Ordinary Altars by Sarah Bessey

About the Book:

Many of us were taught to look for God in the extraordinary: in big callings, dramatic transformations, affirmations of constant achievement, or in lives that inspire millions. But what if that way of seeing has left us unable to recognize that God is also present in the everyday—especially now, when headlines are overwhelming, our systems feel broken, and hope seems naïve? What does it mean to actually live a faithful, meaningful life when the world is on fire and nothing turns out as advertised?

Drawing from her own story of faith, disillusionment, motherhood, and decades of work as a spiritual guide, Sarah Bessey believes there comes a time when you decide that being earnest and sincere is better than being defeated. She names what she calls “ordinary altars”: places and people where the holy and the commonplace meet, not as an escape from our daily lives but as full-bodied engagement with the questions of our time and an encounter with the God who is with us in it all. Blending rich storytelling and compassionate spiritual insight, Ordinary Altars is a declaration of choosing stubbornly, again and again, to keep loving your small patch of the world when it would be easier to shut down or walk away or even become what you despise.

For readers who are spiritually tired but still hopeful, deconstructed but longing to rebuild, grappling with despair but determined to make room in their spirituality for the ache in their chest, Ordinary Altars offers honest field notes for a sturdy faith that can bear the weight of the world—rooted in reality, loving defiantly, and being stubbornly faithful enough to make the world feel like home again.

My Review:

This is a good book for those who have thought of doing great things for God but then found their life and belief changed. Bessey explains the changes she has made in her thinking and how she understands life and faith. She has been released from the Calvinist idea of basic depravity, for example. “...I've always believed and lived from the center of the belief that we have an essential goodness to us.” (905/3010) She leaned into the ancient paths of Celtic Christianity, finding there a place where she belonged.

This book is good for those who have lost their opportunity for formal church ministry because of changes in belief. “Whatever work you do, you get to do to the glory of God, and there are altars everywhere...” (1707/3010) An aspect of this book I really appreciated is her teaching on how to dismantle an altar, releasing it without burning it down. That is especially helpful to those who have left one faith community to go to another.

Bessey encourages us to not give up. She explores “all the ways we experience and know the love of God in our ordinary lives...” (1128/3010) For those who have felt the need to leave a ministry opportunity, this is good news.

My rating: 4/5 stars.

This book releases in January, 2027.

About the Author:

Sarah Bessey is the author or editor of six books, including the New York Times bestseller A Rhythm of Prayer.  She cofounded Evolving Faith, a conference and online community for people who are reimagining their faith with hope, and writes a weekly newsletter, Field Notes. Sarah lives in Calgary, Alberta, with her husband and their four children.

Convergent Books, 256 pages.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent review.

(My star ratings: 5-An exceptional book, 4-Better than average, relevant and liked by me, 3-It is average, 2-It is below average and not liked by me, 1-It is practically unreadable.)

The Abiding Tree by Michael Weissman

About the Book:

The Abiding Tree is a modern parable of endurance, renewal, and rest. An encouraging story for anyone who has spent their strength on others— and deserves to be reminded that life can still hold abundance for them.

The story is for anyone who has ever felt depleted, unseen, or worn thin.

Through gentle storytelling, scripture, and luminous illustrations, it reminds us that true fruitfulness is not in striving, but in abiding.

My Review:

This is a good parable for the weary. Weissman wrote it for a friend who had given everything and come to the point of having nothing else to give. This well illustrated book reminds readers of the necessity of abiding in Him. It is the secret to being able to produce fruit, even in dry times. It is an encouraging story for anyone who has grown weary and is unsure if there is any possibility of continued ministry.

This short book contains a good story written by Weissman with supporting Scripture. It also has quite pleasant illustrations painstakingly made with AI. It would make a good gift for one who is weary and needs to be reminded of the necessity of remaining in Jesus to continue on.

My rating: 4/5 stars.

About the Author:

Michael Weissman is a writer, filmmaker, composer, and storyteller. He is the co-author of The Paradox of Excellence, a business parable published by Josey-Bass, a Wiley imprint, and translated into seven languages.

