About the Book

Title: Up from Dust: Martha’s Story -(ARC)

Series: Women of the Way

Author: Heather Kaufman

Releases: January 23, 2024

“A biblical story with a heart for today’s world, pulling out an array of joy and hope, sorrow and loss.”–Mesu Andrews, award-winning author

“Taking us on an intriguing journey through heartbreak and healing, Heather Kaufman leads her readers directly to the joy of the empty tomb.”–Connilyn Cossette, award-winning author

Martha of Bethany is no stranger to adversity. After her mother’s untimely death, Martha shoulders the responsibility of raising her siblings–quiet and studious Lazarus, and wild and rambunctious Mary. She finds solace in friendship and the beginnings of first love, but just as Martha begins to imagine a new future, hardship strikes again and her dreams crumble into dust.

Ten years later, Martha’s friend pleads for the new teacher, Jesus of Nazareth, to come and heal her husband. When Martha discovers that the carpenter-rabbi is connected to her past, she’s not sure she can trust him with her future. But as he continues to perform miracles, the invitation to believe becomes harder to resist, renewing Martha’s hardened heart, even as she faces an unknown future.

About the Author

Heather’s passion for storytelling started at an early age, from scribbled poetry at age six, to a full-length novel by sixteen. Over the years, her love of writing grew, eventually leading her to earn a BA in English from McKendree University and an MA in English, Writing Studies from the University of Missouri—St. Louis.

Heather is the author of The Story People (Concordia Publishing House, 2016) and Loving Isaac (Concordia Publishing House, 2018). Her debut novel with Bethany House Publishers releases January 2024.

She is married to Andrew and together they have three adorable children and one persnickety dog. When not reading, writing, editing, or accumulating mounds of books, Heather can be found exploring new parks with her family, enjoying yet another cup of coffee, or working on a home improvement project. She and her family make their home in St. Louis, Missouri.

Connect with Heather at

https://www.hmkstories.com/

My Impressions

“How can I begin to tell of the many things I have found? Or of the One who found me? I see His hand in my story like a weaver’s shuttle through the warp, steady and sure, pulling here, loosening there, doing the work necessary for beauty. How do I tell of His capable hands, the ones that rescued me?”

“Before I can share the many ways I was found, I would have to begin with the day I was lost.”

And so, in the prologue, ( I hope you read prologues!) we have the reason for Heather Kaufman’s imagination of Martha’s life long before she ever met Jesus. As with other great Biblical fiction, Kaufman utilizes a few verses and passages we know of a Biblical individual. These are not changed from Scripture. But where Scripture is silent, the author suggests possible life events that send Martha, Mary, and Lazarus on their different life trajectories until they encounter Jesus. “Maybe she or he reacted this way because…” In the meantime, Kaufman’s Martha becomes so real, so human, you will sympathize, you will judge, you will hold your breath as you hold her secrets, and you will wonder how she survived growing up in her father’s house. You will begin to understand a woman’s plight in Jewish society in the first century. Kaufman presents challenging relationships well. Some romantic, some familial, some friend-based. You will sigh, you will cry, you will ask, “Why?” But hopefully, when all is said and done, you will turn to the Biblical story to check out what truth we do know, and you’ll never view Martha or her siblings as 2- dimensional again!

I received a copy of the book from the author and publisher, through Celebrate Lit via NetGalley, plus I bought my own ebook. No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own.

Notable Quotables:

“Yahweh keeps providing beacons of light in your life to guide you when you need it most.”

***

“None of us is worthy. We are all naked and undone before the holiness of God.”

“Who can stand before this holy God?”

“Those who align themselves with His Son.”

***

“Sometimes love engulfs us suddenly, like a consuming fire.”“…Other times it comes over us slowly, like a sunrise.”

My Rating

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I’ve found another new-to-me Biblical fiction author well-worth following!

About the Book

Book: Transhuman – Will We Obey God or Play God?

