About the Book

 

Book: Jake Rogers’ Planet

Author: Philip Wilder

Genre: Christian YA Science Fiction

Release date: February, 2025

Jake is about to embark on a perilous adventure through an alien wilderness filled with hidden wonders and hazards.

While backpacking with his father, Jake Rogers discovers a mysterious portal and accidentally plunges headfirst into an alien world. Stranded on this bizarre planet, he must evade predators, adapt to the strange elements, and navigate the ever-changing landscape to return home. However, as Jake stumbles upon technologically advanced alien ruins, a chilling question arises: Are the aliens still alive?

Even on this terrifying journey, God reminds Jake of the profound verse: “Do not fear, for I am with you.”

 

Click here to get your copy!

 My Review:

 Homeschooling my kids we read a lot of great books. My son liked to read space sci-fi adventures. It was a hard genre to find good Christian fantasy sci fi adventures. Jake Roger’s Planet I thought was a creative and fascinating read. I think my son would have enjoyed this book.

The book is about faith of a teen boy trying to find who he is in the world and not who his father wants him to be. His father wants him to like his brothers. Jake wants to find his own way.  There are some tensions in their relationship.

Jake and his dad are on a hike when Jake finds himself pulled into a portal on an alien planet. He is scared and alone and yet he hears God speaking to him. Jake was never one to be adventurous or the outdoor type of person. He finds himself needing to find food and shelter. Then he has to defend himself from animals. Another tread that is weaved throughout is learning to trust God, sacrifice, and surrendering to God’s will throughout the book. This has a coming to age story. He also finds out about friendship and loyalty.

The imagination of this book is creative and fun. The author does a fantastic job describing the aliens and it is extremely creative. I just loved the uniqueness that the author took. A lot of action throughout the book. It was a fast read for me and the pace was enough to keep its intended audience’s attention after the slow build up of the first chapter.

There are illustrations throughout the book. A really good discussion questions at the end of the book.

I’ve read some great books this year but honestly this one was far my favorite. I guess I’m just a kid at heart!

Disclosure: I received this complimentary product through Celebrate Lit Bloggers in exchange for my honest thoughts. 

About the Author

Philip Wilder has been writing since the age of seven. He’s authored two nonfiction books, is a ACFW Genesis Contest finalist, and is currently a Realm Makers Aurora Contest double finalist. He’s spent two years as an undercover missionary in the Middle East, gone sky-diving, and traveled to 35 countries. Philip works with the Great Commission Alliance to train and equip believers around the world. He’s passionate about using fiction to inspire believers to live adventurous lives of faith.

 

More from Philip

Fear is a dangerous enemy.

At the age of 22, I felt God calling me to become a missionary in the Middle East—not for a week or a month, but a year (that eventually became two). Having never traveled outside the US or moved away from my home city of Denver, I was overwhelmed by fear. I’d be moving to a foreign land where I didn’t know a single person and doing work that wasn’t widely accepted there. I spent many sleepless nights wrestling with God’s gentle prompting.

Fear is inevitable in a Christian’s walk, but its power diminishes as we learn to lean into God and trust Him with the unknown. No matter where a believer is on their faith journey, God always guides us to step outside our comfort zones.

The inspiration for this novel came in 2016 while I was living in the Middle East. While watching The Martian, I realized that even if I were stranded on Mars, millions of miles from humanity, God would still call me to trust Him and not fear. That realization was life-changing: no matter what we face, God assures us nothing is worth fearing if we walk in joyful obedience.

Moving to the Middle East was terrifying and far from easy, but God was always present when I needed Him. In following God to take this step, I realized another beautiful truth: God knows what we need, love, and desire more than we do.

My firm belief is that God has wired each of us to love and enjoy different things because He wants to lead us down a unique path, where He desires to see the deepest parts of our hearts come alive. Walking this path is hard and full of fear. It requires letting go of dreams and trusting God will fulfill the right desires at the right time.

This is the journey Jake faces in Jake Rogers’ Planet. The fears he wrestles with are the same ones I had to navigate to declutter my mind and follow God.

I hope this book will help believers overcome their own fears and follow God. My prayer is that everyone reading this novel will be inspired by Jake’s story to take wild steps of faith to follow God on the wondrous adventure he has in store for them.

