John: the beloved disciple, a man changed by love

John, fisherman, son of Zebedee and brother of James, friends to Peter and Andrew, has the distinction of being called the disciple whom Jesus loved (John 13:23). It is hard to believe that this beloved disciple was, at first, ambitious, judgmental and yet becomes the one who writes about the transforming power of Christ’s love and how it is available to all. He would write one of the four gospels and three letters with the central theme of God’s love. The word “love” would appear fifty-seven times in the gospel of John and forty-six times in 1 John. He would also write Revelation with the central theme of God’s justice. Who was John? What is the purpose of his gospel? How should we love as Christians? 

John was called by Jesus, with his brother, and they both immediately left their fishing nets and followed. As mentioned with Peter and James, John was chosen to be among the inner circle and saw the Transfiguration (Matthew 17:1-13, Mark 9:2-13, Luke 9:28-36). Along with James, John had a tendency for outbursts of selfishness and anger. One instance, John calls Jesus’s attention to someone else using Jesus’s name to drive out demons, expecting Jesus to stop this man because he wasn’t one of the twelve disciples (Mark 9:38, Luke 9:49-50). He was with Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 26:36-37, Mark 14:32-42). At his crucifixion, Jesus asks John to care for his mother, Mary, and Mary to take John as her son (John 19:25-25). John was with Peter as he healed a man at the gate called Beautiful (Acts 3:1-10). Along with Peter, John would stand firm before the Sanhedrin (Acts 4:1-22). John would later be exiled to the island of Patmos where he would receive the vision and write the book of Revelation. 

While Matthew and Luke included genealogies in their gospels for certain purposes, to establish Jesus as from the House of David both biologically from his mother, Mary, and legally from his earthly father, Joseph. However, John started with Jesus as the preexistent, eternal Word. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning (John 1:1-2). Jesus is the agent of Creation as God, the Father, spoke and Jesus, the son, made it happen. This is further illustrated by the seven “I Am” statements: Bread of Life (John 6:35), the Light of the world (John 8:12), the Gate (John 10:7-9), the Good Shepherd (John 11:11-14), the Resurrection and the Life (John 11:25), the Way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14:6), and the True Vine (John 15:1.5). John describes a situation in which Jesus states he is eternal when He said, “I will tell you the truth before Abraham, I am!” (John 8:58). “I am” is a statement that would have had a huge significant impact on the Jews as it was a statement God made to Moses (Exodus 4:14). 

John began his journey with Jesus as a selfish man, looking out for himself, only to become a man of compassion and love. How? From the transforming love of Jesus Christ. Loving one another is the most basic, simplest part of Christianity. However, our ability to love is often shaped by our experience of love. Being loved is the most powerful motivation. God’s love is a great motivation for change and there is nothing that can remove God’s love from us (Isaiah 54:10). We are to love one another. Not just love with words but with actions and in truth (1 John 3:18). We say “I love you,” they are empty words until there is an action behind it. Jesus said “I love you” and he died on the cross. Jesus commands that we love each other (Matthew 22:39). He also said that there is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for his friends (John 15:13). Sacrificial love isn’t just dying, it is helping, giving, and meeting needs of another before our own puts love into practice.

In conclusion, after all he had seen and experienced with Jesus, he would leave behind ambition and embrace affection. John became the beloved disciple, the one whom Jesus loved. John would write his gospel to show that Jesus is the pre existent Word becoming flesh (John 1:14) and brought the world his message of love. Love is more than words, it is an action, a sacrifice of putting others before ourselves. Sadly, there are Christians who talk the talk but don’t walk the walk. I know I sometimes struggle loving someone the way God would want me to, especially after I’ve been hurt or wronged. It is a constant prayer that He will change my heart and help me adjust my attitude. If His love can change John, I know He can change me. 

