Book Nerd: Daughter of Sand and Stone by Libbie Hawker

Friday, December 11, 2015

Daughter of Sand and Stone by Libbie Hawker

About Daughter of Sand and Stone

Hardcover

Publisher: Lake Union Publishing (December 1, 2015)

When Zenobia takes control of her own fate, will the gods punish her audacity?

Zenobia, the proud daughter of a Syrian sheikh, refuses to marry against her will. She won’t submit to a lifetime of subservience. When her father dies, she sets out on her own, pursuing the power she believes to be her birthright, dreaming of the Roman Empire’s downfall and her ascendance to the throne.

Defying her family, Zenobia arranges her own marriage to the most influential man in the city of Palmyra. But their union is anything but peaceful—his other wife begrudges the marriage and the birth of Zenobia’s son, and Zenobia finds herself ever more drawn to her guardsman, Zabdas. As war breaks out, she’s faced with terrible choices.

From the decadent halls of Rome to the golden sands of Egypt, Zenobia fights for power, for love, and for her son. But will her hubris draw the wrath of the gods? Will she learn a “woman’s place,” or can she finally stake her claim as Empress of the East?

“Richly detailed and meticulously researched—Libbie Hawker brings the ancient world vibrantly to life.” —Kate Quinn, national bestselling author of Lady of the Eternal City

“Libbie Hawker writes exquisitely layered historical novels with a deft, fresh voice. Her heroines are at once powerful and completely real, and she draws them with both compassion and a keen sense of observation of human nature.” —V. M. Black, New York Times bestselling author

Four Stars

Copy Received from TLC Book Tours for an honest review

Books like "Daughter of Sand and Stone" by Libbie Hawker are why I enjoy reading historical fiction. It was both enlightening and entertaining. It would seem like fate that a book like this would come out at a time when Syria is at the center of international news. Zenobia is a fantastic and interesting woman. Very well educated and ahead of her time she was a natural leader but also worked very hard for all she accomplished. I really enjoyed all the layers that Kawker gave to this character. I really admired that she didn't paint her as a superhero but a very real person with faults.

I was instantly grabbed by the story and especially the main character- Zenobia. As luck would have it I read another story about her and even though I had never heard of her previously I find that the more I learn the more interesting and complex she becomes. This is great read for current times and a great way to pass a few days of reading

Purchase Links

Amazon | Books-A-Million | Barnes & Noble

About Libbie Hawker

Libbie Hawker writes historical and literary fiction featuring deeply human characters, with rich details of time and place. She is the author of ten novels, most of which take place in the distant past among ancient civilizations. She lives in the beautiful San Juan Islands with her husband.

Connect with Libbie

Website | Facebook | Twitter

Libbie Hawker’s TLC Book Tours TOUR STOPS:

Monday, November 30th: Peeking Between the Pages

Tuesday, December 1st: Bibliotica

Tuesday, December 1st: Life is Story

Wednesday, December 2nd: Reading Reality

Thursday, December 3rd: A Chick Who Reads

Monday, December 7th: Luxury Reading

Tuesday, December 8th: Spiced Latte Reads

Wednesday, December 9th: Book Dilettante

Thursday, December 10th: Mom’s Small Victories