{"product_id":"the-serpent-and-the-staff-9781620454619","title":"The Serpent and the Staff","description":"\u003cp\u003eUgarit  Syria  1450 B.C.E. Eighteen-year-old Leah  the eldest daughter of a wealthy winemaker  is past the traditional age of betrothal. Vowed to wed the wealthy but cruel shipbuilder Jotham  Leah declines his offer of marriage after discovering that he and his family suffer from the falling sickness. Enraged by her refusal and his ruined reputation  he blackmails Leahs father  a punishment forgiven only by offering Leahs hand in marriage. With no more options for another suitor and no male heir for her family  Leah must seek out the cure for Jothams sickness or her family will face permanent ruin.  During her quest Leah begins to burn with desire for Daveed  the handsome household scribe whose culture forbids their union. Daveed has been called by the gods to restore the Brotherhood  an elite fraternity of guardians at the great Library of Ugarit  rumored to contain the secret symbol of immortality within its ancient archives. If his plan succeeds  it may also save Leahs family from disaster. But even Daveed and Leah cannot fathom the extent of Jothams sinister schemes to make Leah his bride once and for all.  With rich historical detail  The Serpent and the Staff is a sweeping tale of love  betrayal  and how one familys faith can overcome the obstacles that life has in store for them.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"My Store","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45657429278773,"sku":"ByrdShop_1620454610","price":22.47,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0627\/8139\/0901\/files\/9781620454619.jpg?v=1782039083","url":"https:\/\/atxbooks.com\/products\/the-serpent-and-the-staff-9781620454619","provider":"ATX Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}