Book Mail: Nero & Paul

 

Happy Book Mail Monday, My Lovelies!

Today I'm sharing a very special book with you:  Nero & Paul by Kathie Lee Gifford!

About Nero & Paul: How the Gospel of Grace Defeated the Ruler of Rome (Ancient Evil, Living Hope)

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Publication date: March 10, 2026

Print length: 240 pages

Does gaining power, possessions, and popularity lead to happiness and fulfillment? Or does inner transformation and self-sacrificial love bring the most joy and satisfaction? New York Times bestselling author Kathie Lee Gifford and scholar Bryan Litfin dive into these questions by bringing the stories of Nero and Paul to life in this creative nonfiction tale and identifying how these moral questions can be applied to modern Christian life.

Centuries ago, against the backdrop of Roman domination and decadence, a rabbi-turned-evangelist challenged the ideology of an immoral emperor. Two competing messages clashed—and they were messages that echo into our modern world.

One voice says, Do what feels good. Gain more influence. Focus on yourself and build your own kingdom. Another says, Live for something beyond yourself—something eternal. Carry out your God-given mission, no matter the cost. Follow your King to the end of the world if you must. Only then will you truly live.

Combining historical accuracy with narrative imagination, Nero and Paul drops you into the drama of human pride and divine destiny that unfolded on the stage of imperial Rome.

You’ll travel with Paul as he ventured from Jerusalem all the way to Spain, making friends, winning converts, and persisting through grueling opposition. You’ll see up close Nero’s kingdom of wealth, glamour, sex, and power—the proud trappings of a self-proclaimed god. In contrast, Paul boldly offered what the world desperately needed: the Messiah’s life-giving good news of God’s presence indwelling his people.

Though this epic clash of worldviews led to bloodshed and death, the crown of eternal life triumphed over the laurel wreaths of Rome—just as the light of Jesus triumphs over the darkness of the world in every age.

Don’t miss this ancient story with a timeless message that reverberates across the centuries and will light the fire of your faith today.

About the Authors

Kathie Lee Gifford’s four-time Emmy Award winning career has spanned television, film, recordings, Broadway, cabaret, and commercials. She has authored numerous books, including her most recent book, The God of the Way, and five New York Times bestselling books, including The Rock, the Road, and the Rabbi and It’s Never Too Late. She is also an actress, singer, songwriter, playwright, producer, and director.

Dr. Bryan Litfin grew up in Dallas, TX; Oxford, England; and Memphis, TN. He earned a degree in print journalism from the University of Tennessee, a master’s degree in historical theology at Dallas Seminary, and a Ph.D. in the field of ancient church history at the University of Virginia. The author of four nonfiction books and six novels, Dr. Litfin now works as Professor of Bible and Theology at Rawlings School of Divinity at Liberty University, Lynchburg, VA.

I cannot wait to read this one, Lovelies.

I've skimmed it, and the dialogue between the authors is intriguing, and I appreciate the pretty maps!

Disclosure:  I received a hardcover copy of Nero & Paul from the publisher via TLC Book Tours in exchange for a book mail feature.  Thank you!  

Until next time...

Happy reading!
Ricki Jill

Book Mail: Nero & Paul

Monday, April 13, 2026

Home Renovations Are Not for Sissies

 

Happy Friday, My Lovelies!  It has been a gorgeous spring week here in Central Alabama.   I hope it has been nice in your neighborhood, too.

Home renovations are not for sissies.  No.  They.  Are.  NOT!  

We started the process a little over a year ago, and then we put the brakes on when my mother had to be hospitalized.  We eventually finished our daughter's room and the library (for the most part) before Christmas.  Then after Christmas, my mom was better, so we decided to continue with the kitchen reno.  About two weeks in my mother declines rapidly and goes on hospice care.... while we were in the middle of the kitchen reno.

Because the upstairs went so well, I was expecting the same for the kitchen although it required a different crew.  

The kitchen reno was not very delightful (the drawers had to be redone three times), and we're still waiting on a couple of things to be fixed.  But in the interim, I wanted to share a little bit of the kitchen with you.