His work - books, documentary film, music, and visual storytelling - bears witness to lives well spent. He is drawn to the people who shape the world most profoundly and are often the least fully seen, and to stories that help them feel seen, strengthened, and less alone.

Michael has led men's Bible studies for more than twenty-five years.

Fresh Perspectives Publishing, 52 pages.

I received a complimentary digital copy of this book from the author. My comments are an independent review.

(My star ratings: 5-An exceptional book, 4-Better than average, relevant and liked by me, 3-It is average, 2-It is below average and not liked by me, 1-It is practically unreadable.)

Charred by GP Gottlieb Blog Tour Book Review

 

CHARRED

by G.P. Gottlieb

October 5 - 30, 2026 Virtual Book Tour

Synopsis:

A WHIPPED & SIPPED MYSTERY

 

Alene Baron is already juggling frustrated employees, closed schools, and a beggar who harasses customers outside her café. Then two dead bodies are discovered in the charred remains of buildings owned by the husband of her pastry chef, Ruthie Rosin. The mystery deepens when both victims are found wearing jackets stamped with the name, “Rosin,” and crumbled in the pockets are the Whipped & Sipped café’s distinctive wrappers. As if that weren’t enough, Alene's uncle, a convicted felon who vanished 22 years ago, suddenly appears in Chicago. With suspicion and chaos mounting, it’s all too much for the owner of the Whipped & Sipped Café.

Praise for Charred: A Whipped and Sipped Mystery:

"Peopled with tons of quirky characters and loaded with family drama, Charred is so much more than the average cozy culinary mystery."
~ Donna Thompson

"The Whipped and Sipped Mystery Series is a delectable treat."
~ Julie Ditton

"Gottlieb packs a lot into this third book Charred... murder, arson, identity theft, gambling, kidnapping, destruction of property, tax evasion, uncovering a hidden basement under the cafe with tins with treasures in them, family drama, secrets, the pandemic, trying to stay healthy, learning how to live a new life in semi-quarantine...."
~ Missi Martin (Stockwell)

Charred "had just enough flavor to make it delicious, and just enough mystery to keep me guessing the whole way through!"
~ Bettybee306

"This series is right up my alley, and if you love cozy mysteries with a little romance and baked goods, it will be right up your alley, too! ... This is a five-star book in a very neat little package!"
~ Suzie Mumba

My Review:

This murder mystery is quite different from the usual kind. Most of the novel is really about people and their relationships and their work. There are a couple of bodies found but the murders happen off site and, while we ultimately here about the results of the investigation, we do not experience it. The main character owns a vegan cafe during the early time of the Covid pandemic. It was interesting to remember that time, the unknowing and the unrest. We read much about the people working in the cafe as well as the delicious food made there. Recipes are included.

This is a fun cozy novel with quirky characters, some coming out of the past. There are relationship dramas, secrets coming to light, and a hint of romance.

My rating: 4/5 stars.

Book Details:

Genre: Cozy Culinary Mystery
Published by: Anamcara Press
Publication Date: May 30, 2026
Number of Pages: 260 pages, Paperback
ISBN: 9781960462824 (ISBN10: 1960462822)
Series: A Whipped & Sipped Mystery, Book 3
Book Links: Amazon | Kindle | Barnes & Noble | BookShop.org | Goodreads | BookBub | Anamcara Press

The Whipped & Sipped Mystery Series

Battered Amazon | Kindle | Barnes & Noble | BookShop.org | Goodreads | BookBub | Anamcara Press

Smothered Amazon | Kindle | Barnes & Noble | BookShop.org | Goodreads | BookBub | Anamcara Press

Read an excerpt:

It was warming up inside the car. Alene searched for Kacey and Kofi through the car window and the construction fence, but there was a jungle of trees and bushes lining the sidewalk. The post-fire building site was probably soggy and disgusting. If only she’d thought of bringing an old blanket to protect the back seat from burnt wood.

Kacey startled Alene by opening the passenger door and jumping back in. “He doesn’t need my help,” Kacey said as she used her shirt to clean her glasses. “We were looking for a way to get into the site and my glasses got too smudged for me to see. I’ll stay in here with you.”

