For the Deseret News Published: Sunday, April 10 2016 5:00 a.m. MDT By Elizabeth Reid
“Light of the Candle” is by Carol Pratt Bradley.
“LIGHT OF THE CANDLE,” byCarol Pratt Bradley, WiDo Publishing, $15.95, 271 pages (f)
Before he is taken from his country and thrown into a lion’s den, Daniel eagerly awaits his betrothal to Sarai, his longtime friend and the girl he loves, in “Light of the Candle,†a 2015 Whitney Award finalist in the historical fiction category. But their plans for lifelong happiness are dashed when the Babylonians conquer Jerusalem and demand four royal captives.
As Daniel and his three friends make the arduous journey to Babylon, Sarai is left in Jerusalem, mourning the loss of her future husband and desperate to find new meaning in life. When political tensions heat up between Judea and Babylon, Sarai realizes Daniel’s isn’t the only safety she needs to worry about; the fate of her entire nation is about to change.
In Babylon, the Jewish boys are treated differently from the other captives, and several men of the king’s court go out of their way to make difficulties for Daniel. But when King Nebuchadnezzar has a dream no one else can interpret, Daniel rises out of obscurity and is placed in a position of honor.
Author Carol Pratt Bradley has put a romantic twist on the story of a well-known Old Testament hero. “Light of the Candle†is thoroughly researched, and readers can learn a lot about ancient Israel and Jewish customs.
The only thing this adventurous, historic and clean romance doesn’t contain is Daniel being thrown in the lion’s den, an event historians don’t think occurred until Daniel was at least 80 years old. Instead, “Light of the Candle†tells about Daniel’s formative years in belief and love. This great read is a good option for those who love clean fiction and anyone who enjoys a little romance.
“Light of the Candle†has clean language, very little violence and romance that doesn’t stray beyond a brief kiss.
Bradley graduated from Brigham Young University with a master’s degree. She and her husband live in Orem. The Whitney Awards recognize novels by members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Elizabeth Reid has bachelor’s degrees in economics and history. She has worked in retail, medical billing, catering, education and business fields. Her favorite occupation is that of wife and mother. She blogs atagoodreid.blogspot.com.