New Inspy Romance from Barbara Britton

 

Escape to Whispering Creek

Barbara Britton

White Rose Publishing
September, 2024, 256 pages
$5.99 ebook
$16.99 print
 
Buy from
Barnes and Noble 
Amazon 
Goodreads 
BookBub 
Publisher 

About the Book

Can a gregarious office manager and rehabilitating business owner find love while fighting accusations of white-collar crime?

Emma Uranova enjoys her office job until her boss disappears with the investors' money. To avoid the media storm and false accusations, Emma flees to Whispering Creek, Tennessee to live on her best friend' s secluded property. When a temporary position opens up in Nashville, Emma leaves small-town anonymity to pad her depleted bank account. With a handsome new boss and a steady income, Emma believes life is looking up... until she discovers she has transported the scandal in her backpack. Where is God when her life is falling apart?

Wade Donoven is recuperating from a crash that sidelined him from the family electrical business. Worse yet, his prodigal younger brother is getting the glory for Wade' s accomplishments. Desperation, and physical setbacks, have him agreeing to let Emma help him manage the business office. But when trouble follows her to his doorstep, Wade must make some difficult choices. Sending Emma back to Whispering Creek may unknowingly place the woman he's come to love in danger.

My Review

This delightful second story following characters from Christmas at Whispering Creek is a nice and easy inspy read. Britton adds an elements of danger and suspense to her romance when her innocent and eager Emma learns her perfect career choice isn’t so perfect after all, and she flees notoriety in Wisconsin for her friend Sam’s refuge in Whispering Creek, Tennessee. It turns out that notoriety isn’t all she’s running from.

Emma had invested all of her funds in her new boss’s senior living development project. She’s left with nothing when the project was merely a front for criminal activity. When Sam and her boyfriend Cole offer Emma a temporary respite in Nashville to visit Cole’s family, Sam finds new purpose in helping Cole’s family with fill-in office work for the family business. Trouble is, the job comes with a surly older brother recovering from injuries that have sidelined him, and he has a huge chip on his injured shoulder, among a host of other resentments stemming from prodigal son syndrome. Is it worth it for Emma to deal with him just to hide out while her name and bank account recover from a bad situation? As Wade thaws enough to accept some help in his physical recovery, his emotional recovery also allow room to let Emma’s bubbly personality and utter faith coax him into a happier and more positive state of mind. When Emma’s past catches up to her a week later, they must decide to stand together or divide and conquer.

 Britton’s characters are sweet and loving, dealing with challenges realistically. I enjoyed the setting and the unwavering faith elements as the romance grew. Those who enjoy sweet romances with a touch of danger will certainly like this story from Whispering Creek.

About the Author

Barbara M. Britton lives in Southeast Wisconsin and loves the snow—when it accumulates under three inches. Barbara writes romantic adventures for teens and adults in the Christian fiction and mainstream markets. She is published in Biblical fiction and enjoys bringing little-known Bible characters to light in her stories. She also writes historical and contemporary romance. Barbara is a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, and Romance Writers of America. She has a nutrition degree from Baylor University but loves to dip healthy strawberries in chocolate. You can follow her on Facebook and Twitter and instagram. http://www.barbarambritton.com

holiday story from Barbara Britton

 

Christmas at Whispering Creek (Christmas Holiday Extravaganza) 

Barbara M Britton

White Rose Publishing

October, 2022

$5.99 ebook

$15.99 print

264 pp

Buy on Barnes and Noble

Amazon 

Publisher

Bookshop

About the Book

All Samantha Williams wants to do is to use her teaching degree to instruct a classroom of second graders. But, after a breast cancer diagnosis at the age of twenty-three, and failed reconstruction surgery, Sam finds herself without a job and temporarily living with her parents. This isn’t the life Sam expected. When a family friend dies and leaves Sam a house and land in Whispering Creek, Tennessee, Sam must decide if leaving Wisconsin for Southern living is in her lesson plans.

Nashville native, Cole Donoven, left his family’s electrical business to write country music. When Cole’s song-writing partner and girlfriend dumps him for a country music star, Cole abandons Nashville to hole up in Whispering Creek and compose one more song. The last thing Cole expects to find in the sleepy small town is a deceased friend, estate squabbles, and a Northern beauty. Will the chaos in Whispering Creek help create a bestselling song for Cole and possibly help him find a life-long collaborator?

