WHAT'S IT GOING TO BE?

What book should you read next? What words should you write next? Whether you're a reader, a writer, or both, you need look no further for ideas and pointers to help you make up your mind. You might even get your next book for free!

Sometimes I even give away my own novels. My Inspirational romances and devotionals are pictured below and are detailed on my Books page. You can always count on a trace of humor in my novels and nonfiction. Whether you're a teen or a woman mature in years, I think these stories will ring true.

Read on, and discover some of today's most appealing Inspirational novelists, their latest books, and their words of wisdom and imagination. Enjoy!

Monday, December 28, 2020

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

25 comments:

Paula Shreckhise said...

Don’t enter me.
I have read this book and enjoyed it very much.

Barbara Britton said...

Hi Paula! I'm glad you enjoyed LIONESS. Thanks for joining us today.

kim hansen said...

Nope none. Nice interview.

Trish Perry said...

Besides my daily devotional (Daily Bread, these days) I always start at the beginning of the Bible and slowly work my way all the way through, using some kind of guide (MacDonald's Believer's Bible Commentary, this go-around). I mention all that to say that today I started reading the book of Nehemiah, and the commentary talks about what a lively, formidable character he was. I'd kind of like to read more about him, on a fictional level.

Barbara Britton said...

Hi Kim. Thanks for joining us and commenting.
Trish, I wrote "Jerusalem Rising" and followed Nehemiah, chapters 1-8. Nehemiah had a lot of adversity to overcome. Sort of like 2020!

Caryl Kane said...

Hey Trish and Barbara! I'm looking forward to reading LIONESS!

psalm103and138atgmaildotcom

Barbara Britton said...

Hi Caryl! It's great *seeing* you. Thanks for leaving a comment. I will never forget the daughters of Zelophehad. What wonderful, faithful sisters to write about.

Betsy S said...

I’m looking forward to reading Lionness. I love to read about women of the Bible. Betsy Schaknowski

Carol James said...

Barb, what a great interview. I loved Lioness! It was a beautiful story. And thanks for mentioning Season of Hope. I’m so glad you enjoyed it. I’m partial to stories about ministers, too.

Jane Squires said...

Please enter me. Use sarahmom335@yahoo.com

Debrajane said...

I would love to have a chance at winning your book, please.
My email is debralindquist1@gmail.com.
Thank you!

Gail H. said...

Thank you for the giveaway. I like reading about the lesser known Bible figures. What were they thinking? Why were they mentioned. What’s important about them and can it relate to our lives?

tumcsec(at)gmail(dot)com

Barbara Britton said...

Hi Betty. Thanks for joining us. I find more and more Bible characters that I need to get acquainted with. I missed the daughters of Zelophehad in my read through the Bible challenge. I'm ecstatic a friend mentioned them at Bible Study.

Barbara Britton said...

Hi Carol. I love your stories. Thank you for the encouragement on LIONESS

Barbara Britton said...

Hi Jane and Debrajane. Thanks for commenting. I'm thrilled to have written about these brave sisters. There is a lot of Scripture about them. What groundbreaking women! And they were probably very young, too.

Barbara Britton said...

Hi Gail. The Bible never ceases to amaze me. I am always finding out new tidbits of information and encouragement. Thanks for joining us.

Dianna said...

One biblical character I've been curious about -- Luke!

(dedezoomsalot at yahoo dot com)

Barbara Britton said...

Hi Dianna! Yes, we don't have much fiction written about Luke. In Biblical Fiction, publishers like female lead characters. I'd have to give him a woman in his life. Thanks for joining us.

Trish Perry said...

How cool about "Jerusalem Rising," Barbara!. I'll have to pick up a copy. Very cool.

Connie Porter Saunders said...

Hello Trish and Barbara. I've somehow missed the biblical account of the five daughters of Zelophehad also but I find myself gaining new insights each time I read through the Bible. Biblical fiction is one of my favorite genres and I love reading it, along with the biblical account.
Happy New Year!
Connie
cps1950(at)gmail(dot)com

Barbara Britton said...

Hi Connie! Thanks for joining us. I missed the daughters of Zelophehad for years, too. It's such an inspiring story that I think we should study the sisters' faith more often.

Grace said...

Looking Forward to Reading your Book, It sounds Fantastic! Thanks for the Chance!

Barbara Britton said...

Hi Grace! I love your name. I'm glad you joined us.

ozarkharness said...

Barbara, you drive a minivan. The book would be so good. Thank you for the chance. ozarkharness at gmail dot com

Barbara Britton said...

Hi Ozarkharness! I love my minivan. My husband wishes that I didn't like it so much. I have moved my sons about a dozen times with my van. Thanks for joining us.

 

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