THE HAUNTING OF THE HOLY: Reflections of the Spirit’s Unexpected Pursuit by Sari Butler

On September 30th (2025) I was scrolling Facebook and learned of a 30 day writing challenge to take place in the month of October. I accepted the Faith Book Writing Month, FaiBoWriMo, challenge and completed my 50 thousand words in less than the alloted 30 days. Post writing challenge I was reading the post of author Sari Butler who mentioned she had just released a book, I volunteered to review it, she understood that I would post the review on my blog and with her agreement would post it on a site that sold her book. Sarai Butler knows that I will give an unbiased review and post my opinion on my blog even if I do not post a review anywhere else. Reviewing another author’s work is a challenge because you want it to be great because you want people to like your work but book reviews are just opinions, what one person likes another person may not like. THE HAUNTING OF THE HOLY: Reflections of the Spirit’s Unexpected Pursuit by Sari Butler is not what I expected. Before I tell you why I would or would not buy this book for my personal collection let me say (write) this: This book is for a particular audience of whom I recommend it to. It will be an informative read for anyone who enjoys daily devotionals and is going through difficult times. My impression of THE HAUNTING OF THE HOLY is, it is a collection of 40 essays addressing the issue of: discouragement, depression, hopelessness, feelings of faithlessness. Each chapter delves into the emotional experiences a person, a Christian, may feel during a time of despair, this is when an awareness of the presence of the Holy Spirit is needed. I can see a person reading each chapter meditating on the words to understand the hope that must be seen through faith. Hebrews 11:1 (KJV) Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Now , I will share with you why this book is not for me. First, the word “Haunting” in the title, I don’t identify the goodness of God with haunting, in my opinion the word should have been “presence”; “THE OF THE HOLY: Reflections of the Spirit’s Unexpected Pursuit”, to me this sounds more comforting. Next, the Bible versions, the author used: The New International Version, American Standard Version, Berean Standard Bible, New King James Version, King James Version, the Message, and the New Living Translation. For someone like me, who prefers the King James Version and memorizes from that translation, but has read other translations, not knowing which version she, the author, is citing is a problem. I do check to see if something is used in context, especially if I am reviewing a book. There were times when a quotation was used and I am honestly don’t recall the citation source. To be fair, I was reading via an ebook and I am not able to make notes as I would have if I have a print copy; I did try to go back through the book and I saw a few citations. I have not read the Berean Standard Bible, I don’t have a copy nor do I want one, I wouldn’t know if the quote was accurate. I am not a fan of the Message Bible, I actually trashed not donated the copy I had purchased. I think an author should cite one or two Bible translations, particularly if your audience has new believers in it.It may mean you have to elaborate a bit more to breakdown a concept. Finally, over the years I have been gifted and had the opportunity via a publishing company to review devotionals, all of them a are great books I study the Bible to much to read a daily devotional. The author may not have intended this to be a devotional but that is how it reads to me, it is not a quick read. I would suggest, you buy this book, a journal and a pen, grab your Bible and appreciate the read. If you have been reading my reviews for a few years you know I set a higher standard for Christian authors than secular writings however, this is my honest review. If you are struggling, discouraged and are wondering where is God read this book and let me, and the author know what you think. Marsha L Floyd ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

THE DOCTOR'S BRIDE by Celia Dowdy

THE DOCTOR’S BRIDE is book 2 of the 3 in the romance bride series by Celia Dowdy. It is a “historical clean and wholesome inspirational Christian romance novella” (approximately 101 pages), which makes it a quick read. As with the first novella I was attracted to the book because it is historical fiction, the reason why I am going to read book 3 is because it portrays Black people in America in roles other than slaves. Slavery ended in 1865 this book takes place in 1870 in the state of Pennsylvania and though, as in the previous book, it does not ignore the prejudice that existed that is not the focal point. The story is about an educated woman who wants to go to college against her mother’s desires. She is a school teacher, an acceptable profession for unmarried women who do not work on the farm during that time period. She is also a woman who is interested in plants used for medicinal purposes which is why she wants to go to college. After the death of her twin sister her brother-in-law returns his home town where he grew up with Deborah and his late wife, to get the assistance in raising his daughter. And that, dear reader is all of the plot I am going to share with you, it’s a novella! The beauty of this book is that it is non-sexual, non-violent and captivating. Based on the title you know there will be a bride but when you first start reading the book, at least for me,I was , focused on Deborah getting that degree! What a challenge. It was a time in which women were not encouraged to think let alone go to college and an educated Black woman was not an expectation. Most men did not marry educated women. Spoiler alert! I loved the ending but it was like going to a restaurant and eating a desert that was out of this world good, once it is gone it is gone. The ending was fabulous but, it was so good and there was no more. :( I am so glad I have book 3, THE BLACKSMITH’S BRIDE, ready to read. Go ahead and buy all three books at the same time, and then you can join me crying, over a cup a tea, realizing that there is no book 4! Written by Marsha L Floyd ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

