The Queen's Handmaid by Tracy L. Higley

Book Info

About the book: From the servant halls of Cleopatra's Egyptian palace to the courts of Herod the Great, Lydia will serve two queens to see prophecy fulfilled. Alexandria, Egypt 39 BC Orphaned at birth, Lydia was raised as a servant in Cleopatra's palace, working hard to please while keeping everyone at arm's length. She's been rejected and left with a broken heart too many times in her short life. But then her dying mentor entrusts her with secret writings of the prophet Daniel and charges her to deliver this vital information to those watching for the promised King of Israel. Lydia must leave the nearest thing she's had to a family and flee to Jerusalem. Once in the Holy City, she attaches herself to the newly appointed king, Herod the Great, as handmaid to Queen Mariamme. Trapped among the scheming women of Herod's political family---his sister, his wife, and their mothers---and forced to serve in the palace to protect her treasure, Lydia must deliver the scrolls before dark forces warring against the truth destroy all hope of the coming Messiah. Purchase a copy: http://ow.ly/uKKQP About the Author: Tracy L. Higley started her first novel at age eight and has been hooked on writing ever since. She has authored many novels, including Garden of Madnessand So Shines the Night. Tracy is currently pursuing a graduate degree in Ancient History and has traveled through Greece, Turkey, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, and Italy, researching her novels and falling into adventures.  See Tracy's travel journals and more at: tracyhigley.com My Take:  I have always been fascinated with the time period of Cleopatra but oddly enough I haven't really read to much about this time period.  I liked this story of Lydia and how she must find her way through all the danger and political intrigue to fulfill the mission that she has been entrusted with.  This book is not only historical fiction but it has a bit of a spy novel feel to it.  I loved learning about not only the history but I likes learning about the politics.  Interesting reading.  I received a review copy from Litfuse in exchange for my honest opinion.