Tough Luck: a story of youthful tenacity and hopeful hearts in the American West

Tough Luck by Sandra Dallas is the story of a young woman on the search for her father in 1863. Their father left four years to find his fortune in the Colorado Territory and is thought to be dead. After her mother dies, Haidie Richards and her younger brother, Boots, are placed in an orphanage and put to work. She waits for her chance to leave. She is determined to find her father. Haidie doesn’t believe it and she isn’t going to wait for him any longer. She and Boots leave the orphanage and embark on the perilous journey deep into the American West. Disguised as a boy, she learns to handle mules, oxen, and greedy men. Haidie also finds new friends. She hopes that each day gets her closer to finding her father. Will she find him? Will she accept whatever she discovers? 

Tough Luck is a cross between True Grit (1969/2010) and The Journey of Natty Gann (1985). Filled with colorful characters and vivid details of Haidie’s journey and experiences, Tough Luck is a story of youthful tenacity and hopeful hearts in the American West. I enjoyed Haidie’s character as a no-nonsense young woman who isn’t afraid to speak her mind and get her hands dirty in order to get what she wants. The characters she meets along the way are either other hopeful hearts searching for a future or scoundrels who would prey on them. Ms. Dallas’s description of the American West and the people who lived there were so vivid that I thought I was right there next to Haidie as she traveled. I thoroughly enjoyed Tough Luck. If you enjoy Western adventures with a strong heroine, I highly recommend Tough Luck. 

Tough Luck is available in hardcover, eBook and audiobook on April 29, 2025. 

A Criminal Game: a Christian mystery thriller

A Criminal Game by D.L. Wood is the first book in The Criminal Collection series. After the death of her husband three years ago, Evie Diaz’s mission in life is to keep life steady for her young daughter. From her little Queens apartment to her night manager position at a luxury Manhattan hotel. Her one reprieve from the realities of life is liaising for a high stakes poker game held at the hotel. From movie stars to millionaires, big tips and flirty moments, it was a nice break for Evie. Until one night, when the game ends in trouble and all evidence points to Evie, the host goes after her with vengeance. Now she is on the run, she must unravel the plot and clear her name. Can she reveal the real culprit before she pays the ultimate price for a game she never played? 

Tagged as a Christian mystery thriller and with an opening prologue that was thrilling, I was eager to dive into this story of cat and mouse. However, I was not hooked. The events of the story take place within 24 hours and yet it was uninteresting. I didn’t quite understand why Evie was framed and the chase that ensued to find her. I liked Evie and her devotion to her daughter. I liked the Christian perspective that was nicely done, not overly preaching but very real. While it was like reading an action movie with near misses and car chases, which by design should have been exciting, but overall, I was bored. It may be that thrillers are a hit and miss for me that I don’t actively read in this genre.  However, if you enjoy mystery thrillers with a Christian perspective, I recommend A Criminal Game. 

A Criminal Game is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

The Bright Side of Disaster: when the life you wanted turns into the life you needed

The Bright Side of Disaster by Katherine Center is a story when the life you wanted turns into the life you needed. Jenny Harris is very pregnant and engaged to Dean. At first, Dean was excited about marriage and the coming baby. However, as her due date comes closer, Dean is acting more and more distant. One night, he goes out for cigarettes and never comes back. The next day, Jenny goes into labor. As she is thrown into the life as a single mother and learning to care for her baby, there isn’t much time to dwell on her broken dreams. Slowly but surely, her support group grows from her mother, her friend, Meredith, and her very handsome neighbor. Out of the blue, Dean shows up on her doorstep, she is faced with a choice. Does she choose the life she wanted or does she choose the new life she didn’t know she needed? 

Katherine Center has been one of my go-to authors since I first read one of her books in 2018. I have slowly been her backlist as well as her new release. I came across The Bright Side of Disaster and was super excited. Ms Center’s stories are filled with life changing drama with laughs and emotion. However, The Bright Side of Disaster did not have the same impact I have come to expect from Ms Center. I didn’t care for any of the characters. Jenny was very irritating and I found myself rolling my eyes often. And the story didn’t have the emotional impact that I was expecting. Since this is one of her early works and knowing how her writing has evolved, I am glad that I read this book. While I did not enjoy this story as much as I have enjoyed Ms Center’s other books, I do recommend The Bright Side of Disaster. 

The Bright Side of Disaster is available in hardcover, paperback, eBook and audiobook. 

