The Bible Companion Book 1, Celebrate Lit Book Tour

Posted on May 24, 2025May 24, 2025 by abbasprayerwarriorprincess

“The Bible Companion Book 1 Genesis–Exodus: Journey through Scripture One Day at a Time” by author Karen Westbrook Moderow is a wonderful Bible help tool. It is great for individual or group use. I loved reading it.

This is well thought and well written to help better understand and study scriptures. It is easy to understand and explains many confusing things from scripture. Each chapter points out the main point along with life lessons from particular scripture readings. Whether you are a seasoned Bible reader or just beginning, this companion will add a lot to your study time.

The writing is easy to understand and like having a teacher beside you. There is so much information to glean from this edifying book. I love the questions that provide food for thought.Karen Moderow,

This would make a wonderful gift for any Bible scholar. I highly recommend it for individual or group study. It gets a 5 out of 5 star rating from me. A complimentary copy was provided by Celebrate Lit, but these are my honest words.

About the Book

Book: The Bible Companion Book 1 Genesis–Exodus: Journey through Scripture One Day at a Time

Author: Karen Westbrook Moderow

Genre: Bible Study

Release date: April 16, 2024

The Bible Companion series is a simple, flexible, and compelling Bible Study guide. Short daily readings link God’s story to yours, help you through difficult passages, and highlight the treasures in each chapter of the Bible. In Genesis and Exodus, God reveals Himself as a loving Creator who longs to walk through life with you. Book 1 takes you deep into God’s plan to share His life and wisdom with those who love and follow Him. The storytelling approach of the series will keep you reading, even through the parts that are challenging and hard-to-understand. Find hope in the stories of ordinary men and women in the Bible whose encounters with God transformed them and reversed the direction of their lives. Discover that what God has done for them, He can do for you.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Karen Westbrook Moderow is a Bible teacher and author who brings a storyteller’s perspective to Scripture. She graduated magna cum laude from California State University at Long Beach with a BA in English Literature. She also holds an MFA from Chapman University in creative writing and a Master of Arts in Theology from Fuller Seminary. She has been published by numerous Christian periodicals and authored two previous books.

More from Karen

A Father-Daughter Legacy: The Bible Companion Series
In 1993, my father, Pastor Floyd Westbrook challenged a group of men and women from his weekly Bible study to join him in reading the Bible from cover to cover. He found if he wrote short daily lessons for each chapter, people stayed engaged and were transformed by the Scripture they read. His work, though enjoyed by hundreds, was never widely published.
I shared his passion for making God’s word accessible to people who found it hard to understand parts of the Bible, couldn’t keep up with the schedule, or couldn’t relate Scripture to their journey. Later, after I completed degrees in theology and creative writing, we realized combining storytelling with his format could help people overcome the most common barriers to Bible reading. With his blessing, I began working on The Bible Companion. The result is a story-rich study which is simple, flexible, yet rich in content.
The Bible Companion Book 1 Genesis–Exodus is the first of twelve books that tracks God story from creation to the end of time. God, who tells His story through families, has graciously given me the privilege of carrying on my father’s legacy through The Bible Companion series.

Father and daughter, Pastor Floyd Westbrook and Karen Westbrook Moderow ministering together.

2004 Christ Church of Westminster

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, May 17

Vicky Sluiter, May 18 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 19

Godly Book Reviews, May 20

Lots of Helpers, May 21

Simple Harvest Reads, May 22 (Author Interview)

Book Butterfly in Dreamland, May 22

Texas Book-aholic, May 23

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, May 24

For the Love of Literature, May 25 (Author Interview)

Locks, Hooks and Books, May 26

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, May 27

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, May 28

Cover Lover Book Review, May 29

Tell Tale Book Reviews, May 30 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, May 30

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Karen is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card and a copy of the book!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf54220

The Daughter of Rome Celebrate Lit Book Tour

Posted on April 10, 2025 by abbasprayerwarriorprincess

The Daughter of Rome is book three in phenomenal wordsmith, Angela Hunt’s biblical series The Emissaries. Book One is The Woman from Lydia and The Sisters of Corinth is Book Two. Both books were excellent biblical fiction novels. Even though this is the third installment, it may easily be read as a stand alone book. Readers of the series will be thrilled to see past characters reappear in this book.

This book is set in Ancient Rome during the time of Nero’s rule. The author has obviously done extensive research to ensure accuracy in her writing. Her book is captivating. Within the first few pages I was invested in the story and characters. I enjoyed reading the details about life in Rome. My heart broke for some of the martyred followers.

The conversations sounded authentic and added so much to the story. Characters were uniquely designed and came alive under the author’s deft pen. I learned about the great fire and other things. It is so nice to read books that teach me things.

This is the story of Calandra and Hadrian. She is unmarried and lives with her widowed father. He is a sculptor, and she assists him. Hadrian is a kind, compassionate young man whose father is a member of the senate. Sparks fly when they meet each other.

This is an amazing book that not only entertains, but also inspires. There are man life and Christian lessons tucked into this brilliant novel. It gives readers a good look at life during Nero’s reign.

I highly recommend this stunning book. It is riveting and emotional. Reading groups would benefit from choosing this as a selection. There is much to discuss. It gets a 5 out of 5 star rating from me. A copy was provided by Celebrate Lit, but these are my honest words.

About the Book

Book: The Daughter of Rome (The Emissaries Book 3)

Author: Angela Hunt

Genre: FICTION / Christian / Biblical

Release date: March 4, 2025

In Nero’s Rome, Calandra helps her father, a renowned sculptor, complete the most significant commission of his illustrious career. But then a catastrophic fire nearly destroys the imperial city, leaving Calandra reliant on a group of Christians–unusual individuals unlike any she has encountered before. Intrigued by their worship of the Son of an invisible God, Calandra grapples with her mistrust, only to find herself indebted to these believers as they help her rebuild her shattered world.

When Emperor Nero begins constructing his opulent Golden House, the people of Rome grow resentful, suspecting him of starting the fire in order to clear the land for his immense palace. Needing a scapegoat, Nero points at those who follow the Jewish Messiah, forcing Calandra to make an impossible choice between right and wrong, friends and family, love and death.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Angela Hunt is a New York Times bestselling author of more than 160 books, with nearly 6 million copies sold worldwide. Angela’s novels have won or been nominated for the RWA RITA Award, the Christy Award, the ECPA Christian Book Award, and the HOLT Medallion. Four of her novels have received ForeWord Magazine‘s Book of the Year Award, and Angela is the recipient of a Lifetime Achievement Award from both the Romantic Times Book Club and ACFW. Angela holds doctorates in biblical studies and theology. She and her husband make their home in Florida with mastiffs and chickens.

