New Book Features Stories About King Solomon, Modern Women

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. (PRWEB) June 16, 2013 - In her new novel, “King Solomon’s Troubles” (published by iUniverse), author Zoe Senesh depicts stories that alternate between the ancient times of King Solomon and modern Israeli life of four women. They have different religious identities as Jewish, Moslem and Christian women, yet they struggle with similar problems. "Some call this a feminist book, while others view it as stories of power and sexuality, and still others view the book as stories of psychological and spiritual awakening," Senesh writes.

Senesh offers a provocative account of sex, marriage and relationships in a series of stories about the women, interchanged with an account of the intimate life of King Solomon, Israel’s ancient ruler. King Solomon, of biblical fame, built the first temple in Jerusalem. Historical accounts say that he was extraordinarily wealthy and wise, that he had the ability to seduce any woman he wanted, and that he had 700 wives and 300 concubines. He had it all – so why did he always yearn for more?

In present-day Israel, Rachel is a sex therapist with her own dark secrets to confront. She is an enigma because she spends her life helping others with their relationships, but her professional expertise hasn’t magically healed her of her own pain and obsessions. Sarah is an American transplant to Israel whose confusion about men gets in the way of her desire to marry one; Fatima, a feminist Muslim who feels trapped in Jerusalem, knows she can have more; and Galit, a free-spirited Israeli woman, enjoys the company of men – a little too much. These women are determined to live their lives as they wish to, by reaching for new ways to live in spite of tradition and the protests of their families.

“Israel is an incredibly complex country with many layers of dynamic religious, social, and interpersonal forces, which is what I wanted to represent in this book,” Senesh remarks. “This book contains stories about people stumbling through their lives and trying to figure out what they want and what it all means. Sex, love, and adultery are themes that unite humanity across time and across nations, and my characters struggle with these and other issues.”

In an act of literary time travel, author Zoe Senesh spins tales of the human condition, attesting that as far as the heart is concerned, little has fundamentally changed since biblical times. Readers who like the books “The Dovekeepers” and “The Red Tent” may find Senesh's shifting between ancient and modern Israel an even more powerful, fascinating mix.

“King Solomon’s Troubles”
By Zoe Senesh
Hardcover | 6 x 9 in | 240 pages | ISBN 9781475986365
Softcover | 6 x 9 in | 240 pages | ISBN 9781475986389
E-Book | 240 pages | ISBN 9781475986372
Available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble

About the Author

Zoe Senesh has traveled extensively in the Middle East and other areas of the world. She speaks several languages and has an advanced degree in social sciences. She has published numerous social science books and articles. Senesh lives in the northwestern United States.

iUniverse, an Author Solutions, Inc. self-publishing imprint, is the leading book marketing, editorial services, and supported self-publishing provider. iUniverse has a strategic alliance with Indigo Books & Music, Inc. in Canada, and titles accepted into the iUniverse Rising Star program are featured in a special collection on BarnesandNoble.com. iUniverse recognizes excellence in book publishing through the Star, Reader’s Choice, Rising Star and Editor’s Choice designations – self-publishing’s only such awards program. Headquartered in Bloomington, Ind., iUniverse also operates offices in Indianapolis.

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