Inspired by Life ... and Fiction

Novelists bound by the pen, sisterhood, & more

On This Foundation

By

It’s always an exciting day when my newest novel arrives in the mail, hot off the press. It’s especially exciting this year because On This Foundation is the third and final book in my biblical fiction series, “Restoration Chronicles.”S__ACB9

When readers asked me to write more biblical fiction like my “Chronicles of the Kings” series, the stories of Ezra and Nehemiah immediately came to mind. These two leaders showed enormous courage when they left Babylon and returned to Jerusalem to rebuild the Temple and the city walls. On This Foundation tells how Nehemiah, who was the cupbearer for the King of Persia, became the architect and builder of Jerusalem’s defenses. In spite of fierce opposition and death threats from his enemies, he never doubted that the hand of God was with him.3-Lynn in front of main portion of Nehemiah's wall

I did extensive research in Jerusalem before I began writing this series because my goal is to stay as close to the scriptural text as possible—not adding to it, but merely filling in some of the historical and cultural background. Here are some of the pictures I took on my research trip:6-Nehemiah's wall 1

It was so amazing to view the archaeological discoveries in Jerusalem and actually see and touch Nehemiah’s wall, built more than 2,400 years ago!IMG_0970

And seeing the steepness of the slope made me appreciate how difficult his task must have been.1-Looking down at Nehemiah's wall

Chapter three of the biblical book of Nehemiah lists all the men who volunteered to rebuild a section of the wall. Then verse twelve offers this intriguing piece of information: “Shallum son of Hallohesh, ruler of a half-district of Jerusalem, repaired the next section with the help of his daughters.” I wonder what inspired these young women to volunteer for such an undertaking? And I wonder how the men working alongside them responded! You’ll have to read the book to see how I imagined these unique women’s story.

It’s my hope that these novels will bring the Bible to life and not only help readers visualize the stories, but also to see biblical characters as real flesh-and-blood people. It’s my prayer that the novels will draw readers back to the Bible so they’ll read it for themselves—and maybe understand its relevance to their own lives just a little bit better. Enjoy!S__A35F

To help me celebrate the release of “On This Foundation”, please leave a message below with your name and e-mail address for a chance to win one of two free copies.  Enter now through Wednesday September 23rd.

And for my readers in the SW Michigan area, please join me at the Kregel Parable Christian bookstore in Grandville, Michigan on Thursday, October 1 from 7-9 pm where I’ll be speaking and signing my new book. I would love to meet you!

The following two tabs change content below.

Lynn Austin

Lynn Austin, a former teacher who now writes and speaks full time. Lynn was recently inducted into the Christy Award Hall for Fame for winning eight Christy Awards for her historical fiction. One of those novels, Hidden Places, has also been made into a Hallmark Channel movie. Lynn and her husband have raised three children and make their home near Chicago, Illinois.

Latest posts by Lynn Austin (see all)

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

LINKS IN COMMENTS

Please note: If you include a link or links in your comment (URLs or email addresses), your comment will not post right away. It will wait for a moderator to approve it, which may take some time.

Comments

  1. I and my friends are so excited about this next book! I just got notification that the publication date has been pushed back a bit, but oh well, it is worth the wait. My friend and I just studied Ezra and Nehemiah in Precepts, and we are debating whether or not the books should’ve been read first. It really comes alive in your writing.

  2. Am so looking forward to this new book. I really enjoyed the first two in the series! Here’s hoping to be a winner.
    Thank you for sharing.
    Anne

  4. Thank you for posting your Jerusalem images. Many may never have the opportunity to visit and see the sites first-hand. Please enter my name in your drawing. You’re a new-to-me author, and I like the motivation behind your works.

  7. I haven’t read any of this series yet but would love to. Often I am wary of biblical fiction, but I appreciate that you said you don’t try to add to Scripture but rather try to flesh it out with historical details and such.

    barbarah06 (at) gmail (dot) com

  8. The mention of Shallum’s daughters has long interested me. I always supposed Shallum had no sons, so his daughters jumped in to help. I can relate because I have no brothers, but building a wall? Impressive.

