As a Christian, the most important days are Good Friday, which marks the day Jesus was crucified, and Easter, which celebrates his resurrection. That sacrifice made it possible for mankind to enter the Kingdom of God. Have a most blessed day! Below is a poem about the reason for that sacrifice.
Who Killed Me?
Was it the Romans? Or the Jews? Is Pilate to blame? Or the Philistines? Is Judas at fault?
No. I walked into that Garden Knowing I was going to die. It was planned long ago between my Father and Me.
There was agony unmeasured But then I rose As a living sacrifice I paid the price For original sin.
Now I wait in the Kingdom of Heaven Who will join me?
Self-Published Saturday is my effort to help self-published/indie authors. These authors have to do it all, from editing to cover design to marketing. If I can help even a little bit with the marketing, I’m happy to do it. Below is my review of The Modern Christ by Dan Hambright. It’s a modern take on the story of Jesus.
BOOK REVIEW
The Modern Christ is the story of Jesus, but set in modern times. Imagine if Jesus was born to Mary in our time, and then imagine it’s set in America. In this retelling of the story of Christ, Jesus is born to Mary in the 1980s in a car dealership in Bethlehem, PA. It is the exact story of Jesus with a modern twist, but contains the same message of a virgin birth, the Son of God, and His sacrifice.
One thing that was important to me about this book was that the basic story of Christ was not changed. The people around him didn’t change either. Mary, Joseph, the apostles, John the Baptist, and even a couple of presidents with the last name of Herod are all in the book. It’s wild to see Jesus with a cell phone and riding in cars, but the heart of the story is still there. It’s proof you can put Jesus in any time and the result will be the same. He will serve as a sacrifice for the sins of the world. I think it’s a unique perspective that could make Him seem more relatable to the people of today. After all in His day, He was modern. This is a thought-provoking take on the story of Jesus. The story of Christ is always going to get five stars from me. Highly recommend.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Dan Hambright believes the best books are the ones that stay with you long after you’ve turned the final page, and as an author, he strives to influence his readers in the same way with each of his novels. When he’s not writing, you can find him hiking through the state parks of Oklahoma, playing sports with his son, having deep, philosophical conversations with his daughter, or spending time with his beautiful and amazing wife. He lives in Yukon, Oklahoma with his wife and two children.
*Kindle Unlimited subscribers can read the book for free.
*If you buy the book, please leave reviews on Amazon and Goodreads, as well as anywhere else you review books. Some people feel very daunted by writing a review. Don’t worry. You do not have to write a masterpiece. Just a couple of lines about how the book made you feel will make the author’s day and help the book succeed. The more reviews a book has, the more Amazon will promote it.
*Please click on the “share” buttons below and share these books with your Twitter, Facebook, and WordPress followers. A little bit of help from all of us will help self-published authors go a long way!
We have our first spotlight! See below for a book description and links to pick up a great Christian self-help book, which is absolutely free right now!
BOOK DESCRIPTION
Want to become a better leader?
Increase Your Leadership Impact is a short, easy-to-read book that walks you through simple tips to help you feel closer to God and grow in your ability to lead those around you.
If you’re a Christian professional, leader, pastor, or anyone who loves to serve and inspire others—and you’re willing to start by first improving yourself—this book is for you.
Drawing on life lessons learned while attending Oxford and Harvard, author John Christopher Frame, PhD, shares easy-to-implement strategies to help you develop your leadership capacity.
In this quick read, you’ll discover:
What to emphasize to encourage people to follow you
How to make tough decisions with more confidence
A way to easily complete large tasks so you can fight overwhelm
One thing to avoid to come across more professionally
How you can tell your story to touch people’s lives
Inspiring prayers and practical action steps make this a power-packed read.
Unlock your potential and grab Increase Your Leadership Impact today!
Click the photo below and get your free ebook on Amazon. (Free as of this posting. Grab your copy while you can.
This is another one of the books I reviewed for the February edition of Historical Novels Review, the magazine of the Historical Novel Society.
In 1755 York, Virginia, 28-year-old chocolatier Esmée Shaw has never quite gotten over her former fiancé, Captain Henri Lennox, although it has been ten years. Now considered a spinster and determined to forget him, she is running her mother’s chocolate shop and working on new recipes. When Henri returns to complete a lighthouse in Chesapeake Bay, a former dream of theirs, Esmée is more shaken than she lets on. As war with the French seems more and more likely, will Esmée and Henri find a new peace of their own?
