Saturday, July 31, 2021

Great Escapes Virtual Book Tours Presents: Sand Trapped: Cara Mia Delgatto Mystery Series by Joanna Campbell Slan


Sand Trapped: Cara Mia Delgatto Mystery Series
by Joanna Campbell Slan

About Sand Trapped


Sand Trapped: Cara Mia Delgatto Mystery Series
Cozy Mystery
6th in Series
Publisher: Spot On Publishing (May 16, 2021)
Paperback: 292 pages
ISBN-13: 979-8503202564
Digital ASIN: B091S4S2MW

A Cozy Mystery That’s a Real Hit!

 

First they warned Jocelyn Johnson.

 

Then they ticketed Jocelyn Johnson.

 

Then someone murdered Jocelyn Johnson.

 

And Cara Mia Delgatto was looking for a lost ball when found Jocelyn “JJ” Johnson face down in a sand trap. Gave a whole new meaning to “take a drop.”

 

It wasn’t a surprise. The neighbors hated JJ for the reckless way she drove her golf cart. Sure, she lived on the grounds of a swanky golf club, and yes, she had tons of money, but JJ ruined flowerbeds, terrorized grandkids, and made a nuisance of herself.

 

Except…except…she’s quiet now. Lying there in the dirt at Hole #6. Someone bashed in JJ’s head. (Who would risk ruining an expensive Homna golf club like that?)

 

Cara doesn’t want to get involved. But when Gerta Hunsickler is named the prime suspect, and Gerta’s husband is so angry at his wife that he’s starting divorce proceedings, Cara can’t sit on her hands. She knows what it’s like to be unfairly accused. So she promises to take a swing at it and see if she can hit a long drive down the fairway of justice!

 

Meanwhile, back at The Treasure Chest, Cara’s friends are busy creating fabulous and fun Mother’s Day gifts. There are two brides-to-be working for Cara, and their two mothers-in-law-to-be have decided not to play nice. Can you say, “Mama’s boy” ten times really fast? I thought you could.

 

If you love warm-hearted, clean books, that feature female amateur sleuths, fur babies, family, and friends, you’ll love this charming DIY/recycling/upcycling series set on the Southeast Coast of Florida.

 

About Joanna Campbell Slan

“Our best friend, our next-door neighbor, and ourselves with just a touch of the outrageous.” That’s how RT Book Review describes Joanna’s protagonist, Kiki Lowenstein. The truth is that’s a pretty good description of Joanna Campbell Slan as well.

Joanna is a New York Times Bestselling, USA Today Bestselling, and Amazon Bestselling author as well as a woman prone to frequent bursts of crafting frenzy, leaving her with burns from her hot glue gun and paint on her clothes. And the mess? Let’s not even go there.

Otherwise, Joanna’s a productive author with more than 80 written projects to her credit. Her non-fiction work includes how to books, a college textbook for public speakers, and books of personal essays (think Chicken Soup for the Soul).

Currently, she writes five fiction series: The Kiki Lowenstein Mystery Series (Agatha Award Finalist, contemporary, St. Louis setting, crafting), the Cara Mia Delgatto Mystery Series (contemporary, Florida setting, DIY, and recycling), the Jane Eyre Chronicles (Daphne du Maurier Award Winner, 1830s England, based on Charlotte Brontë’s classic), the Sherlock Holmes Fantasy Thrillers (late 1800s, based on Arthur Conan Doyle’s books), and the Zen Cozy Mystery Series (launch 2021).

A former TV talk show host, college teacher, and public relations specialist, Joanna was one of the early Chicken Soup for the Soul contributors. She won a Silver Anvil for her work on the original FarmAid concert to benefit farmers.

