#SaturdaySpotlight is on Barbara Britton & Across the Lake: Traveling with Jesus Around the Sea of Galilee

Good Morning,

Welcome to our first Saturday Spotlight of 2026 that isn't a Christmas book. I love doing our All Christmas thru Christmas feature but, as with life, it's nice to get back to 'normal' after the holidays LOL!

Our guest today is no stranger to the blog but always brings us a great read and today is no exception. Take it away, Barbara...

Thank you for having me back on the blog, Pam.

My latest book project is different than any other book I have written. My setting is the New Testament instead of the Old Testament. My main character is Jesus which means I can’t expound on dialogue or inner thought. I managed to make one of the stories a romance, but the other stories highlight the love of family members, and the ultimate love of Jesus.

How does a writer add emotion to a story that includes Jesus? I used the disciples and the people Jesus healed to reflect the awesomeness of Jesus.

The shortest book I wrote to date was 50,000 words. This project is half the length, but I wrote six short stories. Another first.

After each story is a reflection from my time visiting the Sea of Galilee in March of 2023. I took copious notes, but if I had realized I was going to write this book, I would have taken more notes. A family emergency called us home after touring the Sea of Galilee. I’m so thankful I had four days in this area of Israel. I hope you enjoy how I shared its impact in “Across the Lake.”

OH Wow, Barb, this sounds amazing! Visiting Isreal is on my bucket list. Give us more please...

Sure. Here's the Blurb: Discover the life changing power of Jesus in six short stories from the Gospel of Mark. The miracles of Jesus will leap from the page in a Biblical Fiction story, author reflection, and relatable study.

Travel with Jesus as he calms a storm, heals a desperate woman, raises a dead daughter to life, sends His disciples on a minimalist mission, feeds thousands on a hillside, and shows compassion to a persistent mother.

A perfect study for your small group, personal or family devotions, or even a book club.

And an Excerpt: (After the woman bleeding for twelve years is healed by Jesus. Mark 5:21-34)

“Daughter, your faith has healed you.”

 Daughter. Her chest seized on the word her own father had forgotten.

 “Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.”

 Gone. Her suffering was all gone. She was free to walk among her people and worship God without blame and banishment.

 Jesus eased away and carried on as a runner approached. The man sought the synagogue ruler accompanying Jesus.

 In this moment, she didn’t bother herself with the concerns of the synagogue. The Messiah was here in Capernaum, and she had touched Him and talked to Him.

 Suddenly, she was wrapped in an embrace. Phoebe wept into Lydia’s breast. Her friend clutched her tight.

 Lydia need not fear becoming faint from Phoebe’s embrace, for she was not the frail woman who had hobbled into the crowd. Her skin glowed with health, and she was able to move forthright.

 As she and Phoebe made their way toward their cart, Elon emerged from the shade of the terebinth tree. His cheeks were tear-stained, but his smile rivaled the grandeur of the sea.

 “You saw?” Lydia asked, elation bubbling inside her chest.

 “I saw.” His smile grew. “It was all I could do to keep myself from lifting you into Jesus’s arms.”

 “I’ve been in God’s arms every day since the bleeding started. Some days I forgot that truth, and other days it seemed like my prayers were swept far from God. He reminded me that I needed to hold firmly to my thread of belief. The wise counsel of my friend and my betrothed convinced me to seek Jesus.”

 Elon eased closer. He glanced around before caressing her cheek. “We need to plan a wedding feast.”

 Phoebe giggled. “And fast. The way you two are looking at one another, this tree is going to be set ablaze.”

OH, I LOVE it, Barbara! Thank You for sharing. Now please give us your bio and info on how to connect with you and where to find Across the Lake...

Thanks again, Pam. I am a multi-published author of Christian Fiction. My Tribes of Israel series brings little-known Bible characters to light. You can also travel to Whispering Creek, Tennessee with my sweet romance duology, Christmas at Whispering Creek.

I have a nutrition degree from Baylor University but love to dip healthy strawberries in chocolate. You can find out more about me and mybooks on my website barbarambritton.com.

I am also active on X, Instagram, and Facebook.

Across the Lake: Traveling with Jesus Around the Sea of Galilee can be found at Amazon (FREE in KU), in Paperback and Hardcover.

WONDERFUL, Barbara. Wishing you the best of luck and God's blessings on this new release as well as your other works!

Friends, check out Barbara's other visits to our blog HERE.

Until next time, take care and God bless.

PamT

#SaturdaySpotlight is on Marilyn Leach & Christmas Greedings!

Good Morning, Happy New Year and Welcome to the First edition of Saturday Spotlight 2026 and the Last of our All Christmas Thur Christmas posts!

Our guest today is no stranger to our blog and she's sharing her brand new release with us. Take it away, Marilyn...

Thanks, Pam. It is my pleasure to be back on your blog with my latest book, Christmas Greedings.

