Happy Tuesday! Did you spend yesterday in the path of totality? The eclipse had everyone looking up. While we only experienced about 75%, our cabin in the north Georgia woods was in that totality path in 2017. It definitely was an awesome and eerie experience! Today’s TTT is a Freebie, and I wasn’t sure what to post until I sawCindy’s BookCorner’spost. Thanks for the inspiration!
Scripture says you only have to look to the heavens to find God (Psalm 19:1). The sun, moon, and stars in their courses above join withall nature in manifold witness . . . . So today I am featuring inspirational fiction with sun, moon, and stars in the titles. I hope you find one to love.
While I probably need a few reading superpowers — being able to stay awake later to get in just one more chapter or reading without becoming distracted — I drew a blank this week. So true to form I am going off topic. Reading itself is a tremendous superpower — it transports you to other eras and worlds, it can make you smarter, and it can make you more empathetic. So let’s celebrate that we read — we have an indispensable superpower!
The books in my list this week are those that made me think, made me feel, and took to me to other places and times. All fed my soul, taught me something, and engaged my emotions. Maybe the authors are really the ones with superpowers!
Up from The Dust by Heather Kaufman is historical fiction from the viewpoint of Martha of Bethany. Yes, the Martha, the friend of Jesus who often gets maligned for her scolding of her sister Mary and her whining to Jesus. Did I think that was all there was to Martha? Absolutely not! And this book reinforced that belief. I loved it! More below.
Martha of Bethany is no stranger to adversity. After her mother’s untimely death, Martha shoulders the responsibility of raising her siblings–quiet and studious Lazarus, and wild and rambunctious Mary. She finds solace in friendship and the beginnings of first love, but just as Martha begins to imagine a new future, hardship strikes again and her dreams crumble into dust.
Ten years later, Martha’s friend pleads for the new teacher, Jesus of Nazareth, to come and heal her husband. When Martha discovers that the carpenter-rabbi is connected to her past, she’s not sure she can trust him with her future. But as he continues to perform miracles, the invitation to believe becomes harder to resist, renewing Martha’s hardened heart, even as she faces an unknown future.
Heather Kaufman lives in the Midwest with her husband and three children. She holds a BA from McKendree University and an MA from the University of Missouri—St. Louis. When not reading or writing, she can be found drinking copious amounts of coffee and exploring new parks with her family.
My Impressions:
Up from The Dust by Heather Kaufman is a well-written and researched look at Martha of Bethany. Yes, that Martha from the New Testament. The novel is told in the first person voice of Martha and is divided into two parts — Martha’s fictionalized backstory and the point at which Jesus enters into Martha’s life. I loved the very credible history Kaufman invents for Martha. While it is purely fictional, it allowed me to see just how Martha could have been molded by her family relationships, her experiences, and her doubts and hurts to become the woman that is presented in the Gospel. Martha was in Jesus words “worried and upset about many things”, and Up from The Dust presents just such a character. I have always felt sympathetic towards the biblical Martha, maybe because I too struggle with worry and my desire to have everything just so. I gained insight into just what made Martha tick. Do we really know why she was the way she was? No, but this book helps to make Martha flesh and blood.
Part two of the novel explores Jesus’ ministry from Martha’s lens. Her faith in Him grows as she witnesses Jesus’ love, compassion, power, and sovereignty. One of the sentences that especially spoke to me is as follows — Perhaps he was larger than my history, more powerful than my pain. Perhaps I did not have to understand him completely to trust him. Reading this book was akin to being there for Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem and the horror of His death. The scenes depicting how the Earth responded are especially moving.
While nothing replaces scripture in understanding God, well-done biblical fiction reminds us of the real people who encountered Him and how they are not so different from ourselves. I found this book illuminating, uplifting, and encouraging. Up from The Dust is a good choice for a book club — you will want to talk about it!
Highly Recommended.
Great for Book Clubs.
