Famous Instruments in History: The Organ of Johann Sebastian Bach

Blogger: Amber Lemus

Johann Sebastian Bach
Public Domain

Johann Sebastian Bach is a household name today. He is known as a masterful musician and a gifted composer. But during Bach's lifetime, he was better known as an organist. 

When compiling my list of the most famous instruments in history, I figured Bach's organ had to be on the list. However, I was surprised to find that while Bach owned many instruments, he didn't own an organ, the instrument he was most known for. 

Why didn't Bach own an organ?

That was my question as well. Turns out, in those days, they didn't have the small household organs we have today, they only had the massive, piped organs you see built into the walls of churches. These were not considered personal property but rather part of the architecture and infrastructure of the building, so the organ was owned by the institution, such as the church or royalty, rather than by the musician that was hired to play them. 

Then, what is considered the Bach organ?

Bach's entire professional career was built around the organ. From his very first appointment, he was playing the organ. So there are several instruments that are attributed to Bach.

The first resides at the Bach Church in Arnstadt. When Johann first came to work there, it was known as the New Church. The previous one had burned down, so a new one had been constructed on the same site. The organ was built by Johann Friedrich Wender, and inspected by eighteen-year-old Bach upon its completion. He was hired shortly afterwards to be the church organist. However, he only served here for a short time. After his term, his cousin took over, continuing the legacy of an organist by the name of Bach. While the organ has been altered and repaired over the centuries, it is the closest to the original that Bach played out of all the organs on record. The church was renamed after Bach in 1935 to honor Bach's connection to that church.

Current version of the Wender organ in the Bach Church, Arnstadt
Mtag, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Johann Sebastian Bach Church Anstadt
By Michael Sander - Self-photographed, CC BY-SA 3.0,

The second would be the organ at the court of Duke Wilhelm Ernst at Weimar. This is the organ Bach used to compose the majority of his organ compositions. It was considered his golden age as an organ composer. However this organ was later destroyed by fire, so it no longer exists. 

The third is the organ at St. Thomas Church in Leipzig Germany. This church is often referred to as "Bach's Church" although that is not its official name. Bach was the music director there from 1723 until his death in 1750. The building has been rebuilt or renovated many times and the organ from Bach's time is no longer present. However, they did build a replica of Bach's organ there in 2000. Bach's remains are now buried in the church, although they were not there originally. There is also a statue honoring Bach in front of the church. For these reasons, this is the church and organ most famous and commonly referred to as "Bach's". 

St. Thomas Church
By Dirk Goldhahn - Fotografiert von Dirk Goldhahn.,
Public Domain

Statue of Bach in front of St. Thomas Church
By Eric Pancer - I (Creative Commons)

Did Bach own any instruments?

While Bach didn't own an organ, he did own many other instruments. The inventory of his estate included five harpsichords, two Lautenwerckes otherwise known as lute harpsichords (which we will have to circle back to, because it is super interesting.), a spinet, three violins, three violas, two cellos, one lute, and several other instruments. These instruments were the ones he took with him and used at home to compose and also teach his students. 

Another fun fact is that Bach, in addition to being a masterful musician of many instruments, also had a wonderful voice. In fact, his scholarship to music school was because of his voice, not his instrument playing. 

Which of these organs do YOU think should be considered "The Bach Organ"? 

*****

Two-time winner of the Christian Indie Award, Amber Lemus inspires hearts through enthralling tales She has a passion for family, faith, facts and fiction. This combination results in what her readers call "historical fiction at its finest".  

She lives at the foot of the Rocky Mountains with her prince charming and two boys. Between enjoying life as a boy mom, and spinning stories out of soap bubbles, Amber loves to connect with readers.

Amber is a proud member of the American Christian Fiction Writers Association. Visit her online at http://www.amberlemus.com/  and download a FREE story by subscribing to her Newsletter!

Famous Instruments in History: Mozart's Fortepiano

Blogger: Amber Lemus

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Public Domain

Today, in our journey to explore the most famous instruments in history, we find a familiar name. The name of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart is so well known that I doubt any of you have NEVER heard of him. But did you know that he had a pet instrument during the most successful phase of his life?

