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Book Review: A Body at the Irish Book Club by Lucy Connelly

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Mercy McCarthy Mystery #5

Happy Publishing Day to Lucy Connelly!

Publish Date: April 21, 2026 by Bookouture

Mercy and Lizzie are America twin sisters who inherited their grandfather’s house and book shop in Shamrock Cove in Ireland. Lizzie runs the shop and Mercy is the writer in the family. The day Mercy returns from a book signing tour of her latest book, her sister held a signing at the shop. As the customers were paying for their books at the register, Mercy’s and Mr. Poe-their dog-discovers one of the ladies at the shop has died. Then the mystery begins on what happen to the victim.

A Body at the Irish Book Club is the first book I’ve read by Lucy Connelly. As usual-but not by design-I started this series with the fifth book. The beginning of the story had me asking a lot of questions about the backstory but a few of them were resolved and I was happy about that. By the time I finished the story, I decided to add this series to my to-read list. I am curious about the books before this one!   

I found the side characters to be great supporting characters that helped the story take shape. Mercy tended to get on my nerves at times. When she is on to something, she was like a dog with a bone, but isn’t that the point? She reminds me a little of Jessica Fletcher in Murder She Wrote and Danny Reagan in Blue Bloods. Mercy’s unwavering persistence makes for great crime solving and a writer!

My heart went out to Mercy’s sister, Lizzie. What a loving and supportive sister she is to Mercy. I am looking forward to reading more of their stories in these crime solving cases.

An intriguing story that had me racing to the end to discover the killer. I could not put this story down.

I love a good Irish cozy mystery!

Stephanie

I’ve rated this book four stars.

Thank you to the publishers for ARC through NetGalley for an honest review.

Reader’s Log 69: A Weekend of Reading and Studying

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This morning, I have been reflecting on the season change and the warmer weather we have been experiencing in the South and I’m looking forward to what summer will bring. This weekend, I plan on reading and studying with a renewed sense of gratefulness for God’s Word and the access to seminary books from my father’s theological library that I would otherwise not be able to afford.

This weekend, I’m also reading two fiction books and one of them I had started a couple weeks ago-I think-and had to put aside temporary to finish up two others for a review deadline. The days were getting away from me. I feel like that tends to happen when you are engrossed in books, and you will not get any complaints on that score from me.

I’m also starting an in-depth Bible study in the book of Hebrews this weekend, so I may share what that looks like a little later in the month or next month.

Have a blessed weekend!

Stephanie

The two books are as follow:

You Belong Here Now by Dianna Rostad

Published April 6, 2021 by William Morrow Paperbacks

In this brilliant debut reminiscent of William Kent Krueger’s This Tender Land and Lisa Wingate’s Before We Were Yours, three orphans’ journey westward from New York City to the Big Sky Country of Montana, hoping for a better life where beautiful wild horses roam free.

Montana 1925: Three brave kids from New York board the orphan train headed west. An Irish boy who lost his whole family to Spanish flu, a tiny girl who won’t talk, and a volatile young man who desperately needs to escape Hell’s Kitchen. They are paraded on platforms across the Midwest to work-worn folks and journey countless miles, racing the sun westward. Before they reach the last rejection and stop, the kids come up with a daring plan, and they set off toward the Yellowstone River and grassy mountains where the wild horses roam.

Fate guides them toward the ranch of a family stricken by loss. Broken and unable to outrun their pasts in New York, the family must do the unthinkable in order to save them.

Nara, the daughter of a successful cattleman, has grown into a brusque spinster who refuses the kids on sight. She’s worked hard to gain her father’s respect and hopes to run their operation, but if the kids stay, she’ll be stuck in the kitchen.

Nara works them without mercy, hoping they’ll run off, but they buck up and show spirit, and though Nara will never be motherly, she begins to take to them. So, when Charles is jailed for freeing wild horses that were rounded up for slaughter, and an abusive mother from New York shows up to take the youngest, Nara does the unthinkable, risking everything she holds dear to change their lives forever.

In This Moment by Gabrielle Meyer

Timeless #2

Published May 2, 2023 by Bethany House Publishers

Maggie inherited a gift from her time-crossing parents that allows her to live three separate lives in 1861, 1941, and 2001. Each night she goes to sleep-in one-time period and wakes up in another. Until, that is, she turns twenty-one, when she will have to forfeit two of those lives–and everyone she knows in them–forever.

In 1861, Maggie is the daughter of an influential senator at the outbreak of the Civil War, navigating a capital full of Southern spies and wounded soldiers. In 1941, she is a Navy nurse, grappling with her knowledge of the future when she’s asked to join a hospital ship being sent to Pearl Harbor. And in 2001, she’s a brilliant young medical student, fulfilling her dream of becoming a surgeon, yet unable to use her modern skills in her other paths.

While Maggie has sworn off romance until she makes her final choice, an intriguing man tugs at her heart in each era. The mysterious British gentleman. The prickly, demanding doctor. The charming young congressman. She’s drawn to each man in different ways, only complicating the impossible decision she must make, which looms ever closer.

With so much on the line, how can Maggie choose just one life to keep and the rest to lose?

Book Review: Murder in the Crypt by Irina Shapiro

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First published February 4, 2020

When the body of a young man is found stuffed into the tomb of a medieval knight, Parish Constable Daniel Haze is tasked with investigating his first solo murder case.

Suspicion instantly falls on the only stranger to arrive in the village of Birch Hill just before the crime took place, but the American captain proves to be an unexpected asset. A former soldier and a skilled surgeon, Jason Redmond is not only willing to assist Haze with the investigation but will risk his own safety to apprehend the killer.

With no suspects, no motive, and few leads to follow, Redmond and Haze must solve the crime before one of them becomes the murderer’s next victim.

My Thoughts:

Murder in the Crypt by Irina Shapiro is the first installment of Shapiro’s, Redmond and Haze Mysteries and the first book I have read by this author. The premise of the story grabbed my attention from the very first pages- which is a bonus! -and held my attention to the end. How the mystery of who murdered the young man found in the tomb of a medieval knight unfolded with twisty turns, startling-yet not all too surprising in this world- discoveries of clues that lead to the lengths a person would go to cover up something they did in their own life is brilliantly told in this story.

The Parish Constable Daniel Haze and Jason Redmond, an American captain from the Civil War, teamed up to solve this case and no stone was left upturned with these two. What a promising start for a partnership in solving cases and their background stories were intriguing to read about.

I love historical mysteries and I don’t read enough of them like I used to. This book was a great start to get back into them and I’m looking forward to read the next book in this series!

Stephanie

Book Review: Murder at the Highland Games (Ally McKinley Mystery #4) by Dee MacDonald

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Expected Publish Date: April 16, 2026 by Bookouture

The story begins with the annual Locharran Highland Games in Scotland where Ally McKinley, the villagers and many others are enjoying the competitions, and all the sudden, they hear a shot fired and an unpopular competitor, Archie Armstrong, is killed while in the middle of tossing the caber, and from there on, tensions are running high, many of the villagers are not empathetic to the mans death-which makes many of them a suspect to the murder-including a few members of Archie’s family members- and Ally must discover the killer to not only one murder but two before the killer strikes again!

I have now read two books in this series -not in order- and I’m enjoying reading them thus far. Dee MacDonald cleverly weaves a good murder mystery and her characters are well developed. Her whodunits are so well plotted, I’ve had and entertaining time trying to solve the crimes along-side Ally. I can’t wait to solve another crime alongside Ally!

Stephanie

Full Description of the Book:

When a fun day out in the Scottish Highlands turns fatal, there’s only one solution: call for Ally McKinley!

It’s the annual Locharran Highland Games and Ally McKinley has never seen her little village so busy or excited. Everyone’s enjoying the Scottish dancing, the bagpipes, and cheering the competitors on. But there’s a hitch in the proceedings when champion challenger Archie Armstrong drops dead in the middle of tossing the caber. Rushing to the scene, Ally is the first to spot that Archie’s death was no accident – this was murder!

Ally flings herself into a new investigation and soon discovers that more than one person may have had a murderous motive, including some of the current residents of her cosy little guesthouse. Patti, Archie’s glamourous wife, seems intent on acting like the perfect widow, but rumours of infidelity have been flying. Is her performance too good? Could her uncle, cranky gamekeeper Angus, have finally snapped, furious at Archie’s treatment of his niece? Or was it one of the frustrated local competitors, desperate to end Archie’s winning streak?