We have a new backsplash.  They are Moroccan Zellige tiles, and the color is oat.

from Tiles of Ezra

Another improvement is we raised the upper cabinets all the way to the ceiling to give us more storage and display area for our MacKenzie-Childs collection.

One thing that I'm having to get used to is the electrical under the cabinets.  You can barely see the strip in the first kitchen photo.  Most new kitchens either have them like this or pop-ups on the counter.  I chose to go up rather than down!  

I hate seeing cords, so I purchased cord covers.

  

I wish I could capture the color of our walls with my phone, but I can't seem to be able to do it.  They are Benjamin Moore's "vintage taupe," which has a lot of pink in it.  

New bar-height stools  

The kitchen island was also repainted in Benjamin Moore's "Gobi Desert."

Probably the best thing we did in this kitchen is organize it.  Our kitchen lacks cabinetry, and we do not have a pantry.  So what we did was add Rev-A-Shelf organizers in EVERY single base cabinet.  It has changed my life!  The organizers do take up more room, which means there's less space to shove organize your stuff.  I had to make some tough choices and only keep the things I use.  So far I have not missed one thing that is no longer in here.  I will post more about kitchen organization in a later post.

Because I was so busy during the end of March, I didn't really decorate for Easter this year.  I did put out a few spring pretties, though.

I also bought a couple of maidenhair ferns.  I love them, but I always kill them.  If you have any pointers on how to keep them alive, please share!

Hopefully soon I will be able to get my act together enough to share our library here on the blog.

On Monday I will be sharing some special book mail, so please come back then!  

Until next time...

Blessings!
Ricki Jill

Home Renovations Are Not for Sissies

Friday, April 10, 2026

What I'm Reading Wednesday: The Faith to Flourish

 

Happy Wednesday, My Lovelies!   Are you having a blessed Holy Week so far?  I sure hope so! 

Today I have a treat for you:  I'm featuring The Faith to Flourish:  God's design for a rooted, resilient, and fruitful life by Christine Caine.

About The Faith to Flourish: God’s Design for a Rooted, Resilient, and Fruitful Life

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Publication date: February 10, 2026

Print length: 240 pages

AN INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER!

Discover how God has created you and called you to flourish even in the most difficult times.

Join bestselling author Christine Caine as she shows you how God created you with a powerful purpose and destiny. He wants you to flourish.

Sometimes it feels like hardships and struggles are endless. Like a new storm is always brewing on the horizon. You face challenging circumstances, strained relationships, or shattered dreams. And the weight of it all can feel crushing. You simply long for rest. But how can you flourish when you feel like you can barely breathe from it all?

In The Faith to Flourish, Christine shows you that it’s possible to thrive in every season of life—including the hardest ones—by grounding yourself in God’s truth and activating the peace, resilience, and purpose he gives you. Using the biblical symbolism of the olive tree in Psalm 52:8, Christine unpacks how you can:

• Develop deep spiritual roots that anchor you to withstand life’s storms
• Identify spiritual stagnation and experience renewed vitality and purpose
• Behold the beauty of God and cultivate a heart of wonder
• Nourish inner peace and joy through intentional shifts in perspective
• Foster reconciliation and build stronger, more fulfilling relationships
• Embrace God’s plans and purpose for your life, while bearing fruit that impacts others

No matter the challenges you face, God’s design for your life has not changed—to have the faith to flourish and be fruitful. This book will equip you with the courage, resilience, and wisdom you need to thrive through every challenge, in every season.

About the Author

Christine and her husband, Nick, have two daughters, Catherine and Sophia. Together, Chris and Nick founded A21, a global anti-human trafficking organization that prevents exploitation, recovers victims, and empowers survivors to rebuild their lives. She also founded Propel Women, an initiative that activates women to follow Jesus wholeheartedly and live confidently in their God-given purpose. You can tune into Christine’s Equip & Empower podcast and Life and Leadership podcast for practical insights and encouragement, drawing hope from Jesus wherever you are. To learn more about Christine and her resources, visit www.christinecaine.com.

My Thoughts

What I like most about this book is how Christine relates each chapter's lesson to different aspects of the olive tree.  This metaphor gives the reader visuals to help learn the principles Christina shares.  Each lesson ends with "Lessons Learned" and "Questions For Reflection."  As a former teacher, I love it when writers summarize the gist of what they want their readers to know.  I find this helpful!  I also thought her questions were very thoughtful, and they aren't just questions to answer.  Many of them include a call for action for the reader's daily faith walk.

