#Favorites

Inside the Museum of the Bible: A Biblical Fiction Lover’s Dream!

Jun 27, 2019
8 min

Inside the Museum of the Bible: A Biblical Fiction Lover’s Dream!

As many of you may know, I have had the privilege of visiting the Museum of the Bible in Washington D.C., not one, but TWO times. My first visit was in the summer of 2018 when I went with my mom, and the second was with Alysha from the blog For The Love of Christian Fiction during our trip to CFRR (Christian Fiction Readers Retreat) this past April of 2019. Both times have been amazing, powerful, and truly life-changing experiences, both for myself as a Christian, and as a Bi

Book Review: Until the Mountains Fall by Connilyn Cossette

Jenna Van Mourik

Jun 22, 2019
4 min

Book Review: Until the Mountains Fall by Connilyn Cossette

I have been waiting on PINS and NEEDLES to finally share this review with you guys. Okay, well, maybe not pins and needles (more like couches and pillows, because… Comfort). But you guys! I am finally sharing with you all of the thoughts on Until The Mountains Fall, the latest installment of the Cities of Refuge series by Connilyn Cossette, and it was so good I’m not even sure if I can accurately describe it. Nevertheless, I shall try! Plus, stay tuned until the end of this p

Author Interview: Eliza Noel, Author of Dawn Chandler

Jenna Van Mourik

May 14, 2019
6 min

Author Interview: Eliza Noel, Author of Dawn Chandler

Hey everybody and welcome back to the blog, Reading, Writing, and Living for Jesus! Today I am super excited to be bringing you an interview with author Eliza Noel, whose debut middle grade novel, Dawn Chandler, is releasing THIS WEEK. I had the opportunity to send Eliza an e-mail and ask her about all-things-Dawn, but before we get into that let me give you an introduction to the wonderful author and share all the details about the book and where you can pre-order it! Alrigh

Jenna Van Mourik

May 6, 2019
4 min

Reading, Writing, and Living for Jesus

Today I felt like it was time for a “proper” introduction post… More than a year after I started blogging! *Technically* I’ve done an introductory post, but I think that’s just a “blog” thing in general. Your first post you introduce yourself and your blog and what its going to be about, despite the fact that your blog isn’t really about anything yet because you haven’t written it! Yep, I did one of those posts. While it served it’s purpose then of being THE FIRST BLOG POST,

Review: Of Fire and Lions by Mesu Andrews

Jenna Van Mourik

Mar 4, 2019
2 min

Review: Of Fire and Lions by Mesu Andrews

Let me share with you the synopsis of this book before I get started with my review: The Old Testament book of Daniel comes to life in this novel for readers of Lynn Austin’s Chronicles of the Kings series or Francine Rivers’ Mark of the Lion series. Survival. A Hebrew girl first tasted it when she escaped death nearly seventy years ago as the Babylonians ransacked Jerusalem and took their finest as captives. She thought she’d perfected in the many years amongst the Magoi and

Review: In the Field of Grace by Tessa Afshar

Jenna Van Mourik

Feb 25, 2019
2 min

Review: In the Field of Grace by Tessa Afshar

The best endings are only the beginning! And the ending may have been my favorite part of this novel, because it wasn’t an ending at all. You all know the familiar tale of Ruth and Boaz. One of the great love stories of the Bible, the story of a kinsman redeemer who honored his duty and the story of a faithful young woman who refused to give up in times of hardship. These two figures come to life layer by layer in Tessa Afshar’s skillful writing, revealing deep spiritual trut

Review: The Painter’s Daughter by Julie Klassen

Jenna Van Mourik

Feb 19, 2019
3 min

Review: The Painter’s Daughter by Julie Klassen

I was never a regency fan until recently, when I discovered the world of Pride and Prejudice and all things Austen. Fans of those classics, will also be fans of Julie Klassen’s writing. But before we get into my review, let me share with you the synopsis of this book: Sophie Dupont, daughter of a portrait painter, assists her father in his studio, keeping her own artwork out of sight. She often walks the cliffside path along the north Devon coast, popular with artists and poe

Jenna Van Mourik

Feb 13, 2019
1 min

Favorite Book Covers of ALL TIME

If you aren’t subscribed to my YouTube channel then there is a very good chance that you didn’t see my latest book series, called “Favorite Book Covers.” The idea is pretty self-explanatory. A list of my favorite book covers. Although, I didn’t come up with this video series idea on my own. Alas, I have to thank Alysha from the blog For the Love of Christian Fiction, who is a both gifted genius of a blogger and a glittering gem of a friend! I shared the first part of this ser

Review: My Heart Belongs in the Shenandoah Valley – Lily’s Dilemma by Andrea Boeshaar