Kofi had probably circled the tall fence surrounding piles of wet, muddy, and burned wood, trying to get inside. Moments later, they heard an owl hoot, and Kacey whispered it was Kofi letting them know that he’d gotten past the fence. What if tromping through the remains of the fire exposed Kofi to toxic materials? He wore gloves and a mask, but it wasn’t an N95 with protection against particulates. If paper masks didn’t protect against airborne particulates, how could they protect against a cunning virus?

The sun had risen, but a scrim of humidity diffused the light. Alene thought she saw Kofi alternating between moving and crouching. She figured he was trying to be invisible. He was lanky, his legs bulging with muscles from years of riding his bicycle for miles through and around the city. They both lost sight of him for about ten minutes, but suddenly he rushed back to the car and jumped into the back seat. He hadn’t taken a single piece of wood. “How was it?” Kacey asked.

Alene heard Kofi’s jagged breathing and turned around to watch him pull off his gloves and hat. “It was, um, weird and chilly,” he said, haltingly. “And there wasn’t anything I could use.” His focus was sideways, out the window, and he seemed tense. Alene turned away, imagining one of Frank’s police friends driving by and stopping to ask what she was doing. They drove home in silence and trudged to the elevators. Kofi, usually cheerful after an expedition to find materials, was unreadable and oddly stone-faced as he thanked Alene for the ride. Kacey mouthed her thanks as she unlocked her door, and Alene held her hand to her ear in a sign for Kacey to call later.

Alene unlocked her own door, wondering why Kofi hadn’t found even one usable piece of wood. Before she could take off her jacket, her phone rang.

“Kofi wants you to promise not to tell Frank about this morning,” Kacey said in a whisper. It seemed unnecessary; it wasn’t as if Kofi had started the fire, and Frank was a homicide detective, not a cop on the lookout for arsonists.

“I can’t promise that. We tell each other everything,” said Alene, “But there’s nothing to tell, because Kofi came up empty.”

“He’s worried that someone saw us there and the police will get him for trespassing,” said Kacey. Alene could hear her sniffling.

Alene had already frittered away forty-five minutes driving them over there and waiting for Kofi to hunt for wood. “Come on, Kacey,” she said. “We didn’t see anyone, and no one saw us.”

“But are you going to tell Frank that we were there?” Kacey asked.

“Kacey, Frank would never do anything to hurt me or the people I love.” Being with Kacey had always required patience. “And I’m driving the getaway car, so if we were committing a crime, I’d be just as guilty.”

Kacey said, “I hope you’re right.” She sounded more than a little paranoid.

***

Excerpt from Charred by GP Gottlieb. Copyright 2026 by GP Gottlieb. Reproduced with permission from GP Gottlieb. All rights reserved.

 

 

Author Bio:

G.P. Gottlieb is the author of the Whipped & Sipped Mysteries (Battered, Smothered, and Charred, Anamcara Press). She is on the board of Sisters in Crime Chicagoland and a member of SinC Colorado, MWA, and Blackbird Writers. As host of New Books in Literature, a podcast channel on the New Books Network, she has interviewed over 280 authors.

Catch Up With G.P. Gottlieb:

gpgottlieb.com
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Instagram - @whippedsipped
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BlueSky - @gpgottlieb.bsky.social
Facebook - @authorgottlieb

 

Tour Participants:

Click through the other tour stops for can’t-miss reviews, insider interviews, exclusive guest posts, and more chances to win!

Click here to view the Tour Schedule

 

 

Take a Whisk and Enter!

This giveaway is hosted by Partners in Crime Tours for Charred. See the widget for entry terms and conditions. Void where prohibited.

CHARRED by GP Gottlieb | Gift Card

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Get More Great Reads at Partners In Crime Tours

I received a complimentary egalley of this book through Partners in Crime Book Tours. My comments are an independent review.

(My star ratings: 5-An exceptional book, 4-Better than average, relevant and liked by me, 3-It is average, 2-It is below average and not liked by me, 1-It is practically unreadable.)

The Iron Vault by S F Baungartner

About the Book:

The evidence survived twenty-six years. It may not survive Friday.