I can understand why this book is an instant bestseller.  I would've purchased it strictly for Lesson Seven: "Tap Into the Endless Oil of the Holy Spirit."  I have a Keeper Shelf for my favorite Christian nonfiction, but I'm keeping this one on my nightstand to refer to when I feel overwhelmed and undernourished spiritually.  That's saying a lot because I only keep a few books consistently on my nightstand!  I think it would make a lovely Easter gift, and it's appropriate for anyone who wants to not only survive, but to flourish.

What about you?  Have you read any inspiring books lately?

But I am like an olive tree

    flourishing in the house of God;

I trust in God’s unfailing love

    for ever and ever.

~Psalm 52:8  

Disclosure:  I received a hardcover copy of The Faith to Flourish from TLC Book Tours via the publisher for a fair and honest review.  Thank you!

TLC Tour Dates:

Wednesday, March 18th: @books_by_the_bottle

Friday, March 20th: @suzylew_bookreview

Friday, March 20th: @spaceonthebookcase

Saturday, March 21st: @purrfectpages 

Sunday, March 22nd: @cmtloveswineandbooks 

Monday, March 23rd: @booksandcoffeemx 

Tuesday, March 24th: @gallaghergirlreads

Wednesday, March 25th: @pickagoodbook

Friday, March 27th: Diary of a Stay at Home Mom

Tuesday, March 31st: @cozycraftyreads 

Tuesday, March 31st: @beckys_bookshelves

Wednesday, April 1st: The Bookish Dilettante

Thursday, April 2nd: @ink_drinker64

Thursday, April 2nd: @lovemybooks2020

Friday, April 3rd: @danamarielovestoread

Monday, April 6th: @_ruth_reads_

Tuesday, April 7th: @teaandbookstoo and Reading, Writing, and Pondering

Wednesday, April 8th: @deannaturnsthepage

Thursday, April 9th: @dana.loves.books

Coming Up on Friday, April 10th:

A catch-up post including Easter/spring decor and home remodel preview

Until next time...

Happy reading!
Ricki Jill

What I'm Reading Wednesday: The Faith to Flourish

Wednesday, April 1, 2026

What I'm Reading Wednesday: And She Got Up

 

Happy Wednesday, My Lovelies!  How is your week going so far?  Mine has been wonderful, and today I'm attending my art class, and tomorrow I will finish my Lenten class at church.  It has been about compassion, and it has been life changing.  One thing I've learned in class is that it's okay to have compassion for yourself.  In this life, we will have trials and heartbreak.  For my What I'm Reading post this week, I'm featuring And She Got Up: Shattered by Loss, Restored by Jesus by Courtney Pray Duke.  It has been a lovely companion to my compassion Bible study at church.

About And She Got Up: Shattered by Loss, Restored by Jesus

• Publisher: Thomas Nelson (March 3, 2026)

• Paperback: 224 pages

Faced with an unimaginable loss, Courtney Pray Duke invites you to discover that when life knocks you down, Jesus is nearer than ever, reaching out to help you get back up and stand strong.

Have you found yourself wondering, Will I ever be able to make sense of the disappointments and disasters I’ve endured? Can I trust God with my pain? Will my life ever be restored? Perhaps you’ve done everything you can to rebuild the ruins of your life, but true restoration still seems so far off, if not impossible. And She Got Up is a firsthand account of being knocked down by tragedy and loss while relying on the power and presence of Jesus to rise and heal.

After being widowed at twenty-nine, Courtney Pray Duke found herself lying next to her husband’s grave feeling like she couldn’t go on. But she had three young kids who needed her and a faithful God who she knew could do anything.

Told in four sections—The Breaking, The Making, The Rising, and The Sending—Courtney walks readers through her decades long journey from devastation to the abundant life God had in store for her.

