Writer’s Window–Jill Eileen Smith
Joining us today for Writer’s Window is Biblical-fiction author Jill Eileen Smith.
One lucky commenter* will win a signed copy of Jill’s latest book, Bathsheba. Deadline for leaving a comment to enter the drawing is Friday. To enter the drawing, you must answer the question posed by Jill at the end of the interview. Only one comment per person will count toward the drawing. You do not need to include your e-mail address in the body of your comment—just make sure it’s correct when you sign in to leave your comment. The winning name will be drawn next weekend and announced on the next Writer’s Window post. Congratulations to Brenda Anderson, who won the drawing for last week’s featured book.
- *U.S. residents only, void where prohibited. If you win the drawing, you will be ineligible for the next three drawings, though hopefully you will still come back and join in the discussion.
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A single moment changed her life – will she ever regain all she’s lost?
Can love triumph over treachery?
Bathsheba is a woman who longs for love. With her husband away fighting the king’s wars, she battles encroaching loneliness–making it frighteningly easy to succumb to the advances of King David. Will one night of unbridled passion destroy everything she holds dear? Can she find forgiveness at the feet of the Almighty? Or has her sin separated her from God—and David—forever?
With a historian’s sharp eye for detail and a novelist’s creative spirit, Jill Eileen Smith brings to life the passionate and emotional story of David’s most famous—and infamous—wife. You will never read the story of David and Bathsheba in the same way again.
Welcome, Jill!
What do you like best about being a writer?
- I love the actual writing, though sometimes “having written” is less stressful! Telling the stories of my heart and hearing from readers, working with the great people at Revell, and everything that goes into being a writer. It’s my dream career, and I’m living my dream!
What do you like least about being a writer?
- Struggling to figure out the plot of a new story. Some books take constant prayer and research over every single scene! Of course, that’s not a bad thing! I probably like bad reviews the least. 🙂
Pop, Soda, or Coke? What do you call it, and what’s your favorite variety?
- We call it Pop in Michigan, and I don’t drink it. I drink unsweetened tea. I don’t like sugary drinks, but occasionally, I like really good root beer.
What’s your favorite dessert?
- Anything with chocolate! I really don’t have a favorite—there are too many.
What’s the most fun/interesting/crazy/scary/unique hands-on research you’ve done for a book?
- Fun—back when I was still trying to break into publishing I wrote romantic suspense. My heroine loved Starbucks Caffe Mocha, so of course, I had to try one! I didn’t drink coffee at the time, but soon realized I liked it!
Interesting—traveling to Israel to see first hand what I’d envisioned and written about for years.
What’s your favorite movie from childhood?
- The Sound of Music
If you were to write a novel about what your life would have been like if you’d become what you wanted to be at eight years old, what kind of character would the story be about?
- It’s hard to remember back that far! But I would probably have written about horses (as in the Misty stories) or a detective sleuth like Nancy Drew.
What makes you happy?
- Spending time with my family. There is nothing better than talking and laughing with them, and just being together.
What makes you nervous?
- Medical procedures and public speaking!
What’s your biggest dream for the future?
- Unrealistically? Seeing Bathsheba on the silver screen.
Tell us about your newest release and what you’re working on now.
- Bathsheba is my newest release is the third and final book in the Wives of King David series. Sarai, book one in The Wives of the Patriarchs is “in house,” and I’m currently working on book two in that series about Rebekah and Isaac.
Be sure to look for Jill’s previous release, Abigail:
Her days marked by turmoil and faded dreams, Abigail has resigned herself to a life with a man she does not love. When her husband Nabal’s foolish pride angers David and his men, she boldly steps forward to save her family—and David, the would-be king, takes notice.
Circumstances offer Abigail a second chance at happiness with the handsome David, and she takes a leap of faith to join his wandering tribe. But her struggles are far from over. How can she share his love with the other women he insists on marrying?Abigail follows the bestselling Michal and continues Jill Eileen Smith’s rich story of David’s wives.
Where can people find out more about you/connect with you online?
- Personal website: http://www.jilleileensmith.com
Series website: http://www.thewivesofkingdavid.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Jill-Eileen-Smith/10924241028
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/JillEileenSmith
Now it’s your turn to ask the question. What question do you want to ask the commenters to answer?
- Which novel have you enjoyed so much that you would love to see it made into a movie?
