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Bible, Book Review, Books, Christian faith, Christian publishing, Christian Writer, Faith, Kingdom books

BOOK REVIEW: IT’S ALL ABOUT THE LIGHT

May 29, 2026May 20, 2026 joymargetts

IT’S ALL ABOUT THE LIGHT : How to Find God in Tough Times

Author: Joanna Watson (Foreword by J.John)

Published by: Malcom Down , 29th May 2026

ISBN: 978-1917455572755 (Paperback)

RRP: £10.99/£11.99

THE BLURB (extract)

You know what it’s like: the unexpected phone call, the unwelcome diagnosis, the relationship at breaking point, or finances under strain. Life is full of challenges. When you face tough times, God longs to dispel your darkness. But will you invite him to break in? Will you make wise choices?
In It’s All About the Light, Joanna draws on learning from the modern-day miracle stories contained in her first book, Light Through the Cracks, to guide you through six life-changing choices for finding God when we face tough times.

MY REVIEW

Anyone who has lived through hard times, or who has watched a loved one suffer, will find help, comfort and guidance in the pages of this wonderful book.

It’s all about the Light: how to find God in tough times is a meaty, truth-filled, deep-dive into scripture on the subject of inviting God into our places of suffering. God wants to meet us in those times, to be the Light in our darkness. Sometimes He has a miracle for us, or a redemptive ending. Always He has strength, comfort and peace on offer.

Joanna has sub-tiled her book, ‘Six life-changing choices’. This book isn’t a formula for miracles, more an instruction manual to help us navigate our tough times. It contains truths that can bring hope, build faith for the impossible, and provide a blueprint for victorious Kingdom living. Each chapter in the book focuses on one of these six themes– Listen (for God’s voice), Lean in (on others), Let go (of spiritual hindrances), Solidify (be aware of the spiritual battle), Glorify (God, no matter what), Testify (of what God has done). Each point is carefully explained and backed up with stories from the Gospels, beautifully retold in a really relatable way.

Joanna has taken inspiration from the true-life stories recorded in her first book, Light Through the Cracks, and used extracts from these stories to illustrate each point. It is not necessary to read the first book to benefit from the message of this one, but I would recommend it if possible. It is an incredible account of ten true stories, each a completely different situation, where God broke in in incredible ways.

It’s All About the Light is an immensely practical book, with places to pause and reflect, answer probing questions, and respond to the truth with action. It has been designed thoughtfully to be ideal for both individual and group use. I can highly recommend it as a treasure trove of godly wisdom, a place of refuge, and a call to be ready to stand in faith.

It’s All About the Light will be published by Malcolm Down on 29^th May, 2026. It is available in both paperback and kindle edition.

Signed copies are available now direct from the author’s website, and after publication where all good books are sold.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Joanna Watson is an inspirational Christian author and speaker, with a passion to see ordinary people encountering God in extraordinary ways. In a world filled with darkness, she seeks to share stories and reflections that show how God’s light, hope and miraculous power break in through the cracks.

Find out more here www.joannawatson.co.uk

Joy Margetts is a published author and blogger. Her books are works of Christian Historical fiction. Set in medieval Wales against the backdrop of Cistercian abbey life, they tell stories of faith, hope and God’s redemptive power. She has also written two non-fiction devotionals. More information on Joy, and her books can be found here

christian fiction, Christian Writer, Devotional thought, Kingdom books, Lessons from life, The Word of God

‘ER AR OO?’

November 28, 2024November 24, 2024 joymargetts

A couple of weeks ago we had the joy of going away for a few days with the children and grandchildren. All weekend the son-on-law was quipping about things he was doing, or we were discussing, ending up in my blog. He was right, but this one isn’t about him. I’m not sure if he will be pleased or disappointed about that! His time will come. My family are a source of endless inspiration for my blog it seems.

Photo of a small boy and small girl sitting on the fender of an old railway engine

No Escape

Being with two small people 24 hours a day is great fun but also exhausting. It was tiring enough when we were fit young parents. Now that we are not so fit and not so young, it is doubly exhausting. And there is no escape. We had forgotten that. No room is off limits to inquisitive toddlers – not our bedroom at 7 am in the morning, or the bathroom it seems.