This is a well-written historical romance, and the dialogue rings true to the period. Bitter stings of lost love and hope of a new start are complicated even more by news of impending war. The writing is beautiful, but the plot moves slowly at times. It does pick up in the second half of the story. The history of the time is well researched. The technique of chocolate making in colonial times is fascinating, and I found myself craving chocolate while Esmée was creating her confections. Esmée is a very strong and accomplished woman for the time period, and the book is better for it. The politics, treachery, and conflicts of that era are well portrayed. There is a Christian theme of trusting God’s plan. Fans of historical romance and U.S. history will enjoy this book.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Christy Award-winning author, Laura Frantz, is passionate about all things historical, particularly the 18th-century, and writes her manuscripts in longhand first. Her stories often incorporate Scottish themes that reflect her family heritage. She is a direct descendant of George Hume, Wedderburn Castle, Berwickshire, Scotland, who was exiled to the American colonies for his role in the Jacobite Rebellion of 1715, settled in Virginia, and is credited with teaching George Washington surveying in the years 1748-1750. Proud of her heritage, she is also a Daughter of the American Revolution. When not at home in Kentucky, she and her husband live in Washington State.
According to Publishers Weekly, “Frantz has done her historical homework.” With her signature attention to historical detail and emotional depth, she is represented by Janet Kobobel Grant, Literary Agent & Founder, Books & Such Literary Agency of Santa Rosa, California. Foreign language editions include French, Dutch, Spanish, Slovakian, & Polish.
This is a new feature I’m starting which was inspired by a post on another blog, Feed The Crime (One Book At A Time. The post here lists books the blogger has loved that have less than 200 reviews on Goodreads. With a tip of the hat to them, I take a look at Amazing Books by Indie/Self-Published Authors With Less Than 100 Reviews on Amazon. This is aimed at telling the world about great books they may not have seen. Indie authors do not have the marketing machine enjoyed by the traditionally published, so it is up to us to share, read, and review these great books. A couple of these books are from small, independent presses, but most are self-published. Please share this post with all of your social media followers, because some of them may find a book they love, and would have otherwise missed.
If you click on the covers, you can go straight to the Amazon link.
I plan to do this feature at least once a month, so please share these great books with others. Let’s get these books the attention they deserve.
Agustina De Aragón by Gail Meath. This is the amazing story of the “Spanish Joan of Arc.” My review is here.
No Ordinary Thing: GZ Schmidt: This is amazing Middle Grade/Young Adult historical fiction–with a time-traveling snow globe! My review is here.
The Robin Hood Trilogy: Olivia Longueville and J.C. Plummer: This is the best Robin Hood retelling I have ever read. My review is here.
TELLING SONNY: Elizabeth Gauffreau: This gorgeously written book will take you back to Vaudeville in the 1920s. My review is here.
Your Words Your World: Amazing poetry book about God and His Creation. My review is here
This amazing Middle Grade/Young Adult fantasy series, The Hamelin Stoop series, is reminiscent of The Chronicles of Narnia. My review is here.
These are all great books that received 5 stars from me. They just need readers to know about them. If you decide to read any of them, please leave a review on Amazon. The more reviews a book has, the more Amazon will promote it.
Ten years after the death on the cross of Jesus Christ, disciple Matthew, the former tax collector, is excited to work with Peter, James, and John in Jerusalem. Hopeful of ministering directly to the people, he is instead set to work on the ministry financial accounts. Mary, the mother of Jesus, has been praying for the right eyewitness to chronicle the account of her son’s life on earth. When she offers this job to Matthew, he is reluctant, but then begins to see it as his destiny.
In this excellent novel, Mary works alongside Matthew and serves as editor as he writes the gospel bearing his name, ensuring he puts in only the facts and not his personal feelings. They also venture outside of their circle and seek out others who were present during significant events of Jesus’s life on earth. As when Jesus was among them, evil forces are attempting to stop their work. Nicodemus warns Matthew that “Jerusalem may be a Holy City, but a fair number of rats resides within its walls.” This is a captivating and thrilling novel that takes us into Matthew’s mind and heart as he writes about his interactions with Jesus of Nazareth. It also shows Mary as a woman of quiet influence among “The People of the Way,” someone whose influence is feared by the high priest and others.
