Feb. 28th, 2018 Christian Fiction Scavenger Hunt Stop #26

WELCOME to the Christian Fiction Scavenger Hunt!

If you’ve just discovered the hunt, be sure to start at Stop #1, and collect the clues through all 30 stops, in order, so you can enter to win one of our top 5 grand prizes!

  • The hunt BEGINS on 3/1 at noon MST with Stop #1 at LisaTawnBergren.com.
  • Hunt through our loop using Chrome or Firefox as your browser (not Explorer).
  • There is NO RUSH to complete the hunt – you have all weekend (until Sunday, 3/4 at midnight MST)! So take your time, reading the unique posts along the way. Our hope is that you discover new authors/new books.
  • Submit your entry for the grand prizes by collecting the CLUE on each author’s scavenger hunt post and submitting your answer in the Rafflecopter form at Stop #30. Many authors are offering additional prizes along the way!

 

I am delighted to be hosting the fabulous Mesu Andrews. She was exceptionally kind to me when we met last year at the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference and I can’t wait for you to get to know her and her beautiful writing!

Here’s a brief summary of her latest release, Isaiah’s Daughter . . .

Ishma comes to the prophet Isaiah’s home as a five-year-old orphan, devastated after watching her family destroyed and living as a captive. With tenderness and care, her lively spirit is revived, and the prophet and his wife adopt Ishma, giving her a new name—Zibah, delight of the Lord. As the years pass, Zibah wins Prince Hezekiah’s favor, a boy determined to rebuild the kingdom his father has nearly destroyed. But loving this man awakens Zibah’s painful past and calls into question the very foundation of her father’s prophecies. Can she learn to rely on only Yahweh, who gives life, calms fear, and conquers nations?

 

Holy Pigeons!

by Mesu Andrews

I love watching a mama bird with babies in her nest. Birds, in general, are beautiful creatures—at a distance. Up close, they creep me out a little, but have you ever noticed the gorgeous, iridescent colors on a pigeon’s feathers? Did you know pigeons and doves are kissin’ cousins?

During the third painful re-write of Isaiah’s Daughter, my editor suggested I give Zibah, the heroine, a “hobby.” What in the world does a six-year-old servant do for fun in 600 B.C. Jerusalem?

I had just read Alice Hoffman’s, The Dovekeepers, and was fascinated by the myriad uses of doves in ancient Israel. What if my traumatized little heroine found peace and solace in the ancient practice of dove-keeping? What if she and her little birds calmed each other?

As the story evolved, many opportunities for spiritual applications arose. This was one of my favorites from the lips of Isaiah’s wife, Aya:

She looked at me with glistening eyes. “Do you know why Master Isaiah calls me a prophetess?” I shook my head but was eager to hear. “It’s not because I proclaimed Yahweh’s words to kings or predicted future events that came to pass. Isaiah calls me prophetess because I speak with Yahweh as a friend—and He answers.”

My mind began to spin with questions, but the most important came out first. “How do you hear Yahweh’s voice?”

“How do you call a palm dove to light on your arm?”

Obedient but confused, I answered her question. “I become peaceful and then sing the dove’s song.” How could my call to the dove answer my interest in how Mistress heard Yahweh?

Her eyes sparkled as she helped me work it out. “If I became peaceful and tried to make dove noises, would your dove light on my arm?”

“Perhaps not.” I thought more about what made my dove come to me. “It’s the trust and familiarity between me and my dove that creates the bond. Only after the second year would the dove light on a platform and take food from my hand. It was the third summer before it actually landed on my arm.”

Mistress nodded. “Talk with Yahweh, Ishma. A bond will form, and He’ll become familiar, Someone you can trust.”

I hope Zibah, Aya, and their little doves have encouraged you today!

 

 

Biblical fiction is Mesu Andrews’ favorite genre to read and to write.

Her deep understanding of and love for God’s Word brings the biblical world alive for her readers.

She and her husband, Roy, live in a log cabin snuggled into the beautiful Appalachian Mountains with their dog, Zeke.

 

 

HERE’S THE STOP #26 SKINNY:

You can order Mesu’s book on AmazonBarnes & NobleCBDLifeway, or at your local bookstore!

Clue to Write Down: you

Link to Stop #27, the Next Stop on the Loop: Mesu Andrews’s own site!

But hang on y’all!

Before you head over to Mesu’s site, I’m giving away a prize pack that includes all 3 of my books (Beneath the Surface, Hidden Legacy, and Covert Justice), some Dive Team Investigations goodies and a Starbucks gift card! All you have to do is sign up for my newsletter or note that you already subscribe. You can grab extra entries if you follow me on Twitter or Instagram, or if you like my Facebook Author page or subscribe to my blog. (This giveaway is open to residents of the US only).