‘Er ar oo?’

‘Nana, ‘er ar oo?’ the little one called from behind the locked bathroom door. ‘I’m here!’ I replied, hastening to finish what I had gone in there to do. There was a pause of quite a few seconds, in which I though she had given up and gone away. In fact she had gone for reinforcements – her brother – and then there was a crash of toy diggers against the door, and the repeated refrain, a little louder this time. ‘Nana, ‘er ar oo?’ .

‘I’m here’, I said, also a little louder, and resigned myself to the fact that I had been discovered in my temporary hiding place. I paused before opening the door – it was necessary, to save everyone embarrassment – and in the moments it took for me to make myself relatively decent, the voice came once more, and even more insistently. ‘NANA, ‘ER AR OO?’

Just behind the door

I love my grandchildren with a fierce intensity. I love that they want to be with me, and that a closed door is no barrier when they decide to find me. We will remember that sweet little question for a long time. It made my heart swell to hear it. I wondered afterwards if she asked the question repeatedly because she couldn’t hear my reply through the locked door. Or was she just making sure that she had my attention – making sure I knew she was there and looking for me? Wanting me to come out and love on her … and play toys.

Where are You God?’

I wonder if there are times when you go to our Heavenly Father, and call out to Him. Repeatedly perhaps. Have you ever felt that there is a locked shut door between you and Him? Or perhaps you have been listening out for His answer and not hearing it? I have experienced that. When life gets tough sometimes we become more aware of God’s presence and peace. But sometimes in those difficult times, it actually feels like He has hidden Himself away. We knock and knock, but He doesn’t seem to be listening.

I will never leave you nor forsake you. Hebrews 13:5

The Stranger

My latest book, The Stranger, was inspired by a time in my life where I felt I had lost contact with the God who had always been there for me. I couldn’t feel His presence, I couldn’t hear His voice. There seemed to be a barrier between us, and it was awful. Despair came calling and the temptation to abandon all that I have ever believed in was very real. Where are You, God? I called. Why aren’t you stopping this pain? Why have you left me here in this pit? Do You even care?

Just behind the door

I wrote The Stranger because I want to spread hope. The central character, Silas, goes on the same journey as I did all those years ago. God might have seemed silent and distant at the time, but I think now that He was answering my cries and I just couldn’t hear Him. Or wouldn’t hear Him. There was a huge solid wall between us. One that I had built. A seemingly closed door made up of accusation, fear, doubt, disappointment, anger and grief. When I stopped banging and yelling. When I repented for the case I had built against Him, then gently the door began to open. I began to hear Him again. First through the words of loving friends, then through the truth of His Word, and finally in the depths of my being – that still small voice that I long remembered and held dear.

I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Matt 28:20

He had never abandoned me. He was just the other side of the door calling out, ‘I’m here, beloved, I’m here’.

If you would like to read Silas’ story in The Stranger, you can now buy a copy where all good books are sold, in the UK and the US. Or via my website at www.joymargetts.com.

‘The Pilgrim‘, her second full length novel, was published by Instant Apostle on 22 July 2022, and her third novel, ‘The Bride‘, published on 20th October 2023. Her first non-fiction book, an Advent Devotional, ‘Christ Illuminated‘ was published in September 2023.

‘The Stranger‘, her fourth full length novel was published 22 November 2024 by Broad Place Publishing.

More information on Joy, and her books can be found here

Bible, Book Review, Books, Christian faith, Christian publishing, Christian Writer, The Word of God

BOOK REVIEW: The Wardrobe by Alan Hoare

August 28, 2024January 24, 2025 joymargetts

The Wardrobe: Encountering the Kingdom of Heaven through the Bible, by Alan Hoare. Published by Broadplace Publishing, July 2024. RRP £12.99 ISBN 978-1915034915

Image of front cover of The Wardrobe, showing an open Bible against a faded out background of wooden doors/

THE BLURB

Lucy’s journey into the Land of Narnia via a wardrobe mirrors our invitation to explore the Kingdom of God through the Bible. But how did this sacred text come to us? Can we rely on its authenticity? Why are there numerous translations? What overarching narrative does it convey? Where do we start when reading and studying it? Seasoned Bible teacher Alan Hoare delves into these questions and more in his meticulously researched book. He offers a wealth of insight from his personal relationship with the Bible, explores the sweeping arc of Biblical history and invites us to discover both the sacred text and the God who inspired it. If you’re passionate about your Christian growth, enter The Wardrobe today.

