Mesu AndrewsβΒ deep understanding of and love for Godβs Word brings the biblical world alive for her readers. She and her husband, Roy, enjoyed fourteen years of pastoral ministry before moving to the Pacific Northwest, where Roy now serves as Academic Dean at Multnomah Biblical Seminary. Mesu writes full-time, snuggled in her recliner beside a cozy fire on rainy Northwest days. Β The Andrewsβ enjoy visiting their two married daughters and a growing tribe of grandkids.Β Mesu loves movies, football, waterfalls, and travel.
Biblical fiction is her favorite genre to read and write. Her first novel, Love Amid the Ashes (Revell, 2011), tells the story of Job and won the 2012 ECPA Book of the Year for a Debut Author. Loveβs Sacred Song (Revell, 2012) relates the poetic Song of Solomon in story form, and Love in a Broken Vessel (Revell, 2013) sets the story of Hosea and Gomer in biblical Israel. The Shadow of Jezebel (Revell, 2014) displays Godβs sovereignty over Jezebelβs daughter, Queen Athaliah. The Pharaohβs Daughter (Waterbrook/Multnomah, 2015), the first in The Treasures of the NileΒ series,Β unveilsΒ Mosesβ earlyΒ years through the eyes of his Egyptian mother, andΒ Miriam,Β the second book in the series, introducesΒ Yahwehβs prophetessΒ during the ten plagues and the ExodusΒ asΒ she struggles to trust this God she doesnβt understand.
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Welcome back to the blog, Mesu. I’m so glad to have you here today. Congratulations on your upcoming release, Miriam. What an amazing cover!
When did you first get the idea for this story and how long did it take you to write it?
I first proposed the Treasures of the Nile series to my agent back in February 2013, and I think I actually signed the contract with my publisher sometime that summer or early fall. I wrote The Pharaohβs Daughter first, of course, and did six or seven months of research before I typed a single word of that story. Egypt and Moses were completely new research topics for me, so locations, culture, and this particular time period were unplowed ground. Iβd been accustomed to gathering scraps of information from very few resources for my other books about Israel, but thereβs a HUGE amount Egyptian data, so at times it was a little like drinking from a fire hydrant. Miriam didnβt take as long to research because Iβd already gathered a lot of background info for the first book, but the writing process still took a full year because of the extensive editing this book went through. Ugh! We totally revamped Taliahβs character and cut another female character that really served no purpose. It was a total overhaul of the manuscript that made it MUCH more powerful in the final draft.
What do you hope readers will take away the most from this book?
I hope readers come away realizing itβs normal and healthy to have unanswerable questions about God. For years, I was afraid to share my faith with friends and family for fear theyβd ask me something about God that I couldnβt answer. Now, I realize thereβs LOTS about God that I donβt knowβbecause Heβs God! If I could explain Him fully, He wouldnβt be much of a god. Thereβs a line in Miriam that sums up how I feel about Him: βI need a God I canβt understand to do the things I know are impossible.β I hope readers turn the last page of Miriam and are completely at peace with a God who is too big to fully comprehend.
I love that. What a beautiful message. Do you remember the first time meeting one of your favorite authors? Who was it and can you tell us a bit about it?
Yes! It was at the first ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers) conference I attended. Liz Curtis Higgs was thereβas an attendeeβand I saw her coming out of the bookstore. My debut novel had released a few months earlier, and I had asked her to endorse for me. Sheβd declined because of her busy schedule, but it was the sweetest, most encouraging rejection Iβd ever gotten! I wanted to thank her for even replying to my request. I was SO nervous, but I walked up and introduced myself, and she grabbed my hand and gasped. βOh, Mesu! Iβve been wanting to meet you!β I just about swallowed my tongue. SHE wanted to meet ME? Are you kidding? Sheβd been intrigued by my bookβs premise and was going to buy a copy. I was so humbled, stunned, awedβ¦utterly flabbergasted! Needless to say, I GAVE her a copy of the book, and she was kind enough to pose for a picture with me. Now, years later, I know sheβs one of the most humble and gracious women on earth. On that day, however, she was my hero and made that conference experience the most memorable to date!
Awww, I’d love to meet her someday. π What is something you’re looking forward to once summer arrives? Any fun activity or vacation planned?
Visiting my grand babies!!!! Each summer, we make the rounds to see all the family that lives so far from usβparents, siblings, and kids. One daughter lives in the Atlanta area and the other in Colorado Springs, so snippets of visits on Skype, Facetime, and pix on Facebook and Instagram have to suffice until our annual summer escapade. Those special visits mean reading time with my older grand-daughters, tractors and light-sabers with the grandsons, and dolls and tea parties with the little grand-girls. Itβs grandma heaven! Summer also means spending time at our little mountain property six miles off-grid. Our dog Zeke thinks heβs king of the mountain and eats more sticks than dogfood while weβre up there. Last year we built a small shed (8βx12β) and hope to finish the inside this year with built-in beds, a propane heater, and all sorts of nooks and crannies for storage and off-grid living.
