Biblical Fiction, BLOG, Celebrate Lit Tour, Favorite, Kindle, New Author, Purchase

Secrets of the Wildflowers by Sarah Talbert Review and Giveaway

June 11, 2024June 12, 2024 Babbling Becky L

About the Book

Book: Secrets of the Wildflowers

Author: Sarah Talbert

Genre: Historical Fiction/Biblical Fiction

Release date: April 30, 2024

In the heart of ancient Ur, where the gods cast shadows and tradition weaves the fabric of life, Secrets of the Wildflowersunfolds the captivating tale of Miu, a spirited young woman determined to bloom amid the constraints of her culture, family, and the ancient deities that hold sway.

When tragedy strikes, and her beloved brother becomes a sacrifice to the gods, Miu embarks on a courageous journey to break free from the shackles of societal expectations and unearth her true purpose. Inspired by the resilient wildflowers that thrive against all odds, Miu is driven to forge her own path and create a name for herself.

As Miu navigates running her own tavern, friendship with an unlikely courier, and supporting an abandoned child, she finds herself crossing paths with Abram, a figure of significance from the Bible. In their encounters, Abram imparts profound wisdom, revealing that, like the wildflowers, Miu is created to be unique. Yet, he guides her to embrace the very boundaries that enable her to flourish.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Sarah Talbert, a devoted storyteller and explorer of faith, employs her creative writing to inspire spiritual growth. Through historical fiction and other writings, she shares compelling narratives aimed at deepening readers’ connections with Jesus. Sarah cultivates community through discipleship, hospitality, and storytelling, alongside managing a copywriting business that amplifies the voices of other enterprises.

More from Sarah

Secrets of the Wildflowers: Comparing the Ancient Near Eastern Gods with Yahweh

In the ancient civilizations of the Near East, people had a fascinating relationship with their gods. They earnestly sought the blessings of the gods, such as prosperity, reputation, and fertility, but the interactions were often unpredictable. Prayers and offerings were done with a sense of expectation, but people were always aware of the capricious whims of the gods.

When examining the relationship between humans, the gods of the Ancient Near East, and Yahweh, there are two key points to consider:

-Fragile Relationships with the Gods:

Did you know that in ancient Mesopotamia and Egypt, people believed that the gods held power over every aspect of their lives? They turned to their gods for blessings and protection, whether it was for a great harvest or a happy family.

The main reason behind writing “Secrets of the Wildflowers” was to compare and contrast the gods of Miu’s time (the main character) with Yahweh. Miu faces difficulty dealing with the unpredictable nature of the gods while also desiring to pursue her own path, but also needing the blessings of the gods.

-Yahweh’s Guidance and Certainty:

Enter Yahweh, the God of Abram, who presented an unmistakable difference from the uncertain association between humans and the gods in the Ancient Near East. Instead of leaving humanity to figure out the fickle nature of the gods’ goodwill on their own, Yahweh intervened in a significant manner.

Miu eventually discovers that Yahweh wants a relationship with her. He has pursued her from the beginning of the story. She just needs to learn if she wants to bloom free like a wildflower, or if she wants to follow him.

By following Yahweh’s laws, Abram and his people found peace, prosperity, and a divine relationship with God. Obeying His commands blessed them with divine favor and the assurance of His presence.

In conclusion, Miu and everyone she encounters must come face to face with a god who is unlike anything they’ve ever heard of. After losing and redefining freedom, Miu discovers that true freedom is found in working together with others and utilizing her God-given skills within a relationship with a loving God.

My Impressions

“The secret of the wildflowers was they grew wherever they wanted, never to be domesticated by humans. That’s what Miu wanted. Beauty and freedom uncontrolled.”

Wow! To think I almost passed on reading this book! Sarah Talbert’s Secrets of the Wildflowers excites me for several different reasons. There is enough intrigue and suspense to keep the reader rapidly turning the pages.

Miu, a mathematically inclined 16-year-old girl from the ancient city of Ur, hates her prosperous father, a famous jewelry maker for the temple priests. Miu does much to further Badak’s business, but he is all meanness and profit at any cost.

Miu escapes Ur after a great personal tragedy and sails across the sea to the respected city of Dilmun with two sailors, Zaidu and Taku. Both end up being an important part of her life story. Finding a job in a local tavern, Miu is quick to learn, and distrustful of other people. When she finds the tavern owner is just as ambitious as her father, she looks for a way to destroy her. She will not worship the capricious gods of Ur or Dilmun, gods who needed people to serve them, but could as easily ignore or destroy people as bless them.

Taku, so opposite Miu in personality and approach to life from his new friend Miu, helps bring a bit a peace to her otherwise busy, overstressed, overly controlled world. Yet, Taku is being led away from the gods of his childhood, too. “What would it be like to look up at those stars and truly know the god that made them? Could that same god ever care about humans?”

