Heather Kaufman Brings Biblical Fiction to Life

I'm so excited to bring our next guest on The Diamond Mine of Christian Fiction! Heather Kaufman's new release entitled On Living Stone is the third book in the Women of the Way series, and I believe it will be a blessing to all our readers!

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PT: Welcome, Heather! First let the readers know from what region you hail.  Northeast, Southeast, Midwest, South, or Southwest?

HK: I’m from the Midwest where the weather is forever fickle!

PT: Me too! Just survived 14 inches of snow and now it is 50 degrees, LOL. Gotta love that! What lured you to writing and what genre do you write in?

HK: There’s something about escaping into the world of story that has always compelled me. From a young age, I enjoyed reading, and in middle school I set my heart on becoming a novelist. I love playing with words and creating stories that transport and captivate readers. I also love studying the Bible. Now I write in the Biblical fiction genre which allows me to marry my two loves—story and the Word. It’s been so transformative to imaginatively place myself in biblical events . . . to slow down and linger in ways I hadn’t before.

PT: Wow, great niche for you! Could you tell us what you want to impart to your readers through your books?

HK: I hope to invite readers to linger with me in the pages of Scripture. It can be easy to gloss over names we’ve read a thousand times, but there’s so much value in slowing down and placing ourselves in those first-century disciples’ shoes. There’s also great value in studying the Gospels through a cultural lens. When we do so, we’ll find that Jesus is even more beautiful than we can imagine. I hope readers are invited into deeper intimacy with Jesus and find themselves picking up their Bibles with renewed excitement.

PT: That’s a worthy goal. Now, give us your typical day/work time/devotion time, etc.

HK: I have three elementary age kiddos, so I wake up before they do to enjoy my time in the Word. After the morning rush of getting them off to school, I sit myself down to write in the morning when I’m freshest. After lunch, I transition to other tasks such as crafting social media posts, my author newsletter, emails, etc. Before picking the kids up for school, I squeeze in some Pilates. And, of course, there’s all the normal, every day, endless tasks of laundry, grocery shopping, and cleaning! This is the first year all three of my kids are in school full-time. Most of my Women of the Way series was written in the margins—naptimes, preschool mornings, evenings, etc. It’s been an amazing transition to have more daytime hours for my work!

PT: Do you have a Bible verse that currently inspires you?

HK: Ephesians 2:20 has become especially meaningful this past year, and it served as inspiration for my latest book, On Living Stone. Leading up to this verse, Paul is discussing the reconciliation of Jew and Gentile in Christ and culminates with the message of a unified dwelling that is built upon the “foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone” (NIV). I love this picture of the Church. There’s so much that can divide us, so much that feels shaky and uncertain in this world. But Christ is stability and in Him we have unity! What a beautiful picture and a taste of what heaven will be like.

PT: Yes, having Christ Jesus as our cornerstone helps us face all kinds of trials. I love that reminder. I’d like to find out some of your favorite things! First of all, Coffee, tea, water or other?

HK: I enjoy dark roast coffee in the mornings with oat milk creamer and maple syrup as a sweetener. In the afternoons, I enjoy herbal tea.

PT: Cat or dog?

HK: I’m allergic to cats, so I’m fully in camp “dog.” I had a golden retriever growing up, and my husband and I adopted a Jack Russell mix soon after we got married. He was a great family dog for many years and lived a long and loved life.

PT: City or country?

HK: I get a little disoriented in cities, which is funny because I live near St. Louis and my husband works downtown! If we go into the city as a family, I make him drive. So, I’m going with country for this one.

PT: Favorite color?

HK: I love earth tones—dark greens, browns, rusty oranges, and lighter neutrals.

PT: Favorite weather?

HK: I love springtime! The weather is still mild and the promise of new life is everywhere. Unlike the colder months where I just want to hibernate and do nothing, I get so energized in the spring and begin tackling a bunch of new projects. Now, whether I follow through with all of them or not is another thing!

PT: Favorite T-shirt (or other favorite)

HK: I have an old T-shirt from Well-Watered Women with the Fruit of the Spirit represented as flowers. Not only is it beautiful and comfy but it’s just the right amount of baggy. It’s pretty worn at this point, but I’ll never part with it!

PT: Love those favorites! Next is my favorite prompt. Tell 5 things about Heather Kaufman that have nothing to do with writing.

HK: 1) I grew up as a military brat and moved all over the U.S. although never oversees. The Midwest, however, feels like home since my dad retired here and I did both my undergraduate and graduate degrees here.

2) I’m half Italian. My paternal grandmother was born in Italy and in 2005, I had the opportunity to travel to Italy with her—an experience I will never forget!

3) I will pick savory food over sweets any day!

 4) I’m the oldest of six, and my youngest brother is still in college. There’s sixteen years between us.

5) My favorite holiday is Easter. There’s less commercialism surrounding it than Christmas, but it’s still filled with fun family traditions, and it takes place in my favorite season—Spring! Especially after writing my Women of the Way series, Christ’s resurrection is just so precious. I find myself filled with anticipation leading up to this holiday!

PT: Let’s center on your amazing books. How did you conceive the idea of your series Women of the Way and how you selected Martha, Joanna, and Salome?

