14 Days Left!

Have you entered this contest yet?

Just 14 more days to go!

 Can't wait to see if you're a winner?

Get I Walked With Jesus TODAY.

Half a Dozen Superb Ways [I have discovered this time around] to market my book

As I was thinking about what I might share with you today it came to me that I have done a few things differently this time around to market my book. I have always marketed, but I haven't always wanted to spend any money doing it. I figured there were enough FREE places to get my name out there that I didn't need to spend any money to do it.

What I have discovered this time around is that I still need to be careful with my money, but that, with a little research, I can get my name out there forking out a few bucks. 

Photo by Visual Stories || Micheile on Unsplash

The first thing I read is that I needed to get reviewers before my book came out. I'd heard this before, but the sage advice added something I'd never heard before. Make a goal. They suggested a minimum of 30 reviewers in place before the release date. 

Can I tell you, this was a lot of work! As of yesterday, I am in need of 4, and my formal release date is August 30, so I feel like I still have some time. [Maybe you can help?]

I began to find reviewers asking people I knew personally, then online and from my list of followers, both on my blog and on my newsletter. And then I looked at blogs that had a list of book reviewers on their blog tour! On one particular blog, I received 6 yesses from the book tours listed, so that tells me something! [Though not all of them reviewed, they did give a thumbs up to post my book on their blog]. Unfortunately, I don't have the link for you. Fortunately, I have the list of the six blogs. They are A Blue Million Books, Wall-to-Wall Books; foreverreading@gmailcom [future post in the works], Novels Alive, Quiet Fury Books, B for Bookreview, and Margaret Yelton; mafyelton@msn.com; facebook.com/margaretfyelton.

One of the memes created by Novels Alive

From this list, I paid $25 to have Novels Alive create some memes for me and to post throughout the day on Twitter; something I have never done. Everything else was free. I currently have over 200 entries for the contest, and among the final count, one winner will receive a $25 Amazon gift card and a paperback copy of my book. I wrote a blog post and shared an excerpt from my book, and was given an "About the Book" section, book description bio, links, and author photo opportunity.

 Photo by Katie Harp on Unsplash

Another thing I have done is to go through my list of #hashtags. I have been collecting hashtag ideas for a long while but have used them rarely. I am trying to use them when I send out my social media.

On the day my book was released, I sent out a new

book trailer with short quotes from reviews I'd received. Although I have done this before, I had never thought to release the video on the release date. I pay a yearly fee to Animoto.com for the service to create these book trailers. They are easy to do. I am no techie and they make the process simple.

Another thing I have done this time is to offer my previous eBook, "Enlightened: My Personal Journey with Christ Through Scripture Journaling" for FREE. [You have through the 30th of August if you'd like a copy]. Often, if readers can get a free book, and they love it, they will more than likely purchase your new book.

Yes, marketing your book takes a lot of time and work, but I have found [once again] there are many people out there, both authors and readers, who want to help you - even if it's for a few additional bucks. 

 

Free Book until August 30th!

I don't normally post twice a day but I wanted you to know about a FREE book I have listed on Amazon.

With all of the hoopla about my newest book, I almost forgot that I needed to get the word out about Enlightened: My Personal Journey with Christ Through Scripture Journaling.

Get the eBook FREE here

This book will speak to your soul. There are plenty of opportunities to write down your innermost thoughts as you commune with God [because this is an eBook, you will need your own notebook],  scriptures to read, and ideas to bring your relationship with Christ to the next spiritual level. 

Who doesn't need that?

Please let me know through a review or a note here about your experience with this book. 

As always, happy reading!

Kathryn

3 Days Early! Get I Walked With Jesus!

WOW!

I Walked With Jesus was released today! Talk about a surprise. The best news is I have the day off today from my regular school job, so I have the time to really get the word out there. If you can help me with that too, I would REALLY  appreciate it. You can make a comment below, or you can enter the contest here, or you can put something out on social media!