Angela Hunt’s knowledge of the politics of the time is impressive. She also explains her research and commitment to honor 2 Timothy 3:16, which includes the phrase “All scripture is inspired by God,” in an author’s note at the end of the book. Fans of Christian fiction and strong female characters will enjoy this fictional account of the writing of the Gospel of Matthew.
I received a free copy of this book from the publishers via Historical Novels Review Magazine. My review is voluntary and my opinions are my own.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Angela Hunt
Christy-Award winner Angela Hunt writes for readers who have learned to expect the unexpected in novels from this versatile author. With over five million copies of her books sold worldwide, she is the best-selling author of more than 150 works ranging from picture books (The Tale of Three Trees) to novels.
Now that her two children are grown, Angie and her youth-pastor husband live in Florida with Very Big Dogs (a direct result of watching Sandlot too many times). This affinity for mastiffs has not been without its rewards–one of their dogs was featured on Live with Regis and Kelly as the second-largest canine in America. Their dog received this dubious honor after an all-expenses-paid trip to Manhattan for the dog and the Hunts, complete with VIP air travel and a stretch limo in which they toured New York City. Afterward, the dog gave out paw-tographs at the airport.
When she’s not home writing, Angie often travels to teach writing workshops at schools and writers’ conferences. And to talk about her dogs, of course.
It’s time again for Self-Published Saturday, the day each week when I highlight only Self-Published/Indie authors. As I always say, self-published authors have to do it all, from cover design to editing to marketing and more. My goal here is to just give authors a little bit of help with the marketing aspect. The book featured below is The Origin, the first in the A1 Mission Agency series. This is a Christian Children’s detective story written by new author Timothy Beavin.
BOOK REVIEW
This is a fun Christian detective story for the younger middle grades. When Toby and Scott learn that their cousin, Scooter, is coming to stay for the summer, they are apprehensive to say the least. Scooter is bad news and always in trouble. In fact, he’s just gotten out of juvenile detention. However, when Scooter arrives, they find he has changed in a big way. Together, the three of them soon face some local troubles of their own. A gang of bullies and thieves is after them, led by Vick Daugherty. The son of a pastor, Vick always seems to get away with his crimes. Working together, Toby, Scott, and Scooter try to find ways to end the bullying and bring Vick and his friends to justice, eventually forming the A-1 Mission Agency.
This is an entertaining Christian story for children ages 8 to 10 about trusting Jesus, standing up for your friends, and facing injustice. It is quite short at 46 pages, but it could be the perfect length for younger kids. This is the first of a planned seven books by new author Timothy Beavin. I found the Christian themes to be helpful and well described for younger readers. The way Scooter explains John 3:16 is true and easily understood, but also amusing. The book ends in a surprising way that will lead us to the next installment in the series. There is a little bit of “telling instead of showing” in places, and the book could use another edit, but overall this was an enjoyable read with a fantastic premise. Timothy Beavin has created an adventure-filled Children’s Christian Detective story that will delight young readers.
I received a free copy of this book from the author. My review is voluntary and my opinions are my own.
I would also like to welcome Timothy Beavin to the Indie/Self-Publishing world, and there is a Q&A with him below.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Timothy Beavin
Timothy Beavin is a 22 year old Texan who is currently attending Bible College in California. He has been writing since he was 13 years old and has just self-published his first book in the A1 Mission Agency series: The Origin. Beavin combines events from his childhood with his Christian faith and information he has learned in Bible College to create a fun Christian detective series for kids.
LINK TO BUY
AMAZON *Kindle Unlimited subscribers can read the book for free.
Thanks again to author Timothy Beavin for answering these questions and providing more insight into his book.
First, tell us a little about yourself. Where are you from, where do you live, and what inspired you to write this series?
A: I am a twenty-two-year-old man who grew up in the state of Texas. I currently live in California, attending my sixth semester at Bible College. I have loved creative writing ever since I was thirteen years old, and now I desire to incorporate what I have learned from Bible College into my storytelling.
The Origin is your first book and appears to be the first in a series. What is the inspiration behind your creation of this story/series and these characters?
