Welcome
Barbara M. Britton
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How did you come up with your title? The daughters of Zelophehad have waited several years to receive their inheritance of land. The Israelites have conquered the land of Canaan–mostly–and now the land will be divided among the tribes. Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah go before Joshua and remind him about their inheritance. They are ready to claim their portion of Canaan. Hence the name, "Claiming Canaan." |
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Tell us about your hero and heroine. What makes them likeable? Milcah is the fourth daughter of Zelophehad. I cast her as the perceptive and wise daughter. Milcah allowed her older sisters to blaze the trail forward into the promised land. Milcah has weathered the loss of two suitors. Her confidence is shaken, but she holds firm to God's promise of land, and she believes He will guide her future. When Eli ben Abishua drops out of tree after Milcah prays for a husband, the chaos begins. Can Eli become a faithful husband? Or will Milcah work her land alone? |
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How much of the book is based in real life? The Bible is full of Scripture about the daughters of Zelophehad. Their bold "ask" for land is found in Numbers 27:1-11. The girls are brought before Moses a second time in Numbers, chapter 36. They also remind Joshua about their inheritance of land in Joshua 17:3-6. I follow the Bible narrative closely while bringing the personality of the sisters to life. Their faithfulness and boldness has me in awe. I would love to ask them, "How did you even think you could ask to inherit land in such a male-dominated society?" I think they would respond, "God." |
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What makes this book special to you? This book is special because I am saying good-bye to the daughters of Zelophehad. I am going to miss their interactions and the bond they had as sisters. I was only planning to do one book about the girls, but they became a three book series. Until a few years ago, I did not know about their story. We should be teaching about the faith of the daughters of Zelophehad yearly. |
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What is your next project? I have a Historical novel coming out in June ("Until June"), but I am currently writing another Biblical novel set in the time of King David. Digging into Scripture reveals so many details and treasures that I have never noticed before in God's Word. I have a wonderful job. |
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What is the spiritual takeaway for your reader? Go forth with God (That is the theme for the series). God is faithful to His promises. |
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Is there anything edgy/possibly controversial in your book? Milcah inherits a vineyard. The Proverbs 31 woman saves for a vineyard. |
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What is your hero's main character flaw? He believes his worth is dependent on what others think of him and not on who he is in God's eyes. |
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What is your heroine's main character flaw? Milcah holds onto past loves and is reluctant to give her heart to Eli. She must learn to trust a flawed person who is made complete in God. |
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What can readers learn from your villain? My villain is a Satan figure. The daughters of Zelophehad settle near the city of Megiddo where the battle of Armegeddon will be waged. The sisters must remain true to God's laws and not go the way of the Canaanites. Milcah follows the One True God and she will not let idol worshipers draw her (or Eli) away from worshiping God. |
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What makes your hero heroic? Eli works harder than he has ever done in his life. He battles for God and the Israelites even though he loses much of his plunder to poor decisions. he is faithful to Milcah and wants to please God with his newly found work ethic. |
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what makes your heroine heroic? Milcah and her sisters have trusted God through the loss of their parents. They have traveled into a land of idols and remained faithful to God. Milcah sells a precious ring in order to give she and Eli a fighting chance at love and prosperity. |