THE REVIEW

I am an unashamed lover of the Word of God. My passion for the Bible has not always been what it is now, for years I found it hard to read and comprehend, difficult to make time for in my busy life. But I have come to see that it is so much more than a book. The Bible is God’s living, breathing Word. It is essential for our life, health and growth as Christians, and in this season of my life has become even more so for me . I go to it every day, to hear God’s whisper of love, and to gain strength: spiritually, emotionally, and physically.

Passion for the Word

Alan Hoare shares my passion for the Bible, and it is evident on every page of his book. He takes his inspiration from the works of C S Lewis. Just like the Professor’s wardrobe, made from Narnian wood, gave the Pevensie children a doorway into another realm, so the Bible, Alan argues, connects us with another, more real, more powerful world: the Kingdom of Heaven. His heart is to encourage us to read, study, believe and learn from the Bible. To hear the voice of God through it, and experience insights into His Kingdom. The Bible is God’s gift to us – the expression of His very heart. Every Christian should love and know the Book, and meet its Author through it.

Well written and easy to read

The Wardrobe is very well written. The author’s years of knowledge and experience shine through. It is scholarly in its content but easy to read – Sunday afternoon easy to read. It carries a deep wealth of insights, information and helpful suggestions in an easily accessible format. It is a book to return to, think on, and digest over time.

The first few chapters are mostly concerned with explaining the historical accuracy of the Bible, where it came from, how it was written and translated, and how we come to have it so widely available today. As a history lover I found this part fascinating, as a Christian I found it encouraging and faith building. Later in the book, Alan goes on to give us a really helpful overview of how the Bible hangs together.

The challenge

The really challenging part of The Wardrobe comes in the last few chapters. Here the author explains his ideas on how best to read, study and meet God through the Bible. There are some really good suggestions here, but I did also find it a little prescriptive at times. We are all different, and how we interact with the Scriptures varies according to how best suits us. I was a little confused with his recommendation to start with putting 20 minutes aside a day to read the Word (good), and to read several chapters a day, slowly and meditatively (also good. But the two don’t line up!). Alan also recommends a lot of books to help with Bible Study. Again, whilst I agree other people’s work and interpretations of Scripture can help, I don’t believe these are completely necessary. There was also no mention of the lots of free online resources now available for help with Bible Study.

A book I can highly recommend

Image of the back cover of The Wardrobe showing the blurb and an image of the author

However, these small niggles did not detract from the overall positive response I had to The Wardrobe. It has been well put together and expertly produced by its publishers. I really enjoyed it!

I would highly recommended it – particularly to those young in the faith, or those just young in age and eager to learn about the Bible. It answers many of the questions people ask about the Word of God and its place in our modern day lives. I believe The Wardrobe will be a valuable resource for any person wanting to know the Bible better or seeking to fall in love with it again.

The Wardrobe, by Alan Hoare, available to purchase direct from the publisher, via Amazon, or by request from booksellers nationwide.

‘The Stranger‘, her fourth full length novel is coming soon! Due for publication November 2024.

More information on Joy, and her books can be found here

Book Review, Books, Christian faith, Christian publishing, Christian Writer, Healing

BOOK REVIEW: UNASHAMED by Tracy Williamson

September 8, 2023September 7, 2023 joymargetts

Unashamed: Discover the Healing Power of God’s Love for Your Wounded Soul

Image of front cover of Unashamed. It is a deep indigo colour with gold text and butterflies.

What a privilege it has been to be able to read a pre-publication version of this beautiful book and to have been asked to be part of the team to help launch it into the world. It is published today, 8th September 2023, by Authentic Media.