Determined to crack the case and fueled by more than one piece of her famous shortbread, Ally begins to narrow down her list of possible culprits, but is thrown for a loop when her chief suspect is found dead by the loch, a mysterious and threatening note clutched in their fingers. With a killer at large, can Ally finally uncover the truth? Or, as the sun sets over the highlands, will this game be her last?

Side Bar: There is some profanity in this story but not so much, it is scattered through the book.

Book Review: The Bell Tolls at Traeger Hall by Jaime Jo Wright

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Published October 21, 2025 by Bethany House Publishers

In 1890, the ominous tolling of the bell announces that death has come to Traeger Hall, leaving orphaned Waverly Pembrooke to piece together the puzzle behind her uncle’s and aunt’s murders. Bound by the terms of her uncle’s eccentric will, Waverly finds herself alone in a manor shrouded by death and questioning her uncle’s paranoid motivations. A madness hovers over Traeger Hall, and Waverly–as well as the people of nearby Newton Creek–are ill-prepared for the woe that has descended on the property.

In present day Newton Creek, the whispers of a curse still cling to the century-old time capsule of Traeger Hall. When Jennie Phillips takes possession of the estate after the death of her parents, she is intent on solving the century-old mystery of the Traeger murders. Yet a modern cold case suggests that untimely deaths and mysterious occurrences still form the cornerstone of the manor. And as thorny truths surface, Jennie realizes the dark legacy threatens not only the town and the Traeger descendants . . . but also, chillingly, Jennie herself.

My Thoughts:

This is the third book by Wright that I have read and so far, my favorite. Back in 2018, I reviewed Wright’s debut novel The House on Foster Hill and I was a bit critical of the story.

Gothic is one of my top five favorite subgenres and I’m always on the lookout for them. Does “The Bell Tolls at Traeger Hall” truly qualify? Indeed, it does and at the same time Wright has brought a uniqueness to the genre that if you were to read a story without knowing who wrote it, you will immediately know who by the style of writing.

This story has multiple timelines and Wright is great with them. They worked really well together and the build up was intense at times which kept me from putting the book down. Love that! That said, there were at times, I felt the “faith” elements were sprinkled in to qualify as Christian Fiction and it didn’t work well for me.There were also times, I felt things could have been fleshed out better, and I didn’t feel a real sense of closure with Jennie’s story.

Jennie inherited Traeger Hall and the condition of the will regarding the estate is interesting to say the least. I have two minds about it and I wondered if others who have read the story, knows what I mean. The oddness of the inheritance does set the stage and I was deeply drawn into what the outcome would be.

In the beginning of the story, both of Jennie’s parents are dead and her wealthy father was cruel and abusive to both Jennie and her mother when he was alive. The story doesn’t really get into the scope of it but you assuredly will know it and the undertones suggest a deeper tragic family life then told.

Waverly Pembrooke’s time at the house was truly bizarre and she found herself entangled in what appears to have been a borderline insane environment. Her Uncle-who owns Traeger Hall- was was creepy, controlling, greedy, extremely intense and a whole lot more. He actually had all the makings of a narcissists in my opinion. Waverly’s Aunt seemed distance and uncaring but there is a story there. I will leave it up to the reader to discover more about her.

The secrets the house held on tightly to was fascinating to read about and I liked the bread crumbs-if you will- that are given to make you think of all sorts of what-ifs and whodunit. I did not see the ending coming on who killed Waverly’s Uncle and Aunt and when it was revealed, I thought what a fantastic plot twist!

I have to say, next time when I come across a bell tolling, I have no doubt I will think of this story.

Despite my misgivings of the story, I look forward to reading more books by Wright.

Stephanie

The Uniqueness of Mixed Media Art

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It has always been in my experience that the art in mixed media explores new paths, and expanding on an image, an idea or thoughts of color, shape, depth, and texture. The image can be anything really and by creating an art piece by combining material from various sources is only the beginning.

There is no right or wrong way in creating but rather how is your art speaking to you. What story are you telling? Where is it taking you on your creative journey?

