About the Book

Book: The Crooked Daughter

Author: D.M. Griffin

Genre: Biblical Fiction

Release date: March 28, 2024

Choices her father made before she was even born reached a bony finger into her life, clouding her future with hopelessness. Her father’s cold heart had no room for her. He easily cast her aside when the Law permitted it. Defined as an outcast because of a physical infirmity, Priscilla was told death was her destiny. Despite the limited perspective brought about by years of adversity, Priscilla fought to keep hope alive and wait for the Lord’s timing.

Aquila lost his father at the most critical time in his life. Battling against grief and bitterness, Aquila uncovers a secret about his father’s death that undermines his faith in a religious system that once defined him. Driven from his homeland, Aquila becomes someone he no longer recognizes.

Two people whose perspectives are skewed by adversity become divinely intertwined in mysterious ways. As they wait upon the Lord for His timing, would Priscilla and Aquila ever find the truth that would lift their eyes to the hills so they could see the purpose of life, not only between a man and a woman but between God and His creation? A poignant story about how God uses adversity for good in the lives of those who truly love and trust Him.

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About the Author

D.M. Griffin is the author of several Biblical Fiction novels as well as devotionals, prayer journals, and Bible studies. She will be releasing a Christian Fantasy series in 2025. She currently resides in Northern California with her husband. They met in middle school a few days after she was transplanted to the West Coast at the tender age of twelve. She has three adult children who have been an endless source of delight and inspiration. She also has a precious new grandchild who brings her joy.

As a native New England girl, she fondly remembers spending her summers there as a child. Thick accents, small towns, and fascinating weather stirred the imagination of a young heart. She has always had a fondness for stories thanks to her imaginative mother who would make up wild, adventurous tales to tell when tucking her into bed as a child.

She truly believes that a book that sits on a shelf unread is like a planted seed that never blossoms. Nothing delights her more than sharing a story.

More from D.M.

My inspiration for writing The Crooked Daughter is multi-faceted. First of all, I was intrigued by the unnamed characters in the Bible who had a single extraordinary encounter with Jesus. The woman who was bent over for eighteen years was one of the four that I selected for The Encounter Series.

Though there were few verses dedicated to this woman, I felt the deeper pull of a story tucked inside the folds of those verses describing Jesus healing her on the Sabbath. I wondered what her story was. What led her there that day? Did she go searching for Him or did Jesus pick her out of the crowd?

Reading that the woman was in that condition for eighteen years is worthy of pondering. I think a lot of times when we read Scripture, we miss the impact of time’s passage. As someone who has suffered from back pain for many years, I could relate to the crooked woman’s story. Eighteen years is a long time to be bent over. The longest I had to remain in a bent position was three weeks. It is extremely difficult to move through the world when the only thing you can see is the ground. Pain is bad enough to endure. Pain for eighteen years must have been excruciating. I know when I am in pain my mood and attitude definitely need adjustment. I would have been a monster after eighteen years!

Developing Priscilla’s character challenged me as a writer. As someone who suffered an early rejection in life only to endure physical infirmity on her own, I didn’t want her to become embittered the way most would after enduring such a trial. There was a delicate balance between lamenting her fate and holding onto hope as it slipped away. Therefore, I introduced the playful, furry character – a dog named Patch.

Aquila’s character was complex and layered. While he was physically able-bodied, his heart was agonizing with grief, responsibility, and disillusioned faith. He was a man who could stand straight even while his soul was bent over.

I have always been intrigued by Aquila and Priscilla in the Bible. As an inspirational couple who served the Lord together, I enjoyed weaving the threads of their story into the fictional account about the crooked woman. I believe that love soothes the wounds of suffering. Falling in love straightens the crooked perspectives of circumstances. Who doesn’t enjoy a good love story that culminates in a strong, enviable marriage?

In The Crooked Daughter, the main character’s condition is symbolic of the political climate of those days. The religious leaders were the ones who were bent over, their perspective about God’s acceptance of people horribly skewed under the heaviness of pride. They could not lift their eyes to the heavens to recognize the Messiah in their midst. Their hearts were hunched under the weight of selfish ambition and prejudicial attitudes. Condemnation was the chain that kept them bound, unable to see the horizon of eternity.

