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.

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MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!

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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.

Facebook

Twitter

Goodreads

BookBub

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

Interview with Author and Agent Linda Glaz

Tell us when you first knew you loved books.

I've always read voraciously, and have had stories swirling in my head as long as I can

remember. (some people... er ... doctors, call that "Voices", I say stories...LOL)

How old were you when you started writing? 

13 and then seriously at 42

How did you first get published?

 I got two novellas published after writing for eighteen years. Yes, you read that right! 18!

What do you write? 

Historic romance, romantic suspense, and suspense

Where do you get your ideas? 

I can't look at almost any situation without seeing a story in it. I see a kid pulling against
the parent's hand, and my mind immediately wanders to trafficking, and I can hear a kid's
voice telling me his or her story...

What is your process? (SOP or outline?) 

Oh, Pantster for sure. I usually have an overall idea of the start and finish, but I let the
characters tell me who they are and where they are actually going. (There's that doctor
again!)

What made you decide to be an agent?

I'd been working for my own agent as an assistant for two years.
Then when an opening came up, he encouraged me to try out for it.
The boss said yes, and woohoo!  Here I am, loving it every single day.

What do you like best about it? Least about it?
What are you looking for now? 

I love to find amazing new authors and new works. I hate the part about saying no.
But that generally happens when folks don't know the industry well and send material out
WAY too soon. I don't really do much literary fiction, mostly genre fiction. And I handle most
genres, just not anything in the spec fiction realm. I don't handle much children's (really
prefer not to) and definitely not anything with graphic sexuality or swearing in it.
I do have quite a few nonfiction projects that are just downright awesome, but folks
need to realize how important platform has become, especially for nonfiction. Though it c
ertainly helps fiction as well.

How did it feel to win ACFW Agent of the Year? 

hahaha AWESOME!!! And to be considered alongside the wonderful agents that I was up
against was such an honor.

Who are some of your clients? How did you find them? 

Well, you know ONE of my clients VERY well. LOL Kate Breslin, J'nell Ciesielski,
Tom Threadgill, Karen Wingate, and so many other really wonderful folks who stuck
it out until we found them the exact right home. I could list every one of them, here, as they
work so incredibly hard and are constantly writing new material for me to shop around.

I meet most folks at conferences, but I do find a few through emails.

Anything else you want us to know? 

I simply LOVE love love to find new authors (they have my heart) and help them navigate
the industry until we find them a book deal.

Thanks so much, Linda, for joining us here on the
Diamond Mine!

Thanks for having me, Karla. I appreciate it!

A Chat with JoAnn Durgin

Welcome to the Mine, JoAnn! As you know, we’re digging for diamonds in Christian fiction, and your books are gems. Would you say they’re diamonds?

Thanks so much for hosting me today! My theme verse in my writing journey is based on Matthew 5:16 Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. (NASB).

I like to think my writing shines and resonates with the truth and hope to be found in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. It’s my hope that my unique writing voice holds gems of truth from God’s word. When panning for gold at the “diamond mines” in Tennessee, you sift through the sand and dirt to hopefully discover hidden treasure buried beneath. Likewise, I love layered stories where the characters eventually discover those invaluable nuggets of truth . . . but they often have to go through the refining fire before they emerge whole and strong. 

Refining fire and layered stories… your books sound awesome already. I know you write contemporary romance as well as a series. How did you start writing and did it evolve into a series or was it planned that way?

My joke is that I wrote Awakening in two weeks and it took 12 years for it to be published. The full story is on my website at www.joanndurgin.com. In short, it was the last book I wrote before putting my writing aside—but not the passion for it—for over a decade. When I pulled it back out (literally from under the bed and blew off the dust bunnies), I started to look it over. Having written it so long ago, it was like looking at it through fresh eyes, and it was almost as though someone else had written it.

Although I only found half of it (you must read the story on my website to see how the Lord gave the rest of it back to me!), I could tell it would be a good beginning for a series where the core characters could become mentors to the volunteers of their Christian workers called TeamWork Missions. Each subsequent book contains the love stories of one (or sometimes more) of the TeamWork members. The fifth book in the Lewis Legacy Series releases late this month. The entire series is written but needs significant editing. Then I have another series lined up behind it…

Quite a project… sounds interesting. And I love how your first book was written! I think I wrote my first book in almost three weeks. Of course, it was very rough. Kind of like yours, I bet. Do you have any books out there not related to the Lewis Legacy Series?