Jenna Van Mourik

Jan 30, 2019
2 min

Review: My Heart Belongs in the Shenandoah Valley – Lily’s Dilemma by Andrea Boeshaar

However, there’s nothing like a charming book to take your mind away from the stressors of life. My Heart Belongs in the Shenandoah Valley: Lily’s Dilemma was just that for me! Here’s the synopsis, so that you have a good idea as to the plot of this book: Captain McAlister “Mac” Albright has purchased land in the Shenandoah Valley. However, the land belongs to Lillyanna Laughlin—or so she erroneously thinks. Mac sets her straight and despite a poor start, the two become frien

Jenna Van Mourik

Jan 26, 2019
2 min

You Don’t Know Me At All

“You don’t know me at all.” That’s what my characters have been saying to me anyways. All day, every day. Yes, I wrote almost 80,000 words of their deepest thoughts and feelings. I spent almost an entire year in their heads, outlining and writing, and outlining again. Then I started editing after completing the most difficult draft of my life, and I realized, I didn’t know these characters at all. I had so many questions for them. Why did they take the actions that they chose

Jenna Van Mourik

Jan 17, 2019
1 min

Favorite Book Covers: Historical

Today on my YouTube channel I’m starting a new SERIES. Yes, that’s a series of videos that I’m absolutely positive you book lovers will adore! I was inspired by my friend Alysha from the blog For The Love of Christian Fiction, who has done a similar series over on her YouTube channel, to share my favorite book covers of all time. HOWEVER, I quickly realized that there were way too many for just one video. Like her, I’m going to be publishing several, separated by genre. All o

Review: 18 Days of Christmas by Audrey Bodine

Jenna Van Mourik

Jan 15, 2019
3 min

Review: 18 Days of Christmas by Audrey Bodine

I know, I know. I’ve been featuring a lot of Christmas-themed books on my blog lately, and it’s January. Time to move onto the next thing, right? While the me from a few years ago would have agreed with you, no Christmas until AFTER Thanksgiving, the current me just has to celebrate the successes of my friends. Audrey Bodine has quickly become one of my best friends. We met on Instagram, and I think it was clear that we were meant to be more than just “likes” and “followers.”

Jenna Van Mourik

Jan 12, 2019
1 min

Healthy Habits for Writers and Readers

Hello everyone and thank you so much for clicking over here. Today on my YouTube channel I published a video called “Healthy Habits for Writers.” These are little tips and tricks for things you can do to make sure you’re still being active and leading a healthy lifestyle, even if you have a desk job or don’t get out much (I mean, why would you want to get out, when you could be surrounded by books, am I right???). Hope you enjoy! Let me know what you think of this type of con

Review: Christmas with Cocoa by Cleopatra Margot

Jenna Van Mourik

Jan 7, 2019
3 min

Review: Christmas with Cocoa by Cleopatra Margot

Don’t even get me started on how cute this book was! Well, actually do – because that’s the point of my whole-book-reviewing-blog thing! Alright, let’s get started. First, let me share with you the summary of this book: Robin McKay is determined to save the struggling Animal Shelter and head her hometown’s local Christmas event. but when plans go awry and Nate Ashford, Robin’s former best friend, are factors at play, will her Christmas wish come true? If that doesn’t sell you

Jenna Van Mourik

Dec 29, 2018
2 min

“Jerusalem’s Queen” by Angela Hunt

From the back cover, Born in the small village of Modein, a town made famous by the warrior Maccabees, Salome Alexandra knows better than to harbor grand dreams for her future. She pales in comparison to her beautiful older sister, and though she learns to read at an early age, girls are not valued for their intellectual ability. But when her father and sister are killed, John Hyrcanus, a distant relative, invites Salome and her mother to live with his family in Jerusalem, wh

Jenna Van Mourik

Nov 13, 2018
2 min

Gods & Kings by Lynn Austin

The nation of Israel is governed by bloodthirsty leaders consumed by greed and overwhelmed by their lust for power. All of the hope for the nation of God rests in the young prince, who is as conflicted and confused by what to do, as he is about which gods to worship. Right away, the book pulls you into the horrors of King Ahaz’s reign with chilling detail. The book itself is full of passionate characters, clinging to whoever and whatever they can in order to survive in the da

Jenna Van Mourik

Oct 10, 2018
2 min

Fall Favorites – 2018!

A few of my favorite things from this Fall, the best of them all! Books, candles, and ALL of the things!!! Maybe it’s because of my allergies that I associate springtime with a general feeling of death, but we’ll save that for another post! As you can see, I LOVE fall. Or have you not gotten that message yet? Here are a few of the things that have been making my fall-time even more beautiful! Karen Witemeyer Books – Every fall, I normally settle in with my blankets, a candle,

Author Jenna Van Mourik