A Simply Enchanted Life

Rachel by Jill Eileen Smith

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Suggested Age: 17+
Genre: Christian, Historical Fiction

This cover is gorgeous and made me want to pick up the book. I wasn’t disappointed.

You know, I’ve often judged Jacob—how could he have really loved Rachel and still taken additional wives.

You’d think after the trickery and guilt that he surely felt every single time that he had to be with Leah would have deterred him from taking additional wives.

This story helped me stop looking at Jacob as a creep and actually helped me understand the possible dynamics of his and Rachel’s relationship. I almost began to feel sorry for him. I think I connected with this couple in a way that I hadn’t in the past.

This book takes us through the entire relationship between Rachel, Jacob, Leah and that of their handmaidens which were given to Jacob as wives.

From the horrible betrayal that Rachel felt when Leah stole her betrothed. To the depths of Rachel’s despair when she was unable to bear children and the anguish and jealousy she must have had to endure when Jacob spent time with her…

I became so invested in their lives that I often felt weary with Jacob, jealous with Rachel and sad with Leah. I could identify with all of the broken pieces of these people—they were so human and brought to life in a way that resonated deep within mind and heart.

I urge you to pick up this book and take a journey along with this family as Jacob wrestles with God and learns to find His will. If you’ve ever thought that you have too many troubles and problems to be used by God, think again. This tale will waken your eyes to the turmoil and the dysfunction in the lives of people who still became great.
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Jill Eileen Smith is the author of the Wives of the Patriarchs series featuring Sarai, Rebekah, and upcoming Rachel, (Releases 2-1-14) as well as, the bestselling author of Michal, Abigail, and Bathsheba, all part of The Wives of King David series published by Revell (Baker Publishing Group.)

Her writing has taken her from the Bible to Israel and she loves learning how women lived in Old Testament times. When she isn't writing she can be found hanging out with family and friends, reading, bike-riding, testing new restaurants with her husband, or snuggling one of two adorable kitties. She lives with her family in southeast Michigan.


I received this book free from the publisher through Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own

Sarai by Jill Eileen Smith

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Suggested Age: 17+
Genre: Christian,Historical Fiction

 Over the last few years I’ve really became interested in historical fiction—particularly biblical fiction.

It helps me visualize the world, the setting and the characters when I’m doing my Bible reading. It helps me look at the Bible differently by bringing to life the characters I’ve read about.

This is the first book that I’ve read by this author and I thought it was pretty good. I would definitely read more of her stories. I liked that she provided scriptures in sections of the story so I could cross reference the Bible.


Have you ever really considered what it would be like for women who couldn’t conceive many years ago? Sarai longs for a child but she is barren. She loves her husband and the thought of sharing him is more than she can bear but how else will she obtain a child?

This book follows Sarai through her many emotions as she longs for a child and the disappointment that she surely felt as she watched servants or friends bear children.

Sarai doesn’t have the faith that Abram has and in utter desperation she does the only thing she knows to do. She gives her handmaid to her husband. If Abram loved Sarai so much then how could he have ever agreed to such a thing? Well, in those days there weren’t fertility doctors. Rather than trusting God and his promise Sarai took matters into her own hands and set out to procure a child via a surrogate.

I thought the book was pretty good. It helped make Sarai real to me. She was a real woman with real fears, hopes and struggles. The book read pretty fast and was interesting enough to keep me turning the pages.
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Amazon|CBD|Barnes&Noble
Jill Eileen Smith is the author of the Wives of the Patriarchs series featuring Sarai, Rebekah, and upcoming Rachel, (Releases 2-1-14) as well as, the bestselling author of Michal, Abigail, and Bathsheba, all part of The Wives of King David series published by Revell (Baker Publishing Group.)

Her writing has taken her from the Bible to Israel and she loves learning how women lived in Old Testament times. When she isn't writing she can be found hanging out with family and friends, reading, bike-riding, testing new restaurants with her husband, or snuggling one of two adorable kitties. She lives with her family in southeast Michigan.