DAUGHTER OF EDEN - Jill Eileen Smith - One Free Book

Bio: Jill Eileen Smith is the bestselling and award-winning author of the biblical fiction series The Wives of King David, Wives of the Patriarchs, and Daughters of the Promised Land, as well as The Heart of a King, Star of Persia: Esther’s Story, Miriam’s Song, and The Prince and the Prodigal. She is also the author of the nonfiction books When Life Doesn’t Match Your Dreams and She Walked Before Us. Jill lives with her family in southeast Michigan.

Welcome to my blog. Please provide a brief summary of your new book, Daughter of Eden. The first time her eyes open, Eve gazes on one whose beauty nearly blinds her, the one who has given her breath in her lungs. The Creator takes her hand and gives her to one who is like her and yet very different. A burst of joy fills her entire being. The man’s fingers intertwine with hers, and together they run and laugh, celebrate creation, and explore Eden. But her favorite moments are when the Creator comes to walk with them in the cool of the day. Day after day for as long as she can remember, all is perfect . . . until everything changes when she disobeys Him.

Suddenly, the world is no longer a friendly place of trust. She faces the dark, the unknown future, births, deaths, sacrifices, and the loss of so much, including the loss of trust, not only in the Creator but in the man who shares her life—the only other human in the world. How will they ever survive out of Eden?

Daughter of Eden is your fifteenth biblical novel. Why did you decide to write about the life of Eve? Eve has always fascinated me. I’ve pondered why she gave in to temptation when she was created without sin. She had no inner sin nature to wrestle with. So was it outside influence alone (from the serpent) or the knowledge that she and Adam had been given a choice that led to her downfall? I wanted to explore Eden, which also fascinates me, and what life was like after sin entered the world. Most of all, who was Eve? Writing her story allowed me to pursue the answer to that question, at least to my satisfaction.

Breaking God’s trust is one of Eve’s biggest regrets. How did this one act of disobedience forever change the world that she was living in? The obvious answer, of course, is that Adam and Eve were barred from ever entering the Garden of Eden again. Life outside of the garden held the curse on the earth (thorns and thistles) and the pain Eve (and all women) would suffer in childbirth. Animals were no longer friendly, and some became dangerous carnivores when in the past they had all been plant eaters. Adam and Eve no longer had God’s presence with them on a daily basis and had to figure out how to survive in a world that was no longer friendly. Their one act of disobedience changed human nature forever. We are still feeling the effects of sin today.

There are so many valuable lessons that we can learn from Eve. Can you please expound upon some of them? I think Eve learned the hard way, as we all do, that disobedience to God has consequences. When God says “Do this” or “Don’t do that,” He means it. And if He says there will be consequences for certain choices, we can be certain He means that too and will carry them out.

If we want to live at peace with God, we need to bring Him our regrets. We need to be honest with Him about our struggles and confess our sins. He is merciful and loves us, but when we hide from Him, He can’t help us. He waits for us to seek Him and calls us to do just that.

We are responsible to God for our own choices, not the choices of another, even if that person is our son or daughter. In Eve’s story, she feels guilty over Cain killing his brother Abel. She struggles with guilt, blaming herself when her children sin because she was the one who began it all. She had to learn that although her children inherited a sin nature from their parents, they still grew up to make their own choices. Parents today still struggle with blaming themselves for their children’s poor choices. But each person answers to God on their own.

You are well known for your detailed research. What type of research was required to write Daughter of Eden? No one knows the location of Eden. There is no historical or archaeological evidence left to prove that it existed, but we have Scripture and ancient stories of creation. I studied the scriptural account and the unseen realm and tried to fit together the pieces of when God created the angels, the heavens and the earth, and people, and when the angels rebelled. All of that affected Adam and Eve, so the story was mostly written based on how I envisioned creation coming together and what Eden might have looked like. Since I enjoy imagining heaven, it wasn’t hard to imagine Eden.