HK: The first book in the series, Up from Dust:Martha’s Story, came to me back in 2016 during an Easter sermon. I was struck by a deep admiration for Martha as she encounters Christ in John 11. Her brother is four days dead, she is personally disappointed in Jesus, and yet she gives one of the strongest confessions of Christ as Messiah in the Gospels! I knew right then that I wanted to write her fictional backstory, tracing how she transformed from a woman wrapped up in worry to a woman of strong faith. Initially, I was going to write a trilogy on the siblings: Martha, Lazarus, and Mary. When Bethany House showed interest, they suggested pivoting and doing female followers of Christ. I was instantly intrigued by the idea and knew that if I was going to do this, it would be the “lesser-known” women surrounding Jesus. I relished the challenge of digging into women who haven’t been portrayed as much in fiction. Joanna’s name came right away, since I’ve always wondered what her discipleship looked like since her husband was so close to Herod Antipas. Salome’s name came next because I’ve always had empathy for this mother who longed for her boys to remain close to Jesus’ side.

PT: Talk about your newest book On Living Stone.

Every stone sings as it finds its purpose. This is the lesson restless Salome learns from her father as she grows up by the Sea of Galilee. Known as the wild girl with the quick tongue, Salome is determined to silence the critics who claim she has no future. An unexpected romance and the gift of two sons, James and John, leave her hopeful and resolved to prove herself as a mother.

Salome’s dreams are challenged, however, when her sons answer the call to follow Jesus of Nazareth. As James and John are drawn deeper into Jesus’ Ministry, opposition to his message intensifies, leaving Salome with a choice. Can her family continue down the path of discipleship, when it might cost them everything? With threat abounding, Salome must confront her fears, even as she discovers her own worth in the most unexpected rabbi.

A journey of faith unfolds in this New Testament-inspired story of Salome, mother of Jesus’ apostles James and John. This compelling biblical fiction book explores themes of family, sacrifice, courage, and redemption, making it a stirring read for fans of The Chosen, Francine Rivers, Tessa Afshar, and Angela Hunt.

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HK: On LivingStone is the story of Salome, the mother of the Sons of Thunder—the Apostles James and John. In keeping with the format of my first two books, I structure the story in a Part One / Part Two. Part One gives us the “before picture” as Salome falls in love and has her sons. We walk with her through grief and joy and get a peek into what forms her as a person. Part Two gives us the “after picture,” moving forward in time to when Jesus comes on the scene and changes everything. It was such a unique perspective to explore—viewing Jesus’ ministry through the eyes of a mother watching her sons being formed into pillars of his Church!

PT: Oh, gracious! I can’t wait to read it! How involved is the historical/Biblical research for each of these books?

HK: The research has been incredibly involved! Before and during the writing of Up from Dust, I read books on how to approach the Bible through a cultural lens, what daily life looked like at the time of Jesus, commentaries on key biblical passages, and even some Christian living books that touched upon Martha. When I began writing Before the King, it was like starting all over again with the research because Joanna came from a much different background than Martha. I studied the politics of the time, especially in regards to Herod Antipas, and did research on the lifestyles of the affluent, city life, and Sadducean beliefs. For On Living Stone, I was able to draw upon a lot of my previous research and had built up a decent library by that time. My reading mainly revolved around studying the twelve apostles, reading all four Gospels chronologically, and diving into the fishing industry. So much goes into writing biblical fiction because not only are you trying to get the facts straight and stay true to Scripture, but there’s also a theological underpinning to the story that needs to remain sturdy, strong, and true. I cover each of my books with tears and prayers!

PT: I’ll be honest, I’ve read Up from Dust and it was so, so good. So good! (Readers don’t miss this one!) I have your next book Before the King which I can’t wait to dive into. Your books were the first I’ve ever read in Biblical fiction. So, my questions is, how do you construct your stories along with subplots around actual Biblical characters?

HK: Because my heroines are real women from the Bible, I begin with what we know of them from Scripture and then ask myself how they came by those characteristics. For example, with Martha, we see her wrapped up in worry. Christ gently observes that she is “worried and upset about many things” (Luke 10:41 NIV). And so, I imaginatively wondered what “things” Martha carried in her heart that weighed her down. What formed her into the Martha we see in Scripture?

With Joanna we see a brave woman who dares to support Jesus’ ministry even though she comes from a sphere where this was surely dangerous. I wondered how she came by that bravery. What happened in her life that made her desirous for truth and willing to risk her position for what she believed in? With Salome we see a determined mother who will do anything for her sons. She needs to learn to let go of her vision of the future and submit her plans to Christ. What might make this tricky for her? What background might she have had that informed her character and made surrender difficult? Part One in each story is an exploration of my heroine’s formative years so that hopefully, by the time we get to Part Two and some of those known events from Scripture, they land a little differently because we’ve walked so closely with this heroine and now experience those biblical events like we’re standing right there.

PT: Will there be more books in your Women of theWay series or are you heading in a new direction? If so, what Bible characters are next?

HK: On LivingStone concludes the Women of the Way series, but I’ve signed a two-book contract with Bethany House for a new series! This new duology will still be New Testament era biblical fiction but will take place in Samaria and include more fictional characters as well as a male POV. The bulk of the first book occurs before Jesus’ ministry and the second will coincide with His ministry. Both stories will hopefully serve to highlight the Samaritans—a group of people it can be easy to overlook and yet a group of people Jesus was very intentional in reaching. The first book is scheduled to release August of 2027, so there will be a bit of a wait, but I’m hoping readers find it worth that wait!

PT: I am absolutely sure it will be worth the wait! Thank you so much for joining us on the Diamond Mine of Christian Fiction, Heather.

And Heather has graciously offered a print copy of her book, On Living Stone (US address) for one blessed person who comments or leaves her/his information on our contact form. Don’t miss this great opportunity! 

ENTER NOW for the drawing! 

If you can't wait, click the links above or below and add these books to your TBR right this minute!

