Looking for stocking stuffers for Christmas? I always get my mother-in-law a puzzle book or two and this one is so beautiful.

When I got the opportunity to review this book, I was excited. The concept of discipleship has always seemed murky for me. I’d heard the term used in so many different ways that it had become just another one of those nebulous Christian terms. Is it about my transformation? Is it about someone disciplining me? Is it about making disciples of others? After reading this book, I discovered the answer to my questions was “Yes.”

The author doesn’t come out and specifically define discipleship; he describes it instead. This seemed odd to me at first, but as I continued reading I discovered I was the problem. I was trying to stuff discipleship into a simple box and define it like a one of the blind men describing an elephant in the famed Aesop fable. Once I stood back and saw the whole elephant, not just the tail or trunk, I realized discipleship was more of an umbrella term that describes the various processes of becoming more Christ-like — both internally and externally. Discipleship is a way of life that takes my internal transformation and puts it into action to spread the gospel.

This book is a great …

They aren’t paranormal investigators, just ordinary believers who dare to follow God into dark places.

For Maj Newhouse life revolves around her faith, her friends, Aimee and Kevin Cole, and her projects at the old barn-but that was before Jason Knight walked through the door…

To appreciate this story, you need to imagine yourself sitting at a coffee shop and this skateboard legend starts reminiscing about how it all started in a beyond nowhere town in the desert of Southern California. As you hear the recollections of Sal Frisco, you…

Peace is a topic that seems to be on our minds lately: World peace; peace in our communities; and finding personal peace in our own hearts and minds. This book deals with the latter: finding the personal peace that we each want in our own lives. In this book, Morgan Harper Nichols shares experiences from her own life and her journey of finding peace for her own heart. She has a beautiful, expressive writing style, and I especially enjoyed reading the glimpses she gave us into her own life.

There’s also a practical side to this book. The author begins by explaining to us that finding and maintaining personal peace is both a practice and a cycle, and she uses that as the beginning point of incorporating peace during different circumstances in our lives.

There are 22 chapters in this book, so I won’t list all of the titles, but among these are the areas of wholeness; freedom; grief; healing; hope; trusting; and becoming. All throughout the book, she shares practical ways for the reader to “practice and maintain peace”. I was especially interested in the chapter on journaling and found some of her suggestions there quite helpful.

But I have to also say that I was also disappointed in …

“I believe fairy tales and princess stories resonate with us because of their similarity to the gospel. In these stories, however, the fictional "Prince Charming" takes the place of Jesus. Consequently, we are taught at a young age that the longing we feel in our hearts is for a human soulmate, when the longing is actually for the eternity we will spend in heaven with Jesus. This message is everywhere - from every form of media. Is it any wonder we grow up looking for a romantic relationship to be our savior?

But what if there was a princess tale that told the true love story between Jesus and us? Not only would Christian parents have a deeply resonating "fairy tale" they could feel safe allowing their daughters to read, it would fundamentally change how their daughters view all other princess stories they hear. "Prince Charming" would no longer be seen as a person for them to wait for, but as a metaphor for Jesus Christ. Instead of our daughters growing up seeking a man to fill the God-shaped hole in their hearts, Jesus would be the Savior their hearts seek.”

Joseph is the pampered favorite son of the patriarch Jacob. His older brothers, deeply resentful of his status in the family, take advantage of the chance to get rid of him, selling him to slave traders and deceiving their father about his fate. It seems like their troubles are over. But for Joseph and older brother Judah, they are just beginning.

While Joseph is accused of rape and imprisoned, Judah attempts to flee the memory of his complicity in the betrayal of his younger brother. After decades apart, the brothers will come face-to-face in a stunning role reversal that sees Joseph in a position of great power while Judah begs for mercy. Will forgiveness or vengeance win the day?

Bestselling and award-winning author Jill Eileen Smith brings her considerable research and imaginative skills to bear in this vivid retelling of one of the most popular stories found in Scripture--a story of jealousy, betrayal, and a reconciliation that only God could bring about.

