Barbara Britton and Free Books!

To keep her orphaned sisters together, Mahlah must seek what has never been granted to girls, an inheritance of God’s promised land.

Before we visit today's author, I want to announce that the winner of the free Kindle copy of Lynne Tagawa's historical novel, The Heart of Courage: A Novel of the French and Indian War, is:

jarning67@...

Congratulations! We'll get your book right out to you. I encourage readers to keep commenting and/or subscribe at right (above my list of books) in order to learn about new releases! U.S. subscribers are entered in the drawings a second time when they comment.

And now let's chat with Barbara Britton, author of Biblical novel, Lioness: Mahlah’s Journey (Pelican Book Group, October 2019).

Barbara M. Britton lives in Southeast, Wisconsin and loves the snow—when it accumulates under three inches. She writes Christian Fiction for teens and adults. Barb brings little-known Bible stories to light in her Tribes of Israel series. 

Barb has a nutrition degree from Baylor University but loves to dip healthy strawberries in chocolate.

Please tell us one random thing we might not know about you.

I love driving a minivan. I joke that it’s because I’m an e-van-gelical. My kids are grown, and my husband keeps nudging me to get something sportier, but I love the way a van drives. And there’s always someone who needs help moving.

Yes, it does sound as if this is your calling, Barbara. I don't have that particular calling.

Please tell us a bit more about the plot of Lioness.

When one of my friends mentioned the daughters of Zelophehad at Bible Study, I was dumbfounded. How had I missed them on my read through the Bible challenge? The girls are buried in the book of Numbers, but there is a lot of Scripture devoted to these 5 orphaned sisters. I knew I had to write about their big “ask” for land. 

After their father dies, the girls go to Moses and ask to inherit their deceased father’s land. Moses goes to God and God says the girls are correct. If a man dies without a son, his daughters can inherit his land. 

I follow the girls through the book of Joshua in two subsequent books, but the girls’ big ask for land is in Lioness.

That really is fascinating. I've lost count of how many times I've read through the Bible, and I've missed the daughters of Zelophehad every time. I love that you've written this series.

What is it about Mahlah that will make your readers care about her?

Women in Bible times are under a lot of social constraints. I’m amazed at the bravery of many women in the Bible who risk their life and livelihood for the continuation of the Gospel and God’s people. Mahlah and her sisters change history by claiming God’s promises that God is the father of the orphan and the weak (Exodus 22:22-23, Deut. 24:17-22, Psalm 68:5). 

Mahlah not only goes against social norms in her ask for land, but she watches over four sisters who are very different. Mahlah is always listed first in the Bible and is likely the oldest sister. The role of being a firstborn child rests heavy on Mahlah’s shoulders.

Consider the characters you’ve created. You know how characters can evolve as we write their stories? What was one way a character changed from how you initially imagined him or her, either in this book or some other story you’ve written?

In Lioness, you meet all five of the daughters of Zelophehad. I wrote Milcah as the quiet, cerebral sister. Milcah takes prominence in the last book of the series. How could I make her bold enough to carry a story? The girls are in a new part of Canaan, and Milcah must stake her own future with a man who is her opposite. She must put her faith to the test in a land inhabited by idol-worshipers. With God’s help, we can do things that we don’t think we are qualified to do. As Joshua says to the people of Israel, “Be strong and courageous.”

What is the last novel you read that you would recommend?

I recently enjoyed T.I Lowe’s series on three high school friends who find love. Beach Haven

begins the series, but my favorite book was the last one, Sea Glass Castle, because the characters’ wounds were deep and hard to overcome. 

I also enjoyed Season of Hope by Carol James. My son is a single pastor, so I like stories about ministers. Since I’m a mom of boys, I liked the little boy in Carol’s story.

What are you working on now?

I recently sent a manuscript to my publisher that is about another little-known Bible character during King David’s reign. I’m working on Bible Study questions for that novel. I have a contemporary Christmas romance floating around in my head. That story would be a departure from my historical stories.

Where else can readers find you online?

I have a website and you can sign up for my monthly newsletter on it. I am active on Twitter and Facebook. You can find out about my books on Goodreads and BookBub, too.

The book can be purchased online via the following button:



Readers, you can read a sample of the books HERE by clicking on Look Inside.

Finally, what question would you like to ask my readers?

Thank you for reading my interview. Are there Bible characters that you are curious about?

You can find the daughters of Zelophehad in Numbers 26:33, 27:1-11, 36:1-12, Joshua 17:3-6 and I Chronicles 7:15)

Thank you, Barbara, for visiting and telling us about yourself and your book. Readers, Barbara has offered to give away a free copy of her book. To enter, click on the word "comments" below to reach the comments page, and leave your answer and your email in answer to Barbara's above question. "Please enter me" won't get you entered. Remember that U.S. subscribers are entered an additional time in each drawing. The drawing is done by email, so leave your email address, like so: trish[at]trishperry[dot]com. 

Only United States residents are eligible for the drawing, but anyone can subscribe to the blog posts via the GDPA-compliant Feedblitz box above my list of books, at right.

Also readers, I'd love it if you'd connect with me on Facebook. Just click on my name at the right of today's post title.