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Heather Kaufman is the author of multiple books, and her devotional writing has appeared in such publications as Portals of Prayer, Open Windows, YouVersion, and Guideposts. Her novel Up from Dust was a Carol Award finalist. An editor-turned-writer, Heather worked eight years in the publishing industry while earning her master’s degree and spinning tales late into the night. When she fell in love with studying the Bible through a cultural lens, the words of Scripture came springing to life, and Jesus became even more astoundingly beautiful. Now she delights in crafting stories that highlight the goodness of God and compel readers deeper into the Bible. When not reading, writing, or accumulating mounds of books, Heather can be found exploring new parks with her husband and three children near their home in St. Louis, Missouri. Learn more and stay in touch at HMKStories.com.

Newsletter: https://www.hmkstories.com/newsletter

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hmkstories/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hmkstories/

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/heather-kaufman

Goodreads: https://goodreads.com/hmkstories

Inspiration and a Closer Look at the Magi with Lana Christian

Welcome (or welcome back) to the Diamond Mine. I am so excited to introduce you to Lana Christian today. Lana's debut novel is about the Magi who traveled from Persia to Jerusalem in search of a star. I had the absolute privilege of reading New Star early as one of the editors, and there is such a powerful moment in this story that I will never be able to hear the story of the magi again without remembering this moment through the eyes of this author's magi.

About Lana Christian

Twenty years ago, a man said my writing was a sword and to keep wielding it. That comment galvanized why I write. Words can change the world—especially when applied for good.

I’ve seen that firsthand. As a master’s level counselor. As a clinician and educator. As a writer in multiple sectors of business, healthcare, and ministry.

For the past nineteen years, I’ve been a freelance medical writer by day and a faith-based writer by night.

Writing is an adventure—much like hiking, my favorite hobby. Often humbling, always exciting. You’re never the same afterwards. In one way or another, you go beyond what you were before. Like when I made it to Peyto Lake—a glacier-fed lake in Banff, Canada (photo at the top of this screen). I pray the same happens when you read my books.

Ever think about who and what shaped your approach to the world?

MY WHO: My dad, a mechanical engineer, seemed to be able to do anything by just figuring it out. He ignited my inquisitive mind—often to my mom’s chagrin. My aunt wrote children’s books for Simon & Schuster. My seventh-grade science teacher opened my eyes to the wonders of the universe.

MY WHAT: I survived a nearly fatal case of Lyme disease. At my sickest, my husband left me. Homebound, my only way to earn a living was to write—and figure out how to rise above the odds stacked against me.

When I was ready to give up, God called me to embrace life—not death. It gave me a new boldness. Like me (all of 5 ft. 1 in.) calling out a career CrossFit guy when he parked his truck in a handicapped spot at Kmart.

I’m living a life of faith. Sometimes stumbling through it but still moving forward. That resonates through my books. I’d love for you to join me in the adventure.

My friend, God loves us as we are, but He also loves us enough to not leave us where we are. He wants us to GO BEYOND what we can imagine for ourselves.

That’s my life theme. I pray you’ll experience it in my books. Will you step into the adventure with me? Enjoy what you discover and GO BEYOND!

Follow Lana Christian: Website | Twitter/X | Facebook

The Interview

Suzie: Welcome, Lana, and thank you for joining us today. Let's get started with a couple of warm-up questions (the first one is a bit of a literal warm-up question). What is your favorite warm winter drink?

Lana: Hot chai tea with a splash of almond milk.

Suzie: Yum. I love a good chai tea. Perfect drink for when the temperature drops.

What are three books on your tbr pile right now?

Lana: DiAnn Mills’s Lethal Standoff

Amanda Barratt’s The Warsaw Sisters

Naomi Craig’s The Weary World Rejoices

Tracy Higley’s Nightfall in the Garden of Deep Time

Anne Graham Lotz’s The Daniel Prayer

Suzie: I've read the first two books on your list, and the others sound good. I've added them to my tbr too. Let's move into writing now. Where is your favorite place to write? Why?

Lana: In quiet. I get so laser focused when I write that I often don’t hear my timer on my stove. (I can’t just casually listen to music while I write. I have too many years of piano and vocal training under my belt. I do listen to music when I take a break from writing.)

  

Suzie: I'm the same (can't listen when I'm writing/working but listen to it when I am taking a break). 

Who makes up your writing tribe? 

Lana: I have circles of wonderful authors: the ACFW chapter I’m a member of, fellow Scrivenings authors, several private author Facebook pages, and authors I’ve connected with through writing courses and Twitter. I also have amazing, supportive high school friends. (Our high school class has a very active private Facebook page.) Finally, I have awesome church friends and prayer warriors.

Suzie: You have a lot of terrific support in your writing journey. Now I'd like to talk about your book.

What inspired you to write New Star?

Lana: A live Nativity. On December 17, 2017. I was home, sick, watching Shadow Mountain Community Church’s Sunday service online, which included a 17-minute live Nativity with incredible music. It was like God shined a spotlight on every part of the scene, starting with the star, and whispered, “There’s a story to tell here.” New Star is dedicated to everyone who made that live Nativity possible.

Suzie: What a beautiful inspiration. You took on a lot with a piece of a story that is so well-known.

What was the hardest part of writing New Star?

Lana: For me, the hardest part is making sure I understand why characters do what they do. For example, history and the Bible tell us Herod the Great changed his will right before he died so his son Antipas wouldn’t succeed him as king. Why did he do that? How did that affect Antipas and all his decisions after that?  History and the Bible only hint at the “why,” so I have to crawl around inside their heads to figure out their motivations. In that regard, I may do as much “noodling” as I do writing. But when I get the motivations right, truly authentic scenes start to write themselves.

