Goodreads asked Pamella Bowen:

Where did you get the idea for your most recent book?

Pamella Bowen A few years ago, I read The Meaning of Mary Magdalene by Cynthia Bourgeault and found it eye-opening. Then I found Karen L. King's book and Meggan Watterson's book on Mary and the lost Gospel of Mary. Frustrated with how the established church (in nearly all its denominations) has marginalized women, I asked the question, "What if women led the church?" From there, I continued researching and imagining. I call my main character based on Mary Magdalene "Magdalena" to differentiate her from all the other Marys in the Biblical tradition, and I fell in love with her and her family.
I take liberties with the Biblical accounts, combining them with imagination, extra-Biblical tradition, and newly found ancient documents. My book will appeal most to the open-minded, the spiritual, contemplatives, and feminist Christians. Remember, it's historical fantasy fiction!

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