to how the first wife of King Solomon might have reacted to being his wife and then her feelings as he began to take other wives. Smith does a great job with the historicity of her novels and I like how she draws her fictional account from the Scriptures and fleshes out the characters, crafting them into characters that are believable and have issues that readers can connect with. I look forward to reading more of this series.

[Melanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am at times reluctant to read Biblical fiction. This book did a good job with describing the political situation that was taking place at the time of Solomon's anointing as king. The character's of Solomon and Naamah were a little off for me. The idea that Naamah completely rejected her gods of Ammon doesn't address the reality that Solomon's wives turned him away from the Lord at the end of his life, to the point he was making sacrifices to Moloch. But of course this is fiction and the author can write whatever she likes.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I prefer hard copy books, so I kept putting off reading this ebook, but I really enjoyed the perspective the author took here. She wrote from the perspective of the young girl who wanted to marry Solomon, whom she’d known since a child. The author portrayed the life of a dating girl and then a wife in the palace of the soon-to-be
king. You’ll certainly enjoy this historical fiction portraying the possible influences shaping the character of Solomon.

[Michelle Wallace · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quite enjoyable

This is quite an enjoyable read. I especially appreciated the use of the Hebrew terms Elohim for God and Adonai for Lord and most especially Yahweh, the name of God in Hebrew. I look forward to reading the other books in this series and the more Biblical fiction by this author.

[Patricia Lott · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book and plan to read the rest in the series. I know that it was a novella but I felt that it was too short. I wanted more but knowing that you can't glean too much or take to many liberties with biblical material I was satisfied. This is my first time reading this author and I am sure that as I read the rest of the series I will come to love her spin on the scriptures.

[Rochelle Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another excellent book by Jill Eileen Smith!

I've read several of her books and have never been disappointed. Even though the books are fiction, I know the author does research and puts as much biblical fact as possible into each story. Reading of the lives of these women helps to bring the bible into a fuller three dimensional view in my mind.

[AnnaLee Conti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Biblical fiction with deep characterization

A glimpse into the life of King Solomon, son of King David. One can only imagine what it was like to be his first wife, his first love. This author brings the Biblical characters to life. I enjoyed Smith's story and look forward to reading the next one in this series.

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

History tells us very little about Naamah the Ammonite princess, the first wife of Solomon, and the mother of his heir, Rehoboam. Many historians have assumed that because she was raised in a nation of idol worship, specifically to Molech who required child sacrifice, that she was probably as evil as Jezebel. I like this imaginative tale much better. Naamah is presented as a gentle and compassionate young woman whose exposure to child sacrifice has filled her with disgust and encouraged her to seek knowledge of Solomon's God instead. This is also a beautiful story of the romance of youth and the idea that Solomon's songs of love may have been written for more than one woman. I enjoyed this novella very much!

[Maureen Tall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable

Really enjoyed this book but as is inevitable with a novella, there wasn't a great deal of depth, but the author dealt well with the small amount of information on Naamah. Well worth a read.

[Janet Merrell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the novella featuring Naamah, especially the early chapters. She had known and pined for Solomon since she was a young girl. I thought the author did a good job of conveying her longing and eventual jealousy.

[MaryAnn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Way too short.

[Aneesa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think it is safe to say that most everyone realizes that these historical, Christian romances are not exactly literary triumphs. However, they are very sweet reads that offer gentle entertainment. Well, written with a good plot. I’d definitely recommend to fans of this genre.

[ann white · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely read!

I really enjoyed this short story imagining the life of Solomon's first wife. This novella is written beautifully and look forward to reading more books of this series.

[SIMS · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good 👍

I liked it but it was a bit predictable, but a very nice read.well interpreted of Biblical times. Interpreted Solomon kindly

[Patti · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very quick read. Interesting portrayal of Solomon at a young age.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Desert Princess felt rushed at times and I never felt emotionally connected to Naamah, in fact I liked Bathsheba more. However, I enjoyed the detail the author put into the story.

[Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Too abrupt

I thought at the end it was a little abrupt. It would have been nice to read more about Solomon after he took the Kingship.

[Sherree Chmitlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have loved reading if the women in King Solomon’s life. I just cannot imagine all they had to do and when he would take other wives, how they must have felt.

[Melanie Sherman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it!

[Asanda Elias · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good read.

My favourite part was where Namaah said to Solomon, 'Do not make me fight for you, my husband.'

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book. I've read 3 in the series so far and I'm about to finish the fourth one.

[Lynnette Magnusson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Standing Ovation!

Thank you for giving a story to the Old Testament 🙏🏽. Your imagination in bringing the Bible to life os ana amazing gift. 👏🏽 Wow 👌🏽 👏🏽

[Linea Winter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read