More from Angela

Dear Reader:

Thank you for joining me on this blog tour for THE DAUGHTER OF ROME, book three in the Emissaries series. The book stands alone, but it includes characters from books one and two, so people who have read those books will have a fuller understanding of who those people are. But no worries! If you haven’t read the first two books, you’ll still have no problem reading THE DAUGHTER OF ROME.

When I shaped the idea for this series, I had just finished The Jerusalem Road books, which centered on Jews who lived during Jesus’ life and ministry. I wanted to keep writing in this time period, so I shifted my focus from the Jews to the Gentiles—specifically, the people who came to faith through Paul’s ministry.

The first book in the series, THE WOMAN FROM LYDIA, is concerned with the seller of purple who hosted the Philippian church in her home. The second book, THE SISTERS OF CORINTH, features two competing sisters who lived, naturally, in Corinth. And the third book, THE DAUGHTER OF ROME, is about a young sculptress who lives in Rome during the time of Nero.

I have been fascinated by this time period ever since reading THE SILVER CHALICE and THE ROBE in my childhood. What would it have been like, I wondered, to live in a time when you could be executed simply for saying you believed in Jesus? Americans don’t really know what that’s like, but people in other parts of the world still deal with that danger today. The Bible tells us that this kind of danger is not going away—it will be prevalent during the end times as well. So I wanted to explore the world of the ancient Romans, and hoped to pull some lessons from it that will apply to us today.

I’ve also been amazed at what we can still see of ancient Greek and Roman art—how did they sculpt those massive statues? One such work, the Colossus, was so large it stood in the harbor and ships reportedly entered beneath it!

THE DAUGHTER OF ROME features one other fascinating element—a question that garners as much debate as “who killed JFK?” The story takes place during the time that the Great Fire of Rome nearly leveled the entire city, and to this day, no one is certain how it began. The people blamed Nero, Nero blamed the Christians, and it may have been a kid illegally cooking his dinner at the racetrack.

I hope you’ll enjoy reading the story as much as I did writing it. Thanks for coming along on the tour!

Angela Hunt

Blog Stops

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, April 4

Batya’s Bits , April 4

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, April 5

Mary Hake, April 5

Texas Book-aholic, April 6

Inspired by Fiction, April 7

She Lives To Read, April 7

Locks, Hooks and Books, April 8

Lily’s Corner, April 9

Lots of Helpers, April 9

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, April 10

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, April 11

EmpowerMoms, April 11

Devoted To Hope, April 12

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, April 13

Books Less Travelled, April 13

Devoted Steps, April 14

Sylvan Musings, April 15

Holly’s Book Corner, April 15

Cover Lover Book Review, April 16

For Him and My Family, April 17

Pause for Tales, April 17

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Angela is giving away the grand prize of a $25 gift card to Baker Book House’s website and a paperback copy of the book!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf54192

Before the King: Joanna’s Story Celebrate Lit Book Tour

Posted on April 8, 2025April 7, 2025 by abbasprayerwarriorprincess

Before the King: Joanna’s Story by Heather Kaufman is the second book in the Women of the Way series. The first book, Up from Dust, was about Martha. I thought that was a beautiful novel as is this one. Author Kaufman has a marvelous perspective on what life might have been for these two ladies.

This book tells the story of Joanna and her sister Dalia. While not much is said about Joanna in the scripture, the author has used her imagination and research to fill in details for this follower of Jesus. I totally fell in love with this amazing woman.

The writing is extremely well done. I was whisked away to a time and place that I had never been. I appreciated the research done to make this story authentic. The characters and places came alive for me through the vivid details.

Biblical fiction is one of my favorite genre if it follows scripture. This one does. It has scripture woven throughout it and follows the story as best it can without having a lot of details to go by.

I loved the life and Christian messages tucked inside this inspiring story. Parts of it moved me to tears. I highly recommend this. It would make a fabulous reading group choice. There is so much to glean and discuss. It receives a 5 out of 5 star rating from this reader. A complimentary copy was provided by Celebrate Lit, but these were my honest words.

About the Book

Book: Before the King: Joanna’s Story (Women of the Way Book 2)

Author: Heather Kaufman

Genre: FICTION / Christian / Biblical

Release date: January 21, 2025

Joanna’s wealthy family aspires to Herod’s inner circle, but when her father’s esteemed position in the Sepphoris Sanhedrin is threatened, her family harbors a dark secret. Entangled in the complexities of aristocratic life and an impending arranged marriage, Joanna is caught between her own desires and maintaining appearances. When tragedy strikes, Joanna grapples with a new future that challenges her sense of duty and hope for love.

Years later, Joanna is forever changed when a rabbi comes preaching a new kingdom and healing the sick. As she contributes to his ministry, Joanna treads a perilous path between a court that mocks Jesus of Nazareth, disciples who view her with suspicion, and a husband who guards his own secrets. With pressure increasing on all sides, Joanna must decide where her allegiances lie and protect her relationship to the Christ, whose message is as compelling as it is dangerous.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Heather Kaufman is the author of multiple books and devotions, praised by Kirkus Reviews for writing “a charming and well-crafted tale.” She delights in highlighting the goodness of God through storytelling. When not reading, writing, or accumulating mounds of books, Heather can be found exploring new parks with her husband and three children near their home in St. Louis, Missouri.

More from Heather

Hello, Fellow Book Lover!

My heart behind the Women of the Way series is to highlight the beauty of Jesus through the eyes of some of his lesser-known female followers. In Before the King, we behold Jesus through the eyes of Joanna. Although she’s only named twice in Scripture, the little we do know about her is compelling. In Luke 8:1-3, we discover that Joanna was healed by Jesus of an infirmity and then followed him, supporting his ministry from her own means. What’s so shocking is that she’s the wife of Chuza, Herod Antipas’ steward! During my research, I discovered that her husband’s position is better translated “procurator,” someone in charge of financial affairs. Such a position suggests that Chuza was a prominent man within Herod’s administration. But the surprises don’t end there! My research also indicated that Chuza was most likely Nabatean. Nestled just southeast of Herod’s own territory of Perea, Nabatea was a major world power at the time of Christ.