When I was younger, my friend Trent Taylor and I started a club called ‘The Alert Detective Agency’. I based this series on all the adventures I wish my friend and I could have gone on. The character ‘Toby O’Dell’ is basically a fourteen-year-old version of myself thrown into a crazy adventure. The character ‘Scott O’Dell’ (Toby’s brother) was initially based on my friend Trent Taylor (who I dedicate this book to). However, Scott turned out to be very prideful and self-righteous, which admittedly does not resemble my friend at all. I did this in order for him to have a character arc throughout the series.
– The character ‘Scooter Denham’ (Toby and Scott’s cousin) was merely based on a figment of my imagination. He is the one who kick-starts the boys’ journey. Without Scooter, Toby and Scott would never have gone on the adventure. Similar to how my friend Trent and I never went on any real adventures.
– The character Holly Banks was created as a romantic foil to the character Toby O’Dell. She is the only female lead, and I find her really interesting. I look forward to where she goes in the future.
– The character ‘Vick Daugherty’, was designed to be a reoccurring nemesis for our heroes. Plus, I thought it would be really interesting for him to be a spiritual foil to the character Scooter Denham.
As a new self-published author, what are the things that you’ve found the most surprising, easiest, and hardest about writing and self-publishing your first book?
Honestly, it was super easy beginning the project, but finishing it was the most troublesome part. Figuring out all the self-publishing details was really mentally stressful, but looking back, it wasn’t nearly as impossible as I had once believed.
Based on the way this book ended, I’m assuming a sequel is in the works. When do you expect to release it or are you working on something else?
There will be (God-willing) seven books in this series. I plan on releasing the second book by at least summer of 2022. However, only the Lord knows how quickly this series will be finished, but I expect it to be a very fun time while I am doing it.
As self-publishing is still a new adventure for you, have you found help and mentors along the way?
A: There was nobody I knew personally who self-published a book before, so I had to teach myself. But the Lord blessed me with a supportive family, as well as brothers and sisters in Christ who encouraged me through the process.
Two Reminders before you go:
If you buy the book, please leave reviews on Amazon and Goodreads, as well as anywhere else you review books. This is very important to self-published authors.
Please click on the “share” buttons below and share these books with your Twitter, Facebook, and WordPress followers. A little bit of help from all of us will help self-published authors go a long way!
Tansy Calhoun loves her job as a Kentucky packhorse librarian during the Great Depression. At the same time, she longs for the kind of romance she finds in the books she reads. When a handsome writer comes to town, she dreams she may have found it at last. But is love actually closer than she thinks? Perdita Sweet has lived in the Kentucky mountains a long time and has become as hardened as the rocky soil. As someone who has loved and lost, she thinks she can see the best choice for Tansy. But will Tansy listen?
This is enjoyable Christian fiction about a pack horse librarian, one of the many during the Depression who brought books to those who were living in poor and hard-to-reach mountain areas. I appreciated the fact that Tansy not only brought books to people in need, but she also spent time reading to those who couldn’t read. The trials of living in isolated mountain communities are shown, but also evident is the closeness of the people in those communities. Through the life-hardened Perdita, we learn how God can open your heart by giving you the opportunity to help others. Along a Storied Trail is a heartwarming romance with strong Christian themes of reaching out to others in need and trusting God’s plan. Fans of Christian historical romance will enjoy this captivating tale.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher, Revell, for Historical Novels Review, the magazine of the Historical Novel Society. My review is voluntary and my opinions are my own.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Ann H. Gabhart
Ann H. Gabhart caught the writing bug at the age of ten and has been writing ever since. An award winning author, she’s published many books for both adults and young adults. Her books cover several genres from historical to small town family stories to cozy mysteries (mysteries published with author name A.H. Gabhart). Her ideas are sparked by events in Kentucky history and by experiences in her own family. Her first Shaker novel, The Outsider, was a finalist for the ECPA Christian Fiction Book of the Year. Love Comes Home won the Selah Book of the Year award, and These Healing Hills was the Faith, Hope & Love Readers’ Choice Women’s Fiction Book of the Year.
Ann lives on a Kentucky farm not far from where she was born. She and her husband have three children and nine grandchildren. Ann enjoys hiking on her farm with her grandkids and her dogs, Frankie and Marley. See more about her books at her website or join the conversation on her Facebook page.