After the fall was harder. Adam and Eve had nothing and no one to help them, so I had to research how people survive with little. For instance, when Adam utilizes every part of the lion he is forced to kill, I took that from indigenous people using every part of a buffalo. People of old wasted nothing—not like we do today—so I used that idea. I believe God created intelligent human beings from the start, and since they lived hundreds of years, they would have become very good at utilizing the earth’s resources. I wrote from that premise.

The setting for Daughter of Eden is the Garden of Eden. Can you provide a contrast between Eden and Eve’s life after the fall? If we can imagine heaven, we can picture Eden. It was a place of perfection, beautiful, without flaw or defect. God walked there with humanity, exactly as He always intended to do. There was nothing separating Adam and Eve from Him. It was God’s intention from the beginning to dwell with humanity. All of Scripture reflects this desire. The incarnation of Jesus Christ, his death, and his resurrection fulfill what was lost in Eden. God could walk with men and women again, but this time instead of providing a temporary covering for their sin, Jesus provided a permanent solution.

When Adam and Eve sinned, life became what we know today—a very broken world that grows only more grievous with time. From the very first act of disobedience against Him, God promised Eve that He would send a Redeemer to fix what they had broken. Jesus did that. By trusting in Him, we can one day walk with Him in paradise as God always meant it to be.

How did the fall impact Eve’s life with her husband, Adam? If we look at relationships between husbands and wives today, we know that there is no perfect marriage, no perfect human connection. Sin caused all of us to become deeply self-centered, whether we realize it or not. Marriage is self-sacrificing by its very nature, or at least it should be to succeed. I have no doubt that Adam and Eve struggled and failed to regain the perfect love they had in Eden. I can’t imagine how hard that was to accept.

What do you love most about writing biblical novels? I love studying the stories in Scripture and trying to see God’s message to us in the people’s life histories. It takes time to understand what might have been, and some books are more challenging to write than others depending on how much Scripture tells us. I find that God always teaches me something in the process of recording the stories.

What are you working on next? I’m currently writing the first draft of Noah’s Wife. She is unnamed in Scripture, but history gives several possible names for her. I’ve chosen to name her Emzara from the Book of Jubilees, which is the name given to her at the Ark Encounter in Kentucky.

How can readers connect with you?

Find me on my website: www.jilleileensmith.com

Sign up for my newsletter: https://madmimi.com/signups/f28a2c9636d34025a7d95532d4d8f207/join

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Twitter: https://twitter.com/jilleileensmith?lang=en

Thank you, Jill, for sharing Daughter of Eden with us. When I received the book, I read the first chapter. The writing is so lyrical. I had to stop reading when my husband’s kidneys failed. Things are getting better with him, and I’m eager to get back to your book.

Readers, here’s a link to the book.

https://www.amazon.com/Daughter-Eden-Jill-Eileen-Smith/dp/0800742613/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1680816133&sr=1-1

Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. You must follow these instructions to be in the drawing. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory or country if outside North America. (Comments containing links may be subject to removal by g owner.)

Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.

The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 2 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.

If you’re reading this on Goodreads, Feedblitz, Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link: Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com 

THE PRINCE AND THE PRODIGAL - Jill Eileen Smith - One Free Book

Welcome back, Jill. Tell us about your salvation experience. The first time I seriously thought about death was when I rode home from the funeral home with my parents after a man my dad worked with had died. I started asking questions, and I became very worried about the future. What happened when we died? What did death even mean? The worries grew to fears and though I’m sure my parents answered my questions, I couldn’t quite grasp their explanations.

One day, to help me understand it all better, in a way my eight-year-old mind could comprehend, my big sister handed me a little booklet titled, My Heart – Christ’s Home by Robert Boyd Munger. I plopped onto my parents’ big bed and read it cover to cover. Mr. Munger’s book pierced my heart. It exposed the fact that I was a sinner and that Jesus wanted to come into my heart and cleanse every room, taking ownership of the whole house. He would make my heart clean and whole, if I would but give him the keys.

