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
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