The more I researched, the more my jaw dropped to the ground. How did a Jewish woman married to a prominent Gentile within Herod’s administration come to support Jesus of Nazareth? Did her husband know? Did he approve? Did Herod himself ever find out? You’ll have to read Before the King to see just where my imagination took me!

I depict Joanna as caught between two courts—that of Herod Antipas and that of Jesus Christ. She chooses to risk everything for her faith and that choice pays off. The second time we see Joanna in Scripture is in Luke 24:10 as an eyewitness to the empty tomb. Not only did she behold the empty tomb, she gazed upon the risen Christ, for in Matthew 28:9 we read that as the women left, they encountered Jesus himself. What an amazing privilege to be one of the first to meet the risen Lord in the flesh!

I hope Joanna’s story encourages you to live a bold faith that clings to Christ, despite opposition. Our world now isn’t so different from hers then. Christ’s Kingdom is still advancing in the midst of political unrest, social division, and rampant greed. May we pin our hopes upon King Jesus, who is worthy of our devotion. Like Joanna, may we place all we have within his hands, deeming him worthy of the cost.

While you read, consider listening to the Before the King playlist! It’s full of inspirational music that ties into the themes from the book. Give it a listen HERE. Happy reading (and listening)!

Surrendering with you to Him,

Heather

Blog Stops

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, April 2

Stories By Gina, April 3 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, April 3

Locks, Hooks and Books, April 4

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, April 5

Life on Chickadee Lane, April 6

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, April 7

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, April 8

She Lives to Read, April 8

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impression, April 9

Cover Lover Book Review, April 9

Lily’s Corner, April 10

Bigreadersite, April 11

Inspired by Fiction, April 11

For Him and My Family, April 12

Pause for Tales, April 13

EmpowerMoms, April 13

Holly’s Book Corner, April 14

Inklings and notions , April 15

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Heather is giving away the grand prize of a $15 Amazon gift card and a paperback copy of the book!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf54190

A Wanderer Scorned Celebrate Lit Book Tour

Posted on November 17, 2024November 17, 2024 by abbasprayerwarriorprincess

The Wanderer Scorned is Book 1 in author Natasha Woodcraft’s series The Wanderer. This is a Biblical Fiction about Adam and Eve’s family. The relationship they each might have had with other family members is explored. It gives the author’s perspective on what might have been.

Adam and Eve’s son, Cain, is featured in this thoughtful novel. I was impressed by the author’s ideas. They were biblically sound. Her writing style is inviting and thought provoking. This book opens up an entirely new look on family dynamics.

For me, The Wanderer Scorned was a poignant read because I knew what eventually would happen. The author has included many relatable life and spiritual lessons in her book. I was invested in it and its familiar characters within the first few pages. While no one can know the actual truth of what happened, this take on it is reasonable.

If you have never read Biblical Fiction, I urge you to give it a try. Be certain to find reputable authors that use scripture as their guide. I highly recommend this thought provoking novel. Book 2 will be following it, and I eagerly await it. The Wanderer Scorned receives a 5 star rating from me. A copy was provided by Celebrate Lit, but these are my honest words.

About the Book

Book: The Wanderer Scorned

Author: Natasha Woodcraft

Genre: Biblical Fiction

Release date: March, 2024

“It all started with the banishment. As soon as the truth was known about their disobedience, my parents were driven from the Garden planted for them by the LORD God, Yahweh Elohim. A garden pleasing to the eye and filled with every kind of food. Yet for them, it had not been enough.”

Kayin lives in the shadow of his parent’s expulsion from the Garden of Eden and its lingering cloud of shame. He believes in the Creator but struggles for affirmation. When suffering comes and sibling rivalry threatens, Kayin wrestles with God, grasping at shards of faith. But his cries drown in the noise of his own doubts and fears, until his youthful faith lies shattered, replaced by a twisted dance of pride and jealousy.

As Kayin spirals further, misunderstandings within the family dynamic dominate, and whispers of temptation slither through the cracks. Then a chance at redemption presents itself. With flames of forbidden love still raging hot, Kayin and his brother bring sacrifices to Yahweh.

No one foresees the resulting tragedy.

The Wanderer Scorned is the first instalment in The Wanderer Biblical fiction series, immersing readers in the world of Genesis 4. This exploration of the first murder brings the Bible to life in a fresh way, delving into the character of the Creator God and His earliest interactions with humankind.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Natasha Woodcraft lives in a slightly crumbling farmhouse in the UK with her family of boys and menagerie of animals. She holds an honours degree in Theology and believes stories have power to communicate deep truth and transform lives. Also a songwriter, Natasha peppers her emotional prose with poetry and song.

More from Natasha

Q & A with Natasha Woodcraft

You’re an Author from the UK. Tell me more about that.

That’s right. I’m a Brit, which is great but has its challenges, like negotiating single quotation marks! There’s a massive lack of Christian fiction here. It’s not stocked in secular bookstores, there are few Christian bookstores left, and there aren’t many big conventions or publishers. I’m part of a team passionate about changing the landscape. We offer support services to authors and publishing services. Please pray for us and our country, and support British writers if you can.

Who do you share your home with?

My husband, Ben, and four sons ranging from 15 to 7. Plus a dog, 2 cats, 3 goats, 9 chickens and 16 quail (though they don’t all live in the house.) It can get a little crazy…

Sounds like it. How do you find time to write?

Good question. My mornings are usually taken up with feeding/cleaning kids and animals. My afternoons with working for the family business or publishing house. Before tea, I’ll be out picking vegetables and pulling weeds – we try to grow as much as we can ourselves. Writing gets squeezed into late nights, early mornings and quieter days. It’s my downtime and my favorite time spent with Jesus.

You write Bible-based fiction. What specifically?

The Wanderer Series is based on the story of Cain & Abel in Genesis 4. It came about because I woke up one morning wondering what prompted the first murder (no kidding; my brain is weird.) I’d been pondering Jesus’ words about murder and anger in the Sermon on the Mount and praying about what I should write for a while. Suddenly, I knew it had to be a reimagining of Cain’s story – from his perspective.

Hang on. From Cain’s perspective?