Navy lieutenant Eli Mercer needs a hidden Pacific Northwest archive to clear his father’s name. But a backdated destruction order gives him only days to find it.

Forensic financial investigator Rosalie Tanaka can trace money through any shell company, but she refuses to call a theory proof. Together, they follow vanished settlement funds from a Bremerton records annex across Puget Sound to the Iron Vault.

Someone is already erasing the trail. Legal obstruction becomes sabotage. Fire and flood turn evidence recovery into a fight for survival.

If Eli and Rosalie cannot authenticate and release the archive before Friday, the final proof behind Blackwater will disappear and twenty-six years of lies will become permanent.

The Iron Vault is a clean action-adventure thriller with procedural suspense and a slow-burn romantic undercurrent. It is Book 3 of The Mercer Files but can be read as a standalone.

Follow the evidence into The Iron Vault before the record closes for good.

My Review:

This is the final novella in a series featuring the three sons of Tom Mercer, a man killed in an offshore rig explosion. (See below for a synopsis of each of the novellas.)

Baumgartner has written a novella with intense descriptions of Eli and Rosalie working against time to uncover the records of the Blackwater rig explosion before they are destroyed. There is an attempt to keep them from finding and recording the data so there is suspense involved. The descriptions of the actions are vivid, describing the papers discovered, photographing and documenting information, sending the packets to the appropriate people.

I was really hoping at the end of this novel would be something like, “With this information we proved...” “Now we know the truth of the Blackwater explosion and it is...” But there was not that informative concluding explanation of all the action these three novellas cover. I felt like I was reading a novel with very exciting and well written scenes but at the same time not knowing the overarching story of the novel. Lots of information was preserved and documented. But what did it all mean?

Baumgartner's writing style is succinct. It is action packed and moves quickly. That means much of the essential context and information about the meaning of the action is left out. I have read all three novellas and I can only say that there was a discrepancy about the number of men who died in the explosion. I am still unclear how the mining claim in Australia figures in.

My rating: 3/5 stars.

From "Following the Trail" at the end of The Iron Vault:

One family. Three investigations. One conspiracy.

Prequel: The Last Shift  (read my review here)

Blackwater Rig Three explodes in the Gulf of Mexico.

The official death toll is eleven.

The truth disappears beneath the waves.

Book 1 Black Gold Secrets (read my review here)

Gulf Coast, USA

Luke Mercer and investigative journalist Gemma Klein uncover evidence that the explosion was no accident.

Book 2 The Lost Claim (read my review here)

Australian Outback,

Noah Mercer and Lori Callahan uncover an erased claim connected to decades of mining fraud.

Book 3 The Iron Vault

Pacific Northwest

Eli Mercer and forensic accountant Rosalie Tanaka race to uncover the master archive before it disappears forever.

About the Author:

S.F. Baumgartner crafts fast-paced Christian suspense thrillers, weaving tales of complex characters, secretive operatives, and relentless agents. Her gripping storytelling has earned acclaim, with Living Secrets and Forgotten Secret—Books 1 & 2 of her Mirror Estate series—named Top Picks in the thriller & suspense categories, respectively, at Killer Nashville, and Tangled Secrets—Book 3 of Mirror Estate series—won couple of awards in the Christian Indie Awards and the Incipere Awards. When she’s not plotting her next twist, she’s binge-watching crime TV shows, like NCIS or playing with her cats. Fans of James Patterson’s style, especially those who appreciate short, punchy chapters, will find much to love in her work.  And as always, her books are all clean.

Independently published, 190 pages.

I received a complimentary digital copy of this book through BookSirens. My comments are an independent review.

(My star ratings: 5-An exceptional book, 4-Better than average, relevant and liked by me, 3-It is average, 2-It is below average and not liked by me, 1-It is practically unreadable.)

American Caesar by Bradley B Onishi

About the Book:

From Silicon Valley boardrooms to rural pulpits, from Catholic monasteries to Beltway think tanks and Project 2025, a convergence is underway. Reactionary Catholics dream of a new Christendom. Protestant pastors invoke divine right over democratic rule. Tech billionaires, led by the likes of Peter Thiel, argue that freedom and democracy are incompatible. Their solution? A singular ruler to bring “order” out of what they see as liberal chaos.

With a theologian’s sensibility, a journalist’s touch, and a historian’s eye for how movements evolve and adapt, Dr. Bradley B. Onishi traces the strange alliance between spiritual warfare and Silicon Valley libertarianism. At the center of it all is the desire for an unbound executive―one man, beyond checks, beyond balance, beyond democracy. This isn’t nostalgia for the 1950s. It’s an organized attempt to abandon the American experiment altogether. A former insider turned academic expert, Onishi brings unmatched depth to this investigation―tracing his own path from evangelical pastor to co-host of Straight White American Jesus, the nation’s leading religion and politics podcast.

As the 2024 election fades into history and a new political order takes shape, American Caesar is not just a warning. It’s a map of how we got here―and a call to act before the Republic as we know it becomes just another chapter in a forgotten history book.

My Review:

I read this book in my continuing effort to understand the current US political atmosphere. The US has gone from being a light in a secular society to creating a Christian nation. I had no idea so many powerful people see democracy as a problem. Autocratic rule is preferred for western supremacy. A powerful strong man can impose the necessary culture and religious order. Pluralism is something that needs to be overcome. (264/4830) Liberalism is the fundamental cause of civilizational decline. (275/4830)

This book helps one understand the Christian influence in US politics today. The strong influence of Rushdoony and his dominion theology is only the beginning of an ongoing story. This book is another good one to understand more of how we in the US got to where we are in the political scene.

My rating: 4/5 stars.

St Martin's Essentials, 320 pages.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent review.

(My star ratings: 5-An exceptional book, 4-Better than average, relevant and liked by me, 3-It is average, 2-It is below average and not liked by me, 1-It is practically unreadable.)

My Grief Shared by Ladonna Shanks Blog Tour Book Review

About the Book

Book: My Grief Shared: A Tiny Book of Essays on Death, Loss    . . . and Life

Author: Ladonna Shanks

Genre: Memoir

Release Date: June 23, 2026

Do you find yourself overcome while living in the darkness of loss? Do you wonder if it will ever end . . . or if you will even survive?

In My Grief Shared: A Tiny Book of Essays on Death, Loss . . . and Life, Ladonna Shanks shares a message of hope while chronicling her personal experience with grief. The essays, written in the midst of her grief journey, are bare, raw, open, and honest. Woven throughout these insightful anecdotes, however, is the fact that death is not the sole source of loss and ensuing grief, making this a relatable read for all. The book can minister to anyone who deals with grief and loss.

A light at the end of the tunnel exists. There is hope.

Click here to get your copy!

My Review

This brief book is a good collection of essays on grief. Shanks found writing provided an outlet and release. She began writing about her grief when her partner died. She has experienced healing through it. She writes about loneliness, what to look for to keep from getting down. She shares what she did to keep living, such as walks, reading, and joining a support group. She has included Bible verses that helped sustain her.

This is a good example of the healing nature of journaling, writing down feelings and insights. It is a short book with short essays but they are good example for reflecting on life events as a healing process.

My rating: 4/5 stars.

 

About the Author

Octogenarian Ladonna Shanks has published two other books of personal essays: Tidbits and Pearls: A Book of Essays on Living Everyday Life with God, A Cascade Award finalist, and Sermons from a Soapbox. My Grief Shared was also a finalist in the Cascade Awards Contest. She strives in all she does to honor God and encourage others.

 

More from Ladonna

I did not plan on writing another book after publishing Sermons From a Soapbox. However, when my partner passed away three years ago, I began writing as a means of comfort and solace. I tossed my essays into a drawer and, after two and a half years, realized I had made it through the dark tunnel of grief back into the “land of the living.”

 

Death is not the sole source of grief and loss. My heart’s desire is to share with others that “You are not alone,” and “If God did it for me, He can do it for you.”

 

It’s a “tiny” book, only 10,000 words, but it is “mighty.”

