Rob Seabrook

Rob Seabrook

Author of Beneath the Tamarisk Tree

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Category: Recent Reads

And Their Numbers Grew – Naomi Craig and Donna E Lane

This is a series of four intertwined short novels about the early Church, creating an effective way to build a deeper understanding of what…

Still Crazy – Adrian Plass

This seems to be a book about everything and nothing. But what on the surface may seem like random ramblings, in fact are observations…

The Advent of Glory – R C Sproul

R C Sproul was a much respected Bible teacher, writer and broadcaster whose legacy lives on in the work of Ligonier Ministries that he…

Christmas Uncut – Carl Laferton

Christmas Uncut presents a less sugar-coated version of the Christmas story than we might normally see or hear, explaining what actually happened when Jesus…

The Bride – Joy Margetts

The Bride is an opportunity to once again jump back into medieval Wales, to discover a little more of the story that was told…

The Jesse Tree Anthology – Rachel Yarworth

Firstly, a confession … I had the honour of contributing a chapter to this book. And I am so glad to have had that…

Rain – Dana McNeely

The story of Elijah is one of my favourites. Full of high drama, incredible faithfulness, the highs and lows of a ministry. Although this…

God’s Big Promises – Carl Laferton

Ideal for younger children, this book takes 92 stories from the Bible and presents them in an enjoyable, fun way, easily understandable, sensitively presented…

The Dead Don’t Dance – Charles Martin

I only got halfway through this novel before I placed an order for the sequel. Charles Martin writes so well and I knew it…

The Artist’s Page – Debra Rufini

For all creatives, whether artists, writers or performers, it is so encouraging to have others adore our works. It may not be the reason…

The Extraordinary Deaths of Mrs Kip – Sara Brunsvold

Facing death can present Christians with difficulties. It is an inevitability, as it is for everyone, accompanied by grief, pain and loss. But if…

Nourishing Narratives – Jennifer L. Holberg

This is a well-written collection of thoughts on why words, language and stories are so central to our own narrative. I believe that creativity…

Eye Can Write – Jonathan Bryan

Every so often a book comes along that is truly astonishing. This is one of them. The introduction, written by Jonathan’s mum, shows the…

Nobody’s Child – John Robinson

This is a truly amazing and inspirational story. John’s childhood experiences of deep rejection, that framed his early years and led him down a…

The First Phone Call from Heaven – Mitch Albom

What a fascinating concept … this story is of a few residents of a small, uninspiring and unsuspecting town, begin to receive regular brief…

Wake up to Wonder – Karen Wright Marsh

An unusual devotional, taking an aspect of influence from significant people of faith through history, theologians and thinkers, and applying modern day examples of…

The Persistent Road – Tim Bishop

Through a series of life changing circumstances and loss, Doug, our main protagonist in this novel, is led to a point where he needs…

Faith Like a Child – Lacy Finn Borgo

Firstly, it is clear that this book just oozes love, which makes it a pleasure to read. It is written from a place of…

Dawn – Mark Miller

This is a detailed, hour by hour account, of all that happened from Jesus’s death on the cross to his Resurrection, taking its cues…

A Greater Glory – Gavin Peacock

There was no way I was not going to enjoy this book, as it combines three of my favourite things… Christian faith, football and…

I, Julian – Claire Gilbert

This is a cleverly written fictional autobiography of Julian of Norwich, focusing on her relationship with God as it develops through her life. Julian…

Say The Right Thing – Carolyn Lacey

Subtitled “How Your Words Can Glorify God and Encourage Others”, this title grabbed me. I think I am an encourager by nature, so coupled…

Friend of God – Rachel Yarworth

In a good autobiography, an honest one, the reader can glean insights and wisdoms from the writer’s life story. And this is an honest…

Daughter of Eden – Jill Eileen Smith

Closely following the course of the Biblical text, the early part of the narrative creatively expands and explains the story of creation, the Fall…

Untaken – C O Wyler

Untaken is a bit quirky, written as an internal monologue which in fact really offers a deep insight into the characters emotions, thoughts and…

The Prison Letters – Matt McChlery

This is a devotional for Lent, taking inspiration from the letters of the Apostle Paul that were written from his prison. Matt has carefully…

Touch The Earth – Drew Jackson

This is a truly powerful collection of poems, thought provoking, poignant and hard hitting. There is an honesty in the writing that cuts through…

Long Way Gone – Charles Martin

This novel is engaging from the offset as we begin a journey of discovering the main character’s fascinating back story. It is a loose…