Here is the newest edition of Self-Published Saturday, where I highlight great self-published authors and introduce you to their books. As you know, self-published authors have to do it all, from editing to cover design to marketing. My hope for this feature is that it helps authors in their marketing efforts. This week I am pleased to announce that Louise Bélanger has published her second book of poems. Her first book, Your Words, has been featured here before. Now I am pleased to present Louise’s second book, Your Words, Your World. See my review below. As always, if you decide to buy the book, make sure and leave a review. Reviews are very important for self-published authors, and really all authors, as it helps spread that so important word-of-mouth that can make your book a success. Please also share this post on social media by using the Twitter and Facebook buttons below. Feel free to reblog this as well. We need our self-published authors to get as much attention as possible.
Your Words, Your World is a beautiful collection of poetry, photographs, and story poems about God and the world He created, and the second book of poems by Louise Bélanger. It helps the reader look at the world in a new way.
Among my favorite poems is Ordinary, about how God can take something ordinary, like a star or a body of water, and make it do extraordinary things. I also loved Dust, which reminds us that God created us all from something we don’t really like–dust. A War Erupted paints a beautiful and tumultuous picture of a thunderstorm. The Contest is a thought-provoking story poem about a conversation between flowers. Zoom to Heaven is probably my favorite of all, as it talks about what it would be like to have a Zoom conversation with a loved one in Heaven.
Your Words, Your World takes a unique look at God and the world He created, and it makes me appreciate Him and this world all the more.
The photographs of nature throughout the book are gorgeous and mesmerizing, and they make perfect companions to the poems.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
(In Her Own Words)
I am a Canadian poet and the author of Your Words and Your Words Your World. I started writing poetry in the spring of 2020. Pouring my emotions on paper, describing beautiful scenery and stories that came to life in my head was quite new to me. With the encouragement and help from many friends, my dream became a reality.
Photography and music are also dear to my heart. I am an avid reader and a big screen movie goer.
My relationship with God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit is the most important relationship in my life. It’s the foundation for everything.
Quality time with loved ones is precious and essential.
*Kindle Unlimited Subscribers can download these books for free, or each ebook can be purchased outright for only 1.99. There is also a paperback version of both books available.
*Just another reminder that if you buy the book, leave a review. You are appreciated!
Love’s Mountain Quest is the second book in the Hearts of Montana Series. It is 1867 in Settler’s Fort, Montana. Joanna Watson’s son Samuel and Laura, the woman caring for him, are missing, and the sheriff is dead. In order to find them, Joanna enlists the help of the reluctant Isaac Bowen, a man who would prefer to stay in the shadows. Joanna and Isaac pursue the kidnappers on horseback, dealing with dangers from wildlife and the rugged terrain as well as from the kidnappers they are chasing.
This book has a positive message of God’s forgiveness, no matter how grievous the sin. The description of the Montana wilderness is beautiful. However, there are some unrealistic and downright baffling situations. For instance, Joanna is distracted by romance and desire, and gets all hot and bothered over her traveling companion. This is improbable for a mother trying to rescue her kidnapped son! A mother would be frantic and single-minded in her pursuit, not distracted by the muscles of the neighbor! Then in another insane moment, a horse injured in a wolf attack is left to bleed temporarily while two characters share a kiss!
I appreciated the strong message that you can start over, no matter the circumstances. However, that could not overcome the nonsensical idea that a mother would be engaged in kissing and flirtation while her son is in danger. It is possible to write a romance where romance does not rise in importance to ridiculous levels, but the author does not do that here. In this book, romance is king, and life and survival are secondary. The message of God’s forgiveness lifts this to two stars from one, but I cannot recommend this book.
I received a free copy of this book from the publishers for Historical Novels Review Magazine. My opinions are my own.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Misty M. Beller is a USA Today bestselling author of romantic mountain stories, set on the 1800s frontier and woven with the truth of God’s love.
She was raised on a farm in South Carolina, so her Southern roots run deep. Growing up, her family was close, and they continue to keep that priority today. Her husband and children now add another dimension to her life, keeping her both grounded and crazy.
God has placed a desire in Misty’s heart to combine her love for Christian fiction and the simpler ranch life, writing historical novels that display God’s abundant love through the twists and turns in the lives of her characters.
Writing is a dream come true for Misty. Her family—both immediate and extended—is the foundation that holds her secure in that dream.