Blog Stops 

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, March 7

Simple Harvest Reads, March 8 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, March 9

Tell Tale Book Reviews, March 10 (Author Interview)

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, March 11

Blossoms and Blessings, March 12 (Author Interview)

The Lofty Pages, March 13

Artistic Nobody, March 14 (Author Interview)

Locks, Hooks and Books, March 15

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, March 16 (Spotlight)

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, March 16

Stories By Gina, March 17 (Author Interview)

cecereadsandsings, March 17

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, March 18

Guild Master, March 19 (Author Interview)

Little Homeschool on the Prairie , March 20

Giveaway

To celebrate his tour, Philip is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card, plus a signed hardcover copy of the book, a bookmark, and a vinyl sticker!!

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

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf54168

 Buy tickets today to see I Am Living Proof in theaters starting March 9^th. Tickets can be purchased here.

 Synopsis: I Am Living Proof is a compelling and intimate look into the lives of three individuals who face an extraordinary life-altering event. Bri, once a promising student, finds her academic dreams derailed by an illness that’s deteriorating her body. For seven years, she’s caught in a cycle of failed medical treatments and excruciating pain, pushing her toward assisted suicide. 

Steve’s life spirals out of control after a workplace accident leaves him dependent on opioids. Jobless and desperate, he attempts to end it all with an overdose. 

Mary, a mother of five, faces debilitating pain from a spinal injury that leaves her unable to care for her children—until a vivid dream sparks an unexpected turning point.

My Thoughts:

In my early days as a believer my husband and I were blessed to have formed some close friendships with a couple missionaries from other countries. One thing that always struck my husband and I was it felt like there was a difference with faith and healing in other parts of the world. They talked about healing when they went back home and traveled to other locations. We asked, “why does it seem like there are more healings abroad and not in the US?” The answer was, “they only have Jesus and no access to doctors or medicines usually.” “Being sick usually means you can’t put food on the table and it affects so many areas of their lives. There faith is strong and they know that Jesus can heal them and they have nothing else to cling to for help.”.

Jesus has healed me physically and spiritually in many ways. I’m also a bit of a cynic with healing ministries. I just have witnessed some bad situations. So, when I watched I Am Living Proof I went in with an open mind because I know He can heal them. 

The movie is set up as a documentary around three individual’s lives. They share their stories and how they were before an event that left them with debilitating pain. They go into very emotional moments of the severity of what was physically and mentally going on with them. They felt they have nowhere to turn and in total despair. However, that changed for them.

The documentary throughout has conversations with family, neighbors, friends, doctors, theologians, and others. The movement behind the movie is Mario Murillo and he talks about the events of the healings of the people in the crowd.

In the summer of 2022, thousands gathered under a revival tent in Colorado Springs as churches across the community joined forces to host evangelist Mario Murillo. These compelling accounts of transformation each uniquely powerful.  

The film is well made and does a good job documented evidence of people being healed by Jesus. Am I still a cynic-possibly. However, I felt very compelled with this movie and that it wasn’t a bunch of fluff. I felt that each individual in this movie had their lives changed spiritually and physically. You can learn more at the website: https://www.iamlivingproofthemovie.com/

#IAmLivingProofMIN  @iamlivingproofthemovie  #MomentumInfluencerNetwork @iamlivingproofthemovie @IAmLivingProof_ 

Disclosure: Many thanks to I Am Living Proof the Movie for providing a sample of the product for this review. Opinions are 100% my own.

 

About the Book

 

Book: His Grace’s Governess

Author: Jackie Killelea

Genre: Christian Historic Romance

Release date: February 4, 2025

A governess with a secret. A duke with a broken heart. Can love heal their wounds?

Miss Eleanor Clairbridge, at five and twenty, has resigned herself to a life without love. With her family’s London townhouse threatened by dwindling finances, she accepts employment as a governess to help support her widowed mother and preserve her cherished childhood home. When Eleanor arrives at Ivy Grange Estate, the last thing she expects to find is a spark of attraction between her and her new employer. Determined not to risk her position, she resolves to keeps her distance. There is more than one reason a romance between them can never be.