In her ongoing quest never to see snow again, Joanna lives with her husband and their Havanese puppy, Jax, on an island off the coast of Florida. You can email her at jcslan@joannaslan.com or visit her website at https://linktr.ee/jcslan

Author Links

Website Http://www.JoannaSlan.com

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/1602372550058785

Twitter http://www.twitter.com/joannaslan

BookBub http://www.BookBub.com/author/joanna-campbell-slan

Pinterest https://www.pinterest.com/joannaslan/

Purchase Links – Amazon 

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TOUR PARTICIPANTS

July 19 – Novels Alive – GUEST POST

July 19 – eBook Addicts – SPOTLIGHT

July 20 – Reading, Writing & Stitch-Metic – SPOTLIGHT WITH RECIPE

July 20 – My Reading Journeys – REVIEW

July 21 – Brooke Blogs – SPOTLIGHT

July 21 – Reading Is My SuperPower – REVIEW

July 22 – Literary Gold – CHARACTER GUEST POST

July 23 – MJB Reviewers – SPOTLIGHT

July 23 – My Journey Back – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

July 24 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT

July 24 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – REVIEW

July 25 – Celticlady’s Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

July 26 – Ascroft, eh? – CHARACTER INTERVIEW

July 26 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

July 27 – Mysteries with Character – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

July 28 – Laura’s Interests – REVIEW, CHARACTER GUEST POST

July 29 – Christy’s Cozy Corners – GUEST POST

July 30 – I Read What You Write – AUTHOR INTERVIEW 

July 31 – Maureen’s Musings – SPOTLIGHT

August 1 – BookishKelly2020 – SPOTLIGHT

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Wednesday, July 28, 2021

The Rainbow by Carly Schabowski

 

here, on the dusty floorboards, was a piece of paper, folded neatly. A newspaper article, written in German, alongside a faded picture of two men in Nazi uniforms staring at the camera. I was about to place it back in the box of forgotten things when something in the text jumped out at me. My breath caught in my chest. I know that name.

London, present day. Isla has grown up hearing her beloved grandad’s stories about his life as a child in pre-war Poland and as a young soldier bravely fighting the Germans to protect his people. So she is shocked and heartbroken to find, while collecting photos for his 95th birthday celebration, a picture of her dear grandfather wearing a Nazi uniform. Is everything she thought she knew about him a lie?

Unable to question him due to his advanced dementia, Isla wraps herself in her rainbow-coloured scarf, a memento of his from the war, and begins to hunt for the truth behind the photograph. What she uncovers is more shocking than she could have ever anticipated – a tale of childhood sweethearts torn apart by family duty, and how one young man risked his life, his love and the respect of his own people, to secretly fight for justice from inside the heart of the enemy itself.

Amazon 

 

About The Author


 Carly lives in a tiny cottage in Oxfordshire,  with barely enough room to swing a cat. Yet, she has managed to dwell in such a hobbit-type abode for some years with her two dogs, who keep her company as she reads, writes, eats chips, and drinks the occasional gin.

An occasional runner, gym goer, and walker, Carly is also an habitual binge-watcher of box sets and reader of anything she can get her hands on, including the back of cereal boxes.

Her interest in WWII history spans from a familial connection, and inspired her to complete a PhD regarding the author's responsibility to historical fiction. Whilst an achievement, she gained 20 lbs, and became a hermit. 

 

My Review


 
This read pulled me in, and made me think. How many others were there must have been put in this horrible situation? The author lets us meet these characters up close, and see the decisions that were made. What a horrible blight on history and so much evil prevailed, but we also meet the ones that were trying to help their country and risking their lives.
I really loved how the author wrapped this book up, what a gift!
A story not to be missed, and history not repeated!
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Bookoutour, and was not required to give a positive review.


Tuesday, July 27, 2021

Great Escapes Virtual Book Tours Presents: Murder at Sea Captain’s Inn (A Book Magic Mystery) by Melissa Bourbon

 


Murder at Sea Captain’s Inn (A Book Magic Mystery)
by Melissa Bourbon

About Murder at Sea Captain’s Inn


Murder at Sea Captain’s Inn (A Book Magic Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
3rd in Series
Publisher: Lake House Press (July 20, 2021)
Approx 300 pages
Digital ASIN: B08GL19B84

Generation after generation of Lane women die in childbirth, while the sea claims the men.

Pippin Lane Hawthorne’s grand opening of Sea Captain’s Inn is tainted when a scholar studying the Lost Colony of Roanoke is brutally murdered. Like the black crow that hangs around the old house, could the untimely death be a harbinger of dark things to come?

When her twin brother, Grey, begins bucking the curse by risking his life in the waters of the Outer Banks, Pippin lives in terror that he’ll be the next Lane male to be swallowed by the sea. Now she must use her gift of bibliomancy to save her brother, solve the murder, and end a two thousand year old pact.

