The Whispers of Eden by Kurt Barnes

The Whispers of Eden is a fascinating tale based on Enoch and Methuselah from the book of Genesis. Enoch is the seventh generation from Adam. At this time Nephilim and the sons of Cain roam the world and the true story of Adam and Eve have faded. Enoch has a vision of a cave where Adam hid his writings of the beginning of time. The Whispers of Eden is the tale of a fictional journey made by Enoch and his son Methuselah to find the cave outside of Eden. i really enjoyed this book. The imagery was fascinating. This book offers an interesting view of what life might have been like in Biblical times. I liked the way Enoch and Methuselah held on to their faith and even grew as the story progressed. I would recommend this book to anyone who might like to speculate on life before the flood. This is historical/ Biblical fiction at it's best. I borrowed a copy of The Whispers of Eden from Kindle Unlimited. All thoughts are my own. From Amazon In the world before the Flood, the memory of Eden is fading, and the power of the Nephilim is on the rise. Enoch, a patriarch of Adam's faithful line, receives a divine vision: journey to the legendary Cave of Sorrows and reclaim the lost testimony of the First Man. With his son Methuselah, Enoch must leave his hidden sanctuary and plunge into a corrupted world where the Serpent is worshipped, and the truth is a fire the darkness will kill to extinguish. Forging an unlikely fellowship with noble Giants and fierce survivors, they are hunted by an ancient evil that seeks to destroy not only Adam's record but also the prophesied line of redemption. The Whispers of Eden is an epic fantasy adventure that brings the world of Genesis to life, a story of faith, sacrifice, and the desperate fight to preserve hope in a darkening age. About the author

Kurt Barnes is a devoted husband, father, and enthusiastic Oregon Ducks fan. He serves as the Lead Pastor of Silver Creek Fellowship Church in Silverton, Oregon. With a deep passion for guiding others on their spiritual journeys, Kurt dedicates his life to serving his community and sharing the transformative power of God's love. He firmly believes that God has a unique dream for each person's life—a plan filled with hope, purpose, and fulfillment.

A Brewed Awakening by Pepper Basham Releasing May 5, 2026

I love Pepper Basham's books. Whenever I see that she has a new one it is on my automatic, must buy list. A Brewed Awakening is an excellent example of Pepper's down home fun style of writing. I really enjoyed the witty word play between Daphne and Finn. The opposites attract plot portrayed by a tea drinking, scone baking, girl and a coffee drinking, steak and kidney pie pub owner who both agree on Faith, family and favorite cars! And speaking of family, be careful not to have anything in your mouth when you read anything Granny D has to say, " If you'd told me handsome was comin' to town, I'd have worn my good teeth.". I have to say at this point Daphne and Finn are among my favorite Basham characters, perhaps even second only to Freddie and Grace! So brew up your tea,Team Daphne, or coffee, Team Finn, and settle back for a rocking good time in Wisteria that ends up with the town choosing sides! I was given a copy of A Brewed Awakening by NetGalley. All thoughts are my own. From Amazon: Daphne dreams of Mr. Darcy. Finn serves up pints and rock music. Can opposites attract when a tea shop princess meets her pub-owning rival? In the charming mountain town of Wisteria, North Carolina, Daphne Austen clings to tradition like cream to a scone. She's built her life--and her late grandmother's tearoom, Tea Thyme--around all things English: delicate china, Jane Austen novels, and the comforting predictability of routine. The only thing threatening her perfectly ordered world? The loud, aggravatingly handsome Brit opening a pub next door. After his ex-wife broke his heart and his business partner nearly destroyed his career, Finn Dashwood packed up his six-year-old daughter and left England behind. He's looking for a fresh start, and the last thing he needs is a fussy, tea-obsessed neighbor criticizing his every pint and playlist. It doesn't matter that she's ridiculously kind (to everyone else) and that his daughter is utterly fascinated by her. Finn's heart is not open to being broken again. But disagreements turn into prank wars and then a competition when a high-profile wedding needs a last-minute caterer. The townsfolk are thrilled--Wisteria hasn't seen this much excitement since the county fair lost a goat. When the wedding demands both sweet and savory fare, Daphne and Finn are forced to put down their swords and pick up their serving trays. Between burnt pastries, brewing tempers, trending hashtags (#SipsAndSpats, anyone?), and one very adorable little girl, rivalry soon gives way to reluctant friendship--and maybe something that feels suspiciously like chemistry. Can a tea shop princess and a pub owner with a past mix their lives as seamlessly as clotted cream and jam . . . or will their differences keep them steeped in rivalry forever? About The author:

