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The Loves of King Solomon #2
The Shepherdess
A young woman at the mercy of kings...
A prince whose claim to the throne is challenged...
One chance to make this life all they imagined it could be.
Abishag may not be living the joyful life she once had before her oldest brother took over the household, but she can always escape to the fields for solace. There she can let down her veil, sing to the flowers and the sheep, and bask in the warmth of a sun-drenched sky of purest blue. And there she can meet Yaron, the young man she has loved as long as she can remember. Yet even this will be taken from her when men come searching out a beautiful woman to attend the aged King David.
Enclosed within the high palace walls as part of the king's harem, Abishag wonders what happened to the life she had planned to live. As the king's health deteriorates, his sons contend with each other, hoping to succeed him and take possession of what was his—including his beautiful young attendant . . .
A prince whose claim to the throne is challenged...
One chance to make this life all they imagined it could be.
Abishag may not be living the joyful life she once had before her oldest brother took over the household, but she can always escape to the fields for solace. There she can let down her veil, sing to the flowers and the sheep, and bask in the warmth of a sun-drenched sky of purest blue. And there she can meet Yaron, the young man she has loved as long as she can remember. Yet even this will be taken from her when men come searching out a beautiful woman to attend the aged King David.
Enclosed within the high palace walls as part of the king's harem, Abishag wonders what happened to the life she had planned to live. As the king's health deteriorates, his sons contend with each other, hoping to succeed him and take possession of what was his—including his beautiful young attendant . . .
97 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 4, 2015
102 people are currently reading
704 people want to read
About the author
Jill Eileen Smith
28 books1,479 followersJill 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).
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).
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
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August 19, 2017
Beautifully Detailed
The amount of information and detail Jill Smith includes in this novella is astounding. We get a good chunk of David's final days and Solomon's early reign as well as a nice overview of the women in the palace during this time period. Good chaaracter development in a short space. Incredibly well-written eShort!
The amount of information and detail Jill Smith includes in this novella is astounding. We get a good chunk of David's final days and Solomon's early reign as well as a nice overview of the women in the palace during this time period. Good chaaracter development in a short space. Incredibly well-written eShort!
June 11, 2020
Abishag was a young woman who because of her beauty was selected to be a nurse and caregiver for King David in his old age. Although she was his wife, the marriage was never consummated. She and David develop a close relationship more like father and daughter. When David dies, she becomes the wife of King Solomon
The Biblical fiction story is well written and brings to life the period and role that Abishag played in King David's life.
The Biblical fiction story is well written and brings to life the period and role that Abishag played in King David's life.
August 30, 2016
I've enjoyed the first two books in this series, but I feel Abishag's proximity to the king gave her story a unique perspective. The humility Smith infuses into Abishag makes her character irresistible. Additionally, I couldn't help but smile at the thought of God choosing a shepherdess to comfort and old shepherd king in his last days. I'm excited to see what direction Smith takes her series and how Solomon's first wife, Naamah, will react as more and more women are added to the harem.
March 10, 2021
Book two was as good as book one. It gives more insight into the building of the Temple and Abishag the second wife of King Solomon who was inherited at the death of King David. Another great story where Bible characters come to life!
January 22, 2023
Beautiful story
I chose this rating because the book, just one more story of how the women lived and were treated in those days is so fascinating. Interesting enough, I saw myself in her and how much she loved her animals and nature, but I love the Bathsheba and Rebecca story's best. I don't know why, maybe the 'self worth and lack of confidence Abishag showed until she met the 'right' man for her, like me! I need to go back and read this book so I can ponder more. I know she only makes a small entrance in the Bible, but the way this author writes with so much feeling about these women makes me want ( on my way down the hall to get it) to reread parts in my Bible. Thank you Jill Eileen Smith
Thank you
I chose this rating because the book, just one more story of how the women lived and were treated in those days is so fascinating. Interesting enough, I saw myself in her and how much she loved her animals and nature, but I love the Bathsheba and Rebecca story's best. I don't know why, maybe the 'self worth and lack of confidence Abishag showed until she met the 'right' man for her, like me! I need to go back and read this book so I can ponder more. I know she only makes a small entrance in the Bible, but the way this author writes with so much feeling about these women makes me want ( on my way down the hall to get it) to reread parts in my Bible. Thank you Jill Eileen Smith
Thank you
January 17, 2021
Another insightful look into the loves of King Solomon
This author has a unique way of delving deep into her main character through the use of the first person point of view, allowing the reader to feel what the heroine feels. I love that about this second novella in this series. I look forward to reading the next one.
This author has a unique way of delving deep into her main character through the use of the first person point of view, allowing the reader to feel what the heroine feels. I love that about this second novella in this series. I look forward to reading the next one.
May 3, 2018
I appreciate what this set is seeking to do. I also love how the author weaves in Song of Solomon and any biblical clues there are to Abishag's story. Bathsheba is well portrayed thoughout the first three novellas.
January 5, 2019
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.
April 3, 2020
Although I enjoyed The Shepherdess, I am not enjoying this series as much as Daughters of the Promised Land. I think it is because these books are much shorter and they tend to end abruptly so I am not getting to know the main character as much as I would like. However, I still enjoyed this account of Abishag.
May 21, 2019
Lovely story
A beautiful, gentle and creative story about one of the wives of Soliman. I could not put this book down.