TAILOR-MADE TERROR by Sheri Richey

TAILOR-MADE TERROR is book number 2 in the “A Carom Seed Cozy” 4 book series by Sheri Richey. This series was inspired by the Spicetown book series of which there are nine, Do I have time in 2026 to catch up? Tailor-Made Terror is a gentle mystery, meaning there is no profanity, naked people, violence, blood or gore. I was originally attracted to the series because I sew and sewing terms are in the title of each book in the series. I enjoyed the first book and I enjoyed this one; I recommend your investing in the series. So, what is the book about? Peggy, the main character gets caught up in a events in her community when she accepted a job doing alterations; Peggy is the owner of Carom Seed Craft Corner. The intrigue begins, like any great mystery when the characters are introduced though they all have a roll to play not all are who you think they are, unless you are one of those people who like to talk through the movie! The dilemma: Should the town modernize? The town has an opportunity to bring jobs, and people, to a not quite sleepy town. Is this a good thing? But at what cost? It seems that Editor Ed Poindexter of the local newspaper, the Spicetown Star, had quite a bit of information that not everyone knew and some people did not want them to know. How does Peggy, the fabric store get in the middle of town improvements? Tailor-Made Terror is a What is going on kind of mystery that draws the reader to become part of the town, you know learning all the gosspip! Which character will become your friend and who is going to get the dog? By the end of the story you will see yourself sitting at the Caraway Cafe with everyone else from the community discussing the events of the day. Some of the group will say “I’m not surprised” and others will be thankful Chief Conrad caught “that person". And then you will grab a cup of coffee and begin reading book 3- A FITTING END. You will see me sitting in a corner seat wondering if Peggy and Conrad are ever going to get married! REVIEWED by Marsha L Floyd ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

AUDIOBOOK: CAN YOU TELL THE DIFFERENCE?

 

I was listening to an audio-book and the voice was: unemotional, bland, generic. I cold not figure out why I was not enjoying the story even though the description of the story was interesting. At that time I was part of a Facebook group that talked about audio-books, the topics was the importance of who was reading the book. Many of the individuals in the group had their favorite ‘readers’.

It was an interesting discussion that was foreign to me  because I was not aware of the nuances associated with audio-books.But I had memberships to audio-book distributors that allowed for one “free” book a month.  

When I looked up the credits on Audible I learned the book was narrated by: Virtual Voice a.k.a. AI. Yes, it was a FREE book. 

I enjoy listening to various leaders of Faith on YouTube, Voddie Baucham (1969-2025) is one of those individuals. Since his death there have been quite an abundance of videos produced more than what he released when he was alive.  As I was listening to one of his videos a few words were mispronounced, I know that depending on where a person lives such words as Tomato and potato may be pronounced slightly different this was not the issue. It became clear to me that this was a computer generated copy of Dr. Baucham’s voice. I rather read his books! 

In that Facebook group an individual who is an author stated that he was going to use the virtual voice to facilitate the creation of an audio-book. He explained that it was less costly to use Ai than to use a person. There are quite a few factors that go into the cost of producing a print book: printing cost, sellers cost, marketing and of course what the author wants to earn.  The cost of a human voice must be calculated in the cost of an audio-book, which may be why some audio-books cost almost as much as the print version. 

I do listen to some computerized voices, particularly murder mysteries on YouTube. There seem to be the right emphasis and  pauses as well as proper word pronunciations that allow for a pleasant listen. If, however, it is a choice between paying $15.95 for a print or $13.95 for an audio I will buy the print. 

It takes me just as long to listen as it does to read because of my schedule. The difference is I can embroider, sew, or wash dishes while listening to an audio-book but I have to sit and read for a print book. I have been known to listen to the free audio-book and purchase the print because I want a hand-holdable copy. 

The bottom line, it is a personal choice, just be aware of who or what is telling you the story.

Written by Marsha L Floyd

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

AUDIOBOOK REVIEW: LITTLE WOMEN by Louisa May Alcott

 

Despite the fact that I am in the middle of a 30 day 50 thousand word writing challenge; I am still listening to MISSIONARY HUDSON TAYLOR, I am almost finished Volume 1; I am also reading, still, Tailor Made Terror by Sheri Richey, book review coming soon; while Scripture writing, hand embroidering and finishing up a quilt. Which is why listening to the classic novel: LITTLE WOMEN by Louisa May Alcott would not make sense to anyone but an avid reader. This rendition of LITTLE WOMEN  is narrated by: Emily Bauer, Laura Dern, Lauren Fortang, Allison Hiroto, which makes it an excellent listen. This rendition, there are quite a few versions 12 hours and 15 minutes, a good deal even if you have to pay for it, I didn’t.   

