Happy Wednesday, dear readers! Through this Saturday (culminating with a list of winners), I have the privilege of sharing mini interviews with nearly all of the 2020 ACFW Carol Award Finalists! Today I’m starting with Barbara M. Britton and her Carol Award finalist book Lioness: Mahlah’s Journey! You can check out a list of all the finalists HERE.
FYI – There will be 2-3 posts per day, and a series-long giveaway, so make sure you catch them all!
Barbara M. Britton lives in Southeast Wisconsin and loves the snow—when it accumulates under three inches. Barb is published in Biblical fiction and enjoys bringing little-known Bible characters to light in her stories. She also enjoys writing Christian Historical Fiction. Barb 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. Find out more about Barb’s books at www.barbarambritton.com/books.html
LIONESS: MAHLAH’S JOURNEY
SERIES: Daughters of Zelophehad #1
GENRE: Inspirational Historical Fiction
PUBLISHER: Harbourlight Books
RELEASE DATE: October 18, 2019
PAGES: 254
While the Israelites struggle to occupy the Promised Land of God, Mahlah bat Zelophehad is orphaned and left to care for her four sisters. But daughters of the dead are unable to inherit land, and it will take a miracle for Mahlah to obtain the means to care for her sisters and uphold the vow she made to her dying mother.
Mahlah must seek Moses, the leader of her people, and request something extraordinary—the right for a daughter to inherit her deceased father’s land. A right that will upset the ox-cart of male inheritance and cast her in the role of a rebel.
But, God is the protector of the orphan and the widow, and five orphaned daughters need His help. With God, anything is possible. Even changing man’s tradition.
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Hi Barbara! Welcome back to the blog!
Q: How has Christian fiction impacted you personally?
Barbara: I had no idea there was a Christian publishing world for most of my life. I discovered Christian Fiction when I received my first publishing contract. I had been trying to sell Bible-themed stories to General Market agents and editors, and now I know why they weren’t biting. I enjoy reading about people of faith who have struggles and triumphs in the Christian life. I can relate to the stories in my own faith walk and fill my heart and mind with faith-based literature.
Carrie: so true!
Q: When you’re not writing your next award-nominated book 😉 who are your fave authors to read & why?
Barbara: For thirteen years, I have been meeting authors and interacting with several them as I strived to be published. It’s almost impossible to pick favorites. Industry professionals say to read in your genre, so I read Tessa Afshar and Mesu Andrews quite often. These two ladies bring emotion and depth to Bible stories. I also enjoy Olivia Rae’s Medieval stories.
Carrie: I love Tessa & Mesu! I haven’t read Olivia Rae yet but will add her to my TBR 🙂
Q: Do you have any strange writing habits/quirks?
Barbara: For years, I have met writing friends at a local Barnes & Noble to write and talk shop. My drink of choice has been hot chocolate. If I’m going to a writing event, even in the middle of summer, I crave hot chocolate. There’s increased word counts with whipped cream.
Carrie: I wholeheartedly support this message! lol
Q: Which of your characters has really stretched you as a writer?
Barbara: Jeremiah ben Abishua has a small role in “Lioness.” Jeremiah is a shepherd who can’t speak or hear. He communicates with creative sign language. When I decided to continue on and follow the daughters of Zelophehad through the book of Joshua, Jeremiah became my hero in book two. What had I done? I had to write chapters in Jeremiah’s head because of his lack of communication skills. I think he turned out fine. Readers tell me he’s swoon worthy.
Carrie: he sounds completely swoon worthy indeed!
Q: What is something God taught you while you wrote Lioness: Mahlah’s Journey?
Barbara: The story of the daughters of Zelophehad was new to me as a Christian. Why hadn’t I heard this amazing story before? Five orphaned sisters secured land rights for women and most people didn’t know who they were. I was struck by the faith of the sisters and their confidence that God would watch over them and bestow land on them—something that wasn’t happening in their culture. I imagine conflict surrounded the girls’ request. Their strength, courage, and faith is a beacon for Christians today.
I was also struck how the Bible is always teaching me something new. God meets me where I’m at in my life journey and gives me His wisdom.
Carrie: Their story had never registered with me until I first chatted with you about this series!
Q: What is one of your favorite quotes from Lioness: Mahlah’s Journey & why do you love it?
Barbara: Moses led the people of Israel in the wilderness until they crossed the Jordan River into Canaan. Mahlah interacts with Moses one final time as she and her sisters prepare to cross the river. The words I have Moses speak could be said to any female Christ follower today.
“A righteous woman armed with the truth is a frightful opponent. Fear not as you go forth with God.”
Carrie: amen ♥
I am offering one reader any TWO books (print copies) that finaled in the 2020 Carol Awards! (open internationally as long as Book Depository ships to your address) This giveaway is subject to Reading Is My SuperPower’s giveaway policies which can be found here. Enter via the Rafflecopter form below.
What about you? What makes you want to read the short novel Carol Award finalist Lioness: Mahlah’s Journey by Barbara M Britton & what did you enjoy about Barbara’s answers?
What an incredible quote!! I love biblical fiction, but have not read any of Lady Barbara’s. Adding to my TBR pile. Thanks for sharing!! 🥰📚
Thank you for adding me to your TBR pile, Becky. The daughters of Zelophehad still amaze me with their courage and faith.
Another new-to-me author! The fact that this is inspirational intrigues me!
