BUILDING BENJAMIN: Naomi's Journey - Barbara M Britton - One Free Book

Welcome, Barbara. Tell us how much of yourself you write into your characters.

I try to think about what personality traits my characters will need to reach their goals in my story. I might have some of their traits, but my heroines are braver and bolder than I am—or the story would be boring. Since I write Christian fiction, my characters and I share a faith in God.

What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?

I love music, but I don’t sing very well, so I lip sync. My family and I performed in a lip sync competition as the Partridge family. I was Lori Partridge on keyboards.

When did you first discover that you were a writer?

I came to writing later in life through teaching chapel lessons. I taught kindergarten through fifth grade—all at one time—so I had to revise curriculum or write my own. I prayed for the Lord to give me creativity to craft my lesson plans and He prompted me to start writing novels. I was in my forties with children still at home, but I managed to get a few books written. As long as God keeps putting ideas in my head, I will keep writing. I enjoy bringing little-known stories in His Word to light.

Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading.

Most of the books I read are written by my friends, so they are Christian fiction or sweet romances. I enjoy a happily-ever-after. I do venture into the Young Adult genre, but most of those characters do things my parents would never have allowed—and I don’t allow as a parent!  

How do you keep your sanity in our run, run, run world?

It’s getting more and more difficult. I turn off social media and avoid computer screens when life gets stressful. It helps that I draft my novels on notepads. I like to walk when the weather is nice here in Wisconsin, and listen to music. My writing and weekly Bible studies keep me digging into the Word of God for refreshment. 

How do you choose your characters’ names?

I scan the Bible looking for names that my readers can pronounce. I try to avoid names that sound alike or start with the same letter.

What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?

I’ve been married for 29 years and have two wonderful sons who love the Lord. None of the men in my life are perfect, but they’re forgiven and loved.

If you were an animal, which one would you be, and why?

I would be our cat—the one who won the lottery. She was a stray we adopted. She isn’t very nice, but she is so cute! Everyone loves her even though she hisses at them. Go figure.

What is your favorite food?

Chocolate. I wish it was calorie-free. 

                                                                        

What is the problem with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it?

’m still battling my problem. Even though I have three books written and contracted (two are out), I doubt my writing ability. I believe Satan doesn’t want me to write about how amazing God is, so he plants doubt in my head. I tell myself to write the book I want to write, and if no one sees it, then that’s okay. I work on this issue with every book.

Tell us about the featured book.

I was reading through the Bible and came across crazy events in Judges that I had no idea were in the Bible. The book of Judges ends with a war between the tribes of Israel. The tribe of Benjamin is almost wiped out. Only 600 men survive, and they have no women or children. What are the men going to do? They abduct unsuspecting girls from the other tribes so the tribe of Benjamin will survive. My book follows three girls who are kidnapped from a festival by these Benjamite men. The tribe carries on and gives us the first king of Israel and the apostle Paul. Here is my blurb:

Love Grows Where God Grafts the Tender Shoot.

Naomi desires to dance well enough to catch the eye of a wealthy landowner. Her father needs a substantial bride price due to the deaths of her brothers at the hands of the tribe of Benjamin. But when Benjamites raid the Ephraimite feast and capture young girls, Naomi is bound and carried from her home by Eliab, a troubled shepherd who needs a wife.

As Naomi awaits rescue, she finds Eliab has a strong faith in God and a just reason for abducting her. A reason that affects all the tribes of Israel. The future of the tribe of Benjamin hangs in the balance, but if Naomi follows her heart and stays with Eliab to rebuild his lineage, she must forfeit her family and become a traitor to her tribe.

Please give us the first page of the book.

In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as they saw fit. Judges 21:25.

Shiloh, in the land of the tribe of Ephraim

Naomi peeked from behind the tent flap. Girls emerged from scattered booths, illuminated by the flames of the bonfire. The beat of a timbrel echoed over the vineyards while tambourines tinked in thanksgiving to God for an abundant crop. Naomi’s stomach hollowed at the thought of joining in the revelry at the harvest celebration. She had never danced before at the feast in a manner to seduce a husband.

Her palms dampened. It was almost time. Time to twirl and catch the eye of a landowner. With two of her brothers slain by the Benjamites, her father needed a bride price.

Movement in the moon-shadowed vineyard caught Naomi’s attention. Had a goat gotten loose among the vines? She squinted into the darkened rows of naked stalks. No leaves shook. No trellis gave way. No bleating rang out. The smoke is deceiving me. She blinked and retreated from the open flap. Cuzbi, the merchant’s daughter, came close as if to share a secret. Naomi’s reflection widened in the gold of Cuzbi’s headband. “Do not worry,” Cuzbi whispered. “Follow me and the men will line up to give our fathers gifts.”

Naomi prayed this was not a lie. Cuzbi had danced the previous harvest, and the one before, but Cuzbi’s father had not received a single shekel.

How can readers find you on the Internet?

Readers can find out about me and my books on my website (www.barbarambritton.com), or on Facebook, Goodreads, and Twitter @Barbara M. Britton.

Thanks for having me on your blog today. I’m curious if your readers were familiar with the ending of Judges.

Thank you, Barbara, for sharing this book with us.

Comment Question to answer: Were you familiar with the ending of Judges before this interview?

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Building Benjamin: Naomi's Journey (Tribes of Israel) - Paperback
Building Benjamin: Naomi's Journey (Tribes of Israel) - Kindle

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