Thursday, July 24, 2025

The Last Disciple: Gospel of John Tour by Celebrate Lit

About the Book

Book: The Last Disciple: Gospel of John (The Last Disciple Book Four)

Author: Kurt Brouwer

Genre: Christian Historical Fiction

Release date: February 10, 2025

Discover the Untold Story of the Last Disciple to Witness the Miracles of Christ

In a world shrouded in doubt and darkness, one man holds the key to the greatest story ever told.

The epic saga of the Last Disciple continues in this captivating new Christian historical novel from Kurt Brouwer. Witness the miracles of Jesus through the eyes of one who was there. John, a disciple of Christ, watched the Son of God sacrifice his life on the Cross and entered the empty tomb after Jesus rose from the grave.

Witness Jesus Through the Eyes of One Who Was with Him

Years after witnessing the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Apostle John seeks to faithfully write down the life-changing events he experienced firsthand.

Go back in time with John to old Jerusalem as he describes the fateful meeting between the Messiah and Nicodemus in which Christ uttered the most beloved passage in the Bible: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life.”

John sets down the true story of Christ, contending with those who seek to water down the gospel message. Accompanied by trusted allies like Emmaus and Avram, John travels from Ephesus to Laodicea, Hierapolis, and beyond, determined to ensure the world never forgets the sacrifice and love of the Son of God.

John reunites with his old friend and fellow disciple, Philip, who is gravely ill. In a desperate bid to save Philip’s life, John seeks out the help of Evangeline, a skilled herbalist and healer. After Philip recovers, a mob whipped up by a high priest of the goddess Cybele lays in wait to attack John and Philip.

Will violent enemies of the faith cut off the gospel message John carries?

Witness the miracles of Jesus through the eyes of the Beloved Disciple—and discover how one man’s courage can change the course of history.

If you’re struggling with doubt, searching for meaning, or hungry to deepen your faith, The Last Disciple: Gospel of John is the Christian novel you’ve been waiting for.

Don’t miss this gripping tale of courage, conviction, and the eternal power of the gospel!

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Kurt Brouwer is a Christian and a member of a vibrant Christian church on the Big Island of Hawaii. So, in addition to all the usual temptations writers face, Kurt has to fight off the lure of beautiful beaches, pounding surf, great weather, and lush golf courses. Can you imagine?

About nine years ago, Kurt did a study for his church on the Apostle John. If you’ve ever been obsessed by anything, you’ll understand what happened. Kurt couldn’t stop researching, digging, diving into the life of John and other first century Christians. Kurt read books by early church historians who wrote quite a bit more more about the disciples, but they often contradicted each other. Further, they never really delved into the daily lives and motivations, joys and sorrows of the first Christians.

Kurt took all of his research and knowledge, all the insights and details he had acquired and turned it into a series of Christian historical novels based on research and Biblical knowledge.

The first four books in the series are now available:

The Last Disciple: Crisis in Jerusalem, The Last Disciple: Escape to Antioch, The Last Disciple: Exile in Ephesus, and The Last Disciple: Gospel of John.

You can also read more on why he started the series at his website.

More from Kurt

About 10 years ago, I read a piece on BibleGateway.com estimating that the Gospel of John came out fifty years or more after the Crucifixion of Christ! I couldn’t stop wondering what John did all those years? Why did it take so long to write the fourth gospel? Was it the world’s longest case of writer’s block?

In this new book, The Last Disciple: Gospel of John, we witness John struggling to put down on papyrus the life-changing events he experienced as he walked with Jesus. We go back in time and watch Christ uttering the most beloved verse in the Bible: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life.”

While we all know this verse as John 3:16, John himself would not have understood this designation at all. It’s obvious to us that it refers to the book of John, chapter three, verse sixteen.

But, in the course of research for this series, I found out that chapter and verse did not exist in the first century. In fact, the first published Bible that used this format for both the Old Testament and the New Testament was the Geneva Bible published after 1500 AD.

As you can tell, I’m having fun writing these books. Each day I try to faithfully depict the lives of the first Christians and to show their love for Jesus and faith in the gospel message.