Mozart was a child prodigy when it came to music. By age five, he was already proficient on the piano and violin and even performed before European royalty. Mozart's father, Leopold, was a musician and a teacher who had written a violin textbook that became successful. However, when his young son started composing, and he began to see how talented he was, he just gave up composing his own music altogether. I couldn't help but laugh when I discovered that, as I have a five-year-old who is also talented... not to the level of Mozart, obviously, but I could relate to the feeling of giving up on your own talent and just investing in your child's. 

Although a musical genius, Mozart struggled financially for most of his life.  After he resigned from a low-paying commission at the Salzburg Court, he wandered for some time seeking employment but was largely disappointed. He became so financially desperate that he started to pawn off valuables. He was paid here and there for compositions but had nothing consistent. Finally, his father procured for him a commission as court organist and concertmaster with the Archbishop Colloredo. This appointment paid better, but Mozart was still dissatisfied with his life in Salzburg. 

His employer was very jealous of Mozart's talent and tried to prevent him from performing outside of his establishment. This created tension between Mozart and the Archbishop. 

In 1781, Mozart was summoned to Vienna, where his employer was attending celebrations and wanted his musical servant at his disposal. While there, Mozart was intent on introducing himself to the emperor, still believing that he was meant for more than just a pet composer to an archbishop. 

Eventually, he did make the acquaintance of the Emperor and impressed him. Soon, Mozart was presented with the opportunity to perform before the emperor for a fee that was equal to half his yearly salary with the archbishop. This resulted in a bitter quarrel between Mozart and his employer. He attempted to resign, but was refused. About a month later, permission to resign was finally granted, but in the most insulting way possible, with the archbishop's steward literally kicking him on the way out. 

Mozart's father had sided with his employer during the feud, which put their relationship in a difficult state as well. But Mozart was passionate about his desire to stay in Vienna and to continue as a freelance composer and performer. This was a bold move for Mozart at twenty-five years old, but it was one he would not regret. He began to make a name for himself in Vienna, and seemed much happier there. 

In 1782, Mozart purchased a fortepiano from Anton Walter. Anton was a skilled craftsman who was well-known for his instruments. He is known as the "the most famous Viennese piano maker of his time." Other composers such as Beethoven, Schubert and Haydn also purchased instruments from him. 

Mozart's Walter Fortepiano 
By Bapak Alex - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0

The Walter fortepiano quickly became Mozart's favorite instrument. It was upon this fortepiano that many of his most successful pieces would be composed and played. He often used this instrument when performing. His own father, Leopold, put it this way:

"It is impossible to describe the hustle and bustle. Your brother's pianoforte has been moved at least twelve times from his house to the theatre or to someone else's house."

It is said that the sound from this fortepiano awed and entranced his audience. They marveled at the beautiful sound. 

The two surviving sons of
Wolfgang Amadeus and Constanze Mozart,
Franz and Karl.
by Hans Hansen - Public Domain 

Mozart continued to use this fortepiano until his death in 1791, composing over 50 pieces with this instrument as his partner.


After his death, no one knows for sure where the instrument was housed until Mozart's wife gave the instrument to their oldest son, Karl in 1810. Karl would have been only seven years old when his father passed away and so treasured the piece. In 1856, Karl Mozart donated his father's precious fortepiano to the Cathedral Music Association and Mozarteum in honor of what would have been his father's 100th birthday.

Today, Mozart's fortepiano exhibits in the Mozart family home in Salzburg, where he was born. The home is now a museum, therefore a fitting place for his beloved instrument, even if their life together had been in Vienna.

*****

Two-time winner of the Christian Indie Award for historical fiction, Amber Lemus inspires hearts through enthralling tales She has a passion for travel, history, books and her Savior. This combination results in what her readers call "historical fiction at its finest".  

She lives near the Ozarks in her "casita" with her prince charming. Between enjoying life as a boy mom, and spinning stories out of soap bubbles, Amber loves to connect with readers and hang out on Goodreads with other bookish peoples.

Amber is a proud member of the American Christian Fiction Writers Association. Visit her online at http://www.amberlemus.com/  and download a FREE story by subscribing to her Newsletter! 

Famous Instruments in History: The "Arpicembalo" by Bartolomeo Cristofori

Blogger: Amber Lemus

Today in our series on famous instruments in history, we come to the "Arpicembalo" by Bartolomeo Cristofori, otherwise known as the first piano ever invented. 