About Melissa Bourbon

Melissa Bourbon is the national bestselling author of more than twenty-five mystery books, including the Book Magic mysteries, the Lola Cruz Mysteries, A Magical Dressmaking Mystery series, and the Bread Shop Mysteries, written as Winnie Archer. She is a former middle school English teacher who gave up the classroom in order to live in her imagination full time. Melissa lives in North Carolina with her educator husband, Carlos. She is beyond fortunate to be living the life of her dreams. Learn more about Melissa at her website, www.melissabourbon.com, on Facebook @MelissaBourbon/Winnie ArcherBooks, and on Instagram @bookishly_cozy.

Author Links

Website: http://melissabourbon.com
Book Warriors Online Book Club: https://www.facebook.com/groups/BookWarriors
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bookishly_cozy/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5423119.Melissa_Bourbon
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmyAuh_IzHHYkzWzuZg9OVA

Purchase Link – Amazon 

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TOUR PARTICIPANTS

July 21 – Novels Alive – GUEST POST

July 21 – Island Confidential – SPOTLIGHT

July 22 – I Read What You Write – REVIEW, RECIPE

July 22 – Brooke Blogs – SPOTLIGHT

July 23 – Cozy Up With Kathy – REVIEW

July 23 – Books to the Ceiling – REVIEW

July 24 – Author Elena Taylor’s Blog – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

July 24 – #BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee Blog – SPOTLIGHT

July 25 – eBook Addicts – SPOTLIGHT

July 25 – Books a Plenty Book Reviews – REVIEW, CHARACTER INTERVIEW

July 26 – Baroness’ Book Trove – REVIEW

July 26 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT

July 27 – Maureen’s Musings – SPOTLIGHT

July 27 – Christa Reads and Writes – SPOTLIGHT

July 28 – Christy’s Cozy Corners – GUEST POST

July 28 – Reading Is My SuperPower – REVIEW

July 29 – Tea Book Blanket – GUEST POST

July 29 – Thoughts in Progress – SPOTLIGHT

July 30 – Dear Reader – CHARACTER GUEST POST

July 30 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

July 31 – Celticlady’s Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

July 31 – MJB Reviewers – SPOTLIGHT

August 1 – Ascroft, eh? – CHARACTER INTERVIEW

August 2 – Elizabeth McKenna – Author – SPOTLIGHT

August 3 – BookishKelly2020 – SPOTLIGHT  

August 3 – Literary Gold – CHARACTER GUEST POST

 

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Courting His Amish Wife by Emma Miller

 

He offers her his hand,

but will she ever take his heart?

When Levi Miller learns Eve Summy will be forced to marry her would-be attacker or get shunned, he marries her instead. Now husband and wife, but complete strangers, they must figure out how to live together in harmony. But with Levi’s family questioning the motives for their surprise wedding, getting to know each other—and possibly finding love along the way—is harder than they expected.

Amazon


About The Author








Emma Miller is a wife, mother and a grandmother who lives a quiet life in Delaware. She's the author of the Hannah's Daughter's series and is at work on her next Amish romance novel.

 

My Review


 

Talk about really not knowing the person you marry, this young Amish couple take this to an extreme.

Levi Miller is one kind man, wearing his faith on his sleeve, and does an honorable thing and marries Eve. We join in as Levi brings home his new wife to live with his family, and see how they and their community deal with the quickie wedding.

Can this marriage of two unknowns survive? Will they be accepted by their district? Answers are forthcoming, and we get to see two people get to know one another, or at least try to.

This quickly became a page-turner that I needed to know if this marriage survived, and how others treated them!

I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Harlequin, and was not required to give a positive review.

An Unexpected Amish Courtship (Surprised by Love #2) by Rachel J. Good

 

Jilted by her first love, Sovilla Mast fled her hometown to live in Pennsylvania with an aunt she's never met. Only after she arrives does she realize that the cantankerous woman has left the faith and alienated everyone around her. To take her mind off her sadness, Sovilla turns to baking homemade pet food and treats to sell at the Valley Green Farmer's Market. It's there she meets dog breeder Isaac Lantz . . .
 
