Summer is retreating to the rear-view mirror as most areas of the country are enjoying at least occasional cooler temperatures. Upcoming holiday celebrations entice us to seek books that highlight the birth of Jesus.
Today, I have a special guest on my blog who has written a soon to be released biblical fiction novel that brings new details about a familiar story surrounding our Savior’s birth.
Before we talk to the author, Lana Christian, here’s a short introduction of her book, New Star, which releases September 24, and is already available for pre-order today!
Special announcement- Read all the way to the end and answer one question to win your own copy!
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Akilah, a highly respected priest-scholar in Magi society, consider all his astronomy discoveries well-deserved stepping-stones to a more fulfilling life. But the appearance of a new star challenges his priorities. As Persia totters on the brink of an undesirable king coming to power, Akilah declines a position that could turn that tide. Instead, he studies a star that doesn’t appear in any almanac or religious writings. Except Jewish.
When he and his colleagues uncover a few Jewish prophecies linking the star to an eternal king, Akilah becomes the target of Persia’s religious and governmental conflicts. Jailed for crimes he didn’t commit, Akilah must rely on questionable resources to free himself and reach Jerusalem.
Persia’s purists aren’t the only ones bent on keeping their country free of Jewish influences. As dangers at home and abroad plunge Akilah and his colleagues into three countries’ religious conflicts and circumstances beyond their imagining, Akilah realizes his knowledge of Jesus could potentially destroy Magi society and its power over Persia’s official religion and government. Untrusting of his Council, a thousand miles from aid, and bound in a potentially career-ending contract, Akilah must decide how far he will go to protect what he knows of Jesus—and whether the cost of his belief is worth the risk.
Doesn’t that sound fascinating?
Here’s a little bit about Lana:
Lana Christian is an award-winning author in business and creative writing. In business, she garnered several APEX awards, a patent, a published book, and millions of dollars in grant money for clients. Years of writing manuscripts for physicians and researchers made her an ace at research, which she leverages in writing biblical fiction. She is an invited guest blogger and writes her own biweekly devotional blog, “Encouragement from Living History.” Since 2019, she has won six faith-based writing awards, including one from Baker Publishing Group for her short story about Lot. Her biblical fiction novel, New Star, is the first installment in the series The Magi’s Encounters. Contact her on X (Twitter) at @LanaCwrites or www.lanachristian.com.
Now, let’s hear from Lana,
Jenny: Thanks so much for coming by today, Lana. I am fascinated by the little glimpse of New Star. 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?
Lana: I think authors can’t help but write some aspect of themselves into their books. Akilah, my main character, has lots of head knowledge and life experience, but he’s still somewhat idealistic—which works for or against him, depending on the situation. I’m like Akilah in that regard.
Jenny: What was your favorite discovery while researching this story?
Lana: Where to start? I made so many wonderful discoveries in the course of researching this book. We give far too little credit to ancient civilizations for how advanced they were. For example, first-century Persians (and other cultures) made waterproof cement and used it in cisterns, on roads, and in ice houses. (Yes, Persians knew how to freeze water.) They knew how to build homes with natural air conditioning. The Persian postal relay system was the fastest and most efficient in the world. Lauded by historians of the day as “Neither rain, nor snow, nor dark of night … [would keep them from their appointed task],” that is the origin of the U.S. Postal Service’s motto. And so on.
Jenny: I agree. Ancient people were much more sophisticated than we realize. What is the major take-away you want your readers to have from this story?
Lana: No matter how high the risk, no matter what the cost, regardless of how counterintuitive or countercultural it may seem, if God tells you to step out of your comfort zone, you will succeed.
Jenny: So true. Without him we can do nothing, with His help. we can do anything! Our readers are always interested in a writer’s process. When you are writing and need some quick inspiration, what is your “go-to”?
Lana: I talk a walk, listen to music, read something seemingly unrelated to what I’m doing … and always pray. God has guided me in countless ways throughout my research and writing. It’s an immense privilege to co-create with Him.
Jenny: Tell us more about your writing routine. Any favorite snacks, music, etc?
Lana: I still have a day job, so I don’t have much of a writing routine. I don’t get up at 5 a.m. to write every day. I don’t hold myself to a certain number of words per day because some days I don’t have the neurons left to do that. But I DO always do some writing-related activity every day. That’s paramount to keep the book moving forward. If I don’t actually crank out a chapter, I’ll do other writerly things—research, marketing, or “noodling.” By “noodling” I mean sketching out scenes, mulling over what-ifs, figuring out how to get my characters out of a mess, and so on.
Jenny: Ooh. I like that. I do a lot of “noodling” myself. What’s in your future? Should we be watching for another project, or are you taking some time off?
Lana: In December 2024, I signed a four-book contract with Scrivenings Press, so I’ll be handing a manuscript to them every January for several years! Beyond that, I have many more ideas for books. Several are in different stages of development, but none of them have been pitched yet. In short, I don’t see myself as taking any time off!
Jenny: Sounds like you will stay busy for a good long while! Do you have any parting words for our readers today?
Lana: Enjoy the journey as you read New Star!
Jenny: What a great interview. I have enjoyed this so much.
Note to Readers: Here’s your chance! In the comments below, tell us what part of the Christmas story you would love to know more about? A winner will be chosen who will receive a copy of A New Star when it comes out September 24!
Can’t wait to see who win? Go ahead and get your order in for this book today!
Hi Jenny and Lana, I would like to know more about the heavenly hosts who celebrated Christ’s birth by telling the shepherds. Was there singing? Instruments? A light show? It must have been spectacular, and I like to think about how the experience would change the shepherds!
Good questions, Thomas! “New Star” contains a scene of the shepherds recounting their experience. Also, if you go to my author website (lanachristian.com) and sign up for notifications, you’ll get free access to my e-short, “The Choice,” a story about the shepherd’s experience the night they got the Good News.
Looks so good! I love the thought of the advances in persian culture!
Learning how advanced they were in engineering, medicine, and more was a happy surprise I got while doing research for this book. Enjoy the smidgen that made it into the book!
My whole life, I was told the Magi and shepherds were present at the manger shortly after Jesus was born, but the Magi came later. The “when” was also important because they helped Jesus escape King Herod. I would love to see God’s perfect timing play out the way He designed it. The last will be first, and the first will be last.
✨Matthew 2; Matthew 20:16; John 3:16
PS Your novel sounds awesome! Congratulations on finishing the race and finding your publishing home.
Thanks, Lisa! You’ll be happy to know that “New Star” correctly depicts the Magi as arriving when Jesus was about 1.5 years old. And Herod has some scenes in “New Star,” including a pivotal one with his son Antipas (whom you’ll see again in Book 2).
Very cool story concept. There are many parts of the story mentioned that I would be excited to learn more about. One of them would be details of Akilah’s escape from jail using questionable resources.
Thanks, Ann! Akilah’s escape was a fun twist to write. 🙂 I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I did writing it.
New Star sounds like a great read! I wonder how the Magi chose the specific gifts they brought to Jesus. I’ve also wondered about the relationships between the magi – did they all come from the same country or from different countries and crossed paths along the way and discovered they were going to the same place?
Thanks, Tema! There’s a specific, historically accurate reason why the Magi chose the gifts they brought to Jesus. You’ll find out why in the book!