Interview with Barbara Britton

Welcome Barbara Congratulations on your new release! Lioness: Mahlah's Journey   How did you come up with your title? The daughters of Zelophehad first appear in the book of Numbers. In Numbers, we also see one the baddest boys of the Bible–Balaam son of Beor. Balaam tries to curse Israel,…

Welcome Barbara

Congratulations on your new release!

Lioness: Mahlah's Journey

 

How did you come up with your title?
The daughters of Zelophehad first appear in the book of Numbers. In Numbers, we also see one the baddest boys of the Bible–Balaam son of Beor. Balaam tries to curse Israel, but God has Balaam bless Israel. In one of the blessings, we see this verse "The people rise like a lioness." (Numbers 23:24) Mahlah is fierce like a lioness as she tries to keep her orphaned sisters together. I took Mahlah's boldness and placed it in the title.
Tell us about your hero and heroine. What makes them likeable?
Mahlah fights to keep her sisters together after her parents die. She is faithful to God and her family. She is an amazing big sister who has a huge task before her if she and her sisters are going to be landowners. The girls are heroic as well as historic.
How much of the book is based in real life?
The daughters of Zelophehad aren't one-hit wonders in the Bible. A lot of Scripture is devoted to the story of these girls. You will find them in Numbers 26:33, 27:1-11, chapter 36 and in Joshua 17:3-6. I don't know how I missed this story in my read-through-the-Bible sessions. I am so glad I finally found it!

What is your next project?
I loved the daughters of Zelophehad so much that I decided to make a series about them. "Lioness: Mahlah's Journey" tells the story of the girls in the book of Numbers. there will be two more books that follow the girls into the book of Joshua until they finally receive their land. You can read the books as stand alone novels, but to get the full sense of Mahlah, Noah, Hohlah, Milcah, and Tirzah, I recommend reading them in order. Look for "Heavenly Lights: Noah's Journey" and "Claiming Canaan: Milcah's Journey."

what is the spiritual takeaway for your reader?
Go forth with God.
What is your hero's main character flaw?
Reuben stands on history and the law. He doesn't seek God about the daughters' inheritance of land.
What is your heroine's main character flaw?
Mahlah takes all the troubles on her own shoulders before giving some of the weight to God. She places others' needs before her own which at times, isn't healthy.
What can readers learn from your villain?
Balaam son of Beor is one of the baddest villains in the Bible. We think about him and the story of a talking donkey, but he tried to turn the Israelites against their God. Balaam practiced sorcery and led people in idol worship. He is maligned throughout Scripture, even through to the book of Revelation.
What makes your hero heroic?
Reuben follows God and fights to conquer the Promised Land. He is a loving father and son. When God grants land to the daughters of Zelophehad, he supports their right to inherit.

what makes your heroine heroic?
Mahlah is bold, brave, and the oldest sister who keeps everyone out of trouble. She loves her sisters and is kind to most, save a pesky neighbor and anyone that would harm her sisters.

Thank you so much for sharing your new release with us today.

Other Articles of Interest

September Kindle Monthly Deals

September Kindle Monthly Deals

We're back! Pelican Book Group has more books selected by Amazon to be included in Kindle Deals, just like last month! All books listed in this post will be on sale for the whole month of September for only $1.99! A Time for Singing by James, Carol All or Nothing...

read more
Pelican Book Group Official Blog