About The Book

Book: She’erah’s Legacy

Author: Naomi Craig

Genre: Historical fiction, Biblical fiction

Release Date: August 15, 2023

As tragedy ravages the camp, can She’erah step up and complete the outpost?

She’erahs is a woman trying to leave her mark in a man’s world. Her vision and ability surpasses her father’s, yet she remains second-in-command as they are tasked to build Pharaoh’s outposts in Canaan. She knows she is worthy of the task, but her clan is skeptical

The last place She’erah expects support is from her charioteer, but Lateef is the lone voice of encouragement. His integrity and steadfastness is a plumb-line in She’erah’s life and she can no longer deny her growing feelings for him.

Acts of sabotage threaten the construction and the shaky foundation of She’erah’s pride. It’s up to She’erah to break generations of rivalry, distrust, and jealousy—if she can learn to rely on the strengths and abilities of those around her to help.

Will she learn to trust God and others before her life’s legacy comes crumbling down around her? Click here to get your copy!

About The Author

Author of Biblical fiction, avid reader, pastor’s wife, Naomi loves reading the Bible and imagining how things were at the time. When she’s not serving in various areas at church,  trying to stay on top of mountains of dishes or convincing her rescue dog, Freeway, to be cute on command for Instagram reels, you’ll most likely find her enjoying a good book and a cup of coffee. Naomi co-hosts #BehindTheStory with Naomi and Lisa, an author interview show on YouTube and your podcast platform of choice.

More from Naomi

A woman architect in ancient times?

She’erah’s family is mentioned in five verses in 1 Chronicles 7:20- 24. In this brief detour from the list of genealogy, we learn some interesting facts.

She’erah is the granddaughter of Joseph (yes that Joseph with the coat of many colors, vizier to Pharaoh)

Two of her brothers get themselves killed for cattle rustling.

Her father, Ephraim, goes into deep mourning  for his sons.

There is a late-in-life baby (as a result of dad’s mourning)

and She’erah built Lower and Upper Beth Horon and Uzzen She’erah.

Then we are right back to the begats.

Wait, hold on. That’s all we get? What is the story behind her building these towns (two of which are still standing today)? What was the reaction of those around her?

Something I find helpful to remember is that when you know about someone’s family, you in a way know the person. With her grandfather being Joseph, suddenly we have opened a whole new world of what we know. She’erah and the clan would have had access to all of Egypt’s knowledge and resources. Where she still might have gotten backlash from her more Hebrew clan, Egyptian women had more independence, managing their husband’s estates, or even their own.

We also know the generational legacy that was passed down of the younger sibling being favored above the older. Ephraim over Manasseh, Joseph over his ten elder brothers, Jacob over Esau, Rachel over Leah, Isaac over Ishmael. I’m sure sibling rivalry could have been present.

So now we can see She’erah’s picture a little more clearly. A brilliantly minded woman determined to prove herself and her abilities. Raised in Egyptian courts, yet also Hebrew. A strange mix of cultures and dynamics that shape She’erah and nurture her gifts.

She’erah’s legacy is not only the towns she builds for  generations to come, but also how she starts the work of unearthing the deep-seated rivalry that is entrenched in her family.

I pray you’ll enjoy She’erah’s adventures, as she learns to trust the Lord and those around her.

Best Regards

Naomi

Q & A with Naomi Craig

Was there a special someone, such as a teacher, parent, or other relative, who encouraged you to pursue writing?

My daughter, Jada actually. When I first started writing, I kept it all under wraps, and when I finally declared my goal of writing a novel and being published my (then) eight-year-old started telling everyone, even the dental hygienist. It was also around that time that Jada started writing these uber-creative short stories. She has so many genius fun ideas and still pounds out the stories. I can’t wait until she is published too!

What types of research do you pursue? Books, on-site visits, etc. 

The Bible is my foremost source of research. I never want to adapt the story to what I have in my mind, but rather to fit with the story of the Bible. After that, I’ll look at commentaries, ancient writings like Josephus and Jewish traditions. I’m a visual learner, so I watch documentaries on other people’s research or Bible shows like The Chosen. While the timeline doesn’t always fit, (and of course wasn’t videoed back then;-) the simpler living helps me get rid of modern distractions.

What does a typical writing day look like? Are you structured or informal in your writing schedule?

I try to stick to a tight routine. I thrive off schedules and checking things off my list. I block off the morning to write and the afternoon to market or other things that don’t require the creating part of my brain.

Readers always want to know what is next for an author. Do you have any works in progress you can share about?

I’m currently working with my good friend Donna E. Lane on edits for a New Testament collection of interwoven novellas. And Their Numbers Grew follows Saul’s progression from persecuting the Church to being an apostle from the perspectives of Stephen, Ananias of Damascus, Barnabas, and Tabitha. ATNG releases in November of this year.

Can you tell us a little about what inspired your latest novel?

She’erah’s Legacy is based on 1 Chronicles 7:20-24. It’s just a five-verse detour from Ephraim’s genealogy and then immerses back into the begats, but in those five verses, we see brothers getting themselves killed by cattle rustling, a late-in-life/surprise baby, and a woman building three cities, two of which are still standing today. I loved researching the ramifications of She’erah being Joseph’s granddaughter. There is also the long standing family tradition of favoring the youngest (Ephraim over Manasseh, Joseph over the ten elder brothers, Jacob over Esau, Isaac over Ishmael) so I brought that dynamic into the story as well.

Blog Stops

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, September 27

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, September 28

Texas Book-aholic, September 29

Locks, Hooks and Books, September 30

The Book Club Network, October 1

Connie’s History Classroom, October 2

Artistic Nobody, October 3 (Author Interview)

The Book Nook, October 3

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, October 4

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, October 5

Tell Tale Book Reviews, October 6 (Author Interview)

For Him and My Family, October 7

Simple Harvest Reads, October 8 (Author Interview)

Christina’s Corner, October 8

By The Book, October 9 (Author Interview)

Holly’s Book Corner, October 10

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Naomi is giving away the grand prize package of a $25 Amazon gift card and a copy of the book!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/282a4/she-erah-s-legacy-celebration-tour-giveaway

Tags: Biblical fiction, historical fiction, Naomi Craig