Catching Serenity, my latest release and the book I’m highlighting today, was written with the idea of giving my readers something apart from my series. I’m happy to say it’s also been quite successful for me. It’s a standalone, full-length novel with mystery as well as romance. All of my books feature an element of humor mixed in with the adventure and drama—all the elements I believe you need for a satisfying story: (1) it makes you laugh; (2) it makes you cry; and (3) it makes you think.

I’ve also published a couple of fun Christmas novellas with Pelican Book Group (the third in that series to release this year) and I have an upcoming novella, Echoes of Edinburgh, also releasing with Pelican in late September.

Wow! Books, books, everywhere! How in the world did you write (and publish) all those books?

First of all, I couldn’t write and publish books without the Lord’s sustaining grace. I’ve never suffered from writer’s block, and I pray I never do. Writing and publishing involves long hours and a dedication to see a project through to completion. A measure of talent, a willingness to be teachable and accept criticism all factor into the process, as well as dedication, perseverance and commitment truly makes all the difference.

What a blessing… I would love to be able to write like that. I’m sure every writer would. Thank you for sharing your words with the world, JoAnn. If you had one thing you could say through your books, what would it be?

God demonstrated His great love for us by sending His very own beloved, precious Son to die for us. That is the greatest love story we’ll ever know, and from that redeeming love stems our capacity and ability to love others as He first loved us.

What’s your latest book about?

The best way to tell you about it is to give you the blurb for Catching Serenity (what you’d read on the back cover). Here it is:

A woman torn apart by secrets.

A man held prisoner by the truth.

Can the greatest love of all

set them both free?

Serenity McClaren had it all before her life crumbled around her like the sand castles on her beloved beach, causing her to flee Croisette Shores and the only home she’d ever known. Nearly five years later and living in Atlanta, she receives a mysterious, unsigned note: Come home, Serenity. Things aren’t as they seem. Time to find your answers. Returning to South Carolina, she prepares to face her demons and the ailing father she left behind, hoping to make peace with both.

Child psychologist Jackson Ross is a man with a surprising past. He’s ready for the quiet life and  eager to establish his practice in the quaint, coastal village. After he hires Serenity to decorate his new office, he’s drawn to the beautiful and enigmatic woman yet sees she’s haunted by a past she can’t escape. Wanting to help her, he begins to suspect one of his young patients may hold the key to unlocking Serenity’s secrets. Jackson follows his instincts and discovers the shocking truth, but how can he tell the woman he’s grown to love what he knows—and set her free—without compromising his professional ethics and losing her forever?

Can we get a glimpse?

Gladly, and here’s a portion of the first chapter.

Come home, Serenity. Things aren’t as they seem. Time to find your answers.

Ever since she’d received that unsigned, cryptic note in Atlanta six weeks ago—scrawled in loopy, cursive letters with no clue as to its sender except the postmark from Croisette Shores—the words lingered in Serenity’s mind, never far from her conscious thought. Lifting her face to the early May sun, she dug her toes in the sand, luxuriating in the sensation as the warm grains filtered between her toes. How she’d missed her lovely little South Carolina town.

The slight breeze lifted strands of her hair in an airy dance and a happy squeal caught her attention. A pregnant woman held the hand of a toddler girl who skipped beside her, giggling when the gentle waves kissed her toes. Uninhibited and joyful, the sound of the child’s laughter transported Serenity back in time to the carefree days when she’d played alongside her parents on this same stretch of beach. Days when it seemed the world was ripe with possibility and opportunity. Days when making a sand castle and discovering a beautiful seashell, simple yet intricate in its complexity, thrilled her like nothing else.

“Freud!”

Shielding her eyes with one hand, Serenity scanned the beach. Freud? A gorgeous gray and white Siberian husky skirted the shoreline, dodging the seaweed and marine life deposited by the receding waves. A magnificent creature, grace in motion, but who would name a dog Freud? In its own way, though, it was rather cute. She couldn’t remember ever seeing this particular breed of dog in Croisette Shores before. His coat was well-groomed and short, and thank goodness she sat far enough removed to avoid the sand he sprayed in his wake.

“Come here, boy!” The man jogging behind the dog captured her attention as he slowed to a walk, a red Frisbee tucked under one arm. The last time she’d given any man more than a passing glance seemed like a lifetime ago. In some ways, it was. This one definitely stood out in the small crowd of beachgoers. Tall, broad-shouldered and muscular, his wavy dark hair was long enough in back to curl over the collar of his light blue polo. She guessed he must be late twenties or early thirties. Barefoot with the bottom of his khakis rolled on his calves, he looked the part of a well-to-do tourist renting a luxury cottage on one of the private beaches. Cheeks flushed with color, he hadn’t yet developed the sun-kissed tan of the locals.