I wish I knew this story sooner, Melissa. The bravery, faith, and boldness of these girls is awe inspiring. So much Scripture. So many sisters. Thanks for joining us.
I would like to learn more about these biblical characters and see what kind of story they inspired. Yet another great quote about strong women, but with an important faith-slant.
Thanks from joining us, Dawn. These fabulous girls are hidden in the book of Numbers and Joshua. They had to be strong to change the course of society’s customs and traditions.
You are a new author to me.
I’m glad we “met,” Lori. I enjoy writing biblical fiction and stories of faith.
I love that quote!
Thank you, Megan. I think I need to post it above my computer. How quick we are to forget the power we have in Christ.
Sounds like a good read.
Thank you, Rita. You can find the girls in Scripture:
Numbers 26;33, 27:1-11, 36:1-12 and Joshua 17:3-6
Sounds like a good read.
Hi Kim. I was thrilled to discover this Bible story. I hope more people will learn about these amazing women.
I never really thought about an author going to Barnes and Nobles to write or anywhere around people really. That’s interesting.
Hi Lynn. When I’m in the zone of writing, a band could parade by and I wouldn’t hear them. I enjoy a change of scenery when I’m writing.
I enjoy Biblical fiction!
I know you do, Caryl. I like Biblical Fiction readers.
I enjoyed the interview and am glad that someone else discovered Christian fiction a little later in life like I did. I love the quote from her book and it does ring true.
Better late to Christian Fiction than never, right Perrianne. I’m glad we both found CF.
I love that this has to do with little known characters in the Bible. I just finished my first Barbara Britton book Until June and loved it! I need to read some more!
Hi Donna! I’m glad you enjoyed “Until June.” That Historical is a bit different than my Biblicals, but I think you will see some similarities in how I create characters and plot scenes. It’s great seeing you here.
I love a good Biblical fiction book! And this particular story intrigues me because no one ever talks about those five sisters, but it’s such an interesting snippet from the Bible!!
If you read this book (or the series), you will never forget the daughters of Zelophehad–trust me. I’m so glad my friend mentioned them to me at Bible Study. I had no clue this story existed. These girls are champions in their faith and trust in God. Thanks for joining us, Elizabeth.
I highly recommend this book. A great biblical tale.
Thanks so much, Paula. I’m happy you enjoyed it.
Barbara Britton is a new author to me. I love to discover additional Christian fiction authors!
Hi Suzanne. I can’t take all the credit for the tale of these girls. The Bible gives me a great narrrative. I had fun bringing them to life in fiction.
I really enjoyed this interview, and love your writing, Barb. Maybe it’s the hot cocoa, which is supposed to be good for our brains.
I do love my hot cocoa. It’s great for Wisconsin winters. Thanks for all your encouragement, LoRee.
The book sounds marvelous. Hot chocolate would get my muse going.
Hi Mary. There’s just something about chocolate. I’m delighted to bring the story of these brave girls to readers who missed the story in the Bible–like I did for so many years.
After reading Lioness: Mahlah’s Journey, I bought the other two books of the series. I enjoyed all three so much; Barbara brings Bible stories to life. I will be looking for more books by this author.
Thank you for reading the series, Roxanne. I was only going to write “Lioness,” and then I realized the girls didn’t have their land. So, I wrote two more books taking the girls through the book of Joshua. I’m happy that you took that journey with me and my favorite 5 sisters.
While nothing can replace the Bible, I love reading Biblical fiction as it helps me to imagine so much more about the people and the time periods in which they lived. I like your quote, Barbara -my goal is to be a righteous woman armed with the truth!
Hi Karen. I hope everyone reads the Scripture associated with biblical fiction. Fiction can make the stories memorable in a different way. I think I’ve forgotten things I’ve learned about the Bible years ago. When I went back to my manuscript to find a quote, I said, “I wrote that?” Isn’t being a Christian writer wonderful. We can ask the Spirit for help.
It sounds like a very interesting book. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you for joining us, Diana. I’m glad there was so much Scripture on these sisters. It made my job easier.
I love Barbara’s stories!
Thank you, Natalya! Writing about these sisters was such a blessing. I’m glad you enjoyed them, too.
Reading biblical fiction helps me go deeper into scripture. When I read biblical fiction, I like to look in the Bible, and compare what the book says with what’s contained in scripture.
I hope every reader goes to the Bible and looks up the story. That way, you get a visual of where the story is in the Bible with the original text. Thanks for joining us, Connie.
Hi Barbara, it was so nice to get to know you through the interview! You are a new to me author and I can’t wait to read your books!
Hi MJ! It’s great of Carrie to do these interviews so readers can find new authors. I’m glad you have found me. I feel blessed to have discovered this story in the Bible and to be able to bring it to the attention of many more people.
She’s a new to me author but I love Biblical fiction.
Hi MJSH. I love Biblical Fiction readers. Thanks for joining us.
Good luck!
Thank you, Naomi! I’m the only Biblical Fiction novel represented this year, so I would love to win one for BF writers.
This book sounds so good, I would love to read it.
Thank you, Judi. I’m partial to the sisters I created, but the Bible story is amazing, too. I’m so glad I discovered it–even though I would have loved to learn about the sisters sooner. Thanks for joining us.
Fun interview! Thanks for sharing.
Thank you for joining us, Audrey. I had so much fun bringing the daughters of Zelophehad to the page.