My Review

Echoing an achy country song, Britton’s latest contemporary inspirational holiday romance is a sweet twang of a hurting-and-healing stoked ballad set in rural Tennessee. When a down-and-out too-young cancer survivor is crushed by the loss of her beloved teaching job, and gets two more jolts in one day with the creepingly suspicious loss of her boyfriend and news of the death of Ted, a beloved influential friend, Samantha heads out for an adventure to learn the details of her inheritance. To her surprise, it comes with a house, cranky neighbors, and another handsome, hurting stray friend of Ted’s, the ultra-handsome and helpful songwriter Cole. Cole happens to be recovering from an unceremonious dumping of his glamorous partner, and appears at Ted’s country home to finish a contractual obligation for one last song. It’s chaos when he happens upon a furious contender for Ted’s estate, a beautiful damsel, and a tornado, all of which work to remind him that he’s never been the one in charge of his fate—God is, and he’d better re-learn that trust and faith practice.

Filled with lots of natural angst, a steady measure of faith, and delicious sweet romance, fans of Britton and clean romance will enjoy this loving holiday story.

About the Author

Barbara M. Britton lives in Wisconsin and loves the snow—when it accumulates under three inches. Barb writes romantic adventures from Ancient Israel to Modern Day USA and especially enjoys bringing little-known Bible characters to light. She has a nutrition degree from Baylor University but loves to dip healthy strawberries in chocolate. Barb is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, 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.

Defending David new historical fiction from Barbara Britton

 

Defending David: Ittai’s Story
Barbara M. Britton
 
Harbour Light Books, Pelican Book Group
Biblical fiction, 300 pp
February 25, 2022
16.99
5.99
Amazon 
Barnes and Noble 
Apple, Kobo, and from the publisher
 
About the Book
When a quiet journey to Jerusalem turns tragic, newly orphaned Rimona must flee a kinsman set on selling her as a slave. Racing into the rocky hills outside of Hebron, Rimona is rescued by a Philistine commander journeying to Jerusalem with six-hundred warriors. Exiled commander, Ittai the Gittite, is seeking refuge in the City of David. Protecting a frantic Hebrew woman is not in his leadership plan. Although, having a nobleman’s niece in his caravan might prove useful for finding shelter in a foreign land. Rimona and Ittai arrive in Jerusalem on the eve of a rebellion. In the chaos of an heir’s betrayal, will they be separated forever, or can they defend King David and help the aging monarch control his rebellious son?
 
My Review
Britton’s deft research and reimagining little-known stories from scripture flesh out another deeply ingrained figure in the background of King David’s life and reign. As a child, the Philistine Ittai met David and his entourage when they lived for a time under the protection of Achish. Ittai loved his single mother, but adored the youthful David who was kind and strong. Ittai also found a new purpose in life when David’s God became Ittai’s God.
 
Fast forward thirty years and we encounter a grown-up Ittai whose zeal for the Lord and gifts of command have influenced a small army loyal first to the Hebrew God, then to their leader Ittai, and finally to David. To that end, they set out to pledge their swords to the now aging king.
 
In the meantime, we’re introduced to a recently orphaned young woman who is seeking the capital city reluctantly to claim shelter from her last remaining relative, the brother of her recently deceased, dear mother. Rimona must trust a kinsman to take her to Jerusalem. But her trust is misplaced and she must run for her life, it’s out of the pan and into the fire when a giant Philistine catches her. Now what can a lone woman do? Who can she trust? Along the way they have a strange encounter with King David’s son Absalom.
Rimona agrees to join Ittai’s company and is sheltered by Ittai’s commander’s family whom she befriends. Once in Jerusalem nothing is easy. Sure, they both are welcomed after a fashion—David recognizes and gratefully accepts his one-time protegee, and Rimona’s grouchy uncle gracelessly accepts his new responsibility. That is unfortunately the highlight of their first impression of Jerusalem as they’ve unwittingly walked into a dreadful time in their sovereign’s life. The encounter with Absalom was a portend of a coup, and Rimona and Ittai are thrust into each side of the battle for the throne, their dignity, their freedom, and their lives.