  9. I really appreciate your approach to your work! Thanks for the giveaway. kosterbind (at) gmail (dot) com

  11. We have studied the rebuilding of the wall of Jerusalem by Neuhmiah and Ezra in our adult Sunday School classes. Not only was the construction of the wall difficult to build but the Jews also had interference from people in surrounding countries bent on preventing the builders from succeeding to finish their project.They had to work with their weapons and swords in one hand.

  14. I’m intrigued by these books! So much of the time we read Scripture, but may forget that these were real people just like us, people God chose to use to encourage, warn, and show us His ways. Thank you for working so hard on these books.

  15. My copy just arrived in the mail. I was so moved by the first two books, and am looking forward to this one very much. I loved what you revealed about daily life in that time and the richness of the lessons in finding true relationship with God and keeping our faith pure in the middle of the temptations a fallen culture.

  16. Our ladies Bible study group read “Chronicles of the Kings” together and are excited to continue on reading your new series. Thanks for making these O.T.
    kings and events more real to us.

  17. Thanks for the giveaway. I love the chance to read new releases.
    (tumcsec(at)gmail(dot)com

  18. I cannot wait to read this book, Lynn (no need to enter me, as I plan to purchase the book). 🙂
    Biblical history is so fascinating to me, and as I get older it seems even more so. I LOVE reading and learning about the men and women who lived in those days.
    I’m re-reading all the way through my Bible for the 5th time, and it’s amazing how much I’m learning and discovering – even from pages I’ve read numerous times. Makes me want to keep reading!
    Hugs, Patti Jo

    p.s. My daughter’s very dear friend Amber is in Israel right now, and I’m eager to hear all about her trip! (She calls me her “second Mom” and I’ll be very relieved when she returns home) 😉

  23. Have been looking forward to this book. I have read almost all of your books and can’t wait to read this one!

  25. Thank you so much for writing this new book. I have read all the others in the Restoration Chronicles and look forward to this one soon ! Blessings to you.

  26. Lynn, I am so looking forward to this book. I have read all your books and, like others, especially enjoyed the Biblical fiction. I do so enjoy the Old Testament stories but I would love to see how you would handle some New Testament characters. Janette Oke with Davis Bunn wrote some really good ones on the Apostles and early Christians. What about the Apostle Paul or Timothy?

  27. Biblical fiction that is true to the Times is wonderful to read. I’m looking forward to reading this. Love your books!

  29. Enjoyed all your books, looking forward to this new one. Love the way you add to scripture to make it really come alive. More books please!

  32. Lynn, congratulations on the release of On This Foundation! I enjoy reading Biblical fiction. I’ve not yet read this series. It sounds AMAZING! 🙂

  34. I have recommended your books to several friends, and have devoured the stories that I could get my hands on… whether I am given a copy or not, I will happily read this latest installment. Thank you for following God’s call on your life to be a writer. Thank you more for sticking as closely to the scripture to make the story real, and then for adding your own artistic gift to make the characters come alive. I loved reading and learning more about all of your adventures in your Pilgrimage Journal and even more enjoyed Chronicles of the Kings and then the first two installments in the Restoration Chronicles. Can’t wait to read the next one! Thank you for serving our King in this way! Congratulations on the next project!

  35. I just finished The Chronicle of Kings. Absolutely the best books and series I have ever read. I will be getting these books ASAP!

  36. Congratulations! I recently started your novel Gods and Kings and can’t wait to read the rest of that seeues, and these ones, too!