This historical fiction tell the story of 4 young ladies who transition into adulthood. Their father is off to war and their mother helps care for those “less fortunate’ while dealing with these very individual young ladies.  It is their individual personalities that make this story interesting, I suspect the listener or reader will identify with one of them.  I love the purity of the story, the realness of the story line and the joys and sorrows that are woven, believably, in the plot. There is no sex, violence or profanity within these pages which is why I still love the book.

As a teenager I remember watching the 1949 version of the movie and I loved it,as an adult I still appreciate watching the original version which included:  June Allyson,Margaret O'Brien, Elizabeth Taylor, Janet Leigh, Mary Astor, Peter Lawford and, Rossano Brazzi. I am a fan of June Allyson and Margaret O’Brien. I have never read the book. I think I am going to find a print copy, just because. 

This is a link to one of the versions I found on YouTube, of course it is FREE: LITTLE WOMEN 

Written by Marsha L Floyd

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

FROM PRINT TO AUDIO

  “The whole world opened up to me when I learned to read”   Mary McCleod Bethune

Not everyone has the space for print books thus an eReader, such as Kindle, is a great alternative. A third alternative is audio-books which I “discovered” last year. 

I grew up reading. My first favorite author was Barbara Taylor Bradford, this was in the early 1970’s,I plan to buy her books just to have them in my library. I stopped reading fiction around about the time I started reading the Bible because there were so many Christian author books, non-fiction, that I wanted to read. 

I turned my back on print books when I discovered that I could download the Kindle app onto my tablet. Kindle offered FREE books, an economically sound decision. You can download more books than you can read, especially if they are free. I was gifted a Kindle a few years back and not only did I download numerous free books I also took advantage of the 99cent book sales, thus I have even more books to read. I realized, at some point, some books are better in print, particularly craft books.

I happened onto audio-books, I knew about them but they were not relevant to me. I watched a lot of YouTube, I canceled my cable  years ago and it and a few other internet channels became my secondary source of entertainment. One day while searching for something to watch I happened upon a recommendation for an audio=book and  the rest is history. I listen to audio-books when I am driving, when I am cleaning and when I am just sitting in my chair sewing or playing a game on my tablet. 

I have since returned to my first love, the print book. I have found that reading at a leisurely pace with a cup of tea is very relaxing.  If I don’t know the author then I can purchase the Kindle version if it is cost effective. There are many used book stores available on line thus purchasing the print may be cheaper than purchasing the e-book. I own a few print books that I have struggled to read and I listened to the audio book, THE MINISTRY OF GOD’S WORD by Watchman Nee and UNCLE TOM’S CABIN by Harriet Beecher Stowe, having someone read it to me helped me appreciate Nee’s writing style and get through the tough parts in UNCLE TOM’S CABIN.  Another example is  a two volume book in which the audio version  43 hours long: MISSIONARY HUDSON TAYLOR; I am taking my time listening. 

As a book reviewer there is an advantage to utilizing all three mediums but I will say my preference is print. 

“For my whole life, my favorite activity was reading. It’s not the most social pastime.” ― Audrey Hepburn

Written by Marsha L Floyd

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

CIRCLE OF QUILTERS by Jennifer Chiaverini

 

The Elm street Quilt series is officially not  “historical fiction”. CIRCLE OF QUILTERS by Jennifer Chiaverini brings fans of the series to another level and proves that the author deserves the title “Best Seller”.  Yes, I have the next book in the series but let me tell you about this one first.

HELP WANTED

CIRCLE OF QUILTERS is six mini-stories of individuals applying for the same job. The job is at Elm Street Quilt Camp. Jeniffer Chiaverini successfully approaches the camp in reverse, by introducing new characters and sharing their quilitng journey. As I read each mini-story: I cried, I called someone a jerk, and I was caught off gurad but pleased with one particular applicant. I was mad when I cried and as I read about the jerk, I was disappointed but then pleasantly surprised. Yes you have to get this book.

Technically, you can read this before you read the other 8, I think this is the 9th in the series, but it makes more sense if you start at book one THE QUILTERS APPRENTICE, that way when you become surprised at how Diane behaves you will simply say “ooooooh!” when you find out why. 

If you read my other reviews in this series then you will know, I can’t tell you much because not knowing is what makes the reading great.

Written by Marsha L Floyd

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED