Book Review - The Royal Artisan

Tessa Afshar delivers an achingly beautiful installment to her Queen Esther’s Court series in her latest release, The Royal Artisan. A story set to run parallel to The Queen’s Cook, The Royal Artisan is that of a young Persian woman who holds her family close in her heart as she works at the pottery wheel, creating the finest wares in Susa and beyond. When destruction comes knocking, Sazana is surprised to find the man assigned to protect her is none other than the one who broke her heart when he broke their betrothal. Fighting the storm in her heart and the enemy without, Sazana and Jadon must reckon with the danger before them as well as the history between them. Afshar has a well honed talent for creating complex characters and intricate storylines that capture the reader and hold them enthralled without overcomplicating. The Royal Artisan is further proof of that talent, with a richly layered tale wrapped around characters we love to love.

The Royal Artisan, the second book in the Queen Esther's Court series by Tessa Afshar, is available now from your favorite local bookseller or online:

Baker Book House    Christian Book    Amazon    Barnes & Noble    Walmart

I received an ARC of this book. It did not influence my review. All opinions expressed here are my own.

Book Review - The Queen’s Cook

Tessa Afshar concocts a beautiful Queen Esther story in her new release, The Queen’s Cook. This installment of the Queen Esther’s Court series focuses on Roxannah, daughter of an impoverished Persian noble, whose work in the kitchen is an aberration from the way things are done among women of her station and whose talent draws attention of both the favorable and unfavorable kind. Forced to work in order to keep a roof over her mother’s head, Roxannah is thankful for her position in the queen’s kitchens and does not want to jeopardize this security, but it does not take long for her to stand out in her own way. Such great talent draws Roxannah into the presence of her queen and then into the drama and intrigue of court life when she and the Jewish physician Adin learn of a plot against Amestris, Queen Esther’s nemesis and the powerful wife of their king. Opposition seems to come from all sides, and yet through the faithful encouragement of Adin and Esther, Roxannah comes to find the life and the light in the midst of her darkness. With delicate storyline layers of bitter struggle and sweet redemption, Afshar crafts a delicacy worthy of royalty.

The Queen’s Cook by Tessa Afshar is available now from your favorite local bookseller or online:

Baker Book House     Christian Book        Amazon        Barnes & Noble        Walmart

Thank you to the author and publisher for allowing me a copy to read and review. All opinions expressed here are my own and are completely genuine.