The Way We Fall: a second chance romance with grief and questions of loyalty

The Way We Fall is the first book in The Story of Us series by Cassia Leo. Aurora “Rory” Charles had always had feelings for her best friend’s brother; however her friendship with Hallie was more important to take a chance with Houston. They are brought together in grief following Hallie’s death. They have a passionate and toxic relationship that has them questioning their loyalty to each other and to Hallie’s memory and ultimately tears them apart. Five years later, they are brought together again. However, Houston doesn’t recognize her at first, even though she knew him immediately. Soon, the memories and their passion comes back until Houston reveals a secret. A secret that can tear them apart once and for all. 

Described as a “twisted and passionate love story that pushes the boundaries of loyalty,” I looked forward to this story. However, from the start, I did not care for Rory or Houston. Rory was so immature. Houston was beyond a jerk. The secret was anti-climatic. The story’s plot had a darker themes like infidelity, mental health issues, suicide, and abortion, which could be deeply emotional and impactful. However, it was not handled well at all. The story, its dialogue, was more cringey and eye rolling, rather deeply thought provoking and emotional. Overall, I did not like this story and I will not be continuing the series. I do not recommend The Way We Fall. 

The Way We Fell is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

Something Right: a second chance romance with heart, drama and laughs

Something Right is the first book in The Blisswood Brothers by Evey Lyon. Grayson Blisswood finds himself back in his hometown after his father’s death in order to take guardianship of his teenage sister, Lucy. He traded his corporate job in the big city to small town antics and Olive Owl, the family winery and resort. Their neighbor is none other than Brooke Rivers, his high school sweetheart and the one he never forgot. Now she has an adorable three year old daughter and he finds himself finding ways to spend time with them both. Grayson realizes that the fire still burns; however, Brooke is determined to keep the distance between them friendly. What they didn’t know is that fate would throw open a secret Brooke is desperate to keep hidden. Will this secret tear them apart completely? Or will it lead to something right?

Something Right is a second chance romance with heart, drama and lots of fun moments. I was immediately drawn into this story and could not put it down. I loved all the characters. I read a few reviews that called Grayson a jerk for his reaction to the secret. And, yes, he acts like a jerk; however, I feel his reaction is realistic. And other characters helped kick him in the butt to open his eyes and made the situation feel very, very real. The entire story flowed that I was engaged. It was fun with a few laughs and smiles. There were dramatic and sweet moments. I closed the book with a smile and eager to read the rest of the story. If you enjoy second chance romance, I highly recommend Something Right. 

Something Right is available in paperback and eBook. 

Perfect Imperfections: finding love among the struggles of life and uncertainties

Perfect Imperfections by Mariah Ankenman is a story of finding love among the struggles of life and uncertainties. Ellie Clark deals with anxiety steaming from her OCD compulsions which makes forming relationships difficult. As one of the head aviary keepers at the Sunlight Zoo, she enjoys spending her life around the birds who don’t judge her idiosyncrasies. Her life is about to change in ways she never imagined one fateful day as she makes the split second decision to rescue a child who falls into the penguin pool. In the aftermath, she finds an unusual bond with Charlotte, the young girl, and an attraction to her handsome father, Sullivan. Dr Sullivan Green has focused his life on his medical practice and raising his daughter since his ex-wife left them both. He is taken by surprise at the yearning he feels when near Ellie. As they began to spend time together, the attraction between them built until passion ignited. However, when the ugliness of their lives interfere, they must find the courage to take a risk on love. 

Perfect Imperfections is the type of story that takes you by surprise. When I started the book, I was intrigued as the story jumps into the event which brings them together. It started to slow down a bit and I wondered if I even wanted to continue. But I did and I am so glad I did. It speeds up once Ellie and Sullivan acknowledge their feelings. Once it did, the book was hard to put down. I enjoyed all the characters from Ellie, Sullivan and Charlotte to the supporting characters of Cam, Ellie’s best friend, and Gavin, Sullivan’s younger brother. The story was so sweet and oh so emotional. There were multiple scenes that I cried as I read. I cried sad tears. My heart broke with the characters as they deal with the ugliness of life. I cried happy tears and I closed the book with a smile. The banter was great and made me laugh and smile. The heartfelt moments made my heart melt. The depiction of mental health, especially OCD, was eye opening. I highly, highly recommend Perfect Imperfections. 

