About the Book
Book: Leah: Unnoticed. Unwanted. Unloved
Author: Amanda Bedzrah
Genre: Bible Fiction
Release date: November, 2020
Lying
in bed next to ‘the man of her dreams’, Leah is crippled with fear and
unable to sleep. She knows that her husband Jacob is going to wake up to
her, not “the woman of his dreams”.
Jacob worked and served Leah’s father Laban for seven years to marry
her younger sister Rachel, but on the night of their wedding, the brides
were switched; the right man was married to the wrong bride.
As Leah anticipates, his dissatisfaction is not hidden; his rejection
is immediate. Seven days later, Jacob marries Rachel after promising to
work another seven years for her.
Leah is now left in a place of pain and bitterness. A fearsome war
erupts. She is in a battle for her husband’s affection – not with an
enemy, but with her own sister!
Will she ever be loved and accepted?
Can God use a woman like Leah: unnoticed, unwanted, and unloved, to change history?
This book is a fictional retelling of one of the greatest Bible
stories of all time. It is a story of love, deception, betrayal,
competition, heartbreak, and forgiveness. It reminds us that God has a
plan and purpose for our lives.
No pain is ever wasted with God!
Click here to get your copy!
About the Author
Amanda Bedzrah
is married to Francois and they have three wonderful children. They
live in the county of Kent, best known as “The Garden of England” in the
United Kingdom.
Amanda is a passionate Bible teacher, an inspirational speaker, a
prayer minister, and a senior NHS professional. She is a Law graduate
(LLB Hons), she is also certified in Business Analysis Practice and
Project Management.
More from Amanda
An Interview with the Author
Who is Amanda Bedzrah and what does a day in your life look like?
I am just a girl who loves Jesus. I have been saved, redeemed and
restored by the Jesus and my life is dedicated in service to Him. I am
married and I have three wonderful children. I live in the county of
Kent, best known as “The Garden of England” in the United Kingdom.
A day in my life will consist of praying, reading, working, writing,
cooking, cleaning and being wife and mum. My life is actually quite
busy, there is always something going on.
How many books have you written? And are there more books in the future?
To date, I have written six books (1 fiction) and designed two
Journals on Kindness. My most recent book is a Bible study guide called An Introduction to women in the Bible which is a synopsis of women in the Old and New Testament.
I have another Bible fiction books due in 2022 so yes, I absolutely
see more books in my future, I love writing- it’s a gift and a calling,
my purpose. If I could, I would spend the rest of my days writing.
What or who inspired you to write LEAH?
Leah is definitely a God project. I remember reading her story about
four years ago and I wondered what it would have been like for her. I
was so drawn to Leah, and for many years, I looked for novels based on
her life and it seemed like her story had not written, or there was none
that I could find. I kept waiting, until last year, frustrated I
complained to God and He said – “you write it”.
I was like whatttttt? Me? No way. Initially, I allowed fear to
deceive me, but I just couldn’t shake the feeling inside me, the
direction God had given and the hidden excitement about the challenge
that slowly bubbled to the surface and so I sat down one day and started
writing on my phone and the words just fell out and the rest as they
say is history.
Why did you choose this type of book (a novel)?
I love the Bible and I love Bible fiction. For many, the stories will
be familiar. They know the story from the Bible or have heard it, but a
novel truly brings it to life. It may answer some of their own
questions about the story or make it easier for people to find
themselves or their situations or someone they know within the pages of
the book, and that sparks something within that helps the reader connect
deeply.
The bible is rich with stories that are relevant to our lives today
and I consider it an honour to be able to give life to the characters,
and use my imagination in collaboration with the word of God to create a
beautiful story. A story that entertains, educates, motivates and
inspires but most importantly, to write a novel that encourages people
to read the bible for themselves.
Is there anything you found particularly challenging in your writing of this book?
Initially, I found it hard to separate my own feelings and reactions
from Leah’s. I had to remind myself that this was her story not mine and
I didn’t want to bring my own preconceived ideas into the Bible story.
It was also challenging to not cry when I was writing, for me, certain
parts were so emotional.
It also required a lot of research. The Bible is silent on many
things about their lives and so it was a challenge to capture who and
how they were in detail. I got to the point where I had to decide how
much imagination I wanted to use and how much Bible text. My preference
was to stay as close to the Bible as possible, in fact I made sure I
used up every single bit of information from the Bible first and then
weaved imagination into it.
I know that although these are real people in the bible, they
actually existed and there are some historical data about their lives
that can be found in Jewish history and so I did a lot of research to
get a good idea of the characters themselves or similar characters in
their timeline.
I tried as much as possible to capture the culture of their time and
write from that context. I gathered as much information about their
tradition used that to fill out the character. The rest really was God
breathed imagination.
Where is your favorite place to write?
I enjoy writing in my reclining couch in my front room. I have one of
those portable lap tables that I use. I sit in front of the TV and
write. I would however love to have a home office. I imagine a quiet
space filled with lots of books, an oak desk, sofa, lamp and a large bay
window with a wonderful view of nature. I don’t have that yet, but if I
did, that would be my favorite writing place.
What is your greatest hope for this book?
I would love to see this book on the big screen. It is my hope that
one day it will be turned into a movie to reach a wider audience. I also
hope that when people read this book, they find Gods love within the
pages of the book and it draws them towards the Bible so they can
experience the word of God for themselves.
What would you say is special and unique about this book?
It is based on the word of God and I believe everything about Gods
word is special and unique. I think it is an interesting book and brings
the story to life. I used my imagination to give readers an insight
into the world of these Bible heroes and possibly answer some questions
they might have asked. Also, for women who have experienced rejection, I
pray that Leah’s story will inspire and encourage them as well.
How has this book impacted your life?
This novel has had a huge impact in so many ways. As this is my first
fiction novel, it is so humbling to see how it has been well received. I
enjoyed stretching my creativity and I want to do this more. I learnt
so much from writing this book. I’ve read it six times. Each time, I
learn something different and each time I ask myself “Did I really write this”?
I honestly can’t take much credit, I know that it was God who wrote through me and it truly humbles me to be so used by God.
What is your favorite part of the book?
There are so many good bits. I love every part of the book. If I had
to pick a favourite bit, it would be the voice of God. Each time He
spoke, it was just lovely. I particularly like the last few sentences on
page 56.
What would you say is the greatest obstacle you have overcome as an Author?
The confidence to write and not worry about whether it is good
enough or if anyone else will like or read the book. The enemy always
comes to attack and deceive and it takes the Grace of God to overcome
that hurdle.
What would you say to the Ladies who may be going through a difficult marriage feeling unloved, unwanted, and not worthy?
I would say that this novel is for you. I dedicate this book to you.
Please, know that you are completely loved by God and His plan and
purpose for your life is not dependent on the acceptance of man. Being
rejected by the man who should love you can be a very painful
experience. Know that God sees your pain, just like He saw Leah’s.
The Bible tells us in Genesis that when God saw Leah was hated He
opened her womb. He gave her a gift of children to bring love and
comfort into her life that is how merciful He is. God has a very tender
heart towards women who are rejected, we see that even in the life of
Hagar, right there in the desert, running away from Sarah, God met her
and ministered to her needs. We see Gods heart with the woman who had
been bleeding for twelve years, rejected by society but accepted by
Jesus.
Jesus was rejected by the people who should have loved him, but it
did not stop Him from fulfilling His purpose. The rejection of man does
not and will not disqualify you from your destiny. God has accepted you.
God sees you. God loves you.
Take courage, trust in God and lean on Him. He can turn any situation
around, and He can bring beauty out of any situation if we let Him.
In the book you decided to make it a happy ending for Leah, why did you choose this ending?
I love a happy ending and I wanted to give Leah that. I also wanted
an ending that will inspire other women to not give up hope. I don’t
know what the relationship with Jacob and Leah was like after Rachel
died, but we can assume that her death brought the end to the
controversy and strife that already existed, something must have changed
because Jacob asked to be buried next to Leah.
Leah was buried with the Patriarch’s and most importantly – she is
the mother of Judah from which our salvation comes from. She was
rejected by man but chosen by God to start the lineage of the Lion of
the Tribe of Judah. I wanted to celebrate this amazing woman.
What would you say to the many Authors’ to be?
Just go for it. You have a story inside of you that will change
someone’s life, even if that person is you, it is still significant.
Don’t listen to the voice of fear that says your story is not good
enough, just keep writing.
Like any other gift, it takes time and practice so just write. You
will be surprised how much you will enjoy it and how much you will bless
others.
Also, the Holy Spirit is always willing to write through you, if you
invite Him and allow Him, you will be surprised at the words that will
pour out of you.
Blog Stops
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, February 19
A Reader’s Brain, February 20
Texas Book-aholic, February 21
For Him and My Family, February 22
Inklings and notions, February 23
deb’s Book Review, February 24
Locks, Hooks and Books, February 25
Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, February 26
Connie’s History Classroom, February 27
A Modern Day Fairy Tale, February 28 (Spotlight)
Miriam Jacob, February 28
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, March 1
Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, March 2
Blogging With Carol, March 3
Spoken from the Heart, March 4 (Author Interview)
Book Butterfly in Dreamland, March 4
Giveaway
To celebrate her tour, Amanda is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card!!
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/1ab31/leah-unnoticed-unwanted-unloved-celebration-tour-giveaway
Speaking Life into Story
Time.
Posts