I loved the fact that though Miu loves a few deeply, she is finally forced to see that her controlling nature and refusal to engage a loving community causes her great personal loss. But the one true God of the Universe knows she is searching and doesn’t stop dealing with her until she is ready to forfeit her absolute need to control.

We get to meet Abram and Sarai and their “strange” god. This is the part that I loved most. Not only do Abram and Sarai explain how Yahweh is different from the gods others worship, but He chooses to have a relationship with people, as opposed to being flawed and using people.

I loved that Talbert talks about the gods with the understanding the ancient people of the Middle East had.( You can read her comments in the author’s notes. Our Bible study has been accessing some of the same sources Talbert refers to, and it is so exciting to see someone else have a grip on how important it is to view the Bible from the viewpoint of of the ancient Middle Eastern culture.) This understanding includes the picture the ancients have of the “waters of chaos” and the importance an object or person obtains when it is given a name. “A god or person had ultimate control when they were able to name and call creatures into order and to teach them how to grow a society using math and science. Order gave purpose, but it also gave control and power.”

“Sometimes Miu wished she’d never been named.” – Perhaps this sentence takes on new light in that perspective. Can the Yahweh of Abram and Sarai bring hope to Taku and Miu’s tortured souls? Perhaps they will discover the true secret of the wildflowers.

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. I also bought my own ecopy. No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own.

Notable Quotables:

“no one does things alone in Ur. I have dear friends, connections, and even some family I rely on. You cannot do business, or life, without a community. “

“if any of those so-called gods wanted something from her, she’d rather die. Anyone with a god that needed a sacrifice of a child to be happy, was not a god she would worship.”

“Thinking for yourself meant defeat. It meant losing the ones you love.”

“She’d make her heart as stone cold as the gods he worshipped until nothing could get inside…She must push forward in this new life or be swallowed by her past.

“He learned to be content with sharing others’ words, even if that meant his own needed to be silent.”

“The thing was, compliments only lingered for a moment, then they were off like a feather floating in the wind. Words were empty, and Hashur and Miu both knew it.”

“There’s always more to have, Miu. It just depends on what you’re willing to do to get there.”

“Since the day I left Ur, I have had to fight for control of my own life and freedom from my father and his life. I want freedom from the gods, freedom from my father, and freedom from the priests’ evil lifestyle.”

“Why did freedom feel so lonely?”

“He who keeps fleeing, flees their own past. One day you must face your own.”

“Yahweh doesn’t need us but has decided to dwell with us. He created the land we live on for people to function and create order so we can walk with him, as they did when the world was first created. And his invitation to dwell with him is why we are leaving. For us to dwell with him, in the land he will show us.”

“Yahweh is almighty and has the strength we need. Sometimes our greatest act of strength is seen in our biggest display of weakness.”

My Rating

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Magnificent! I love Talbert’s understanding of the ancient Middle Easterner’s view of the gods and the world. Very different from our Western understanding, but we can really comprehend Genesis the way the ancient Hebrews would have.

Blog Stops

Locks, Hooks and Books, June 1

Inspired by fiction, June 2

Artistic Nobody, June 3 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, June 3

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, June 4

Texas Book-aholic, June 5

Guild Master, June 6 (Author Interview)

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, June 7

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, June 8

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, June 9

Back Porch Reads, June 10 (Author Interview)

Naked and Unashamed, June 11 (Spotlight)

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, June 12

For the Love of Literature, June 13 (Author Interview)

Book Zone, June 13

Batya’s Bits, June 14

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Sarah is giving away the grand prize package of a $50 Amazon gift card and a paperback 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.

https://promosimple.com/ps/2c2c2/secrets-of-the-wildflowers-celebration-tour-giveaway

Biblical Fiction, BLOG, Celebrate Lit Tour, Purchase

Trouble in the Ruins, #3 Stones of Gilgal by CL Smith Celebrate Lit Tour and Giveaway

September 9, 2020 Babbling Becky L

About the Book

Book: Trouble in the Ruins

Author: C.L. Smith

Genre: Biblical fiction

Release Date: September 2019

Return to the turbulence of ancient Canaan in Book Three of The Stones of Gilgal. Even the raging floods of the Jordan could not stop the Israelites from crossing the river and setting up camp near Jericho. Canaanite kings and kingdoms—even the Anakim giants—are in turmoil. Former enemies jostle for power in new alliances, united only in their determination to destroy the Israelite invaders.

When the massive fortifications of Jericho collapse, Salmon rushes into the ruins to save Rahab, the beautiful harlot who had rescued him and his fellow spy from certain death. But saving her from her own city is not so easy. And that is only the beginning of the trouble, treachery and devastating ruins they and their friends face as they settle into their new life in the Promised Land.