Shy and kind-hearted, Isaac breeds Labrador retrievers and works as a puppy raiser for assistance dogs. When he and Sovilla bond at the market, he is immediately drawn to her. And when he tells her he needs a new puppy raiser, Sovilla jumps at the chance. But as their friendship deepens, Isaac can’t help but notice that Sovilla keeps herself at a safe distance. Gaining a puppy’s trust and affection has been easy for Isaac, yet he has no idea how to win the heart of the woman he’s fallen in love with—until Sovilla needs advice in dealing with her aunt. Soon, Isaac is putting his lessons from man’s best friend, and his faith, to work for the good of all involved.

 
 
About The Author
 

USA Today bestselling author Rachel J. Good grew up near Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, the setting for many of her Amish novels. Striving to be as authentic as possible, she spends time with her Amish friends, doing chores on their farm and attending family events.

Rachel loves to travel and visit many different Amish communities. In searching for the best Amish soft pretzels, she's visited many Amish markets, auctions, and mud sales. Because of her love of Amish food, she tries to include recipes in her books as often as possible. When she's not traveling, she spends time with family and writing.

In addition to her Amish novels, she's written more than 40 books, including children's educational books, adult nonfiction, and fiction for children and teens under several pen names. To find out more about Rachel and her books, you can sign up for her newsletter: http://bit.ly/1qwci4Q

Rachel enjoys meeting readers and speaks regularly at book events, schools, libraries, churches, book clubs, and conferences across the country. She also loves talking about Amish life, using authentic Amish clothes and goods, and/or doing coloring parties.

You can connect with Rachel on her website (http://www.rachel-j-good) or Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/racheljgoodnovels). 
 
My Review

 
 

Sunday, July 25, 2021

Pork Chopped to Death (The Cast Iron Skillet Mystery Series) by Jodi Rath

 


Pork Chopped to Death (The Cast Iron Skillet Mystery Series)
by Jodi Rath

About Pork Chopped to Death


Pork Chopped to Death (The Cast Iron Skillet Mystery Series)
Cozy Mystery
7th in Series
Publisher: MYS ED LLC; 1st edition (July 23, 2021)
Digital ~230 Pages
ASIN: B08FGFSWGL

You know what they say, you are what you eat, and Jolie and Ava are about to turn into everything they have been craving including pounds of chocolate, pizza, pickles, and ice cream.

Mafia, urban sprawl, gentrification, newborn babies, and the lives of the Leavensport villagers will be altered forever. Change is inevitable. Jolie Tucker is a Type-A perfectionist with fanatic tendencies who detest the very thought of change. Regardless of what she wants, change is a comin’ along with a grizzly discovery of murder of one of the village’s most beloved, mayhem between the villagers and the urbanites of Tri-City, and new dynamics of family dysfunction.

Get ready for a roller coaster ride from the peaks of new life, yummy food, and blossoming relationships to the lows of slayings, chaos, and war. The residents of Leavensport are in for the battle of their lives, and it’s up to Jolie, Ava, and their crew to determine the future of their village.

Welcome to Leavensport, Ohio, where DEATH takes a DELICIOUS turn!

About Jodi Rath

Moving into her second decade working in education, Jodi Rath has decided to begin a life of crime in her Cast Iron Skillet Mystery Series. Her passion for both mysteries and education led her to combine the two to create her business MYS ED, where she splits her time between working as an adjunct for Ohio teachers and creating mischief in her fictional writing. She currently resides in a small, cozy village in Ohio with her husband and her nine cats.

Author Links:  Webpage: https://www.jodirath.com/   FB: https://www.facebook.com/jodirath FB Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/authorjodirath  Twitter @jodirath

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18363719.Jodi_Rath

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/jodi-rath

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/jodirath/

  • Monthly Newsletter Link: http://eepurl.com/dIfXdb Get  Short Story “Sweet Retreat” for free by subscribing to my monthly newsletter. Subscribe to my newsletter to receive free flash fiction, A Mystery a Month, serial scenes from series, and deleted scenes).

