C. L. Smith's Stones of Gilgal Series Brings Biblical Canaan to Life

C. L. Smith, a retired junior high school English and history teacher, former missionary, and lifelong student of the Bible, brings the ancient world of Canaan to life in her four-book series, Stones of Gilgal. Inspired by the books of Numbers, Joshua, and Judges, the novels follow an interconnected cast of characters as Israel moves from wilderness wandering into the Promised Land. The first book, Balaam's Curse, introduces the prophet Balaam and the Midianite princess Cozbi, whose scheme to attack Israel through seduction leaves a wilderness-born generation to carry the nation forward. In A River to Cross, Joshua leads a people uncertain of his ability, while two young spies venture into Jericho and depend on a Canaanite woman willing to risk everything for a promise of rescue. Trouble in the Ruins follows the Israelites across the Jordan, where Salmon rushes to rescue Rahab as Jericho's fortifications collapse, and the people discover that life in the Promised Land brings new dangers and difficult choices. The final installment, Pursuit of Zedek, finds five armies united against Israel while Joshua's young warriors grapple with what it means to pursue righteousness amid the brutality of war, and Rahab, a refugee haunted by her past, searches for love, acceptance, and a place among the people of Yahweh.

Smith, who is also known as Carolyn Smith, combines her love of scripture with the imaginative scope of fantasy-style storytelling. Through multiple viewpoints, she gives 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. She explores the human experiences beneath the epic events—disappointment, courage, trauma, friendship, and the longing to belong—inviting readers to encounter often-overlooked biblical characters as people whose struggles resonate across centuries. "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," she added. Inspired by C. S. Lewis and J. R. R. Tolkien, Smith writes engaging biblical fiction that weaves her love of learning, people, and Scripture into richly imagined scenes and memorable characters. Lucid Books, an independent hybrid publisher in the Houston area, publishes the series.