You can get my book in Kindle, Paperback, or Audiobook format. 

I am still in need of a few audiobook reviewers. If you're interested, I will send you a FREE code to get the audiobook.

Author Interview: Off Target - The Path You Choose

Tell me a little about your book.

Off Target—The Path You Choose # 1 is a young adult realistic fiction book written for grades 5 through 8.

Get the book at Amazon

What would you do if someone showed you a loaded gun?

“You are new in town and it’s your first day at a new school. Your neighbor, Trevor introduces you to a group of three boys and two girls. Right away you notice that Eric, one of the guys in the group, is being bullied at school. When you go to Eric’s house with your new friends, he shows the group a fully loaded handgun that is left in his mother’s nightstand. You are faced with some hard choices when someone suggests that Eric should take the gun to school.

What should you do? It’s time to choose a path:

If you’re worried that Eric will take the gun to school—continue on page 7.

f you decide to take the gun to prevent anyone from being hurt—continue on page 9.

If you leave the house with the others and plan to come back for target practice the next day -- continue on page 10."

Why did you write Off Target? Is there anything unique about it that differentiates it from other books out there?

I chose to write Off Target after hearing the student activists from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Florida speaking up to lawmakers against gun violence in schools, after 17 people were killed in their school.

I thought if students can make a difference, then why not a little grandmother from Idaho? We all have a voice and I wanted to let kids know the dangers of handling a firearm and the difference that parents can make by locking up their weapons.

The differences in my book are first: Off Target, The Path You Choose #1 is written in a Choose Your Own Adventure type of format, where the reader is asked to make choices throughout the book and the outcome is determined by the choices the reader makes. There are thirteen different endings in the book so the reader can go back, path and make different choices until they have read several different stories around the same theme.

Second: this book is fiction, written in a realistic way, using incidents, similar to those you might read about in the news headlines. And third: Off Target is written so that the reader is the main character and feels the emotions of the decisions they make while reading the book.

What is the most important takeaway from the book? What do you hope readers will remember?

I hope the reader will remember how it felt to make choices where someone could get hurt and that they can change their mind and back out of a bad decision before it’s too late. Also, that if they see someone doing something wrong, they can get help and stop a potentially bad incident.

Tell me about The Mom’s Choice Awards.

Off Target, The Path You Choose 31 is a Silver Winner of the Mom’s Choice Award of     Excellence.

The Mom’s Choice Awards® (MCA) evaluates products and services on a number of elements, including production quality, design, educational value, entertainment value, originality, appeal, and cost.  Each item is judged on its own merit—rather than being judged in a contest with other items or books.

Books and products are evaluated by a respected panel of evaluators including educators, media, and other experts as well as parents, children, librarians, performing artists, producers, medical and business professionals, authors, scientists, and others.

The Mom’s Choice Award is a mark of distinction and a trusted resource. Around the world, parents, educators, retailers, and members of the media look for the MCA mother-and-child Honoring Excellence seal of approval when selecting quality products and services for children and families.

    What advice would you give to a new writer, hoping to publish their book?

Many times, authors only write what they think a publisher is interested in publishing. I would advise a writer to write what is in their heart and not to worry about what is popular out there. Don’t even worry about how you will publish your book at all. Just write the book. Once your book is completed, I always recommend that you have your book edited, whether you are going to self-publish, going with a publishing company, or searching for an agent. You really don’t want to have an unedited book out there with your name on it. And it is best to have a polished book before sending it to a publisher or an agent for review.

I have published my books in a number of different ways. I really like the freedom of self-publishing. Off Target was published by Idea Creations Press. They do the work of publishing for you, but you retain the rights.