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Jill Eileen Smith is the best-selling author of Michal and Abigail, books one and two in The Wives of King David series. She has more than twenty years of writing experience, and her writing has gathered acclaim in several contests. Her research into the lives of David’s wives 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 enjoys spending time with her family; in person, over the webcam, or hopping a plane to fly across the country. She can often be found reading Christian fiction, testing new recipes, grabbing lunch with friends, or snuggling one or both of her two adorable cats. She lives with her family in southeast Michigan.
KayeDacus.com 
Last week I knew there was a second name for soda here that was include we call it fizzy drink which I mentioned but normally we call it soft drink.
I cant enter being an aussie but one book I would love to see made into a movie would be Mary Connealy’s books I think all 3 series would be great as they are all linked by the last series.
I would love to see Kaye’s Ramsome’s crossing made into a movie. (I love that era and the naval aspect)
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Oh!..If Mary Connealy’s books were made into movies, I’d watch them like ten times a day!:)
And I totally agree with you on the Ransome’s crossing!!
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Great interview, ladies! I would love to see Crossing Oceans made into a movie. It was one of my favorite books of 2010.
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I loved these interviews and finding out new things about authors! Awesome interview!
I think Francine Rivers Mark of the Lion series would make great movies. And of course, Kaye’s Ransome series would be thrilling on the high seas!
Oh, and Kaye, I got my book in the mail this weekend!!!! Thank you! 🙂
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Oh, the “Mark of the Lion” series would make excellent movies!
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I loved the Mark of the Lion series too. Hard to forget a character like Hadassah! I’m enjoying all of your comments!
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There are so many I don’t know how to pick one. Almost every book I read, I would love to be seen made into a movie. So I’ll just mention a few recent reads that would make great movies.
All the “Team Hope” series by Susan May Warren would make excellent movies.
“Seeds of Summer” by Deborah Vogts
“Hannah Grace” by Sharlene MacLaren
There are so many more! But, I’ll stop there. lol
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I would love to see Petra by T.L. Higley or Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers made into movies.
I love that you are going to start a series on the wives of the Patriarchs, Jill. That sounds fantastic!
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Thanks Julia! The study of the patriarchs is an interesting journey.
I agree with your choices – Petra and Redeeming Love were two I really enjoyed too!
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I think any by Lori Wick.
A few by Deeanne Gist, All of Tamera Alexanders.
And that’s all I’m going to say, cause if I didn’t stop somewhere, I’d go on and on.
I’m super excited to read Bathsheba, The cover is AMAZING!!
I really liked Micheal, but I haven’t read Abigail yet.
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Thanks Leah! I hope you like both Abigail and Bathsheba! I loved studying their stories. And I am also glad you liked Michal! She had a rough life!
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I agree with Sherrinda. Francine Rivers’ Mark of the Lion series, particularly books one and two, would make excellent movies.
And I’ve always wanted to see This Present Darkness as a movie.
Anything by Charles Martin would translate well to the big screen, just like Nicholas Sparks’ books have.
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I’m not sure I can even pick one book I’d like to see made into a movie!
Of the books I’ve read recently, I think Indivisible by Kristen Heitzmann would be a good movie..but anything by Tamara Alexander, Dee Henderson, or Deeanne Gist (and of course, Kaye Dacus!) would be on my top choices for a movie-version.
Bathsheba is definitely on my “to buy” list of books, and I can’t wait until I get the chance to read it!
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Thanks Michelle! I hope you enjoy it!
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What a great interview!! THanks for sharing!!
As for movies, there are basically two kinds I like: Romantic comedy and Action/Adventure. That means there are two series I’d like to see made into a movie or TV show in Romantic comedy (Brides of Bonterre by Kaye, Weddings by Bella by Janice Thompson), and two in action/adventure (Heroes of Quantico series by Irene Hannon, O’Malley’s by Dee Henderson). Did I say two in each? I meant AT LEAST two . . . .
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Thanks for reading the interview, Regina! I’m glad you liked it. Thanks to Kaye for having me.
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I recently read Deception by Brandilyn Collins and thought that would make a great movie.
Looking forward to reading Bathsheba, whether I win a copy or not. 🙂
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Thanks Sally! I hope you like it either way!
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YAY! I am so glad to be introduced to this series! I have been looking for a book to read! I really like Gilbert Morris’s “Winslow” series. I think it would be a great movie or tv series!
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Ooh, I would love to see the series from Liz Curtis Higgs: “Thorn in My Heart,” “Fair is the Rose” and “Whence Came a Prince.” Soo good!!