Click on the Rafflecopter form below to get started! All the links you need are in the contest entry form! Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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63 Comments

  1. Karen says:

    I love the lesson that you’ve included on prayer, Mesu! That is such a beautiful way to explain it!

  2. Pat Moore says:

    Just visited your FB page. The book looks terrific. Left comment on your site. I love Biblical fiction

    • Mesu says:

      Thanks, Pat! I was thrilled to see two other biblical fiction books on this hunt as well–Connilyn Cossette’s and Jill Eileen Smith’s books are some of my favorite reading! Thanks for stopping by. 😉

  3. Pat Moore says:

    Lynn, I’m sorry – I left a message on your site about your suspense book. I was looking at Mesu’s book too. Been a long and tiring day and I got my books to the wrong author. You are new to me and looking forward to reading your book. I love a good romantic suspense.

    • Lynn H. Blackburn says:

      No worries, Pat! Totally fine to comment on her post here! 🙂
      I hope you enjoy Beneath the Surface!!
      Grace and peace,
      Lynn

    • Mesu says:

      Hey, Pat! I saw you over there on my site too. Don’t let the Scavenger Hunt overwhelm you. Take your time. We’ll be here all weekend. 😉 Thanks so much for stopping by and subscribing to my newsletter. Blessings on ya, gal!

  4. Brandi says:

    Just signed up. Enjoying meeting new authors through the scavenger hunt. Thanks for the opportunity.

    • Lynn H. Blackburn says:

      I still haven’t made it through all the posts myself, but I love the way there are so many authors and genres represented! So fun! Glad you enjoyed it!
      Grace and peace,
      Lynn

  5. Jeanne Crea says:

    Thank you so much! Nice to “meet” you. I look forward to reading your books. I have to agree with you, Dee Henderson was my introduction to romantic suspense, and I loved the O’Malley series.

    • Lynn H. Blackburn says:

      It’s nice to “meet” you as well!
      And yay for all the feels for the O’Malley’s!! #foreverfavorites
      Grace and peace,
      Lynn

  6. Brenda Hook says:

    thank you so much it was fun

  7. Megan says:

    I can’t get the link to Mesu’s site to work!

  8. Lynn Riddick says:

    I’m SO happy to find a new author. When I read your interview on Susan May Warren’s page I see you read all the same authors I do. I’m looking forward to reading your book.

    I seem to be having a problem getting to Mesu Andrew’s page. I keep getting a “database error”. I’ll keep trying.

  9. Alaina F says:

    Release the hounds, I’m on the hunt for Day 2!

    Thanks for hosting on this scavenger hunt, Lynn. And thanks for posting, Mesu! Your Biblical fiction is amazing and makes me feel for the people in it. 🙂

  10. Lori Dykes says:

    I love biblical fiction. I really hope to go to the Holy Land one day

    • Mesu says:

      Hi Lori! So glad you’re a fellow bib-fic lover! I’m hoping to go back to Israel in 2020. Don’t know yet if it’s going to be a trip I’ll do with my hubby and our church (he’s a pastor) or if we’ll open it up to my readers, but I’ll keep you posted on my FB and website. 😉

  11. Heidi Cattey says:

    This looks like a very interesting read. We have your book Love in a Broken Vessel and have read it three or four times as devotionals and learn new things each time we read it through.
    This looks like a good book to put on our reading list.

    • Mesu says:

      Hi Heidi!
      I’m thrilled you’ve enjoyed LIBV. Isaiah’s Daughter has lots of study helps to accompany it–a downloadable Bible study on my website (http://mesuandrews.com/books/isaiahs-daughter/ – under Free Resources) and a similar 7-day study on the YouVersion app called Through Prophet Isaiah: Discovering Deeper Truth. Plus the Group Discussion Questions in the back of the book. Hope this helps! 😉

  12. Lisamarie Whiting says:

    All done!!!! Thank you for the opportunity!! God bless!!

  13. Kim Thompson says:

    I am so looking forward to reading your books! Inspirational romantic Suspense is my favorite genre to read, and most of the authors on your list are on my favorites list. Dee Henderson’s O’Malley series was my first introduction to Suspense novels as well and remains on my list of favorites!

    • Lynn H. Blackburn says:

      More love for the O’Malley’s!! 🙂 Yay!

