About the Book
Book: She’erah’s Legacy
Author: Naomi Craig
Genre: Historical fiction, Biblical fiction
Release Date: August 15, 2023
As tragedy ravages the camp, can She’erah step up and complete the outpost?
She’erahs is a woman trying to leave her mark in a man’s world. Her vision and ability surpasses her father’s, yet she remains second-in-command as they are tasked to build Pharaoh’s outposts in Canaan. She knows she is worthy of the task, but her clan is skeptical
The last place She’erah expects support is from her charioteer, but Lateef is the lone voice of encouragement. His integrity and steadfastness is a plumb-line in She’erah’s life and she can no longer deny her growing feelings for him.
Acts of sabotage threaten the construction and the shaky foundation of She’erah’s pride. It’s up to She’erah to break generations of rivalry, distrust, and jealousy—if she can learn to rely on the strengths and abilities of those around her to help.
Will she learn to trust God and others before her life’s legacy comes crumbling down around her?
Click here to get your copy!
About the Author
Author of Biblical fiction, avid reader, pastor’s wife, Naomi loves reading the Bible and imagining how things were at the time. When she’s not serving in various areas at church, trying to stay on top of mountains of dishes or convincing her rescue dog, Freeway, to be cute on command for Instagram reels, you’ll most likely find her enjoying a good book and a cup of coffee. Naomi co-hosts #BehindTheStory with Naomi and Lisa, an author interview show on YouTube and your podcast platform of choice.
More from Naomi
A woman architect in ancient times?
She’erah’s family is mentioned in five verses in 1 Chronicles 7:20- 24. In this brief detour from the list of genealogy, we learn some interesting facts.
She’erah is the granddaughter of Joseph (yes that Joseph with the coat of many colors, vizier to Pharaoh)
Two of her brothers get themselves killed for cattle rustling.
Her father, Ephraim, goes into deep mourning for his sons.
There is a late-in-life baby (as a result of dad’s mourning)
and She’erah built Lower and Upper Beth Horon and Uzzen She’erah.
Then we are right back to the begats.
Wait, hold on. That’s all we get? What is the story behind her building these towns (two of which are still standing today)? What was the reaction of those around her?
Something I find helpful to remember is that when you know about someone’s family, you in a way know the person. With her grandfather being Joseph, suddenly we have opened a whole new world of what we know. She’erah and the clan would have had access to all of Egypt’s knowledge and resources. Where she still might have gotten backlash from her more Hebrew clan, Egyptian women had more independence, managing their husband’s estates, or even their own.
We also know the generational legacy that was passed down of the younger sibling being favored above the older. Ephraim over Manasseh, Joseph over his ten elder brothers, Jacob over Esau, Rachel over Leah, Isaac over Ishmael. I’m sure sibling rivalry could have been present.
So now we can see She’erah’s picture a little more clearly. A brilliantly minded woman determined to prove herself and her abilities. Raised in Egyptian courts, yet also Hebrew. A strange mix of cultures and dynamics that shape She’erah and nurture her gifts.
She’erah’s legacy is not only the towns she builds for generations to come, but also how she starts the work of unearthing the deep-seated rivalry that is entrenched in her family.
I pray you’ll enjoy She’erah’s adventures, as she learns to trust the Lord and those around her.
Best Regards
Naomi
Blog Stops Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, September 27 Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, September 28 Texas Book-aholic, September 29 Locks, Hooks and Books, September 30 The Book Club Network, October 1 Connie’s History Classroom, October 2 Artistic Nobody, October 3 (Author Interview) The Book Nook, October 3 Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, October 4 Happily Managing a Household of Boys, October 5 Tell Tale Book Reviews, October 6 (Author Interview) For Him and My Family, October 7 Simple Harvest Reads, October 8 (Author Interview) Christina’s Corner, October 8 By The Book, October 9 (Author Interview) Holly’s Book Corner, October 10
Giveaway
To celebrate her tour, Naomi is giving away the grand prize package of a $25 Amazon gift card and a copy of the book!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.
My Review:
I struggled with this book.
I loved learning more about a character out of the Bible I'd overlooked. I enjoyed reading about the building process during the time of Egypt.
However, there is tragedy and knowing that it was real makes it harder to read. Also, I don't know if it says something about me, but I found the hero and heroine very mismatched and I just couldn't get past it. Their love story just wasn't realistic and, yes, I know this is fiction in the end. I guess, for me, to relate to a romance, I have to be able to fall in love with the hero a bit and I couldn't. As a psychologist, I also believe it to be unethical for people of vastly different ability levels to marry...if that makes sense.
This may be opening a mirror on my flaws, perhaps I am too narrow, but it is fiction, after all.
I received this book as part of a Celebrate Lit tour, but the opinions are my own.
PS. The cover is amazing.
Readers, would you share your favorite cover with the rest of us? Thanks!
What's the best part about being and author?
This looks like a fantastic read. Thank you so much for hosting this giveaway.
Sounds good
This sounds so interesting! I love Biblical fiction based on real characters. I must have been asleep reading that passage or assumed She'erah was a man.
Also, Christina, I'm interested in hearing more about your POV that it's unethical for persons of greatly differing abilities to marry, especially as the all-powerful, rescuing hero is such a trope in romantic fiction. Stephanie Meyers did an interesting experiment with this, reversing the gender roles in a rewrite of Twilight that about made my head explode (and proved to me how very much I prefer strong heros!).
Thanks for sharing!