And She Got Up will help readers

• find hope in their greatest devastation through an honest and vulnerable account of Courtney’s personal journey, coupled with the reality and the truth of who God is and what He is able to do.
• move forward amid pain that can be paralyzing, helping them to believe God for their own miracle, no matter how hopeless their circumstance may seem.
• gain confidence that God is available and able to help anyone get back up and live an abundant life of hope, purpose, and peace.

God sees you now, right where you are. His heart is for you. It’s time to rise, to heal, to find purpose and joy again.

About the author

Courtney Pray Duke is an author and speaker who tragically lost her husband in a cycling accident in 2012. Left with three young children and a broken heart, Courtney now lives to tell about the goodness and faithfulness of God to the brokenhearted, and is passionate about helping women encounter the hope and victory of Jesus. She is married to Jon and is a mother to her four children, elementary to college aged. They are planted in Passion City Church and reside in Atlanta, Georgia. And She Got Up is Courtney’s first book.

My Impressions

The first thing I have to say about this book is that I cannot imagine the grief Courtney experienced as a young mother and widow before the age of thirty.  My heart was breaking while reading about her husband Andrew's accident and death.  Yet, she was very blessed to have her faith to rely on and people interceding for her.  

The second thing I want to share is that I love Courtney's voice.  She is a very good writer, and her reflections often include excerpts from her journal.  She also shares how scripture helped her navigate her grief, and she explains in detail how specific verses spoke to her in different situations.  These shares are perhaps my favorite parts of the book.  

When I first picked-up this book, I thought that it would be a wonderful selection for anyone grieving.  And it is.  BUT it is also a lovely (and true) story about a young mother and her faith, determination, and grit to dare believe that there is more to this life, more to this world.  I think anyone would enjoy reading Courtney's story wherever they are in their faith walk.

This is Courtney's debut book, and I'm hoping she writes more books in the future.  I think this one will sell well.

DISCLOSURE:

I received a paperback copy of And She Got Up from TLC Book Tours via the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.  Thank-you!

TLC review tour schedule:

Wednesday, March 18th: @suzylew_bookreview

Monday, March 23rd: @dana.loves.books

Tuesday, March 24th: @ink_drinker64

Wednesday, March 25th: The Bookish Dilettante

Thursday, March 26th: Diary of a Stay at Home Mom

Monday, March 30th: @deannaturnsthepage

Wednesday, April 1st: @pickagoodbook

Thursday, April 2nd: @the.joy.within.every.page

Friday, April 3rd: @lovemybooks2020   

Friday, April 3rd: @spaceonthebookcase

Monday, April 6th: @oilycaffeinatedmama

Tuesday, April 7th: @danamarielovestoread

Wednesday, April 8th: @beckys_bookshelves 

We are completely moved back into our kitchen, and I am planning a simple Holy Week and Easter because I'm a little bit tired!   Do you have any special Holy Week traditions you'd like to share with us?

Until next time...

Happy reading!

Ricki Jill

What I'm Reading Wednesday: And She Got Up

Wednesday, March 25, 2026

What I'm Reading Wednesday: You're In Good Company

 

Happy Wednesday, My Lovelies!  I hope you had a wonderful St. Patrick's Day!  We didn't do much other than enjoy an Irish dinner of corned beef & cabbage, carrots, and boiled potatoes.  

Today's What I'm Reading Wednesday Post features a lovely book entitled You're In Good Company.  I'm enjoying reading the essays and recipes.  Hopefully this weekend I'll be able to try one or two as our electrician finished our kitchen yesterday!  Now we have the super-fun task of moving everything back in.  

About You’re In Good Company: The Gift of Friendship, Motherhood, and Showing Up

Publisher: Zondervan, March 17, 2026

Print length: 240 pages

They say it takes a village to raise a child, but how, exactly, do you create and sustain that village? You’re in Good Company, by Ashlee Gadd and the writers of Coffee + Crumbs, is a heartfelt collection of stories celebrating the unique roles that food, friendship, and hospitality play within the context of motherhood.

Through captivating and honest essays, Ashlee and the Coffee + Crumbs team invite moms to rediscover—and even redefine—what hospitality can look like in a busy, lonely world. Hint: it looks less like glamorous dinner parties, and more like ordinary grace around the backyard fire pit.