Perfect Imperfections is available in paperback and eBook

Always You and Me: when a second chance at love explores what could have been

Always You and Me by Dani Atkins is a story of love, hope and second chances. On the eve of her wedding to Adam, Josh, Lily’s childhood best friend, walks back into her life with an unexpected declaration only to walk away once again. After six years of blissful happiness, Adam falls ill and his final wish is for Lily to find Josh and forgive them both. After a year of grief, Lily feels guilty that she has put off fulfilling Adam’s final wish and sets about tracking Josh down. However, finding him proves to be difficult and she forces herself to show up at his remote Scottish cabin unannounced and uninvited. When a fierce snowstorm forces them together, Lily and Josh must untangle their feelings, the past and why Adam sent her on this path in the first place. The reason behind Adam’s wish leaves Lily questioning where to turn next. Can Lily and Josh choose love and find the forgiveness needed for a happily ever after? 

Always You and Me is a love story which reminded me of Nicholas Sparks’ The Notebook as Lily is caught between loving two men and must choose a path. Unlike The Notebook, Lily has a second chance to explore the road not taken. The story was interesting with flashbacks into Lily and Josh’s history as well as her relationship with Adam. Each character is heavily flawed and yet feels very real and relatable. I enjoyed Lily and Josh’s characters even though at times they acted in ways that were frustrating and had me thinking “You idiot!” Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed Always You and Me. I had a chuckle at the book’s warning: “Caution: this book may cause you to reach out to exes thinking your life can be like this.” While I do not have exes, I can see how the story can have that effect on someone wondering and exploring “what could have been.” If you enjoy second chance romances, I highly recommend Always You and Me. 

Always You and Me is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

The First Time I Died: a spooky crime mystery with a supernatural twist

The First Time I Died is the first book in the Garnet McGee series by Jo MacGregor. Garnet McGee comes home to her small Vermont hometown for the first time in ten years. On her first day back, she dies in an accident and is brought back to life by the paramedics. Strange things begin to happen, she hears words when no one is around, seeing images that she could not know and odd sensations. At first pushed aside as possible post-traumatic stress disorder, she tries to focus on her recovery. As the experiences increase, she realizes that when she died, she did not come back alone. And now, she is determined to solve a murder that tore her life apart. As she probes into the past, she discovers a number of suspects and someone who doesn’t want her to discover the truth. When everyone seems to have a secret to hide, can Garnet discover the murderer? 

From the opening chapter to the closing page, The First Time I Died is a fast paced story with an interesting and engaging plot. It is spooky and mysterious. I enjoyed Garnet’s character as a woman who is struggling moving forward after the events of one winter and the reason she left her hometown and hoped to never come back. She is skeptical at first when these strange events begin as she describes herself as logical and rational. However, once she embraced what these events are trying to tell her, the story became a roller coaster that I could not put down! I closed the book with a sense of awe and amazement as the story had twists and turns I was not expecting. I am looking forward to reading the rest of this series. If you enjoy a suspenseful and haunting story with a supernatural twist, I highly recommend The First Time I Died. 

The First Time I Died is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

An Age of Winters: a slow burn mystery with witchcraft rumors, accusations and hidden secrets

An Age of Winters by Gemma Liviero is a story of a time when witchfinders rules and paranoia spreads like wildfire when persecution and betrayal is hiding in the shadows. It is 1625 in the Franconian village of Eisbach, disease, famine and heinous crimes made a merciless winter even more chilling. Katarin Jaspers is the maid servant to the Reverend Zacharias Engel, newly appointed by Rome to discover the truth behind the strange events in the village. Soon a man is declared a witch and burned publicly and all prayed it would end the misfortunes. As peace and sense of normalcy returns to the village with the promise of spring and Katarin finds herself drawn to Zacharias, but when a new midwife comes to the village and becomes a rival for the reverend’s attention, a new fear builds as a new winter sets in and leaves the village on edge once again. As rumors fly, is no one safe from the threat of the pyres? 