Edmund Colhampton, the Duke of Albemarle, has no intention of finding love. Since losing his family in a tragic carriage accident five years ago, he has devoted himself to protecting his young niece, the only family he has left. But when his niece’s enchanting governess arrives at the estate, Edmund finds himself reconsidering his vow never to love again. Why then, as he seeks to know her more, does she seem determined to avoid him at all costs?

As Eleanor fulfills her role as governess, her past begins to catch up with her, threatening to unravel the secrets she holds dear. Both Eleanor and Edmund must confront their deepest fears and decide whether to succumb to the darkness within or brave the path to healing and love.

Click here to get your copy!

 

My Thoughts: 

I like to step out of my genre at times. This was one of those books that it was a new author and in the Regency era that I don’t read books in. All the high and mighty attitudes and the class order just makes my skin crawl. Wow, His Grace’s Governess didn’t disappoint. The story was written well and was heartfelt. It was a love story that faith and prayer was strong in the main characters. They had some hardships that they needed to let go of fear and remorse. I loved the story and characters so much that I will order the next book in the series.

Eleanor loss her father many years ago. What her mother and her didn’t know was that he left a lot of mounting bills. Eleanor wants nothing more than to keep her sick mother and the few devout helpers in the home. The house hasn’t seen good days in a long time. They have sold household items. Despite all of this Eleanor needs a job and soon. She has someone who wants to make her his wife. He is much older and not a good man.

Eleanor finds a job working as a governess in Duke Edmund’s home caring for his niece Rosie. Rosie was adorable and just melted my heart.

Edmund and Eleanor are still grieving and trying to deal with different issues. They both find themselves thinking about one another often. Sounds a bit corny when I write it but the author did a great job taking you into the Regency era and developing all the characters.

Disclosure: I received this complimentary product through Celebrate Lit Bloggers in exchange for my honest thoughts. 

About the Author

Jackie Killelea is a born and raised small-town girl from Connecticut with a degree in English and Creative Writing. She started off her writing journey with poetry, soon shifting into novels and becoming hooked. On days when she’s not busy with her nose in a book, she can be found typing away with a cup of tea at her side.

More from Jackie

In His Grace’s Governess, much trouble befalls Edmund and Eleanor as they attempt to sort out their close proximity to and burgeoning feelings for one another, but there is one scene in particular that I enjoyed researching.

In one scene of the novel, Mr. Roskilly(the gardener at Ivy Grange Estate) worries at Eleanor plucking the plant Rabelera–otherwise known as Greater Stitchwort–from the ground. He fears that danger will befall Eleanor if she takes it from the garden and Eleanor, misunderstanding him, even believes at one point that Mr. Roskilly might be threatening her. But, why is Mr. Roskilly so worried? Is he really so concerned that Edmund’s hackles will be raised when he sees that Eleanor has plucked a few mere flowers from the garden–and with his niece, no less?

Indeed, that is not where his concern lies, for if you read the passage closely, you’ll see that Mr. Roskilly is Cornish. This is an important factor. When doing my research for the novel, I found that, in Cornwall, it is believed that Greater Stitchwort is the property of the pixies. It is believed that to pick it is to take it from them and to anger them, and if you anger them then there is all the chance that they may well retaliate for you having stolen what was theirs. Truly, they may even enchant you, according to legend. Having read this and being sufficiently intrigued, the scene was born! I do hope you get as much enjoyment out of it as I do.

Here is an excerpt from it so you know what I’m referring to:

“Hope yer walk’s went well. ’Tis a fine day fer one.” He grinned, revealing a mouth full of crooked teeth. His Cornish accent was thick, with a friendly tone to his voice.

Eleanor returned his smile and nodded. “It certainly is. What better way to spend a morning than to enjoy the sun in these beautiful gardens? They’re the finest I’ve ever seen.”

She could’ve sworn there was a hint of a blush on the man’s tawny face. “I than’ ye, miss. We do our righ’ bes’, and keepin’ i’ as i’ is makes ’is Grace ’appy. Ever since…” The man trailed off, a growing look of concern on his face.

What had he been about to say? Something about the duke or his family?

“Greater Stitchwort.” He spoke with a grave edge to his words, looking intently at the flower in Rose’s hand.

Eleanor’s gaze flitted from the man to the flower, her brows furrowing. “Is something wrong, sir?”

The man tilted his head, flicking his eyes to the side in a plea for a private conversation.