Today, I am sharing a piece I started back in 2023 and the terrain I’m building on canvas has been a journey with all sorts of twisty paths taken. I first began this piece by applying moss in the center and began stitching only French knots in the blank spaces. While I loved the start of filling the spaces with stitchery, I wasn’t feeling the moss and I put the canvas aside to rest and reflect on where I want to go with the terrain. Then the rest became a long slumber and this year it came to me the path I wanted to take with this piece. It is not always this way when I create a new art piece. More times than not, my creative ideas really flow. I don’t stress about it because then the journey is for naught.

I’m really looking forward to seeing how this terrain turns out and next time, I may write about my story for this piece.

Be sure to check out my Instagram at @layeredfinds to see more stages of the terrain.

Be on the lookout for my next blog post on April 7th! I will be posting a book review of “The Bell Tolls at Traeger Hall” by Jaime Jo Wright

Stephanie

Reader’s Log 067: Reading in Those Dreary Moments

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This past Monday, the weather outside was dreary and cold in the south. One’s mood could turn down the melancholy road, and I was heading in that direction by the afternoon. Before that feeling rooted itself, I told myself it was a good day to settle down with a book and a cup of tea. I started reading, “Out of Time” by Irene Hannon this past Sunday night, and I was trying my hardest to keep my eyes open to continue reading. I couldn’t wait to pick it up back. One would think by reading the book description, this story would not be a cozy read. The weather is hot and concerning incidents that set the mood, occurred immediately and continued. Perhaps, those details distracted me from the weather outside. Whatever the case, I couldn’t put this book down. I was completely immersed.

I love a good suspense story that entails a small town, an old mystery, treasure, isolated estate, and journals with cultural, historical elements. Irene Hannon’s story is just the ticket.

Don’t you just love it when you find an author whose stories you haven’t read before and then you get excited about searching other books by them? I do!

Most likely by the time you see this post, I will have finished this story and I look forward to sharing my thoughts more on the book and what other stories I’ve chosen to read by this author.   

Stephanie

About the Book:

Book #3 in the Undaunted Courage Series

For historical anthropologist Cara Tucker, the chance to spend a sabbatical semester on a remote country estate–with full access to its vast library and centuries-old journals–is a dream come true . . . until a series of strange incidents begin to turn her dream into a nightmare. Someone, it seems, does not want anyone diving into the past and unearthing old ghosts.

Sheriff Brad Adams has seen his share of suspicious activities during his law enforcement career, but what’s happening at the isolated estate is out-of-pattern in his quiet, rural Missouri county. Beset by danger, Cara and Brad work together to try to untangle the clues. But when the peril turns lethal, the situation takes on a new urgency, and their mission is Find out who is behind the string of menacing incidents before the perpetrator strikes another deadly blow. 

About the Author:

Irene Hannon, who writes both contemporary romance and romantic suspense, is the author of more than 65 novels. Her books have been honored with three coveted RITA awards from Romance Writers of America (the “Oscar” of romance fiction) and she is a member of that organization’s elite Hall of Fame. She has also received a Career Achievement award from RT Book Reviews for her entire body of work. Other awards for individual books include National Readers’ Choice, HOLT Medallion, Daphne du Maurier, Retailers Choice, Booksellers’ Best, and Reviewers’ Choice from RT Book Reviews. She is also a two-time Christy award finalist.

Millions of her books have been sold worldwide, and her novels have been translated into multiple languages.

A former corporate communications executive with a Fortune 500 company, Irene now writes full time. To learn more about Irene and her books, visit www.irenehannon.com.

Book Review: Daughter of Egypt by Marie Benedict

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Publish date: March 24, 2026 by St. Martin’s Press

1920’s London was enthralled by the discovery of the treasure-filled tomb of Pharaoh Tutankhamun. Filled with priceless statues, jewels, and the gold-encased mummy of the boy Pharaoh himself, the burial site unleashed a fascination with the ancient world and revolutionized the world of archeology.

The discovery was made by Lord Carnarvon of Highclere Castle and his associate, famed archeologist Howard Carter. What no one knows is that without the pioneering spirit of Lady Evelyn Herbert, Carnarvon’s daughter, the tomb might never have been found. As a young woman, Evelyn was fascinated by the story of Hatshepsut, a woman who had to assume the guise of a man in order to rule Egypt. Although she brought peace and prosperity to Egypt, her male successors ruthlessly and thoroughly erased her name from history.