After spending a beautiful and enriching Christmas season in England with my special friends who live there, I knew I had to write a Christmas mystery that centered around a rural tea shop. From the decorative elements of natural flora and fauna to twinkling fairy lights, from Christmas Pudding to individual mince pies, from close friends and family to a pub sing-song, from quiet thoughts to a joyful Christmas Eve Carol Service, I had to share an English Christmas with readers. 

The mystery is a holiday brain tickle that bounced around in my creative sphere until I just had to get it down in words, about 60,000 of them as a matter of fact. Of course, I had to wrap the story in bright red ribbons that tie up misdeeds with justice winning, and a romantic edge makes the perfect bow on top. I believe it’s a terrific read for what some call the “lost week” of Christmas. In Europe, December 25 to January 5 are the 12 Days of Christmas. So, snuggle into your comfy chair with a hot cuppa at hand, as well as a few gingerbread men, and be a welcome guest of Poppy Ellis and zany villagers at Tibbyhill Lane’s Tea Shop where cozy mysteries abound.

Here's the Blurb: Tibbyhill’s season of peace is being stolen, piece by piece.

When a woman many consider barmy asks Poppy Ellis, busy with her teashop, to find her miniature Christmas village piece that’s gone missing, Poppy passes it off until best friend, Emma, persuades Poppy to help the widow. Her investigation turns up some mind-baffling clues. Who steals a single miniature village piece from an entire set? It’s too odd to be true until one of Poppy’s tearoom customers has the same situation happen. Thinking it’s a childish prank, she dives deeper into facts that lead her to believe something far more sinister is at work. As more pieces vanish, the church’s Christmas Market appears to be the seed bed of growing thefts. How will Poppy solve this peculiar crime wave and restore village life harmony? For the dead of winter, it’s a cozy mystery.

Join Poppy and best friend Emma, Rick the village vicar, Poppy’s love interest and solicitor-in-the-law Andrew St. John, her zany aunts, and eccentric villagers to catch the thieves plus reinstate Christmas goodwill. 

And an Excerpt: A tingling of the bell on Poppy Ellis’s tea shop door was followed by an unknown woman blasting herself inside the tearoom like a fired cannon ball.

The crash of a laden tray added to the commotion when Poppy’s sensitive Aunt Glory jumped, sending full tea cups clattering and Sticky Cinnamon Buns tumbling down to the floor. 

“Miss Ellis,” the stranger shrieked, “you must help me, please.” Slamming the door shut behind her, the woman’s thin legs wobbled, and her light grey eyes bulged with fright. White disheveled hair peeked out from under a bright red knit cap, pulled down over her ears.

Tearoom customers gasped, gaped, and drew back.

Poppy sized up the situation, as she came to the woman’s aid. There was no blood, no facial bruising, the woman’s appendages worked so nothing seemed broken, although the bulky coat she wore could disguise something. Poppy’s glance out the tea shop’s bow window didn’t reveal any chasing culprit. “Are you hurt?”

“Hurt?” came out like a bullet. The woman appeared to be shocked.  

 “Calm down,” Poppy’s past training as a volunteer police special constable had kicked in. “You’re in a safe place.” She took the woman by the elbow. “Come sit down and we’ll get you some hot tea.” 

The woman timidly nodded as Poppy guided her to a nearby table and chairs. The stranger plopped into a seat. Everything about this poor creature seemed contrary to cheerful Christmas holly and evergreens that decorated Poppy’s shop.

“Flowerday,” the woman said nervously.

“Sorry?” Poppy was thankful this cannon ball settled some, but where, by all that’s good, was this woman coming from? “Flowerday?”

“Lizzy Flowerday, That’s me.” She spoke the words unevenly. “And I desperately need your help.”

Christmas Greedings can be found at Amazon (FREE in KU!).

***

Wonderful, Marilyn! Please give us your bio and links to connect with you.

Here you go...

Taking tea is one of my favorite things to do. Whether the first cup of the morning, (oh my it's grand), a happy four o'clock cuppa, or out with friends, it refreshes and adds delight to the day. My travels with dear friends in England, no matter what part of the country we're in, always include "a spot of tea" somewhere in our day. We've enjoyed cream teas at Kensington Palace's L'Orangerie, a bracing cuppa at the local shop on Woodley Square, tea and cakes at a tiny tearoom in Abbotsbury, Dorset, and Border Cake at Bambrough Castle way up North. All of it has fed inspiration into my latest mystery series, Tibbyhill Lane Tea Shop Mysteries, that centers on a rural English teashop.

Though my home is lakeside, near the Front Range of Colorado, my passport is ready to fly at any moment. Cheers.

Find, Follow and Connect with me through my Website, Amazon Author Page, Facebook, BookBub, GoodReads and X.

Wonderful! Thanks again, Marilyn. Wising you the best of luck and God's blessings in 2026!

Hope you enjoyed Marilyn's visit as much as I have, Friends. You can find her previous appearances on the blog HERE.

Until next time take care and God Bless.

PamT