Rob Seabrook

Rob Seabrook

Author of Beneath the Tamarisk Tree

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Category: Recent Reads

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…

The Environment – Dave Gobbett

As a part of the Talking Points series from The Good Book Company, this is a quick, short delve into the topic. It is…

The Next Person You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom

Following on from his well-known classic, The Five People You Meet in Heaven, Mitch Albom continues the format following one of the key characters…

Dawn – Cees Dekker, Corien Oranje, Gijsbert van den Brink

Dawn, or “Dawn: A Proton’s Tale of All That Came to Be” to give it the full title, is such an intriguing, quirky concept…

The Baggage Handler – David Rawlings

Traveling is certainly one of life’s pressure points, especially navigating airports, so it is a great setting for exposing the needs of people who…

A Changed Mindset – Dr Althea Phillips

A Changed Mindset is written with the objective to help the reader deepen and grow in their relationship with God, so that they can…

Dream Small – Seth Lewis

In all walks of life there is an underlying attitude that ordinary is dull, second best or worthless. Glory is given to those who…

Draw Near – Sophie Killingley

This is just the sort of support I need. Forming healthy Bible study habits has always been something I have found difficult, and with…

Redeeming Dust – Jacq Marlow

Redeeming Dust is a retelling of the story of Christ’s ministry, told very much with a political slant, mixed up with the religious fanaticism…

Ezekiel’s Song – Naomi Craig

Ezekiel’s Song tells the story of the prophet Ezekiel, and his wife, as they walk a perilous path of faith, following God when those…

Write It On Their Hearts – Chris Swain

‘Being a parent is such an important job’ … sorry if it seems a bit pretentious to quote my own writing, but I wrote…

Courageous Inspirations – Doyvon Montgomery

Courageous Inspirations is a collection of teachings collated from Doyvon’s blog, that offer some short insights and solid teaching on how to lead a…

The Pilgrim – Joy Margetts

Having read The Healing a few months ago, to which this book is the prequel, The Pilgrim offers an opportunity to learn the full…

Nehemiah For You – Eric Mason

This is an excellent study of the book of Nehemiah. It begins with some helpful background as to how the book of Nehemiah fits…

The Gift of Sun Lee – Diane Bostick

This is a delightful story for children, about a little girl in post war China, a time when Christianity was still quite new into…

Becoming Queen Bathsheba – Amanda Bedzrah

This novel takes a key story from the Bible, so often discussed and presented from King David’s point of view, but told here from…

Don’t Fuss, Love God, Don’t Fuss – compiled by Ruth A Bamforth

Ruth has created such a lovely tribute to her father, The Revd Stuart Bamforth, compiling, editing and publishing this collection of teachings from his…

Revelation Explained – K.J. Soze

Despite the introduction recommending that the reader prepares by reading the first book, The Message For The Last Days, I decided to launch in…

The Great Gardener – Jo Claire

As someone who loves to relax by pottering in my garden, this book attracted me from the start. The author uses a lovely picture…

Fanny Crosby – Laura Caputo-Wickham

Fanny Crosby: The Girl Who Couldn’t See But Helped The World To Sing is a lovely children’s book, looking at the life of Fanny…

The Air We Breathe – Glen Scrivener

The Air We Breathe offers a point of view that I had not really encountered or considered before, but probably should have been aware…

Standing In The Storm – Matt McChlery

Matt has quite some story to tell, and he lays it out in this new book that is clearly written and easy to read…

Northern Soul : Football, Punk, Jesus – David O’Brien

It was the book title that grabbed me for this one. You just know it is going to be an unusual and fascinating story,…

Talking to Calippa Cumberland – Chick Yuill

An unusual story with an unusual title, following the main character’s life from a key moment in her childhood, which then provides an anchor…

The Camera Never Lies – David Rawlings

Truth can often be a rarity… real truth and honesty, especially in a family that is heading rapidly towards a cliff edge of being…

Encounters – Rachel Treweek

Encounters, by Rachel Treweek, the Bishop of Gloucester, captures thoughts on the centrality of relationship and community to the Christian faith, clearly a topic…

Refreshed – John Hindley

Refreshed is a book of devotions specifically to take away to read when you are on holiday. Most people take some holiday reading with…