MY REVIEW

I was immediately drawn to the story as we witness John baptizing others. It gave me chills as I remembered when I was baptized. What a thrill it must have been for those who were in presence of John. You can feel the excitement as each one is lifted from the water as a new person in Christ. This first scene sets the book up as we follow John on his journey.

I really enjoyed walking with John as he shares what he witnessed. The life of Jesus is illustrated beautifully through the eyes and words of John. There was a deep bond between these two and I loved how special it was. John witnesses miracles, learns knowledge and feels the unconditional love we all receive from Jesus.

The book is like going back in time as John walks beside Jesus. John at times is in awe of Jesus and knows that this time with him is precious. The first miracle Jesus did is one that some were in disbelief of. When we see a miracle do we thank Jesus or still have disbelief? Throughout the book John gives us a glance of what it may have been like to stand beside Jesus. What an honor it was to be chosen by Jesus to be a disciple. John soaks in the wisdom he is surrounded by and continues to honor Jesus as he continues his journey. The book is well written and allows us to understand Jesus better.

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, July 18

Inspired by Fiction, July 18

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, July 19

Bizwings Book Blog, July 20

Artistic Nobody, July 21 (Author Interview)

CeCe Reads and Sings, July 21

She Lives to Read, July 22

Fiction Book Lover, July 23 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, July 24

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, July 25

Simple Harvest Reads, July 26 (Author Interview)

Book Butterfly in Dreamland, July 27

Guild Master, July 28 (Author Interview)

Cover Lover Book Review, July 29

Mary Hake, July 30

Tell Tale Book Reviews, July 31 (Author Interview)

Giveaway

To celebrate his tour, Kurt is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift 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/00adcf54252

Tuesday, July 22, 2025

Another Outer Banks Christmas Tour by Celebrate Lit

About the Book

Book: Another Outer Banks Christmas

Author: Christina Sinisi

Genre: Contemporary Christian Romance

Release Date: November, 2023

As the daughter of missionaries, Kerrie Alexander has lived on Hatteras—an island in the Outer Banks—longer than any other place she’s been. When her parents inform her the family is slotted to go overseas again, she balks. Her life on the island—her job, her friends, even the handsome hero in her Sunday School class—makes her want to put down roots. Butto do so, she’ll need to find a place to live, face being on her own separated from any close family—something she’s never done before.

Firefighter and EMT Wade Hampton can face pretty much any emergency, except his matchmaking grandpa threatening him with disinheritance if Wade doesn’t get married in just three months. Not that Wade objects to the idea of marriage, but how does a guy who has no problem running into burning buildings find the courage to ask a girl like Kerrie out for a date? She’s a role model for everything good, and he comes from a rough and broken home. Not to mention, Christmas is right around the corner!

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

A member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Christina Sinisi writes stories about families, both the broken and blessed. Her works include a semi-finalist in the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award contest and the American Title IV Contest where she appeared in the top ten in the Romantic Times magazine. By day, she is a psychology professor and lives in the LowCountry of South Carolina with her husband and two children and loves a good cooking challenge.

More from Christina

Christmas in July!

Another Outer Banks Christmas is the third book in a series—but the second book hasn’t been published yet! Good thing I wrote this one as a stand-alone.

So…here’s the story behind the story.

In June 2019, I saw an email requesting Christmas novellas by the end of the month. I buckled down and wrote Christmas Confusion in three weeks. Then, excited about the story, I wrote a full-length novel for the second installment in my Charleston series, Sweet Summer. However, my publisher at the time, Anaiah Press, said they had a full slate for 2020 and no space for a novel.

Rather than not publish anything for a year, I looked around me for inspiration and found it at my sister’s vacation home on Hatteras Island in the Outer Banks, North Carolina. We first visited after Christmas in December 2019. Hurricane Dorian had devastated nearby Ocracoke Island in September. Shocked by the damage and the businesses still boarded up, some of which never reopened, I wanted to tell the story of the brave people who live there—thus, Christmas on Ocracoke was born.

Now, I always seem to fall in love with my characters and want to get to know them better—and their families. Hope of Hatteras (to be published later this year, date TBA) is the story of the hero of Ocracoke’s sister. Another Outer Banks Christmas is the story of the hero of Hatteras’ best friend.