An Age of Winters is a slow burn mystery in a day and age when the accusation of witchcraft was a death sentence. Ms. Liviero’s descriptions are so vivid that I could swear I felt the bitter winter wind. I liked Katarin’s character, a simple maid servant with her own secrets. Zacharias was a man of mystery with little eccentric traits that would raise an eyebrow and question his motives as well. Little hints along the way kept me guessing as to who or what was behind the evil that plagued the village. There were definitely questions about who to trust and who was lying and which accusations were real and which ones were fueled by ulterior motives. The ending was a shocker and left me gabbing in surprise. Overall, it was a bit slower than I normally like but it kept me engaged and turning the page. If you enjoy slow burn historical novels, I think you will enjoy An Age of Winters. 

An Age of Winters is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

His Vow to Love: a military hero, a foster care mom and a second chance for love

His Vow to Love is the first book in the Flying Cross Ranch series by Shanae Johnson. Charlie Matthews is hanging up his wings after years of service in the Air Force. He returns to the Flying Cross Ranch to help care for his ailing father. Also, he is ready to sweep his first and only love off her feet. Growing up in the foster care system, Savvy James has always wanted a forever home. Now as a foster mother herself, she is shocked when the government takes her land to protect wild horses. Now she must uproot everyone to the other side of the state. Determined to rekindle their relationship, Charlie offers Savy and the kids a place on his ranch. Mixing Savy’s free-spirited ways and Charlie’s military style discipline leads to a social worker questioning their living situation. Can their renewed relationship stand the test ahead of them? 

I love a good romance with military heroes. I liked Charlie as a military hero coming home for the last time. I liked that he always thought of and cared for Savy and vowed he would return for her. Savy, on the other hand, was a bit more difficult to care for but understanding her past makes it understandable. The children were cute, rebellious and questioned authority as all kids can do. The struggles and challenges of children in foster care added the twists and turns to the drama. His Vow to Love sets up future stories of Charlie’s brothers. Overall, it was a decent story and first book for a series. However, I am unsure if I will be continuing the series as I wasn’t that invested in the characters and their communities. If you love a clean romance with military heroes, I recommend His Vow to Love. 

His Vow to Love is available in paperback and audiobook

Hide Away with You: when her fiancé disappeared, she will stop at nothing to find out what happened

Hide Away with You is the first book in the Kings of Eden Falls series by Judy Corry. When her family was killed, Addie’s brother’s best friend, Evan, took care of her and made sure she was protected. They never expected to fall in love. As they prepared for a future together, Evan goes on a trip and never comes back. Just vanishes without a trace. Addie is left heartbroken and confused but she never gave up hope that Evan would come home safe and sound. One year later, she discovers a clue that leads her on the right path. When she finds Evan, he is not the same man she knew and fell in love with. He is cold, powerful, dangerous and acts as if they are strangers. Is he truly Evan or someone else? By tracking Evan, did Addie put herself in danger? 

I read the second book in the series first and loved it. I quickly added Hide Away with You to my TBR list. Described as a “heart-pounding” romance, I was ready for an emotional story. The story starts off good as Addie is dealing with Evan’s disappearance and struggling to hold on to hope. When she discovers his journal, she learns more about Evan than she knew before. The story takes a turn when she tracks Evan to Italy and the mafia. I am not a fan of mafia stories. I avoid books and movies which feature the mafia. I loved Addie’s character however, I didn’t care for Evan. Overall, it was a decent story but pales when compared to the second book of the series. If I had I read Hide Away with You first, I’m not sure I would have read the second book. 

Hide Away with You is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

Brush Creek Cowboy: a second chance romance

Brush Creek Cowboy is the first book in the Brush Creek Cowboy series by Liz Isaacson. Walker Thompson is a former rodeo champion who now trains horses at the Brush Creek Horse Ranch with his ten year old son, Michael. Tess Wagner is a widow who came to Brush Creek with her son, Graham, for a fresh start after the tragic loss of her husband. It has been a quiet life until Walker, out of the blue, asks her to dinner. Neither wants to endure the pain of loss again, but is willing to take a chance. However, when Tess’s breast cancer comes back, Walker backs off. He begins to feel the hole their presence left in his life. He must decide if the risk of loss is worth the love they could share in the meantime? Can they lean on God in order to find a happy ending? 