Stopping, he tossed the Frisbee and laughed as the dog darted after it, venturing into the tide. Amazing a dog that size could jump so high. Serenity sat up straighter, fascinated, as the two repeated their game. The man moved a bit slower, appearing to favor one leg, and a slight grimace creased his attractive features. Was he in pain? She startled a few seconds later when the Frisbee skidded to a stop at her feet, showering her with sand. Freud lunged in her direction—quickening her heart rate tenfold—and scooped the plastic disc in his mouth before bounding off again. Willing her pulse to slow, Serenity brushed sand from her shorts and tugged down on her pink cotton tee.

“Sorry!” the man called to her with a friendly wave. “He’s harmless. Hope he didn’t scare you. Are you okay?”

She waved back. “I’m fine, thanks.” She wasn’t worried about the canine so much as her reaction to Freud’s companion, but how nice of him to consider her feelings. The guy had a killer smile and strands of dark hair whipped over his forehead. Couldn’t he at least have a high-pitched or nasal voice? No, it had to be deep, smooth and rich as melting chocolate. Good thing she generally avoided chocolate.

When do you find time to write? (The pharmacist said to the author…)

Wow, a pharmacist? That’s amazing. Ever tried penning a medical thriller? I think your profession would open a world of writing ideas! I’m an estate administration/wealth transfer paralegal in a large law firm in downtown Louisville, Kentucky. However, I spend nearly every lunch hour working on my current manuscript, writing blogs, or doing some type of marketing work. My mind is almost always spinning with plotlines, characters or something related to my writing. I spend many hours in front of my computer at home or with the laptop in my bed. But the Lord’s given me this desire to share stories and He keeps me going. Writing energizes me like little else and it’s my passion.  

I guess I’ve never thought of penning a medical thriller before, although I do have a pharmacist as one of my characters. Can’t get too far away from my roots, huh? Anyway… Do you have a marketing strategy—well, other than tossing the pages into the wind and praying they find some eager hands?

That image makes me laugh. Sometimes it does seem like that’s what we do, doesn’t it? Since my former publisher turned over the rights to me for my Lewis Legacy Series books at the end of last year, and with Catching Serenity being independently published, I’ve enjoyed having complete control over the marketing and advertising (not to be confused with being a control freak, of course). Unlike some authors, I love marketing. The Lord knew the best marketing “job” for me is marketing my own books! I’m navigating the waters now, but I’ve found a several websites that have been tremendously successful for me. Awakening was offered free on one website a couple of months ago and more than 47,000 readers downloaded it! That was astounding to me, and it served to multiply the sales and increase the visibility of all of my books as a whole (including a boxed set of the first four series books).

What a great idea! I’ll have to remember that and Isaiah 55:11. After all, the Lord’s Word doesn’t return void…even if it is free. Thanks for stopping by the Mine. I believe we have a diamond, folks. Are you open to questions, JoAnn?

Of course! I love interacting with readers and would be happy to answer any questions. Thanks so much for inviting me to visit. Many blessings to all of you, and thanks for your support of Christian fiction and its authors. We couldn’t do it without you!

GIVEAWAY ! ! !

a Rafflecopter giveaway

About the Book:

A poignant story of faith, hope and love, 

and discovering the everyday miracles 

from an all-powerful God.

Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Catching-Serenity-JoAnn-Durgin/dp/1940727022/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1402166442&sr=8-3&keywords=JoAnn+Durgin

http://www.inspyromance.com/

About the Author:

Catching Serenity is JoAnn Durgin’s fifth published, full-length novel. She is the author of THE LEWIS LEGACY SERIES: AWAKENING, SECOND TIME AROUND, TWIN HEARTS, and DAYDREAMS (Torn Veil Books), and Christmas novellas, MEET ME UNDER THE MISTLETOE and its sequel (coming for the 2013 holiday season), STARLIGHT, STAR BRIGHT (Pelican Book Group/White Rose Publishing). An estate administration paralegal in a Louisville, Kentucky law firm, JoAnn lives with her family in southern Indiana. A member of the American Christian Fiction Writers (national and Indiana chapter) and the Louisville Christian Writers, JoAnn’s prayer is that her contemporary romantic adventures will touch hearts and lives with the redeeming love of Jesus Christ. She’d love to hear from you at www.joanndurgin.com or via her "Author JoAnn Durgin" page on Facebook.

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