As the daughter of missionaries Kerrie Alexander has lived on Hatteras—an island in the Outer Banks—longer than any other place she’s been. When her parents inform her the family is slotted to go overseas again, she balks. Her life on the island—her job, her friends, even the handsome hero in her Sunday School class—makes her want to put down roots. But to do so, she’ll need to find another place to live, face being on her own separated from any close family—something she’s never done before.

To finish out the story—why hasn’t Hatteras been published? My publisher closed its doors last November and I’m working on my way to being self-published. My book was supposed to be published a week before they closed. Life always has surprises in store, doesn’t it?

Thank the Lord we have a God who doesn’t change.

Another Outer Banks Christmas is a sweet romance that addresses the challenges our missionaries and their families face, plus, on the other side, the fact that we don’t have to be perfect to be loved—by God or other people.

Blessings, Christina

MY REVIEW

I love reading books about Christmas in July. After the summer heat it is nice to start thinking about cold weather, family time and celebrating Christmas. The story is centered around a sweet young couple who find romance with the help of a meddling grandfather. I liked how the author highlights missionary work and the importance of sharing Jesus with others.

I really liked Wade and his heart to help others. He works as a firefighter as well as an EMT. The hours are long and sometimes lonely. His relationship with his grandfather is priceless. Their bond is deep and Wade appreciates how his grandfather stepped up to raise him. As with all of us, we get growing pains and want to leave the nest. Wade may have moved out of his grandpa’s house but they are still close. Wait till you find out what his grandpa has decided about his will.

Kerrie is a sweet person who has moved a lot since her family are missionaries. She loves where she lives now and has made friendships there. Sometimes God has plans for us that we question. Kerrie is a little taken aback when she finds out what her parents have decided about their future. I liked how Kerrie grows spiritually as well as emotionally.

The story gives us a look at Wade’s past and illustrates how he has to learn to forgive. At first I wasn’t sure that Wade’s remarks to his father was kind. I know Wade is hurt but his words were a bit worldly. I also noticed that this reconciliation between father and son was not explored more and was quickly resolved.

I did like how the book shows how giving to the community at Christmas is so important. Grandpa is a handful at times and gives readers a few laughs. The relationship between Kerrie and Wade is nice but a little predictable. It is a nice story but for me lacked a little depth for some of the subjects illustrated in the story.

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.

Blog Stops

Texas Book-aholic, July 23

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, July 24

Simple Harvest Reads, July 25 (Author Interview)

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, July 26

For Him and My Family, July 27

Hannahbandanarama, July 28

For the Love of Literature, July 29 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, July 29

The Sacred Line, July 30

Happily Managing a Household of Boys , July 31

Bizwings Book Blog, August 1

Tell Tale Book Reviews, August 2 (Author Interview)

Britt Reads Fiction, August 2

Blogging With Carol, August 3

Holly’s Book Corner, August 4

Pause for Tales, August 5

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Christina is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift 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/00adcf54256

Wednesday, July 9, 2025

Angel from the East Tour by Celebrate Lit

About the Book

Book: Angel from the East

Author: Barbara A. Curtis

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release Date: June 24, 2025

His path to redemption lies in the hands of the citified newcomer who believes the worst of him.

Caleb Morgan has had everything stolen from him—his strength, the job he loved, even his good name. He’s determined to even the score with the man responsible, until he meets the captivating new owner of the Double E Ranch. Though he’s drawn to her compassion, he fears she may never see beyond his supposed wrongdoings, unless he can prove his innocence and reclaim his honor.

Eliza Roberts is a teacher, not a rancher. But if she has any hope of selling the ranch she inherited from her grandfather and continuing on to her new life in California, she needs to restore it to some semblance of order. If only the man her grandfather advised her to trust wasn’t refusing to help her.

When an offer of courtship arises from the current foreman, Eliza sees the practicality in the offer. So why does her heart keep wandering back to Caleb? And why can’t she shake the feeling that something’s not right at the Double E Ranch? Will she have the courage to follow the clues behind the strange mishaps at the Double E—and possibly embrace a different life than she imagined?