Click here to get your copy!

My Impressions

CL Smith’s Trouble in the Ruins, # 3 Stones of Gilgal, gripped my heart with terror and wonder. Terror of the Anakim in the land. I wondered as Smith describes the Anakim and their devotion to Baal if I would have been faithful to follow Joshua and Caleb’s urging to conquer the Promised Land (although that actually occurred in a previous book, we see so much of the Anakim, I can understand the Israelites’ fear. If only they could KNOW that their God is greater…) Wonder at the greatness of God.
“Night after night, the stars declared Yahweh’s message. Israel did not face evil alone. God would provide a deliverer. It was the message of Passover.”
Evil abounds, whether in Jericho, or in the Anakim, or the hearts of man, not fully committed to God. We travel with Israel and observe the wondrous defeat of Jericho, only to see the treachery that causes the defeat at Ai. I love how each character is presented as realistically, struggling, and sometimes failing, in their walk with Yahweh. Yet we see several attaining redemption, while others reject Yahweh and rail against Him. I liked how even the “good” characters like Caleb’s daughter Acsah and her friend Abihail find they need forgiveness and cleansing. Sometimes those who think themselves most righteous have to re-examine God’s Word for guidance on how to treat others.

My heart yearned in agreement with statements about the young people:
“Passover is not their story, but it must become so. It is the birth story of our people. I must tell it and retell it. Make it theirs. Tell it every year until I die—my parting gift to future generations.”
So many touching quotes. So many competing storylines, yet they work. Especially if you have read the first two books, which I had not, or are familiar with the Biblical Exodus. I give Ms. Smith points for putting the map in front (where I believe all maps belong) and the lengthy character list in back, where one can refer to it, once you have enough knowledge to hang your hat on. Otherwise, I find a list of names at the front off-putting. Add footnotes to Biblical allusions and references, great! At times the prose is not only compelling, but it is also melodic. This is a book that was hard to put down, as I followed each character and grew to love them.
Of course, with so many characters getting their turn in the sun, many did not see the ending I was hoping for. Fortunately, we are promised two or three more books to bring this Israelite saga to a satisfying conclusion. I went and bought the first two stories. I would have bought the sequels if they were available. If you like exciting Biblical fiction, give Trouble in the Ruins a try.
Notable Quotables:

“…we must not let the living force of the story be lost.”

“God transforms tears into jewels. He has a new plan for me than the life I imagined. A higher place, and it will be good.”

“Welcome to a place where identity and dignity are found in covenant with Yahweh.”

I received a copy of this book from the author and publisher through Celebrate Lit. (I also bought my own copy.) All opinions are my own, and no positive review was required.

My Rating

Magnificent

About the Author

C.L. SMITH, former missionary, retired junior high English/history teacher, has captivated audiences around the world for years with the timeless thrill of biblical tales. Now her six-part Stones of Gilgal saga brings the mayhem and miracles of the book Joshua to life. Well researched and beautifully written, the author weaves her lifetime love of learning and people into the fabric of the biblical text, creating a tapestry of rich scenes and colorful characters the reader will not soon forget.

Learn more at www.stonesofgilgal.com

More from C.L. Smith

The Stones of Gilgal biblical novels follow the epic adventures of a group of ordinary young Israelites. As they battle evil together, they sink their roots deeper and deeper into the bedrock of God’s Truth and Love, slowly growing from a stand of saplings to a forest of giants.

Two of the seven young characters in my series have to deal with a lot of Trouble in the Ruins in this book. Lots of trouble. Lots of ruins.

Rahab the Harlot barely escapes the ruins of Jericho, but the ruins of her former life threaten to keep her ever an alien among the people of Yahweh.

Abihail is Acsah’s best friend from childhood, but she is also a fictionalized daughter-in-law of the biblical Achan. Her life is slammed with heart-rending trouble and ruin as that horrific Old Testament drama unfolds.

The Title: Trouble in the Ruins

The inspiration for this title comes from a couple of “plays on words” in Hebrew.

Trouble: The name Achan in Hebrew sounds very similar to the word Achor meaning trouble. The story of the biblical character Achan is forever tied to the word trouble at the end of Joshua 7 when the valley where he was stoned and buried under a “monument” of rocks received the name the Valley of Achor.

Ruins: Achan’s sin led to defeat at a little fortress known as Ai which means ruin. Some scholars suggest that the fortress was built on or near the ruins of a city destroyed in an earlier time. Following the glory of the crossing of the Jordan and the crumbling walls of Jericho—the Hebrew mind would find great dramatic irony in Israel being defeated by a “ruin.” The story jolts us out of complacency, underscoring the life and death consequences of obedience versus breaking covenant with God.