A local woman has self-published her first fictional novel, which she describes as a modern-day version of the Biblical story of Samson and Delilah.

It is the first novel for Judy Lawrence-Lamb, who has published two books of poetry. She will sign copies this Saturday at 10 a.m. at R.A.W. Ministries, 810 E. Washington St.

Titled “Delilah Goes to Church,” the book is the story of a woman named Delilah, who goes to church with her sights set on seducing the pastor there. Things don’t go as planned, and an unanticipated path awaits her.

“Some of it is humorous, some of it gets you mad, some of it makes you laugh,” Lawrence-Lamb said.

Lawrence-Lamb said she started writing the book about 10 years ago but kept putting it on the back burner.

“Then finally, I had breast cancer, and that shut me completely down,” she said.

The diagnosis was Stage 4 metastatic breast cancer.

“The prognosis wasn’t good,” she said. “There was an expiration date on my life, and four years later, I’m still here.”

The cancer did give her time to write, though. She has been in remission for about nine months and is continuing her schooling at the Norfolk Theological Seminary and College, where she is enrolled in the doctoral program. She went back to school a few years ago, at age 59, to finish her bachelor’s degree and was simultaneously in seminary school.

She has been writing since she was about 7 years old.

“As an only child, I had a very active imagination,” she said.

At the end of “Delilah,” readers will find a teaser for the next novel, based on the Biblical story of Ruth and Boaz.

“Delilah Goes to Church” can be found on Barnes & Noble online or at www.createspace.com/5324478.