 _____

Jill Ammon Vanderwood is a mother and grandmother who wants to make a difference for the next generation. She spends much of her time visiting schools, Boys and Girls Clubs, drug rehabs, and church groups. Jill has written about drugs, bullying and now her new book, Off Target tackles the issue of gun safety in realistic fiction. In many homes, minors have easy access to loaded handguns. This book shows scenarios where kids get hold of a gun and the consequences that follow. This is a book where the reader decides the outcome by their choices and there are thirteen possible endings.  Jill teaches writing and marketing workshops and is available as a guest speaker for writers’ conferences, business groups, and college courses on writing or marketing. Jill is also available for school assemblies on bullying or gun safety. You can visit the author on the web at

https://jillvanderwood.com/

Jill Ammon Vanderwood on Facebook

 

10 Ways to Enter the Drawing for I Walked With Jesus

Today is day 3 of the contest at Novels Alive. Click here and you will be sent directly to the page where my book, I Walked With Jesus, and the opportunity to win a $25 Amazon gift card are listed.

After that, you will want to make a visit to B for Bookreview. Here, I have a guest post "Tell Me a Story That Means Something." Find out why "pictures" are important to any book you are writing or reading, and why, even as a child, I sensed their importance. 

   

DAY 2 - Have you entered to win yet?

Here we are on day 2! 

For anyone who writes historical fiction, especially those who write Christian historical fiction, this blog post is for you!

Get a sneak peek of chapter one - the Rabbi - and find out how you can submit multiple entries for a chance to win my paperback of I Walked With Jesus and a $25 gift card from Amazon.

Why would you want to enter this contest today?

You might be chosen to win a $25 Amazon gift card and a paperback copy of I Walked With Jesus! 

Go to Novels Alive. Enter. Wait. 

You might be chosen as a winner! 

Be one of the first to review my audiobook!

My audiobook, "I Walked With Jesus: New Testament Stories of Faith and Healing" is HERE! 

Just click the link above and you'll be taken to audible.com and the page where my audiobook is listed. Contact me at kathy@ariverofstones.com, or let me know here and I'll send you a free code to review this book.

Thank you!!

Get the audiobook and audible.com

Who Else Wants to Review I Walked With Jesus? [UPDATE]

Things on the book release homefront are getting closer with I Walked With Jesus: NewTestament Stories of Faith and Healing From the Least of These!

I would love to reach the 30 review mark by August 30th! [I am in need of 5 more reviewers!]

If you've been thinking about reviewing, but haven't committed yet, I would love to have you along. Let me know here or send me a note at kathy@ariverofstones.com.

Thanks!

You can choose to review the audiobook
[I will send you a code for a free audiobook - Update! I now have the free codes!]

or the paperback [I will send you a PDF]

How to Work and Write at the Same Time

Not possible you say?

If you're one of those authors who work part-time or especially full-time, you'll want to listen up. I was off during the summer so, as you would expect, I had a lot more time to write posts like these and to work on my writing and marketing.

Not so as of Monday.

Today I am sitting at my computer using the few minutes I have before I need to leave for work. Going to work at an elementary school is a must for me right now. Yes, I write. And yes, I publish. And yes, I sell my books, but what I sell and when I sell it, let's just say, varies. Working as a teacher's aide helps me to smooth things out in the financing department quite a bit.

If you're like me and work outside the home, but at the same time want to write and publish, you may find yourself never getting to what you love the most in favor of what pays you on a regular basis. To these writers in particular I would like to focus this blog post. 

Write when you're fresh. It is easy to say, "Well, when I get home from work, I'll write, or when the weekend comes," but it is hard to do. The best writing that gets done for me is in the mornings before work. Yes, that means I need to get up early. And yes, that means that I need to get in bed at a decent hour - for me, that's 9:30 p.m. But that's what it takes. 

I am looking at the clock right now. I need to leave at 7:50 and it's 7:48, so I will need to decide about finishing this post when I return home or waiting until tomorrow to finish it.

Gather ideas at work and when you're driving in the car. I can't even tell you how many times a great thought about a new book or the next scene will come into my mind when I am somewhere else. I think this is because your brain relaxes. You are focused on something else so your brain naturally gives

 Tom Wheatley on Unsplash

you the next greatest thing.

5:26 p.m. I am finally able to finish this post. It's been a long day but the creative juices never dry up for good!

Write in those spare moments whenever you have them! Small pieces of anything grow large the longer you are at it. When I began I Walked With Jesus, I was still working! My goal was to write a chapter a week! I did pretty well most of the time and now have a book almost ready to publish. Keep your eyes open for August 30!

Keep in mind that there are moments in life where we could be writing and don't. I have spoken about these distractions before. Still, sometimes a little distraction like television watching is just what the doctor ordered! Guess what I did first when I got home from work today?

Having a bit of time off to just lounge is okay, as long as you use it to juice up and get back to writing!

[I'm finally finishing at 6:02. I had a couple of things to do before finding the picture above].

Tired of Dealing with those Annoying Writing Errors?

As a writer, you know what I'm talking about. As a reader, you know what I'm talking about too. 

Photo by Brett Jordan on Unsplash

Spelling errors. Grammar issues. Missing words. The wrong word.

As a writer, you think your book is as polished as it can get, and then you send it to a reviewer who sees what you missed. You're working on an audiobook [I would recommend doing an audiobook for anyone wanting to catch writing errors] and stuff creeps out of your book that you never knew existed.

If you're a reader, you don't like seeing writing errors either, or a missing word, or the wrong word, or anything that makes you stop to look at the error, especially when the mistake comes from a book published by a traditional publisher like Random House. 

The good news is that it happens. You can count on it. The bad news is that it happens too often, especially among indie authors. I can say this because it has happened to me as an indie author. It has happened even after I've done multiple edits, after I've sent it to an editor, yes, and even when I've been working through the process of an audiobook.

It happened to this one: 

 5.0 out of 5 stars

 Tie Dyed

Reviewed in the United States on September 13, 2017

Verified Purchase

5 Stars. I really enjoyed this book. It kept me guessing all the way through. There was a few editing issues

but nothing so bad to detract from my enjoyment of this mystery.

I was happy to receive 5 stars, but a 5-Star doesn't always happen with a book with "editing issues". As a head's up, the book is called Tie Died. Just saying...

I think it's important to note here for readers just how hard authors work to catch the errors you may see in the book you are currently reading, especially if they've gone through the ropes as mentioned above. 

When those spelling errors that I swear creep and hide between the book's binding when I'm not looking, make it to the final draft - yes, that one in your hands at this very moment - I hope you understand that I've done my best to sweep them out. 

To your writing!

Kathryn 

 

5 Exciting Blogs to Try Right Now [especially if you're marketing your book]

Photo by Paige Cody on Unsplash

Book marketing. Whether you're an established author or not, you are learning or have first-hand knowledge that it takes time to find the best sites for book marketing. Great news! Here are five blogs with substantial lists for your perusal. [Pay special attention to #3].

1) Be Writ. Brit says she is "helps creatives by day" and writes "novels in [her] head the rest of the time.""20 Writing Blogs That Accept Guest Posts" is a must-read.

2) Faith Blum has a great site with hundreds of ideas for writers. My favorite? "Promo Sites" from free advertising to paid.

3) A phenomenal article about how best to get a reader's attention. "How to Get a Reader's Attention by Shocking Broca" by Thomas Umstattd Jr. Read or listen to the Podcast. 

4) A fantastic site from Jane Friedman. My favorite article? "4 Ways to Immediately Improve Your Book Marketing Efforts." Want to know how best to find book reviewers? You'll want to read this article. 

5) Last, but surely not least, take a visit to Author Unlimited. My favorite place? "50 Surprisingly Simple Ways to Promote Your Book." Want some outside-the-box ideas along with ideas you may have already heard of but have procrastinated in trying? You'll want to make a visit.

Happy Marketing!

