Sarai by Jill Eileen Smith

Sarai (Wives of the Patriarchs, #1)

by Jill Eileen Smith

Sarai, the last child of her aged father, is beautiful, spoiled, and used to getting her own way. Even as a young girl, she is aware of the way men look at her, including her half brother Abram. When Abram finally requests Sarai's hand, she asks one thing--that he promise never to take another wife as long as she lives. Even her father thinks the demand is restrictive and agrees to the union only if Sarai makes a promise in return--to give Abram a son and heir. Certain she can easily do that, Sarai agrees.
But as the years stretch on and Sarai's womb remains empty, she becomes desperate to fulfill her end of the bargain--lest Abram decide that he will not fulfill his. To what lengths will Sarai go in her quest to bear a son? And how long will Abram's patience last?
Jill Eileen Smith thrilled readers with The Wives of King David series. Now she brings to life the strong and celebrated wives of the patriarchs, beginning with the beautiful and inscrutable Sarai.

Reviewed by Molly J(Cover To Cover Cafe) on

5 of 5 stars

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I became a fan of Jill Eileen Smith, when I first read book one in her Wives Of King David series. She took Biblical facts and mixed them with fiction, and created stunningly beautiful novels that pull the reader into the past, and the story, instantly. Now, she’s created yet another wonderful Biblical fiction series, starting with this one, and it’s AWESOME! I felt the pull to the heart of the story instantly and held on for an incredibly moving ride.

Ms. Smith created Sarai’s story with rich detail. Sarai’s story is one of betrayal, faith, hope and trust. Sarai longs to wed her half-brother Abram. It’s with a promise of bearing him a son in turn for a promise to be faithful from him, that she’s able to marry him. But, as years pass and still now heir is conceived, she starts to worry.

Will Abram keep his promise to stay faithful to her, if she’s not able to conceive? This book is filled with the answer to that and so much more. The accuracy of the story is incredible. I haven’t read the Sarai/Abram’s story in long a time, but each page turn brought something with it that sparked my memory from my Bible studies. The richness in the meaning behind the story of trusting in God (or Adonai as he was called in the story) is beautiful. The trust and the betrayal, the sacrifice…all of it was captivating.

I definitely recommend this 5 Book worthy novel to everyone. There is passion (though it’s clean!), there is hope, there is mysteriousness, and there is fact. You’ll be swept away to a time before Jesus was born and live among the people of the story, as if you, too, were a part of it. Once again, Jill Eileen Smith has created a fabtastic start to a wonderful new series and I am in awe of the feeling I get after closing one of her novels. I can’t wait for book two to release! Great job, Ms. Smith!!!

This review originated at Reviews By Molly(now Cover To Cover Café) in part with a blog tour.

*This review is based on a complimentary copy which was provided for an honest review, be it negative or positive.*

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  • 6 March, 2019: Reviewed