Read Patti’s review below.

Sheila’s review is below. I’ve been making a list of interesting books I’ve found in Christian categories on Amazon and she chose this book from the list. Neither of us has had any contact with the author or publisher regarding this book. (I purchased the book and gifted it to her to review.)

Amazon has it listed as 322 pages and it’s categorized as “Christian Futuristic and Christian Science Fiction”. It was published in January 2022 and book two in the series is set to release in May.

About the Author

Mark Goodwin is the author of many Christian Post-Apocalyptic fiction books. He’s also the host of the popular Prepper Recon Podcast which interviews patriots, preppers, and economists each week.

I love the disclaimer at the bottom of his Amazon book page, “As with all works by Mark Goodwin, this book contains no profanity and no embarrassing sex scenes. However, if you're offended by conservative principles and references to Scripture, this book might not be for you.” It seems he often touches on controversial subjects and realizes not everyone will enjoy his fiction, but in the book writing business we call that owning your “niche”.

You can visit Mark’s website at …

Dana’s Review of Shaped by the Waves

I'm so happy that I found this beautiful novel. Readers who enjoy contemporary, character-driven novels that explore the concept of family and coming home will enjoy this book.

Shaped by the Waves is a story of coming back. Back home. Back to family. And, back to Jesus. Shaped by the Waves begins when Cassie finds out that her “Aunt” Shasta has Parkinson's disease. She returns to Gull’s Bay to care for her. Returning was stressful. She felt like she was a disgrace to all the people who loved her. Instead of shame, she finds…

Rival taco truck owners face off in a food competition. Between the prize money and the business doors it will open, failure is not an option (even though one of them can’t cook.)

What will happen when they find out their biggest competition is also the person they’ve been dating online for the last month? Find out in Tacos for Two by Betsy St. Amant.

Click here for Patti’s review of Tacos for Two, a Christian contemporary romance novel from Revell publishers.

Restless with the familiarity of her Alabama home, Ellie Fields accepts a teaching job in a tiny Louisiana town deep in bayou country. Though rightfully suspicious of outsiders, who have threatened both their language and their culture, most of the people in tiny Bernadette, Louisiana, come to appreciate the young and idealistic schoolteacher as a boon to the town. She's soon teaching just about everyone--and coming up against opposition from both the school board and a politician with ulterior motives.

Acclimating to a whole new world, Ellie meets a lonely but intriguing Cajun fisherman named Raphe who introduces her to the legendary white alligator that haunts these waters. Raphe and Ellie have barely found their way to each other when a huge bounty is offered for the elusive gator, bringing about a shocking turn of events that will test their love and their will to right a terrible wrong.

A master of the Southern novel, Valerie Fraser Luesse invites you to enter the sultry swamps of Louisiana in a story that illuminates the struggle for the heart and soul of the bayou.

Dana’s Review of Under the Bayou Moon

A Wonderful Vacation to the Past

Valerie Fraser Luesse has a gift for making Bayou life come alive with…

How I Came Across This Book

I like to begin my book reviews with how I came across the book to help address legal disclaimers. Good Brother No was given to me by the author in exchange for a review. He actually emailed me and asked me if I’d review it and I immediately wanted to say no. I don’t like to commit to reviews. I already have a few reviews I’m behind on posting or waiting to post when the book comes out and for some reason committing to a review just stresses me. So after the initial no I found out it was a kids book with a strong Christian theme and it was short so I said yes.

When my daughter was young and I was busy filling up our Kindles with free books, I used to run a site where I posted children’s book reviews almost daily and I’m a sucker for a well-made picture book. So when I caught a glimpse of Good Brother No’s illustrations I knew this was a book someone had taken their time with and put some love into.

What’s Inside

This is a biblical retelling of the account of Noah and the ark he built from the book of Genesis.

I found the illustrations of the animals somewhat …