When I was in Israel, one of the most surreal moments was going to the Temple Mount. It’s something I will never forget. We nearly didn’t get to go up there due to the unrest the day before. Baruch HaShem (Praise G-d), we were cleared to go at our scheduled time.

Being able to walk where Yeshua walked and where the Temple once stood left me in tears. I will never forget that moment, standing on the Temple Mount and seeing Jerusalem from there. 

I was humbled to be able to have a piece of the Temple Mount soil to call my own with the Pendant of Eternal Faith. I received both the gold and silver pendants.

The Temple Mount in Jerusalem is one of the world's most sacred sites for many religions and one of the most disputed piece of land on earth. 

In 1999, a construction project was undertaken without the authority of Israel’s Antiquities Law. The soil was carelessly dumped in the Kidron Valley. The dumped soil was later discovered, revealing three thousand years of history from the First and Second Temples. The Temple Mount Sifting Project was created from this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Once the soil has been sifted, the project will be complete. Many artifacts have been found through this effort. You can participate in sifting the soil yourself if you ever visit Israel—you might just uncover a piece of Biblical history!

Pendant of Eternal Faith is available in silver and gold. Each glass capsule contains soil and ash from the destruction of the temples. The chain comes with a lovely lobster clasp that makes it easier to take the necklace on and off. The necklace is solid and doesn't feel cheap for not being gold or sterling silver. Every necklace comes in a velvet bag. Each bottle of Temple Mount soil is numbered and certified by the Temple Mount Sifting Project, the only authorized body verifying its authenticity. It is also signed by leading experts in biblical archaeology to confirm its origin and historical significance.+

The necklaces are beautiful and would make a lovely gift for someone special or just to spoil yourself. 

A QR code is included, allowing you to document your participation in this historical preservation effort. A full colored informational booklet is secured in a beautiful black box. 

There are other items available with the Temple soil to purchase.

You have an opportunity to win a Pendant of Eternal Faith with a Giveaway. 

@templemountsoil #TempleMountSoil #HolyLandArtifacts #PreserveHistory #BiblicalArtifacts

Disclosure: I received this complimentary product through FrontGate Blogger.

 

About the Book

Book: Capture the Moment

Author: Suzanne Woods Fisher

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Release date: May 6, 2025

Kate Cunningham is facing the opportunity of a lifetime. As a zoo photographer, she’s spent years photographing animals in carefully controlled environments, but now National Geographic has dangled an irresistible prize: If Kate can snag a unique photo of a legendary bear in Grand Teton National Park, they just might publish it. It’s the kind of challenge Kate has been waiting for, and she’s eager to prove herself in the wild.

With more enthusiasm than experience, Kate soon realizes that capturing an image of this bear isn’t as simple as she hoped. Fortunately, she crosses paths with Grant Cooper, a seasonal park ranger who knows the terrain–and the bears–better than anyone. His tracking skills could be exactly what Kate needs to succeed, and it doesn’t hurt that he’s easy on the eyes. But they’re not the only ones with an interest in the park’s most famous bear. And his motives are far from innocent.

 

Click here to get your copy!

My Review:

A new series by Suzanne Woods Fisher and the “National Parks Summers series.” This book is set in Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming.

 

Kate Cunningham is a photographer at a zoo on the East Coast. She has always dreamed of capturing animals in their natural habitat. An opportunity arises this season to photograph Bear 399 for National Geographic magazine. Grizzly 399 is a legendary bear in the park. The competition is fierce, and the task is not what she imagined it would be. She feels unprepared for the wild and unaware of the dangers surrounding her as she tries to capture images of wildlife in their natural habitat. Thankfully, she receives assistance from Ranger Grant Cooper, aka “Coop.”

 

There are many characters you will enjoy in the book. I love the addition of the high school students Coop is teaching; they add a lot of fun and humor to the story. The book has a great plot, and I enjoyed the mystery, suspense, twists, danger, romance, and faith. Additionally, there’s a poacher who’s after Grizzly 399 as a trophy. The story is a page-turner, and I look forward to the next book in the series.

 

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

About the Author

Suzanne Woods Fisher is a Christy finalist, a Carol and Selah winner, a two-time ECPA Book of the Year finalist, and Publishers Weekly and ECPA bestselling author of more than forty books. Her genres include contemporary and historical romances, Amish romance, and women’s fiction. She and her husband live in a small town in California. Most friends act a little nervous around Suzanne because they usually wind up in one of her novels. She has four grown children and enough grandchildren to keep her young.