Annoying legal disclaimer: as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases; drawings void where prohibited; open only to U.S. residents; the odds of winning depend upon the number of participants. See full disclaimer, GDPA notice, and my Disclosure of Material Connection HERE

Free Audiobook: A Midnight Clear!

In celebration of the release of the audiobook version of my contemporary romance, A Midnight Clear, I'm going to give away free Audible copies of the audiobook to the first ten people who sign up in the comments section, below. Just leave me a first name and your email address [fractured, for security purposes, like trish(at)trishperry(dot)com], so I can send you the free book code.  

Here's a summary of the story: 

When she attends a dinner party in Washington, DC, thrown by friends far wealthier than she, writer Maddie Travers is distracted by internal debates. 

Should she move back to DC? Should she seek work she might find more fulfilling? She meets the appealing “regular guy,” Dom Sebastiani at the party and consequently wonders whether she’s ready to seek romance again. So many decisions! 

At the stroke of midnight, a shocking turn of events sets Maddie on a path that holds at least as many questions for her as it does answers.

I look forward to getting the book to you! I find I've been listening to a lot more audio books these days, while walking or doing things around the house. I hope you'll enjoy listening to this fun story too.

Lynne Tagawa and Free Books!

In the Shenandoah Valley, the world of Susanna Russell and James Paxton is rocked by the French and Indian War and Indian raids, while Red Hawk, a Shawnee warrior, has a strange dream involving a book.

Before we talk with today's author, I want to announce that the winner of the free copy of Mark Medley's contemporary romantic action novel, The Same River Twice, is:

nj.bossman@...

Congratulations! We'll get your book right out to you. I encourage readers to keep commenting and/or subscribe at right (above my list of books) in order to learn about new releases! U.S. subscribers are entered in the drawings a second time when they comment.

And now let's revisit with Lynne Tagawa, author of the historical novel, The Heart of Courage: A Novel of the French and Indian War (Blue Rock Press, August 2020).

Lynne Tagawa is a former science teacher who discovered history as she homeschooled her own children. She’s written a Texas history curriculum in narrative form as well as several novels. The Heart of Courage is second in an 18th century colonial American series. 

Currently, she lives with her husband in south Texas and enjoys her four grandchildren.

Please tell us one random thing we might not know about you.

One of my sons introduced me to fair trade chocolate. Of course I loved chocolate before, but this is like chocolate on steroids!

Oh, yes. Chocolate. The magic food. I've become addicted to See's since moving out to California and having access to the full array of the many choices in See's shops!

Please tell us a bit more about the plot of The Heart of Courage.

The Heart of Courage follows three young people who are all struggling to find their way during a terrible time. Susanna goes to Williamsburg—her dream—but the dream palls, because she realizes that her heart is not right with God. 

James Paxton is studying for the ministry when he ends up going with Washington to take Fort Duquesne from the French (Braddock’s Defeat). He’s injured, and while recuperating, makes a decision that turns the course of his life. 

Red Hawk’s world is shattered when his grandfather is killed while on a peace mission, and he goes on the warpath. 

No spoilers as to how these three end up together!

Right, no spoilers, please!

What is it about Paxton that will make your readers care about him?

James Paxton is heroic in an understated way. He’s honest, earnest, sometimes doubts himself, and struggles when he discovers (finally) what the Lord intends for him to do.

Consider the characters you’ve created. You know how characters can evolve as we write their stories? What was one way a character changed from how you initially imagined him or her, either in this book or some other story you’ve written?

In the first installment (The Shenandoah Road), I had a villain who I purposed (from the beginning) to kill off. But I decided that was too simple, especially as the story is set during the time of the Great Awakening. I won’t say more!!! Also, his story is connected with a character in Courage, but I’m afraid I can’t explain that either! So my cardboard villain became a real character.

Your hints are intriguing. That's a good thing!

What is the last novel you read that you would recommend?

A Cord of Three Strands by Christy Distler is a well-written gem of a story. It’s historical fiction in which the characters live out their (imperfect) Christianity. I love it when I can find a story that’s Christian in a natural way.

Yes. Imperfect Christians--people with whom we can all relate.

What are you working on now?

Right now I’m doing research for the third installment in the Russells series, set during the Revolution. This is fun!

Where else can readers find you online?

www.lynnetagawa.com

The book can be purchased online via the following button:



Readers, you can read a sample of the books HERE by clicking on Look Inside.

Finally, what question would you like to ask my readers?

When you pick up historical fiction, what do you most hope to find?

Thanks, Lynne, for visiting and telling us about yourself and your book. Readers, Lynne has offered to give away a free copy of her book. To enter, click on the word "comments" below to reach the comments page, and leave your answer and your email in answer to Lynne's above question. "Please enter me" won't get you entered. Remember that U.S. subscribers are entered an additional time in each drawing. The drawing is done by email, so leave your email address, like so: trish[at]trishperry[dot]com. 

Only United States residents are eligible for the drawing, but anyone can subscribe to the blog posts via the GDPA-compliant Feedblitz box above my list of books, at right.

Also readers, I'd love it if you'd connect with me on Facebook. Just click on my name at the right of today's post title.

Annoying legal disclaimer: as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases; drawings void where prohibited; open only to U.S. residents; the odds of winning depend upon the number of participants. See full disclaimer, GDPA notice, and my Disclosure of Material Connection HERE