Sounds like a wonderful summer to me. π What’s something your readers would be surprised to know about you?
I didnβt fall in love with reading until I began writing. I wasnβt one of those kids that always had a book in my hands. In fact, during my whole high school career, I finished only one novel. The first Christian fiction I ever read (Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers) happened in my early thirties. Even now, I enjoy novels that teach me something, that challenge my heart and mind. Do I ever just relax? Absolutelyβ¦I watch a movie. π
Haha! It’s hard to beat a good movie… or book. π Thank you so much for joining us today, Mesu! It’s always a joy to have you here. Is there anything else you’d like to add? Any upcoming projects you can share with us?
Iβm waiting on my publisherβs decision about the next project, but if they approve what Iβve proposed, it will be the story Iβve wanted to write for almost a decade. Itβs Old Testament (of course) in the time of the Kings about a character I havenβt seen explored much. Iβll let you know as soon as I get the okay to make it public!
That sounds great, Mesu. Can’t wait to hear more about it. π Have a blessed 2016!
GIVEAWAY!!
Mesu has graciously offered to give away a copy of Miriam to one lucky reader! Enter below and it could be YOU!
Thanks for entering!Β Contest ends May 4, 2016.Β The winner will be notified by email. Happy Reading, everybody!
Looking forward to a family reunion and to my youngest granddaughter spending a week with me!
Oooooh, Joan, congrats! I’ll try to avoid grammy-envy. I think it may be the 11th commandment or something. π
That sounds wonderful, Joan! Hope you have a great time and take lots of pictures. π
I am looking forward to the Christian concerts at Six Flags
Oh that does sound like fun, Sonnetta! Which groups are singing, do you know?
Sorry to sound like I’m doing some promoting here, but I’m super excited about the Christian Fiction Readers Retreat One Day Event!
Hey, I don’t blame you for being excited, Annie! I soooooo wish I could make it to Nashville this year. The event sounds amazing! π
Looking forward to nebraska land days and the county fair.
County fairs are always such fun! Thanks for visiting, Kim!
Summer fruit is a highlight for me. All the berries, peaches, watermelon, I honestly can’t get enough. So looking forward to that!
Yes!! I’m with you there, Alison. I can’t wait to harvest fresh fruit and veggies from the garden this year. I need to plant more fruit trees… we never have enough! π
A trip to Branson to meet up w/ 3 siblings, & their families! We all live in different parts of the country!
Fun! Where are you from, Barb? I live only a few hours from Branson and always enjoy visiting there. Are you going to SDC? Hope your family has a great time!
I love Biblical fiction. You know how it ends but its an adventure getting there. Thanks for the chance to win.
I totally agree, Kim! π The Biblical fiction I’ve read has been some of the most memorable books I’ve enjoyed. I’m glad you could join us!
I’ll be attending a friend’s wedding in June. I love Biblical fiction. I can’t wait to read Miriam! Thank you for the chance. π
So glad you could join us, Caryl! Hope your friend’s wedding is wonderful in every way. I love weddings! π
I’m looking forward to warm days at the beach and reading a great many Christian novels this summer. I also hope to paint and finish my cross-stitching project. This book sounds exciting, thank you!
That sounds wonderful, Diana!! What a nice summer you have planned. π Thanks for sharing! Good luck in the giveaway too.
I’m looking forward to going to Holland MI and walking on the shore of Lake Michigan.
Ah, I’d love to go there someday. Bet it’s beautiful. π Thanks for stopping by, Dianne!
I am looking forward to leaving the pressure of my daughter’s world at school.
Bless your heart! Hope the transition goes smoothly, Janice. Take care!
Looking forward to my upcoming 50th wedding anniversary party in June. This book sounds very interesting. Thanks for the chance to win a copy.
Awww, congratulations on 50 years, Brenda! That is wonderful! Hope you and your hubby have a very special anniversary. π
Looking forward to all the great books I get to read!
Hi Lientjie! Yes, me too! π What’s next on your reading list?
I’m a teacher so I’m looking forward to being off work for about 8 weeks. Thanks!
Hi Emilee! That sounds SO nice! Enjoy your vacation! π
I am looking forward to visiting my relatives in the summer.
Summer is always a fun time for visiting family and friends, isn’t it? π Hope you have a great time, Diana!