An Encounter with a Certain Man Changes Everything

Historical fiction is a wonderful category of Christian fiction. Many great authors have stories to share about multiple time periods. A popular sub-genre is Biblical fiction.  Today, I am pleased to introduce you to a new author whose first book launches today and promises to be as beautiful as its captivating cover.

Linda Dindzans, M.D. is a writer with the heart of a healer who offers readers stories of redemption and restoration. Though her compelling characters inhabit the perilous times of the Bible, Linda believes there is nothing new under the sun. The battles of her characters still speak to hearts today. And only a profound encounter with the Son can transform them from victims to victors.

Now, here’s Linda to tell us more:

Jenny:  Welcome, Linda. I’m so glad to have you with us today. If my readers are like me, it’s a bit hard to identify with characters who lived during the time of Jesus. Is there any part of this story that mirrors your own life in some way? If not, which character do you most closely identify with?

Linda: Most good stories mirror life in some way. In my experience, the unforgettable stories evoke universal truths. Mara is shunned and an outcast. She is lonely and depressed. Who of us has never been bullied or shunned or outcast? Lonely or depressed?

It is only page 26 when Mara comments “Then I would be happily dead, freed from the torture of a loathed wedding bed.” Ruth gasped and wrapped Mara with a motherly embrace. “Child, never despise the life HaShem has given.” She stroked Mara’s hair. “HaShem has promised one day the ashes of mourning will be traded for joy.”

The Promise of hope for a joyful future is a major theme in this book.

Jenny:  Writing biblical fiction must require a lot of detailed research. What was your favorite discovery while researching this story?

Linda: The discovery that the mother of Herod Antipas (the King Herod at the time of the crucifixion) was a Samaritan allowed for me to craft a tale where Samuel ends up before Caiaphas, Herod and Pilate–the same three judges to whom Jesus was brought. Because Herod is a key figure, enter Herodias, John the Baptist and Salome. Also Samaria was clearly important to Jesus. He went there early in His ministry and His last words before words before ascending back to the Father were, “You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8).

Jenny:  What is the major take-away you want readers to have from this story?

Linda:   Yeshua tells Mara– Always ask all of your questions. Questions will strengthen your faith, not weaken it. Seek and you will find. It is possible to be certain in your faith. God often seeks for us first as He did with Mara. He answers our challenges to His purposes as He did with Thomas and both Mara and Samuel in A Certain Man.

Jenny:   Our readers are always interested in a writer’s process. What do you do when you need some quick inspiration?

Linda:  Sometimes I simply take a complete break. I find inspiration in choir singing, travel, photography. Often ideas come when reading cross-genre. If I am stuck, sometimes I will stop trying to work on the WIP and take a writing course.

Jenny:  Tell us a little more about your routine.  Any must-have snacks, music, etc.?

Linda: I go through phases of a steady routine. Sometimes I just start with whatever is top of mind. Morning is my most creative time and I often wake up with an idea. I keep a notebook at the bedside as I have dreamt a stellar line that I would not have remembered in the morning. Occasionally I will listen to instrumental music meant to increase focus and creativity. Often, I focus well with whatever is happening around me as ambient noise. My middle child, now an adult, told me when he was fed up trying to get my attention “Mom you better pray the Second Coming doesn’t happen when you are reading––because you will miss it!”

Jenny:  So, what’s coming up for you? Should we be watching for another project, or are you taking some time off?

Linda: The whole book launch/ marketing/ social media scene is way out of my comfort zone. But I remind myself that I get to learn these things because I have a published book and two more contracts signed. I have learned so much from writing and cutting the first book that my process for the second (Lord willing) will be much more intentional and I believe efficient.

Jenny:  Do you have any other parting comments for our readers?

Linda:  I would point them to two blogs I wrote for ACFW recently
Why Write a Biblical Novel? And Why Read or Recommend a Biblical novel?

Jenny: Thanks so much for coming by today. It has been so good to get a glimpse of the life of an author of Biblical fiction. I hope this debut novel is just the first of many more to come for you.

Here’s more about Linda’s book “A Certain Man”

Mara is a young Samaritan beginning to discover her love for Samuel- and his for her. Soon she will be deemed mature enough to marry. Her hopes are dashed when her greedy father brokers a match with the cruel son of the wealthy High Priest of Shechem. When her loathsome betrothed is killed, her beloved Samuel must run for his life. Mara and Samuel struggle to survive and reunite during the treacherous and scandalous times of the Bible under the merciless rule of Rome.

Along the way, they are entangled within the snares of such notable figures as King Herod, Herodias, Pontius Pilate, Caiaphas, and Salome.

The heartrending tales of Mara and Samuel are interwoven with their desperate love story. Before either meets Yeshua the Nazarene face to face. Before He sets the political, religious, and spiritual landscape on fire. And before Mara or Samuel are immortalized in the gospels.

Want to snag your own copy of this brand new book? Follow this link:

Amazon.com: A Certain Man (A Certain Future Book 1) eBook : Dindzans, Linda: Kindle Store