Bartolomeo Cristofori
Public Domain

Bartolomeo Cristofori was born in Padua in the Republic of Venice on May 4, 1655. His early life is a mystery, although we do know that he was recorded as a member of the household of Nicola Amati in the1680 census, which has led some to believe that he was apprenticed under this famous Violin maker. 

Bartolomeo's story really begins in 1688 at the age of thirty-three. Prince Ferdenando de Medici was searching for a new technician to maintain his many instruments. His previous technician had recently died, and the prince was well-known as a lover and patron of music. How he came across Bartolomeo is quite unknown and not recorded in any history. However, he recruited Cristofori as his new technician, persuading him to take the job with a high salary. According to an interview for a journal at the time, which is one of the only insights we have into Cristofori's life, he really didn't want the job, but Prince Ferdenando de Medici was insistent on wanting no one else but him. Circumstantial evidence indicates that the Prince must have known him as not only a skilled musical technician, but also as a tinkerer and inventor. 

At any rate, Cristofori did accept the job and moved to Florence a month or two later to begin his work. While there, he maintained, transported instruments, kept them in tune, did restoration work on older harpsichords, and on top of all that, experimented with his own instruments. 

The first official record we have of what is known today as the Piano was from an inventory list of the Medici in 1700 which stated: 

An "Arpicembalo" by Bartolomeo Cristofori, of new invention that produces soft and loud, with two sets of strings at unison pitch, with soundboard of cypress without rose..."

Another document referring to this instrument had a note in the margins from the musicians of the Medici court:

 These are the ways in which it is possible to play the Arpicimbalo del piano e forte, invented by Master Bartolomeo Christofani [sic] of Padua in the year 1700, harpsichord maker to the Most Serene Grand Prince Ferdinand of Tuscany. (transl. Stewart Pollens)

It is from this longer reference to the instrument, the Arpicimbalo del piano e forte, that we took "piano forte" and later just "piano" for this instrument. Cristofori went on to make many pianos, selling some of them to high-profile patrons such as the king of Portugal.  Cristofori outlived Prince Ferdenando de Medici but continued working for the Medici court for some time afterward. He also apprenticed a young man by the name of Giovanni Ferrini, who went on to become a famous instrument maker himself, continuing his master's legacy. However, Cristofori and his apprentice must have had a bit of a falling out before his death, because rather than Ferrini assisting him in his sickness and end-of-life care, it was a group of sisters he referred to as the "Dal Mela sisters". He changed his will from bequeathing all his tools to Ferrini and instead left almost everything to the sisters and only a small sum for his apprentice. 

Cristofori died at the age of seventy-five on January 27, 1731, in Florence. 

We don't know how many instruments Cristofori crafted during his lifetime, but three of his pianos still survive today, including this one from the Metropolitan Museum in New York which was made in 1720.

The 1720 Cristofori piano in the Metropolitan Museum in New York
By Shriram Rajagopalan
 - Flickr: Met-32, CC BY 2.0, 

As a lover of piano music and an amateur player myself, I am grateful to Barolomeo Cristofori for his contribution to the world of music through the invention of this beautiful instrument.

*****

Two-time winner of the Christian Indie Award for historical fiction, Amber Lemus inspires hearts through enthralling tales She has a passion for travel, history, books and her Savior. This combination results in what her readers call "historical fiction at its finest".  

She lives near the Ozarks in her "casita" with her prince charming. Between enjoying life as a boy mom, and spinning stories out of soap bubbles, Amber loves to connect with readers and hang out on Goodreads with other bookish peoples.

Amber is a proud member of the American Christian Fiction Writers Association. Visit her online at http://www.amberlemus.com/ and download a FREE story by subscribing to her Newsletter!

Famous Instruments in History: Stradivarius Violins

Blogger: Amber Lemus

Continuing our series on famous instruments in history brings us to Italy in the 1700's where a legendary craftsman created instruments that would live in infamy for hundreds of years. 

A romanticized print of Antonio Stradivari examining an instrument

By Viktor Bobrov - Oberndorfer, Anne Faulkner (1921)

Public Domain

The Stradivarius family, specifically Antonio Stradivarius, was a luthier and craftsman who made stringed instruments such as violins, cellos, guitars, and even harps. Antonio was born, raised, lived and died in Cremona, which is present day Italy, and still holds a strong connection to this legendary luthier. The exact year of his birth is unknown, but sometime between 1644-1649. His family was well established in Cremona, although little is known about Antonio's birth and early childhood. The first record of him in Cremona is the label on his first known violin, made in 1666, which also indicated that Antonio may have apprenticed under Nicola Amati during his teenage years. Amati was a well-known and skilled luthier in Cremona, which would have made him a logical choice for Antonio's parents when choosing an apprenticeship for their son. However, other scholars and historians believe that Antonio's workmanship more closely resembled that of another luthier, Francesco Rugeri. 

