the queen's cook | excerpt + giveaway

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about the book

In the heart of ancient Persia, the empire’s Jewish citizens face an ominous edict that threatens their very existence. Roxannah, the daughter of an impoverished Persian lord, is devastated by the news but feels helpless to come to the aid of her Jewish friends. Desperate to support her family, Roxannah approaches the royal physician, Adin–the man whose kind eyes haunt her–and seeks his help to find employment in Queen Esther’s kitchens.

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. When Roxannah and Adin uncover a sinister plot against Amestris, the king’s most powerful wife and Esther’s archenemy, they find themselves tasked with the impossible job of discovering the culprit. As secrets unravel and alliances are tested, the fate of Esther’s reign hangs in the balance.

publisher: bethany house publishers

release date: november 19, 2024

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excerpt

She threw a hasty look at the door before scrambling inside the half-­empty linen chest, her legs folding at an awkward angle in the cramped space. For once, her petite frame proved an advantage as she wedged her body inside the musty confines and pulled the lid closed over her head. At twenty-­three, she had long since passed the age of playing hide-­and-­seek. But finding a place of concealment tonight was no childish game.

The sound of heavy footsteps penetrated the smothering darkness of her hiding place. Her mouth turned dry as the steps reverberated inside the chamber, followed closely by softer footfalls.

A booted foot kicked the chest hard, jostling Roxannah. She pressed her face into the rough folds of a woolen blanket to muffle the sound of her gasp.

“Where is she?” The harsh timbre of her father’s voice came slurred.

Wine was a thief.

It had carried off everything Roxannah cherished in her father and left behind a cruel husk. She had the bruises to prove it.

“Perhaps she is in the kitchen, cleaning up from your dinner.” Her mother’s voice trembled with strain.

Her father kicked the chest again. “Dinner, you call it? That bowl of peasant soup? I told her to cook me lamb.”

He had. But lamb cost silver—­silver that he had neglected to provide. The butcher refused to extend credit to their family anymore. Years ago, her father’s noble name had meant something in Susa. But his unsteady temper and foolish spending had wiped most of that ancient honor from their neighbors’ memories.

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.

Connect with Tessa by visiting tessaafshar.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.

giveaway

(1) winner will receive a paperback copy of The Queen’s Cook and a $15 Amazon gift card!

Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight December 4, 2024 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on December 11, 2024. 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 the policies found here.

ENTER GIVEAWAY HERE

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