Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Janet Dean & Rahab


Today my friend Janet Dean tells the story of her heroine:
Here's Janet:
"Adelaide Crum, the heroine of my debut novel, Courting Miss Adelaide, possessed strength and courage to do what was right, no matter the cost. Her father left her mother when Adelaide was a baby. Her unhappy mother was unaffectionate and critical of her daughter, but Adelaide found solace in God’s love and in her church family. When Adelaide learns a group of orphans are coming to town, she sees this as her chance to mother a child. But rules prevented single women from having custody. The selection committee turns down her request for a child.

Adelaide suspects Ed Drummond of abusing Emma and William, two of the orphans in his care. Since Ed is a respected member of the community, her concerns aren’t taken seriously. When circumstances bring Emma into Adelaide’s home, the little girl’s behavior heightens Adelaide’s disquiet about what’s going on in the Drummond household. She investigates, incurring Ed’s wrath, but she won’t back down even though her actions risk her business and even her life. Through all her difficulties, Adelaide leans on God and never falters. In the end, she saves the children, gains true love and a family.
Numerous strong women come alive in the pages of the Bible, but I’m particularly drawn to Rahab, the prostitute in Joshua 2:1. Rahab faced great peril in order to save the Israelite spies sent by Joshua to search out the Promised Land. Rahab had heard how the Israelites’ God freed them from slavery in Egypt. She’d heard how their God parted the Red Sea and given them the towns across the Jordan. Rahab acknowledged God, saying to the spies: for the Lord your God, he is God in heaven above and in earth beneath.
When the king of Jericho sent word to Rahab to turn over the men staying in her house, she hid them on the roof among stalks of flax, and then told the king the men had left the city. After obtaining the spies’ promise to save her household when they returned to capture Jericho, she let them down by a cord through the window of her house built on the town wall. In the end, Rahab’s courage not only saved these men and her family, but her son Boaz is named in the lineage of Jesus. God uses those even with imperfect beginnings for His purpose.


My second book, Courting the Doctor’s Daughter releases May 12. Mary Graves faces supreme challenges as she battles for her adopted son. I hope you’ll look for Mary’s story on bookstore and discount store shelves. Thanks for having me today, Lyn! No matter the era or the circumstances, to raise children takes courage and strength. God bless loving mothers everywhere. Happy Mother’s Day! --Janet "
Same to you, Janet--Lyn

30 comments:

housemouse88 said...

Hello Janet,

Your character, Adelaide, sounds like an amazing woman. Have a great day.

house_mouse88 at yahoo dot com

Janet Dean said...

Hi housemouse88. Thanks for your interest in Courting Miss Adelaide!

Janet

Anonymous said...

I love strong historical women in periods where they were definitley going against the cultural norm.

Myra Johnson said...

I love the story of Rahab and the reminder that God uses imperfect people for His perfect purposes! Thanks for a lovely post, Janet!

Karin said...

I had to take a peek because the MC in my first mss is also Adelaide (in reference to Guys and Dolls, however).

I'd be very interested to see if they share any characteristics :)

kvbwrites@yahoo.com

Pat Iacuzzi said...

Hi Janet--

As an art teacher, I'm drawn (sorry 'bout that :)to the beautiful cover (looks like the Edwardian period?), and to the story of courageous Adelaide and the children she wants to save. What a smooth tie-in to Rahab's story. Blessings on your continued writing...Pat I.

Audra Harders said...

The Bible is filled with strong women. Adelaide would have fit in great with them. Very well done.

Mary Connealy said...

Oh, wow, Janet you scared me to DEATH. The first thing I see is Janet Dean-and Rehab.

I hadn't heard there was trouble but sometimes friends are the last to know.

But then I read closer, to see if they'd let you get mail, and oops, turns out everygthing is fine.

Phew.

Ausjenny said...

I enjoyed todays blog dont enter me as I have read Courting Miss Adelaide. I loved it and cant wait for Mary's story.

Pam Hillman said...

I agree, Janet. Adelaide is a strong woman, willing to fight for what she wants, and what she knows is right.

Mary Graves is too. They're facing different problems, and obstacles, but they both are determined to succeed no matter what.

And it doesn't hurt that they're also falling in love with a handsome man!

Lyn Cote said...

Hi, just a note. I'm gathering books for one big gift basket. Anyone who contributes a story or makes a comment will go into the hat on June 1st and I'll draw the winner.
I already have 6 books that have arrived for the basket drawing and I will be adding many of my titles.
FYI~
Lyn

Cheryl Wyatt said...

Janet, I absolutely loved this book. This blog post was fun too!

Cheryl

apple blossom said...

Love the cover of your book. Looks like she just stepped out of the Victorian era.

ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

Hope Chastain said...

Wonderful interview. The book sounds delightful! Please enter me in the drawing, if I'm not too late... Thanks!

hope_chastain at yahoo dot com

Nade said...

This sounds like a read I would enjoy. Blessings....
nadeg

Nade said...

This sounds like a great book--would enjoy reading it.
Blessings
nade@gorge.net

Stormi said...

I have been wanting to read this book.

Thanks,
Stormi
ladystorm282001[at]yahoo[dot]com

Janet Dean said...

Hi Tina, I feel exactly the same, which is why its such fun writing historicals!

Janet

Janet Dean said...

Thanks Myra. Beautifully said!

Janet

Janet Dean said...

Hi Karin, I'm guessing our Adelaides share some of the same characteristics. Does your Adelaide have the nickname Addie?

Janet

Janet Dean said...

Pat, thanks for your lovely comments. My father was an Art teacher. I respect your desire to lead students to truly see their world and express it. God bless.

Janet

Janet Dean said...

Hi Audra, that's the sweetest thing to say. Adelaide and I thank you.

Janet

Janet Dean said...

LOL Mary. That's Rahab. Not Rehab. But a little rehab probably wouldn't hurt me. :-)

Janet

Janet Dean said...

Hi Jenny, I've been told Courting the Doctor's Daughter is out in one store already. :-) I'm going on a search Tuesday.

Janet

Janet Dean said...

Hi Pam, A handsome man, yes, but with troubles of his own. These strong women won't say yes until the man in their lives allows God to mold them.

Janet

Janet Dean said...

Thanks Cheryl! Thanks for stopping by.

Janet

Janet Dean said...

Hi Abi, I love the cover too. Actually I love both covers I've had. I feel blessed. Covers are important.

Janet

Janet Dean said...

Hi Hope, maybe you'll win a whole basket of books. :-)

Janet

Janet Dean said...

Thanks for your interest in my book, Nade.

Janet

Janet Dean said...

Hi there, Stormi. I'm glad you haven't given up on getting a copy of Courting Miss Adelaide.

Janet