Yeah. Though there’s certainly a place for them, I personally dislike stories that are too simplistic. Where bad guys are really bad and good guys are really good – that kind of thing. The Bible teaches us that we all need grace (especially me), and as regards Cain – I don’t think he was much different to any of us. Writing from his perspective gave me opportunity to spend a lot of time in the Word of God, exploring Cain’s slide into sin in a way that challenged me to examine my own heart.

That’s some heavy stuff. Did you have any background that helped you tackle this story?

Sure. I have a degree in Theology, and I’ve also studied English Literature and Creative writing. Mostly though, it was a case of leaning heavily into what God wanted to teach me through this book and hoping some of that resonated with my readers. The reviews so far say it has!

What would you say to those questioning whether Bible-based fiction is right for them?

I totally understand the fear surrounding this genre. I felt it myself when I started writing and that was something I had to take to God and trust Him with. “Is it even ok to write these stories?” I asked.

Essentially though, it isn’t much different to a sermon. It’s exegesis and expansion of the scripture, just presented differently: in fiction rather than non-fiction. I’ve researched, covered my writing in prayer, and had pastors check my work. I’m super careful about handling scripture faithfully but state where the story comes from my imagination. It isn’t intended to replace the Bible. Quite the opposite – I hope it will inspire people to pick the Bible up. I even include an appendix that explains decisions I made, and study questions, at the back.

My hope and prayer is that Jesus will be glorified as lives are touched by this ancient story reimagined. If you’re still not sure, why not give The Wanderer Scorned a go? You don’t know until you try…

Blog Stops

A Reader’s Brain, November 13 (Author Interview)

Lots of Helpers, November 13

Back Porch Reads, November 14 (Author Interview)

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, November 15

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, November 16 (Author Interview)

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, November 17

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, November 18

Fiction Book Lover, November 19 (Author Interview)

Simple Harvest Reads, November 20 (Author Interview)

Artistic Nobody, November 21 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, November 21

Guild Master, November 22 (Author Interview)

Vicky Sluiter, November 23 (Author Interview)

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, November 24 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, November 25

Locks, Hooks and Books, November 26

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Natasha is giving away the grand prize of a $25 Amazon gift card and a paperback copy of the book!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf5496

Brave, King David’s Wives Book Review

Posted on September 7, 2024 by abbasprayerwarriorprincess

Brave is the first book in talented author Mesu Andrews’ King David’s Wives series. This book is Biblical Fiction at its finest. I was totally captivated throughout the entire story and gleaned a better understanding of David, Ahinoam, and Abigail as well as the time they lived.

Author Andrews has a brilliant mind and produced a plausible fictional tale for King David and his second wife, Ahinoam. Scripture barely mentions her, leaving much to the imagination. It is obvious that much research and thought went into the writing of this phenomenal novel and the development of characters. King David was such an interesting person. The author has given him depth, emotion, and strength. Her ideas on his family relationships, physical appearance, and Walk with God is very reasonable. In fact, it is very different from most that I have read.

I learned a lot just by reading this enlightening book. It sent me to my Bible to compare what scripture said. The information in Brave was aligned with verses in the Bible. I love it when a fiction book teaches me things, also. This one brought ancient Israel to life as I was on the run from Saul with King David and his men.

The ending came quickly for me. I was ready to continue the story for many more chapters! It was hard to say good-bye to my book friends. The author’s notes at the end hold important information and should not be skipped. There are discussion questions for personal or group study after the notes.

I highly recommend this remarkable novel. It has made an impact on my impression of King David. When I read the Psalms now, they seem to make more sense to me. This would be a beautiful choice for a reading group. There are so many topics to discuss. I was deeply moved and loved this book. It will make a welcome gift for your reader friends.

This gets a 5 star rating from me. Yes, it is that excellent! An advanced reader copy was provided, but these are my honest words.

Favorite Quotes:

“You know us before birth, Lord!”

“The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid? Psalm 27:1”

“The love of a husband and wife, whether it produces a child or not, is unlike any other.”

Psalms in Rhyme for Little Hearts Celebrate Lit Tour

Posted on July 7, 2024July 7, 2024 by abbasprayerwarriorprincess

Psalms in Rhyme for Little Hearts by author Donna Wyland is a charming Christian children’s book. Beautiful illustrations are done by Courtney Smith. I loved this book and will definitely be giving it as a gift many times.

Psalms are written in rhymes to draw the attention of children. This helps them memorize the psalms, too. There are twelve psalms written this way with a short prayer following each one. After these, Psalms from the ESV (English Standard Version) translation are presented. I was happy to see Psalm 23 was not one that was changed into a rhyming one.

This precious book is especially for children ages 4 to 8. The illustrations are cute and engaging. It is important to start little ones early hearing and reading God’s Word. I think this is a fabulous way to expose them to Psalms. It is great for parents, grandparents, daycares, and churches to have.

I highly recommend this excellent Christian children’s book. It would make a perfect gift for any occasion or “just because”. This receives a 5 out of 5 star rating from me. A copy was provided by CelebrateLit, but these are my honest words.

About the Book

Book: Psalms in Rhyme for Little Hearts

Author: Donna Wyland

Genre: : Picture Book

Release date: 2023

The sky is like a large blue tent

stretched high above the sun,

that floats and falls from end to end

and warms till day is done.

~ Psalm 19:5-6

Young hearts will cherish the sweet rhyme contained in Psalms in Rhyme for Little Hearts as they are gently guided to a closer relationship with God. From beginning to end, the colorful childlike illustrations bring the psalms to life and inspire children to hide God’s Word in their hearts.

Uniquely created for children ages 4 – 8, this book of scriptural poetry will inspire children to sing praises to God and help them understand and remember God’s constant presence and powerful promises. And, for parents who want to lead their growing children to the original Bible psalms, they are included at the end.

Whether for morning devotions or nighttime prayers,

Psalms in Rhyme for Little Hearts will bless children seeking to know the Lord

and provide a foundation for intimate spiritual time

with parents, grandparents, and others.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

DONNA WYLAND is an award-winning author, busy mother, grandmother and friend. She is the author of ‘Twas the Night Before Jesus, a best-selling children’s picture book and is a contributor to many inspirational essay collections. Donna lives and writes at her home in Southwest Florida and her condo overlooking the ski slopes in Steamboat, Colorado.