I will not say whether this decision to pick the plant affected Eleanor later on in the story or not, but I’ll leave you with this: Do consider all of the plants you touch before you decide to place your hand upon them and pull them from the ground.

Happy reading!

Jackie Killelea

Blog Stops

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, February 18

Holly’s Book Corner, February 19

Texas Book-aholic, February 19

Life on Chickadee Lane, February 20

Pens Pages & Pulses, February 20

Locks, Hooks and Books, February 21

Stories By Gina, February 22 (Author Interview)

Devoted To Hope, February 22

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, February 23

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, February 24

Connie’s History Classroom, February 25

Paula’s Pad of Inspiration, February 25

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, February 26

Simple Harvest Reads, February 27 (Guest Review from Donna)

For Him and My Family, February 28

Pause for Tales, February 28

Book Looks by Lisa, March 1

Blossoms and Blessings, March 2

Cover Lover Book Review, March 3

Little Homeschool on the Prairie, March 3

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Jackie 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://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf54157/

Did you know that there are 1.2 million adults and 1.5 million children experiencing homelessness nationwide today. 

Inspired by true events, NO ADDRESS follows the journey of Lauren, a young woman who lost her mom at a young age and ended up in foster care. The day she graduated the foster mom kicked her out into the streets since she no longer would get paid to have her stay with her.  After calling friends to take her in she finds herself alone with two trash bags of basic belongings on the streets. She quickly finds herself getting robbed and only has the clothes on her back. She ends up meeting a runaway Jimmy who left home because of his abusive stepfather. Jimmy’s mom hasn’t given up and still searches for her son. Jimmy introduces Lauren to his family on the streets. Each one has different reasons for being on the streets. They all look out for one another.

The ragtag family find themselves being harassed by Robert, a desperate real estate developer who is trying to land a building project. The problem is that a homeless encampment has taken over the property. After going through the lawful way to see if he can get them removed, he finds himself hiring thugs to get them out. Robert has a drinking and gambling problem and his about to lose everything. After he is fired his family is left with nowhere to go.

I thought the movie was heartfelt and it showed a variety of reasons of being homelessness. Some because of drugs, mental illness, runaways, vets, and many other examples. It looks at the reality of trying to fend to get food, shelter, and needing medical care. The movie was honest and to the point. 

 

 It includes William "Billy" Baldwin, Xander Berkeley, Beverly D'Angelo, Lucas Jade Zumann, Isabella Ferreira, Patricia Velasquez, Kristanna Loken, singer Ashanti, and television personality Ty Pennington.

Robert Craig Films is deeply concerned about to addressing the urgent issue of homelessness and has pledged that 50% of the net profits from our five No Address productions will be donated to a diverse range of organizations and churches nationwide.

Tickets are available to see No Address in theaters starting February 28^th. You can buy your tickets here.

To learn more you can visit https://www.noaddressmovie.com/

Many thanks to Robert Craig Films for providing a sample of the product for this review. Opinions are 100% my own.

Facebook & Instagram: @noaddressmovie

@BreakTheNoAddressCycle @NoAddressMovie @NoAddressMovie @MomentumInfluencerNetwork

A young boy with both a rare brittle-bone disease and autism. He is a happy kid who loves everyone. Every day is a great day for him. He is always happy and wants to make everyone around him happy.  He is joyous, funny, life-affirming world view that transforms and unites everyone around him. Just about all his classmates love him at school and Austin sees everyone at school as his friend. The class bully he considers his best friend. Logan his brother dislikes how he belittles his brother. Austin sees his bully as a sad person and wants to make him happy.

Austin was also born with osteogenesis imperfecta, or known as brittle-bone disease. He is no stranger to broken bones and has had a lot of broken bones.  

Scott the father has his own way of handling his son. Alcohol is a close friend and an imaginary friend that he talks to. It seems that every time Scott is in charge of watching Austin, he ends up in an emergency room with another broken bone. Scott loses his job. Everything spirals out of control like the mounting medical bills and Austins huge meltdown. The mom Theresa, is the family glue with her love for her family and faith.