Suzie: You gave each of your characters realistic and believable motivations in the book.

What message do you hope to convey to your readers?

Lana: (1) The Wise Men were real people who risked much and paid a high price for what they did in searching for Jesus. 

(2) Our belief will cost us something, but the reward is much greater than any price we pay. 

(3) God is big enough to handle all our questions.

(4) There is absolute Truth. His name is Jesus.

Overall, I hope that gives people hope!

Suzie: As someone who has read your story, I believe you've successfully delivered that message.

Can you tell us a little about your next project(s)?

Lana: New Star is the first installment in my series, The Magi’s Encounters. That series comprises four books, so I’ll be turning in a manuscript every January for the next three years. In addition, I have several devotional books in various stages of development, a historical fiction novel and a contemporary retelling of a biblical story in early stages of drafting.

 

Suzie: I am looking forward to catching up with Akilah and the others in the next book.

Do you have a favorite Bible verse or story that inspires you on a soul level? 

Lana: Isaiah 64:3-4 has been my go-to ever since starting my writing journey with New Star. I paraphrased the verses like this: 

EXPECT the impossible. 

CELEBRATE the unseen. 

And PRAISE God for it! 

I printed that as big as I could and taped that where I could see it all the time. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve prayed through, claimed, and trusted those words from Isaiah.

 

Suzie: I love your paraphrase. What a wonderful reminder for each of us every day. I want to end with this question: How can we pray for you?

Lana: Pray that God would use New Star in ways I can’t imagine (see Isaiah 64:3-4). Pray that readers would find the book a safe place to explore their questions about God and finish the book with a new appreciation for the Wise Men—and for the Bible. I would love for a reader say, “This prompted me to crack open a Bible.” Also, please pray that I would keep writing even when I’m discouraged about it. God has a plan; I need to put in the sweat equity, co-create with Him, then watch Him do what only He can.

Suzie: Amen. 

Thank you so much for spending some time with us this week, Lana. It was a pleasure learning more about you, your inspiration, and what's to come.

About New Star

AKILAH, a highly respected priest-scholar in the Lower Council of Magi society, considers all his astronomy discoveries well-deserved stepping-stones to a more fulfilling life. But the appearance of a new star challenges his priorities. As Persia totters on the brink of an undesirable king coming to power, Akilah declines an Upper Council position that could turn the tide. Instead, he studies an elusive star that doesn’t appear in any almanac or other writings. Except Jewish.

 

His research makes him a target of Persia’s religious and govern-mental conflicts. As dangers at home and abroad plunge Akilah into circumstances beyond his imagining, he realizes his knowledge of Jesus could destroy Magi society, its influence on Persia’s government, and Persia’s official religion. Untrusting of his Council, a thousand miles from aid, and bound to his cousin in a potentially career-ending contract, Akilah must decide how far he will go to protect what he knows of Jesus—and whether the cost is worth the risk.

Amazon | Scrivenings Press | Goodreads

Giveaway

One of our readers will win an e-book copy of New Star to one of you. Giveaway ends Tuesday, December 10, 2024, at 11:59 pm EST. Enter here or below.

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Interview with Debut Fiction Co-authors Denae Jones and Jennifer Thomas

Meet Denae Jones and Jennifer Thomas co-authors of But, Even Now, a split-time biblical and modern-day story. They are kind enough to offer a free copy of their book. If you'd like to win a the book, leave a comment with your name and email address by July 14. We must have your email address to be eligible.

I'm excited to interview both ladies and introduce them to you. 

Jennifer:

What genre do you enjoy reading most?

Historical fiction for sure! I love the feeling of going back in time and experiencing what life may have been like through the different characters' points of view.

Jennifer:
What is your favorite childhood book? 

Definitely King Bidgood's In The Bathtub by Audrey Wood... Check it out if you haven't read it! I guess you could say it would be historical fiction for a picture book. The last page will NEVER not make me laugh!!

Denae:
When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

Funny, I thought writing was a more recent dream of mine, but I found books with my writing in it from
all the way back to about third grade. Poetry, short stories, etc. Then in college, one of my professors asked us to make a list of our top 5 long-term dreams. Having a published book was on that list, but I had totally forgotten about it! I guess this is just what God wanted me to do. I started with having a couple of stories published in Chicken Soup books, then I created a line of greeting cards for people who had lost a child. About six years ago, I wrote for newspapers, which eventually developed into my devotion books. The latest is our novel, But, Even Now.  

Denae:

Do you have any upcoming projects, releases, or sales?

But, Even Now is our latest published book. The story goes between biblical times and modern day, and it's the first in this series. At the end of But, Even Now you can read the first two chapters of the sequel, titled The Two Martha’s. We are currently working on completing that and can’t wait to see how it ends!

Thanks for sharing a bit about you.

Denea:

Please share the book we are featuring here: 

But, Even Now  

Meet Trista, a woman whose present-day world has been falling apart for years. How can she stay close to God when insurmountable obstacles meet her time and time again? As advised by her counselor, she starts journaling, which inadvertently tells a heart-gripping story about an unexpected path to motherhood, love and loss, addiction, betrayal, and faith that will change future generations.

Meet Adinah, who lives in a world dominated by Roman oppression just as Jesus is being revealed as the Messiah. Being a barren wife in a culture where family lineage is everything, she questions God when she feels all but forgotten by Him. Ready to give up, she beholds firsthand how life-and faith-can change in an instant.