3 Resources for Book Bloggers

You've hit a brick wall. Not literally, but it feels the same. Maybe you've written for over ten years. Perhaps you're a beginner with no logical way to start out. You need some ideas, and you need them quick!

Look at a Partial Sentence or Idea

Great ideas can be found on Jo Linsdell's website. "101 Blog Post Ideas for Book Bloggers." The one I'm using today is #46 [modified]. 

Do you know those spam emails you love to hate? You know the ones. "I have something very shocking to tell you about _______________________________".... "The shrinking class of _____________________" "Hear that?" What? you can't help asking yourself. 

One of these ideas I have used already. Can you guess which one? I have started to make a list of emails that I have to sit on my hands not to open. Take a look at your junk email. What do you find that you can use for your next blog post?

Look Outside the Box

Almost every author posts a chapter of his/her book. How many post deleted scenes? You know the chapter that just didn't work? Or the scene that made you crazy? Share it.

Author interviews are everywhere. But how about character interviews, where your main character is interviewed? I've done some of these on my blog. I was interviewed at A Blue Million Books recently. Guess what sort of interview I got? A Love it or Leave it interview. What's that, you ask? Check it out!

Make them Look with a Book Trailer

Create a book trailer that you share on your blog and social media. Book trailers are a great way to advertise your book! Think of how often you watch movie trailers and you'll get an idea of what I mean. They are simple to do - really! I have used Animoto.com for a few years for my trailers and they've really made a difference in my marketing. 

People don't always make time to read, but they will usually make time to watch a video!

Connecting with readers is a little like taking a walk and smelling the flowers along the way. If you don't stop sometimes and see what's out there, you'll keep doing the same old thing, and missing an opportunity to connect.

Connect today by trying one or more of these ideas. And then...

drop me a line and tell me how it went.

 

A Day in the Life of a Book Blogger

As many of you know, I am an author. But I also blog about books - not just my own. Obviously, I don't book blog all day. It would drive me crazy! And besides, there are so many other things I enjoy doing. 

Consider today.

Yes, this is the desk and books for my morning time.
What is on the wall above the desk is what I see each morning.

I got up this morning and read the scriptures, prayed, and wrote in my journal. I do this every morning and have done so for over two years without missing a day. 

Some mornings I get up and exercise to Wii Dance [no laughing now]. I have tried other things like yoga and walking, but I always come back to dancing with Michael Jackson. I bought my copy used at GameStop. I also trade-off with Just Dance 1, 2, 3, and 4.

After my shower and breakfast, I work in the yard. When I do this in the morning, I usually don't exercise figuring I am getting plenty of exercise mowing the lawn, edging, watering, or whatever else I have to do.

This morning I made a jump over to Amy Metz blog at https://abluemillionbooks.blogspot.com. Today I am the Featured Author. 

After finishing this blog post, I will be working on marketing for my newest book to be released on August 30. It's coming up! 

Since it's still summer break for me - I don't return to school as a teacher's aide until next week - I still have time to work on marketing for I Walked With Jesus in between laundry, picking up, eating lunch, and spending time with my grandkids. 

<a href="https://www.vecteezy.com/free-photos">Free Stock photos by Vecteezy</a>

By the time dinner hits - between 5 and 6, I am finished with my workday. I make dinner [but not today, my cooking day is Wednesday, but that's another story] clean up the dishes, and usually spend the evening with my husband watching movies. We are the movie Gurus around here!

I get to bed pretty early - usually around 9:30 p.m. because I get up in the morning to do my scripture study time. Many of my ideas for writing topics come to me from morning time study. And when I get stuck on a character I am creating or a scene I am developing, I often get answers in my study room. 

Perhaps your day is a little like mine - or not. Some days I have less time to write, just because I am marketing or because I have errands to run. But I always make time.

Have a great day!

