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

Barbara Britton and Free Books!

When Adah volunteers to rebuild Jerusalem’s wall, she soon discovers not all of Judah’s enemies lie outside the crumbling rocks.

Before we meet today's author, I want to announce that the winner of the e-copy of Christmas Trinkets, by LoRee Perry, is:

mommystuck1@...

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 participate in future book give-aways! Subscribers are entered a second time when they comment.

And now let's chat with novelist Barbara Britton, author of the Biblical novel, Jerusalem Rising: Adah’s Journey (Harbourlight Books, December 2017).

Barbara M. Britton was born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, but currently lives in Southeast Wisconsin and loves the snow—when it accumulates under three inches.

Barb writes romantic adventures for teens and adults in the Christian fiction and Mainstream markets. She is published in Biblical fiction and enjoys bringing little known Bible characters to light in her stories. Barb’s debut novel, Providence: Hannah’s Journey, released in October of 2016 from Harbourlight Books and kicked off her Tribes of Israel series. Her second book, Building Benjamin: Naomi’s Journey, released in April of 2017. Her Biblical fiction series continues with the release of Jerusalem Rising: Adah’s Journey.

She is a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, Romance Writers of America and Wisconsin Romance Writers of America. 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 to dance. I grew up during the Disco-era and belonged to a teen disco called The Quake.

Oh my, yes. That was definitely my life! I still love to dance. I break out into dance all the time at home. I wish all exercise was that fun. 

Please tell us a bit more about the plot of Jerusalem Rising.

I stumbled upon Nehemiah 3:12 which mentions the daughters of Shallum who helped Nehemiah rebuild the wall around Jerusalem. I decided to bring their story to light.

When Adah bat Shallum finds the governor of Judah weeping over the crumbling wall of Jerusalem, she learns the reason for Nehemiah’s unexpected visit—God has called him to rebuild the wall around the City of David.

Nehemiah challenges the men of Jerusalem to labor on the wall and in return, the names of their fathers will be written in the annals for future generations to cherish. But Adah has one sister and no brothers. Should her father who rules a half-district of Jerusalem be forgotten forever?

Adah bravely vows to rebuild her city’s wall, though she soon discovers that Jerusalem not only has enemies outside of the city, but also within. Can Adah, her sister, and the men they love, honor God’s call? Or will their mission be crushed by the same rocks they hope to raise.

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

Adah loves her family and wants her father to remembered with all the other builders of the wall. But Adah’s father has no son. Adah volunteers for a difficult task to bring honor to her family, even though it puts her life in danger.

How much prep work do you usually do before you start writing a novel?

I review the Biblical story and see if there is enough information for a full-length novel. I am married to an ordained minister, so my basement is a theology library. I research for a week to see why this story is in the Bible and what themes I can develop. It takes me about nine months to write and edit a book before I submit it to my publisher.

That's very cool about your resources!

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

I finished a Middle Grade trilogy by my friend Sandy Brehl. Mari's Hope tells the story of teenagers who were part of the Norwegian resistance to the German occupation of Norway during WWII. My husband is Norwegian, and it is very hard to find clean fiction for young readers.

That sounds like an amazing story topic for teenageers.

What are you working on now?

I am working on another Old Testament Bible story and I have a Historical Young Adult novel going before a publication board.

Where else can readers find you online?

Readers can find out more about my Biblical fiction on my website, or on my Facebook, Goodreads, and Twitter pages.

The book can be purchased online via this button:



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

In Jerusalem Rising Adah creates perfumes, a craft she learned from her mother. Do you have a favorite perfume?

When I was battling breast cancer, a friend sent me Clinique’s Happy. I still use it.

Thank you, Barbara, for visiting and telling us about yourself and your book. Readers, Barbara has offered to give away a free e-copy of her novel. To enter, leave a comment and your email below in answer to Barbara's question, above. "Please enter me" won't get you entered. Remember that 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. Many commenters are left out of the drawing because they forget to include a way for me to notify them of their win (their email).

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.

Remember, if you'd like information on additional new releases, check out Christian Book Heaven, a new email newsletter for Christian book deals in whatever genres you select. You can subscribe here: ChristianBookHeaven

Annoying legal disclaimer: drawings void where prohibited; open only to U.S. residents; the odds of winning depend upon the number of participants. See full disclaimer, as well as my Disclosure of Material Connection HERE