As I closed the book, my eyes shut with it and I prayed with every ounce of my being. “Dear Lord, please come into my heart.” I opened my hand and offered him the imaginary keys. “And take all the keys to every room. Clean them out and live there. I give my whole heart to you.” To the best of my child-like ability, I surrendered my life to Jesus. When my prayer ended, I felt this all-encompassing sense of peace. I tested it right away with thoughts of dying, and there was no fear! I was free from the biggest fear that plagues mankind.

I knew that Jesus would be with me from then on, wherever I went, and that one day, I would be with Him in heaven. Many years have come and gone since then. I won’t tell you that those years have all been easy because they haven’t. But this one thing I know. Christ is at home in my heart by faith because of what Jesus Christ did on the cross when he died for my sins. His death cancelled the debt I owed to God for my sin, and His resurrection gave me the power to become His child because I believe in His name. Even death can’t take that from me. And I look forward to being with Him face to face someday.

You’re planning a writing retreat where you can only have four other authors. Who would they be and why? Jill Stengl, Maureen Lang, Hannah Alexander, Deborah Raney. Why? I have brainstormed with all of them, some more recently than others and we have been able to help each other. More importantly, they pray faithfully. They love Jesus. And I am blessed to know them.

Do you have a speaking ministry? If so, tell us about that. The short answer is no, I do not have a speaking ministry. I have spoken a few times to different groups, and I did consider a speaking ministry, but I found I did not have the energy for a second career, which a true speaking ministry could become. I admire those who can both write and speak, but for now, I will stick to writing.

People are always telling me that they’d like to write a book someday. I’m sure they do to you, too. What would you tell someone who came up to you and said that? Some people who tell me this have already written the book but have not sold it. Others want to learn how and ask me questions. Still others say they will write a book one day, but that day has yet to come.

I don’t usually give too much advice unless they seem to want to hear it. Some people think they want to write, but they prefer to tell their story rather than write it down. Others, particularly those who write fiction, are usually serious about putting their thoughts down in written form. They may have written that first book or are working on it. Perhaps they’ve self-published it or are seeking an agent to go the traditional route.

In any case, if they want to know what it’s like to break into publishing, I can tell them what I know. If they want to learn how to write, I point them to ways to study the craft. If they simply say they’re going to write a book someday, I encourage them to do so. Advice isn’t usually wanted unless they directly ask for it.

Tell us about the featured book. The Prince and the Prodigal is the story of Joseph and his brother Judah.

Here is the back cover copy:

Joseph is the pampered favorite son of the patriarch Jacob. His older brothers, deeply resentful of his status in the family, take advantage of the chance to get rid of him, selling him to slave traders and deceiving their father about his fate. It seems like their troubles are over. But for Joseph and older brother Judah, they are just beginning.

While Joseph is accused of rape and imprisoned, Judah attempts to flee the memory of his complicity in the betrayal of his younger brother. After decades apart, the brothers will come face-to-face in a stunning role reversal that sees Joseph in a position of great power while Judah begs for mercy. Will forgiveness or vengeance win the day?

How can readers find you on the Internet?

My website is: www.jilleileensmith.com

Join my newsletter: https://madmimi.com/signups/f28a2c9636d34025a7d95532d4d8f207/join

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Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2799806.Jill_Eileen_Smith

Thank you, Jill, for sharing this book with my blog readers and me. Your biblical fiction is always awesome.

Readers, here’s a link to the book.

https://www.amazon.com/Prince-Prodigal-Jill-Eileen-Smith-ebook/dp/B09B2NZYTB/ref=sr_1_20?crid=O8S3BGHKFE29&keywords=jill+eileen+smith+books&qid=1659024908&s=books&sprefix=Jill+Eileen+Smith%2Cstripbooks%2C361&sr=1-20

Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. You must follow these instructions to be in the drawing. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory or country if outside North America. (Comments containing links may be subject to removal by blog owner.)

Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.

The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 2 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.

If you’re reading this on Goodreads, Feedblitz, Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link: Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com

REBEKAH - Jill Eileen Smith - One Free Book

What are some of the spiritual themes you like to write about?

Forgiveness, reconciliation, and grace.

What other books of yours are coming out soon?