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Oh, wouldn’t it be awesome to have the whole Wives of King David series be turned into a movie or movies!?!?!? His story is so intriguing anyway, but to be able to see the women behind the man sort of thing, that would be great!! Thank you Ladies for giving us such great books to read!
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Thanks Robin! Wouldn’t that be fun – to see the whole series on the silver screen?
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Who would make a good “David”?
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For my “Idea Board” – the pictures of real actors and actresses I choose for my story ideas – I picked Eric Bana. I just saw him in Time Traveler’s Wife and think he would make a good David! 🙂
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Hi Jill. It’s great to learn more about you here. I remember so clearly when Michal was published and look how many you’ve published and written since! Time it is a’flying.
What book would I like to see made into a movie? Off the top of my head the first three:
Redeeming Love, by Francine Rivers
Lightning, by Dean Kootz
To Say Nothing of the Dog, or How We Found the Bishop’s Bird Stump At Last, by Connie Willis.
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Hey Lori – time sure does fly! I haven’t read the last three books you mentioned, but the last two sure have interesting titles! Now I’m curious!
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To Say Nothing of the Dog is a hilarious time travel romp from 2057 to 1940s during the bombing of London, but most of the time is spent in the Victorian Era, 1888, as a couple of time traveling scientists (while ostensibly searching for a hideous object called the Bishop’s Bird Stump for a contemporary woman’s (Mrs. Schrapnell) obsessive attempt to reconstruct Coventry Cathedral) attempt to correct time slippage due to a “non-significant item” that was inadvertently brought forward in time and proves rather more significant than anyone expected. All the while the debate rages across the centuries: Is the course of history driven by blind forces (chance, luck, the weather), or is it driven by individual character and choices? It’s rather PG Wodehouse in flavor and chock full of literary references (the Victorians are forever and forever quoting their poets). If you can possibly listen to it narrated by Steven Crossley, do. He lifts it to a whole other level of hilarious.
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Thanks Lori! I’ll have to look into that one. I enjoy a story that makes me laugh. 🙂
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Thanks to all of you who have stopped by and left comments. You’ve made some great suggestions! Now if only I was a film producer! 🙂
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Jill to have these books made into movies would be such an awesome feet! I let my mom read Bathsheba first I get it tomorrow she said it really has touched her she was so impressed by this book!
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Thanks Renee! I’m honored to know what your mom thought of the story. It’s one of those closest to my heart, and I’m so glad I’ve been able to share it! I hope you like it too!
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Jill, I loved you other two…..and am so anxious to read this one!!! I would love to see films of any of Karen Kingsbury’s books! Enjoyed this interview!
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Thanks so much, Jackie! I hope you like Bathsheba too!
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I feel kind of like a fish out of water here with my choice, but how about Hunger Games? I would ask that Robert Mulligan direct and Horton Foote write the screenplay–they worked their magic on “To Kill a Mockingbird,” a mere 48 years ago.
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Great interview!
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I would love to see King David’s Wives Series made into a Movie
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Oh me too! 🙂
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I would love to see Diana Gabaldon’s “Outlander” on the big screen IF they follow the book and get the right actors to play the lead roles. If I’m being less picky, I’d go with “Dies The Fire” by SM Stirling.
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I am starting to read the first book in your series and so far it is really good and you do great in the order of the bible and all…I think any of these books about King David’s wives would be a great movie…I think it is fun to get into their heads and really think how it was back then! Nice interview also..Great questions! Loved it all…
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Thanks Kathy! I’m glad you enjoyed it!
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I think any of the books in the King David’s Wives series would make great movies. I haven’t gotten to read Bathsheba yet, but the first two books were awesome.
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Thank you, Gwen! I hope you like Bathsheba too!
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I agree …all of the wives of King David series should be on the silver screen!….. Jill Eileen Smith …Is the best biblical romance novelist there is…….!
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Wow! Thank you, Gloria!
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I believe both Michael and Abigail would make wonderful movies. Jill, you are a very talented writer and I have thoroughly enjoyed both of these books. Thank you for sharing your talket
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Thanks Kimberly – for taking the time to read my books! I’m so glad you liked them.
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I think Julie Klassen’s books would make amazing movies! I especially like “The Apothecary’s Daughter” and “The Silent Governess.”
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Oh I agree! I love Julie Klassen’s work!
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