1,985 years ago, Adinah was there to witness a miracle. Today, that same miracle changes Trista's life. This historical/fiction novel will have you laughing and crying as it weaves together the intriguing stories of these two women who have one very important thing in common: Jesus.

(Available online most places books are sold.) Amazon

Denae, I know you delve into the Jewish religion in the historical fiction. What kind of research do you do, and how long do you spend researching before beginning a book?

But, Even Now is a time leap book that is historical/fiction. It was important to us that the historical part and the present-day part not only aligned with one another, but that they were as historically accurate as possible. We did quite a bit of research and conducted interviews to make sure the cultures described in the book were represented well.  

Jennifer:

Do you find yourself returning to a similar theme in your novels or do you have a new message with each release?

Honestly, we haven't had to choose a theme yet because God has clearly instructed us in our writing journey so far. It was clear to us that pornography addiction would be a part of our beloved Trista's journey in some way. This epidemic is stealing the innocence of children and harming marriages at an alarming rate in our world today. It was also clear that our two main characters would both be encouraged through their trials by words right out of Martha's mouth in the Bible. As for the theme of our sequel, The Two Marthas, we already knew what it was to be about before we finished the first. God is really in the lead with this series, and we are just hoping we get it right.

Jennifer:

Is there a certain Bible passage or verse that goes along with the theme of your book? 

Yes! So glad you asked! John 11:22...  Check it out and then read But, Even Now. :)

To finish our time together, each of you tell us a fun thing about you.

Denae:
What are the top three things on your bucket list?

One thing on my bucket list would be to travel to the Holy Land and then to parts of Europe. Another would be to go Sky Camping, where you camp in a hammock that is suspended over the side of a mountain. My top bucket list actually came true last year, and that was to see every member of my family baptized!

Jennifer:
If you could be any animal, which would it be?

I would probably pick to be one of my dogs, chickens, or ducks because of how much we spoil them!

If you'd like to win a copy of the book, leave a comment with your name and email address by July 14. We must have your email address to be eligible, and we need five comments from five readers.

Thanks for checking out The Diamond Mine of Christian Fiction.

A Holly Jolly Christmas on the Mine

 with Barbara Britton and Renee Blare

with

CHRISTMAS GIVEAWAY!

CLAIMING CANAAN: MICAH'S JOURNEY

Beginning December 23, 2020 @ 12:30am

Comment below in Blog Comment Section:

 Entry must include ALL of the following:

1. Name and Email
2. Respond with Your favorite Bible Character and Why
(Who knows? It may provide fodder for a new Britton novel!)

Award: One Print or E-Copy (Winner's Choice)

 

Drawing Date: December 29, 2020 @ 11:59pm

1. Winner announced December 30, 2020, by 6:00pm

2. Winner will also be notified by email and will need to respond within 72 hours to claim the desired reward version of the book they wish to receive (print or e-copy.)

3. Lack of response within the specified time frame will rule the winning selection as void and another winner shall be drawn from the eligible comments, regardless of preference and desire.

4. Author, the Diamond Mine, or Miner (blogger) is not responsible for any communication, email, or delivery complications during the Christmas season which may impact the delivery of the winning item. It is said to be nearly impossible to meet delivery deadlines right now.

______________________________________________________________

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!

_______________________________________________________

Come on in, it's "Chat Time!"

RENEE: Hi there, Barbara! Welcome to the Diamond Mine. I'm so excited that you are with us today. For y'all joining us, my guest today is my great friend and Biblical Fictional author, Barbara M. Britton.

BARBARA: Hi, Renee, I am excited to be with you on the Diamond Mine. I cherish our meeting and the time we spent together in Deadwood, South Dakota. I can't wait to get started!

RENEE: Absolutely. Deadwood was amazing and I can't wait until we can spend more time together, professionally and personally. You are a great friend and writer. Your Tribes of Israel series captures Biblical characters in the Old Testament and gives them a day in the Christian Fiction sun. What drives you to start a book in a series such as that AND finish it? You must have true love and passion for writing or is it the story itself?

BARBARA: I would have to say both. When I'm working on a story that resonates with me, the characters grab hold of my mind and they don't let go. It's like I can't stop writing the story or they won't give me a moment's peace. Is that passion? Love? I think it's a blessing or some kind of special gift, but it can be very distracting as well. I write the "goings-on" of the scenes on a piece of paper, then I can obtain focus to accomplish other things. Once I finish the book, the characters leave me alone.

This makes me sound crazy, but other writers tell me their brains work the same way. This passion or constant character and plot brainstorming during the writing process is one reason that writers have notepads stashed in every nook and cranny from their nightstands to the consoles of the cars. It's because we never know when our characters are going to blurt some insanely perfect dialogue or when an ideal plot line or idea for a scene is going to pop into our heads. It's only when I pen the words, "The End" my life returns halfway to normal.

RENEE: How do you pick and then create your characters so they become "human" and deeper than the paper they are written on? After all, Biblical characters can be rather untouchable - unapproachable to most people today, at least at face value.

BARBARA: The Bible is filled with conflict. The Israelites were at war with several nations and they had conflict within their own tribes. Women didn't have the rights they do today, so when women were bold for God, they put their life in jeopardy, or at least their social standing. I try to understand how precarious life was in Bible Times and place the conflict within my characters. I draw on feelings and hurts I've experienced in my own life. I'm also a big music fan and I find that a song can capture the mood or feeling of a character.