Pepper Basham is a best-selling author who writes romance “peppered” with grace and humor. Writing both historical and contemporary novels, she loves to incorporate her native Appalachian culture and/or her unabashed adoration of the UK into her stories. She currently resides in the lovely mountains of Asheville, NC where she is the wife of a fantastic pastor, mom of five great kids, a speech-language pathologist, and a lover of chocolate, jazz, hats, and Jesus. Her twentieth book, The Cairo Curse, came out in February. Next up is Positively, Penelope, the sequel to her bestselling novel, Authentically, Izzy. She loves connecting with readers and other authors through social media outlets like Facebook & Instagram. You can learn more about Pepper and her books on her website at www.pepperdbasham.com

Track of Courage (Call of the Wild #1) by Susan May Warren releasing January 6, 2026

Sausan May Warren is well known for her romantic suspense. Her readers will surely enjoy the first book in her new series, Track of Courage. The setting is one of her favorites, Alaska near the Copper River in winter. I loved the characters and the growth they showed throughout the book. It is always enjoyable to read one of Ms. Warren's books as you get cameos of old friends from previous books and series. Track of courage is full of drama and suspense with romancefor added fun. I love the way she works faith into her plots. The only reason i gave it 4 stars instead of 5 is that I would prefer to have normal down to earth characters rather than super stars. That said Track of Courage is still a great book and well worth reading. I was given a copy by NetGalley for review purposes. All thoughts are my own. From Amazon: A hijacked plane. A pursuing killer. And a K9's instinct to help them make it out alive. Pop singer Keely Williams's search for her biological mother in Alaska has been painfully unsuccessful. Now she just wants to escape this wild frontier and never look back. But when her plane is hijacked, she's suddenly plunged into a race against not only an Alaskan blizzard but also a killer who's on her tail. After a career-ending injury, ex-cop Dawson Mulligan has only one friend--Caspian, the stray dog he adopted. Dawson just wants to figure out how to get his life on track, but during a flight home to Copper Mountain, he spots a downed plane and stops to help. Except, when his not-a-rescue dog runs off into the woods and discovers the trail of a missing survivor, it's up to the former cop to stage a rescue. But Dawson has no idea he's being pulled into a deadly pursuit, or that Caspian is more than he seems. There might be redemption and second chances waiting for both Dawson and Keely if they have the courage to face their wounded pasts and fight for their future. Join master storyteller Susan May Warren for a propulsive ride through the Alaskan wilderness, where love might be the riskiest--and most rewarding--adventure of all. Prepare to experience edge-of-your-seat action combined with heart-stirring romance and heroic K9 companions in this exhilarating romantic suspense that will thrill fans of Lynette Eason and Elizabeth Goddard. About the author

Although I attended the U of Minnesota, I’m a woodsy girl at heart. Or maybe I’m an adventurer—having lived and traveled all over the world, including Siberia, Russia as a missionary for eight years. That’s why my characters seem to get into one scrape after another—they’re too much like me! I love God, my family, my country, my church, and feel privileged every day to be able to write stories. And my 'official' bio: With nearly 2 million books sold, critically acclaimed novelist Susan May Warren is the Christy, RITA, and Carol award-winning author of over ninety novels. Known for her compelling plots and unforgettable characters, Susan has penned contemporary and historical romances, romantic suspense, thrillers, rom-coms, and Christmas novellas. With books translated into eight languages, she's a USA Today, ECPA and CBA bestseller, and has received numerous starred Publisher Weekly reviews. Library Journal says, "Warren’s characters are well-developed and she knows how to create a first rate contemporary romance.” Susan is a nationally acclaimed writing coach, and winner of the 2009 American Christian Fiction Writers Mentor of the Year. She is the founder of Novel.Academy, author of the popular writing method, The Story Equation, and a founding partner of Sunrise Media Group.

Reread: Undetected by Dee Henderson

Sometimes when I need to destress it is so relaxing to go back and read a book I have read a few, or more times. This year after the busyness of Christmas and with the stress of moving at the end of next month, I needed to settle back with some old friends. i chose to visit Mark Bishop and Gina Grey in Dee Henderson's Undetected. I am really enjoying the story without having the need to know what's going to happen. I can just enjoy the story.Does anyone else do this? If so who is your go to author? I have Dee Henderson, Lori Wick, Kristi Hunter and Gabrielle Meyer among others that I love to revisit. From Amazon:When asked what he does for a living . . . Commander Mark Bishop is deliberately low-key: "I'm in the Navy." But commanding the ballistic missile submarine USS Nevada, keeping her crew trained and alert during ninety-day submerged patrols, and being prepared to launch weapons on valid presidential orders, carries a burden of command like few other jobs in the military. Mark Bishop is a man who accepts that responsibility, and handles it well. And at a time when tensions are escalating around the Pacific Rim, the Navy is glad to have him. Mark wants someone to come home to after sea patrols. The woman he has in mind is young, with a lovely smile, and very smart. She's a civilian, yet she understands the U.S. Navy culture. And he has a strong sense that life with her would never be boring. But she may be too deep in her work to see the potential in a relationship with him. Gina Gray would love to be married. She has always envisioned her life that way. A breakup she didn't see coming, though, has her focusing all her attention on what she does best--ocean science research. She's on the cusp of a major breakthrough, and she needs Mark Bishop's perspective and help. Because what she told the Navy she's figured out is only the beginning. If she's right, submarine warfare is about to enter a new and dangerous chapter.

