Published: May 25, 2012
Words: 172,995 (approximate)
Language: English
ISBN: 9781476173382

Short description

In ancient Israel, where women are property, Princess Michal loves her father's worst enemy, the future King David. She sacrifices all to save his life, but will her heart survive war and separation? A novel of betrayal, forbidden love, and redemption, Michal's Window is an imaginative retelling of King David's story through the eyes of the woman who loved him first.

Extended description

Not your Grandma's Bible Story...

It's not easy being a woman, least of all princess of Israel. Married as a prize, abandoned as a wife, Michal fights to claim her rightful spot next to King David, the man she loves with all her heart.

Separated by war, concubines, and kingdom politics, Michal embarks on a journey of adventure and heartache where she is befriended by a goddess-worshipping priestess and tempted by a Philistine prince.

From reading scrolls high atop the palace walls to seduction with a henna-painted body, Michal is not your ordinary Bible heroine. Join her in Michal's Window and let her delight you with her courage, devotion, and outrageous passion in her relentless drive to win back her husband.

Tags

romance, family drama, family saga, love affairs, love story, ptsd, historical romance, bible stories, heartache, second chances, polygamy, king david, biblical fiction, love and war, christian historical fiction, bathsheba, jewish women, ancient israel, story of king david, war and love, bible and women, story about a king, adventure and romance, affairs of the heart, journey of selfdiscovery, love gone wrong, multicultural love, heartache and separation, michal, women selfrealization, adultery and murder

Available ebook reading formats

Single purchase gains access to all formats. How to download ebooks to e-reading devices and apps.

Format	Full Book	Sample First 15%
Online Reading (HTML, good for sampling in web browser)	Buy	View sample
Kindle (.mobi for Kindle devices and Kindle apps)	Buy	Download sample
Epub (Apple iPad/iBooks, Nook, Sony Reader, Kobo, and most e-reading apps including Stanza, Aldiko, Adobe Digital Editions, others)	Buy	Download sample
PDF (good for reading on PC, or for home printing)	Buy	No sample available
LRF (Use only for older model Sony Readers that don't support .epub)	Buy	Download sample

Reviews

Log-in to write a Review   Log-in to add a Video Review

Review by: Elle Burton on May 13, 2013 :
Absolutely Amazing!

I couldn't put the book down and read it on my kindle straight into the evening hours and early morning. It is a long novel, which counted for quite a few breaks in between,. But Michal's Window truly seizes your attention.

In the first chapter, you are filled with emotion and captured with rage, frustration and callous. You realize quickly that the author has taken you through a time warp and you are immersed in the world of ancient Israel, during the times of King Saul, David and Michal. The book is set as Historical Fiction and takes us through the tales of a less spoken voice, the side of Michal that is not necessarily counted or developed in the Biblical tales. The book tries to remain historically accurate with times and ages of the characters, their reactions and responses and some of the "underground" movements of emotion and action. The book does get graphic, so if you mistakenly interpret the novel as a Christian novel of fact, then you will be sorely misinformed.

This is part of what I appreciate about this novel. I'm not into any readings (or news) that is cookie-cutter, appealing to the masses types. I believe books are supposed to inspire thought, individualism and even some controversy. Even the Bible inspires thoughts, forces us to derive choices and show the tribulations, triumphs and distresses of the faithful. I enjoy the author's creation of drama and presence in a book, and this is exactly what Rachelle Ayala offers her readers, with this capturing novel of the life of King David, as seen through the eyes of his "first" wife, Michal.
(reviewed within a month of purchase)

Review by: Andie Miller on April 22, 2013 :
I really liked the book! I wasn't crazy at first about how long the book was, but when you read it, it doesn't feel long as you find yourself completely engrossed in the story from the very beginning. I admit that much of the characterization didn't match what I had previously thought of King David, but perhaps that's a good thing. I'm planning on reading the actual bible verses mentioned at the end of the book to gain even more understanding. I think I will have a whole new perspective now. I even found myself changing who I was rooting for nearly every other chapter. My favorite characters happened to be Ittai, Phaltiel, and David's second and third wives. But overall, I really liked it and would definitely read another book by the same author.
(reviewed within a month of purchase)

Review by: Krista Bainbridge on April 04, 2013 :
I will admit it: I am a reading addict. I will give almost any genre a chance and will read pretty much anything put in front of me – I have been that way since I was a kid. When I was given a chance to get a free copy of a Biblical fiction book to review, I jumped at the chance, despite it not being from my usual arena. Michal's Window by Rachelle Ayala is a beautiful story of love, loss and fate – it just so happens to be about King David from the Bible.

What did I think?

The stunning imagery of this book lands you face first in the desert of Jerusalem where you are immediately brought into Ms. Ayala’s interpretation of this male dominated, God-fearing world. This Biblical fiction book is a retelling of King David’s relationship with his first wife, Michal, daughter of Saul. The story begins when the two meet as young teenagers (yes, they are young – but stick with it and remember the time from which this story is told – 14 was not too young to marry at the time…).


The story unfolds with King Saul’s deteriorating mind and the lunacy that follows, including his exile of, and attempted execution of David after David marries Saul’s favorite daughter. You cannot help but feel like you are part of this world and feel each of Michal’s emotions as she pines for David following his exile, despite her being remarried to a kind, generous soul, Phalti. Throughout the story, we meet family, friends, lovers and even a sorceress – that aid Michal in her attempt to reunite with David.

I wept with Michal when she lost her first child, and again when David came to claim her as his queen. The passion between these two was palpable and really did swing as a pendulum between infatuation and hate. This pent up emotion plays out in their bedchamber, too, with well-written and somewhat saucy love scenes.

It was fascinating to imagine along with Ms. Ayala how these people would have acted and what they would say in certain circumstances, given the time. I loved getting a “behind the scenes” glance at King David and his many wives. It was interesting to see how these women were not simply the “follow because I am told to by a man” types, but more often presented that way, while at the same time, used their sexuality to try to gain the upper hand. Michal was a strong, stubborn woman who struggled with knowing what she should be doing and what she wanted to do. I loved watching her grow and learn to trust herself, no matter the consequence. So many books have a “Team” for whom you pledge your allegiance to for the heroine to become involved. With this book, it was very Mr. Right Now, versus Mr. Right. Phalti, Ittai and David each had a place in her heart and a time in her life. At different times, I loved and hated each.

The Verdict

I loved this book. It highlights a young woman, who in many ways, was ahead of her time. She was outspoken, fought for her love and was fearless. She was not afraid to make decisions that were right for not only herself, but for her family, even if it meant her heart was broken in the process. I would recommend this book to anyone – not just those interested in Biblical fiction – but those interested in a story of epic love, political discord and self worth.
(reviewed within a month of purchase)

Reason for report:
— Select a reason — Book is or contains spam Book infringes copyright Same content is published elsewhere with different author (for ex., by private-label rights) Duplicate Incomplete work (such as sample or serial) Should be marked adults-only Category is inappropriate Poorly formatted Nudity or other inappropriate content on cover Nudity or other inappropriate visual content in book Inappropriate erotica content Cover image is improper Content is inappropriate Other violation of Terms of Service Other reason not shown above.

Additional details: