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Author Linda Dindzans made her debut in Biblical fiction with A Certain Man (September 2024) , and continues this series, A Certain Future, with A Certain Mercy (December 2025). You can read my blog post about A Certain Man here.

If you’ve ever wondered more about the woman caught in adultery as depicted in John 8:3-11, A Certain Mercy will invite you to more wonder. Not just wondering about the woman’s backstory or what Jesus wrote on the ground or what happened after Jesus told her to go and sin no more. But the wonders of a Savior who offers mercy to the least likely of all.

Blurb:

“Let he who is without sin cast the first stone.”

Those stones are meant for Zara—the woman dragged through the dusty streets of first-century Jerusalem by the religious leaders— a women condemned to die for adultery.

Trapped in a loveless marriage to Joram, a ruthless gambler, Zara finds herself drawn to the one man she can never have—Auriga Maximus, the famed charioteer enslaved by her husband. What begins as stolen glances ignites into forbidden passion—and when their secret is exposed, Zara faces death by stoning.

But in her darkest moment, standing before an angry mob in the Temple courts, a Galilean teacher named Yeshua offers her something she never expected: mercy.

Spared from execution but shattered by shame, Zara must navigate a treacherous world of political intrigue, religious persecution, and her own haunting past.

From the opulent danger of Herod’s court to the quiet refuge of Bethany, from the shadow of the Cross to the glory of the Resurrection, A Certain Mercy weaves a powerful story of forbidden love, devastating betrayal, and the transforming grace of Christ.

Perfect for fans of Biblical Fiction like the works of Francine Rivers, Tessa Afshar, and Angela Hunt, A Certain Mercy invites you to walk the ancient streets, feel the dust rise beneath your feet, and witness a mercy as alive today as it was 2,000 years ago.

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My thoughts:

Author Linda Dindzans has a beautiful way with words. From the dialogue to the fresh, strong imagery that immerses me in the setting, I really enjoyed this journey of Theo, Zera, and the rest. You’ll feel like you’re at the chariot races, or on the dusty road between Bethany and Jericho. Theo and Zera have great, believable character arcs, and I love how those wrapped up on the very last pages. Even though I’m very familiar with the events of Passion Week, this story had me guessing about how events were going to influence these unique characters, considering all their concerns and connections. This compelling story kept my attention throughout and is definitely worth reading.

Join me for some Q & A with Linda Dindzans.

Questions about A Certain Mercy

How much of the “A Certain Future” series did you map out ahead of time? How does each novel connect to the others?

Linda: When A Certain Man was accepted for publication, I was speaking with my publisher when she casually asked whether I had any ideas for follow-up books. What I didn’t realize at the time was that I was pitching. I offered a very brief skeleton for two additional novels, mainly outlining the central problem each main character would face. 

To my surprise, she immediately offered contracts for both books. Although I’m primarily a “pantser”, that conversation left me with the next three years of my writing life surprisingly well plotted.

Each book features different point-of-view characters, but there are carryover characters from one novel to the next. Story threads that are intentionally left unresolved in earlier books find their resolution in the follow-ups, creating a connected arc across the series.

Well, that’s a fun “problem” to have! Suddenly, your life is full of writing for somebody who really wants it! How did writing this story compare to writing A Certain Man? Easier, harder, or just different kinds of challenges?

Linda: When A Certain Man released, I compared its debut to birthing a child. Now, as A Certain Mercy joins the family, I can say it plainly: writing a second book feels a lot like welcoming a second baby.

Second-book jitters are real. While caring for the first book—launching, marketing, meeting readers—you’re also nurturing the second. Deadlines tighten. Writing becomes leaner. And the what-ifs begin their chorus: Will readers love this one too? Will it measure up?

Just as children need different parenting, each manuscript requires its own kind of guidance. Techniques that worked before don’t always work again. New characters arrive with their own voices, moods, and needs. And a second book must bridge worlds: closing threads from Book One, planting seeds for what comes next, and still standing confidently on its own two feet.

My prayer is that A Certain Mercy will find its intended readers in His perfect time and place.

Great analogy of children to books, and parenting to shaping a story. What additional research did you do for this particular book as opposed to A Certain Man?

Linda: Much of my new research centered on the lives of mixed peoples and Jewish sects in Jerusalem and Caesarea. I studied both hippodromes that featured chariot races, as well as a harbor that was an engineering marvel of the ancient world.

For readers who enjoy historical background, I explore this more fully in a guest blog post.

One particularly fascinating piece of research didn’t make it into the book. For centuries, historians had no physical proof that Pontius Pilate existed outside of written sources. 

