Radiant

In this compelling account of Abigail and David’s romance, author Kirsty A. Wilmott provides an in-depth look at the life and struggles of her characters. Surrounded by handmaidens, Abigail is both instigator of her destiny as well as victim of her circumstances – a woman who understands what is needed for her and her family to survive – and who fearlessly acts to protect them.

Those closest to Abigail tell the heartachingly beautiful story of two lovers struggling under the pressures of a kingdom not yet established and the ensuing political pragmatism that ultimately tears them apart.

ISBN: 978-1-739-636777
Price: 9.99

Buy it now!

Amazon

Waterstones

Devizes Books

Reviews

Becky Sedgwick

Becky Sedgwick, author of Grandparenting for Faith

An exquisitely crafted tale that gently paints a complex and beautiful picture of the nature of love. Set against the turbulent backdrop of ancient Judaean history, Radiant weaves together the stories of six women whose lives are not their own, yet discover that in each other they find enough. A book that taught me more about myself which I will treasure.

Jo Shepherd

The book is brilliant. I’ve not finished it yet and it’s bugging me that things keep getting in the way. The way we follow Abigail through her handmaidens is amazing. I feel really close to and empathy for each character. The closeness they feel for each other under the circumstances and the bond they have is incredible. I feel almost jealous of that bond.

Are you going to write a sequel? I need to know what happens next. It’s really really good. The unfairness of being a woman really hit me.

Canon Rosemary MacDonald BEM

I loved your book. I have already lent it to a friend and another wants to read it after that. Radiant tells the story of Abigail and David from the view of Abigail’s handmaidens, each different, each devoted to Abigail for different reasons. It’s a story about the courage and resilience of women, in a time where they were at best a commodity, at worst a slave. Each has their own challenges, their own hopes and destinies, their resilience built through the strength they gain from their friendship and loyalty to each other. Set in biblical times, the story’s backdrop is one of love, battle, flight, victories and tragedy. This would normally mean an “epic” novel, but it is a short book, concisely written, and impactful. The reader will experience sand in their shoes after reading the book. It is an enduring tale about the lives of women in the hardest of times.

Sheelagh Aston

Sheelagh Aston – author of In-Between Girl

There are many novels that retell the events and people of the Bible. They seek to bring to life the characters, reveal insights about their time and make the reader care what happens to them. In Radiant the author achieves all these. Through the eyes of her five faithful handmaidens, we learn of the often-overlooked story of Abigail (1.Samuel 25). Married first to Nabal, a boorish rich man, and eventually to King David. She bares him a son, Chileab. Little else is known of her. But this is not simply a story of a wise woman or a just a love story. It is the story of how women survived in harsh times and solidarity. Each handmaiden as they tell Abigail’s story, reveal their own, giving the reader a hexagon view of life of their day leading to a dramatic and tantalizing conclusion. Her thorough research into the lives of the characters and their times, enables the author to weave fiction and fact seamless in beautifully vivid language and imagery as everyone’s story unfold. Abigail and her handmaiden’s stories are as relevant today as they were – just like the Bible is for many.