Having a daughter with Autism and other medical issues this movie spoke loudly to me. I looked over other reviews and seen some critical ones but if you haven’t been in the shoes of a parent or a family with a child with autism it’s hard to relate. I feel that those reviews looked at the movie from the outside looking in. The movie is heartfelt and honest with all the joys, frustrations, and day to day life of a parent and family with a challenging child. I chuckled and teared up many times because I could relate to the many different aspects of the movies.  

Buy tickets today to see The Unbreakable Boy in theaters starting February 21!

Facebook: @Lionsgate

Instagram: @Lionsgate

X: @Lionsgate

Facebook: @TheUnbreakableBoy

Instagram: @UnbreakableBoy

X: @UnbreakableBoy

 Disclosure: I received this complimentary product in exchange for my honest thoughts. 

The Adventure Bible has been a stable in my home throughout the years. We used it when we taught children’s ministry also. The Bible has always been a favorite for kids and parents alike. Its full colored throughout and has engaging points throughout. I love that it is a good transition into an adult Bible. It has the layout that you find in adult Bibles and many of the tools.

Having a child who struggles with reading the NIV has been easy for her to understand and read. It has an introduction with an overview of the book and points out some key stories in the book. Dictionary and concordances in the back of the Bible. Full colored maps too.

Other features included like: Life in Bible Times – What was life like in ancient days? Words to Treasure- Scripture verses to memorize. Did You Know? -Interesting facts on God’s Word. Like the footnotes you see in and adult Bible that ties scripture together or gives you a bit more information on a section you are reading. Life in Bible Times—Articles and illustrations describe what life was like in ancient days. Words to Treasure—Highlights great verses to memorize. Did You Know?—Interesting facts help you understand God’s Word and the life of faith. People in Bible Times—Articles offer close-up looks at amazing people of the Bible. Live It!—Hands-on activities to apply biblical truths to your life.

I really like the Adventure Bible Guide. It walks through every book of the Bible. Its packed with information on each book of the Bible. Each book has two pages. It highlights significant events and people. It had several fun and interesting facts like photos of artifacts, map of locations and illustrations that make the Bible events come alive. It also breaks down important things as a Believer in Jesus. There is also a colorful timeline.

Adventure Bible Guide is a great tool to use with the Adventure Bible. What a great way to teach your kids the importance of studying the Word of God.

You can purchase both books here. 

Disclosure:  I received this complimentary product through FrontGate Blogger Network in exchange for my honest thoughts. @frontgatem

#adventurebible #adventurebibleguide #zonderkidz #niv #ad #sponsored

@Zonderkidz @adventurebible @frontgatem

Between Borders follows the Petrosyan family as they face persecution in Azerbaijan and escape to Russia. Russia is just as dangerous for this family. While in Russia they find themselves welcomed by a small Christian community. It is not without persuasion that the family is part of the Christian community.  The movie takes you into some places where you see the Petrosyan family having to humble themselves among the tyrants who threatened them in Russia. The threat and tension arise for the family and their safety in Russia. Those same Christians help them move to the United States to escape the harassment and dangers they face from Russians. Once in America, they had to fight in court to prove they would be in danger if sent back to Russia.  The film takes you through the Petrosyan family’s journey of religious and ethnic persecution. Coming from communism to a free land.  This is a true story from the family’s viewpoint who desires nothing more but to find hope and freedom to raise their family safely.

The movie is heartfelt. There are a few things that I would have loved them to go more in-depth with. At one point they are communists and Violetta tells the court that she was at one point when asked. Then she proclaims that she is a Christian. I would have loved to have seen more of what made her come to Jesus. Was it her mom who she saw the change in? I wanted more of the character build-up and their personal walk in the Messiah in the movie.

The lawyer points out that they didn’t prove that their life was in danger in Russia and that they should be sent back to Russia.  The judge's decision was surprising and in my view a miracle.

Early in my Christian walk, my husband and I had the privilege of getting to know a family that fled for their life from their homeland. They had to go at different times and hide in their homeland until they could all be together in America. It changed me learning about their plot during my early years as a Believer. I was delighted to see Between Borders.

The film stars Elizabeth Tabish from The Chosen & Elizabeth

Mitchell from Lost & The Santa Clause movies!

Buy tickets today to see Between Borders in theaters  January 26-28!

Website

Instagram

Facebook

Disclosure: Many thanks to Pinnacle Peak Pictures for providing a sample of the product for this review. Opinions are 100% my own.