Truly, Truly, I Say to You – Adam Ramsey

This is a devotional going through the book of John, in 42 parts making it ideal for Lent. As well as the usual format…

Unjoy – Len Lantz

In the US there are apparently 7 million Christians with depression, so no doubt there are proportionally similarly large numbers across other countries. Depression…

Generation Care – Peter Coates

Kindness seems to have been a topic of conversation over recent years, but in my view there is still not enough evidence that the…

Sixteen Years in Care – David Meader

All too often we have heard stories about the care system detailing horrendous abuse, by individuals and by institutions. It is probably rarely shared…

Five Minute Devotions for Teens – Laura L Smith

Reading through this devotional, specifically written for young adults, it is clear that the author has an understanding of teens, the issues and challenges…

The Wanderer Reborn – Natasha Woodcraft

The first book in this series, The Wanderer Scorned, expands on what the life of Cain may have been like, immediately post the Fall,…

The Wonders of Creation – Kristen Page

The Wonders of Creation is a set of three essays exploring our attitudes to creation through the consideration of imagined worlds, namely those created…

Do Dogs Go To Heaven? – Nev Green and Mark Stibbe

Losing a dog, an ever-faithful friend who has offered so much unconditional love, is a trauma I fear having to face. Bruno, our 10…

The First Skyrider – H R Hess

This is becoming a great series for younger readers, set in the wonderfully imagined land with strong descriptions and engaging characters that help you…

Jesus Listens – Sarah Young

This devotional is a great book to encourage children into prayer, to spend time with Jesus, build a relationship with Him and learn how…

The Blessed – Diane Bostick

An interesting, quirky, tale for younger readers, telling the tale of a reunion for some of the animals that were present at the birth…

Jesus, Coffee and Foster Kids – Lisa Baptist

As a foster carer and a Christian, you can understand why this book grabbed my attention ! Fostering can be hard. To open up…

A Call to the Life of the Kingdom – Mark D Hampton

This one is a really interesting idea for a devotional, taking all 111 verses of the Sermon on the Mount and creating a daily…

The Ultimate Christmas Wishlist – Rico Tice

This is just a short book presenting the gospel, the greatest story ever told, in which Jesus is the bringer of hope, peace, purpose…

The Christmas Surprise – Steph Williams

This is such a lovely book for young children, telling the Christmas story in a clear and fun way. It has lots of humour…

God Isn’t Finished With You Yet – Catherine Campbell

If you read my book reviews you will know that I do like a book that that I can learn something from, especially stories,…

Turning Points – Mark A Noll, David Komline, Han-Luen Kantzer Komline

This 4th edition is a really fascinating history of Christianity and the Church, reworked and updated 20 years or so on from the original….

The Unhiding of Elijah Campbell – Kelly Flanagan

Right from the start, in the intriguing Prologue, the reader is pulled in to this story, leaving you desperate to know how it will…

The Continued Times of Isabella M Smugge – Ruth Leigh

This is the third book in Isabella M Smugge series and the storyline remains as engaging as ever. Although on the surface Isabella is…

Keeping Christmas (Volume One) – Various Authors

Keeping Christmas is a collection of six short novellas each loosely written around the theme of castles at Christmas time. In some ways short…

Truth For Life – Alistair Begg

Truth For Life is a 365 day devotional, taking a Bible verse each day, followed by some thoughts from the author, whose wise words…

A Psalm For Every Season – Arnold R Fleagle

Psalms can be a conduit into a place of worship, in our hearts and minds, and this 30 day devotional highlights a selection of…

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Recent Reads

  • Awakening The Light – Natasha Woodcraft
  • The White Line – JS Helms
  • Shooting Up – Jonathan Tepper
  • Buddy the Goat Makes a Friend and Teaches How to Share – Logan and Hayley Hall
  • Sensible Shoes – Sharon Garlough Brown
  • Mrs Legume’s Story – Heather Ross
  • Dear Judas – James Finke
  • Tell Them I’m Real – Arnold V Page
  • Pilgrim’s Progress Re-Walked – Shawn P. Robinson
  • Untaken For Now – C O Wyler

rob_seabrook

Author of Beneath the Tamarisk Tree, a fictional take on the miraculous story of the Penitent Thief. Christian book reviews.

BOOK REVIEW - Awakening The Light by @natasha.wood BOOK REVIEW - Awakening The Light by @natasha.woodcraft 

This is a change of direction for Natasha, showing her versatility and depth of authoring skills, writing here for a new audience, the young adult reader.

A fantasy novel set in a world that is centred around an Eternal Light, there is a new darkness emerging, bringing with it an atmosphere and actions that are not of the light. We see one family who recognise it for what it is, evil, and the story unfolds as they begin to work against the evil forces at play. Each of the young people has their own skills and begin to learn giftings that enable them to battle in new ways, finding new depths of strength and resilience.

An important factor for this audience is to have believable and engaging characters, which this manages well. The young people come with their own strengths, doubts and worries, and discover new depths to their abilities as they are deeply tested.

To me, another key to the fantasy genre is effective “world building” …

Read the full review www.robseabrook.com (link in Bio)

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author, but was under no pressure to provide a favourable review.

#bookstagram #bookreview #bookblogger #newbooks #christianbookstagram #instareads #christianbooks #newchristianbooks #christian #recentreads #fantasybooks #youngadultbooks @broadplacepublishing
What if the thief on the cross beside Jesus could What if the thief on the cross beside Jesus could tell his story?

In Beneath the Tamarisk Tree, Dismas, the penitent thief, awakens in heaven, overwhelmed by grace and struggling to understand how a life marked by pain and failure could have lead him here.

As he walks with Jesus and reflects on his past, long-buried wounds begin to surface. Through these moments, he discovers the depth of forgiveness, the power of redemption, and the truth that no life is beyond God’s reach.

This moving Christian novel offers a deeply personal and imaginative glimpse into one of the Bible’s most powerful encounters, revealing a message of hope, healing and unconditional love.

A faith-filled story of grace, redemption, and second chances, exploring forgiveness, mercy, and God’s love. Perfect for readers of Francine Rivers and Karen Kingsbury.

A reflective, uplifting read for those who enjoy meaningful Christian fiction.

Get it free now on Kindle Unlimited, available for 5 days only.

Find out more here https://www.robseabrook.com/ or download from Amazon Kindle Unlimited now.

#freebooks #bookgiveaway #bookstagram #christianbookstagram #instareads #christianbooks #christian #biblical #christianfiction #christianbookclubs @mdpublishing @md.fiction
BOOK REVIEW - The White Line by JS Helms Most of BOOK REVIEW - The White Line by JS Helms

Most of the time, none of us like being told what to do, especially when we really don’t have a heart for it. This is clear in the Bible story of Jonah, who is told by God to preach a message of repentance to the people of Nineveh, who then have the audacity to listen to him and respond to it, making Jonah even more cross.

The White Line is a modern day retelling of the story of Jonah, covering the same principles, the same challenges and the same responses, in a context that makes them more accessible.

It is the story of a minister, Jonas, who is asked to reach out in a prison to death row inmates, people who have committed crimes similar to the one he and his family were victims of. Like Jonah, he refuses, but despite a “whale-like” near-death experience, he cannot run from God.

This is a new genre for me, which I very much enjoyed. It does not replace or re-write the Bible story. It stays true to it, helping to explain the depth of mercy and grace of God in a context that is going to be easier to understand for many readers. It still packs the same punch at the end, showing that despite what we feel, God has a depth of compassion that we simply cannot fathom and we have no right to judge Him or others.

It is a well written fast-paced story, no need for it to be longer than it has to be to get the message across. I could see it being a helpful tool to read alongside the story of Jonah, to support the key Bible learnings.

I received an advance complimentary copy of this book from the author via BookSirens, but was under no pressure to provide a favourable review.

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BOOK REVIEW - Shooting Up by Jonathan Tepper This BOOK REVIEW - Shooting Up by Jonathan Tepper

This is an important book. A memoir of Jonathan’s unusual childhood, his parents having been called to serve the drug addicts in Madrid in the 1980’s as Christian missionaries. His home life was soon shared with addicts, exposed to their chaotic lifestyles, criminality and pain, more so when the community was then consumed by the AIDS epidemic. The hope that he and his family brought into a dark world has been immeasurable. But at a cost.

The service that Jonathan’s parents have given to the vision and development of what is now Betel International is truly commendable, and in fact I would love to read their stories too...

… As a young child, Jonathan had to grow up very fast. Exposed to the lifestyle that surrounds the desperation of drug addiction, he quickly saw past the facade that often challenges our 'nice' Christian lifestyles, seeing souls as Jesus saw them, desperate people fighting the demons of addiction. Together they walked through the painful process of coming off drugs, into a place of freedom and restoration, physically and spiritually, that brought them together in deep friendships.

But in the height of the AIDS epidemic, as they begin to pass away ...

Read the full review at www.robseabrook.com (link in Bio).

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author, but was under no pressure to provide a favourable review.

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@littlebrownbookgroup_uk
BOOK REVIEW - Buddy the Goat Makes a Friend and Te BOOK REVIEW - Buddy the Goat Makes a Friend and Teaches How to Share by Logan and Hayley Hall

Introducing children to books and reading, from a very early age, is profoundly beneficial for developing their language skills, for raising their curiosity and an opportunity to introduce them to foundational themes.

Well written books also offer the opportunity for listening children and reading adults to enjoy words, and this book excels at this – the rhythm and rhymes are delightful and will add to the shared reading experience.

Yes, this is a Christian book, but the underlying themes of making friends well and sharing nicely, are those that the whole world values, not just Christian parents and carers. This story will help to introduce the themes and will facilitate helpful conversations round the topics.

A key part to encourage engagement in children’s books is the illustrations – in this case they are quite charming and will allow the reader to talk around the story and initiate conversations about what is going on.

It is a good length too, certainly right for a bedtime read.

My guess is that there are more Buddy books on the way – ones to look forward to.

#bookstagram #bookreview #bookblogger #newbooks #christianbookstagram #instareads #christianbooks #newchristianbooks #christian #biblical #christianbooksstore #recentreads @buddythegoatbooks @veronicalanebooks 

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher, but was under no pressure to provide a favourable review.
BOOK REVIEW - Sensible Shoes by Sharon Garlough Br BOOK REVIEW - Sensible Shoes by Sharon Garlough Brown

Some books are easy to dip in and out of, to pick up and read to fill a few moments here and there. Sensible Shoes is not one of them – it deserves to be read in longer sittings, away from any other distractions, allowing the reader to immerse and let the story, the characters and the fruit of their spiritual journeys to fully permeate. To minister to your soul. And so it is written at a pace to allow this to occur.

It is a novel about spiritual formation that reads like real life. There are no grand conversions. No thunderclaps from heaven. Just four women, each with their own story that has brought them together at a retreat centre, and the slow, awkward, beautiful work of dealing with those stories and seeing God’s hand on their lives...

Read the full review at www.robseabrook.com (link in Bio).

#bookstagram #bookreview #bookblogger #newbooks #christianbookstagram #instareads #christianbooks #christian #christianbooksstore #christianfiction #recentreads #christianbookclubs @ivpbooks @ivpress
BOOK REVIEW - Mrs Legume's Story by @heather_ross_ BOOK REVIEW - Mrs Legume's Story by @heather_ross_writes 

This is a charming story, written with a clear message to honour God in all that we do, especially in our work. Mrs Legume is a motherly character, who tells the story of Annie Ant at an unhurried pace. This will allow parents to sit alongside their children and enjoy Mrs Legume in her storytelling - her being a "wise old pea plant with a gentle Southern-flavoured dialect".

Ideal for 5 to 8 year olds, the story is of Annie Ant, told to a young boy tending his family's garden, which is unravelled to him as he rests under a giant oak tree.

Children will learn the importance of working carefully and honestly as though they are being overseen, even if alone. That God is with them, and it is honouring to Him to serve diligently. That it is important to try your best in all endeavours.

Illustrations are so important in children's books, and in this case they perform the role very effectively in bringing the narrative to life, offering secondary opportunities for readers to talk more about the story, through the pictures.

This is a lovely gentle book with a quietly powerful message.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author, but was under no pressure to provide a favourable review.
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BOOK REVIEW - Dear Judas by @authorjamesfinke I BOOK REVIEW - Dear Judas by @authorjamesfinke 

I found myself researching Near Death Experiences (NDE) quite deeply when writing my novel, Beneath the Tamarisk Tree. It seemed to me that an NDE seems to give Christian believers, and sometimes non-believers, an insight into heaven that was useful to consider. The many well-documented occurrences are fascinating to study, often in line with Biblical references.

An NDE for a believer may be comforting, confirming and encouraging. But for an atheist it is going to be wholly disturbing, challenging often long-held firm beliefs, making them realise that it has to lead to fundamental change in thinking and possibly lifestyle. That if the spiritual realm is real then it changes everything, to the very core.

And so in this novel, we find the story of an atheistic medical equipment salesman saved from death by the same equipment he sold to the hospital, experiencing an NDE that shatters his unbelief, taking him down a path of searching and questioning...

Read the full review at www.robseabrook.com (link in Bio).

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