In her new historical novel, Last Breath, First Day, author Linda Ward transports readers to first-century Israel, a time of Roman oppression, religious expectation, and longing for the promised Messiah. Published by Lucid Books, the novel follows two men from vastly different backgrounds whose lives converge at a pivotal moment in biblical history.
Menashe, the son of shepherds who raise lambs for Temple sacrifice, is consumed by vengeance after a brutal attack on his village kills its infant boys, including his baby brother. His quest for retribution leads him into the ranks of the Zealots, where his desire for justice becomes entangled with violence. Along the way, he repeatedly crosses paths with a man some believe is the Messiah.
Sethur, the son of a respected Pharisee, longs to escape the religious demands of his upbringing. Drawn by wealth, pleasure, and independence, he enters the politically charged court of Herod Antipas, only to find himself implicated in the murder of a prophet and forced to confront the consequences of his choices.
Ward says her research allowed her to learn about people who intersected with the life and times of Jesus. "Some we know very little about and some who are well known and have left their own mark on history," she says. The novel develops the fictional lives of two unnamed scriptural figures, inviting readers to consider the experiences and motivations of people whose stories receive little attention.
"The two main characters of this story, Menashe and Sethur, come from very different backgrounds and have lived very different lives," Ward says. Through those contrasting perspectives, Last Breath, First Day examines the difference between the freedom people pursue and the forces that ultimately govern their choices. Menashe's grief clouds his judgment, while Sethur's rejection of religious constraints leads him into manipulation and moral compromise, raising questions about justice, hypocrisy, responsibility, and redemption.
Ward's passion for storytelling grew during her 23-year career as an elementary school teacher in private Christian and public schools in El Paso, Texas. "As I grew and matured as a teacher, teaching students to read and understand the power of words became my passion," she says. "They inspired me to spend more time on my own desire to write more and be as creative as they were."
Following her children's books, Jesus in the Manger and I Spy With My Boxer Eye, Ward's move into historical fiction fulfills a lifelong writing dream. Drawing inspiration from the Bible and historical novelists including Francine Rivers and Kristin Hannah, she hopes her work encourages readers to explore the people and circumstances surrounding familiar biblical events. "When they read or re-read their Bibles, they will want to dig deeper also into the people, places, times and events that surround the life of our Savior," Ward says.
Last Breath, First Day combines Ward's love of history with her interest in the choices that shape individual lives. Through Menashe and Sethur, she invites readers to look beyond familiar names and consider how an encounter with Jesus might challenge everything a person believes about justice, freedom, and hope.