The Night Everything Changed by Tripp Berry and Evelyn Grace Berry

From Evelyn Grace Berry's blog: Two stories. One holy night. A gift for you this Christmas. Step into the wonder of Christ’s birth through two unforgettable perspectives—one from the heavens, one from the earth. In The Night Heaven Held Its Breath, Evelyn Grace Berry imagines the awe-filled experience of Jemuel, an angel invited to witness the moment God’s promise enters the world. As heaven falls silent and creation holds its breath, Jemuel is swept into the miracle unfolding over Bethlehem. In Sleepless Night, Tripp Berry brings the story down to the dust and doubt of real life. Matthan, grandfather of Joseph, wants nothing to do with another scandal—especially not a suspicious pregnancy and a tale too unbelievable to accept. It will take more than whispered explanations to change his mind… it will take a miracle. Together, these short stories offer a fresh look at the night Christ was born—full of awe, humanity, and the unexpected ways God meets us where we are. This Christmas collection is our gift to you. No sign-ups. No strings. Just stories we hope bless your season. https://www.evelyngracebooks.com/ https://www.trippberry.com/

Angelic Wars: The First Rebellion by Rick Norris

I love the fact that Rick Norris referances Revelation 22:18 in his preface to Angelic Wars. It is a public declaration that he is not adding to or taking away even one word of the Holy Bible. After that the story dives into the Rebellion in heaven. The plot follows a group of angels that God has appointed to root out the rebellious angels. i enjoyed this book for the most part only giving it 4 stars because in places I found it a bit hard to follow. I still recommend taking the time to savor a tale of what may have occurred as angels chose sides. Mr. Norris does include Biblical references to the events giving credence to his story. My advice is to brew up a large cup of tea, and settle in for an interesting fictional portrayal of an actual event. I read this book on Kindle Unlimited. All thoughts are my own. From Amazon: Have you ever wondered how evil began? Or why God gave angels the free will to reject Him? Angelic Wars, First Rebellion is the epic story of the battle between good and evil before Earthly time began. It is the fantasy story of the internal struggles and external battles among the angels for the control of Heaven during Satan's rebellion, as mentioned in the Bible. Angel Azarias and six other angels are commissioned as the Angels Septemviri by God's Guardian Cherub to seek out and conquer a rising rebellion in Heaven. Little do they know that they are up against the most powerful angel of all, Satan, who lures other angels into his rebellious army in his attempt to conquer Heaven. Will the Septemviri resist Satan's temptations and save Heaven? Angelic Wars, First Rebellion is one of the most unique books you will read; it breaks new ground by incorporating original music sung by the book's characters when the reader activates hyper-links (or QR Codes) in the book. It is also unique in that it includes footnotes to the bible, which ground the story, its dialogue, and setting in the Bible. This action-adventure musical novel can be described as the Lord of the Rings meets Star Wars in Heaven, but with characters singing. This novel tells the fictional story of the first fight between good and evil and sets the stage for all others that follow. The market for biblically based entertainment is emerging. Releases of Biblical fiction series such as The Chosen and the Jesus Revolution movie have awakened many with a passion for religious content. Angelic Wars musical novel series goes farther in that it is written so that even the non-religious might enjoy the stories as fantasy or sci-fi like Lord of the Rings. About the author:

Award-winning author, Rick E. Norris, has taught the Bible to adults and Sunday school to teens for thirty-one years. Since 2011, he has volunteered as an international online missionary for a Christian non-profit where he disciples individuals and answers biblical questions. Angelic Wars, First Rebellion received recognition, including: second place novel by the 2020 Catholic Press Association. Rick's second book, Angelic Wars: End of the Beginning won as Best Christian Fiction at the 2022 New York Big Book Awards and silver medal at the 2023 Christian Illumination Awards. Rick E. Norris earned a bachelor’s degree from UCLA in 1979 and law degree from Southwestern University School of Law in 1985. He is a songwriter/musician and member of the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences. He is the creator and the co-host of the Rambling Business podcast. Recent Media Posts: Interview on Write Stuff radio program by Parker J. Cole--June 6, 2020 @ 7:00 EDT.http://tobtr.com/11729942

Merry Christmas!

I am praying all of you have a Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year! Perhaps 2026 will be the year we go home! Maranatha