Purchase Link – AmazonB&NKobo – 

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TOUR PARTICIPANTS

July 23 – Baroness’ Book Trove – REVIEW

July 23 – Novels Alive – GUEST POST

July 24 – Diane Reviews Books – REVIEW, CHARACTER GUEST POST

July 24 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

July 25 – Maureen’s Musings – SPOTLIGHT

July 25 – I Read What You Write – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

July 26 – Socrates Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

July 27 – Literary Gold – REVIEW

July 27 – Christy’s Cozy Corners – SPOTLIGHT WITH RECIPE

July 28 – Reading, Writing & Stitch-Metic – CHARACTER GUEST POST

July 28 – #BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee Blog – SPOTLIGHT

July 29 – Mysteries with Character – GUEST POST

July 29 – Books a Plenty Book Reviews – REVIEW, CHARACTER INTERVIEW

July 30 – MJB Reviewers – SPOTLIGHT

July 30 – Celticlady’s Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

July 31 – Brooke Blogs – SPOTLIGHT

July 31 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – SPOTLIGHT

August 1 – eBook Addicts – REVIEW

August 1 – BookishKelly2020 – SPOTLIGHT

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Celebrate Lit Presents: Rocky Mountain Restoration by Lisa J. Flickinger

 

About the Book

Book:  Rocky Mountain Restoration

Author: Lisa J. Flickinger

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release date: June 29, 2021

Josephine Thorebourne doesn’t deserve happiness. Not after the mess she’s made.

Mid-voyage, on the steamship Jameson, she learns of the tragic loss of her family’s money. Money she stole with the hopes of turning a profit. What should be a delightful voyage up the Canadian coast turns into a journey of regret. Josephine seeks the solace of the man she loves, only to find out he’s an imposter. Left with no other choice, she must return to her home town of Stony Creek and face the anger of those she’s betrayed.

Owen Kelly was given the opportunity of a lifetime to steward on the SS Jameson. The work meant he could escape his difficult upbringing along the wharves of Chicago. When his heart falls for the woman in cabin eight, Owen must decide if he will continue his work on the ship or follow the love of his life to her Rocky Mountain home.

As Josephine faces the repercussions of her decisions, the future becomes uncertain. Owen is the one person who knows everything and yet still sees the good in her. Will their love survive the challenges the Rocky Mountain town throws in their path?

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Author

Lisa J. Flickinger lives and writes from the cliff of a river along the majestic Rocky Mountains. When not writing or reading, you will find her scouring antique shops or sipping a maple latte with friends and family. To learn more about her other books, visit www.lisajflickinger.com.

 

More from Lisa

Have you ever smelled a whale’s breath? I have. The experience sparked the idea of taking the characters in Rocky Mountain Restoration on a pleasure cruise up the Canadian coast.

My husband and I vacationed in Ucluelet one summer, a quaint fishing village on the west coast of Vancouver Island. While there, we boarded a cabin cruiser with other adventure seekers to go whale watching.

Not long after leaving the rocky shore, our experienced captain spotted the flick of a tale in the rolling waves, and guided the boat to a position hundreds of yards away.  Within moments, to our delight and awe, a massive humpback breached mere feet from the boat. Its knobbed head rose before us, mouth wide open, hundreds of baleen plates dripping a murky red. The smell was one of the worst in my memory, a vulgar mixture of rotten fish, old road kill, and something indescribable. But what a privilege to encounter one of God’s magnificent creatures up close!

A logging camp, high in the Rockies, is a long way from the pacific coast. That’s the very reason our nefarious antagonists from book one of the Rocky Mountain Revival Series, Josephine and Snoop, have chosen to board the SS Jameson under assumed names.

While I can’t promise you whale’s breath in the novel, I can promise you gorgeous scenery and other wildlife encounters as a backdrop for betrayal, thievery, and—of course—romance. Hop aboard!

Blog Stops

Inklings and notions, July 20

Artistic Nobody, July 21 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, July 21

For Him and My Family, July 22

Locks, Hooks and Books, July 23

By The Book, July 24 (Author Interview)

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, July 24

deb’s Book Review, July 25

Connie’s History Classroom, July 26

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, July 27

Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, July 28

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, July 29

Tell Tale Book Reviews, July 30 (Author Interview)

Blossoms and Blessings, July 31

Life of Literature, August 1

Texas Book-aholic, August 2

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, August 2

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Lisa is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card!!

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

https://promosimple.com/ps/10fab/rocky-mountain-restoration-celebration-tour-giveaway

Friday, July 23, 2021

Read With Audra Presents: Mysteries of the Messiah: Unveiling Divine Connections from Genesis to Today by Jason Sobel,


 

Are you settling for half the story? Highlighting connections that have been hidden from non-Jewish eyes, Rabbi Jason Sobel will connect the dots between the Old and New Testament, helping you see the Bible with clarity as God intended.