Antonio married his first wife on July 4, 1667 around the age of twenty. His wife, Francesca, was a young widow with two children. Together they had five children, but sadly, one of them died at only a week old. After 30 years of marriage, Francesca passed away in 1698.  Antonio remarried about a year later to 35 year old Antiona Maria Zambelli, who would have been about twenty years his junior. They had five more children in quick succession between the years of 1700-1708. 

Antonio's reputation began to grow. He crafted violins and experimented with different techniques. But he was not the only luthier in Cremona, in fact, at least two other violin families lived just down the road from him. He continued to hone his craft and began to pick up some high-profile clients. A Venician banker ordered a complete set of instruments from him, which were intended to be gifted to King James II of England, however it is unknown if this gift ever made it to the king. 

Maker's Label from a Stradivarius Violin
Public Domain

Around 1690, something caused Antonio to change his technique and depart from his previous style. First, he began to make a larger pattern which became known as "long Strads." Second, he changed the varnish he was using to a darker toned one. By 1700, he abandoned the long Strad style for a shorter model, which he used until his death. This was about the time he entered what is known as his Golden Period of instrument crafting. 

Stradivarius is said to have produced around 1,116 instruments during his 75-year career. Of those, around 650 survive until today and are highly prized and legendary. It is said that the Stradivarius, particularly the violins, have unmatched sound and almost feel alive to the musician. They have become somewhat relics among the devout musician community, touted to be the finest ever made. 

Fun fact, Sherlock Holmes possessed a Stradivarius Violin in the original works by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. 

Instruments made by Stradivarius during his Golden Period of 1700-1725 are the ones that fetch the highest price and sell for millions of dollars today. Just a few months ago, one sold on Sotheby's auction for $11.2 million dollars, but some have sold for even more than that. 

These instruments are so prized that they are subject to theft. There are many Stradivarius violins that have been stolen, but most of them are recovered, since reselling something so well-known is very difficult. However, there are at least 3 Stradivarius violins that have been stolen and are still unaccounted for.

If you are curious to hear what these violins sound like, below is a video that was produced for a Stradivarius violin recently sold at auction. It includes the breathtaking sound, as well as explanations from musicians on how the violin feels to them and why they prize it so highly.

   

*****

Two-time winner of the Christian Indie Award, Amber Lemus writes enthralling non-fiction for children and adults alike. She has a passion for travel, history, books and her Savior, so her writing is centered around faith, family and history.

She lives near the Ozarks in her "casita" with her prince charming. Between enjoying life as a new mom, and spinning stories out of soap bubbles, Amber loves to connect with readers and hang out on Goodreads with other bookish peoples.

Amber is a proud member of the American Christian Fiction Writers Association. Visit her online at www.AmberLemus.com/ and download a FREE story by subscribing to her Newsletter!

Famous Instruments in History: Egyptian Harp from the Tomb of Ani

Blogger: Amber Lemus

Continuing our journey through history to find the most famous musical instruments, we come to ancient Egypt somewhere between 1,069-1,550 B.C. During the 18th Dynasty (or 19th by some sources), there lived a Theban Scribe by the name of Ani. He must have been a very rich and influential character, because his tomb is one of the most consequential finds from Ancient Egypt.

During archeological excavations of the city of Thebes, Egypt, they found the tomb of Ani with several legendary artifacts. Not much is known about the actual excavations, and many of the artifacts ended up being sold on illegal antiquities markets.

The most well-known artifact from Ani's tomb, is the Papyrus that was discovered there. It is considered the most complete "Book of Going Forth by Day" or the better-known title, "Book of the Dead" ever discovered. It contains the depiction that all of us imagine when we think of Egyptian art with Anubis weighing the heart of Ani. It is believed that Ani created this papyrus himself.