You can mine character traits from people you meet or from friends. Don't make it obvious though, or people may be guarded around you. I've used perfume ads to find the personality of a character or what they look like. Perfume ads tend to be dramatic because they are selling a fragrance that is embodying a personality (or character). Being a visual learner, I can glean a lot from a picture more than a list of traits. Some authors interview their characters and write a list of "favorites" to flesh out their characters.

RENEE: Well, we all know the Bible has unique people and unique places. It must be truly amazing to have such an overflowing well to choose from for your books. Can you tell us how you chose this latest book's setting?

BARBARA: The tribe of Manasseh settled in the Promised Land among cities that had their kings vanquished, but their people survived. These Canaanites continued to worship idols and eventually led many Israelites astray in the tribe of Manasseh.

Biblically, the daughters of Zelophehad are descended from Joseph. Manasseh was the firstborn son of Joseph, but he was not given the firstborn blessing. His brother Ephraim received the firstborn blessing from his grandfather Jacob.

In my series, I place my faithful sisters in a land filled with faithless people. It reminds me of the church today. How would Milcah and her sisters continue to serve God in a land that did not praise His name? The sisters live near the city of Megiddo. Some scholars think the final battle in Revelation will be near Megiddo. Good versus evil. What better place to end my series about girls who sought God for their needs and didn't forget His promises?

RENEE: Wow, you make me want to read all three of your books this second! I love the way you work, ma'am. In fact, the books I have read of yours are awesome, just like you are. What would you say is your biggest challenge as an author?

BARBARA: That is a great question. Like most authors, I split my time between being creative and being a businesswoman. Don't get me wrong, I love to write my stories and get lost in my story world, but I also need to make sure readers know I have books in the real world.

When I began writing, social media was not the force that it is today. Publishers did most of the promotion in the "old days." Now a lot of marketing falls onto the author's desk. It is easy to be swept away into the social media realm and not realize that hours are passing by. I have to set boundaries on such things as marketing and social media, or it will consume my day.

My advice for writers of any experience level is to do what you enjoy and limit the rest. Once I was asked why I wasn't on Pinterest. I responded that I didn't have time to create fun and fabulous boards because I'd never get any writing done if I did.

Writing has to be and is my first priority.

RENEE: Time management is a serious subject in anyone's life especially the writer, published or not. I know from experience that my life was turned upside down when writing became a career instead of merely a hobby. I was a pharmacist when I wrote my first novel and already had many demands on my time. The writing was a joy, publication a surprise, but marketing? That was and is a nightmare. I have one final question for you and we'll toast our way into acknowledging and celebrating Jesus Christ's birthday (with coffee or tea, of course.)

Would you mind sharing your testimony and how it impacts those around you?

BARBARA: Of course. It's ironic, or some might say, a "God thing" that I'm a Christian Fiction author. I did not grow up in a Christian home. I had wonderful parents, but they did not seek a relationship with Jesus. My mom became a Christian through Bible Study Fellowship. She brought my sister and me to church, and I became a Christian in the third grade.

I can remember as a child having this great fear of death and believing "luck" to be arbitrary and stupid. When I heard about Jesus, all my questions about life were answered. 

One of my favorite things to do is teach the Bible to kids. I also like to write Christian books for teens and adults. The Bible is one story, God's story, but it is made up of 66 books. We tend to focus on the New Testament and ignore the Old Testament. I'm always learning about new-to-me stories in the Bible and I want to share them with my readers.

RENEE: You are a truly amazing woman and author. I wish I could write biblical fiction like you but until God graces me with that ability, I will continue to read how your elaborate characters within your tremendous biblical settings live their lives facing evil and triumphing with God to do and be good.

BARBARA: Thank you, my friend. And thanks again for having me on the Diamond Mine, Renee. Milcah's story is the third in my daughters of Zelophehad series, but it can be read as a stand-alone story.

In honor of our Savior's birth and this blog, I'm offering a print or e-copy of "Claiming Canaan: Milcah's Journey" (Print copy available for U.S. Winner only).

CHRISTMAS GIVEAWAY

To enter: please leave a comment beneath the post in the Blogger comment section, sharing your favorite Bible character and why that's the case. Who knows? The person may become the lead character in my next novel!

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ABOUT THE AUTHORS

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About the Guest, Barbara Britton:

Barbara M. Britton loves to bring little-known Bible characters to light in her fiction. She is published with Pelican Book Group and ventured into Christian Historical Fiction with "Until June" in June of 2020. Barb lives in Wisconsin, but her college days were spent in Waco, Texas at Baylor University. Barb has a nutrition degree but loves to dip healthy strawberries in chocolate. You can find out more about Barb and her books on her website or on social media.

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Goodreads

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About the Miner, Renee Blare:

In the Black Hills foothills of Wyoming lives Christian Author and Artist, Renee Blare. She's a pharmacist of twenty-three years, but although licensed, is inactive and has not practiced for the last three years due to her disability. She is a published author with Prism Book Group, a subsidiary of Pelican Book Group, and is a best-selling author of Romantic Suspense and Mystery and Contemporary Christian Fiction.

Renee is an advocate for Chronic Pain Warriors including the Disabled and Elderly who must use Opioids. She also is politically active for Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Warriors and all other Chronic Pain Warriors being persecuted by State and the Federal Government Agencies for needing to take opioids to control their pain.

She seeks relief from severe and uncontrolled pain through learning and developing new skills in art, crafts, music, and writing.

Discover more about Renee Blare at the following sites:

Facebook: Christian Books by Renee Blare

                  Do No Harm: Do Doctors Know How to Treat Chronic Pain?