      I love to read just about anything, but romantic suspense is always the one I come back to! 🙂

      Grace and peace,
      Lynn

  14. Thank you for being part of the Hunt !!! I am subscribed and look foward to hearing more from you
    Linda Marie

    • Lynn H. Blackburn says:

      I have had so much being part of this Hunt! I really wish I could enter for all those books! LOL!
      Grace and peace,
      Lynn

  15. Can’t wait to read more books from both of you ! Love the Hunt !
    Linda

  16. Pam Jeffries says:

    Can’t wait to read Isaiah’s Daugter. I just picked it up! I love everything Mesu has written…. my favorite though was Pharoah’s Daughter!

  17. Susan Johnson says:

    I am having a lot of fun on this scavenger hunt. Thank you for being part of it.

    • Lynn H. Blackburn says:

      This is the first one I’ve been a part of and I’ve had a blast!
      So glad you’ve enjoyed it!
      Grace and peace,
      Lynn

  18. Trixi says:

    I love the analogy of the dove story! Really brings into perspective how our prayer life & relationship should be with God 🙂 Definitely one to keep in mind.

    Thank you for participating in the scavenger hunt & the bonus giveaway! I look forward to this each year. Oh yes, I’m already a newsletter subscriber 🙂

    • Mesu says:

      Thanks, Trixi. That particular story wasn’t added until the third edit of Isaiah’s Daughter. I’m so grateful for great editors and the thorough editing process that makes me dig deeper into my own spiritual reservoirs. God is sooooo good!

  19. Lonzine Lee says:

    This is a lot of fun. I love the premise of the dove story. Definitely adding to my TBR list.

  20. Gabrielle says:

    Considering I’ve read (and liked) all the authors you listed as your influence, I’m gonna hafta read one of your books. Looking forward to it. 🙂

    • Mesu says:

      Hahaha! Sounds like we have much the same taste, Gabrielle. Keep in touch and let me know what you think if you break down and read one of my books. 😉 Blessings, gal!

    • Lynn H. Blackburn says:

      So glad! I hope you get a chance to read both mine and Mesu’s!
      Grace and peace,
      Lynn

  21. Lisa Hudson says:

    Thanks for participating!

  22. Lisa Hudson says:

    Lynn you are a new author to me but I’ve added your books to my TBR List! You’ve included many of my favorite authors as influences on your writing so I’m very interested in your books!

  23. Shaun says:

    This scavenger hunt has introduced me to a lot of new authors. I can’t wait to read Beneath the Surface. The O’Malley series is how I got hooked on Romantic Suspense novels too. Thanks for hosting.

    Mesu, I was never a fan of Biblical fiction until I read Love’s Sacred Song. Love your books.

    • Lynn H. Blackburn says:

      We all owe a great deal of gratitude to Dee Henderson!! 🙂 I’m so glad you’ve met some new authors on this hunt! Happy reading!
      Grace and peace,
      Lynn

    • Mesu says:

      Oh, Shaun! What a wonderful encouragement! Thank you so much. LOVE’S SACRED SONG was the book of my heart and the story that completely changed my relationship with Jesus Christ. It took me 12 years to write and was first a Bible study and finally evolved into the novel you held in your hands. I’m thrilled to hear you enjoyed it. Blessings on you! 😉

  24. Kristy Laptew says:

    So glad I found you on this scavenger hunt! Can’t wait to start reading your books!!

    • Lynn H. Blackburn says:

      I’ve loved meeting so many new readers on this hunt! Readers are my favorite kind of people! 🙂
      Grace and peace,
      Lynn

  25. Charlyn says:

    9 of 10 on your list of favorite/influential authors are my favorite authors and I emphatically ditto your comments on the O’Malley series! Therefore, I think you will be a new author on my list very soon, hopefully right after I win your books. 🙂

    • Lynn H. Blackburn says:

      Charlyn – That sounds great!! Fingers crossed for you! I’m announcing the winners Monday afternoon!
      Grace and peace,
      Lynn

  26. Alison Boss says:

    Mesu, ‘Isaiah’s Daughter’ sounds like a beautiful story! I like the analogy you used of the dove to teach Ishma about prayer.

    Lynn, thank you for the extra prize package giveaway!!

    Thanks to both of you for participating in this year’s CFSH! You are both new authors to me. That’s one of the awesome things about doing the CFSH…..learning about new authors and getting new info on authors we know and love. The hunt is so much fun, and I look forward to it every year! 🙂

    • Lynn H. Blackburn says:

      Thank you, Alison!
      So glad you’ve met some new authors! I’ve certainly had a blast participating!
      Grace and peace,
      Lynn

  27. Michelle Crandall says:

    I thought I signed up for your newsletter,but I may have only signed up for the blog updates. Please add me to your newsletter. I can’t wait to read your books!