My Christian upbringing fostered a deep interest in the stories of women in the Bible, particularly those who have been misunderstood and neglected. I found that most of these women are only mentioned briefly and cryptically. Clearly, there was more to their stories, and to uncover what it was, I dedicated myself to studying the scholarship on these enigmatic figures. 

Drawing on my degree in Philosophy of Religion with an emphasis in the Bible as Literature, I uncovered a wealth of information revealing that many ancient women wielded far more authority and agency than has been recorded.

Another of my enduring interests, writing, led me to earn a certificate in Creative Writing from the University of Washington. I also attended many writers’ conferences around the world and lectured on the subject of women in the Bible. I wrote poetry, short stories, and a young adult novel, with some of my work published in regional literary magazines.

When I converted to Judaism and became a mother, I noticed that Jewish religious schools focus almost exclusively on the men in the Bible. To counteract this, I began writing weekly introductions to the women’s stories, both for my children and as a curriculum for schools.

For a fresh Hanukkah tale, I wrote a children’s story about Judith, the courageous biblical woman who saved the Jewish people. As I explored the Book of Judith, I realized its complexity, both in character and plot, stretched far beyond the reach of a picture book. Judith’s story deserved a closer look, which sparked my passion for writing historical novels for adults. After writing Judith the Wise, I continued my research on overlooked biblical women by writing Junia: The Forgotten Apostle, a fictional examination of the only woman identified as an apostle in the New Testament.

Judith and Junia are just two stars in a constellation of extraordinary women whose stories illuminate the Hebrew Bible and Jewish and early Christian texts. Bringing fresh perspective to these influential (and forgotten) narratives, I challenge traditional interpretations and add new layers of meaning and relevance to the biblical stories that have shaped so much of our culture.