                  Renee Blare - CRPS

                  Inyan Kara Studio

Instagram: @mrzgrizwyo

                  @crps4life

Email:       Gmail

                  Yahoo Mail

                  AOL Mail

Kate Hodges, Biblical Storyteller Extraordinaire

I'd like to give a big welcome to Kate Hodges on the Diamond Mine today. What a treat it is to have you here with us during this holiday season. I wanted to give you a chance to tell us the story behind your drive to write. How did it happen for you?

After years of enjoying a close connection to Christ, I hit a spiritual desert in my late twenties. Somewhere along the line, I had lost my passion for Christ and was going through the motions of the Christian walk. I battled depression and self-doubt. A wall had developed between God and me. Until one day, listening to the pastor read the story of the paralytic who was let down through a roof, something struck a spark. He didn’t just read the story. He spoke of the hot day, the dusty road and the men carrying their friend. He spoke of them digging through the roof of a house and the people within spattered by dirt and bits of stone. He brought that story to life in a way I had never thought of.

Over the next few months, that story churned in my head. I was full of ‘what ifs’. Finally, on a slow day at work, I took a sheet of computer paper and started to write. For four hours. Those handwritten words, barely legible in some spots, gave me a glimpse into God’s heart. I looked into the face of Christ through the eyes of a paralytic and saw his love and compassion.

A few weeks later, the pastor told another bible story. I had heard and read these stories so often over years of going to church as well as a Christian College, that I no longer saw them. They were words on a page of little more meaning than a child’s nursery rhyme, the characters merely actors on a stage.

For the first time, I was seeing the stories told by people who once lived and breathed, loved and despaired the same way that I do. The difference is that they had actually looked into the face of Jesus. They had spoken to him, heard his words and felt his touch. There is story after story of Jesus meeting the needs of people where they were. Perhaps, he could do the same for me. Perhaps, if I found the right story and told it with the right words, I would also find his healing for me, I would find the key to get beyond the wall.

So I write, story after story, page after page. It seems that there is not one key, but many. In each story is a piece of me. In each story, Jesus meets that part of me and touches, accepts, loves me. In each story, a piece of me heals.

I’m not done yet, I don’t know that I ever will be, but each story draws me closer. I have begun publishing my stories so that others can perhaps find a bit of healing for their broken pieces. They are available on Amazon as e-shorts. I also have a collection in print The Other Side of Miracles contains five of my favorite stories including the very first one, The Forgiveness of Sins. I hope that others will see the old bible stories in a new light and through them find new depths of faith.

I am also working on a novel, Safe Within These Walls, that tells the story of Rahab and the spies during that fateful month before the fall of Jericho. God not only saved her from the destruction of the city, but she became the mother of Boaz, the great grandmother of King David and the ancestor of Jesus. If God can take someone like her, a pagan, a harlot, an outcast and turn her into a hero of bible history, then perhaps he can take a shy farmer’s daughter and use her words to touch the world.

Thanks so much for sharing with us Kate. Have a blessed holiday!

Kate Hodges is a stay home mom who lives with her husband of twenty years and their three teenage children in upstate New York. She is a book addict and always looking for new authors to feed her habit.  Check out her book The Other Side of Miracles.

Carlene Havel's The Scarlet Cord (with Sharon Faucheux)

Welcome to the Mine, everyone. We’re digging for diamonds in Christian fiction. Are you ready to get your hands dirty? I sure am.

Today, I'd like to introduce you to Carlene Havel, a fellow Prism author. Join us as we discuss her literary gems.

Hello Carlene, welcome to the Mine. I'm so glad you could be here today. 

For those readers who may not know, what kind of books do you write and can you enlighten us on your 'process'? You know...how you create one of your jewels?

Thank you, Renee. I'm happy to be here. Let's see.

I write Biblical fiction with co-author Sharon Faucheux. We start by discussing Bible characters, finally narrowing the choice down to the one whose story we're most interested in telling. Then she peels off to do research while I begin writing the plot synopsis.

As a solo act, I’ve published two contemporary Christian romances and one historical novella. There are always new stories bubbling through my imagination. For me, ideas come easily. Staying focused on one long enough to complete a book is the challenge.

As busy as life can be, I can believe that. Still, I can see you've reached the finished line. Congratulations! And you've been published which is awesome as well. I see you're an author with Prism Book Group, like me and a couple of other miners at the Diamond Mine. What may a reader expect from a Prism book?

Congratulations on winning a Prism contract, and welcome to the fold! Like most writers, I also love to read. Prism Book Group publishes works that are clean, well-written, and carefully edited. I don’t care to read filthy language or casual sex disguised as romance, and you'll never find those things in Prism books.

You hear that, folks? Clean, and well-written. Thank you, Carlene. I'm honored to be part of a publishing company such as Prism. Speaking of publishing, have you ever been published by anyone besides Prism?

The answer to this question could fill a book. Hmm, maybe someday it will. I got off to a rocky start, but my mother, who also happens to be an author, kept encouraging me. I considered asking Mom (pen name: Barri Bryan) to intercede with Desert Breeze, where she has several books. Ultimately, I decided I would get a publishing contract on my own or not at all. Prism began accepting submissions at a perfect time for me, and I love working with Joan Alley and her crew.

That does sound like quite a story; one I would love to hear (or read) one day. Anyone else agree? I believe you have writing in the blood, so to speak. And did you say Desert Breeze Publishing? What a small world. One of our miners has a contract with them as well.

Back to your latest gem... what are you working on now?

