Meet my precious friend, Naomi Craig, and her co-author, Donna E. Lane, whom I haven’t yet had the pleasure of meeting. I first “met” Naomi when she became an enthusiastic member of my exclusive BFF team (Biblical Fiction Fans). She wanted to learn everything about writing and marketing biblical fiction—and has certainly surpassed me on many levels! I’m so excited to share her co-authored book with you.
Description of And Their Numbers Grew
The Chosen press photos (press.thechosen.tv), CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
If you love The Chosen, the disciples’ story continues in And Their Numbers Grew.
Rumors of the risen Christ spread through Jerusalem like a wildfire—and the Sanhedrin is paying attention.
Their efforts to stifle the name of Jesus only fuel the cause until a young Pharisee gets involved, breathing threats of imprisonment—or worse. Stephen’s brutal stoning accelerates the persecution and sends the faithful fleeing the city for their lives.
They are afflicted in every way, but not crushed. As the fledgling church disperses, their numbers continue to grow. Now, the apostles must train the new believers in the ways and words of Jesus—and what it means to live in God’s Kingdom here on earth.
The Kingdom of God spreads to Damascus, Joppa, Caesarea, Antioch, and Tarsus through the testimonies of Ananias, Tabitha, and Barnabas. While an outraged Saul sets out for Damascus to arrest them all, the followers press on fervently, with the help of the Holy Spirit—though it may cost them their lives.
Four disciples whose lives are intertwined, told in four novellas, chronicling the birth pains of the early church…
My Review
5 Smiles 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
Naomi Craig and Donna E. Lane have written this collection of four novellas in a way that absolutely blew me away. It’s always a dicey endeavor to co-author a book, but they miraculously weave together four protagonists in various settings for this anthology!
Dictionary.com defines an anthology as “selected writings by various authors, usually in the same literary form, of the same period, or on the same subject.” Naomi’s and Donna’s writing voices fluidly flow together from story to story without breaking the reader’s dream.
I seldom give 5-star (5-smile) reviews because, for me, such a stellar review elevates the book into the “favorite” category. But the numbers don’t lie on this one. I’ve incorporated discipleship concepts from And Their Numbers Grew in everyday conversations. The characters and cultural context were true to how I’d imagined them according to my research on that era. And Their Numbers Grew moved me out of my head and into a conversation with Jesus that changed my heart.
THAT’S what a great biblical novel is meant to do!
Though And Their Numbers Grew released in November 2023, I’ve waited to post my review until after Easter so we can relate to how the early Church felt. So, read And Their Numbers Grew NOW! Today! And FEEL the early church’s trepidation after celebrating Jesus’s resurrection and ascension. Experience with the characters the amazing giving of the Holy Spirit, and let’s get inspired to share the Good News of Jesus Christ–knowing that the same Spirit works through Jesus-followers today!
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Naomi’s Short Bio
Author of Biblical fiction, avid reader, pastor’s wife, and mom to an amazing young lady. Naomi loves reading the Bible and imagining how things were at the time. When she’s not serving in various areas at church, or trying to stay on top of mountains of dishes, she’s enjoying a good book and a cup of coffee.
Donna’s Short Bio
Dr. Donna E. Lane is an award-winning, multi-genre author, Christian counselor, and spiritual director. Her 46 years of experience in counseling provides insights which she seamlessly weaves into her writing, delving into the complexities of relationships and the depths of the human heart. With a boundless imagination, a fervent devotion to Jesus, a love for history, and a fascination with time, she crafts stories that resonate deeply with readers. A devoted wife of 44 years and mother of three, she now cherishes her role as a grandmother and mom to her new puppy, a little white furball named Rosie Cotton.
