Tuesday, September 1, 2020

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.

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MY REVIEW

I remember the last book I read from this author and how much I enjoyed it. To say that I was excited about this book is very true. The author takes a Biblical story and makes it come to life. The way she describes the land, the people and what is going on heightens with each paragraph. I absolutely loved reading about the Passover and how it was described. The people were excited but a little hesitant about their future. I had a hard time figuring out how to say some of the names in the story. That is something I have always thought about. It is such a silly thing to ponder over but why are some of the names in the Bible so hard to pronounce? Well that went off on a rabbit trail but I was so captivated by this story that I wanted to know everything including the origin of names.

The excitement starts with the fall of Jericho and oh my does the author do an amazing job of making me experience each stone as it falls loudly to the ground as people ran for their lives. I loved when Salmon came in to rescue Rahab. He was fierce and without any hesitation sweeps her up to freedom. This is exactly what I like about the author’s style of writing. It is so vivid you can see the scene before you and watch as Rahab and Salmon run to safety.

The story is action packed and shines a light on a story I didn’t know much about. Once again I found myself digging in my Bible to see how parallel the two stories were. There is danger, secrets and much deceit that goes on and I couldn’t read fast enough. The Promised Land holds many new adventures and for some it is a big change from what they are accustomed to. There is a lot going on in the story and I did learn a few things. The laws that God had given His people were to be followed. It was hard for some to abide by them but in the end God is in control. He knows what is best for His people. I encourage readers to take their time as they read this account of a time in the Bible when chaos happened and people trusted in their faith to be safe.

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.

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 Achormeaning 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.