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ABOUT THE BOOK
Hers is the flawless face no man has seen—except her father.
His is the foreign face everyone reveres—save his family.
The royal decree that couples this unlikely pair will make or break the history of an ancient empire.
Considered a gift from the sun god due to her arresting eyes, Asenath was veiled in childhood and destined to marry Egyptian royalty. The 17-year-old is resigned to a loveless future in the royal harem, when Pharaoh’s shocking declaration forces her to marry the new vizier of Egypt—a mystical foreigner with powers of divination.
Known as Zaphnath-Paaneah, her husband turns out to be handsome, charming, and possibly insane since he worships an invisible god and expects her—the daughter of a high priest—to do the same. Facing a fate seemingly worse than that she grew up dreading, she desperately searches for a way out of the arranged marriage. The secrets she uncovers usher her into a world of intrigue and treachery that questions all her beliefs about men, gods, and love. Will theirs be the most monumental mismatch made in Egyptian history, or will her daring demand for a sign from his god make all her childhood fantasies come true?
Combining original poetry with well-researched history, A Divine Romance is an Own Voices retelling of a beloved Biblical tale that takes readers on a riveting journey through Ancient Egypt and introduces them to a fresh, poetic voice in Christian fiction.
“In a writing style reminiscent of Tessa Afshar, Ifueko Ogbomo spins a breathtaking tale readers won’t be able to put down!”
~ Heidi Chiavaroli, Carol Award-winning author of The Orchard House and Hope Beyond the Waves
“A Divine Romance that will resonate in our hearts well past the last page.”
~ Toni Shiloh, Christy Award-winning author of In Search of a Prince
“Gifted storytelling brings an intricate cast of characters to life and portrays the greatest kind of love there is . . .”
~ Jenna Van Mourik, author of Jerusalem’s Daughter
Publisher: InspiroLogos Publishing
Release Date: February 14, 2023
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EXCERPT
“What does Joseph mean?”
“Savior,” he answered with a smile.
His mother named him savior. “Do you consider yourself as such?”
His expression sobered. “No,” he answered softly. “In fact, I spent the better part of my youth desperately in need of saving.”
In need of saving? “From what?” Asenath inquired, noting the depth of emotion in his voice.
He paused for a moment, as though weighing his answer. Then, with a small smile, he responded, “Permit me to answer that another time, my lady. We were discussing love. If you do not mind, I would rather remain on that subject.”
This man has layers. For the love of Isis, what is he hiding? She was eager to uncover whatever secrets his past held, but a lack of patience was not the quality she wanted to flaunt before a man in whose good graces she needed to be. Masking her impatience with a brilliant smile, she acquiesced. “Certainly, Your Eminence. I have heard many a true tale of exploits undertaken for love. I can honestly say none are as extraordinary as your father’s. Loving your mother at first sight so passionately that he willingly worked fourteen years to earn the right to be her husband is . . . incredible!”
“If I had not heard it from my mother’s lips, and seen its truth in my father’s eyes every time he looked at her, I too may have thought so,” he admitted. “You asked what love is to me. That level of sacrifice . . . devotion . . . affection . . . Loving someone enough to set aside your comfort for them. Beseeching God on their behalf. Staying true to them in life, in death, and beyond; that is what love is to me. That is the love I grew up dreaming of having. You will forgive me, but I can neither offer nor accept anything that falls short of that.”
Asenath lowered her eyes. She was not offering that. She was offering her body, definitely, and her obedience, probably, but not her heart. Never her heart. She needed him at her beck and call, not the other way around.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Ifueko Fex Ogbomo is a prize-winning Nigerian poet, storyteller, voice artist, and sickle cell activist whose life’s motto is ‘to inspire with words.’ Under her alias ‘Lady InspiroLogos,’ she is best known for her custom spoken word and song performances, which have graced global stages. For her internationally-acclaimed work in the performing arts, the U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services classified her as an Alien of Extraordinary Ability in the Arts and awarded her permanent US residency (2017).
A member of the American Christian Fiction Writer’s association, Ifueko is passionate about using spoken word artistry and storytelling to share the gospel, and to raise awareness on both autism and sickle cell anemia. Her first book, Yellow Eyes Gone White!, is a faith-inspiring memoir that details her personal struggles with the genetic blood disorder. Ifueko’s poem, My Utmost Delight, is the opening chapter of Revell’s 2022 publication, Voices of Lament, a collection of essays, poems, liturgies, and prayers by 29 BIPOC Christian women contributors exploring issues of injustice, heartache, and deep suffering.
A classically-trained vocalist, Ifueko graduated summa cum laude, with a B.A. Honors (Music with a minor in Computer Science) from Texas Lutheran University. The last of three children born to a military father and a fashion designer mother, Ifueko has visited four of the seven continents and known many “homes,” but she currently resides in Orlando, Florida. Proudly neurodivergent, and INFJ on the Myers-Briggs scale, she enjoys creative expression, African fashion, gluten-free dining, and exotic destinations. But nothing beats a quiet day at home, flying through the pages of a Christian romance while snacking on plantain chips!
Connect with Ifueko by visiting ifuekoogbomo.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.
GIVEAWAY
(1) winner will receive a signed copy of A Divine Romance and Voices of Lament!
Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight February 7, 2023 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on February 14, 2023. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.
Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.
TOUR SCHEDULE
The description of the love between Jacob and Rachel seems all-encompassing.
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