Audience: Adults
(I received a complimentary copy from Bethany House. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)
I am so pleased to spotlight Heather Kaufman’s Biblical fiction offering, Up From The Dust. This novel is the first book in the Women of The Way series and features Martha of Bethany from the New Testament. Isn’t the cover beautiful?! I will post a review later this month.
But for now, here’s the first line:
Firelight illuminates their faces — these beautiful, inquisitive children with wide-open hearts.
Martha of Bethany is no stranger to adversity. After her mother’s untimely death, Martha shoulders the responsibility of raising her siblings–quiet and studious Lazarus, and wild and rambunctious Mary. She finds solace in friendship and the beginnings of first love, but just as Martha begins to imagine a new future, hardship strikes again and her dreams crumble into dust.
Ten years later, Martha’s friend pleads for the new teacher, Jesus of Nazareth, to come and heal her husband. When Martha discovers that the carpenter-rabbi is connected to her past, she’s not sure she can trust him with her future. But as he continues to perform miracles, the invitation to believe becomes harder to resist, renewing Martha’s hardened heart, even as she faces an unknown future.
Heather Kaufman lives in the Midwest with her husband and three children. She holds a BA from McKendree University and an MA from the University of Missouri—St. Louis. When not reading or writing, she can be found drinking copious amounts of coffee and exploring new parks with her family.
Happy Tuesday! Today’s TTT topic is fortunately or unfortunately (depending how you look at these things) an easy post for me. In my reading life, my eyes are bigger than the time I have available to read. 🙁 This leads to a lot of poor, deserving books left alone on the shelf. And I have to confess, I have more than 10. 🙁
Let me know if you read any of the books on my list so that I can move them closer to the top of my towering TBR pile.
Happy Tuesday! I hope Santa brought you a whole sleigh full of books and bookish goodies! I am writing this several days ahead, but I can almost guarantee that I did not get any books. And not because I was naughty! 😉 My family just thinks I have enough books, already. LOL! They could be right.
Today I am sharing the most recent additions to my NetGalley shelf. I am hoping to get some of them knocked out over the holiday.
My book club read Daughter of Eden by Jill Eileen Smith this month. We haven’t met to discuss it yet, but I am hoping for some lively discussion. The novel based on the Biblical story of Adam and Eve presents some interesting what-ifs. You can read my review HERE.
If you liked it too, here is a list of books you may enjoy:
Havah: The Story of Eve by Tosca Lee
Created, not born. Her name is Eve. Myth and legend shroud her in mystery. Now hear her story.
She knew this earth when it was perfect – as she was perfect, a creature without flaw. Created by God in a manner like no other, Eve lived in utter peace as the world’s first woman, until she made a choice, one mistake for which all of humanity would suffer. But what did it feel like to be the first person to sin and experience exile; to see innocence crumble so vividly; and to witness a new strange, darker world emerge in its place?
From paradise to exile, from immortality to the death of Adam, experience the epic dawn of mankind through the eyes and heart of Eve – the woman first known as Havah.
The Heavens Before by Kacy Barnett-Gramckow
Marginalized by society and mistreated by her own family, Annah befriends a young man she’s never seen before. Shem is captivated by Annah’s courage, and he risks everything to help her gain her freedom. Trusting in the Most High, Annah marries Shem and joins her strange new family in their solitary faith that will ultimately separate them from an ancient world of amazing beauty and appalling violence–a world fast approaching the unimaginable catastrophe of the Great Flood. Out of this chaos, only eight people will survive. Their world is our world. Their future is our own.
Praise for the first book in Kacy’s The Genesis Trilogy:
The Heavens Before is full of incredible characters living during an incredible time period. It’s a compelling story of one woman’s choices between those contrasts. Highly recommended. -Tim Frankovich, Christian Fiction Review
This novel breathes life into the familiar story of Noah’s ark. This book is an engaging and informative read for anyone interested in the Flood, but many will also enjoy the insightful characters. -Christian Library Journal
The Ark And The Dove by Jill Eileen Smith (releases January 2024)
Zara and Noah have walked together with the Creator for their entire lives, and they have done their best in an increasingly wicked and defiant world to raise their three sons to follow in their footsteps. It has been a challenge–and it’s about to get much, much harder.