Brush Creek Cowboy is a clean, Christian romance. I love a second chance at love and the doubts and questions of blending families. I enjoyed Walker and Tess’s introduction and back stories. However, everything about this story was abrupt and had no time for development in their relationship. I was bored. I needed more. The potential for an emotional story was there but I needed more. There was no real depth in their emotions and it was too short. Even if Walker and Tess had known each other for years, their relationship seemed rushed. I did like the faith discussions and the reliance on and leaning to God in times of trouble and joy. Overall, Brush Creek Cowboy was a decent story but I felt no investment. I most likely will not be continuing this series. If you like clean, Christian romance with cowboys, I recommend Brush Creek Cowboy. 

Brush Creek Cowboy is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

Dating the Defensive Back: a fake relationship romance

Dating the Defensive Back is the first book in Nash Brothers series by Lisa Suzanne. Grayson Nash has been traded to the Vegas Aces. When he walks into a local Vegas bar, he doesn’t know that his childhood best friend’s little sister was there. Ava Maxwell saw him walk in and when he attempts to pick her up, she realizes that he does not recognize him. She gives him a fake name and they end up having a steamy night together. They exchange numbers and a promise to see each other again. As they begin a flirty text conversation, Ava finds it harder and harder to tell Grayson who she really is. When Grayson does find out, he is determined to keep his distance. That is until her ex comes to town and starts harassing her. Grayson swoops in and pretends to be her new boyfriend. Now they are in the middle of a fake dating relationship for his image. However, it starts to feel very, very real. Can a fake relationship turn into a real forever love? 

I love a good fake relationship romance with a football background. They are usually sweet, fun with football players. However, it wasn’t sweet. It wasn’t fun. It was spicy. The language used was cringey and like no one really uses these terms. Like I’ve only heard them in books and tv shows. For example, I can’t stand the term “V-card” and it is used a lot by Ava! There were other descriptions of certain body parts that were so cringey and just icky. I did not like Ava who was immature and very manipulative. Grayson is just an idiot. They decide to have a fake relationship for images sake and seek the help of a public relations person. These suggestions were eye rolling annoying. It was also way too long. Sixty-three chapters alternating between Ava and Grayson! Each chapter was short; almost too short, before ending and sometimes changing the point of view. Overall, I did not enjoy this story and I will not be continuing the series. I do not recommend Dating the Defensive Back. 

 Dating the Defensive Back is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

A Love Letter to Whiskey: a not so typical love story

A Love Letter to Whiskey by Kandi Steiner is not your typical love story. Jamie Shaw and Brecks “B” Kennedy have been caught in a long string of almosts and they wonder if they will ever have the chance to have their happily ever after. Their connection has been difficult to understand. Sometimes too deep for just friends and yet too complicated for love. From their first meeting in high school, to college and beyond, Jamie and B had a decade of moments, choices and missed opportunities, they kept finding a way back to each other. The road to be together always seems to be blocked by relationships, careers and jobs but something still brings them together. Drawn together like a moth to a flame or an alcoholic to his next drink. Will they ever find a way to be together the way they are seemingly drawn to be? Is love not just finding the right person but finding the right moment as well? 

I have seen this book all over social media and everything I heard was to be ready to cry. Not just cry but ugly cry. So I dove right in and the story started off great. However, by the end of the story, I didn’t cry once. Where was the emotion? I expected to be “emotionally wrecked,” and yet I was bored, annoyed and frustrated. B was immature, never really deals with or confronts the family secret she learns as a teen. Yes, it was a devastating and shocking secret and would require a lot of energy to deal with. She just never tries. Jamie was a decent character and I enjoyed his character. I did enjoy the moments of deep friendship between B and Jamie; but their love story was odd and dragged on a bit too long. Overall, I did not enjoy this story. It was not the emotional story I was expecting. I do not recommend A Love Letter to Whiskey. 

A Love Letter to Whiskey is available in hardcover, paperback, eBook and audiobook

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