Physical infirmities are horrible to endure. Even worse are the infirmities of the soul. So many things can truly bend us away from God – rejection, selfishness, anger, grief, regret. Thankfully, Jesus is more than a healer. He is our Savior. I truly enjoyed exploring these themes throughout The Crooked Daughter. I hope that readers come away from the story with hope as an anchor for hard times. God truly uses all things for good when we trust in His plan.

Blog Stops

Fiction Book Lover, May 13 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 14

Simple Harvest Reads, May 15 (Author Interview)

Artistic Nobody, May 16 (Author Interview)

Lots of Helpers, May 16

Splashes of Joy, May 17 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, May 18

Jodie Wolfe – Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, May 19 (Author Interview)

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, May 20

Guild Master, May 21 (Author Interview)

Locks, Hooks and Books, May 22

A Reader’s Brain, May 23 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, May 23

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, May 24

Stories By Gina, May 25 (Author Interview)

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, May 26

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, D.M. Griffin is giving away the grand prize package of a $25 Amazon gift card & copy of book!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/2b7c9/the-crooked-daughter-celebration-tour-giveaway

Interview with D.M.

What is the genre you write?

I primarily write Biblical Fiction. These stories are based on characters in the Bible but are not intended to superimpose Scripture. The imagination is a gift given to us by God when He designed the complexity of human nature. I believe that our Lord can use it to sanctify us if we invite Him into that space for the sole purpose of enhancing our devotion. While the Bible is a major source of inspiration for me, I will be releasing my first novel in the Christian Fantasy genre next year. I also have written several books on prayer and have a few devotionals published.

What is one thing you hope readers will take away from your story?

I hope that as readers dive into the mystery between the two main characters in The Crooked Daughter, the biblical themes of victory in Christ and the blessing of rejoicing in suffering stand out. As the characters struggle to fully open their hearts and minds to what is in their midst, I hope readers get a glimpse of the importance of maintaining an eternal perspective in a blinding world. Ultimately, as the story unfolds the theme of God using all things for His good, I hope the takeaway will help readers recognize that regardless of the suffering allotted to us in life, God will bless it for His purpose and His glory.

Who are your favorite authors?

I have so many favorite authors. I am as much an insatiable reader as I am a relentless writer. It is really hard to pick a favorite. Lynn Austin’s Gods and Kings Series was an inspirational read for me. In Biblical Fiction, I enjoy Connilyn Cossette and Katrina Hamel. In Historical Fiction, I like Tamera Alexander. In Fantasy, I enjoy Brandon Sanderson and James Islington. In classics, I like C.S. Lewis and Tolkien. I also love giving new authors a try. I am always looking for ARC team opportunities. Too many good books out there and not enough time to read them all!

How do you get your story ideas?

My story ideas come to me when I least expect it. Usually, I am in the middle of writing one series when ideas start popping up for the next one. My best inspiration comes when I take walks around the lake by my house. I am always grateful to have my phone handy so I can take notes when these ideas come at me.

What do you plan to work on next?

I have a couple of big projects in the pipeline for the next two years. In 2025, I will be releasing a Fantasy series called The Illumination Chronicles. This was inspired by Pilgrim’s Progress and Chronicles of Narnia. In 2026, I plan to release another Biblical Fiction series titled Spirit Ignited. This series will focus on four random men in the crowd during Pentecost. The Fantasy series is already drafted (eleven books) and is in the editing phase. I have yet to begin writing Spirit Ignited but plan to start this summer. I typically write two years in advance of publishing since I focus on entire series rather than individual books when I publish.

Where can readers connect with you?

Readers can connect with me on my website at devotedsteps.com. I have daily prayers, devotionals, book reviews, and newsletters on my website. There are also links to all the books I have written and published. I enjoy getting feedback, so emails are welcome. I don’t make any promises about timely responses, especially if I am in the middle of drafting a novel. It typically takes up all my brain space. For the time it takes to write the story, I often disconnect from the world around me. Kudos to my family for putting up with that.