(Excerpt is unedited and used by permission.)
Zephenia’s throat constricted. He couldn’t be leaving
now—not again. The last time the Lamanites invaded their
lands, they had killed Esther’s father when he went out
to protect the borders, and the poor family had to leave
their home to live with other relatives. Now, the only time
Zephenia got to see Esther was on Sabbath mornings, and
then only in passing. Zephenia didn’t want to end up like
that.
She crossed the spacious room and wrapped her arms
as far as they would reach around her father’s thick waist.
Her heart pounded as she looked up at him. If he left, he
might never come back.
Her father planted a kiss on the top of her head. “What
are you doing up?” he asked.
“Don’t go.” Zephenia buried her face in his tunic. She
could smell his oiled chest-piece, along with the balche
he’d been drinking.
“I’ll be back shortly, and if you hurry and fall sleep, it
will be like I never left you.” The flickering lamp reflected
in Father’s golden brown eyes.
“Mother, tell him not to go.” Zephenia looked up into
her mother’s face.
“The Lord will protect him.” Mother’s fingers stroked
the top of Zephenia’s head.
She wished that just once her mother wouldn’t be
brave, wouldn’t rely on faith. Just once she could demand
that Father not go.
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18 comments:
followed and followed, and comented. Can't wait to get the book and read it.
Michelle J
Thank you Michelle. It is good to know you are still here. Haven't "talked" for a while. I hope you'll comeback again soon so I know you are well.
I'm so excited that you're excited Michelle! I hope you love them both. I sure had fun writing them!
I really loved Betsy's book "Identity". This one should be a fun change.
So like my mother's faith - at least the part she lets us kids see.
It's okay to laugh at me now; if this is a dumb question I will blame being foreign, hahaha! What's a Lamanite? I'm teetering between thinking it's something historical, based on the name Esther which sounds either Scandinavian or biblical, but it would also be an awesome name on an alien species.
Maria, it's a Book of Mormon novel set about 150 years BC in the Mayan culture. There were two factions of people. The Nephites who were fair skinned and for the most part peaceful and then there were the Lamanites a warring people who found it easier to take what they wanted than to be self sustaining. While the book is based in a real historical setting most of the characters are fictitious.
Donna and Lynn, I really hope you enjoy this book as well. It was actually the first book I wrote, besides that one that we'll never talk about. It's buried deep in the recesses of my file cabinet typed on an old electric typewriter. Wow, did I just date myself? I tell my kids that I am older than dirt, but not as old as the amoeba, but I did keep one as a pet. :D
Soulfire should be available on Kindle by the end of the week and the paperback copy soon there after!
Maria, I'm so glad you asked! I believe you are not alone because although the record Betsy has drawn her story from is widely publish in over 100 languages, it is not always found at a bookstore or in the library. Hey, you don't have to read it to enjoy Soulfire! I'm not a big history buff myself, but yes, I've read the Book of Mormon. Several times infact and I think you will totally love Soulfire without reading it.
One of my sons wanted to know if I was born before scissors were invented! Smarteleck! This sounds like a great book. Thanks for the review. Tina Scott
Scissors? yeah, we called 'em double edged swords!
Scissors!!! LOL. Double-edged swords! That's awesome! My kids also asked me if I rode a dinosaur to school.
Tina, I hope you like it!
What fun comments. I love historical fiction and the part of the Book of Mormon Soulfire is set in. This should be a great story! I'm so excited for you, Betsy!
But I am curious, is Zephenia's father a fictional character or someone whose name we will recognize from the B of M?
Betsy Love and Shaunna, thank you! I learned something new today, and I'm definitely putting this book on my to-read list. =D
Betsy,
Riding dinos yeah and my facorite was________(your smartalecs name) I loved teasing my one son back as hard as he dished it.
Maria,
You are welcome and it is great to have you here. :D
Maria, I hope you will enjoy it! Thanks for reading!
Shaunna, I think all of my 8 smartalec kids have said something like that to me at least once as a teenager, and some of them multiple times.
Kelly, I use 5 of the historical people from that era. There's a bit of romance with two of them (Alma and Gideon). Zephenia's father, Laish, is fictional, although his name is found in the Bible. I tried to stay true to both the names of that era when creating my own names and using names found from previous scripture.
Loved the excerpt!
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