Rebekah just released in January/February 2013. It is book two in the Wives of the Patriarchs series. Book three about Rachel and Leah will not release until 2014, and I don’t have a release date for the Loves of King Solomon e-book series.

If you could spend an evening with one contemporary person (not a family member of yours), who would it be and why?

Beth Moore. We both love to study the Bible, and I’ve learned a lot from her Bible studies. I think it would be fun to compare notes about David and the Patriarchs and anything else we might have poured ourselves into learning.

Or … a Messianic Jewish rabbi who is an avid student of the Scriptures. I would enjoy listening to his perspective on things I see with Gentile Christian eyes.

Our church is large with a diverse congregation, so one of our pastors is a Messianic Jew. He holds the messianic services. I do enjoy talking to him. What historical person would you like to meet (besides Jesus) and why?

Only one? King David, for sure, as I’ve spent years studying his life. But I can’t wait to meet all of the men and women I’ve already “met” and written about from Scripture. I look forward to hearing them tell their stories as they really happened.

Oh, and I think I would add Mary, Jesus’ mother near the top, because I have always loved Two From Galilee by Marjorie Holmes, and I wonder how Mary really felt in those days when she carried and raised Jesus on earth.

That was the first biblical novel I ever read, too. I loved it. How can you encourage authors who have been receiving only rejections from publishers?

Keep writing. Keep studying the craft. Rejections don’t always come because the work isn’t good. Sometimes an editor just can’t accept any more books that year – they may have met their quota. But sometimes a rejection means we need to keep learning and growing in the craft. So keep writing. Listen to good critique partners, attend conferences, take classes, read how-to books, but most of all, write what you love. When you learn to evoke emotion in your reader, you will have reached a place where people will want to read your work. Strive to reach that place deep within yourself and pour those emotions into the story. But don’t overdo them. Less is often better than more, and subtlety is often a writer’s most powerful tool.

Don’t quit unless God leads you to do so.

I love your cover. Tell us about the featured book.

Can love heal the rift between two souls?

When her beloved father dies and she is left in the care of her conniving brother Laban, Rebekah knows her life has changed forever. Though she should be married by now, it’s clear that Laban is dragging his feet, waiting for a higher bride-price to line his pockets. When she is given a chance to leave her home to marry Isaac, a cousin she has never even seen, Rebekah’s hope for the future is restored. Little does she know what a wondrous and heart-wrenching journey she is beginning.

As Rebekah experiences the joy of young love and the bitterness of misunderstanding and betrayal, her resolve will be tested. When the rift between her and Isaac grows so wide it is surely too great to be mended, can she trust the God of Isaac’s father Abraham to bridge the gap?

Please give us the first page of the book.

Harran 1969 B.C.

Light flickered from clay oil lamps in every corner of Bethuel’s bedchamber, the effort valiant but feeble, useless to dispel the gloom. Attendants hurried in and out, the hum of their whispers mixing with the sounds of their movements as they refilled a water jar here, wrung out a cool cloth there, and adjusted blankets, fussing, fearing . . .

Rebekah stood to the side, unable to take her eyes from the form of her father lying prone on the raised wooden bed, his head engulfed in soft cushions and layered with cloths meant to bring his fever down. But his clear moments had been few, his words strained as though he were speaking through stretched and cracking parchment.

Tears filled her eyes, and she pulled the cloak tighter about her, desperate to subdue the shaking. Not now, Abba. Please, do not leave me.

She heard voices in the hall outside the room and swiped at the unwanted tears. Though the time for mourning was almost upon them, she did not want her grief put on public display. Not yet. Not while there was still a chance her father might recover.

How can readers find you on the Internet?

Website/Blog: http://www.jilleileensmith.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jilleileensmith

Twitter: https://twitter.com/JillEileenSmith

Thank you, Jill, for spending this time with us today.

Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
Rebekah: A Novel (Wives of the Patriarchs) - paperback
Rebekah (Wives of the Patriarchs Book #2): A Novel - Kindle


Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory. (Comments containing links may be subject to removal by blog owner.)

Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.

The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 4 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.

If you’re reading this on Google +, Feedblitz, Facebook, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link.
Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com

SARAI - Jill Eileen Smith - Free Book

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

I am grateful for all that God has allowed me to do, and the books He is allowing me to write. I am working on my sixth book with Revell, with four more contracted. I hope to continue this relationship with them for a long time to come.

Tell us a little about your family.

I’ve been married to Randy for almost 35 years (this May). Together we have three adult sons – one in Michigan, two in California. We homeschooled our boys for 12 years, then saw them all go off to earn bachelor’s degrees in different colleges or universities. They are all pursuing various forms of storytelling in either film or novel form. Randy is a recently retired engineer, with plans to pursue various ventures in the coming years. We have two cats, who bring a lot of laughter to our lives.

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

I’ve picked up more ABA (secular) novels in the past few years, particularly some of the New York Times bestsellers. One of my sons (who is an English major) has suggested a few, some more literary than I’m used to, that have broadened my horizons. I am busier now, so I’m a pickier reader. Used to be that if I started a book I would finish it. Now, I have too many books on my Kindle or bookshelf and too little time.

What are you working on right now?

Rachel’s story, which is really the tale of Jacob, Rachel, and Leah, but the focus is more on Rachel. This is book three in the Wives of the Patriarchs series. Book two, Rebekah, is “in house.”

What outside interests do you have?

I love spending time with my family and friends. On nice days, I like to ride my bike to the park while I listen to my favorite music. It’s a worshipful time for me. I love to travel, especially to see my kids in California, but I also hope to see some places I’ve yet to see in the U.S. and abroad.

How do you choose your settings for each book?

The settings are chosen for me by the Scripture. I am more interested in the people of the Bible than the setting, so when I think about a new project, it is with specific people in mind. Once the people are chosen, then I get to see where they lived. The Wives of King David took me to ancient Israel and other Canaanite territories. Sarai, book one in the Wives of the Patriarchs, took me to ancient Mesopotamia, ancient Egypt, and ancient Canaan.

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

King David. I have a gazillion things I’d like to ask him. And I’d just like to spend time talking with the man who wrote such beautiful psalms.

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

That someday the books would see print. That God really did plan to give me the desire of my heart. Twenty years of waiting and not knowing was hard. But if I’d known for sure, perhaps I would not have learned what I needed to along the way.

What new lessons is the Lord teaching you right now?

Serenity to accept what I cannot change. (Most things are out of my control.) Trust in the midst of trials. (There have been many this past year.) Belief that God’s grace is sufficient. (Thorns hurt – and life deals us many of them. God’s grace truly is enough, it’s just hard to believe that sometimes.)

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

Learn the craft well and write books that keep readers wanting more. (But also remember that you will not please all readers at all times. Just write the best novel you can.)

Write what you love, not what you think will sell.

Seek God’s will above any marketing success. It’s not about sales. It’s about pleasing Him.

Tell us about the featured book.

Sarai, the last child of her aged father, is beautiful, spoiled, and used to getting her own way. Even as a young girl, she is aware of the way men look at her, including her half brother Abram. When Abram finally requests Sarai’s hand, she asks one thing–that he promise never to take another wife as long as she lives. Even her father thinks the demand is restrictive and agrees to the union only if Sarai makes a promise in return–to give Abram a son and heir. Certain she can easily do that, Sarai agrees.

But as the years stretch on and Sarai’s womb remains empty, she becomes desperate to fulfill her end of the bargain–lest Abram decide that he will not fulfill his. To what lengths will Sarai go in her quest to bear a son? And how long will Abram’s patience last?

Please give us the first page of the book.

Prologue

Ur, 2051 BC

Sarai glanced across the courtyard, catching Abram’s gaze. His half smile and the twinkle in his eye warmed her more than the wine she had tasted at the start of the ceremony. Music drifted

around them as the bridal couple—their nephew Lot and his new wife, Melah—took their seats on the bench beneath the canopy and accepted rich foods from the hands of the servants.