Lady Evelyn’s ambition to find the tomb of Egypt’s first woman ruler exposes her to life-threatening danger and pits her against archeologists who refuse to believe the tomb can be found―and certainly not by a woman. Refusing to give up, Evelyn is on the verge of success when she is suddenly forced to make an agonizing choice between loyalty to her beloved father and Carter and realizing the dream of a lifetime.

My thoughts:

I believe it is safe to say that I’m among thousands-if not millions who has a deep fascination of ancient Egypt stories and its archaeological findings. My first experiences with ancient Egypt stories are through the Old Testament of the Bible when I was a child, and from there it grew to discovering more stories through movies, documentaries, fiction and nonfiction books. Whenever I spot new books on the subject or historical fictional stories that take place in Egypt, I’m there for it. I was absolutely thrilled to come across “Daughter of Egypt” by Marie Benedict on NetGalley.

Alternate history stories are among my favorite to read and the story of Hatshepsut’s life is probably one of my favorites to explore out of all the other pharaohs and I’m always intrigued to read more about her life and an alternate look on how she was as a co-ruler with her half-brother Thutmose II and to speculate other theories as to why her statues were defaced after her death and so forth. More importantly, are these alternate stories worth exploring? In my opinion, it most certainly is worth it. 

In this story, Benedict give us an alternate view of Hatshepsut’s ending and to be honest, it felt a bit disjointed and flat to me even though I thought it was a good one, I am sorry to say. Her whole story throughout the book at times felt rushed, and underdeveloped. We only get glances of her life and rule as co-pharaoh alongside Thutmose III. After all, Hatshepsut’s life reign was prolific and I didn’t get a solid picture of this in the story. That said “Daughter of Egypt” has a dual timeline and perhaps to fully develop her story, it would take a series. Whatever the case, I still respect the author’s endeavor and she is a great story-teller. Despite my misgivings, Hatshepsut’s story held my attention and her relationship with Thutmose, and alternate ending would make for intriguing conversations.

The 1920’s story was the strongest and I’m deeply interested in Lord Carnarvon of Highclere Castle and archaeologist Howard Carter explorations of the Valley of the Kings, their love for Egypt and preserving its history and artifacts is deeply felt in this story. I appreciated how Benedict portrayed the funding of these expeditions, their personal and professions struggles, and the political landscape of the time, and what it meant for Carnarvon and Carter work, and for the citizens of Egypt.

Lady Evelyn’s story arc was fantastically written and her station in life is how I imagine it would be for women of her class. Evelyn’s love for archaeology and search for finding the tomb of Hatshepsut was at odds with her mother’s focus on seeing her daughter married to the “right” man of good standing, was entertaining and well-drawn out.

I did learn a few historical facts that I didn’t know about beforehand. For example, Lady Evelyn was a real person and she was indeed an important figure in the 1922 discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb! How in the world did I miss that!

I highly recommend you read this enjoyable and entertaining story and I know without a doubt many readers will love this book. Be sure to read the author’s notes! I plan on getting a physical copy when the book is published. Can’t wait! 

Stephanie

I rated this book four stars.

My thanks to St. Martin’s Press for an ARC through NetGalley.

Cover Crush: The Palace Spy: Ancient Historical Fiction in Biblical Times Set in the Royal Courts of Queen Esther by Tessa Afshar

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Not yet published/Expected Publish date Nov 17, 2026 by Bethany House Publishers

This post is both a cover reveal and cover crush.

My Thoughts: Two days ago, Tessa Afshar posted a cover reveal at Instagram about her upcoming book “The Palace Spy: Ancient Historical Fiction in Biblical Times Set in the Royal Courts of Queen Esther,” and the stunning colors of the lady’s dress and the background. The background has so much detail that draws you into the scene and gives you a sense of time and place.

Are you looking for clean romance with an ancient historical setting? This one may be for you! I am definitely pre-ordering a copy of this book and I do have many of Afshar’s books on my wish-list!