Kathryn

Mandy Eve-Barnett - Her Writing Journey

Today I wanted to focus on a writer who was first introduced to you in 2015. A lot has happened in the world as well as in her life since then. I am reminded of my own writing career, one that began a little hesitantly, and which grew bolder the older I got and the more I was willing to try and take on.

Thank you, Mandy, for sharing your writing journey with us!

 “To write is to create a thousand lives, a multitude of locations, real or imagined, and send your characters on a journey of your own making.”

Quote Mandy Eve-Barnett

Some thoughts on Mandy's first visit to my blog

My First Visit to Kathryn’s blog was back in 2015 when I shared a character interview from a work in progress manuscript, Life in Slake Patch. This story was the result of my first attempt at National Novel Writing Month in 2009, and the most I had written as a new writer, ever. As my first novel-length manuscript, it required revision and editing many, many times over before I eventually published it in 2018. An evolution over nine years, when I grew as a writer and an author, learning my craft, and ultimately resulting in a story I was happy to publish.

Her creativity and imagination

From school age to adulthood, I indulged my creativity in many forms, but for whatever reason did not pursue writing. After immigrating to Canada, later in life, I discovered a local writing group and was immediately hooked on the joy of conjuring up worlds from my imagination. I joined the Writers Foundation of Strathcona County in 2009 and became Secretary in 2010. Over the last 12 years, this group’s members have encouraged and supported me and I am truly blessed to be part of the organization.

What Mandy has been doing since 2015!

Since 2015, I have published six further books, including Life in Slake Patch. I continue to write character-based stories rather than to genre across all age groups. 2016 saw a YA novella, Clickety Click, a reincarnation romance, The Twesome Loop in 2017, complete madness in 2018, when I published not only another YA novella, Creature Hunt on Planet Toaria but also, finally, my speculative fiction, Life in Slake Patch. These were followed by a reader demanded sequel to my medieval fantasy, The Rython Kingdom (2012) entitled Rython Legacy in 2019 and last year, a steampunk novel, The Commodore’s Gift.

What marketing techniques have helped her to sell books?

My marketing has changed over the years from a tentative occasional post as a new writer to my current explosion across social media as my confidence, connections and network has grown. Last year’s pandemic curbed my normal annual attendance to multiple books fairs, events, and readings throughout Alberta and beyond. However, I did manage to attend several virtual events, hosted workshops and presentations, and was a guest panelist as well. I continue to be a writing community advocate hosting author interviews, writing tips, and writing life insights, as well as connecting with readers with excerpts, inspirations, ideas, and Q&A on my blog.

Mandy's writing - what she's learned 

Book 2

Book 1

Apart from the fantasy Rython series, all my books are stand-alone novels. However, last year, while struggling to find a direction for National Novel Writing Month, an almost fully-formed idea of a detective crime trilogy set in Alberta came to mind. As you can imagine, I was excited, but apprehensive, as this would need planning from a notorious panster! My stories normally just flow from mind to fingertip. Always eager to learn, I began researching the methodology and skill required to write a series and proceeded to plan each story, cross-referencing characters, locations, and the villain’s strategy.  I wrote out character descriptions and backstories, researched locations, and police procedures. Watched multiple crime TV series and attended virtual seminars on crime writing. This is the joy of writing, you learn about topics, places, and people you would never normally know anything about.

Learn more about Mandy 

Twitter https://twitter.com/mandyevebarnett 

Facebook  https://www.facebook.com/Mandyevebarnettcom

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mandyevebarnett/

Freelance  https://tailoredthemedtosuit.wordpress.com/

LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/mandy-eve-barnett-58235250/

Pinterest https://www.pinterest.ca/mandywordsmith/

Blog https://mandyevebarnett.com/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/.../6477059.Mandy_Eve_Barnett...

Amazon author page:   https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B01MDUAS0V 

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/search?query=Mandy+Eve-Barnett

Alberta Authors Cooperative  http://www.albertaauthorscooperative.ca/

Publisher  Dream Write Publishing. www.dreamwritepublishing.ca

The Shrinking Class of Book Readers - What audiobooks can mean for your sales

Are people reading books like they used to?

