Episode 522: A Chat with Jill Eileen Smith

I've always had a soft spot for the woman at the well, and chatting with Jill Eileen Smith about her book, A Deeper Well just made me decide my Biblical fiction book of the year.  Listen in and see why. note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you.  Too often, the woman at the well gets a far worse rap than Jesus gave her, so I'm excited to see someone treating her situation with compassion AND Biblical truth.  Eager to read. A Deeper Well by Jill Eileen Smith Her broken heart thirsts for acceptance and love that seem out of reach--until an encounter at the well reveals what her soul truly longs for. In ancient Israel, soon after Nessa is of marriageable age, her father gives her to a wealthy widowed friend, capitalizing on her beauty to bring in the highest bride-price he can find. Nessa is devastated, as she had begged to marry Lavi, who returned her love and saw more in her than her appearance. Nessa's betrothal leads to Lavi's departure, compounding her grief, and she can never forget her forbidden first love. Nessa tries to accept her fate, but after only a year of marriage, tragedy hits her new family. She is sent back to her father, who quickly finds a young man who wants to marry the most beautiful woman in Sychar. Misfortune follows Nessa as she is passed from one marriage to the next--until she meets an unusual Jewish rabbi at the town's well one afternoon, and her life is forever changed.  You can get A Deeper Well at 30% off with free shipping (as of today, anyway!) at BakerBookHouse.com. Goodreads Giveaway going on in March 2026. Learn more about Jill at her WEBSITE. and follow on GoodReads and BookBub.  Like to listen on the go? You can find Because Fiction Podcast at: Apple Castbox Google Play Libsyn RSS Spotify Amazon and more!