More from Donna

“More than 30 years ago I discovered the meaning of the Book of Psalms. Whether I was struggling or celebrating, God led me to individual psalms that encouraged and comforted me and gave me the strength to persevere. It is my heart’s desire to see children learn the power and peace of the psalms early in life so they, too, will turn to God’s Word when they need hope and comfort, or they are searching for the right words to praise Him for His blessings and favor. This book of rhyming psalms protects the biblical meaning of each psalm while putting the message in a child’s vocabulary with rhyme to help them remember.”

Blog Stops

Divine Perspective, July 1

Blossoms and Blessings, July 2 (Author Interview)

Lots of Helpers, July 2

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, July 3

Life on Chickadee Lane, July 4

Labor Not in Vain, July 5

Texas Book-aholic, July 6

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, July 7

Vicky Sluiter, July 8 (Author Interview)

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, July 9

Locks, Hooks and Books, July 10

For Him and My Family, July 11

Cover Lover Book Review, July 12

Guild Master, July 13 (Author Interview)

A Reader’s Brain, July 14 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, July 14

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Donna is giving away the grand prize package of a $50 Magnolia Market gift card!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/2c80a/psalms-in-rhyme-for-little-hearts-celebration-tour-giveaway

HopeFULL: Your 30-Day Devotional to Discover Biblical Hope Celebrate Lit Tour

Posted on June 5, 2024June 3, 2024 by abbasprayerwarriorprincess

HopeFULL: Your 30-Day Devotional to Discover Biblical Hope by authors Marta E Greenman and Maureen H Maldonado is an inspiring book. It is an easy to do daily devotional for one month that focuses on hope. This is the third one by this amazing pair that I have read.

Each day in this lovely book has scripture that leads to the message of hope along with personal stories from the writers. Biblical history, stories, and life application lessons make this a devotion that will teach readers many things, especially where our hope s found..…Lord Jesus. Sections are arranged into different types according to various Greek and Hebrew words for hope. There is space for your own reflection. Beautiful pictures are included.

The writing is inviting and engaging. It feels like chatting with a friend. I found each day was best read and savored. There is much food for thought in each one. With so much Bible teaching, I gleaned a lot of information. It would be helpful for individual or group study.

I love devotionals to begin and end my day. This one is no exception. It is edifying, encouraging, and enlightening. I highly recommend it. This would make a wonderful gift. It gets a 5 out of 5 star rating from me. A copy was provided by Celebrate Lit, but these are my honest words.

About the Book

Book: HopeFULL: Your 30-Day Devotional to Discover Biblical Hope

Authors: Marta E Greenman and Maureen H Maldonado

Genre: Devotional

Release date: November 27, 2023

God can turn despair into hope even in a world that seems to be falling apart. He instilled hope in David, Esther, the Children of Israel, Paul, and the twelve apostles, and He can instill hope inside you. God is the giver of hope; we just need to find His prescription for hope in His Word. This 30-Day Devotional gives an in-depth look at Scripture and Biblical Hope. Join us today.

Learn:

• From various Biblical figures, how hope can be found in a turbulent world.

• The different Hebrew and Greek meanings of hope in Scripture.

• How to apply God’s strategies for living a HopeFULL life.

Read Old Testament and New Testament accounts of Biblical hope along with personal stories of how God has worked in the lives of His children around the world. Thoughtful reflection question provides a jumping off point for personal or group study.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Authors

Marta E Greenman – Marta left corporate America in 1998 to become a staff missionary with a church planting organization known today as e3Partners where she led American churches in planting new ones with international church partners. During this period, Marta spent much of her time in the field on evangelism and discipleship traveling to Columbia, Mexico, Moldova, Peru, Romania, Ukraine, Venezuela, and Zimbabwe. She also had the privilege of leading women’s conferences in biblical training.

Marta began teaching Inductive Bible Study at her home church in 1997 where she taught faithfully for fifteen years. Debbie Stuart, a Women’s Ministry Director, said, “Marta Greenman is a master teacher weaving biblical principles, personal stories and clear application with every lesson. She walks in Truth and loves the Word and has dedicated her life to teaching that Truth to women.”

After seven years on the mission field in Romania, Marta began to write Bible study curriculum. Her first study, Bound To Be Free, was published in 2011. May 2011, Marta founded Words of Grace & Truth, a ministry devoted to teaching God’s Word to the nations and teaching others to do the same, through the curriculum God birthed through her teaching ministry. Since then, Leaders, Nations and God and ACTs420NOW have been published. Today she continues to write a series of twelve 30-day devotionals with co-author Maureen H. Maldonado. Their first is entitled FearLESS: God is calling you to be fearless and to FearLESS, second LoveMORE: Your 30-Day Devotional to learn to love like Jesus, third is HopeFULL: Your 30-Day Devotional to Discover Biblical Hope.

Marta’s added GraceAndTruthRadio.World (GTRW), a global radio outreach to the world with God’s message of grace and truth. You can hear her show, Under God with co-host Maureen Maldonado, on GTRW, Monday’s at 3:00pm CST. The passion of her ministry, regardless of the nation she may be in, is teaching God’s Word and equipping others to teach. She is a gifted teacher, speaker and expositor of God’s Word.

Maureen H. Maldonado – Maureen is the second of seven children. Growing up in a home where worldly wealth was a foreign concept, she always felt treasured by her parents and knew she was rich in love. Maureen married young and raised two amazing daughters. Her grandchildren are a blessing beyond anything she could imagine. Recently, she was able to add two granddaughters-in-love who add joy to the mix; and the best yet, God has blessed her with a great-granddaughter!

Maureen has a master’s degree in education from California State University and spent her career as a teacher, vice-principal, and principal in elementary education. Maureen never planned to leave California or the education system, but God had other plans.

After Maureen’s husband was transferred to Arizona in 2006, then to Texas in 2011, she spent several years teaching ‘Just Moved,’ a Christian-based ministry program developed by Susan Miller for women moving homes because of life changes (https://justmoved.org). God used her teaching education and experience as a training ground to begin preparing for Him.

Involved in Bible studies in California, Arizona, and Texas, Maureen grew exponentially in her faith and love of God and His Word. The culmination of these experiences led her to co-host the radio program ‘Under God’ on GraceAndTruthRadio.World, where God’s Word is taught to the nations.