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Barbara A. Curtis lives in Connecticut with her husband, and they have one grown son, a blessing to their hearts. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and NovelAcademy.

More from Barbara

Though Elizabeth Rose Roberts, the matriarch of the Double E Ranch, has passed before the Blooms of the Bitterbrush series begins, each story reflects the legacy she left for the generations to come. May the journey of these four descendants be an encouragement to your heart as you follow the struggles, love, and joy of Elizabeth’s family through the years.

In Angel from the East, Nellie loves baking pies and had a special request from one of the little Billings girls.

“I love pie! I hope it’s pum-kin tomorrow!” Virginia shouted.

Hopefully, Nellie had prior experience making a pumpkin pie or possessed a later recipe with detailed instructions, as this early recipe from an 1876 cookbook might not have helped much:

Peel and cut your pumpkin into small pieces and put into a kettle with a very little water; cook from six to eight hours, stirring frequently to prevent burning. When done, rub through a colander. One quart of pumpkin, five pints of rich milk, four eggs, three cups of sugar, one scant teaspoon of ginger and 4 tsp of cinnamon.

I hope you enjoy the stories—and perhaps a piece of pumpkin pie to go with them!

Blessings!

Barbara

MY REVIEW

I usually write a review by sharing my thoughts about the main characters. This book has been so powerful to me that I want to tell readers about the lessons I learned while soaking in this story. There are times when a person you think is a friend will cause you to doubt and become less trusting. Jealousy and greed is very relevant in this story as the author slowly exposes evil.

As I read one part of the book in particular I saw how each of us can be guilty of judging others. The enemy wants nothing more than to cause us to stumble, feel hatred toward someone and have unforgiveness in our heart. It was so sad to read that one character was so upset by lies she believed that she had decided that she would have a difficult time forgiving. Why do we think it is alright to think that someone deserves to suffer and not allow them to share the truth with us?

Little by little the author reveals the lies that have labeled someone as a thief and therefore not worthy of being in church. The message the pastor was sharing hit characters differently. By the grace of God we are forgiven and He is the One to that will shine truth. It is hard to not want to seek justice and defend ourselves. The author does an excellent job of illustrating how God will turn what was meant for evil to good. The truth will set us free and in this story we see how God prevails.

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.

Blog Stops

lakesidelivingsite, June 28

Devoted To Hope, June 29

Vicky Sluiter, June 30

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, July 1

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, July 2

Pause for Tales, July 2

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, July 3

Book Looks by Lisa, July 3

Simple Harvest Reads, July 4 (Guest Review from Marilyn)

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, July 5

For Him and My Family, July 6

Cover Lover Book Review, July 7

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, July 8

Texas Book-aholic, July 9

Stories By Gina, July 10 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, July 10

Holly’s Book Corner, July 11

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Barbara 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.

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf54250

Saturday, July 5, 2025

Capturing You Tour by Celebrate Lit

About the Book

Book: Capturing You

Author: Robin Patchen

Genre: Christian Romantic Suspense

Release Date: June 24, 2025

In a town shrouded by secrets, a photographer and the reclusive heir of the Ballentine fortune join forces to unravel a deadly conspiracy.

Brooklynn Wright must win a photography contest to save her gallery, and the perfect sunrise shot at a remote inlet north of town is her best hope. But when she witnesses a smuggling operation at a hidden dock and is chased by armed men, her dreams of artistic glory become a nightmare flight for survival. Rescued by a mysterious stranger, Brooklynn is forced to take refuge with him in an abandoned mansion the townspeople claim is cursed—afraid to trust her grumpy protector but with no other choice.

Billionaire Forbes Ballentine returned to Shadow Cove for answers, not distractions. Haunted by the unsolved murder of his family twenty years ago, he’s spent his life in the shadows, hunting for the truth. He believes the network Brooklynn stumbled upon is tied to his family’s deaths, but protecting the cheerful photographer means jeopardizing the investigation he’s been chasing for decades. Especially when her presence stirs feelings he’s not prepared to face.