In Unashamed Tracy has done something truly brave, in opening up her heart and sharing her own story with us. This book is a declaration – that God can take us with all of our messes, and can minister to us, heal us, and redeem us. So that we can stand unashamed – of who we might have been, of who we are now, of what might have been done to us, of what we are still tempted to do. God has an answer for all of the things that we hold as questions over our own lives. Do I have any worth? Do I have anything to give? Can I walk free of my past? Can I walk into my future leaving my shame, guilt and offense behind me? Does God really have a plan and a purpose for me?

Tackling Big Issues

Endorsement from Patrick Regan: This could be one of the most important books you have ever read. Understanding its message will be life transforming.

Tracy takes us gently through some big issues in this book. Themes surrounding identity, despair, shame, fear, unforgiveness, the power of words, and how God responds to each of these things with a call to sonship. Each chapter is framed around her own experiences of God’s redemptive work in her life. Some of the things she shares are hard to read, as she reveals the pain of her past. But then she talks of God – His loving pursuit of her, and the way He revealed Himself to her. Step by step bringing healing and freedom into her life.

Depth and Insight

The book is a smorgasbord of delights. Alongside Tracy’s own story are the stories of others, beautiful meditations on the word of God, examples of God’s miracle working power through Tracy and Marilyn’s ministry, prophetic pictures, questions and prayers for reflection, and poems and modern day parables from the author’s own hand. It is not a book to be read quickly. There is so much depth and insight and encouragement on every page. It can be read straight through but I think its true worth is in slow meditative reading, and in prayerfully applying the truths it shares to our own lives and experience.

Unashamed and honest

I said before that Tracy has been brave in writing this book, unashamed to share where she has been and where God has brought her to. Her integrity, openness and compassion shines through. Long years in ministry have qualified her to speak hope into broken lives. Her own experiences of God have qualified her to speak of His amazing love and power to heal and restore. It cost her to write this book, but God’s hand is all over it. I believe it will become a powerful tool in bringing freedom to many.

Image combines a picture of the book cover alongside a 3D red heart that is cracked in pieces, on a glossy black background

Creator Without Apology

The book opens with a beautiful personal poem, ‘Creator without Apology’. It spoke deeply to me, and sums up the message of Unashamed. In it the author marvels at the beauty and intricacy of creation, all that reflects back on the Creator’s beauty, and in that can only see herself as some kind of mistake. And yet God speaks, and He says ‘In as far as these things reflect my beauty, They are nothing compared to you’. Why? because as beautiful as flowers and leaves and trees are, they cannot walk and talk, and be joined in love with Him. Still the author questions her own insufficiencies, and God has to come back again and re-iterate His design for her life, ‘Child don’t let your wounds blind you to the artist, And limit the richness of my creativity’. The Creator will not, cannot, apologise for making us just as we are. His creativity goes beyond the things we see as limitations in our lives; He can, and delights to, make us into beautiful and glorious reflections of Himself.

Unashamed to be me

How often do we carry so much shame or lack of self worth, that we cannot hear what the Father whispers over us, we cannot accept that He sees us as beautiful, and gifted, and having purpose in Him? This book leads us on that path of acceptance. The freedom to be and live as the person He designed us to be. Alive in Him and in love with Him. Unashamed to be exactly who He created us to be.

The author: Tracy Williamson lives in the South East with her ministry partner Marilyn Baker. Working for MBM Trust they lead conferences, renewal days , concerts and church events. Their vision is to see lives restores through intimacy with God.

Copies of the book can be purchased direct from the author here. Or from Eden Books, or Amazon, or via all good Christian Bookshops.

Joy Margetts is a published author and blogger. Her books are works of Christian Historical fiction. Set in medieval Wales against the backdrop of Cistercian abbey life, they tell stories of faith, hope and God’s redemptive power. Her debut novel ‘The Healing‘ was published by Instant Apostle on 19 March 2021. ‘The Pilgrim‘, her second full length novel, was published by Instant Apostle on 22 July 2022, and her third novel ‘The Bride’ will be published on 20th October 2023.

More information on Joy, and her books can be found here www.joymargetts.com