In a crowded market of biblical fiction, C. L. Smith's Stones of Gilgal series stands out for its ambitious scope and deep character development. The four-book series, inspired by the books of Numbers, Joshua, and Judges, follows an interconnected cast of characters as Israel moves from wilderness wandering into the Promised Land. Smith, a retired junior high school English and history teacher, former missionary, and lifelong student of the Bible, combines her love of scripture with the imaginative scope of fantasy-style storytelling.
The series begins with Balaam's Curse, where Israel approaches the border of the Promised Land while neighboring kings plot to stop its advance. When Yahweh blocks the prophet Balaam's curses, Balaam joins forces with Cozbi, an ambitious Midianite princess, to attack the nation through seduction and compromised loyalty. The resulting devastation leaves a wilderness-born generation facing the responsibility of carrying Israel forward. This sets the stage for a saga that explores political conspiracies, dangerous alliances, extraordinary miracles, and deeply personal struggles.
In the second installment, A River to Cross, characters Acsah, Othniel, Jonathan, and their friends struggle with grief and the loss of innocence in the aftermath of the Midianite war. With Moses dead and the Jordan River rising, Joshua must lead a people uncertain of his ability. A perilous reconnaissance mission takes two young spies into Jericho, where their survival depends on a Canaanite woman willing to risk everything for a promise of rescue. This narrative choice highlights Smith's focus on often-overlooked biblical figures and their human experiences.
Book three, Trouble in the Ruins, follows the Israelites across the Jordan and into an increasingly hostile Canaan. As Jericho's fortifications collapse, Salmon rushes to rescue Rahab, the woman who saved him and his fellow spy. Yet escaping the city does not end her struggles, and the Israelites soon discover that life in the Promised Land brings new dangers, devastating setbacks, and difficult choices. In Book Four, Pursuit of Zedek, five armies unite against Israel while Joshua's young warriors grapple with what it means to pursue righteousness amid the brutality of war. For Rahab, a refugee haunted by her past, the struggle becomes intensely personal as she searches for love, acceptance, and a place among the people of Yahweh.
Smith's approach invites readers to encounter biblical characters as people whose struggles resonate across centuries. "My first passion is the Bible, the literary masterpiece of the Universe, followed by a passion for story, especially character-driven stories," Smith said. "Over the years, I have endeavored to tell its stories in a fresh, entertaining way, making connections to the challenges we all face in everyday life." This commitment to relevance is crucial in a genre where ancient texts can feel distant; Smith's work bridges that gap by emphasizing themes of disappointment, courage, trauma, friendship, and the longing to belong.
The series is published by Lucid Books, an independent, hybrid publisher in the Houston area that offers the connections and expertise of a traditional publisher with the author involvement of a self-publisher. Lucid Books exists to help authors inspire, inform, and enrich the lives of their readers. For an industry navigating the complexities of hybrid publishing, Smith's series exemplifies how authors can leverage such partnerships to bring niche but deeply researched works to market.
For readers, the Stones of Gilgal series offers more than entertainment; it provides a lens through which to explore foundational stories of faith and identity. By giving voice to characters like Rahab and Balaam, Smith encourages a deeper engagement with biblical narratives, reminding us that these ancient tales are filled with real people facing real dilemmas. In a time when religious texts are often politicized or simplified, Smith's nuanced storytelling is a valuable contribution to the landscape of inspirational fiction.
