Shannon here: Barbara M. Britton shares insight into her Biblical Fiction Short Story Collection, Across the Lake: Traveling with Jesus Around the Sea of Galilee with a romantic excerpt. Comment or answer the question in any post dated Dec 16th – 30th to enter the drawing for a copy plus 4 other titles. Deadline: Jan 3rd, 11:59 pm central time. Here’s Barbara:
One True Love
My upcoming release is different than my Biblical Fiction or my Contemporary Romance. Instead of writing about people who fall in love, I am writing about our Savior who is the embodiment of love. Jesus, who was fully God and fully man, gave His life for us by dying on a cross. His blood paid the price for our sins. Jesus didn’t stay in the tomb. He rose from the dead. Amen! We have a Savior that loves us and cares for us.
In Across the Lake, I show how Jesus loved a synagogue ruler, hungry townspeople, a frantic mother, a demon possessed man, and a woman bleeding for twelve years.
A woman with an issue of blood doesn’t sound romantic unless she had a betrothed who had been waiting for her for twelve years and hoping she would be free from her impurity. Only a strong bond of love lasts during twelve years of separation. I placed this spin on the story from the Gospel of Mark in my Bible study.
Elon is the faithful betrothed, waiting and hoping for a miracle. He waits for his beloved and prays for healing. Elon doesn’t know that a miracle is coming from the Savior.
Can you sense Elon’s faithfulness to Lydia (My name for the bleeding woman) in this scene?
Excerpt from Across the Lake by Barbara M. Britton:
As she opened the tent flap, the sunrise blinded her. No trees shaded her dwelling in this remote field. Oh, if she could only relish the warmth of the sun without losing strength. Gone were the days of racing in the hills above Capernaum and jumping into the sea. She laughed at the folly from long ago.
“Lydia.”
She turned toward the low rumble of her name. There stood Elon. His hair was not as curly as it had been twelve years prior. The sun had stolen some of its rich color. But thankfully, her illness had not stolen him. His family thought he was a fool to wait for her, to honor the betrothal from their childhood, but wait, and linger, he did. For a woman who, at twenty-four years of age, was considered scorned by God.
Her chest tightened. She was struck dumb by his presence. He regularly left her food, but his gifts appeared in secret, left under the cover of darkness.
“I brought you some food the night before last. Before the storm.” He indicated a basket tucked under the tent flap. “When it was here this day, I thought …”
My death had finally come.
She struggled to find her voice. “Phoebe is gone. No one is here to take care of me.” But you. Tears blurred her vision, but they could never diminish the beauty of Elon. “Toda raba.” She longed to say more, to give more, other than a common thank you. She longed to say she would be healed soon, and they could finally be together. Those days had come and gone, and gone again, until her words were a comforting lie. Repeating the falsehood that she would be physically restored hurt too much. “You are very generous. As always.”
Barbara again:
The woman bleeding for twelve years is healed by touching Jesus’s garment. Jesus’s power and love took away the bleeding that had isolated her for over a decade.
Reader Question: What Bible verse do you have memorized that speaks of Jesus’s love for us?
John 3:16 is seen at sporting events – “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (King James Version)
Dec Book Bundle #2
A Gift for All Time by Tonya B. Ashley, Jenny Carlisle, Ellen E. Withers, Novella Collection, print
A Texas Holiday Reunion by Shannon Taylor Vannatter, Contemporary Romance, large print
My Journey in Fiction Writing by R.F. Whong, Nonfiction, Newsletter signup download
Right Before Their Eyes by Carrie Walker, Romantic Women’s Fiction, e-book
Across the Lake by Barbara M. Britton, Devotional Short Story Collection, print
About Barbara: Barbara M. Britton lives in Southeast Wisconsin and loves the snow—when it accumulates under three inches. She writes Christian Fiction from Bible Times to Modern Day USA. Barbara has a nutrition degree from Baylor University but loves to dip healthy strawberries in chocolate. Learn more & connect:
Barbara’s Website Barbara’s Twitter/X
Barbara’s Facebook Barbara’s Instagram
About the Short Story Collection – Across the Lake: Traveling with Jesus Around the Sea of Galilee:
Discover the life-changing power of Jesus in six short stories from the Gospel of Mark. The miracles of Jesus will leap from the page in a Biblical Fiction story, author reflection, and relatable study.
Travel with Jesus as he calms a storm, heals a desperate woman, raises a dead daughter to life, sends His disciples on a minimalist mission, feeds thousands on a hillside, and shows compassion to a persistent mother.
A perfect study for your small group, personal or family devotions, or book club.
If you know Jesus, fall in love with Him all over again. If you haven’t experienced Jesus’ power and love, jump in His boat and engage with the Creator and Savior of the world.
Print editions will arrive on January 6, 2026.
Can’t wait for the drawing? Worried you won’t win? Need extra copies for gifts?
Get your copy/copies now!
Preorder Across the Lake Barbara’s Books
Come back Jan 1st for a preview of next year’s guest authors!
Thank you for having me back on the blog, Shannon. Happy New Year!
This is a beautiful book–the best of Barbara’s biblical fiction storytelling, wrapped in devotionals that break the mold of what most people call devotionals today. I received an ARC of this book; I highly recommend buying it!
Happy new year, Lana! Thank you for your kind words about “Across the Lake.” I hope readers draw closer to Jesus or discover His love. Thanks for joining us and making my week!
“But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
— Romans 5:8
Hi Natalya! I love that verse. It is part of “The Romans Road.” I have those set of verses in “Across the Lake.”
Thank you for us.
I love the concept of combining non-fiction with fictional stories. I pray your launch is a huge success, Barbara!
Hi Deena. Thank you so much. I can’t wait to launch this book. I appreciate you being here.
I have a winner! Diana Hardt won the drawing. I appreciate Barbara for being my guest and everyone else for stopping by.