Britton’s story of great faith and loyalty, of choosing the Lord’s side even if it looks hopeless is a gem of an addition to her growing library of Biblical historical fiction. Nuanced with romance and faithful to the story found in II Samuel, readers of faith-based fiction will surely enjoy Defending David—Ittai’s Story.
 
About the Author
Barbara M. Britton lives in Wisconsin and loves the snow—when it accumulates under three inches. Barb writes romantic adventures from Ancient Israel to Modern Day USA and especially enjoys bringing little-known Bible characters to light. She has a nutrition degree from Baylor University but loves to dip healthy strawberries in chocolate. Barb is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, 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.

WWI era Alaskan adventure

Until June

By Barbara Britton

June 2020

Pelican Book Group

266 pp

Historical Romantic Fiction, Americana

Alaska

$5.99 Ebook

$15.99

Buy the book

Amazon 

Barnes and Noble 

Pelican Book store

About the book

When seventeen-year-old seamstress, Josephine Nimetz, agrees to take care of a WWI amputee in a remote Alaskan lodge, there's enough friction to melt the Mendenhall Glacier. Her position is only until June, and it pays well enough to overlook the hardship of managing a rustic home and a shell-shocked veteran.

Geoff Chambers makes it clear that he isn't too fond of the “runt” sent to take care of his needs, nor of her painful mistakes. Dealing with a depressed and addicted veteran, pushes Josephine to the brink of leaving, if not for the money her salary brings.

But Josephine is a perfectionist, determined to get Geoff back on his feet—figuratively...Although, sending a rich, handsome veteran back into society may cost Josephine the man she has grown to love.

My review

When a proper young Alaskan miss and a wounded and bitter WWI veteran are bound together by need, romance isn’t the first order of business.

Too determined to get Geoff on his feet, albeit wooden, once Jo finds the amputee’s wooden legs hidden in a closet, Jo forgoes dignity and gossip as they spend time together at an island lodge off the cost of Juneau, Alaska in 1918 and 1919. Birthdays and holidays pass over the course of nine months as Josephine turns to nurse and helpmeet from her work as a seamstress to help provide for her family after her stepfather is brutally murdered. The murder case remains open, and anxiety over the potential perpetrator keeps the sense of suspense present under the main theme of the story.

When most girls are completing high school, Josephine is stuck on a deserted island with a grumpy young man addicted to drugs. Worse yet, he’s trigger-happy, calls her a runt, and forces her to sin—by playing card games with him. When he calls her out on romantic stories she reads in a women’s magazine and dares her to enter a writing contest, Jo slowly amends her initial impressions of the soulful Geoff.

Scarcely older than Jo, Geoff had enlisted in army only to be wounded dreadfully early on. With his bad attitude, his prognosis is grim, and he’s sent away to recover or die in a secluded place where he won’t bother his stepmother and younger half-brother. But Geoff surprises everyone, including himself, when he realizes his life is far from over.

Told through our young heroine’s eyes, Britton has created an earthy and heartwarming romance filled with down-to-earth characters. Frankness and realism pepper this journey of healing from the inside out. Britton’s fans won’t find much of a leap from Biblical Israel to historical territorial America as her latest tale unfolds with her usual storytelling aplomb.

About the Author

Barbara M. Britton lives in Wisconsin and loves the snow--when it accumulates under three inches. Barb writes romantic adventures from Ancient Israel to Modern Day USA and especially enjoys bringing little-known Bible characters to light. She has a nutrition degree from Baylor University but loves to dip healthy strawberries in chocolate. Barb 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.

New Biblical fiction from Barbara Britton

Heavenly Lights: Noah’s Journey

Barbara M Britton

Pelican Book Group

Released February 2020

Biblical fiction

$5.99 eBook

$15.99 Print

210 pp

Buy on Amazon 

Barnes and Noble 

Publisher site 

About the Book

Fiction from Joshua 5-8; the daughters of Zelophehad go forth with God into the book of Joshua.

Noah bat Zelophehad might have broken tradition by being able to inherit her father’s land, but her heart’s desire is to have the finest herds in all of Israel, something an orphaned and unmarried woman has never achieved.

Jeremiah ben Abishua cannot speak, nor hear. God has made his thoughts captive to his mind. But he can communicate with one shepherdess, a woman who sees his skill with animals and treats him like a man worthy of respect.