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, October 15

Simple Harvest Reads, October 16 (Author Interview)

Artistic Nobody, October 17 (Author Interview)

Guild Master, October 18 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, October 19

Fiction Book Lover, October 20 (Author Interview)

The Bookish Ledger, October 21 (Author Interview)

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, October 21

Jodie Wolfe – Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, October 22 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, October 23

Books, Books, & More Books, October 24 (Author Interview)

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, October 25 (Author Interview)

Books Less Travelled, October 26 (Author Interview)

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, October 27

History, Hope & Happily Ever After, October 28 (Author Interview)

Blogging With Carol, October 28

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Ladonna is giving away the grand prize of a $25 Amazon gift card, a copy of my book, and a variety set of 6 handmade floral photo note cards, (including birthday, sympathy, and thank you)!!

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

https://gleam.io/98wTW/my-grief-shared-celebration-tour-giveaway

I received a complimentary digital copy of this book through Celebrate Lit. My comments are an independent review.

(My star ratings: 5-An exceptional book, 4-Better than average, relevant and liked by me, 3-It is average, 2-It is below average and not liked by me, 1-It is practically unreadable.)

Avenging Angel by Madison Love Book Review

About the Book:

Twenty years ago, Sadie Alekseev escaped a nightmare no one else survived with only the clothes on her back and what little faith she had left. She never saw her captor’s face but refused to hide in fear. Instead, she changed her name to Daisy Zurkowski and became a sharpshooter with one mission: track down the man who took her.

Every October, another teenage girl disappears from a national park fitting the same profile. For years, Daisy has chased her captor’s shadow, always one step behind. Until now. A new lead puts her ahead of the next abduction, and she intends to end it for good. And this time, she isn’t alone.

Angel Conway is a field agent sidelined after disobeying orders and reassigned to cold cases. Still one of the CIA’s best agents, his instincts and tracking skills refuse to stay dormant behind a desk. Daisy’s case has haunted him from the start… and so has the woman behind it.

As the clock ticks down, Daisy and Angel pursue a pattern hidden in decades of disappearances. Every three years, the abductions form a near-perfect triangle on a map, pointing to something organized, calculated, and sinister.

With another girl’s life on the line, Daisy must decide if vengeance is worth the cost of her soul… while Angel must decide how far he’s willing to go to save the woman who refuses to stop.

When the truth is finally uncovered, will the pursuit that defined her destroy any chance at love… or lead them both to something worth saving?

My Review:

This novel of action and suspense has a good Christian emphasis. It explores the pesky question of why God allows evil to exist in this world while at the same time offering a clear message on the reality and protection of angels. It also gives examples of how experience brings us to the place where God wants us to be to use us as He desires.

This novel has lots of characters and it may be a bit confusing unless the previous novels introducing most of them have been read. The plot itself is complex and the events happening do not seem to provide a clear understanding of what is going on. As Daisy, a main character, thinks a little over 60% through the book, “None of it makes sense.” (loc 2901/4605) Everything does come to the light in the end but, yes, it is a very complex plot and it may seem a little illogical or unreasonable.

Love's writing style is good. The narrative alternates viewpoints, both in first person. It is not a style I prefer. While the individual POV is identified at the beginning of each chapter, it is hard to remember who is at the center of the action as the chapter progresses, especially reading a digital copy.

In the end, this is a good addition to this series. It is full of action and thoughts about Christian belief and ideas. It is a bit long and there were areas I thought could have been cut without harming the novel's message and enjoyment.

My rating: 4/5 stars.

You can read my reviews of the earlier books in this series, Finding Faith and Saving Grace. 

About the Author:

Best Selling, Award Winning Author, Madison Love enjoys writing clean and Christian romances while intertwining humor, faith, and suspense. She has spent most of her life traveling abroad, discovering new places, and meeting wonderful people. She spent twenty years in the military before settling in a rural town outside of Buffalo, New York, where she now lives on a forty-acre farm with her husband, son, and two dogs. Having been afforded the time and opportunity to bring her ideas and stories to life, she seeks to give her readers the ‘happy ever after’ they seek.

Independently published, 458 pages.

I received a complimentary digital copy of this book through BookSirens. My comments are an independent review.