Today, Maureen is using her new-to-her method of studying the Bible and her long-applied teaching methods to teach the next generation of believers. Her prayer is for others to gain as much insight into God’s transformational Word as she has received. She describes it as “opening the shades and letting in all the sunlight on a gloomy day.” Maureen feels honored and humbled to be a part of Words of Grace & Truth and asks others to join in prayer for this needed ministry, the church, our country, and our world. LoveMORE is the second devotional Maureen has co-authored with Marta. Their first devotional was FearLESS: God is calling you to be fearless and to fear less.

Maureen and her husband, Raymond, reside in Texas, where they have transplanted almost their entire family from California.

More from Marta and Maureen

HopeFULL is the third in a series of twelve 30-Day devotionals covering various topics. With titles like FearLESS, LoveMORE and HopeFULL you will discover what God’s Word has to say on each topic. Each book has 4 components, First, 30 Devotionals on the chosen subject. Second, Reflection questions. Third, each book delves into the original language of Hebrew and Greek to help discover what God is trying to communicate to us. Finally, each book has stories, to help illustrate how God still works today.

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, May 31

Inspired by Fiction, June 1

Artistic Nobody, June 2 (Author Interview)

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, June 2

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, June 3

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, June 4 (Author Interview)

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, June 5

Its Mama Safe, June 6

Guild Master, June 7 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, June 8

Cover Lover Book Review, June 9

A Reader’s Brain, June 10 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, June 10

Locks, Hooks and Books, June 11

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, June 12

Blossoms and Blessings, June 13 (Author Interview)

Giveaway

To celebrate their tour, Marta and Maureen are giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card and a copy of the book!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/2bbf9/hopefull-celebration-tour-giveaway

The Crooked Daughter Celebrate Lit Book Tour

Posted on May 20, 2024May 19, 2024 by abbasprayerwarriorprincess

The Crooked Daughter by author DM Griffin is a riveting biblical fiction. This is book one in the author’s Encounter Series. I thought it was educational, inspiring, and entertaining.

The author gives readers her thoughts on what could have happened in this tale. Blending stories from scripture she has woven a captivating, plausible story. This is the story of the woman who was bent over, Priscilla. It is also the story of Aquilla, who has begun working in the temple.

The author has done an exemplary job with this book. It is obvious that much research was done to get every detail correct. Her perspective on what might have happened sounds reasonable. I appreciated that she incorporated scripture and stayed true to biblical accounts. Reading this has broadened my understanding of how disabled people were perceived.

I was immediately engaged with the expertly crafted characters and their stories. The details made the story come alive on the pages so that I felt transported there. The author has a pleasant style of writing that flows well. It quickly turned into a book that I had to keep reading.

Keep in mind this is a fictional tale based on scripture. Extra details are provided by the author. I recommend you read her notes to become totally aware of the facts. I do recommend this fantastic novel. It would make a lovely book club choice. I give it a 5 out of 5 star rating. A copy was provided by Celebrate Lit, but these are my honest words.

About the Book

Book: The Crooked Daughter

Author: D.M. Griffin

Genre: Biblical Fiction

Release date: March 28, 2024

Choices her father made before she was even born reached a bony finger into her life, clouding her future with hopelessness. Her father’s cold heart had no room for her. He easily cast her aside when the Law permitted it. Defined as an outcast because of a physical infirmity, Priscilla was told death was her destiny. Despite the limited perspective brought about by years of adversity, Priscilla fought to keep hope alive and wait for the Lord’s timing.

Aquila lost his father at the most critical time in his life. Battling against grief and bitterness, Aquila uncovers a secret about his father’s death that undermines his faith in a religious system that once defined him. Driven from his homeland, Aquila becomes someone he no longer recognizes.

Two people whose perspectives are skewed by adversity become divinely intertwined in mysterious ways. As they wait upon the Lord for His timing, would Priscilla and Aquila ever find the truth that would lift their eyes to the hills so they could see the purpose of life, not only between a man and a woman but between God and His creation? A poignant story about how God uses adversity for good in the lives of those who truly love and trust Him.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

D.M. Griffin is the author of several Biblical Fiction novels as well as devotionals, prayer journals, and Bible studies. She will be releasing a Christian Fantasy series in 2025. She currently resides in Northern California with her husband. They met in middle school a few days after she was transplanted to the West Coast at the tender age of twelve. She has three adult children who have been an endless source of delight and inspiration. She also has a precious new grandchild who brings her joy.

As a native New England girl, she fondly remembers spending her summers there as a child. Thick accents, small towns, and fascinating weather stirred the imagination of a young heart. She has always had a fondness for stories thanks to her imaginative mother who would make up wild, adventurous tales to tell when tucking her into bed as a child.

She truly believes that a book that sits on a shelf unread is like a planted seed that never blossoms. Nothing delights her more than sharing a story.

More from D.M.

My inspiration for writing The Crooked Daughter is multi-faceted. First of all, I was intrigued by the unnamed characters in the Bible who had a single extraordinary encounter with Jesus. The woman who was bent over for eighteen years was one of the four that I selected for The Encounter Series.

Though there were few verses dedicated to this woman, I felt the deeper pull of a story tucked inside the folds of those verses describing Jesus healing her on the Sabbath. I wondered what her story was. What led her there that day? Did she go searching for Him or did Jesus pick her out of the crowd?

Reading that the woman was in that condition for eighteen years is worthy of pondering. I think a lot of times when we read Scripture, we miss the impact of time’s passage. As someone who has suffered from back pain for many years, I could relate to the crooked woman’s story. Eighteen years is a long time to be bent over. The longest I had to remain in a bent position was three weeks. It is extremely difficult to move through the world when the only thing you can see is the ground. Pain is bad enough to endure. Pain for eighteen years must have been excruciating. I know when I am in pain my mood and attitude definitely need adjustment. I would have been a monster after eighteen years!

Developing Priscilla’s character challenged me as a writer. As someone who suffered an early rejection in life only to endure physical infirmity on her own, I didn’t want her to become embittered the way most would after enduring such a trial. There was a delicate balance between lamenting her fate and holding onto hope as it slipped away. Therefore, I introduced the playful, furry character – a dog named Patch.

Aquila’s character was complex and layered. While he was physically able-bodied, his heart was agonizing with grief, responsibility, and disillusioned faith. He was a man who could stand straight even while his soul was bent over.