When their people disobey God and incur his wrath, Noah and Jeremiah must overcome tragedy in order to change perceptions in the tribes of Israel. Will their kinship desire to care for one another and the four-legged creatures God has placed in their care, be able to flourish in a land filled with enemies of the One True God?

God gave Noah bat Zelophehad four sisters, a way with four-legged creatures, and a strong spirit. She will need all three gifts to thrive in the Promised Land of God and find love with a special shepherd.

Coming in April 2020: Claiming Canaan: Milcah’s Journey

My Review

The second installment of Britton’s well-researched and imaginative biblical fiction series is a delight. The author focuses on the little-told story of the daughters of Zelophehad who were bold enough to claim their rightful inheritance in the Promised Land after Moses led the Hebrews out of Egypt.

Noah is specially gifted in animal husbandry and the story opens upon her assisting in a difficult birth and devising an innovative therapeutic approach to encouraging the offspring to thrive—a talent that will come in handy in the future. Although her clan of five women has been recognized in the world of men, it’s still an unusual and prejudicial struggling community of Israelites navigating and battling to follow God in an alien land and culture. The women must continually stay alert to protect their reputations and future. If the feisty Noah has any weak spot it’s for her fellow shepherd, the deaf-mute Jeremiah, strong and faithful and utterly devoted to her and their work. Neither dares entertain more than a passing fancy that they could join their lives; in fact, Noah is so dedicated to her work she would rather not marry anyone if it means she might not be able to care for her beloved herds.

Jeremiah knows he has to prove himself a man in the eyes of his clan before he can dream of marrying. Even if it means risking his life in battle…as well as with his crafty brothers.

Heavenly Lights is the story of Noah and Jeremiah’s devotion to the God who created the earth and all the stars of the sky; the God who listens and cares for His people and provides not only our needs but the desires of our hearts. Told through both Noah and Jeremiah’s viewpoints, readers of biblical fiction will appreciate Britton’s detail and faithful retelling of the story of these deserving women.

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.

New from Barbara M Britton Lioness Mahlahs Journey

About the Book

While the Israelites struggle to occupy the Promised Land of God, Mahlah bat Zelophehad is orphaned and left to care for her four sisters. But daughters of the dead are unable to inherit land, and it will take a miracle for Mahlah to obtain the means to care for her sisters and uphold the vow she made to her dying mother.

Mahlah must seek Moses, the leader of her people, and request something extraordinary—the right for a daughter to inherit her deceased father’s land. A right that will upset the ox-cart of male inheritance and cast her in the role of a rebel.

But, God is the protector of the orphan and the widow, and five orphaned daughters need His help. With God, anything is possible. Even changing man’s tradition.

~the print edition will release on December 6th.

Ebook $5.99

Buy on  Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Pelican Book Group.

My Review

The Israelites had more to fight than Canaanites on their way to take the Promised Land. Britton brings to light another little known aspect of Bible times as she creates a story based on one family of orphaned young women who request their rightful inheritance of property among the ancestral clans. Although Jewish tradition is strongly patriarchal, stories like these remind us that God is our loving Parent who hears our petitions and acts in our best interest.

While Britton acknowledges the story of how the daughters of Zelophehad became orphaned, she uses recorded incidents such as plagues and snake attacks as God’s swift answer to swiftly quell grumbling, sin, and resultant uprisings. Readers may want to review the Bible journey of Exodus to remind themselves of the perils the Israelites underwent on their escape from Egypt and the forty-year journey to their home. Mahlah, as eldest sister of five girls, watches her father choose death, leaving his daughters in despair. But Mahlah will not allow despair to overwhelm her or her family. She will honor her promise to her mother to watch over her sisters, and she does, fighting sin and tradition alike to ensure their safety and inheritance. Mahlah is willing to sacrifice herself and even her future happiness to prove to this world of men that family matters more. With delight, Britton imagines a biblical beat-down on several fronts, from Baalam’s lesson to show-off boys and conquering respect from tribal elders.

The author makes it clear these Chosen Ones have their own issues of misogyny, death and widowhood, poor choices, sin, and war. Everyday life and peril for these nomads is pictured through Britton’s careful research. Britton’s fans will find a new series to delight in with Lioness: Mahlah’s Journey.

A Brief Interview with the author

What do you love about this book?