(My star ratings: 5-An exceptional book, 4-Better than average, relevant and liked by me, 3-It is average, 2-It is below average and not liked by me, 1-It is practically unreadable.)

The Bible Companion Book 10 by Karen Westbrook Moderow Blog Tour Book Review

About the Book

Book: The Bible Companion Book 10 Matthew–John The Gospels

Author: Karen Westbrook Moderow

Genre: Bible Study

Release Date: May 29, 2026

What do you think about Jesus?

The Bible Companion Book 10 Matthew–John explores the gaps between our view of Christ and who Bible says He is. A simple one-chapter-a-day format lets you engage with Scripture without the pressure of schedules, homework, or heavy reading loads. Short daily readings and thought-provoking questions connect your story to God’s Word. For personal, group, or homeschool Bible study.

After four hundred years of silence, when Israel has nearly given up hope of a messiah, God sends Jesus. The four Gospels introduce us to this long-awaited Savior but also chronicle the profound disappointment Jews feel when they realize He has not come to restore their nation. Jesus refuses to be boxed in by our limited view of Him. As Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John reveal a Savior who redefines power and love, we discover that our expectations are not too great but too small.

Click here to get your copy!

My Review

This book is a great resource to read the gospels or study them. It contains lots of supplemental information, since it is the first one on the New Testament. There are charts introducing the New Testament as a whole and the gospels. Each gospel is covered individually and identifies to whom it was written and its unique characteristics. Next is a chapter by chapter review of the gospel.

There is information for new Christians to help understand the gospels. There are also insights for Christians who have studied the Bible before. I was surprised at finding Mark may have been written as a play. Moderow also explains why stories may appear differently in various gospels. Just as we would tell a story differently to an adult and to a toddler, so the gospels tell the stories tailored to their audience. There is also good insight into the Sermon on the Mount.

This book is a good resource. It can be used for study. It can be used for journaling too. There are good questions at the end of each chapter review so the book could even be used in a group study. I highly recommend this useful book.

My rating: 5/5 stars.

About the Author

KAREN WESTBROOK MODEROW is a Bible teacher and author who brings a storyteller’s perspective to Scripture. She holds master’s degrees in theology and creative writing and loves introducing others to Jesus through the stories told in God’s Word.

 

More from Karen

Bread is a big deal in the Gospels. After feeding thousands with just a few barley loaves and two fish Jesus says, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty” (John 6:35). The night of His arrest He takes a loaf of bread and says to His disciples, “Take and eat. This is my body” (Matt. 26:26). Bread. Jesus makes this simple food a symbol of Himself because it represents what we must have to live. I think about this often now that I’ve started baking my own bread.

Bread-making is the next logical step in my quest for a healthier lifestyle. Years ago, I cut out fast foods. Sodas. Processed foods (except for Fritos which I still enjoy with a sandwich on occasion J). But despite the many health gurus who say we should cut bread out of our diets my family has bread every day.

I’m from Texas. My grandparents had biscuits for breakfast, cornbread for dinner (noon meal) and yeast rolls for supper. If my grandmother didn’t have time to make rolls (which happened more often as she aged), she served Wonder Bread stacked high on a plate. In those days, we all bought the hype—“Wonder Bread builds strong bodies 12 ways!” We sometimes commented on the wonder of it all—no pun intended—that science had improved on a staple mankind has eaten for centuries. Only it didn’t. Our taste buds told us that the bread my grandmother made was infinitely better but other voices won out.

I make my own bread now to assure that what I take into my body is as clean as I can make it. I use flour without glyphosate and the best organic ingredients I can find. But do I succeed in making a bread that is free of all contaminants? No. There’s not a plot of ground or a man-made product on earth that is 100% pure. But every loaf of bread I bake is a revolution of sorts—a rejection of a system I don’t think has my best interest at heart. My efforts are imperfect but they’re a sign I see the problem and want to address it.