Next up for publication is “The Scarlet Cord”, co-authored by Sharon and me. It’s the story of Rahab. You may recall she was the harlot who survived the fall of Jericho when the walls came tumbling down. Rahab and her family were spared because she had the faith and courage to shelter Israel’s spies. Later, she married Salmon, the Prince of Judah. The Bible doesn’t tell us much more about her life—that’s the part Sharon and I imagined and wrote.

What a story... and in the Bible. I've reviewed several Biblical romances for my blog. I enjoyed reading them, although I don't write them. I'll definitely have to check this one out. Can we get a glimpse?

Sure...

     The tall man held up a hand, and his companion fell silent. Rahab was accustomed to men who could not afford her services, but the reactions of these two stung her. One seemed completely indifferent, while the other made her feel unclean. The truth flew into her mind with such force it escaped from her mouth. “You are Hebrews.”

     “Yes, we are,” the tall man said, much to Rahab’s surprise.

     They were such beautiful young men. What a pity it would be for them to be impaled in the public place. “Do you not know the king’s men keep track of foreigners in Jericho, because of all the trouble across the river? If you hurry, you may be able to escape.”

     The shorter man quickly pushed his food away, stood up, and shook out his clothing. The taller one stood and faced Rahab. “Would you hide us?” he asked.

     “I could be executed for helping you. And my whole family along with me.”  Looking into his eyes made her heart beat faster. Yet his face would no longer be handsome after a beating from the soldiers’ rods.

     The tall man spoke gently. “Help us and you will live when we take this city.”

     “Take Jericho? You cannot,” she whispered. “Our walls…”

     “Your walls are nothing to the Lord. We will conquer this city and all others who stand in our way, just as we have overcome the Amorites.” His manner conveyed absolute confidence. “Our lives in exchange for yours. Yes or no?”

I remember the fall of Jericho in the Bible. What an awesome story to tell. How do you decide which characters to pick for your books?

The Bible is filled with fascinating characters! How would it feel to be truly "given" in marriage?To live in an environment where a malevolent king had absolute authority? To be one wife among many? Those thoughts, coupled with a wish to write about a heroine from the Bible, eventually resulted in selecting Princess Michal, King Saul’s youngest daughter, to take the starring role in our first co-authored novel. After Sharon and I sifted through numerous possibilities, Rahab grabbed us next and wouldn’t let go. We were intrigued by the unlikely inclusion of a pagan harlot in the lineage of the Messiah. Once we selected our heroine, we include characters named in the Biblical account and invented the others.

I'm so excited for you (and Sharon). This book sounds absolutely amazing. Do you have any special events planned involving its release?

Prism covers are always smashing—perfectly reflective of each book’s theme—so I’m planning my first ever “cover reveal” event for “The Scarlet Cord”. A year and a half ago, Sharon and I looked at a picture Joan suggested for the cover of “Daughter of the King”. Almost as if we were leafing through a family album, we both said, “This is not a picture of Michal. She’s Rahab!”  

That is so cool. I love it. And I can't wait for the reveal. I can't wait to see her shine. After all, I think we have a diamond. Thanks for stopping by the Mine, Carlene. Are you open to taking some questions?

I’m honored to be your first featured author. It has been my pleasure to visit your lovely site.  May your jewelbox be filled with sparklers! I am most definitely open to questions, but I will be away from my computer for a while today, beginning a new Bible study. So if I’m slow to respond, you know why.

I completely understand. Don't worry, we have plenty of time. After all, we'll be here all week! (Oh my, I sound like a comedian.)

So if you have a question for Carlene, have at it, folks and don't forget to enter the giveaway for her latest release and a $25 gift certificate on Amazon! (see details below)

TWO
GIVEAWAYS!

$25 AMAZON GIFT CARD

AND

Carlene Havel's Daughter of the King
(e-copy or signed print version)
winner's choice

Enter via Rafflecopter!
(drawing on 5/14/14)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

About the Giveaway's Prize:

Princess Michal was the youngest daughter of Saul, the first king of Israel. In an age when fathers arranged marriages, Michal dared to fall in love with a handsome young musician named David, from the little town of Bethlehem. As recounted in the Bible, Michal helped David escape from her insanely jealous father. King Saul punished his daughter with forced marriage to a distant war lord. Princess Michal unexpectedly returns from seven years of exile to find a changed world. Most of her relatives are dead. David has become King of Judea. He has acquired six additional wives, one of whom is a princess from Geshur. Michal longs to have a son to reign over Israel and reestablish the rule of King Saul's heirs.  But each royal wife has hopes of placing her own son on the throne. Can Princess Michal's love for King David survive war, madness, infidelity, and betrayal?

About the Author:

I grew up in Texas and married a military officer.  Courtesy of the US Air Force, I’ve also lived in six or seven US states, the Republic of the Philippines, and Turkey. My husband loves to travel, and we’ve had lots of fun satisfying his wanderlust. Although I prefer peaceful mountain forests, he enjoys big cities, exotic locales, and archaeological excavations. Glenn and I still laugh about our adventure in a Parisian coin operated laundry, and I’m pretty sure a couple of French housewives do, too. 

My home is now in Texas, in the midst of a big, extended family. I had no interest in writing until 2005, when I became a believer in Jesus Christ as the Savior of the world. Along with everything else that changed, I developed a passion for writing. I love Bible study, normally devoting most of one day each week delving into the scriptures with a small focus group. I also enjoy sewing, knitting, crochet and embroidery.

FB:  https://www.facebook.com/AuthorCarleneHavel

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/carlenehavel

Amazon, Daughter of the King:  http://goo.gl/5WLKj

Amazon, all my work:  http://goo.gl/ugcII