THE TOMB - Stephanie Landsem - One Free Book, Plus More

Welcome back, Stephanie. God has really been moving in your writing life. What do you see on the horizon?

I do see God moving in my writing life and hope each day that I’m open to his will. Right now, I’m discerning where to go next with my writing. I pray that the Holy Spirit will continue to inspire me as He has been for the last few years.

Tell us a little about your family.

Absolutely. My first vocation is as a wife and mother. I’ve been married for 25 years to a wonderful man who is always supporting me whether I’m writing, volunteering, or planning a trip to somewhere amazing. I have four kids, two boys and two girls, ages 21 down to 13. They are my greatest inspiration and joy.

Has your writing changed your reading habits? If so, how?

Mostly, I read less than I used to just because I have less time. I also read more critically, which is probably a good thing but often I wish I could just lose myself in the story like I did before I wrote books, instead of analyzing the characters, the plot, and the sentence structure.

What are you working on right now?

I’ve been looking into new historical periods and have some ideas for an upcoming novel that blends my love for the Bible with a new historical period. I hope to be able to share more soon!

What outside interests do you have?

I love to travel and am lucky that I’ve been able to see many parts of the world and have visited 4 continents. I’d love to go to Australia before my kids are too busy to travel with us. I love to cook, especially new ethnic cuisine from places where I’ve traveled. When I can’t go to new places, I like to be outside hiking, taking walks, or even snowshoeing during our long Minnesota winters. When it’s too cold outside (like today, the wind chill is 26 degrees below zero), there’s no better place to be than curled up with a good book and a cat.

How do you choose your settings for each book?

In The Living Water Series, I think the settings chose me! The characters are what initially drew me in, and the settings came later as I researched Samaria, Jerusalem, and finally the small town of Bethany where Martha, Mary, and Lazarus lived.

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

If I had to choose I would say Mary, the mother of Jesus. She knew him best and I would never tire of hearing her stories of her son’s childhood and early years, something we know nothing about.

What is the one thing you wish you had known before you started writing novels?

I wish someone would have told me how it would take over your life! I think writing fiction—especially Christian fiction—is more than a job, it’s a vocation. It seems to get into every part of your life: your family, friends, and your work within your church. I had no idea how much my life would change with the publication of my first book.

What new lessons is the Lord teaching you right now?

Patience. As I wait to determine what my next step will be in writing and answer the question I get at least once a day: “What is your next book about?”, I’m learning to be patient and wait for the Lord’s timing and inspiration.

What are the three best things you can tell other authors to do to be successful?

For an author just starting out with an idea or a rough manuscript, I’d say a critique group is a great step. I don’t know what I’d do without honest, constructive feedback on my novels. Next, I’d encourage a new author to enter contests for unpublished writers such as the ACFW Genesis contest. It takes courage to hit Enter and send your writing out into the world, but it is excellent practice for when you query agents and editors. And finally, don’t forget to pray and trust in God’s plan for you. He has one. And it might not be what you expect.

Tell us about the featured book.

The Tomb, A Novel of Martha, is a surprising story of the family at Bethany and the raising of Lazarus from the dead.

Everyone in Bethany admires Martha—the perfect Jewish woman. She feeds and clothes her loved ones, looks after the family farm, and meticulously follows every precept of the Pharisees’ strict laws. But Martha is hiding a secret. At her sister’s marriage feast, she gave her heart and her innocence to a young musician who promised to return and marry her, but instead betrayed her love and abandoned her.

Seven years later, only two people in Bethany know of Martha’s secret sin: her brother, Lazarus, and Simon, the righteous Pharisee to whom Martha is betrothed. When Lazarus falls ill, Martha is faced with a choice: send for Jesus to save her dying brother—risking the wrath of Simon who threatens to betray her—or deny Jesus’ healing power and remain trapped in her tomb of secrecy and lies.

Meanwhile, on the shores of Galilee, Isa roams the wilderness, tortured by demons and knowing only that someone is waiting for him. When he is healed by Jesus, he finds that seven years have passed since his descent into madness. Isa journeys home to Bethany only to find he is too late to win back Martha’s love.

When Martha risks all to heal Lazarus, will Jesus arrive in time, or will he—like Isa—come too late?

Please give us the first page of the book.

Hear, O children, a father’s instruction, be attentive that you may gain understanding! Proverbs 4:1

Martha clenched her teeth so tight her jaw ached. She’d kept quiet for seven days. Seven days. Now she felt like a pot left too long over the fire. If another old woman gave her a pitying glance, if one more village girl whispered behind her hand ... by the Most High, she’d boil over.

She filled a cup for Josiah, her sister’s new husband. Who would have believed it? Sirach of Bethany’s daughter—his youngest daughter!—choosing her own husband. And what a husband he was. Josiah had many good qualities. He was kind and patient and everyone knew how he loved Mary. But he was also poor and none too smart. Even his own mother admitted that he as useful as a three-legged donkey.

She took a deep breath and poured a cup of wine for Abba, careful not to spill a drop on his fine linen tunic. It wasn’t fair. It wasn’t fair that Mary got to choose and she didn’t.

When Abba agreed to the betrothal a full year ago, the women of Bethany had gossiped for weeks. Most had concluded that Sirach was eager to be rid of Mary, his grown daughter who spent more time playing with the village children than taking care of her father’s household. But they were wrong. Abba loved Mary just as much as he loved Martha and Lazarus.

Now, at almost fifteen years, Mary was ready to start her own family with a man she adored. Martha was glad that Abba had allowed Mary her hearts desire. If only he could allow Martha hers.

If Mary can choose Josiah, can’t I have a say in my husband? But of course, she knew why.

How can readers find you on the Internet? 

Visit StephanieLandsem.com

Follow @StephLandsem on Twitter

Like Stephanie Landsem on Facebook

Thank you, Stephanie, for sharing this new book with us.

Dear Readers, Stephanie is having a blog tour giveaway in addition to the one on this blog. 
Here is the link to that: http://www.stephanielandsem.com/2015/03/blog-tour-giveaway/

Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
The Tomb - Christianbook.com
The Tomb: A Novel of Martha (The Living Water Series) - Amazon
The Tomb: A Novel of Martha (Living Water Series Book 3) - Kindle

Christian Book Store

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