Blog Tour: Daughter of Ishmael by Diane Stringam Tolley

Book Description:

Growing up around prophets and prophecies, Hannah and her sisters are excited to be betrothed to sons of Lehi and to journey to the promised land. But now with her people dividing, Hannah must choose between her faith and her family. Should she follow Nephi again, or stay with her husband, Lemuel, and her son in sin and misery? This compelling novel tells the familiar scripture story from an illuminating new perspective.

Review:

I usually enjoy reading historical fiction, but I just must not have been in the right mood to read this book at first. It was a good story, but I just wasn't feeling it. Thankfully, my weird mood passed soon and I was able to become more involved in the story.

The reason I like historical fiction as much as I do is because the authors typically bring up ideas that I never thought about. Granted, these stories are the fiction part of the book, so we don't really know how things played out, but these types of books help bring the people to life for me.

Take Lemuel for example. I've never thought more of him than just a rebellious, angry, petulant brother. And he definitely was that. But in this book, the author makes you think that maybe there was more to him than just the rebellious side. Maybe he was actually good at times. And even though I knew how he was going to end up, it was still sad to see it happening in the story.

I can't even imagine what life would have been like for Hannah. First off, it was hard to read about the extreme cultural differences. (And made me so very thankful that I was born in this time and country and not hers!) Getting past all of that, being told that you not only will marry someone you don't really know, but that someone is kind of an unrighteous jerk, well...it says a lot for her strength that she followed her father's wishes and didn't run off and live her own life. Because I would kind of be tempted to do just that.

I was definitely curious to see what would happen with Hannah at the end of the book. If you've read the Book of Mormon, you know what happens with the Nephites and Lamanites. How would someone who is doing her best to be righteous, despite her husband and other's influences feel when they learn that the righteous people are going to be leaving to start a new life elsewhere?

I am glad that I chose to read this book. It was entertaining, but most of all, very thought-provoking.

Tour Schedule:

“Daughter of Ishmael” blog tour schedule:
January 10: Marlene Bateman | Rockin’ Book Reviews
January 11: Heart. Mind. Soul.
January 12: Paula Kremser
January 13: Christy Monson Books | My Book a Day | Literary Time Out
January 14: Jots by Jess | Bookworm Lisa
January 15: Misty Moncur
January 16: Beyond the Lake
January 17: Kathryn Cooper
January 18: Ann Morris
January 19: The Dance
January 20: Why Not? Because I Said So | Mel’s Shelves
January 21: Marketing Mentress
January 22: The View From My Window
January 23: The Book Addict
January 24:
January 25: Julie Coulter Bellon

 

Title: Daughter of Ishmael
Author: Diane Stringam Tolley
Publisher: Cedar Fort, Inc
Published: January 2017
ISBN: 1462119662  

Source: I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

 

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