I was thrilled to discover a Bible story that was new to me. I’ve been a Christian a long time, but I had never heard the story of the daughters of Zelophehad. How had I missed these groundbreaking sisters? Five orphaned sisters changed history by seeking to inherit their father’s land. This was a bold “ask” in a male-dominated society. Their story is like a “David and Goliath” for girls.

Introduce us to the villain.

The nebulous villain would be the cultural confines of the day that did not allow women to inherit land and the jeopardy women faced if they remained unmarried. My sisters of faith do meet Balaam son of Beor. Balaam is a sorcerer who tried to lead the Israelites into idol worship and sexual immorality. Balaam battles a strong woman of faith in Mahlah.

Share a couple of things you learned while researching this book.

My biggest discovery was the girls themselves and how many Scriptures refer to them and their journey. They are mentioned several times in the book of Numbers and also in the book of Joshua. The sisters are from the tribe of Manasseh which splits—some Manassites stayed on the east side of the Jordan River and some ventured west. I had written a heart-tugging good-bye scene only to discover the girls crossed the Jordan. Joshua 17:2 references the clans that traveled west. I’m sure I would have heard about my mistake had I left the girls on the wrong side of the Jordan.

What do you hope readers will tell others about the story?

My desire is for more people to hear the story of these brave girls and see their strong faith in God. Did they doubt God’s provision of land? We will never know. I’m sure the assembly of men wanted a swift denial of their request. Moses heeds God’s commands to protect the widow and orphan (Deut. 24:17-18, 14:28-29). God is the God of these downtrodden, yet faithful daughters. Deuteronomy 10:18a says that “He (God) defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow.” God shows up in a big way for these orphaned girls.

What are you reading now?

I am reading “What They Meant For Evil” by Rebecca Deng. Rebecca came and spoke to my Sunday School class. She is one of the Lost Girls from Sudan. She talked about being a refugee and how God brought her through some scary and violent times in her life.

What’s next for you?

I planned to only write one book about the daughters of Zelophehad, but there will be two more. “Lioness” ends after the girls cross the Jordan River and before the battle of Jericho. Canaan hadn’t been conquered yet, so the girls couldn’t receive their land. “Heavenly Lights: Noah’s Journey” takes the girls through Joshua 5-8 and “Claiming Canaan: Milcah’s Journey” will see the girls get their land. I also have a WWI historical releasing this year called “Until June.” If you liked “Me Before You” but hated the ending, then this Historical is for you.

About the Author

Barbara M. Britton lives in Southeast, Wisconsin and loves the snow—when it accumulates under three inches. She writes Christian Fiction for teens and adults. Barb brings little-known Bible stories to light in her Tribes of Israel series. In October she will shine a light on the daughters of Zelophehad with “Lioness: Mahlah’s Journey.” Five orphaned sisters changed history, and few know their names. Barb is a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, Romance Writers of America and Wisconsin Romance Writers of America. She is published by Harbourlight Books an imprint of Pelican Book Group. Barb has a nutrition degree from Baylor University but loves to dip healthy strawberries in chocolate. Follow Barb on Facebook or twitter, or find out more about her books at www.barbarambritton.com.

“Providence: Hannah’s Journey”~ Harbourlight Books~ October 2016
“Building Benjamin: Naomi’s Journey”~ Harbourlight Books~ February 2017
“Jerusalem Rising: Adah’s Journey” ~ Harbourlight Books~ November 2017
“Lioness: Mahlah’s Journey” ~ Harbourlight Books~ October 2019
“Heavenly Lights: Noah’s Journey” ~ Harbourlight Books~ February 2020
“Claiming Canaan: Milcah’s Journey” ~ Harbourlight Books~ April 2020

Barbara Britton and Tribes of Israel

It's common knowledge that authors find their muse in many different places, but one author found her muse while teaching Sunday school.

Author Barbara M. Britton recently was featured on the Books of the Month TV program. Today we host the episode, now available online, on demand, courtesy of Preach the Word Worldwide TV Network. Learn how teaching Sunday school to children helped to spur Barbara's story ideas for her now-popular Biblical fiction series "Tribes of Israel."




(if you can't see the video, click here to visit the Preach the Word Worldwide Network TV station page.)


Purchase Providence: Hannah's Journey today
Pre-order Building Benjamin: Naomi's Journey