Publisher's Synopsis
Datya was born to the desert, to a wilderness bereft of life. But before her childhood passed, she was told she would follow in the footsteps of the greatest Prophetess who had ever lived - the one who told the desert stories. When Miriam's death was foretold with little warning, Datya's grateful heart began to falter under the burden of loss. Then Moses broke the news to Joshua and Datya, that they would lead the Israelite's into the fabled Promised Land - without him. One question stood above them all: Could Datya handle her grief and the weight of Israel's spiritual care? Could she pick up the mantle Miriam had left behind?_____Shirley Robinson's debut novel refreshes readers of Christian Fiction with a wholesome, non-romance story set in Biblical history. _____Christian fiction readers have pursued every era of history with great enthusiasm. Those who love ancient history and the people who walked this earth long ago - have turned to the Bible for the greatest stories ever written. Mentioned in three of the first five books (Genesis, Exodus, and Numbers) Miriam waltzes onto the pages of Scripture for the briefest encounters. Readers and historians alike are left wanting to know: What was the life of an ancient Israelite like? What did the Bible mean when it called Miriam a prophetess? What types of things did a prophetess do? Was she the prehistoric version of a worship leader or was there more to it than that? What did the Israelites fleeing Egypt wear? What did the other civilizations surrounding Egypt and the Promised Land think of the wandering millions? Answers to all of these questions and more were thoroughly fleshed out from the written and pictorial historical record and woven together to create the beautiful story of Datya. The young woman, Datya, was selected from her family, as a child, to become the next Prophetess in Israel. In an apprenticeship relationship, she studied under Miriam. She learned her people's history, she learned the character of God, she learned the songs and stories and laws and legends of her kinsmen. Finally, Miriam's death thrust Datya into leadership in Israel. Datya learns to submit her life on a private altar to God so that she can serve her people. She endures sorrow and testing along the way and grows in ways she never expected. When Moses himself consecrates Datya to the ministry, she begins to see God's hand moving her forward, into the Promised Land and into the work God has called her to do. _____Christian fiction enthusiasts have been searching for a fresh take on their favorite genre. This book captures the beauty and vitality of a Biblical story, painting ancient lives for the reader, without relying on the worn and tired tropes of romance. Christian fiction readers who have been searching for clean, wholesome, family friendly stories to enjoy will love the way story of The One Who Told the Desert Stories weaves around them._____More About the Author: Shirley Robinson is a Christian creative who has been writing since she could, well, write. Stories, essays, books, poems, and even songs written in her own hand fill notebooks in her home. Raised in a Bible-believing home, she is the daughter of a pastor and the granddaughter of two pastors, so she is steeped in the Word of God. This lifelong love of the Scripture has given birth to both of her books: The One Who Told the Desert Stories (May, 2021) and Messiah Resounding: A Brief Devotional Look at Ageless Hymns for the Advent Season (November 2020). Both of which are available on Amazon in digital and paperback format. Follow the author on Amazon and GoodReads for early access to the companion Bible study coming soon!