Nope.

According to a 2019 Pew Research Center survey, 37% of the population read print books only. And while there are still those who don't read at all [27%] a combined total of 36% [those who read digital books only, and those who are interested in both print and digital]  together the percentage is about the same as those who read only books. Only 1% of those surveyed failed to give an answer.

What does this tell me?

Because fewer and fewer people in the United States are reading, more and more authors are vying for audiobooks in their book marketing plan. 

And why not?

Consider, as an author, being open to 73% of the U.S. population? Even further, consider what the non-readers might do if they decided to pick up a book in a manner of speaking? Would they gravitate to a print book, or would they more than likely choose an audiobook, something they can listen to on that car trip, or boring sit at the doctor's office?

Consider also that two years have passed since this study. How many more do you think are listening vs. reading?

In 2013, I began the audiobook journey with my book, "Conquering Your Goliaths: A Parable of the Five Stones."

Get it at Amazon or Audible

My recent audiobook, "I Walked With Jesus: New Testament Stories of Faith and Healing From the Least of These," will be released hand-in-hand with my print book on January 30 for the first time. I will also have an eBook released, giving me three opportunities to reach readers, whether they read in book format, digital, or listen in audio.

Some of my books, the mysteries primarily, have done better in the audio format than in print.

In a nutshell, the shrinking class of book readers opens the way for me to try new things and to get more people involved in what I love the most - books!

Reviews of I Walked With Jesus [New Reviews Listed!]

Somehow, I missed this early review.

I Walked With Jesus: New Testament Stories of Faith and Healing From the Least of These

Amy's review - 5 Stars!

Aug 16, 2021

I Walked With Jesus: New Testament Stories of Faith and Healing From the Least of These is a collection of stories based on Biblical text from the New Testament. I loved seeing these stories come to life. I thought the author did a fantastic job making me feel as though I was transported back in time to see how they all lived. Such an inspiring and faith-filled book. I enjoyed every single page.

I Walked With Jesus: New Testament Stories of Faith and Healing From the Least of These will be getting a very well deserved five plus stars. I highly recommend it for readers who enjoy reading Biblical Fiction. I would love to read more by Kathryn Elizabeth Jones in the future.

I received a digital copy of I Walked With Jesus: New Testament Stories of Faith and Healing From the Least of These from the publisher, but was not required to write a positive review. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion.

"You are so talented. I love all your stories; it really brings the scriptures to life. But, I do have my favorites; "The Father's Son", "Bartimaeus' Sight", and my all-time favorite "Malchus' Word"!

- Todd Tolman

5.0 out of 5 stars  A powerful book about the wonders of faith

Reviewed in the United States on August 31, 2021

Kathryn Elizabeth Jones penned a wonderful collection of New Testament stories about people in biblical times and how they interacted and reacted to Jesus’ teaching. Some of the people were skeptical of the Rabbi who brought his friend Lazarus back to life after he had been dead four days!

Some people, like Susanna, a Samaritan, felt she was unworthy because she had married many times and she was burned by sins. She even lived with a man who was not her husband. She met Jesus at a well, while she searched for something to take away her loneliness. She looked into Jesus’ blue eyes when he told her if followed him, she would lose the sadness in her soul. She felt Jesus’ love for her and it transformed her life.

There are many miracles described in this book, such as Bartimeus, who was born blind. People in his area scorned him when his younger sister, Leah, led him from place to place. But Jesus healed him. What happened to Jedaiah after he fell? He was paralyzed from the neck down, but he prayed for faith and healing. His brothers took him to hear Jesus speak and he was healed.

The stories in I walked with Jesus are often poignant because you feel whatever events the characters are experiencing. You relate to the power of their faith and the immeasurable love that Jesus shared with each of his children. It’s a beautiful book that I learned from and enjoyed. Well done, Kathryn Elizabeth Jones.

