Claiming Canaan by Barbara Britton

Claiming Caanan: Milcah’s Journey 

Book 4 of the Daughters of Zelophehad series

Barbara Britton

Harbour Light Books, an imprint of Pelican Ventures LLC

April 17, 2020

Biblical Fiction

214 pp

$15.99 Print

$5.99 Ebook

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About the Book

When the tribal elders make marriage a requirement for claiming her land, Milcah bat Zelophehad must find a betrothed straightaway. The only problem in finding a husband is that all her suitors were slain while conquering the land of Canaan. Men avoid her in order to stay alive.

After praying to God to send her a bold suitor, a man from her father's clan plummets from a tree right on top of her. Is this God answering prayer, or a foolish antic by Eli, the war-scarred brother from one of her clan's rival families.

Will settling in Canaan sort out Milcah's troubles?

My Review

The final book of Britton’s series about the Daughters of Zelophehad from the Book of Joshua is my favorite. The Israelite clans have finally reached the Promised Land, but their quest to claim it for their own has just begun. For Milcah, fourth of the five daughters given an allotment in their father’s name, pagan Canaanites are not the only enemy. Other members of her tribe lust after her land, and when her allotment comes with a price—a husband—she tries to obey. She even falls in love during the years since her three older sisters have married. Unfortunately, she has yet to share a wedding night since they have a habit of dying heroically and tragically. The draconian rules of etiquette in ancient Israel come to her rescue when the second-to-last man she’d be willing to claim as spouse and she are found in a compromising position.

Introduced in the first book, Eli is bit of a troublemaking curiosity seeker, the third son who has little to look forward to in inheritance. Since being wounded and scarred in battle, he’s chosen to comfort himself through drink. Milcah is determined to keep her inheritance and decides to put up with anything—anyone—who allows that to happen. All Eli needs is a chance to prove himself, and he could certainly find very little to complain about being the spouse of a comely landowner. He’s willing to turn over a new leaf, especially to prove his father and older brother wrong about his capabilities as a responsible man.

As these two begin to bond, truly, their strength is a three-stranded cord. Milcah is blessed upon blessed when she sees the riches of her property, but it comes with potentially insurmountable tests of Eli’s sobriety and their faith as they prepare for their wedding. The sisterly bonds are unbreakable, and their dedication to honor their one true God and their heritage is inspiring for any age. They work together in all circumstances to support each other.

Britton’s wonderful research puts the reader in time and place in ancient Israel. Although not every thread is completely woven in place, the sisters’ stories are lovingly wrapped up in pure romantic love. Britton’s bullies and waifs, however, are left to our imagination, and I’m okay with that. We know the ultimate end of the story, of course, from the Bible. 

About the Author

Barbara M. Britton was born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, but currently lives in Wisconsin and loves the snow—when it accumulates under three inches. She writes romantic adventures for teens and adults. Barb has a nutrition degree from Baylor University but loves to dip healthy strawberries in chocolate. She is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, Wisconsin Romance Writers of America, Romance Writers of America and American Christian Fiction Writers. You can visit Barb online at www. barbarambritton.com or follow her on Facebook and Twitter.