  37. God has given you a wonderful gift and I’m so glad you’re obedient to Him and use it to share His message. You are hands down my favorite author and I look forward to reading the second and third book in this series. I only purchase books that I know I love and will read over and over again. I have many of your books and enjoy adding to my collection. Thank you, Lynn, for your thought inspiring, Kingdom seeking, Jesus loving books. Please enter my name and email in your contest, I would be so honored to win. debbiehipkiss@gmail.com

  38. I look forward to reading any stories from the Holy Lands. My husband and I “dug” at two different sites in Jerusalem for many years. It just seems like “going home” to read them.

  39. So pumped about this book coming out. I have found that most biblical fiction books seem to have a bend towards a female readership…Not with this series! Thanks so much Mrs. Austin!

  41. Thank you for your inspiring books! I read Keepers of the Covenant first since we were studying Esther and your book brought that time period and the crisis the Jewish people faced to life. Of course I read Return to Me next, and am looking forward to your new book On This Foundation! Thank you for pointing people to their Creator, Redeemer, and Savior!!

  42. I’ve been looking forward to this book! Loved this and the Chronicles of the Kings series. It’s clear that a ton of research goes into all your books. Thank you for the hard work and for sharing your gift.

  44. I love your books. Your series on the kings of Israel brought the Bible alive for me and compelled me to dig deep into God’s Word. From your series, I learned by favorite fiction genre is Biblical fiction. Thank you so much!

  47. Congratulations! I am amazed at the amount of preparation that goes into a historical novel.You have certainly peaked my interest . It looks like both series will be going on my wish list. Looking forward to reading them all.

  48. Can’t wait to read about Shallum and his daughters! I love how you are still excited to get that box of books in the mail, even after publishing so many 🙂

  49. This Biblical fiction book series just like your last, always come to my life at the right time. I felt like God was calling me to do something this year and I couldnt figure it out. Then just over the summer I saw that you had this new series out and I bought both books for my kindle, and the title of the first book “Return to Me” I felt like the Lord was speaking directly to me. The verse “Return to Me and I will Return to you” from Zechariah is now my power verse. The Lord has really opened up the entire Old Testament to me, starting with my study of the exiles inspired by this series. I’m understanding more of the Bible than I have ever understood before. Thank you for your ministry! It has profoundly changed my life and encouraged me to study the Bible.

  50. Oh my! This sounds so good. I’ve read Nehemiah so many times and never really focused on the daughters of Shallum and their work on the wall. Intriguing!

    Love the photos. 🙂

  53. I fell in love with your stories many years ago! I am looking forward to reading this new story also!

  54. Congratulations on the release! Love your books! I’m looking forward to reading it!

    amyputney89 [at] gmail [dot] com

  55. I just read your book “Of Gods and Kings” and have fallen in love with your writing. It is the first book of yours that I have read. I am looking forward to reading more of them and have added your to my Favorites Author document. Keep up the great work.

  56. I have greatly enjoyed your many books. I particularly love the Biblical series because they draw me into the time period and the Bible text. I am very thankful for your commitment to stay true to both the historical and biblical facts. I fell in love with your writing when I discovered the Chronicles of the Kings. I can’t wait to read the third book in the Restoration series. I’m going to re-read books 1 and 2 so I can dive right into book 3. God bless you, Lynn. He has given you a wonderful gift for writing that we, your readers, are bless by.

  57. I am so excited about your new book. Looking forward to reading it. I read the first book and have the second book in my very tall TBR pile. Thank you for the chance to win a copy your new book.
    kmgervais(at)nycap(dot)rr(dot)com

  58. I’m looking forward to reading the new one. You certainly do extensive research before writing a book. I guess before I read the blog I didn’t realize just how much research you need to do.

  59. I love your books and I’m sad this will be the last of the Restoration series. Please consider making another biblical series when the Lord puts it on your heart and mind. You are a wonderful and brilliant writer!

  60. Looking forward to reading the new book. Thanks for doing so much research to make your books historically accurate!

  62. I just finished a biblical fiction for tweens on up and would love to read yours! I’ve missed them somehow!

Recent Posts