Welcome to the Takeover + Review Blitz for The Queen’s Cook by Tessa Afshar hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!
About the Book
Title: The Queen’s Cook Series: Queen Esther's Court #1
Author: Tessa Afshar
Publisher: Bethany House Publishers
Release Date: November 19, 2024
Genre: Historical Fiction, Biblical
In the heart of ancient Persia, the empire's Jewish citizens face an ominous edict that threatens their very existence. Roxannah, the daughter of an impoverished Persian lord, is devastated by the news but feels helpless to come to the aid of her Jewish friends. Desperate to support her family, Roxannah approaches the royal physician, Adin--the man whose kind eyes haunt her--and seeks his help to find employment in Queen Esther's kitchens.
In the opulent palace of Susa, Roxannah tries to survive the spiteful ploys of the other cooks as she ascends through the ranks. Her loyalty earns her the trust and friendship of Queen Esther, who is navigating dangerous politics with wisdom and grace. When Roxannah and Adin uncover a sinister plot against Amestris, the king's most powerful wife and Esther's archenemy, they find themselves tasked with the impossible job of discovering the culprit. As secrets unravel and alliances are tested, the fate of Esther's reign hangs in the balance.
PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Baker Publishing | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop | BookBub
Excerpt
Let me tell you a secret: Being queen will break your heart.
Young women weave sweet fantasies of bejeweled crowns and magnificent honors when they dream of a title. How little they understand the weight of that crown or the cost of true honor.
They look upon me now and see an old woman whose ordinary life holds little to recommend it to the young. They have no notion that once I sat upon the throne they long for. The king’s scepter lifted to welcome me, and a hundred backs bent low when I walked past.
They do not know who I am. And that is as I like it. I have not survived this long without learning a trick or two.
The palace goes on as ever, its courtiers blustering, servants scurrying, scribes administering, wives and concubines scheming, armies marching. The empire grinds slowly forward as if the blood of the king I loved was never spilled by covetous hands. Kings are replaced as easily as dribbled ink, it seems.
His son sits on the throne now. Her son. She gave my king what I never could: a lineage to follow after him. She raised the boy well, I’ll give her that. He has been a good monarch, with the steel-hard strength that won his forefathers an empire tempered with grace enough to make everyone love him.
I hope that makes her rest easy in her aristocratic grave.
She died clutching the crown she always longed for, while I sit in my simple house, my head bare save for a modest veil. Esther is gone. I am Hadassah again.
About the Author
🎉 Tour Giveaway 🎉
(1) winner will receive a paperback copy of The Queen's Cook and a $15 Amazon gift card!
Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight December 4, 2024 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on December 11, 2024. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.
Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.
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Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!
This should be a very interesting novel. Thanks for sharing and hosting this tour.
ReplyDeletethanks so much for spotlighting The Queen's Cook today!
ReplyDeleteMarie, Thank you for hosting. Tessa Afshar is an exceptional author.
ReplyDeleteI love the excerpt.
ReplyDeleteI loved the excerpt
ReplyDeleteLoved the excerpt! 😯
ReplyDelete