With an earnest desire to understand women’s roles in the Bible and within the ministry of Jesus, Hamel is excited to present Bible fiction in a way that highlights women’s value while staying true to ancient culture. When she’s not writing or researching, Hamel loves to play board games, sip iced coffee on the back deck, and enjoy bike rides with the family. You can connect with Hamel through her blog at katrinadhamel.com, where she explores the Christian faith with a focus on the daily lives and roles of women in the New Testament world.

INTERVIEW:

How long have you been writing? How many books or series have you published?

I have been writing since I was a child, but my first published novel, Dividing Sword, came out in 2019. Since then I’ve released a biblical fiction short story collection called ‘As the Stars’, and the ‘Court of the Tetrarch’ series about Joanna from the gospel of Luke. ‘The Lion of Corinth’ is my most recent novel.

What inspired you to write? How does your faith impact your writing?

I began writing biblical fiction after being given an assignment in a Bible study class. We were told to take a scene from Matthew and craft a creative short story. My dad enjoyed my little story and shared it with a friend who suggested I write a novel based on Matthew’s gospel. It was the encouragement I needed to get back into writing after years of raising small children! It was incredible to write a novel with the Bible laying open beside me, and to imagine what it was like to be there. My faith is completely on display in my current genre, where characters come to faith and deal with doubts and fears and experience redemption. I like to think that even if I wrote in another genre, readers would still suspect I was a Christian!

Do you have a favorite author or book? Why is that your favorite?

It is so hard to choose a favorite book, but I think the novel I’ve re-read the most is Anne of Green Gables. It has a wonderful way of making me feel better when the world starts to feel heavy.

What is your favorite genre to read/write?

My favorite genre to read and write is historical fiction. I love when there are real facts hidden within a gripping story!

What do you like most about what you do? What are your biggest challenges?

What I love most about writing is the opportunity to lead someone into a world I created and take them on adventures. Stories are such an incredible meeting of an author’s and a reader’s imaginations, and I feel honored to be able to participate in that experience! My biggest challenge with writing is finding the time. Like many moms who write, it can feel impossible to find the hours I need to write, edit, and market my books!

Do you have a favorite character in your most recent release?

I think Marcus is my favorite character in ‘The Lion of Corinth’. He makes a lot of mistakes, but he’s got such a big heart. I also love that he is a singer!

What are you working on now? What can we expect in the future? 

For the next little while, I’ll be trying to spread the word about ‘The Lion of Corinth’. (I am a terrible multitasker and can only work on one project at a time!) I have another stand-alone biblical fiction novel that’s been growing in my mind, as well as a historical series I’ve wanted to write for a long time now.

Do you have any fun facts to mention? (what is your go-to snack when writing/reading? Daily habits…)

One thing people might not know, is that I design my own book covers! The characters are wearing costumes I made, though I usually swap out the heads with stock photos. It was a real challenge to create Marcus’s instrument for the cover of ‘The Lion of Corinth’, but it can actually play music. (Sort of!)

What would you like to say to readers? (What do you hope readers take-away from your book?)

I hope readers feel as if they’ve gone on an adventure, and that they find encouragement for their faith. I hope they yearn to go deeper in their relationship with Christ, and that my novels push them to find real connection with other believers.

ABOUT THE BOOK:
502 pages
Released January 30, 2026
Long Walk Publishing
Available in Kindle and Paperback

Book Blurb:

He thought his story was over. But with a seer, a jeweler, and a message that can’t be silenced—his journey is just beginning.

When Marcus dares to share the gospel, he ignites the wrath of Cassius, the most ruthless man in Corinth. After losing everything, Marcus flees the city—and buries his faith. But when he’s entrusted with a gospel codex, he must confront the past that nearly destroyed him.

Aela is desperate to save her sister and rescue her jewelry shop from Cassius’s grip. Cast ashore with her secret collection of precious stones and the enigmatic Marcus, she’s forced to rely on him for protection. But as Marcus’s past resurfaces, their friendship puts her future at risk.

Selene, a seer with prophetic gifts, must keep her abilities out of Cassius’s power-hungry hands. Thrust into the dangerous world of Corinth’s elite, she finds both allies and enemies. A chance encounter with Marcus offers hope—and risk. If she’s not careful, she’ll lose what matters most.

Together, these unlikely allies must face their pasts, outwit a powerful enemy, and deliver a message that could shake an empire—and awaken their hearts.