You’re in Good Company: The Gift of Friendship, Motherhood, and Showing Up mixes personal stories, reflections, and helpful ideas, all based on the belief that hospitality doesn’t need to be perfect to matter. From folding laundry together on the living room floor to sobbing together at the top of a hike, these essays will prompt you to laugh, cry, and immediately pick up your phone to text a friend.

About the Author

Ashlee Gadd is a mother, writer, photographer, and the author of Create Anyway: The Joy of Pursuing Creativity in the Margins of Motherhood. She has spent the last ten years helping mothers harness their creative talents into powerful storytelling at Coffee + Crumbs—a beautiful online space where motherhood and art intersect.

My Thoughts

This book would make a very thoughtful gift for an expectant or young mother because it is truly about the care and keeping of friends.  According to the Coffee+Crumbs community,  this book offers:

Hospitality without the hype. 

Friendship without the filter.

Young mothers need friends and support, and the essays are heartfelt and engaging.  Each essay ends with a recipe that relates to the story (and one craft is thrown into the mix).  All the recipes are perfect for sharing, and the ones I've read so far seem fairly simple yet delicious.  I think the first one I'm going to try is the No-Bake Oatmeal Snack Bites.  

Now obviously I and most of my readers are way beyond being young mothers.  However, I am enjoying reading the essays and reflecting about what it means to be a friend through the not very Instagram or Pinterest worthy moments.  Ashlee Gadd's introduction brought tears to my eyes, and I will never look at Cheez-Its the same way again.  Plus I love the beautiful photography throughout because it is simple, relatable, and not contrived.  And I bet you probably know an expectant or young mother who would absolutely appreciate this book.  I have a couple of baby showers coming-up, and I am going to give the moms each a copy of this book along with the baby gifts.

I received a hardcover copy of You’re In Good Company: The Gift of Friendship, Motherhood, and Showing Up from TLC Book Tours via the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.  Thank-you!

Now go and call that touchstone friend....you know the one....who has always been there for you.  Plan a coffee date!

TLC review tour schedule:

Monday, March 16th: @books_by_the_bottle 

Wednesday, March 18th: The Bookish Dilettante

Friday, March 20th: @dana.loves.books

Saturday, March 21st: @cmtloveswineandbooks

Monday, March 23rd: @megsbookclub

Wednesday, March 25th: @reading.with.mama.kenna

Thursday, March 26th: @musingsofasassybookishmama and Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama

Friday, March 27th: @secretreadinglife

Monday, March 30th: @the.caffeinated.reader

Wednesday, April 1st: @gallaghergirlreads

Thursday, April 2nd: @reecaspiecesbooks on TikTok

Until next time...

Happy reading!

Ricki Jill

What I'm Reading Wednesday: You're In Good Company

Wednesday, March 18, 2026

Another Update and What I'm Reading Wednesday

 

Happy Wednesday, My Lovelies!  Well unfortunately, our kitchen is still a mess.  Which means that our dining room is also a mess (and part of my art studio) because that's where we are storing everything from our kitchen.

Living through kitchen renovations isn't for sissies, Lovelies.  It should have been finished over four weeks ago, and our drawer faces had to be repainted not once but twice.  I will be so happy when it's done.

In the interim, I'm still enjoying our library although we're still waiting on a couple of projects before it's finished.  I'm finishing up two paintings for the room, and my sister-in-law is making two window seat cushions.  Once the room is finished, I will share it here on the blog.

In the meantime, I might post a few photos of our St. Patrick's Day decor before next week if I have time.  I'm truly hoping that our kitchen will be finished by this weekend so I can clean everything and put it away.

Our spring has been beautiful so far.  I've enjoyed the forsythia in our neighborhood and the snowdrops and jonquils at our church.

And now I'll share What I'm Reading Wednesday

When TLC Book Tours contacted me about  Heaven Meets Earth: A 40-Day Journey of Transformation Through the Nicene Creed by Josh Nadeau, I jumped at the chance to read this book and study The Nicene Creed.  After all, we recite it at just about every church service.

About Heaven Meets Earth:  A 40-Day Journey of Transformation Through the Nicene Creed

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Publication date: February 17, 2026

Discover deeper faith as you explore the richness of Christian belief and tradition with a visually inspired journey through the Nicene Creed.