Most people—even people of faith—do not understand how the Bible fits together. Too many Christians accept half an inheritance, content to embrace merely the New Testament, while Jewish people may often experience the same by embracing only the Old Testament. But God has an intricate plan and purpose for both the Old and the New.

In Mysteries of the Messiah, Rabbi Jason Sobel reveals the many connections in Scripture hidden in plain sight. Known for his emphatic declaration “but there’s more!” he guides us in seeing the passion and purpose of the Messiah. Mysteries of the Messiah:

  • Uncovers connections between the Old and New Testaments
  • Connects the dots for readers with details about Jesus, the Torah, and biblical characters
  • Written with the unique perspective of a rabbi with an evangelical theological degree

No matter how many times you have read the Bible, Mysteries of the Messiah will bring fresh perspective and insight. God’s Word, written by many people over thousands of years, is not a random selection of people and stories. Rabbi Jason Sobel connects the dots and helps us see with clarity what God intended.

 Amazon   

 

Expert:

Unharness Old and New Testament connections and experience the Bible in Hi-Def


As a young Jewish boy growing up on the streets of New Jersey, I encountered many things that influenced me. My parents and their faith were my heritage, but my friends and their ways were different. It was a little challenging to reconcile everything. But while I became fluent in the culture, even learning how to “rap with my homies,” I remained faithful to our Jewish tradition. Not just because I had to but because I wanted to. Yet I often felt there was something more.


At the age of sixteen I found myself one day in a state of meditation. This was something I did regularly as I attempted to figure out things in the midst of a world that was constantly pulling me away from spiritual things. It was an ordinary day but a truly extraordinary experience in that I had a personal encounter with Yeshua. This was the first time I’d ever felt as though the Lord was speaking directly to me. It was so unbelievable and yet so real, and I will never forget His words. He said, “Many are called, but few are chosen.”


In my innermost being I knew exactly what he was saying, but I needed to ask, “Lord, am I chosen?”


He sweetly smiled and replied, “Yes.”


I was overcome by the peace and presence of God— energized and in awe of the experience. I felt as if I were in a state of euphoria. This filling, which was much like an indwelling, kept me in a state of deep contentment. I ran down the steps and into my front yard. Not caring who was watching, I jumped up and down, screaming at the top of my lungs, “I am called to serve Him! I am called to serve Him!”


At this same moment my mom pulled into the driveway and saw her good little Jewish son running around in circles like a crazy man for all the neighbors to gawk at. Surely she thought I was mashugana (a Yiddish term describing a person who is nonsensical or silly). I didn’t care; I was so elated by the fact that God, the God who created the universe, wanted to use me.


Although she did not understand what was happening to me, my mother did not want to rain on my parade. There was only one problem. I wondered, What does it look like for a nice Jewish boy to begin serving Yeshua? I had no clue.


My best friend was John. I met him as part of a wannabe Filipino gang. We became close, practicing martial arts together and discussing spiritual things. By this time, John had become a believer in Yeshua and talked about it with me as often as possible. One day he called and asked, “You went to Hebrew school as a child, right? Do you think you could tell the difference between the Old and New Testaments if I read you some passages?”


I said, “Sure.”


He read me a passage about this guy dying on a cross and asked if it was from the Old or New Testament.

I said, “Obviously it’s from the New Testament because it’s talking about Jesus.”


He read another passage: “He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities. . . . He was led like a lamb to the slaughter.” Then he asked, “Is this from the Old or New Testament?”


I said, “It must be from the New Testament because it sounds like it’s talking about Jesus.”


John paused, then said, “It’s from the Old Testament, from Isaiah 53 (vv. 5, 7 niv). Isaiah was a Jewish prophet who lived seven hundred years before the Messiah was born.”


That got my attention.


After our conversation I agreed to go with John to the messianic synagogue led by Rabbi Jonathan Cahn, who would later write the highly acclaimed and bestselling book The Harbinger.

During the service, Rabbi Cahn talked about being “born anew,” but I didn’t think a good Jewish boy should ever do that. However, when he gave the invitation, I stood up. Rabbi Cahn led me in a prayer to receive Yeshua. My friend had prayed to lead one Jewish person to faith in Messiah Jesus, but he never thought it would be me.