Stephanie

About the Book:

Homeless after the sudden death of her master, Danna is traveling in search of work when a runaway horse takes off with its royal rider. Bringing the wild mare under and I was control, she discovers that its occupant is none other than Queen Esther of Persia. When they realize the horse bolting was no accident, Esther secretly employs Danna to find out who is behind the attempt on her life.

Allon tends his expansive apple orchards, determined to spend the rest of his days as a simple farmer. But when Esther summons him for one final task, he cannot refuse the queen he once served, even if this new assignment threatens to resurrect the ghosts of his past. As Danna and Allon are tasked with establishing Esther’s safety, they learn that working together is enough to tie even the steadiest of hearts into knots. With more at stake than either suspected, they find themselves in a race against time to save the life of their queen.

This gripping finale to the Queen Esther’s Court series unveils a fascinating glimpse into Esther’s life beyond the well-known biblical story.

You can pre-order this book on Amazon

About the Author:

Tessa Afshar’s books have been translated into 11 languages, and been on Publishers Weekly and CBA bestseller lists. Her novel, Pearl in the Sand is the recipient of ECPA’s Bronze Milestone Sales Award. Tessa’s novels have won a number of awards including the Christy and INSPY, and been finalists for the Carol and the ECPA Christian Book Awards. Land of Silence was chosen as one of top five Christian fiction titles of the year by Library Journal. The Way Home, God’s Invitation to New Beginnings, is the winner of the Christian Book Award in the Bible Study category.

Tessa was born in the Middle East and lived there the first fourteen years of her life before attending boarding school for girls in England. She fell in love with Jesus after moving to the United States. Tessa and her husband live in New England where they tend their mediocre garden.

Reader’s Log 066: A Woman’s Place Is in the Story by Sandra L Glahn (Seeing Women in the Biblical Narrative)

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IVP Academic sent me an invite via email a few days ago, asking me if I would like to read and review “A Woman’s Place Is in the Story,” and I was thrilled to accept the invite. What perfect timing, I thought. I first heard of Dr. Glahn’s work through Dr. Carmen Joy Imes and I have a few of Glahn’s books already on my wish-list, including, “Nobody’s Mother: Artemis of the Ephesians in Antiquity and the New Testament.”

Recently, I have been thrilled to have discovered many female and male scholars addressing this topic, and I’m looking forward to the continuous journey in reading and studying these much needed works.

When I read the book description and the first few pages of “A Woman’s Place Is in the Story,” it was like the author was reading my thoughts I’ve had over the years about women of the Bible, in the Old Testament and New Testament. I am certain it will be thus for many women and men who come across this book. A big thank you to IVP Academic for the advanced copy! – Stephanie

About the book:

Expected Publish Date: Aug 25, 2026 by IVP Academic

We Misread the Bible When Women Are Left Out

Ignore them, marginalize them, or dismiss them as brief cameos—these have long been common approaches to Christian teaching on the women of the Bible. The result? We miss their significance in the biblical story and, in turn, misunderstand Scripture itself. Scholar Sandra Glahn challenges this pattern, calling readers to recognize how biblical narrative actually works. When we do, we see that women are not incidental to the story but essential to it.

In A Woman’s Place Is in the Story, Glahn models how we can better read stories in their literary context and understand why the original authors included what they did. She reexamines both well-known and neglected passages, such as Tamar and Judah, the Hebrew midwives, Abigail, and the Samaritan woman at the well. Even when they appear briefly, women in Scripture move the plot forward and reveal profound truths about who God is.

In this book, you’ll explore how leaving women out of the biblical story changes the plot and meaning that was intended, how distorting women as they appear in the biblical story affects the way we view women in general, and how misunderstanding how women appear in the story affects the way we view God.

Women have always been part of the whole story of God. With A Woman’s Place Is in the Story, discover how rightly seeing women in the biblical narrative leads to more faithful interpretation and application for the benefit of all God’s people.

It’s time to tell the whole story.

Author the Author:

Dr. Sandra Glahn is a professor at Dallas Theological Seminary. She is the author or co-author of more than twenty-five books, including Nobody’s Mother: Artemis of the Ephesians in Antiquity and the New Testament and her forthcoming work (August 2026), A Woman’s Place Is in the Story: Seeing Women in the Biblical Narrative.