Book Giveaway Drawing! Read the details later in this post.
- NB: What type of books do you write?
I write primarily historical stories that focus on God’s work within people’s lives. While to date most of my published work has been short stories and devotionals, Joab’s Fire, is the first short novel to be published. This book bears the mark of all my fiction in that it contains a Bible study at the end.
Joab Black and his wife Sarah overcame the worst of pioneer hardships in order to establish a prosperous farm in Alberta, Canada. But those challenges never prepared them for the tragedy they now faced—a staggering loss and intense pain causing them to doubt everything they had ever believed. In the midst of their sorrow, even their closest friends interpret their sufferings as a result of God’s judgment. Has God abandoned them?
Sergeant Dixon, the local North West Mounted Police officer, investigates the events leading to the Blacks’ plight. While his work gives them a ray of hope, his probing into the activities of a certain stranger possibly connected to the case may cost him his job and even his life.
Inspired by the Biblical book of Job, this novel includes a Bible study exploring the perfection of God’s plan and the bounty of His love even in the most inexplicable and intense sufferings.
- NB: Why do you write?
I began writing fiction because I saw the intrinsic value of story to present Biblical truths. I love God, and I love the truths He gives us in His word. I also long to serve Him in everything I do. Because of my passion for people and for glorifying God, my writing focuses on exposing who God is and how He works in our lives through the plot and characters.
Psalm 66:16 says: Come and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what he hath done for my soul. (KJV)
Psalm 96:3 says: Declare his glory among the heathen, his wonders among all people. (KJV)
These verses tell where my passion lies—to declare God’s work. My fiction shows His works, and the study questions at the end point readers to Him and to His Word.
- NB: How would you describe your newest release?
Joab’s Fire is to the book of Job as Francine Rivers’ Redeeming Love is to the book of Hosea. I wrote the novel with my Bible open at my side. The story may be set in 1903 Alberta, Canada, but it follows the tragedies and the victories of Job.
- NB: What do you hope the reader takes away after reading it?
My prayer for those who are saved is that they will learn to keep their focus on eternity while they traverse the trials of this life. For those who are not saved, my prayer is that they will learn of God’s love, grace and abundant mercy and will then call on Him for their own salvation.
- NB: Which is your favorite character from your book?
Each character holds a special place in my heart. Sergeant Dixon challenged me, Joab amazed me, and Mrs. Clumpit comforted me with her strength and compassion.
- NB: Do you have a funny or touching story that relates to your book?
A dear critique partner of mine spent time in a hospital while we worked through Joab’s Fire. During her stay, she battled with doubts and fears, but God used the chapters we were working on at the time to strengthen and encourage her. I praise God that she found Him faithful in her great need and am awed that He would use my work to help her.
Her experience inspired me to persevere through the critiquing and editing process.
- NB: Tell us about your writing process.
Before I begin to write I pray, asking God to work through me and in me. While I write, I pray. I desire to pray through this writing ministry more than I have in the past because I know having the Holy Spirit involved in the process is the only way to write.
When I get the first draft down, I set it aside for awhile. Often, some aspect of the story bothers me. The time away will help me fix it.
For example, the novel I am currently reworking had many aspects that didn’t sit right. I wrote it originally as an allegorical fantasy ten years ago. I’ve grown considerably in my faith and my understanding of God since then. During the years after the first draft I never felt free to aggressively seek publication. Why? Because of issues in how it portrayed God as well as certain content. Through my writing journey I have come to understand the emotional investment of the reader. I’ve also come to understand the responsibility I have as a writer in where I take the reader’s imagination. This led me to set certain content standards for myself based on a Biblical worldview.
Now I am editing that story with these standards in mind and feel confident that God has a plan for the novel.
- NB: What will you write next?
I have two colonial manuscripts that I will prepare for publication. When the novel I mentioned in the above question and these two colonial stories are completed, I will finish another story set in the mid 1800’s in England about a vicar who attempts to destroy a Baptist evangelist only to find he destroys his own ministry.
- NB: Which books do you recommend to readers?
Two books I have enjoyed for entertainment in the last month are Missing Mable by Nancy Mehl and Judgment Day by Wanda L. Dyson.
I’ve also enjoyed Sarah Sundin’s books (A Distant Melody and A Memory Between Us), and MaryLu Tyndall’s books (The Redemption and The Blue Enchantress).
Perhaps two of the best books I’ve read in the past year have been Siri Mitchell’s Love’s Pursuit and Susan Lakin’s Someone to Blame.
- NB: Where can readers find you online?
You can find me at www.LynnSquire.com, www.PresentingBiblicalTruths.com, http://faithfictionfunandfanciful.com
Book Giveaway Drawing:
Lynn Squire will give away a free copy of Joab’s Fire to a reader of this blog. To enter, leave a comment to this post. If you are a follower of Novel Books and tell me so in a separate comment, I’ll give you an extra chance to win.
Entries will be accepted until this coming Saturday at midnight (Pacific Time/US).
I’ll announce the winner on Novel Books next Monday. The winner must respond within two weeks of notification. Detailed rules of giveaways on Novel Books are located in the footer of this blog.
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This is such an excellent story. The vivid setting and characters drew me in from the first page. I love a book that entertains while presenting new perspectives, and Joab’s Fire certainly did that!
Janalyn, Thank you for this opportunity to share my work with your readers. I look forward to conversing them.
You’re welcome, Lynn. I enjoyed learning more about you and your writing.