Author C. L. Smith has released the Stones of Gilgal series, a four-book collection that dramatizes the biblical journey of Israel from wilderness wandering to the Promised Land. Drawing from the books of Numbers, Joshua, and Judges, the series combines political intrigue, dangerous alliances, and personal struggles with themes of faith, loyalty, and belonging. The announcement highlights a significant contribution to biblical fiction, a genre that continues to attract readers seeking both entertainment and spiritual reflection.
The series begins with Balaam's Curse, where Israel's approach to the Promised Land triggers a plot by neighboring kings. When the prophet Balaam is blocked by Yahweh from cursing Israel, he allies with Cozbi, a Midianite princess, to undermine the nation through seduction and compromised loyalty. The aftermath leaves a wilderness-born generation to carry Israel forward. This opening volume sets the stage for the interconnected narratives that follow, exploring how individual choices shape communal destiny.
In A River to Cross, the second installment, characters Acsah, Othniel, Jonathan, and their friends grapple with grief and lost innocence after the Midianite war. With Moses dead and the Jordan River in flood, Joshua must lead a skeptical people. A reconnaissance mission into Jericho puts two young spies in danger, and their survival hinges on a Canaanite woman willing to risk everything for a promise of rescue. The book delves into leadership challenges and the cost of trust.
Trouble in the Ruins, the third book, follows the Israelites across the Jordan into hostile Canaan. As Jericho's walls collapse, Salmon rescues Rahab, the woman who saved him and his fellow spy. Yet escape does not end her struggles, and the Israelites discover that life in the Promised Land brings new dangers and difficult choices. The narrative examines the complexities of starting anew amid adversity.
The final book, Pursuit of Zedek, pits five armies against Israel while Joshua's young warriors confront the meaning of righteousness in wartime. For Rahab, a refugee haunted by her past, the struggle becomes deeply personal as she seeks love, acceptance, and a place among the people of Yahweh. Across all four books, Smith explores human experiences—disappointment, courage, trauma, friendship, and the longing to belong—inviting readers to see biblical characters as relatable figures whose struggles resonate today.
Smith, a retired English and history teacher, former missionary, and lifelong Bible student, blends her passion for scripture with fantasy-style storytelling. "My first passion is the Bible, the literary masterpiece of the Universe, followed by a passion for story, especially character-driven stories," she said. Her approach aims to tell biblical stories in a fresh, entertaining way, connecting them to everyday challenges. Inspired by C. S. Lewis and J. R. R. Tolkien, Smith writes engaging biblical fiction that weaves learning, people, and Scripture into richly imagined scenes.
The Stones of Gilgal series matters because it offers a creative entry point into ancient texts, potentially deepening readers' understanding of faith and history. By focusing on overlooked characters and their personal journeys, Smith makes the biblical narrative accessible and relevant, encouraging reflection on timeless themes. Published by Lucid Books, an independent hybrid publisher in the Houston area, the series is positioned to reach a broad audience seeking inspirational and thought-provoking fiction.
