Welcome to the Blog Tour for Anna of Arimathea by Susanne Blumer, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours
I’ve been so busy working on my own books I haven’t had as much time to review books or do author interviews. However, when I was offered the opportunity to interview Susanne Blumer about her new biblical fiction novel, I didn’t want to miss out on that. Interestingly enough, as I read her bio and saw her picture, I realized we’d met at a writer’s conference, so that made it even better.
Author Interview
What was the inspiration for Anna of Arimathea?
I have been curious about Joseph of Arimathea for years. Why was he allowed to claim the body of Jesus and why did he want to do it? Who was he? I started researching him and the idea of Anna started to take hold of my imagination. She became real to me, and I decided to try to tell her story.
Early on in that process, I realized her story was a big one that could carry over multiple books as she walked beside Jesus during his ministry. I began outlining the book, fell in love with Anna, and here she is.
Why did you choose biblical fiction?
Biblical fiction is one of my favorite genres to read. I adore the Bible and getting to read about the people, places and events is so fun. We sometimes forget these are real people who lived and breathed and ate food and felt every emotion we feel today. I’m thrilled I’m now bringing a small part of that to life for my readers.
What were your favorite resources for information?
First, the gospels. The Arimathea Chronicles are based on the actual happenings in the Bible, so I followed those as closely as I could. I have several great books of biblical maps that helped with geography. The Gospel of Nicodemus was a good resource as well. And the internet helped fill in the blanks.
What was the greatest challenge writing this book?
The greatest challenge was staying true to the character and truth of the Scriptures. Making Jesus and Peter and Joseph of Arimathea come alive without taking too much fictional license.
What do you hope readers will get out of the book?
I hope readers will be transported back to the first-century and feel like they are there with Anna, walking the dirty roads, eating warm bread, talking with Jesus. And I pray the book offers glimpses into the beautiful nature of Jesus himself: how much he loves us individually and how much he was like us.
Readers have told me that sometimes it feels like Jesus is speaking to them from the pages, and that thrills me more than anything could. This book is full of love and healing and hope, and my desire would be for the reader to get all of that.
Since this is book 1 in a series, tell us about the other book(s) in the series?
Book 2, Anna of Bethsaida, will be out in March and follows the time period from Fall 30 AD to Spring 33 AD. The third book, Anna of Calvary, will be out in the fall and will cover the Passion Week. The fourth Book, Anna of Jerusalem, will cover the time of Acts and the early church.
Do you have other books in the works?
I have another series planned for after The Arimathea Chronicles which will take Joseph and Anna to England to spread Christianity. Many writings point to Joseph of Arimathea bringing the Christian Church to Glastonbury, England. I’m hoping to explore that in another series. Plus, I don’t know that I’m ready to let Anna go just yet!
Anything else you’d like us to know?
In addition to being an author, I’m also a bookstore owner. I’m the founder and CEO of Sassafras on Sutton LLC. I have three bookstores: Sassafras on Sutton in Black Mountain, NC, Sassafras on Main in Waynesville, NC and Sassafras on Carteret in Beaufort, SC. I’m a general indie bookstore with a big Christian section. So I work with books on all sides: writing, reading and selling. I’m a big cheerleader for Christian books!
About the Book
Title: Anna of Arimathea
Series: The Arimathea Chronicles #1
Author: Susanne Blumer
Publisher: Sutton Avenue Press
Release Date: December 7, 2025
Genre: Biblical Fiction
Some wounds are carried in silence. Some healings require more than medicine.
Eighteen-year-old Anna bears the marks of a childhood tragedy that left her motherless, scarred, and lame. Hidden within the household of her father, Joseph of Arimathea, a wealthy councilman of the Sanhedrin, her days are measured in herb gardens and healing tinctures, in the steady work of hands trained to help others, and in the quiet safety of a world made small.
Then Andrew of Bethsaida arrives at her father’s gate with urgent business for Joseph and talk of a teacher who calls ordinary people to extraordinary purpose. A fisherman turned disciple, Andrew follows the rabbi Jesus with a conviction that unsettles every long-held expectation—including Anna’s own.
When Andrew’s kindness cracks open the door to a larger world, Anna faces an impossible choice: remain in the safety of her father’s estate or risk everything for the possibility of healing, love, and a life she never dared imagine.
Set against the dusty roads and fishing villages of first-century Judea, where miracles unfold and mercy walks among the broken, Anna of Arimathea opens The Arimathea Chronicles—a richly imagined tale of faith, first love, and redemption in the footsteps of the Messiah.
Anna of Arimathea is perfect for readers who love:
Biblical and historical fiction with rich period detail
Redemptive love stories that explore the cost of faith
Immersive historical worlds
Characters who choose courage over comfort
PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Author’s Website | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop | BookBub
More in This Series
About the Author
Susanne Blumer lives her life surrounded by stories—some she writes, and some she sells. As the CEO and Founder of Sassafras on Sutton LLC, she is the owner of three magical indie bookstores nestled in the North Carolina mountains of Black Mountain and Waynesville and Beaufort, South Carolina. One even has a full coffee bar. Oh, happy day!
She is the author of The Arimathea Chronicles, a series set in first-century Judea and centered on the life of Anna, the daughter of Joseph of Arimathea. The first book, Anna of Arimathea, published in December 2025 and the second, Anna of Bethsaida, will be available in March 2026. She’s also written several children’s books, including the award-winning Bell Tower Bible Adventure series she co-wrote with her husband. Her new children’s picture book series, The Story of You, will release its first book late Spring 2026 called Before Your Story Had A Name.
When she’s not writing or doing other entrepreneurial tasks, you can usually find her hanging out on the floor of one of her stores, drinking coffee and learning the stories of her customers or spoiling her eight chickens. Susanne splits her time between Waynesville, NC in her beloved mountains and Beaufort, SC on the enchanting Lowcountry coast.
Connect with Susanne by visiting susanneblumer.com to follow her on social media and subscribe to email updates.
Tour Giveaway
(2) winners will each receive a signed print copy of Anna of Arimathea plus a $50 Bookshop.org Gift Card!
Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight January 21, 2026 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on January 28, 2026. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.
Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.
Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!
Let's chat! What are your thoughts?