by Tessa Afshar
Esther’s story holds a special significance for me. I grew up in Persia where Esther lived and reigned as queen, and where her simple tomb still survives today. When I was a teen, I moved to England and ultimately America where I live today. It wasn’t until I became a Christian and started reading the Bible that I realized how significant the Persian period is for the Bible. Although it has been decades since I visited the land of my parents, Esther and other biblical stories that take place in ancient Persia continue to enchant me.
No queen in history wields quite the same fascination as Esther, a simple Jewish woman who rose to royal position and managed to save a generation of her people. But so many books have been written about her particular story that I wanted to approach her life in a fresh way. The Queen Esther’s Court trilogy was born from that desire. These novels focus on three of Esther’s fictional friends. Each book introduces us to a woman with a unique profession whose life is changed by Esther.
The Queen’s Cook is the first book in the trilogy. Although we occasionally hear from Esther through her secret scrolls (which I happily made up using the events chronicled in the Bible as my guideline), the heroine of this novel is Roxannah. She is a gifted cook who is the daughter of an impoverished Persian lord. After tragedy strikes, Roxannah finds a job in Queen Esther’s kitchens.
Since I love cooking and enjoy tinkering with recipes from biblical times, having a cook as my heroine seems like the perfect fit. In my own kitchen, I had a blast experimenting with the recipes mentioned throughout the book. Think lamb spiced with saffron and golden fried onions, braises flavored with fresh herbs like mint, tarragon, and dill, or vegetarian cutlets piquant with pomegranate paste. Can you taste that pistachio cake sweetened with honey and perfumed with rosewater?
Over three hundred specialized cooks were known to serve in the kitchens at just one of the Persian king’s palaces, though the queen’s staff would have been significantly smaller. Most of the royal cooks were men. The idea of planting a talented woman in that environment suggested an endless array of entertaining possibilities. I made myself laugh and cringe as I wrote about Roxannah’s struggles with earning a place in the queen’s kitchens while several envious cooks did everything in their power to prove her incompetent.
Roxannah’s life becomes even more complicated when a mysterious book and a sinister plot throw her and the palace physician, Adin, together. Now they must save the life of Esther’s worst enemy. This was an especially interesting thread to write because Esther is only mentioned in the Bible. No other historical record of her exists. The only wife of the king mentioned in surviving historical records is called Amestris. Why is that? I offer an explanation as my hero and heroine contend with some twisty intrigue.
In the midst of this unfolding upheaval, Roxannah discovers that she has earned the trust and friendship of an extraordinary queen. Friendship is one of the joys of life, but it is not always easy to come by. I wanted these two women, who probably would have struggled to find true companions, to discover the blessing of a genuine friendship.
Although this historical novel is enriched by a slow-burn romance, humorous banter, and a fast-paced plot, this story also delves into deeper themes. The Queen’s Cook is the story of a woman who has never learned what it means to feel truly safe. As the novel unfolds, Roxannah discovers that while she can’t forge her own security in this broken world, she can find the inner peace she has always longed for. God Himself is able to give her the sense of safety that childhood wounds have robbed. This is a lesson I have had to learn many times in my own life, and I hope that through the pages of this book, readers will also find a more profound sense of safety in God, even when the world around them is shaken.
About the Author
Tessa Afshar's award-winning biblical fiction has been on Publishers Weekly, CBA, and ECPA bestseller lists and has been translated into twelve languages. Born in the Middle East, Tessa spent her teen years in England and later moved to the United States. Her conversion to Christianity in her twenties changed the course of her life. Tessa is a devoted wife, a mediocre gardener, and an enthusiastic cook of biblical recipes. Learn more at TessaAfshar.com.
About the Book
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. As secrets unravel and alliances are tested, the fate of Esther's reign hangs in the balance.
Did You Know?
Thomas Edison is credited with being the first one to string white lights together back in 1880, but Edward Johnson, an associate of Edison’s, is the first one to create a string of red, white and blue bulbs and place that colorful strand on a tree. No matter whether you’re a white lights kind of decorator or a multi-colored Christmas lights enthusiast, lights are an important part of celebrating Christmas.
Christmas lights used to be a fire hazard! Back in the 17th century, candles were used to light up Christmas trees. People would attach candles to the branches with pins or melted wax, and as you might imagine, the trees often caught fire, so it was recommended to keep a bucket of water nearby the tree.
Best Advertisement Ever! After Thomas Edison invented the incandescent light bulb, he desperately wanted to advertise it, so he hung a string of lights outside his laboratory. And people loved it! The lights were pretty, and they didn’t pose the fire threat of candles. It wasn’t long before the strands of Christmas lights made their way to the White House, and General Electric bought the patent from Edison so that GE could start selling Christmas tree lights to the public.
Jesus is the Light of the World. John 8:12 (ESV) says, “Jesus spoke to them, saying, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.’” And Matthew 5:16 (ESV) says, “In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”
Aren’t you so glad we don’t have to wait for Christmas to share the light? When we have Jesus living in our hearts, we shine brightly for Him wherever we go. Shine your light this season and all throughout the year!
-Michelle Medlock Adams, The Christmas Devotional
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