More from Suzanne

A Spark that Lit a Story

By Suzanne Woods Fisher

Capture the Moment (Revell—May 6, 2025)

Inspiration can strike in the most unexpected places—like a gift shop in Grand Teton National Park. While browsing, I struck up a conversation with a college student who had never set foot outside Alabama until her mom dropped her off for a summer job in the park. One minute, she was home in the Deep South; the next, she was surrounded by towering peaks and moose crossings. Talk about a culture shock.

That conversation lit a spark that eventually became my National Parks Summers series. I couldn’t stop thinking about the fascinating mix of people who work seasonally in national parks. You’ve got fresh-faced college kids on their first big adventure, retirees finally living their bucket-list dreams, and everyone in between. These parks aren’t just natural wonders—they’re crossroads for people from all walks of life, all chasing something unique.

In Capture the Moment, I wanted to explore what happens when people and landscapes collide. Kate Cunningham, a determined zoo photographer, swaps enclosures for the wilds of Grand Teton, chasing an elusive bear and her own sense of purpose. Along the way, Kate meets Grant Cooper, a rugged park ranger with a knack for tracking and a talent for keeping her on her toes.

National parks are more than just beautiful backdrops—they’re places where people find themselves, lose themselves, and sometimes stumble into something extraordinary.

Maybe even love.

Blog Stops

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, May 22

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, May 22

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, May 22

By the Book, May 23

Carla’s Book Crush, May 23

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 24

Devoted To Hope, May 24

Book Looks by Lisa, May 25

Texas Book-aholic, May 25

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, May 26

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, May 26

lakesidelivingsite, May 27

Locks, Hooks and Books, May 27

The Avid Reader, May 28

Blossoms and Blessings, May 28

Southern Gal Loves to Read, May 28

Stories By Gina, May 29 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, May 29

Blogging With Carol, May 30

For Him and My Family, May 30

Cover Lover Book Review, May 31

Karen Baney Reviews, May 31

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, June 1

Holly’s Book Corner, June 1

Jeanette’s Thoughts, June 2

Books Less Travelled, June 2

She Lives To Read, June 3

Pause for Tales, June 3

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, June 3

Lily’s Corner, June 4

Little Homeschool on the Prairie, June 4

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Suzanne is giving away the grand prize of a $25 Amazon gift card and an eBook copy of the book!!

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/00adcf54226/

 

About the Book

Book: Lizzie’s Little Mouse (The Heart of the Amish Series Book Eight)

Author: Anne Blackburne

Genre: Amish/Christian Fiction

Release date: April, 2025

Lizzie Has Dreams That Won’t Be Deterred

Full of faith, hope, and romance, this new series takes you into the Heart of Amish country.

Ever since attending a wedding in Louisiana, Lizzie Miller has been fascinated by French baked goods. With permission of her parents and bishop, she did a two-year internship in a French bakery in New Orleans. When a local Amish bakery became available, she bought it and opened her own French inspired bakery.

But now someone wants her out of business. During her grand opening, a strange man accosts her, then a brick is tossed through her window wrapped in a note telling her to leave. Someone breaks into her apartment above the bakery, and her cat chases the intruder out.

With the help of her friends, Lizzie will get to the bottom of why someone wishes her to fail. And at the same time, she’ll realize that sometimes dreams can be fulfilled with what—or who—was always close at hand, just waiting to be noticed. 

Click here to get your copy!

My Review:

Lizzie Miller is a young Amish woman who opened a New Orleans style French Amish Bakery after being in New Orleans to learn to bake French New Orleans style. She dreamed of opening her own pastry store at home.

Her dream has finally come true and she had a lot of support in her community. Her grand opening day was a bit more exiting than she could have imagined. Someone wants her to shut down her bakery or maybe they want something in her store or living area. They are really ttrying to scare her to close her bakery. With the help of her friends, and her best friend’s brother they start doing their own investigation into the vandalism and break-ins at her store.

With leads of different individuals that had their eyes on buying the store front and a revelation into an 100-year-old mystery.

A fun story with mystery, danger, humor, and an unexpected romance. As with all the stories in this series the cats add an extra layer that you will love.

All the characters are well rounded and developed nicely. I love getting a glimpse of previous characters in this series.

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

  

About the Author

Anne Blackburne lives and works in Southeast Ohio as a newspaper editor and writer. She is the mother of five grown children, has one wonderful grandchild, and a spoiled poodle named Millie. For fun, when she isn’t working on Amish romance or sweet mysteries, Anne directs and acts in community theater productions and writes and directs original plays. She also enjoys reading, kayaking, swimming, searching for beach glass, and just sitting with a cup of coffee looking at large bodies of water. Her idea of the perfect vacation is cruising and seeing amazing new places with people she loves.

More from Anne

I’m so excited that once again, the amazing bloggers who work with Celebrate Lit are going to do a blog tour for my brand new book in Barbour’s “Heart of the Amish” series, “Lizzie’s Little Mouse”!

Lizzie’s story is available now to readers in print and online wherever fine books are sold, and I feel so blessed to have the help of the Celebrate Lit folks in launching this wonderful story.

If you read either of my previous two books in the series, “Ruth’s Gingersnap Surprise” and “Mary’s Calico Hope”, you’ll remember Elizabeth Miller, their sassy friend with the darling Haflinger pony named Goldie who gave Mary a ride one morning before church services. Elizabeth, or Lizzie, was also mentioned in Ruth’s story as one of the lucky recipients of a kitten from their elderly friend, Lydia’s, cat’s final litter.

Lizzie’s cat is a gray kitty she named Petit Souris, which is French for Little Mouse. Why Little Mouse? Because as a tiny kitten, the darling reminded Lizzie of a mouse!

And why the French name? Well, our heroine is not your typical Amish miss. After attending a wedding in New Orleans as a teen and tasting the amazing baked goods for which the city is renowned, Lizzie began dreaming of opening her very own New Orleans style French bakery – in Ohio’s Amish country!

She loves everything to do with New Orleans, and learned to speak their dialect of French while doing an internship in a bakery there when she was 18. Upon returning home she went to work at the local bakery to learn more about the business, and to save up for her dreams.

As the story opens, we find that Lizzie’s dream has come true! It’s opening day of The Plain Beignet, Lizzie’s bakery in Willow Creek, Ohio. Everyone comes out to wish her well, including friends you’ll recognize from my first two books!

But when something unexpected and frightening happens during the grand opening, it becomes apparent that not everyone is as happy as Lizzie and her friends about her success.

Along with some help from her pals, and her best friend Jane’s handsome big brother, John, Lizzie will get to the bottom of the mystery of who wants to put her out of business, and why!

They discover, among other things, that Lizzie’s bakery was the site of a murder a hundred years before! What could this historic crime have to do with Lizzie’s current problems?

As she, John and their friends search for clues, Lizzie will discover that there’s more baking than her latest batch of beignets!

Could it be romance?

Thank you for taking the time to learn about Lizzie’s story! This book is my third in Barbour Publishing’s series, “The Heart of the Amish”. Look for other great reads in the series from authors Mindy Steele and Lisa Jones Baker.

I’m currently writing my fourth book in the series, which will feature a young woman you’ve met in all my other stories, Jane Bontrager.

Just like her friends, Jane received a kitten from their friend, Lydia; a little brown tabby. Her story, “Plain Jane’s Secret Admirer”, is due out in early winter 2026. .

I hope you’re having as much fun reading about these remarkable young women – and their kitties! – as I’m having writing about them. Thanks for being part of our journey!

As for me and mine, we are all well and enjoying spring in southeast Ohio. In other words, enjoying the sunshine, but carrying a sweater and an umbrella, just in case!

God bless you and yours!

Joyfully,

Anne Blackburne

Blog Stops

The Avid Reader, April 30

lakesidelivingsite, April 30

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 1

Carla’s Book Crush, May 1

Life on Chickadee Lane, May 2

Vicky Sluiter, May 2

Simple Harvest Reads, May 3 (Guest Review from Marilyn Ridgway)

Texas Book-aholic, May 4

Locks, Hooks and Books, May 5

Holly’s Book Corner, May 5

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, May 6

Stories By Gina, May 7 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, May 7

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, May 8

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, May 9

For Him and My Family, May 10

Jeanette’s Thoughts, May 10

Bizwings Book Blog, May 11

Lily’s Corner, May 12

Little Homeschool on the prairie, May 12

She Lives to Read, May 13

Cover Lover Book Review, May 13

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Anne is giving away the grand prize of a $25 Amazon eGift card and a copy of the book!!

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/00adcf54209

There is nothing new under the sun. Like all of the previous versions of this Bible there are many similarities and a few new editions to assist in your studying of the Word. The NIV Application Bible has been around since before I became a Believer. In fact, the NIV Application Bible was the first Bible that I owned. It was a very good Bible for me as a young believer and enabled me to learn much. Most of my scripture memory would be NIV. I still go back to it now as I have notes and highlights that are priceless that I can’t recreate as a new Believer that was yearning for the Word. It takes me back to my first love.

Like many Bibles today it has a well laid out Reading Plans for a Topical Reading Plan, 52 Weeks on the Character of God. You can check off after you have read the assigned portion. Another plan Through the Bible in a Year take takes you from Genisis to Revelation.

NIV Application App At the front of the Bible, there's a QR code to scan with your phone to download the NIV Application App on your phone. You have every featured in the Bible, including all the maps, charts, and so on. You can look up specific words or phrases. You can also create a custom reading plan too.