Then, in 1961, archaeologists uncovered the now-famous Pilate Stone, carved with a dedication to Emperor Tiberius by Pontius Pilate, Prefect of Judea.

The stone had been repurposed and built into a staircase near the Herodian theater in Caesarea. To this day, it remains the only artifact that bears Pilate’s name. Before its discovery, we knew of him only through texts—the New Testament, apocryphal writings, and the works of Josephus, Philo, and Tacitus.

How fascinating to learn that about Pontius Pilate! What surprised you most as you developed this story?

Linda: Because I’m a “pantser”, I was surprised by how much of the story unfolded before any hint of a love story emerged. The character who comes to truly love Zera was completely unexpected.

Once I realized this was the proper path for the story, I had to return to earlier chapters and weave in subtle hints of his growing care and attraction.

Sounds like your process of “discovering” the story was full of good surprises. You write from several points of view. Do you enjoy writing from one character’s perspective more than the others? Do you have a preference for writing a male or female point of view?

Linda: I often enjoy writing scenes that include a character who offers comic relief. Because my characters face difficult challenges and weighty choices, lighter moments give both the reader and me a chance to breathe.

I’ll also admit that I enjoy writing Herodias. She is a ruthless, cunning woman who chooses villainy to survive, yet she occasionally surprises me with moments of protecting the vulnerable.

As for male versus female point of view, I don’t have a preference. For me, it’s more about the conflict the character faces and the life lesson they must learn than about gender. That said, I do believe I have to work harder to ensure that the male voice rings true.

Nice that you can enjoy writing from various points of view. What scene was particularly challenging to write, and why?

Linda: Discovering where the story should end.

In fact, I had already turned in the manuscript for content edits and repeatedly asked the editor not to waste her time reading the ending because I knew it had to change. After much prayer and handwringing, the ending that felt right finally came to me—just before the manuscript was due for line edits.

Though the proper ending eluded me for quite some time, when it finally arrived, it revealed something that spoke deeply to my heart. I am always the first reader of my work. If God has called me to birth these stories, then He surely tucks important lessons inside them for me as well.

That’s part of the blessing of writing. It benefits the author too. Any final words for us?

Linda: As Christian writers, we trust God to place each story into the hands He chooses. If even one reader discovers a seed of truth, every deleted darling and late-night writing sprint is worth the cost.

While I believe A Certain Man and A Certain Mercy each stand alone, I recommend reading them in order. And because A Certain Mercy unfolds during the final six months of Jesus’ life on earth, many readers may find it especially meaningful during the season of Lent.

Please comment below to be entered in the giveaway for a free book!

Back to Laura . . . On a similar note . . . 

If you like dual timeline fiction about family dynamics in a small town Midwest (Wisconsin) setting, try The Broken Weathervane (launched September 2). Two co-workers seek the same information. One wants to publish it; the other has good reasons to keep it hidden. The timeline alternates between 2015 and the 1950s. Check out the reviews and book trailer here.

If you like historical fiction, you might enjoy A Hundred Magical Reasons (launched January 2025). This story spotlights L. Frank Baum, author of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, his friendship with a young girl, and his impact through the decades. Set in Holland, Michigan, this dual timeline novel alternates between 1980 and the early 1900s. Read more and watch the book trailer here. 

If you like Southern fiction and small town/rural stories about family dynamics and secrets, you might enjoy my novel All That Is Hidden. Set near North Carolina’s Smoky Mountains in 1968, the story spotlights the bond of family and the connections of a tight-knit community. Northern exploitation threatens as a father’s hidden past catches up to him and tests family ties. Learn more and watch the trailer here.

All That Is Hidden is now an audiobook! 

I invite you to join my monthly newsletter for writing updates, freebies, and giveaways. Sign up and I’ll send you a prequel AND 7 Oz-inspired recipes: StandoutStoriesNewsletter.com.

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Linda Dindzans bio:

Linda Dindzans, M.D. is a writer with the heart of a healer who offers readers stories of redemption and restoration. Though her compelling characters inhabit the treacherous times of the Bible, Linda believes there is nothing new under the sun. The struggles of her characters still speak to hearts today. For more information, check out her Facebook page and her website. 

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Join me next time for a visit with author Kendra Broekhuis.

Meanwhile, have you read either of Linda Dindzans’ novels or other Biblical fiction you’ve enjoyed? Answer in the comments below.

Please comment below to be entered in the giveaway for a free book!

Ever reading,

Laura

Sign up for my monthly newsletter to receive a prequel AND 7 free Oz-inspired recipes: StandoutStoriesNewsletter.com.