Interview with Barbara Britton & giveaway!!!!

Thank you for hosting me on your blog again. I sure do appreciate the opportunity to share my books with your readers. I am happy to do an e-giveaway of “Building Benjamin: Naomi’s Journey.” The print release isn’t until April, but I do have “Providence: Hannah’s Journey” in print if a commenter doesn’t have an e-reader.

Where do you get your inspiration for your books?

This one’s easy. My Biblical fiction is based on little known characters or events in the Bible. I am inspired by God’s storylines. I usually have a few characters I could tackle, so I read the Bible passages and wait for a character to start speaking to me (in my brain). I know that sounds totally crazy. I also look at what theology is behind the story that would benefit the world. I hope Christians and Non-Christians alike will enjoy my stories and read the original events in the Bible.

What’s your key environment that helps you get to writing? Do you have a writer’s nook, corner, getaway? Where do you do your most productive writing?

I write the first draft of any story on a notepad (the paper kind). I do my best writing at a local Barnes&Noble store while sipping hot chocolate. I have been a stay-at-home mom so if I stay home to write, I always find something to clean, organize, or sort instead of doing my writing. To get into a character’s mindset, I play a song that I feel would be their theme song. Naomi’s song is “I Can Just Be Me” by Laura Story and Eliab’s song is “So Far To Find You” by Casting Crowns.

What are you saying in your books that will encourage Christians today?

I am inspired by Bible stories, but the theology behind the story is what I hope shines through in my books. In my debut, “Providence: Hannah’s Journey,” the theme is God is in control even in the chaos of life. Unfortunately, I battled cancer while launching that book, so I faced the chaos head on with the strength God gave me. In “Building Benjamin,” the theme is love grows where God grafts the tender shoot. Judges 19-21, on which this book is based, is an unbelievably complex story. Young women had to love men who they held a grudge against for the survival of a tribe of Israel. God doesn’t tell us how they did that, but the tribe of Benjamin gave us the apostle Paul, so I’m glad it survived. God is at the center of all my stories.

Also, I write strong heroines who face turmoil by relying on their faith in God. My heroes are stellar guys, but the ladies rock.

How do you pick names for your characters?

I scan the Bible for names that aren’t too common, but that fit the image of the person I see in my mind. I feel the names Naomi, Cuzbi, and Jael fit my girls of Ephraim well.

How important are reviews to you?

Reviews are a two-edged sword. I enjoy knowing what readers like about my stories. It can be difficult to hear what readers don’t like about a story. The business side of publishing requires reviews for a book to be “seen” on Amazon, so authors are striving to garner at least 50 reviews per book. That can take a lot of time when most writers just want to write.  So, in the vast business world of books, reviews are very important.

Who are some of your favorite authors? What genre is your favorite? What books have you enjoyed lately?

Since I have several friends who are writers, I am never at a lost for a book to read. Listing all my friends who write Christian fiction would take up too much room, and if I miss someone…yikes! I do review the books I read on Goodreads.

One of my favorite authors is Tessa Afshar. She writes Biblical fiction and I think we write in a similar manner. My Bible study group is in the book of Ruth right now, so Tessa’s “In The Field of Grace” is a fantastic retelling of that Bible story.

Thanks for inviting me again, Laura. So far in my books I’ve tackled the Hebrew servant girl in II Kings 5, the last chapters of the book of Judges when the tribe of Benjamin is almost wiped out, and the book of Nehemiah (coming next). What other stories or characters do you want to see in a Biblical fiction novel?

book trailer:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Q5Jh1cT3Hc

Barb’s bio:

Barbara M. Britton was born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, but currently lives in Wisconsin and loves the snow—when it accumulates under three inches. She writes Christian Fiction for teens and adults. Barb has a nutrition degree from Baylor University but loves to dip healthy strawberries in chocolate. Barb kicked off her Tribes of Israel series in October with the release of “Providence: Hannah’s Journey.” Naomi’s journey (Building Benjamin) is set to release this spring. Barb is a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, Romance Writers of America and Wisconsin Romance Writers of America.

Book 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.

Connect with Barb:

Website

Twitter

Facebook

Book Trailer

Purchase:

Amazon

Barnes&Noble

Pelican Book Group (check for release day specials)