A beautiful, gentle and creative story about one of the wives of Soliman. I could not put this book down.
February 22, 2020
Interesting interpretation of this part of Solomon's story. Well researched historical details.
April 25, 2020
Abishag's novella was enjoyable, but I didn't feel I got to know her quite as well as I did Naamah. I still felt the author did a good job within the confines of limited pages.
June 8, 2020
This was another wonderful book. I love the way that traditions and facts of the time period are blended into each book the author writes.
February 8, 2022
Loved it!
I'm looking at II Kings in a new light. Thank you Jill. I look forward to reading more in your series 😀
I'm looking at II Kings in a new light. Thank you Jill. I look forward to reading more in your series 😀
July 22, 2022
Good read
June 17, 2023
A 3.5 for me. I liked how this book brought flat bible characters to life. Just not a fan of a novella, as you are getting into to a good read it’s over.
December 30, 2015
Sweet story of Abishag and how she came to the palace as first King David's wife, then became Solomon's wife. Again, Ms Smith has me intrigued by the details she weaves into the real biblical account and helps bring the story more fully to life by what might have been. I look forward to reading more of her stories and then turning around, as she's led me to do ready, and digging into the Bible more to get more of the story.
August 10, 2015
A story of Abishag
Jill Eileen Smith weaves a beautiful story of Abishag from her home and the freedom she has a shepherdess to the courts of King David as his nurse and wife, then as wife to Solomon. Much isn't known of her life but Jill paints a vivid picture of who Abishag could have been and how her life was like as a wife to King David. You will want to add this to your collection!
Jill Eileen Smith weaves a beautiful story of Abishag from her home and the freedom she has a shepherdess to the courts of King David as his nurse and wife, then as wife to Solomon. Much isn't known of her life but Jill paints a vivid picture of who Abishag could have been and how her life was like as a wife to King David. You will want to add this to your collection!
October 10, 2019
A longer review can be found on my blog: https://confessionsofabookwormweb.wor...
This was another great read from Jill Eileen Smith. I really enjoyed it, and it was a quick read too. I don't know if I can wait until next year for the next installment in this series. :)
This was another great read from Jill Eileen Smith. I really enjoyed it, and it was a quick read too. I don't know if I can wait until next year for the next installment in this series. :)
August 9, 2015
Wow! Another great novella that was difficult to put down. It is a quick read. I also found it very thought provoking and felt like I was right there with King David, Bathsheba, and Solomon. I am not sure I can wait a year for the next novella in this series.
October 3, 2016
A great little novella, and the only problem was that is was a novella. Ended much to quickly. I loved the harmony employed by using a shepherdess as a comforter for a shepherd. I look forward to more.
July 24, 2021
Another book that I read to Diana. We can't do much anymore after her stroke, so I read to her to spend time together. Diana has always loved to have someone to read to her - and I like to do just that.
November 15, 2015
A short story but well worth reading. A book that points me back to my Bible to check things out is a blessing and this story did that.
January 6, 2016
A beautiful account of Abishag. The use of verses from Song of Solomon well executed.
January 6, 2016
Jill Eileen Smith has written another interesting and thought-provoking story about the women in Solomon's life. Passages from Psalms and Songs are woven into the story.
January 24, 2016
The Shepherdess
A short but interesting point of view for a girl barely mentioned within the Bible. I enjoyed reading the story
A short but interesting point of view for a girl barely mentioned within the Bible. I enjoyed reading the story
December 25, 2017
I enjoyed the first half of this story. Presenting Abishag as a lovely and naive shepherdess, the last wife to the aging King David, remaining a virgin bride, and then being given to King Solomon as a wife upon David's death. The first half of the story is about her life as David's wife. It also indicates the development of a wonderful mother/daughter relationship between Abishag and Bathsheba.
Ultimately, I was disappointed in this story though. First, it's a novella which means its short. That's already a problem when you're trying to write one of History's favorite romances. Second, interaction between Abishag and Solomon is implied while she is tending to David, but there is absolutely nothing that would indicate any kind of attraction or romance between the two... not even in conversation. Yet one day she mentally announces that she is in love with him and the night of David's funeral, Solomon embraces and kisses her. One of the best things about reading romances is everything that leads up to the acknowledgement and confession of love. The development of the relationship! That's not here. Having read the first novella about Solomon and Naamah, I realize that their story coincides with this one and that they were developing their own relationship during the first half of this story, but that still leaves out how Solomon and Abishag developed a relationship! It could have been better.
Ultimately, I was disappointed in this story though. First, it's a novella which means its short. That's already a problem when you're trying to write one of History's favorite romances. Second, interaction between Abishag and Solomon is implied while she is tending to David, but there is absolutely nothing that would indicate any kind of attraction or romance between the two... not even in conversation. Yet one day she mentally announces that she is in love with him and the night of David's funeral, Solomon embraces and kisses her. One of the best things about reading romances is everything that leads up to the acknowledgement and confession of love. The development of the relationship! That's not here. Having read the first novella about Solomon and Naamah, I realize that their story coincides with this one and that they were developing their own relationship during the first half of this story, but that still leaves out how Solomon and Abishag developed a relationship! It could have been better.
January 3, 2018
Imaginative series
The second in a four-book series, this story does a terrific job imagining what life, especially that of the king's household, was like in Bible times.
The second in a four-book series, this story does a terrific job imagining what life, especially that of the king's household, was like in Bible times.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews