Book Review of 'And Their Numbers Grew' by Naomi Craig & Donna E. Lane

Happy Monday Bookworms!

Another week and another day closer to Christmas! This season it's so easy to get caught up in all the hustle and bustle of the holiday's but it's so important to remmeber why we celebrate in the first place: Jesus. That's why I'm so excited to be sharing the review I am today!

I hope you all enjoy and have a wonderful Monday!

Welcome to the Blog Tour for And Their Numbers Grew by Naomi Craig & Donna E. Lane, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: And Their Numbers Grew
Author: Naomi Craig and Donna E. Lane
Publisher: Bear's Place Publishing
Release Date: November 7, 2023
Genre: Biblical Historical Fiction

Four lives. Four destinies. One gospel.

Fans of Mesu Andrews and Connilyn Cossette will love And Their Numbers Grew.

If you love The Chosen, the story continues in And Their Numbers Grew.

Rumors of the risen Christ spread through Jerusalem like a wildfire—and the Sanhedrin is paying attention.

Their efforts to stifle the name of Jesus only fuel the cause until a young Pharisee gets involved, breathing threats of imprisonment—or worse. Stephen’s brutal stoning accelerates the persecution and sends the faithful fleeing the city for their lives.

They are afflicted in every way, but not crushed. As the fledgling church disperses, their numbers continue to grow. Now, the apostles must train the new believers in the ways and words of Jesus—and what it means to live in God's Kingdom here on earth.

The Kingdom of God spreads to Damascus, Joppa, Caesarea, Antioch, and Tarsus through the testimonies of Ananias, Tabitha, and Barnabas. While an outraged Saul sets out for Damascus to arrest them all, the followers press on fervently, with the help of the Holy Spirit—though it may cost them their lives.

Four disciples whose lives are intertwined, told in four novellas, chronicling the birth pains of the early church.

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | BookBub

My Review

I hate to admit this, but it’s been awhile since I’ve done any reading in the books of Acts. The early church was a tumultuous time for Christ’s followers and And Their Numbers Grew shows us these struggles from four different individuals that witnessed it firsthand.

First off, I really liked how this book was laid out. Though they are four separate stories they also continue as one novel when read back-to-back which I appreciated. Though it is authored by two individuals it doesn’t feel that was as the writing felt seamless, and I like that each book was narrated by an individual that was there but not one of the disciples.

I loved seeing Biblical stories that I’ve heard for years told from a perspective of someone that was there to witness Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection as well as the hardships that befell the followers of the early church. I cannot imagine the persecution that they faced as they went against everything the religious teachers taught during that time. It really was quite radical, and I don’t think we really think about that too often when we’re reading in Acts, and I commend each and every person that stood strong during that time because we wouldn’t be where we are if it weren’t for them.

And Their Numbers Grew is a refreshing and unique take on the New Testament that was so easy to read and connect to, and it’s one that I cannot recommend enough!

My Rating: ★★★★★

About the Authors

Author of Biblical fiction, avid reader, pastor's wife, Naomi Craig loves reading the Bible and imagining how things were at the time. When she’s not serving in various areas at church or trying to stay on top of mountains of dishes, you'll most likely find her enjoying a good book and a cup of coffee. Naomi co-hosts #BehindTheStory on YouTube and helps facilitate Biblical Fiction Aficionados Community on Facebook. When not writing or trying to wrangle social media, Naomi attempts to get her rescue dog to be cute on command for the many pics she takes throughout the day.

Connect with Naomi by visiting naomicraig.com to follow her on social media and sign up for email updates.

Donna E. Lane is an award-winning, multi-genre author with a passion for exploring all aspects of the human experience. As a Christian counselor and spiritual director, Dr. Lane has dedicated herself to guiding individuals on their spiritual journeys, offering solace and wisdom through her integrated approach. Her 46 years of experience in this field have provided her with insights which she seamlessly weaves into her writing, delving into the complexities of relationships and the depths of the human heart.

With a boundless imagination, a fervent devotion to Jesus, a love for history, and a fascination with time, she crafts stories that resonate deeply with readers, offering the opportunity to embark on unforgettable journeys to other worlds, across time, and into space.

A devoted wife of 44 years and mother of three, she now cherishes her role as a grandmother and mom to her new puppy, a little white furball named Rosie Cotton.

Connect with Donna by visiting thedoctorslane.com to follow her on social media and sign up for email updates.

Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will win a paperback copy of And Their Numbers Grew and a $25 amazon gift card!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight December 4, 2023 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on December 11, 2023. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US/CAN only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!