Author C. L. Smith, a retired junior high school English and history teacher, former missionary, and lifelong student of the Bible, has released a four-book series titled 'Stones of Gilgal' that draws readers into the turbulent world of ancient Canaan. Inspired by the books of Numbers, Joshua, and Judges, the novels follow an interconnected cast of characters confronting questions of faith, loyalty, justice, and belonging as Israel moves from wilderness wandering into the Promised Land. The series combines political conspiracies, dangerous alliances, extraordinary miracles, and deeply personal struggles, reflecting Smith's dual passion for scripture and character-driven storytelling.
Smith's background as an educator and missionary informs her approach to biblical fiction. She combines her love of scripture with the imaginative scope of fantasy-style storytelling, using multiple viewpoints to give readers an intimate look at both the sweeping events and the individual lives at the heart of the biblical narrative. "My first passion is the Bible, the literary masterpiece of the Universe, followed by a passion for story, especially character-driven stories," Smith said. Her goal is to tell biblical stories in a fresh, entertaining way, making connections to the challenges people face in everyday life.
The journey begins in 'Balaam's Curse,' as 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.
In the second installment, 'A River to Cross,' 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.
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. Across the four books, Smith explores the human experiences beneath the epic events: disappointment, courage, trauma, friendship, and the longing to belong. Her approach invites readers to encounter often-overlooked biblical characters as people whose struggles resonate across centuries.
The series matters because it offers a fresh, accessible entry point into ancient texts that continue to shape faith and culture. By focusing on character-driven narratives, Smith makes biblical figures relatable and highlights timeless themes of faith, courage, and belonging. Her work as a former missionary and Bible teacher in the United States, Greece, and Thailand, inspired by C. S. Lewis and J. R. R. Tolkien, underscores her commitment to engaging storytelling that bridges the ancient and the modern.