Papyrus of Ani
Public Domain

The artifact we are interested in today is lesser known. It is a harp made of wood, inlaid with glazed ceramic and bone. It had a length of just over 3 feet, and a width of about 5 inches. This harp had only five strings, and the sound box was shaped as the head of a deity or ruler with a striped headdress and double crown. On the other end of the harp, it features a falcon head. Which was fairly common for this type of instrument. The upper neck of the harp had tuning pegs for the five strings.

The harp was the most important instrument in Ancient Egypt. It was often featured during banquets by male soloists, according to the depictions we find in tombs. Harps during this era usually had nine to twelve strings, making Ani's harp unique. Some harps in this era could be even taller than this one, reaching sometimes to the full height of the person playing it.

Harp of Ani's Tomb on display at the British Museum

Creative Commons: Dreamyshade

It is unclear if this harp was buried with Ani as an item of wealth or possessions, to ensure his comfort in the afterlife, or if it was a prized personal possession. If it were the latter, it would indicate that he probably played the instrument and enjoyed it immensely.

In 1976, this harp appeared in the third volume on musical instruments in the British Museum’s catalog of Egyptian Antiquities, written by the Egyptologist Robert David Anderson.

This beautiful harp currently resides at the British Museum in London.

*****

Two-time winner of the Christian Indie Award, Amber Lemus writes enthralling non-fiction for children and adults alike. She has a passion for travel, history, books and her Savior, so her writing is centered around faith, family and history.

She lives near the Ozarks in her "casita" with her prince charming. Between enjoying life as a new mom, and spinning stories out of soap bubbles, Amber loves to connect with readers and hang out on Goodreads with other bookish peoples.

Amber is a proud member of the American Christian Fiction Writers Association. Visit her online at www.AmberLemus.com/ and download a FREE story by subscribing to her Newsletter!

Famous Musical Instruments: The Lyres of Ur

Blogger: Amber Lemus

Continuing with our series of famous musical instruments in history, today we travel to ancient Mesopotamia, or modern-day Iraq. 

In 1929, a team of archeologists from the British Museum and the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archeology teamed up to excavate the site of the Royal Cemetery at the site of ancient Ur. Under the leadership of head archaeologist Leonard Woolley, they made some astounding discoveries, which included the remains of ten women, and among them, fragments of four lyres. Well, technically three lyres and one harp. (In case we have any harp aficionados reading here.)

Leonard Woolley holding the hardened plaster mold
of the Queen's Lyre during excavations in 1922
Public Domain

The archeologists carefully excavated the fragments and then reconstructed and restored them to their former glory. Historians have dated the instruments to the Early Dynastic III Period of Mesopotamia, which makes them over 4,500 years old and the world's oldest surviving stringed instruments. 

Records indicated that one of the woman's remains seemed to have been placed leaning against the lyre, with her hand where the strings would have been. The lyres were made of wood, which had long since deteriorated, however since they were decorated with non-perishable adornments, such as silver and gold, the archaeologists were able to poor plaster into the mold where the wood had previously been and recreate the form.  

The four harps were similar, but distinct. 

The Golden Lyre

The Golden Lyre of Ur
Photo By Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin FRCP(Glasg)
Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0,

This is the finest of the lyres discovered. It's wooden form was reconstructed but then damaged during the Second Iraq War. A replica of it now belongs to the Iraq Museum in Bagdad and is part of a traveling ensemble. It is also known as the "Bull Harp" because it features a bull head made entirely out of gold. The eyes of the bull were made out of inlaid nacre, and the beard of the animal from lapis lazuli, which is a deep blue semi-precious stone. 

The Queen's Lyre

The Queen's Lyre
Photo By Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin
 FRCP(Glasg) - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0,

The Queen's Lyre is similar in appearance to the Golden Lyre, however it is named such because it was excavated from the tomb of Queen Pu-abi. It is also designed to imitate the body of a bull and has a bull head. However, only the mask of the bull was made of gold and the eyes, hair and beard are all made of the lapis lazuli. There are some minor differences in the appearance of the two bull heads as well. The Queen's Lyre is held at the British Museum in London. 

The Bull-Headed Lyre

Bull Headed Lyre of Ur
Photo By Binxedits - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0

Again, we see a theme here. This lyre also features a bull head. It's head, face and horns were all wrapped in gold foil, while its beard, hair and eyes were made of lapis lazuli. What is most interesting about this one, is that below the bull's head is a panel that depicts four scenes of what appears to be their religious lore. To me, it is very reminiscent of Egyptian Mythology. This lyre is housed in Philidelphia Pennsylvania at the Penn Museum. 