“This whole wedding is a disgrace, you know.” Sarai’s sister-in-law Milcah stood at her elbow and leaned close to her ear. “Why her father agreed to the marriage after Lot had already humbled the girl . . . Though I suppose he didn’t have much choice. Who else would want her after she’d already given in to Lot’s charms?” Milcah batted at a fly, sending it away. “I can’t imagine why Lot couldn’t wait with such a one. It’s not as though she’s a beauty or a temptress. It seems like he could have done better.” The last words came out in a whisper as Milcah moved in close again.

Sarai turned from watching the bridal couple to meet Milcah’s pinched gaze. “If it is true that a babe is already on the way, it is…

Wow. Way to leave us hanging. How can readers find you on the Internet?

Website: http://www.jilleileensmith.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jilleileensmith

Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/JillEileenSmith

Thank you, Jill, for another interesting interview.

Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.

Sarai: A Novel (Wives of the Patriarchs) - paperback
Sarai (Wives of the Patriarchs) - Kindle


Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory. (Comments containing links may be subject to removal by blog owner.)

Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.

The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 4 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.

If you’re reading this on Feedblitz, Facebook, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link.
Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com

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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http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com/

Author Jill Eileen Smith - MICHAL, A Novel - Free Book

I'm happy to feature a long-time ACFW friend with her debut novel. Welcome, Jill. I love your photo and your cover. Tell us how much of yourself you write into your characters.

I suppose there is a part of me that comes through in all of my characters, though for my male characters I draw on my experience of living with all men (one husband, three sons). But the spiritual journeys of my characters, their emotions, their prayers—I would say that I’ve probably been in a similar frame of mind, though not necessarily a similar life experience.

What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?

I’m not sure I’d call it quirky – embarrassing maybe – but I remember my first ACFW Conference, back when it was ACRW, in Kansas City. Karen Kingsbury was our keynote speaker, and I’d been invited to her room to watch a movie on her DVD player. I thought I knew the room number and went to the door and knocked. I couldn’t understand why she wasn’t opening and continued to knock. Another author in our group joined me, so I wasn’t the only one sure we had the right place. But all we heard was a gruff male voice telling us to go away! Come to find out later, I’d been knocking on the door of an airline pilot who was trying to sleep! (I hope he drank a lot of coffee before flying out the next day.) Karen smoothed things over by leaving some of her books as a token of apology and we laughed about it later. I don’t know how we got the wrong room. I was already out of my comfort zone going to Karen’s room in the first place – being such a rooky and feeling like I didn’t belong in a room with all of those famous, published authors! But it made for a quirky memory in the end. :-)

I remember that. Thankfully, I wasn't one of those doing the knocking. When did you first discover that you were a writer?

When God figuratively tapped me on the shoulder and told me to dig up the gift of writing I had buried for eight years. I used to write in my teens but put it all away after high school. In my twenties, God worked in a number of ways to get my attention to dust off my pen and put it to use once again.

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

I like many genres – mainly in the Christian market. Right now I’m favoring historicals, but I like contemporary women’s fiction, mystery, suspense, chick lit, and most eras for historical and biblical fiction. I’m not into sci-fi though I like some science fiction movies. And I’ve critiqued some unpublished fantasy works that I enjoyed. My favorite books have romance in them but aren’t necessarily straight romance. I like complicated plots with a thread of romance that pays off in the end.

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

I seek time with the Lord and say no if need be. I have always been careful with new commitments because I know my limits, and I don’t think it’s a good idea to overwhelm myself. That said, I’ve started taking on more commitments than I’m used to, so we’ll see how well I handle that as deadlines approach. I maintain my sanity by spending time in God’s Word, reading, and writing fiction. I’m happiest when I’m creating fictional scenes, so I have to make time for that and would make time for it even if I didn’t have a deadline. I’m also working at developing time for physical exercise, something I’ve never enjoyed all that much but find necessary to balance sitting at a computer so much.

How do you choose your characters’ names?

