Coffee with Sarah Talbert

This morning, I have a little change for you.

If you haven’t noticed, most of the authors I feature are fellow romance authors or at least contemporary fiction writers. Well, today, I am having coffee with a historical, biblical fiction author.

Sarah Talbert is a new author to me, and from the glance I took of her Amazon Author page, she is somewhat new to the world of publication. She has written an intriguing story taking place in the Biblical land of Ur called Secrets of the Wildflowers.

Welcome to Back Porch Reads, Sarah. It’s a pleasure to have you with us today.

Since you are somewhat new to many of us, share with the readers what inspired you to start writing.

Although I’ve written since childhood, there have been many forms of writing since then. I wrote for myself and others on a blog for years. I then moved my writing skills to copywriting. I wrote for websites and other forms of marketing. It wasn’t until I was inspired by the Bible Project to study the book of Genesis that my fiction writing took off. I couldn’t get enough of ancient societies and human nature. Genesis was the true beginning of my writing career.

Isn’t it amazing how God works things out to build us up gradually to prepare us for the next phase?

What would you say is your most interesting writing quirk?

I feel like I’m an odd mix of flying the seat of my pants and plotting out a story before writing. I love researching the time frame and character development before writing anything. I need to know where my characters are going to end up. What’s the question they’re asking that’s going to lead them to the end? Ultimately though an outline of that journey feels restrictive.

That, my dear, is called being a plantster– you write by the seat of your pants (panster) with plotting a few key areas (plotter). Welcome to the club.

Let’s talk about Secrets of the Wildflowers. What is the key theme and/or message in this story?

The key theme in the book is freedom. I work with young adults within my local church while also raising teenagers. Within this context, I see a lot of people who believe freedom is the ability to do and pursue whatever they want. I think this concept is built within the American Dream, but it runs deeper. It goes back to the serpent in the garden that asks Eve, “Did God really say that?” We have to ask ourselves what freedom means. Psalm 119:45 has been a working verse for this book. “I will walk in freedom, for I have devoted myself to your commandments.”

Amen! God’s Freedom is unlike anything man can ever offer.

What is the most surprising thing you discovered while writing this book?

My main character, Miu, flees to a city called Dilmun. This city is in our history books. It’s also in the poetry of the ancient Sumerians, among others. Dilmun is mentioned in the epic of Gilgamesh, one of the oldest recorded stories. It is likely to have been the place where the hero Gilgamesh traveled to find the secret of eternal life. Some scholars believe this is where the Garden of Eden was located. It was fun to have the city and its maritime culture ingrained into “Secrets of the Wildflowers.”

I bet that took quite a bit of research to find any pertinent information to make the city come alive for you.

Are you working on anything at the present you would like to share?

I’m currently deep in research mode for my next novel, which is based on a farmer in the Ozark Mountains during the 1940s and 1950s. The story will explore the struggle of holding onto beliefs when there’s seemingly nothing left to believe in.

Intriguing. I look forward to seeing that story.

Thank you again, Sarah, for joining me today. I hope this tour blesses you greatly and helps others discover your talents.

Readers, please be sure to keep reading and enter the giveaway below. Then, pick up a copy of Secrets of the Wildflowers for your reading pleasure.

About the Book

Book: Secrets of the Wildflowers

Author: Sarah Talbert

Genre: Historical Fiction/Biblical Fiction

Release date: April 30, 2024

In the heart of ancient Ur, where the gods cast shadows and tradition weaves the fabric of life, Secrets of the Wildflowers unfolds the captivating tale of Miu, a spirited young woman determined to bloom amid the constraints of her culture, family, and the ancient deities that hold sway.

When tragedy strikes, and her beloved brother becomes a sacrifice to the gods, Miu embarks on a courageous journey to break free from the shackles of societal expectations and unearth her true purpose. Inspired by the resilient wildflowers that thrive against all odds, Miu is driven to forge her own path and create a name for herself.

As Miu navigates running her own tavern, friendship with an unlikely courier, and supporting an abandoned child, she finds herself crossing paths with Abram, a figure of significance from the Bible. In their encounters, Abram imparts profound wisdom, revealing that, like the wildflowers, Miu is created to be unique. Yet, he guides her to embrace the very boundaries that enable her to flourish.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Sarah Talbert, a devoted storyteller and explorer of faith, employs her creative writing to inspire spiritual growth. Through historical fiction and other writings, she shares compelling narratives aimed at deepening readers’ connections with Jesus. Sarah cultivates community through discipleship, hospitality, and storytelling, alongside managing a copywriting business that amplifies the voices of other enterprises.

More from Sarah

Secrets of the Wildflowers: Comparing the Ancient Near Eastern Gods with Yahweh

In the ancient civilizations of the Near East, people had a fascinating relationship with their gods. They earnestly sought the blessings of the gods, such as prosperity, reputation, and fertility, but the interactions were often unpredictable. Prayers and offerings were done with a sense of expectation, but people were always aware of the capricious whims of the gods.

When examining the relationship between humans, the gods of the Ancient Near East, and Yahweh, there are two key points to consider:

-Fragile Relationships with the Gods:

Did you know that in ancient Mesopotamia and Egypt, people believed that the gods held power over every aspect of their lives? They turned to their gods for blessings and protection, whether it was for a great harvest or a happy family.

The main reason behind writing “Secrets of the Wildflowers” was to compare and contrast the gods of Miu’s time (the main character) with Yahweh. Miu faces difficulty dealing with the unpredictable nature of the gods while also desiring to pursue her own path, but also needing the blessings of the gods.

-Yahweh’s Guidance and Certainty:

Enter Yahweh, the God of Abram, who presented an unmistakable difference from the uncertain association between humans and the gods in the Ancient Near East. Instead of leaving humanity to figure out the fickle nature of the gods’ goodwill on their own, Yahweh intervened in a significant manner.

Miu eventually discovers that Yahweh wants a relationship with her. He has pursued her from the beginning of the story. She just needs to learn if she wants to bloom free like a wildflower, or if she wants to follow him.

By following Yahweh’s laws, Abram and his people found peace, prosperity, and a divine relationship with God. Obeying His commands blessed them with divine favor and the assurance of His presence.

In conclusion, Miu and everyone she encounters must come face to face with a god who is unlike anything they’ve ever heard of. After losing and redefining freedom, Miu discovers that true freedom is found in working together with others and utilizing her God-given skills within a relationship with a loving God.