1--What is the title of your latest release?
THE PRINCE AND THE PRODIGAL
2--What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book?
I don’t usually create an elevator pitch, but my publisher came up with this, which I like: Two brothers among twelve. One pampered. One petulant. After a stunning betrayal, Judah struggles to forget what he’s done while Joseph attempts to move on from what’s been done to him. Is there hope for reconciliation for one of Egypt’s most powerful men and his wayward brother or will vengeance win the day?
3--How did you decide where your book was going to take place?
The Bible picked the locations and approximate time frame.
4--What are three words that describe your main character?
Integrity, Honest, Trusting
5--Which side character stole your attention the most from the main storyline?
Judah gets almost as much page time as Joseph does because this story is really a tale of two brothers, One a prince. One a prodigal.
6--What’s something you learned while writing this book?
God often takes many years and uses the most unlikely circumstances to mold us into the person He wants us to be.
7--Do you edit as you draft or wait until you are totally done?
I do a bit of both. I write many drafts, so each one gives me another opportunity to edit.
8--What’s your favorite foodie indulgence?
One piece of chocolate after supper. Slowly melts in your mouth. I savor every moment.
9--Describe your writing space/office!
For me, those are two separate questions. My office used to be a former wet bar off our family room when the kids were young and I needed to be nearby. When we became empty-nesters, we converted one of the bedrooms into my official office with a desk, a chair, bookcases, file cabinets, etc. But I don’t write there.
I work exclusively on a laptop, so my writing space can be anywhere. Sometimes I’ll write outside, but normally, I sit on the couch in the family room. Still can’t stay away from the action, even when the action is watching squirrels chasing each other in the backyard or Tiger pushing his way onto my lap as I type.
10--Who is an author you admire?
Admire as a person or as a writer? I have so many writer friends that this is a difficult question! I admire authors whose work keeps me turning the page. I can put pretty much any book down, but those that cause me to remember the words and want to see what is coming next have my attention. I want to write more like they do.
I also admire writers who have an obvious love for Jesus. It shines through their life, not just their words. I can think of so many who pray so faithfully for people they might not even know so well—and I’ve been honored to call them friend and grateful for their prayers for me.
I rejoice with writers who receive letters telling them that their book, script, poem, song, whatever it may be—caused the reader to believe in Jesus. There is no higher praise.
11--Is there a book that changed your life?
TWO FROM GALILEE by Marjorie Holmes helped me to see that the Bible was not simply a book but a book about real people who lived. I have never looked at Scripture the same since.
12--Tell us about when you got “the call.” (when you found out your book was going to be published)
There wasn’t exactly just one call. First, I received an email from my agent asking me if she had the latest copy of MICHAL. Then she passed the manuscript on to Revell. My editor loved it, but then it had to go to committee. After it passed one committee, it went to pub board where they decide whether to take the chance on a new author (or any author). Once it passed pub board, it went to the president of Baker Publishing Group. On his approval, then I got the call from my agent.
It was a Saturday morning when she called, and I remember screaming at some point. I called a few author friends who had been rooting for me, and of course, told my family. It was a heady experience.
13--What’s your favorite genre to read?
It varies. Right now, I’m reading suspense. I read a lot of nonfiction. But I probably love historical fiction best.
14--What’s your favorite movie?
It’s a toss-up. If THE CHOSEN were a movie, they’d win, hands down. But as far as great movies go, The Lord of the Rings trilogy and Pride and Prejudice rank at the top of my watch again and again list.
15--What is your favorite season?
Anything but winter. Though even winter has its kind moments.
16--How do you like to celebrate your birthday?
I’ve always loved being with my family, but that rarely happens these days as our kids live on the west coast and we’re Midwesterners. In 2021, I had the rare opportunity to share my birthday with both granddaughters and one son and daughter-in-law. One granddaughter over FaceTime and the other in person. We were in Oregon, so the weather should have been mild compared to Michigan, but it snowed. It always snows on my birthday, I think!
One thing I used to love about my birthdays was my dad’s birthday lunch with just me. One of the last times we were together, he held my hand and prayed for me. I will always cherish that.
17--What’s a recent tv show/movie/book/podcast you highly recommend?
THE CHOSEN. Nothing else comes close. It makes me want to step back in time and be there. They are doing what I do with Old Testament characters only it’s so much fun to watch rather than just read.
18--What’s your favorite type of cuisine?
I’m learning to love vegetables. I cook easy meals, so mostly veggies, some meat or fish, and maybe a sweet potato or rice. My new goal is to eat plant-based (with meat) and that’s been a challenge, so some of my favorites, like pasta and cheese and pizza, aren’t on the menu. Maybe one day I’ll cheat but not yet.
19--What do you do when you have free time?
I like to visit new places, visit family and friends, read, go for walks. This year has thrown many things off because of unexpected life changes. I think 2021 might go down in our family history as one of our toughest years.
20--What can readers expect from you next?
I am working on Eve’s story, which is due to my editor in March 2022. Then I will begin work on the story of Noah’s wife. I do not have another contract after that one, so we will see where God leads.
Joseph is the pampered favorite son of the patriarch Jacob. His older brothers, deeply resentful of his status in the family, take advantage of the chance to get rid of him, selling him to slave traders and deceiving their father about his fate. It seems like their troubles are over. But for Joseph and older brother Judah, they are just beginning.
While Joseph is accused of rape and imprisoned, Judah attempts to flee the memory of his complicity in the betrayal of his younger brother. After decades apart, the brothers will come face-to-face in a stunning role reversal that sees Joseph in a position of great power while Judah begs for mercy. Will forgiveness or vengeance win the day?
Bestselling and award-winning author Jill Eileen Smith brings her considerable research and imaginative skills to bear in this vivid retelling of one of the most popular stories found in Scripture--a story of jealousy, betrayal, and a reconciliation that only God could bring about.
Romance Historical | Historical | Inspirational Historical [Revell, On Sale: February 1, 2022, Paperback / e-Book, ISBN: 9780800737634 / eISBN: 9781493434183]
Jill Eileen Smith is the bestselling, award-winning author of the Wives of King David series, the Daughters of the Promised Land, the Wives of the Patriarchs, and The Loves of King Solomon series. Her research has taken her from the Bible to Israel, and she particularly enjoys learning how women lived in Old Testament times.
When she isn’t writing, she loves to spend time with her family and friends, read stories that take her away, ride her bike to the park, snag date nights with her hubby, try out new restaurants, or play with her lovable, “helpful” cat Tiger. Jill lives with her family in southeast Michigan.
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