Well, in Biblical fiction many of them are already chosen for me. If not, I seek names that fit the times either used elsewhere in Scripture or in ancient literature. For my contemporary suspense, I look for names I like but where I don’t know anyone by that name on a close, personal level. For my historical suspense, I used a name finder for names popular during that era. Baby name generators are great for ideas and for meanings, which can be significant.

What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?

I hesitate to use the word proud because my accomplishments are blessings by God’s grace more than anything I have done. But if I had to pick one, it would be my family – marriage to one wonderful man for 31 years and raising three sons who love the Lord and bring me great joy. But again, I really can’t take credit for what God has done and has allowed. I’m just grateful for the blessings.

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

A cat. We have two cats and I love how physically flexible they are. Can you just imagine being able to sleep with your head turned sideways and upside down? Plus they have an independent streak that keeps them mysterious, yet they are dependable and needy when only those closest to them are looking. :-) I’d want to be lovable and huggable like my Tiger.

What is your favorite food?

Oh goodness – there are too many to name! I like most things – really good yeasty cinnamon rolls, baklava, dark chocolate, fresh dates, cherry pie, juicy apples – I see a sweet trend here…

And they all sound delicious. I'm getting hungry. Tell us a little about your journey to publication.

How much time do you have? :-) I’ll give you the short version. Back when God told me to dig up the gift I began my journey writing poetry and music. A few years later, I graduated to writing fiction and started with a two-volume epic on King David’s life. Sixteen to twenty years and about nine unsold books and dozens and dozens of rejections later, that epic became a three-book series on the Wives of King David, which finally sold to Revell. During that waiting process, God’s refining work continued not only on my writing but on my heart. I carry a spiritual limp from wrestling with Him over this publishing desire, and came mighty close to quitting before He brought it all to pass. He had a plan, but it was in His time, not mine.

And His timing is always perfect. What is the problem with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it?

I learned to write fiction in the biblical fiction genre. The disadvantage to this was that since the plot and characters were framed in for me by the Bible, which I kept close at hand, adhering to it as my strict guide, I hadn’t really learned the craft. I knew little to nothing about plot or character development or goals, motivations, or conflict. I just followed the Bible and tried to fill in the blanks by lots of study and research. The problem was that when biblical fiction wasn’t selling and I tried to write in other genres, I didn’t know what I was doing. I remember trying to plot a romance novella for one of Tyndale’s contests and getting frustrated to the point of tears. My oldest son sat me down with You’ve Got Mail and walked me through plot development. That was the start of my real education into the craft. From there I studied books on writing and other films and books while I continued to practice by writing about five books in other genres. I think I understand craft better now. :-)

What advice would you give to others who are trying to get their first book published?

Hold the desire for publication in an open hand. Keep seeking the Lord’s leading. Keep writing. If God places the desire to write within our hearts, we have no choice but to obey Him and use the gifts He gives to us. We are entrusted with certain abilities and will give an account to Him for how we use them. But our successes—published or not, are not up to us, but up to Him. “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you…Humble yourselves before the Lord and He will lift you up.” Wrestling with His will must lead to absolute surrender – we can do nothing less. And then trust the Lord with all your heart because those who trust in Him will never be put to shame. Then see what God will do!

What would you like to tell us about the featured book?

Michal, A Novel is the first book in The Wives of King David series published by Revell.

In love with her father’s worst enemy, will it cost her everything?

Michal longs to marry the harpist, David. But when her crazed father grows to hate him, her beautiful sister catches his eye, and she begins to understand the commanding political future looming before him, she wonders if there is any chance of capturing his heart. Determined to win David's love, Michal manages to convince her father, King Saul, to give her sister to someone else. Her plan succeeds, leaving her free to marry David. But before their life together can even begin, King Saul’s madness sends David into hiding. Michal knows David will one day be king, but will she be the one to rule beside him or will her resentful spirit forever estrange her from David…and from Adonai?

Thanks, Lena, for the opportunity to be featured on your website!

And thank you, Jill for spending this time with us.

Readers if you can't find the book in a store near you, you can order it using this link:

Want a chance to win a copy? Leave a comment? Be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won.