After the service I was given the first New Testament I had ever seen. I took it home, not quite sure what had just happened, and hid it in my room— God forbid my parents should find it. Of course, Mom did find it and confronted me: “What is this? Don’t tell me you’re a Jew thinking about believing in Jesus!”


By then, I had read the New Testament and believed that Jesus was the One that Moses and the prophets had foretold. He was the One who spoke the words of eternal life.


My mom was concerned and called our rabbi to meet with me. I knew I needed to verify for myself that Yeshua was the Messiah of the Hebrew Bible. As I studied in preparation for my meeting with the rabbi, I made a list of all the messianic promises and prophecies in the Hebrew Scriptures that I could find. I wanted to make sure I clearly understood and could articulate what I believed about the Messiah based on the Hebrew Bible and Jewish sources.

The rabbi asked me how I had come to believe in Yeshua as the Messiah, and I read all the passages that had impacted me.


I believe that by discovering the connections between the Old Testament and New Testament, your life can be transformed like mine. I liken it to experiencing your faith in high definition. When you “see” Jesus and the Bible in HD, you enjoy greater richness, sharpness, and clarity of details that you would have otherwise missed.


Taken from “Mysteries of the Messiah: Unveiling Divine Connections from Genesis to Today” by Rabbi Jason Sobel. Copyright 2021 by Rabbi Jason Sobel. Used with permission from Thomas Nelson Publishing.

 

 

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1lfCyX7HOOkPl86A8rDU_8OOkIlydAwv About The Author


 Raised in a Jewish home in New Jersey, Rabbi Jason Sobel dedicated much of his life in pursuit of a spiritual connection with God. After years of seeking and studying, he encountered God and found his true destiny as a Jewish follower of Yeshua (Jesus). Suddenly, all the traditions Rabbi Jason grew up with took on new depth and meaning as God connected the ancient wisdom of the Torah with the teachings of the Messiah.

Rabbi Jason received his rabbinic ordination from the UMJC (Union of Messianic Jewish Congregations) in 2005. He has a B.A. in Jewish Studies (Moody) and an M.A. in Intercultural Studies (Southeastern Seminary). He is a sought-after speaker and has made multiple appearances on national television, including the Trinity Broadcasting Network, the Daystar Network, and the Dr. Oz Show. Rabbi Jason is the author of Breakthrough: Living a Life That Overflows, Aligning with God's Appointed Times, and Mysteries of the Messiah and he is also the coauthor of New York Times bestseller The Rock, the Road, and the Rabbi with Kathie Lee Gifford.

You can learn more at www.rabbisobel.com.

 


 

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Tour calendar

Timeless Mama Blog 7/13/2021
Adonai Shalom 7/14/2021
Simply Susan 7/14/2021
HappyWhenReading 7/15/2021
Harvest Lane Cottage 7/15/2021
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Marilyn Nutter 7/19/2021
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Finding Peace in God's Word 7/20/2021
Anchored by the Sword 7/21/2021
Older & Smarter? 7/21/2021
Tangled Up In Writing 7/21/2021
Beauty in the Binding 7/22/2021
A Peace Of Mind 7/23/2021
Maureen's Musings 7/23/2021
All Things Are Possible 7/24/2021
SK Bell 7/24/2021
The Livy Updater 7/24/2021
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Once Upon a Storyville 7/26/2021
Roads to Everywhere 7/26/2021
Veronica's 'Views 7/27/2021
Window To My World 7/28/2021
A Room Without Books is Empty 7/29/2021
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WORD Up! 7/30/2021

 

My Review


  Having recently completed an in-depth study of Genesis with my BSF group, I found this book fascinating and eye opening, I've also heard my pastor speak of studying Greek and Hebrew and reading the bible in the original language. This book gave me a greater understanding of using the language Jesus was speaking, and his disciples, and applying it to scripture.

The mysteries, and as Rabbi Sobel reveals some of them that are hidden in plain sight: Hebrew word for Father, has a Numerical Number of 3, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Since a tree caused the Fall, the son of God had to die on a tree.

There are so many words of wisdom here, I will be reading this one more than once!

I received this book through Read With Audra, and was not required to give a positive review.

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