The Secret Heir
By Janice Broyles
Book Description
Years before, he was anointed future king of Israel. Now if the sitting king learns of his secret, it will mean death for David and everyone in his family. David’s secret destiny becomes more complicated when he falls in love with King Saul’s daughter, Michal. He will do whatever it takes to secure her heart, provided she doesn’t find out that David is the rumored rival to her father’s throne.
Now that Michal is of age, the Queen determines her daughter must be married as soon as possible. Michal resigns herself to a pre-arranged marriage with a man she does not love. Then by fate or God’s providence she meets the handsome, young lyre player standing outside her father’s chambers.
One lives in a palace; the other sleeps under the stars. Though they come from vastly different worlds, Michal and David are drawn together. When King Saul uncovers David’s secret and vows to kill him, Michal is torn between her love for her father and feelings for David. Two kings, two men she deeply loves but for different reasons — one heart broken in two.
(Written for the General Market (G) (I): Contains little or no: sexual dialogue or situations or strong language. May also contain content of an inspirational nature. Amazon customers who purchase the print version have the option to purchase the Kindle eBook at no charge.)
My Review
Janice Broyles is a new author to me, but her character development and plotline prove she’s a veteran writer. I’ve read only one other book that delves into the complex relationship between David and Saul’s daughter, Michal. Jill Eileen Smith’s debut novel, Michal, explores the story with rich detail and made it to the ECPA best-seller list—and The Secret Heir develops these same characters with equal skill and fascination. I absolutely loved Michal’s sassy, spit-and-vinegar personality as well as David’s fierce-yet-sensitive warrior persona. Ms. Broyles takes some risks in her debut biblical novel by making David’s father Jesse a harsh man, but it works with what we see in the Truth of God’s Word—and that makes great fiction. She also does a fabulous job of making sense of the big question, “Why was there an idol in Saul’s palace that Michal placed in her bed that allowed David to escape the guards?” (1 Sam. 19:13) I’ve given 4 smiles instead of 4½ or 5 because throughout the book, there were too many modern phrases used that pulled me out of ancient Israel. Perhaps if I wasn’t enjoying the book so much, it wouldn’t have been so upsetting! My hope is that Janice Broyles will write many more biblical novels and use more era-appropriate phrasing. I will certainly be buying the next one she writes!
☺☺☺☺ 4 Smiles!