* I received a complimentary ARC from the author and chose to review it without compensation.

Review by children’s author Deanie Humphrys-Dunne

Fisher Boy

"Tell me the stories of Jesus, I long to hear, things I would ask him to tell me if he were here.” [From the Children’s Songbook]

There have been so many times when I have read stories of Jesus when I wondered why we couldn’t have more information. The Bible stories have left me with many questions.

Who was the woman at the well? Why did only one of the lepers thank Jesus for his healing? Why did a young boy throw himself into a fire? Who sinned, a boy or his parents that he was born blind? Why did Jesus wait for four days to heal Lazarus? 

When you read, “I Walked with Jesus,” you will read the rest of the story and feel through the Holy Ghost what it was really like to be in the presence of the Savior.

Learn more about your Savior and the love he has for all mankind and the faith it takes to be a recipient of his healing power.

Kathryn Elizabeth Jones has written a heartfelt, fact-filled Bible Storybook with information, she has found through her own research and the research of other Bible scholars to put together the imagery that she adds to biblically accurate stories. The stories enlighten us who 'the least of these really were, what kind of faith was required for them to be healed by Jesus Christ and what their lives were like at the time of Christ. 

I highly recommend “I Walked with Jesus as an aide for family bible study or study groups who wish to know the rest of the story. The author added names to make the stories more complete and she also added facts from her research of the time period, with scriptures right from the Bible text.

 - Jill Ammon Vanderwood, Mom's Choice Award-winning author of Off Target

The Centurion

"I Walked with Jesus by veteran author Kathryn Elizabeth Jones is a series of well-written stories based on scriptures from the New Testament about personal encounters with Jesus, and how those meetings strengthened faith, mind, and bodies. This book will speak especially to those already on a well-trodden spiritual path in the LDS tradition. The dialogue is written in two forms, contemporary and as quoted text from the King James Version of the Bible. I found the change in dialogue style required sudden “gear shifts”; however, readers from the LDS tradition will be familiar with this style. Kathryn Jones is a sincere, skilled writer and I recommend this book for readers of the Christian faith or for those interested in LDS perspective." 

Review: 4/5

- Lori Knutson

Rachel's Jar

"I love your book. I will forever remember all those stories in much more detail after reading this. The book is wonderful."

- Dorothy Crofts

"I enjoyed the book. It was well written and must have taken a long time to research the information."

 - Connie Hall

"I'm only about halfway through [as of August 8] because I've been ill and physically struggling. These stories are thought-provoking, yet comforting to the soul. I can feel the holy spirit when I read them and they help me reconsider stories I thought I knew. If you like 'Two from Galilee' or other books that bring Bible stories to life, you'll love these."

- Michelle Higham

Jairus' Daughter

"After reading Kathryn’s stories, I felt that I needed to read the stories again from the scriptures. I was impressed with how she developed each story giving detail that made the event more meaningful to me. I have been guilty of reading the scriptures through without thinking deeply about what is happening in the life of the individuals. In the story “A Certain Woman” about the woman with a blood issue who had been rejected by society, Kathryn helped me to feel the woman’s loneliness and her desire to be accepted in society. A woman with a blood issue could not be with members of her family–those who loved her and could give her comfort.   Touching Jesus would make him unclean so she had to battle the guilt that she felt. After she touched him and was healed, she probably feared that he would be angry and lash out at her. Instead, she felt his love.

I recommend this book to those who have a desire to have a deeper understanding of the scriptures. Her work is imaginative, thought-provoking, and very moving."

- Valerie Tomer

Bartimaeus' Sight

“Your book takes us on an incredible adventure. So, for anyone looking for a good book to read, look no further. Kathryn's book will bring you hope and leave you feeling encouraged. I highly recommend gifting yourself and others with her timeless piece of literature.”

-Vernita Simmons