Initiate : A Journey Begun – Neil Axtell

It has been a privilege to see a preview manuscript of this collection of poems, whilst it is going through the latter stages of…

Jesus : A Novel – Walter Wangerin

“Jesus” is a novel by the much acclaimed Christian writer, Walter Wangerin, who passed away last year, leaving behind a legacy of Christian writing…

The Awesome Super Fantastic Forever Party – Joni Eareckson Tada

What an amazing book! It is filled with beautiful, emotive language, often verging on the poetic, written to explain to children what the Bible…

His Grace Is Enough – Melissa Kruger

I do love a rhyming book like this, exposing children to the joys of language, as well as providing readers with some memorable verses….

What Happened After Mr Jones Died – Paul Wreyford

Recently, I have read a lot of books about heaven, having researched and written about it in Beneath The Tamarisk Tree. But this is…

Hearing God in Poetry – Richard Harries

It should be no surprise that poetry is an ideal artform through which to worship God. Large parts of the Bible are written in…

The Dark Star – H R Hess

Fantasy novels may not be my usual reading, but I really enjoyed escaping into this new world, engaging with the young heroine and hero….

The Five People You Meet in Heaven – Mitch Albom

What a great story. When arriving in heaven, the main character, Eddie, gets to meet five key people whose lives he touched on his…

Ramah – Rob Munday

Biblical fiction, as a genre, creates stories around what we do know of the Bible, filling in gaps, not as an alternative to scripture…

The Trials of Isabella M Smugge – Ruth Leigh

It was so nice to be back in Isabella’s company for another season of relaxation and enjoyment. This is the second book offering us…

Abused . Addicted . Free – Trudy Makepeace

Abused . Addicted . Free by Trudy Makepeace, is such a powerful autobiography. It is far from appropriate to write a “book review” as…

Believing is Seeing – Michael Guillen

I read Believing is Seeing by Michael Guillen, as background research for another project that I am working on, and I am so glad…

The Diary of Isabella M Smugge – Ruth Leigh

I have seen great things about the recently launched second book in this series (The Trials of Isabella M Smugge), and am very keen…

The Christing – Paul White

The Christing, by Paul White, was a great find. Paul comes across as being informed and authoritative, wise in fact, but never academic or…

The Gardener’s Daughter – K A Hitchins

The Gardener’s Daughter, by K A Hitchins, is a story of a young girl, on a roller-coaster of a journey searching for her true…

Amazing – Simon Ponsonby

I have never been a big fan of poetry. I studied it a long time ago at school but was never very inspired by…

The Robe – Lloyd C Douglas

I felt like it was time to revisit a classic, by having another read of The Robe by Lloyd C Douglas. It stands the…

The Stranger in the Lifeboat – Mitch Albom

This one took me by surprise. The story dives straight in, leaving reader intrigued and focused on the events unfolding. It is well written,…

The Edge of Belonging – Amanda Cox

This is a debut novel from Amada Cox and credit to her for stepping out and applying her superb storytelling abilities to this story….

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Recent Reads

  • Mateo and the Secrets of the Eternal Word – Steve R Hartwig
  • The Steady Work of Love – Rodica Musgrave
  • Into The Wilderness – Nicky Heymans
  • Four Windows, One Jesus – Chad Colter
  • Meaningless Without Love – JQ Botes
  • 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

rob_seabrook

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

BOOK REVIEW - Mateo and the Secrets of the Eternal BOOK REVIEW - Mateo and the Secrets of the Eternal Word by @steverhartwig 

Biblical fiction genre books for younger readers is not something I have come across before, so I was intrigued to take a look at this one that is pitched at 10 to 14 year olds.

It cleverly mixes adventure and Biblical stories, bringing them to life literally for the young boy, Mateo, the hero of the story.

He is drawn in to investigate an old church, near to his home in the Nicaraguan mountains, where he discovers an ancient Bible. Guided by a very special grandmother, and the local priest, he begins a first-hand discovery of the ancient Bible stories.

This first book takes him to see the Garden of Eden, Noah's Ark and the Tower of Babel, each presenting him with challenges to his faith and beliefs as he discovers truths that still apply to his life today...

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

#bookstagram #bookreview #bookblogger #newbooks #christianbookstagram #instareads #christianbooks #newchristianbooks #christian #biblical #christianfiction #recentreads
BOOK REVIEW - The Steady Work of Love by Rodica Mu BOOK REVIEW - The Steady Work of Love by Rodica Musgrave

This is a special collection of poems. They are written with the intention of helping the reader to slow down, something we now seem to have to try to do intentionally. And if you allow time and space for these words to minister to your soul, then you will reap the rewards.

Each poem seems to work to push the reader towards deeper thought, deeper relationship and intimacy with God. There is no hurry in the reading, with the strong rhythm in most of the pieces bringing its own melody. Each also has its own emotions. Some are quite prayerful, offering a calming and gentle perspective.

Technically they seem well written, although I am no expert in this area. But nothing in them either grates or feels awkward. They have that crafted feel to them that good poetry needs to effortlessly flow.

A favourite is a short poem called My King, which simply tells of how and why God is our Lord and Saviour. It is beautiful in its simplicity. And a poem called The Gift, about God's love, which is a thoughtful and precious reminder of what we have been given. Both of these poems deserve to be returned to on a regular basis.

The book groups poems into themes that have clearly inspired the author, allowing the reader to spend a bit of time accompanying her on her explorations.

The author has a subtle use of language, each line carefully crafted, which on learning that English is her second language brings even more marvel, as does learning that this is her first published collection. I look forward to reading more of them.

#bookstagram #bookreview #bookblogger #newbooks #christianbookstagram #instareads #christianbooks #newchristianbooks #christian #christianbooksstore #recentreads #christianbookclubs #poetry #poems #christianpoems

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author, but was under no pressure to provide a favourable review.
BOOK REVIEW - Into The Wilderness by @nicky_heyman BOOK REVIEW - Into The Wilderness by @nicky_heymans_author 

Writing Biblical fiction has the challenge that the reader will likely already know the story, so there is not much scope for keeping the reader guessing about the ending. So one of the tricks is to find a new perspective of a very old story.

This story is the Exodus, with Moses leading the Israelites out of Egypt, through the Red Sea and into the desert on their difficult journey towards the Promised Land. Nicky takes the reader through the well-known events through the eyes of Joshua, who at this stage is still Moses' servant, friend and protector.

As such, we can accompany Joshua on his journey of maturity and learning, as he comes to grow in faith and confidence. He is discovering what it means to follow, to lead and, ultimately, to have faith when there are very few obvious answers.

And that is where I think this book works particularly well. Through Joshua’s eyes we can experience the astonishing events of the Exodus, the miracles and the disasters. His place in a wider extended family offers us the chance to consider what the events may have felt like and how they impacted the day to day lives in the camp. We see how they handled the danger, doubt and conflict, alongside moments of humour, friendship and genuine tenderness. We see how extraordinary and difficult the Exodus must have been for those who actually experienced it....

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

#bookstagram #bookreview #bookblogger #newbooks #christianbookstagram #instareads #christianbooks #newchristianbooks #christian #biblical #christianbooksstore #christianfiction #recentreads #christianbookclubs @mdpublishing 

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher, but was under no pressure to provide a favourable review.
BOOK REVIEW : Meaningless Without Love by jqbotes BOOK REVIEW : Meaningless Without Love by jqbotes 

JQ is clearly a man who has fallen in love. He writes from a point of view of knowing, deep down, how, why and how much he is loved by God. And so in reading this book you will discover, or rediscover, exactly what it means to be loved by God.

It is solid Biblical teaching, drawing on wider Bible references, hinged on the phrase in 1 John 4:8 “…God is love.” If that is what God is, then it is key for us to understand it.

Initially the book walks the reader gently through that lovely passage in 1 Corinthians 13:4- 8 “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonour others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.” (NIV).

A chapter on each is much more than a Bible study, it is a deep dive into what each phrase really means ...

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

#bookstagram #bookreview #bookblogger #newbooks #christianbookstagram #instareads #christianbooks #newchristianbooks #christian #biblical #christianbooksstore #recentreads #christianbookclubs

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

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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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