Spiritually, the path is similar. We’re hungry. We want and need to eat. We crave bread. But God’s Word warns us that what the world offers is not good. Whatever nutrition it offers can be saturated with things not easily seen—a distorted view of Christ, a subtle twisting of the truth, a self-focused gospel that appeals to our pride and greed. If we are spiritually discerning, we will recognize that these things can hurt us. But once we know it, what do we do? The danger is that our response is to “make our own bread” thinking that our improved spiritual resources and knowledge can create a life-giving loaf. But our best intentions and efforts to live like Jesus will always fall short. Just as we cannot eliminate all contamination from our food, we cannot eliminate sin’s influence in our lives. But wanting to be holy—to be like Jesus—is a step forward. It’s like me deciding that I don’t want to eat the bread found on the grocer’s shelf and choosing to do something about it. But that’s where the analogy ends. I can make better bread, but not perfect bread. I can make bread that satisfies my physical body for a time but not one that fills my deepest needs or gives me eternal life.

Sometimes when I make bread, I fail massively. The bread doesn’t rise. It’s too dense. Too doughy. Too dry. Other times, it is delicious, crusty, and fragrant. But every time I make it, I think of Jesus’s words, “I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever” (John 6:51). I use my bread-making time to think on the One who is Himself the bread of life. If that sounds good to you, try making one of my favorite recipes and enjoy both the bread and your time with the Lord.

1 Hour Yeast Rolls  – 2 Dozen

To Begin:

Turn oven onto lowest temp (around 170 degrees)

Crack 1 egg in a bowl (to reach room temperature)

Set out a 9” x 13”plus an 8” x 8” pans. Grease or line with parchment paper

You can substitute a cookie sheet OR (2) 12-cup muffin pans.

In a stand mixer bowl:

Whisk together

3 ¾ to 4 cups BREAD FLOUR

¼ cup granulated sugar

2 pkg rapid rise/ yeast (4 ½ tsp)

1 tsp salt

In microwave-proof glass measuring cup:

    Heat to 100–115 degrees (90 sec.)

1 ½ cups whole milk

2 TBS unsalted butter

    Add (whisk) into warm milk mixture

1 egg (room temperature)

2 TBS olive oil

Place dough hook on mixer.

     Slowly add warm milk mixture to dry ingredients on low speed. 

(Confirm temp is still at 100–115 degrees)

Increase speed slightly and knead for 6-8 minutes.

Dough will be smooth and sticky.

If too sticky, add 1 tsp flour at a time and knead until dough holds together.

COVER tightly with plastic wrap and let rest for 5–10 minutes.

Turn dough out onto lightly floured surface.

Flour hands and using a scraper, divide the dough in two.

Shape one portion into a log and divide into 12 equal pieces.

Close the ends of each piece together at the top then turn it over and roll into a smooth ball on the counter.

Place pinched side down into the greased dish or muffin pans

Repeat with the second log.

Cover bread with a clean kitchen towel. You should have 24 rolls total.

TURN OFF THE OVEN you’ve preheated to 170 degrees and place bread in oven.

Let dough rise until double in size (approx. 20 minutes).

REMOVE ROLLS FROM OVEN

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Just before placing in oven a second time, brush tops of rolls with an egg wash (1 egg, lightly beaten with a splash of water).

BAKE 16–18 minutes.

Brush baked rolls with melted butter and sprinkle lightly with coarse salt.

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, October 13

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, October 14

She Lives To Read, October 15

Lots of Helpers, October 15

lakesidelivingsite, October 16

Fiction Book Lover, October 17 (Author Interview)

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, October 18

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, October 19

Texas Book-aholic, October 20

Artistic Nobody, October 21 (Author Interview)

Writing from Walsh Mountain, October 21

Simple Harvest Reads, October 22 (Guest Review from Donna)

Mary Hake, October 23

Cover Lover Book Review, October 24

Guild Master, October 25 (Author Interview)

Lights in a Dark World, October 26

Giveaway

 

To celebrate her tour, Karen is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon Gift Card!!

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

https://gleam.io/XhgP0/the-bible-companion-book-10-matthewjohn-the-gospels-celebration-tour-giveaway

I received a complimentary digital galley of this book through Celebrate Lit. My comments are an independent review.

(My star ratings: 5-An exceptional book, 4-Better than average, relevant and liked by me, 3-It is average, 2-It is below average and not liked by me, 1-It is practically unreadable.)