When the Creator tells her husband to build an ark to escape the coming wrath against the sins of humankind, Zara steps out with him in faith. But the derision and sabotage directed their way from both friends and extended family are difficult to bear, as is knowing that everyone she interacts with beyond her husband, her sons, and their wives is doomed to destruction. And when the ark is finally finished and the animals have been shut up inside, Zara and her family embark on an adventure that will test their patience and their faith as they await deliverance and dry ground.
Experience the story of Noah and the flood like you never have before. With bestselling and award-winning author Jill Eileen Smith as your guide, you’ll never look at a rainbow the same way again.
This month my book club is traveling way back in time to the very beginning with Daughter of Eden by Jill Eileen Smith. I believe this fascinating look into what could have happened at the dawn of time will generate a lot of great discussion. Won’t you join us? If you have already read this novel, please share your thoughts with us.
The first time she opens her eyes, Eve gazes on One whose beauty nearly blinds her, whose breath is in her lungs. Her Creator takes her hand and gives her to one like her and yet different. Together, she and Adam experience pure joy as they explore Eden. But her favorite moments are when the Creator comes to walk with them, day after day.
Until everything changes. With one act of disobedience, Eve finds that her world is no longer a friendly place. With remorse in her heart, she must face the unknown future–the births, the deaths, the sacrifices, the loss of the one home she has ever known. Perhaps worst of all is the loss of trust, not only with her Creator but with the man who shares her life. How will they ever survive out of Eden?
Bestselling biblical fiction author Jill Eileen Smith imagines the life of the first woman to ever live, unspooling a story of love, loss, and the promise of redemption.
Jill Eileen Smith is the bestselling, award-winning author of the Wives of King David series, Wives of the Patriarchs, Daughters of the Promised Land, The Heart of a King, Star of Persia, Miriam’s Song, and the nonfiction When Life Doesn’t Match Your Dreams, and She Walked Before Us. Her research has taken her from the Bible to Israel, and she particularly enjoys learning how women lived in Old Testament times.
When she isn’t writing, she loves to spend time with her family and friends, read stories that take her away, ride her bike to the park, snag date nights with her hubby, try out new restaurants, or play with her lovable, “helpful” cat Tiger. Jill lives with her family in southeast Michigan.
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 TheChosen. 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.
Happy Tuesday! Today’s TTT is Water. Bloggers could choose titles or covers depicting water. I could have gone with places you find water — lakes, creeks, rivers, oceans, bays, waves, rain . . . even tears, but I chose to stick to plain old water(s) in the title. I was amazed at how quickly I compiled 10 titles. All but one of the novels has water on its cover too! Win-win! The books chosen represent a variety of genres, so there should be one you like.
Many of the books I review are provided to me free of charge from publishers, authors, or other groups in return for a review. The opinions expressed in the reviews are mine and mine alone. No monetary consideration is given. This disclaimer is in accordance with FTC rules.
I am an Amazon.com affiliate, which means that I earn a small percentage of the sales from products purchased through links on my site. I NEVER recommend a book in order to receive a profit. Proceeds from affiliate sales help to defray operating costs of the blog.
Giveaways are open to persons 18 years or older. All winners are picked randomly. No purchases are necessary to enter a giveaway. All giveaways are for US entries only and are void where prohibited.
GDPR compliance -- the email address you leave when you subscribe to the blog or leave a comment, is used only to notify winners of giveaways or to send an email whenever a post goes live. That's it.
For a more detailed privacy policy for Wordpress sites, go to https://wordpress.org/about/privacy/.
Recent Comments