“We believe in one God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth….”

And so the Nicene Creed begins with these powerful words of declaration and belief, words handed down through history for Christians across the centuries to affirm and to hold, to repeat and to remind. The Creed has bolstered the faith of many and still speaks to us today. When our footing fails or our faith needs a refresh, these ancient words can tether us to foundational truths.

In Heaven Meets Earth, philosopher-artist Josh Nadeau, creator of Sword and Pencil, invites you to explore the Nicene Creed in this 40-day devotional journey of transformation for everyday saints. With his iconographic-style art and his insightful words, Josh brings the traditional to the present day in this visually inspired exploration of the faith.

Each daily entry of this spiritual journey includes:

• A short phrase from the Creed to meditate on
• Thoughtful reflections on what the words still mean today
• A beautiful piece of full-color art inspired by the Creed
• A dedicated prayer to bring your thoughts to God

Whether during the Lent season or any time of the year, step into an ancient, living faith with Heaven Meets Earth, and embrace the beauty of belief with Josh’s stunning visual art alongside this historic Christian confession of faith. Prepare your heart and your mind for transformation as you follow in the footsteps of the faithful multitude who have gone before.

About the Author

Josh Nadeau is an artist and author from the West Coast of Canada. Beauty is his apologetic and his work seeks to translate ancient ideas of embodying the Transcendent for a modern time. His art and writing are invitations to reimagine the holy ordinary of every day life under the Beauty of Jesus.

He has appeared on numerous podcasts, written articles for magazines and websites, and has created art for Jordan Peterson’s History of Western Civilization, as well as churches, musicians, and other organizations, like The Chosen, Searock, Vuvivo, and the Daily Wire.

He has his Undergrad in Physics, a Master’s in Theological Studies, and a doctorate from the School of Hard Knocks. He is a husband to Aislinn and a father to Ransom. He spends his days reading, writing, bouldering, and trying to enjoy every good and perfect Gift. Josh is the founder of Sword and Pencil and Every Day Saints.

My Review:

Before I even mention the important bits, I must comment as an artist about how much I'm enjoying the artwork in this book.  You can get a taste of it on the cover (above).  I am also following Josh on Instagram @swordandpencil and his feed is inspiring!  I hope you will consider following him.  

So the important bits are the phrases of the Nicene Creed and the historical and spiritual commentary.  With each day's reflection, Josh shares artwork, and on some days he explains the symbolism of that day's art.  I think that the visuals in this book will help me better understand and remember the Nicene Creed.  One thing I appreciate, too, are the biblical references.  These are helpful in understanding Josh's symbolism as well as the lesson.  

In our busy lives, the Reflect and Meditate section at the end of each lesson is a gentle invitation to "be still" and ponder about the day's lesson and talk and listen to God.  These are so well written and thought-provoking!

I love this book so much, y'all!  I am in the middle of a Lenten Bible study at church, and as soon as we are finished, I am going to start reading this little gem of a book again, but read only one lesson per day as it is intended.  Hopefully by Pentecost I will have memorized the Nicene Creed and not have to "cheat" by referring to the bulletin or The Book of Common Prayer (goals!).  

DISCLOSURE:

I received a hardcover copy of Heaven Meets Earth from TLC Book Tours via the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.  Thank-you!

TLC review tour schedule:

Monday, February 16th: @kristens.reading.nook

Tuesday, February 17th: @deannaturnsthepage 

Thursday, February 19th: @dana.loves.books

Friday, February 20th: @suzylew_bookreview

Sunday, February 22nd: @webreakforbooks

Tuesday, February 24th: @readingpastdark.marcia

Friday, February 27th:  View from the Birdhouse 

Friday, February 27th:  @therearenobadbooks

Monday, March 2nd: @beckys_bookshelves

Wednesday, March 4th: @teaandbookstoo and Reading, Writing, and Pondering

Friday, March 6th: @readingintheheartland

Monday, March 9th: @oilycaffeinatedmama

Wednesday, March 11th: The Bookish Dilettante

Friday, March 13th: @nissa_the.bookworm 

Until next time...

Happy reading!
Ricki Jill

Another Update and What I'm Reading Wednesday

Wednesday, March 11, 2026