Author: Rena Groot

Genre: Apocalyptic Fiction

Release date: 2021

This work of apocalyptic fiction is based on reality to come. The lines have been purposely blurred between pure fact and pure fiction. It is a warning based on God’s Word. He has told us a time of unprecedented terror is about to come upon the earth. His wrath will be poured out on sinful and unrepentant humanity in a series of judgements. The intensity and severity of these judgements will be unparalleled in human history. The judgements will be on a global scale that will take place over a seven-year period.

The judgements are reserved for those who have chosen to reject Christ. Even in wrath God is displaying mercy. He wants the lost to be found. All who have rebelled against Him are given a chance to find Him. This is His last and final call to the sons and daughters of Adam. Sadly, many will harden their hearts and turn away from the most beautiful invitation ever to have been extended in all of human history. They will curse God and stay entrenched in their rebellious ways.

God does not hide this awful reality from us. He wants us to be wise and flee from the wrath to come. If we are already His He wants us to warn others—to point them to the narrow path that leads to life. TRANSHUMAN is based on my thoughts of what the world may look like at the halfway point in the Tribulation. The Rapture has already taken place. All who have been invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb are seated. Time will soon be no more. The curtains are opening on the world stage.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Hi. My name is Rena Groot. I have a Bachelor of Education from the University of Alberta and a Masters of Religious Education from the Canadian Southern Baptist Seminary in Cochrane, Alberta. I have been a teacher in Canada and China, have published eight books, I have designed a digital course called Broken to Beautiful-Transformed By God’s Power, I have been a tour manager from the Rockies to the Pacific, have been a missionary to the ends of the Earth, a mom of four—and the most important part—I am a child of God.

More from Rena

My Impressions

“You’ve been selected for a very special project.”

It seems everyone is talking about the terms AI and transhuman these days. Rena Groot has worked this concept into her Revelation trilogy, with Transhuman: Will We Obey God or Play God? Book 2 in The Narrow Path Trilogy, Transhuman picks up where Manhunt left off. I wasn’t a big fan of Manhunt, but Groot really changed the way she approached the narrative in Transhuman, and, yes, I’m a fan.

First off, Groot provides enough backstory and back flashes that I believe you can read this book, even if you haven’t read book 1.

Secondly, and most important to me, there is much more actual storytelling going on in Transhuman. And it is very captivating. There is much Scriptural truth to be shared, but Groot chooses to weave much of it into the storyline, using in her own words and visions and dreams of the characters. Now I could pay attention to the Scripture quotations when they are used, as a reasonable amount of insertion of straight-up information.

I really felt the novel flowed smoothly, except for the jitters I got from the suspense of Josh’s, Rachel’s, Frank’s, and Juliet’s situations. The King accomplishes amazing good for the world after the startling great disappearance of millions. Yet, he ultimately has one goal: to be like the Most High. You will be amazed at the King’s plan for Josh’s life. While he claims to have a wonderful plan for people’s lives, he actually leaves lives in ruin. How different from the true King, who has a wonderful plan of fulfillment, joy, peace, and eternal life for those who follow Him.

I read with great anticipation to see how the various believers would handle the challenges forced upon them. Never once does Groot let the reader relax. The angst Groot inspires is strong throughout the book and leaves the reader ready for the last novel, Convergence. The Gospel is clearly presented, which is a key factor as well.

I received a copy of the book from Celebrate Lit. No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own.

Notable Quotables:

“They asked God to get out of their lives, to leave them alone, and He did. Now people were feeling the effects of the universe falling apart. This was the unintentional consequence of man turning their backs on God.”

“You can’t force people to trust.”

“If these brain chips can be used to upload thoughts to computers — wouldn’t the reverse be possible as well? Couldn’t thoughts be downloaded from computers directly into the brain allowing populations to be manipulated and controlled? I believe this technology will lead to man’s greatest nightmares.”