I have always been intrigued by Aquila and Priscilla in the Bible. As an inspirational couple who served the Lord together, I enjoyed weaving the threads of their story into the fictional account about the crooked woman. I believe that love soothes the wounds of suffering. Falling in love straightens the crooked perspectives of circumstances. Who doesn’t enjoy a good love story that culminates in a strong, enviable marriage?

In The Crooked Daughter, the main character’s condition is symbolic of the political climate of those days. The religious leaders were the ones who were bent over, their perspective about God’s acceptance of people horribly skewed under the heaviness of pride. They could not lift their eyes to the heavens to recognize the Messiah in their midst. Their hearts were hunched under the weight of selfish ambition and prejudicial attitudes. Condemnation was the chain that kept them bound, unable to see the horizon of eternity.

Physical infirmities are horrible to endure. Even worse are the infirmities of the soul. So many things can truly bend us away from God – rejection, selfishness, anger, grief, regret. Thankfully, Jesus is more than a healer. He is our Savior. I truly enjoyed exploring these themes throughout The Crooked Daughter. I hope that readers come away from the story with hope as an anchor for hard times. God truly uses all things for good when we trust in His plan.

Blog Stops

Fiction Book Lover, May 13 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 14

Simple Harvest Reads, May 15 (Author Interview)

Artistic Nobody, May 16 (Author Interview)

Lots of Helpers, May 16

Splashes of Joy, May 17 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, May 18

Jodie Wolfe – Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, May 19 (Author Interview)

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, May 20

Guild Master, May 21 (Author Interview)

Locks, Hooks and Books, May 22

A Reader’s Brain, May 23 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, May 23

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, May 24

Stories By Gina, May 25 (Author Interview)

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, May 26

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, D.M. Griffin is giving away the grand prize package of a $25 Amazon gift card & copy of book!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/2b7c9/the-crooked-daughter-celebration-tour-giveaway

A Hope Fulfilled Celebrate Lit Book Tour

Posted on March 25, 2024March 25, 2024 by abbasprayerwarriorprincess

Review

A Hope Fulfilled by April Gardner is a Biblical fiction based on the minor prophet Obadiah and the fall of Edom. The author offers her perspective on what might have happened. It is a captivating and fast read that made me want more.

I am only a fan of Biblical fiction that does not stray from the facts presented by scripture. This one seemed to do just that. Since I am not very proficient on this chapter, reading this novella sent me to my Bible to compare them. I learned that Obadiah is one of the shortest books in the Bible. The author did an imaginative job penning this tale. Her characters and descriptions transported me to a time and place that I had never been.

This is the story of Tikvah, a woman of faith. I loved how she spoke to God. As she tells her story it is easy to become invested in it. She is fiery, impulsive, and an important part of Obadiah’s prophecy.

Filled with faith, mystery, danger, twists, and intrigue this was an interesting take on the events in Obadiah and a quick read for me. At times it felt a bit rushed, and I wanted more – details, chapters, and intensity. Overall it is a very good book. At the end is information on Knowing Obadiah, a Christian Woman’s Bible Commentary, by author Gardner.

I do recommend this for those readers that love Biblical Fiction. For me it brought the fourth smallest book of the Bible to life where I could imagine what might have happened. It would make a nice reading group selection. I rate it 4 out of 5 stars. A copy was provided by Celebrate Lit, but these are my honest words.

About the Book

Book: A Hope Fulfilled

Author: April W Gardner

Genre: Biblical Fiction (Obadiah)

Release Date: November, 2023

One Hebrew slave’s courage and faith opens the gate on Edom’s demise.

Tikvah, a Hebrew slave in Edom, lives in hope of once again seeing Jerusalem, the Holy City. When a Babylonian general and his dashing Jewish liaison arrive at her master’s house, whispering plans of Edom’s destruction, she senses Yahweh at work. After all, there’s a prophecy foretelling His justice upon the kingdom. Tikvah clings to that promise while obediently following the call of service into the heart of danger. If only there were a promise she would come out the other side alive.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

April W Gardner is an indie author whose great passion is historical romance with themes of Native American and Southeastern U.S. culture. Copyeditor, mother of two grown children, and non-trad college student, April lives in South Texas with her husband and two German Shepherds. In no particular order, April dreams of owning a horse, learning a third language, and visiting all the national parks.

More from April

So…Obadiah? Who ever heard of Obadiah as the backdrop for biblical fiction? I hadn’t. But that’s not where A Hope Fulfilled began…

In late December 2021, while deciding on a Bible reading goal for the upcoming year, I pondered which sections of the Bible I knew least. The minor prophets came to mind right off, then camped there as I asked myself what I knew about these little books.

I’d heard a million sermons preached from one or another of them over the years, but could I give even a one-sentence summary on any of the twelve? That question required a moment’s thought, which produced Jonah and the big fish, Hosea and his harlot wife, Joel and the locusts, Amos and… Uh, er, uh…

This was a problem. After burning some brain cells on the matter, I finally hung my head and admitted I was a minor failure. If I’d been tested right then on the minor prophets, I would have received a big red F.

How was this possible? I’m a missionary’s kid who never missed a church service, for goodness’ sake. This was unacceptable. I had an MK reputation to uphold.

Kidding, kidding. But the point remains. After 4.5 decades in church, I should be able to state every book’s title and theme. At a minimum. Anything less is spiritual laziness.

With that challenge in mind, I hitched up my trousers and set to work. My task? One minor prophet a month. I would read each one again and again, really drilling them home, absorbing their messages and banishing my spiritual “shame.”

By April, and my fourth read of Obadiah, I stared at my Bible, the verses swimming before me, and admitted to a second problem—despite my faithful rereading, the first four books were all running together in a mental smear of prophety messages.

Warning, judgment, doom, gloom. There was hope in there, too, of course. Praise God. And a harlot wife. I had that one down. But I was no closer to being able to distinguish them, to really understand the books with any kind of true ownership.

Since I’m a goal-girl, it made me a little sad to set aside my twelve-prophet year, but there was no getting around it. If this was going to work, I would have to go deeper, get messier, put on my work gloves and knee pads, and start digging.

New goal! Understand Obadiah. I’d worry about the rest once I had this one down. Fifteen months and three written books later, here we are, celebrating the release of my first biblical fiction, A Hope Fulfilled.

