Feature Author Naomi Craig

I am thrilled to share with you today Biblical fiction author Naomi Craig. I’ve always been fascinated with those who can write in this genre. Historical fiction requires so much research, it would be daunting to me. But Biblical fiction is much more limited in its scope, which adds another level of difficulty. I hope you’ll enjoy reading about Naomi as much I did. And don’t forget to enter for a chance to win an ebook copy of her novel Ezekiel’s Song.

Welcome, Naomi. Biblical fiction, huh? What a task you must have. What inspired you write this genre?

I began to wonder if one of the unnamed spies to Jericho in Joshua 2 could have been Rahab’s future Biblical husband, Salmah. This led to the development of my first book, Rahab’s Courage. Rahab is Mentioned in Jesus’ lineage in Matthew and David’s lineage in Ruth.

Which do you find to be the more challenging task as a writer these days—writing or marketing (which I find painful). 

Writing. Ha ha. Learning a marketing or platform tip and implementing it comes more naturally to me.

Can you share a snippet of your latest novel, Ezekiel’s Song?

Yes, of course. This is a part of Chapter Three:

Ezekiel strode with rising frustration toward the closed New Gate. Workers couldn’t enter until they had a way. This marked the second day in a row Hadar hadn’t arrived at his post on time. The man refused to take his position seriously. With a shake of his head, Ezekiel reached underneath his tunic and brought forth the spare key to unlock the gate. In the three years he had been serving as aide to the chief governor of the temple, no man had irked him as much as Hadar.

All gates were to be opened upon completion of the long-concluded morning sacrifice, to allow entrance to the temple courtyard. The bolt thudded back and Ezekiel leaned against the gate, pushing it open, revealing a line of frowning people and their vocal animals.

“Shalom, my apologies.” Ezekiel folded his hands in an effort to present himself as unrattled and in control. Inside, his thoughts swept over the different Levites on duty. Which gatekeeper could he call on to step in for Hadar?

As the surge of people funneled through the gate, two women approached with shoulders held high, gazing boldly ahead. They clustered together and clutched their brightly colored head scarves tightly around themselves. Too tightly.

Ezekiel stepped in their path and crossed his arms.

The shorter woman gripped her companion’s elbow and lowered her face. “Is there a problem, your grace?” A jangle accompanied her friend’s halt.

Ezekiel leaned forward, using his broad shoulders to intimidate the women. “What brings you to the temple today?”

“We came to prophesy, priest.” The first woman kept her chin lowered and lifted eyes that conveyed a message opposite her demure posture.

Ezekiel narrowed his eyes. He took another step forward.

The second woman shifted back, and the pouch she clutched under her covering fell to the ground, its contents clanking together. She gasped and lunged forward with a flurry of fabric, but Ezekiel was quicker.

He scooped up the pouch and yanked it open, revealing grotesque charms and amulets. “Aha. And what do the prophecies from your own hearts say?” He dumped the charms to the ground.

The shorter woman whipped the scarf from her head, revealing more charms sewn on her sleeves. “The Lord says there will be peace. Behold, our brothers have already begun to build a wall on the south to prevent more raids from the invaders.”

“There is no peace. The Lord’s judgment will not be delayed.” Ezekiel spread his arms and advanced, pushing the women out of the temple. “You hunt the souls of the people with your lies. Will it extend your days?”

“I have seen a vision…”

“Because you and your kind have spoken nonsense and blinded those who would seek Yahweh, He is against you.”

The second woman planted her fists on her hips. “It is you who speak falsely. The Lord wants to protect His city just as the southern wall will divert raiders.”

Ezekiel scoffed. “I have seen your wall and your untempered mortar. It will fall with a strong wind. Get out. You shall not enter into Yahweh’s temple to pervert His people.”

The shorter woman scowled and flounced out with a huff, and the second woman crouched to retrieve the charms before following.

If Hadar had been at his post, he would likely not have caught the impostors—or cared.

Ezekiel rolled his shoulders. Help me be vigilant. Give me the wisdom of Solomon and the discernment of Samuel. Guard this gate with me.

I’m hooked! What would you say is the key theme or message in Ezekiel’s Song?

When serving God doesn’t look like what you thought it should.

Shiri is a gifted musician, her life goal is realized when she can serve in the temple in Jerusalem, leading people to a position of worship before the one true God.

Similarly, Ezekiel’s desire is to raise up and strengthen the remnant for the inevitable conquer of Jerusalem.

(Nebuchadnezzar had already taken round 1 with Daniel, Shadrach Meshach, and Abed-Nego)

Ezekiel has trained to be a priest, yet God appoints him as a prophet in a land where his people are growing daily more acclimated to the culture. And like all the other prophets, he has the clause of “they may listen, but probably not.”

When God changes your capacity of service, how do you reconcile with the dreams and gifts He’s given you?

It sounds like there is a message in there for all of us. What is your next project?

I’m part of a Christmas collection coming out this year with Celebrate Lit called Christmas and Castles.

If you are looking for a hallmark-type Christmas story, this won’t be one—although I’m sure some of the other stories will meet that need. My contribution, The Weary World Rejoices, takes place when the wisemen show up in Jerusalem to ask King Herod where the new “King of the Jews” is so they can worship him.

If you recall, Herod had to ask his scribes and the chief priests where the Messiah was to be born. (Contrary to every nativity scene and Christmas play, I have reason to believe that the wise men showed up when Jesus was a couple of years old).

This story is the Scribe’s perspective.

Yes, everything I’ve ever read about this scene also says Jesus could not have been an infant. I’m looking forward to reading your story. I also have one in that collection—An Irish Christmas Heart—my first historical fiction. Thank you so much for allowing us a glimpse into your writing life.

Thanks so much for hosting me today! It’s been an honor!

You can find Naomi at her website and link to her social media sights from there. You can also find Ezekiel’s Song here. And, don’t forget to enter for a chance to win the ebook version.

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