As Brooklynn and Forbes grow closer, so do the network’s ruthless enforcers. With everyone in town hiding something, they must navigate lies, betrayal, and deadly truths. When the network closes in, they’ll have to trust each other completely—or lose everything.

Dive into this gripping romantic suspense full of mystery, secrets, and danger, where two broken souls must uncover the truth while battling the enemies outside—and the wounds within.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Robin Patchen is a USA Today bestselling and award-winning author of Christian romantic suspense. She grew up in a small town in New Hampshire, the setting of her Coventry Saga books, and then headed to Boston to earn a journalism degree. Working in marketing, she discovered how much she loathed the nine-to-five ball and chain. After relocating to the Southwest, she started writing her first novel while homeschooling her three children. The novel was dreadful, but her passion for storytelling didn’t wane. Thankfully, as her children grew, so did her writing ability. Now that her kids are adults, she has more time to play with the lives of fictional heroes and heroines, wreaking havoc and working magic to give her characters happy endings. When she’s not writing, she’s editing or reading, proving that most of her life revolves around the twenty-six letters of the alphabet. Visit robinpatchen.com/subscribe to receive a free book and stay informed about Robin’s latest projects.

More from Robin

A Mansion on the Maine Coast: The Perfect Setting for Capturing You

There’s something about old mansions that gets my imagination racing. Maybe it’s the grandeur, or the hint that secrets hide behind their towering windows. Or maybe it’s knowing that, once upon a time, entire lives were lived there.

When I first envisioned Capturing You, I knew the story needed a setting as breathtaking—and as mysterious—as the characters themselves. So I plucked inspiration from my visits to the coast of New Hampshire. I can’t help but admire the stunning mansions overlooking the Atlantic between Hampton Beach—a touristy strip filled with arcades and restaurants—and Rye, a quiet coastal community. I love to imagine the lives lived inside those walls and the histories written into their very foundations.

Naturally, when it came time to write Brooklynn and Forbes’s story, I borrowed from those daydreams.

In Capturing You, the eighteenth-century cliffside mansion functions as more than just a setting. It’s a character in its own right. Crumbling a bit with age, it stands guard over a small, secluded cove on the coast of Maine. The old home is a place of secret hiding places, bittersweet memories, and…because, you know, it’s a Robin Patchen novel…more than its share of danger. The Ballentine Mansion is the perfect backdrop for a story about a photographer who accidentally stumbles onto something she shouldn’t have seen—and a brooding recluse determined to keep her safe.

In the story, I hope you hear the waves pounding against the rocky shore, smell the salt in the air, and feel the ancient wood floors creaking beneath your feet. I hope you’ll find wonder in the whimsical spaces created by the original architect. And I hope you’ll experience nostalgia in a home that hasn’t had a family fill its halls with laughter in a generation.

Step right into that world with me—a world of danger and romance, courage and redemption, all wrapped up in a mansion that’s seen more than its share of joy and heartache. And maybe a little healing too.

I can’t wait for you to explore all its secrets with Brooklynn and Forbes.

Capturing You is available now. Immerse yourself in a fascinating mansion—and a suspenseful romance that’ll keep you reading all night long.

MY REVIEW

This is an epic adventure filled with suspense, twists and faith. The characters are good and add realism to the story. I loved following Brooklynn as she tries to get the perfect photo. She wants to capture an image that will win her the contest. What she didn’t expect was to see through the lens of her camera a crime taking place. Now she needs to keep one step ahead of the criminals in order to survive.

Forbes is a complex character with the past still lingering in his thoughts. He won’t rest till he gets answers to the senseless murder of his family. As he tries to uncover secrets he runs into Brooklynn. The excitement builds as they join together to stay one step ahead of danger. I like that trust slowly builds between them and faith plays a strong part in the story.

If you are looking for non-stop action, this book is for you. Be sure to read the other books in the series so you can follow along and get to know each character that brings this series to the top of the suspense charts. The setting of this book is breathtaking and adds depth to the story. Fractured emotions are shared as Brooklynn and Forbes grow closer. Don’t miss this story of suspense, a hint of romance and a sprinkle of faith that will have readers on the edge of their seat.

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.