Dictionary and Concordance that is combined together. The dictionary gives you the definitions of key words.  The concordance helps piecing together key word throughout the scriptures.

Full colored maps at the back of the Bible and several maps included within the pages to enhance the places that are being spoken about. I personally have always liked this feature in Bibles. I like that visual imprint on my mind of the events of the narrative being covered.

Each book has a Book Introductions that gives an overview, timeline, key verses, and it highlights certain popular events in that book.

Original Meaning Notes help you understand the meaning of each passage in its context.

Application Notes help you integrate the teachings of the Bible into your daily life.

This is just a few examples of features in the Bible.

My Thoughts:

I don’t mind the NIV translation overall. There are some translation issues that make me cringe and I can agree to disagree with. Even with that being said I have always thought that the NIV is a great Bible. It’s easy to read and it always has enough study notes to teach you to study. I have found that people always struggle actually studying the word.  Not that just reading the Bible verse by verse is bad. jThe word is alive and should be dug into deeper. The NIV really gives you the tools to begin your journey to study.

If you are interested in exploring more with this Bible there is a sampler available here. 

This would make a nice Bible for someone who is a new Believer and also for a seasoned Believer. To buy this for yourself or someone else you can do so here. 

#zondervan #niv #nivab #nivac @nivapplicationbible @frontgatem

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

 

The #1 New York Times bestseller from the author of Steve Jobs—this is the astonishingly intimate story of the most fascinating and controversial innovator of our era—a rule-breaking visionary who helped to lead the world into the era of electric vehicles, private space exploration, and artificial intelligence. Oh, and took over Twitter.

My Thoughts:

I have read a few of Walter Isaacson’s biographies before. The author knows how to create emotions for the subject he is writing about.

Currently, there are a lot of strong emotions towards Elon. As for me I see him as a person that is an intriguing  that isn’t afraid to shake and rattle things after reading his biography. I’ve never really dug into what made him who he is today. I’ve read articles about him and looked at some of his projects that he has done. It’s amazing how many people a few years ago just loved him and now the tide has turned into a lot of hate. It’s pretty sad, if you just can put aside the current situations and look at his accomplishments it’s no doubt that Elon is a go- getter, genius, and very driven and knows how to accomplish what he sets out to do.

The biography goes through his childhood and being bullied on the playground in South Africa and everything in-between to his rise to the billionaire he is today.

He didn’t set out to get rich he figured he’d be really rich or poor. He didn’t get where he is today in a tradition way with schooling either. He walked his own walk and is a driven individual. He took chances and went with his gut. His goal was to change the direction of humanity with the electric car to reduce emissions and rockets to take humanity into a multi-planetary civilization. Not to mention his other endeavors like X and artificial intelligence.

His intuition involved billions of dollars, and thousands of workers working long and hard hours. His core people that surrounded him are driven individuals who worked crazy hours. Elon worked alongside them and isn’t afraid to get his hands dirty if needed. His rash personality isn’t for the faint of heart. I gather that Elon's goal isn’t to make relationships but neither are his core people If he made mistakes, he has the ability to adapt and change strategy quickly. From what I gleaned was that his intuitions are usually spot on.

Elon Musk whether you like him or not is an intriguing man from his work to his personal life. I enjoyed the book and it gave me an insight into the man that I didn’t know.

Right now you can get 40% off good through today using the code MUSK40 at ElonMuskTheBook.com You can also purchase the book here .

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

@walterisaacson #walterisaacson #elonmuskbook

 

 

The Good for Nothing Puddle, written by Jana Jackson is written about sadness and grief and the loss of losing something you love. You ask God for help and you think He isn’t listening to us. We expect the answer to come in a way that we want not God’s ways.

The girl is extremely sad. Her sadness is shown as a big puddle that she can’t get rid of. She prays that God will take her sadness away. While in her puddle she meets a dirty puppy needing help. Next, a farmer who has been out in the sun too long, and then an artist who needs to create her masterpiece. She sees that she can help with those problems thanks to her puddle (experiences). Slowly she learns that the loss has made her grow and something good has come out of it.   

The illustrations aren’t overwhelming and I think that brings out the story. The illustrations start out with little color and as she gets pass the sadness it blossoms into a beautiful full color illustration.

This is a book for a child struggling with sadness and grief. The illustrations can be used in many different types of loss as you see fit to expand upon with the simple words and illustrations.

You can purchase the book  here. 

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

#childrensbook #northpoint #waumbaland #upstreet #grief #death #loss #sadness #emotions #goodfornothingpuddle #zonderkidz #counseling #kidsbook @frontgatem @zonderkidz @janamjackson @abby.jartos @northpointupstreet @northpointwaumbaland @waumbaland

 

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