BATHSHEBA - Jill Eileen Smith - Free Book

Welcome back, Jill. Why do you write the kind of books you do?

I love biblical fiction. When I was in my teens, I read Two From Galilee by Marjorie Holmes. When I closed the last page on that book, I thought, “These people were real!” I fell in love with the Bible after that and have loved biblical fiction ever since. I hope my stories do the same for my readers.

I loved that book, too. Besides when you came to know the Lord, what is the happiest day in your life?

I’m not sure I could pinpoint just one happy day. Some of my happiest days have involved my marriage, the birth of my children, seeing my sons come to faith in Christ, and so much more. Impossible to choose just one!

How has being published changed your life?

I’m busy in a different way. When my boys were young, I homeschooled them. Life was full and never dull! I was also learning the craft of writing during those years, so I was always working at something. Now my work centers more on writing, answering emails, keeping up with social networks and maintaining in person and online friendships. I worked myself out of a job in my first homeschooling mom career. I’m grateful that God has given me another to take its place.

What are you reading right now?

I’m studying Isaac and Rebekah’s story in the Old Testament and reading Matthew in the New. I usually have several books going at once – fiction and non-fiction. A recent read was Jules Verne’s Around the World in 80 Days. Loved it!

What is your current work in progress?

Rebekah (working title) book two in The Wives of the Patriarchs series.

Sounds interesting. What would be your dream vacation?

Hmm…I took my dream vacation in 2008 when we went to Israel. I would go back in a heartbeat. California holds a special place in my heart, and I would like to visit more cities there, particularly Carmel-by-the-Sea. I would love to see Europe someday too, and if the Middle East is ever peaceful, I’d enjoy touring the ancient ruins of Babylon to explore the history of ancient Mesopotamia (my setting for this series).

I've been to Carmel-by-the-Sea. It's lovely. How do you choose your settings for each book?

The Bible chooses the settings for me. The Wives of King David series had its settings in ancient Jerusalem, ancient Gibeah, ancient Philistia, and ancient Judea. The Wives of the Patriarchs is set back 1000 years in ancient Mesopotamia, ancient Egypt, and ancient Canaan.

If you could spend an evening with one person who is currently alive, who would it be and why?

Steven Spielberg. I would like to pitch him the idea of making Bathsheba into a feature film. :-) (A girl needs those fantasy dreams.)

What are your hobbies, besides writing and reading?

I haven’t done much else lately! I like to watch movies and listen to music. In the past I have crocheted, knitted, cross-stitched, done picture scrapbooking, and I enjoy sitting down to play the piano. I like to bake now and then too.

What is your most difficult writing obstacle, and how do you overcome it?

Plotting is hardest for me – gives me a headache every time! But my current obstacle is getting to know characters in the Bible of whom very little is said. The only way I’ve been able to figure out who these people were is through much prayer and much research.

What advice would you give to a beginning author?

Study the craft and write what you love. There are no shortcuts to becoming a professional author. Writing is hard work and like any other profession it takes study and perseverance to improve. When I taught piano, my students had to start at the beginning, learn the basics, and practice, practice, practice. Those who didn’t, did not progress. Writers write and the only way to improve is to write, write, write. It’s worth the effort if you love what you’re doing. If you don’t love the journey, you will not enjoy the end result.

Tell us about the featured book.

Bathsheba’s story is one of misplaced longings and life-altering choices. Like many women today, Bathsheba came from a military household. Her father and her husband were both captains in King David’s elite forces, which probably meant they saw a fair bit of action, leaving Bathsheba often alone. For a woman of her day with no children at that time, her husband’s absences were great breeding ground for discontent. For David’s part, he had reached the pinnacle of his career and grown accustomed to wealth and power. Her loneliness and his arrogance led to some devastating choices.

David got what he wanted when he took Bathsheba, but at great cost. In the end, both David and Bathsheba had to learn the redemptive power of God’s grace and the true meaning of love.

Please give us the first page of the book.

Jerusalem, 994 BC

Darkness curtained the sky, hiding the stars, sheltering Bathsheba in the inner courtyard of her home. She clutched the soft linen towel to her chest, shivering, while Uriah stood with his back to her, a sentry guarding her privacy.

“Of course you must do this, but hurry, dear wife.” His mischievous tone heated her blood. Suddenly the chilly spring breeze seeping from her bare feet to the rest of her robe-draped body didn’t seem quite so cold.

“Yes, husband. Would you like to help?” Her tone teased him, and she took courage from his own playful manner. She had Tirzah, her maid, to pour the water over her head, but if he was in such a hurry to be with her . . .

He turned to face her, his dark eyes pools of interest. She had never suggested such a thing before. Tirzah always helped her do this. It was a woman’s place, a woman’s ritual. Would his strict adherence to the law of Moses let him help her?

Did she want him to?

She pulled the robe tighter about her, watching him. He seemed to be assessing her question, and she knew him well…


You can download and read chapter one at http://www.thewivesofkingdavid.com/ on Bathsheba’s home page.

I love it. How can readers find you on the Internet?

http://www.jilleileensmith.com/
http://www.thewivesofkingdavid.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Jill-Eileen-Smith/10924241028?ref=ts
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/JillEileenSmith

Thank you, Jill, for this glimpse into your life and work. I can hardly wait for my book to come.
 
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