The Chosen One: Mary’s Story follows a young Jewish girl caught on the brink of marriage as she discovers her divine calling to give birth to the son of God, in a narrative that weaves ancient events with modern-day language. Why was this an important book for you to write?

I began to think of Mary as a young pregnant unwed teenager. Today that is common. In those days, it meant death. I wanted to portray her thoughts and fears – and yet her strength in her faith in God.

How did you approach making this ancient narrative accessible to contemporary readers?

I wanted to show Mary with close friends and a loving family. I attempted to show her interaction with contemporary thoughts while still adhering as close as possible to Jewish traditions and values. My goal was to make the story come alive for many who may have never heard it.

The characters are portrayed as multi-dimensional. How did you go about developing them to show the human side of these biblical figures?

I did a lot of research for this book through Jewish history and mythology, as well as scriptural references. It is thought that Mary was only around 13-14 when she gave birth to Jesus. Joseph may have been much older. Jewish history gives a lot of detail to places and the timeline of Mary’s visit to her relative, Elizabeth, as well as the birth of Jesus and what drove them to Bethlehem.

What is the next book that you are working on, and when will it be available?

I am working on a YA thriller about child trafficking that will hopefully be out in 2024.

Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Website | Amazon