So, how did I get from studying a minor prophet to writing biblical fiction? The journey from point A to point B wasn’t very long. The series (A Fire and a Flame) started out as a Bible commentary for women, but when I got to exploring the history around Obadiah, my fiction brain kinda took over. It does that sometimes. Silly brain.

I did finish the commentary, but as soon as I allowed myself to ponder all the what-ifs of the event, the novella practically wrote itself.

Obadiah gives a fiction writer almost no details to build on. So, A Hope Fulfilled is what one might call an artist’s rendition of what might have happened during the fall of Edom. There were probably Hebrew slaves in Edom. One of them probably knew the prophecy of Edom’s doom. And that somebody might have, just might have, longed to help God’s justice play out.

Thus, Tikah and her story, A Hope Fulfilled, were born.

Blog Stops

Dee S White, March 20

Holly’s Book Corner, March 21

The Lofty Pages, March 21

Book Looks by Lisa, March 22

Exploring The Written Word, March 23

Books You Can Feel Good About, March 24

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, March 25

Lots of Helpers, March 26

Locks, Hooks and Books, March 27

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, March 28

The Printed Edge, March 29

Texas Book-aholic, March 30

She Lives To Read, March 31

Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, April 1 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, April 1

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, April 2

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, April is giving away the grand prize package of a $30 Amazon gift card and a paperback set of the A Fire and a Flame!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/2a8f4/a-hope-fulfilled-celebration-tour-giveaway

She’erah’s Legacy Celebrate Lit Book Tour and Giveaway

Posted on October 4, 2023October 3, 2023 by abbasprayerwarriorprincess

She’erah’s Legacy is Book Three in the Yahweh’s Legacy Series by Naomi Craig. She is an extremely talented wordsmith. This Biblical Fiction is quite simply amazing. Do not be concerned if you have not read the first two books in the series, except for the fact they are phenomenal. This book may easily be read as a stand-alone.

This is a fictional Biblical account of She’erah, the granddaughter of Joseph. She is only mentioned once in scripture in 1 Chronicles 7:24: “He had a daughter named She’erah. She built the towns of Lower and Upper Beth-horon and Uzzen-sheerah.” He being Ephraim, Joseph’s son. I was curious and looked it up in my Bible. This was something that I did not see when reading the genealogy, but I am thrilled the author picked it up. Her perspective on this phenomenal woman’s story is plausible and brought the people and situations vividly to life with her deft pen.

The characters are all expertly crafted which made it easy to imagine them. The author’s research and work that she put into writing this entertaining, educational, and inspiring story were apparent. I was immediately invested in the story and felt transported to that time and place in the Old Testament. Scripture is beautifully woven throughout this captivating novel.

There are lessons throughout the story on trusting God, forgiveness, jealousy, faith, family, friendship, and love. It would be nice to see this made into a movie. More people would know about this granddaughter of Joseph and her abilities.

I highly recommend this riveting tale. It was a page-turner that held surprises. I gleaned a lot of biblical information as I kept my Bible next to me as I read the book. This would make a great book club selection. There is so much to discuss! It receives a well deserved five star rating from me. A copy was provided by Celebrate Lit, but these are my honest words.

About the Book

Book: She’erah’s Legacy

Author: Naomi Craig

Genre: Historical fiction, Biblical fiction

Release Date: August 15, 2023

As tragedy ravages the camp, can She’erah step up and complete the outpost?

She’erahs is a woman trying to leave her mark in a man’s world. Her vision and ability surpasses her father’s, yet she remains second-in-command as they are tasked to build Pharaoh’s outposts in Canaan. She knows she is worthy of the task, but her clan is skeptical

The last place She’erah expects support is from her charioteer, but Lateef is the lone voice of encouragement. His integrity and steadfastness is a plumb-line in She’erah’s life and she can no longer deny her growing feelings for him.

Acts of sabotage threaten the construction and the shaky foundation of She’erah’s pride. It’s up to She’erah to break generations of rivalry, distrust, and jealousy—if she can learn to rely on the strengths and abilities of those around her to help.

Will she learn to trust God and others before her life’s legacy comes crumbling down around her?Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Author of Biblical fiction, avid reader, pastor’s wife, Naomi loves reading the Bible and imagining how things were at the time. When she’s not serving in various areas at church, trying to stay on top of mountains of dishes or convincing her rescue dog, Freeway, to be cute on command for Instagram reels, you’ll most likely find her enjoying a good book and a cup of coffee. Naomi co-hosts #BehindTheStory with Naomi and Lisa, an author interview show on YouTube and your podcast platform of choice.

More from Naomi

A woman architect in ancient times?

She’erah’s family is mentioned in five verses in 1 Chronicles 7:20- 24. In this brief detour from the list of genealogy, we learn some interesting facts.

She’erah is the granddaughter of Joseph (yes that Joseph with the coat of many colors, vizier to Pharaoh)

Two of her brothers get themselves killed for cattle rustling.

Her father, Ephraim, goes into deep mourning for his sons.

There is a late-in-life baby (as a result of dad’s mourning)

and She’erah built Lower and Upper Beth Horon and Uzzen She’erah.

Then we are right back to the begats.

Wait, hold on. That’s all we get? What is the story behind her building these towns (two of which are still standing today)? What was the reaction of those around her?

Something I find helpful to remember is that when you know about someone’s family, you in a way know the person. With her grandfather being Joseph, suddenly we have opened a whole new world of what we know. She’erah and the clan would have had access to all of Egypt’s knowledge and resources. Where she still might have gotten backlash from her more Hebrew clan, Egyptian women had more independence, managing their husband’s estates, or even their own.

We also know the generational legacy that was passed down of the younger sibling being favored above the older. Ephraim over Manasseh, Joseph over his ten elder brothers, Jacob over Esau, Rachel over Leah, Isaac over Ishmael. I’m sure sibling rivalry could have been present.

So now we can see She’erah’s picture a little more clearly. A brilliantly minded woman determined to prove herself and her abilities. Raised in Egyptian courts, yet also Hebrew. A strange mix of cultures and dynamics that shape She’erah and nurture her gifts.

She’erah’s legacy is not only the towns she builds for generations to come, but also how she starts the work of unearthing the deep-seated rivalry that is entrenched in her family.

I pray you’ll enjoy She’erah’s adventures, as she learns to trust the Lord and those around her.

Best Regards

Naomi