The Silver Lyre

The Silver Lyre of Ur
Photo By Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin
FRCP(Glasg) - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0

This one is different, because it is overlaid with silver rather than gold. However it still features the bull head as the others do. It was made of wood but covered in sheets of silver that were fastened with silver nails. The eyes were made of lapis lazuli also. Another notable difference is that this bull does not have a beard, and because of this, some speculate that it is actually a cow rather than a bull. This harp was found in the section of the cemetery that was known as the "Great Death Pitt." It is held by the British Museum in London. 

Depiction of a Lyre Player from the excavations of Ur
Photo Courtesy of the British Museum Collection,
CC BY-SA 4.0

Besides the fact that these are the oldest surviving stringed instruments in history, I also found these interesting because they come from the ancient city of Ur. As Christians, we will recognize that city from the Bible when God called Abraham out of the city of Ur and beckoned him to leave his family and all that he knew to pursue a personal relationship with God. 

Which lyre is your favorite? 

*****

Two-time winner of the Christian Indie Award for historical fiction, Amber Lemus inspires hearts through enthralling tales She has a passion for travel, history, books and her Savior. This combination results in what her readers call "historical fiction at its finest".  

She lives near the Ozarks in her "casita" with her prince charming. Between enjoying life as a boy mom, and spinning stories out of soap bubbles, Amber loves to connect with readers and hang out on Goodreads with other bookish peoples.

Amber is a proud member of the American Christian Fiction Writers Association. Visit her online at http://www.amberlemus.com/  and download a FREE story by subscribing to her Newsletter!

Famous Musical Instruments: King David's Harp

 

Blogger: Amber Lemus

Hello friends!

Today we are embarking on the first of a new series where we will talk about the most famous musical instruments in history. As a bit of a musician myself, I found this topic interesting, and I hope you do as well. 

The kinnor in a mosaic found in
 a synagogue in Gaza.
Circa 6th century A.D.
Public Domain.

When you read about King David in your Biblical fiction, what image comes to mind? A young shepherd? A mighty king, who also happened to be a skilled musician? And what about the instrument he's most famously linked with? 

His instrument is a harp, more specifically: the kinnor.

Now, the kinnor wasn't exactly the big, ornate harp we often imagine in Renaissance paintings. Think smaller, more portable – perhaps something like a lyre or a small handheld harp with around ten strings. Imagine the rich, resonant sound it would have made!

For the ancient Israelites, the kinnor wasn't just for entertainment. It was deeply woven into the fabric of their lives and especially their worship. The Psalms, many of which are attributed to David himself, were likely sung accompanied by the kinnor. In fact, some Psalms (such as Psalm 33:2) specifically mention giving thanks to God upon the kinnor. Can you just picture King David, pouring out his heart to God, his joys and his sorrows, with the strings of his kinnor echoing his emotions?  

Depiction of King David composing Psalms
By Gennadii Saus i Segura
Original from the Paris Psalter,
Public Domain

The Talmud relates a legend that King David hung a lyre above his bed. At midnight, a northernly wind would tickle the strings of the harp and awaken David. He would rise and study the Torah until dawn stole over the kingdom.

Beyond David, the kinnor held a significant place in the Temple in Jerusalem. It was one of the instruments played by the Levites during worship services, creating a powerful and moving atmosphere. Sadly, after the destruction of the Temple, the prominent use of the kinnor in Jewish life diminished.

Even so, the image of King David with his kinnor has endured through centuries. It symbolizes not only artistic talent but also a deep connection to God and the power of music to express faith. So, the next time you read about King David, let the image of his kinnor bring a richer understanding of his character and the vibrant musical traditions of ancient Israel. It's a beautiful thread in the tapestry of history, connecting us to a time long ago.

*****

Two-time winner of the Christian Indie Award for historical fiction, Amber Lemus inspires hearts through enthralling tales She has a passion for travel, history, books and her Savior. This combination results in what her readers call "historical fiction at its finest".  

She lives near the Ozarks in her "casita" with her prince charming. Between enjoying life as a boy mom, and spinning stories out of soap bubbles, Amber loves to connect with readers and hang out on Goodreads with other bookish peoples.

Amber is a proud member of the American Christian Fiction Writers Association. Visit her online at http://www.amberlemus.com/  and download a FREE story by subscribing to her Newsletter!