Sunday, February 9, 2025

Celebrate Lit Blog Tour: The Necessity of Kindness by Marbeth Skwarczynski

Book: The Necessity of Kindness (The Rose Collection Book 7. It can be read as a stand alone.)

Author: Marbeth Skwarczynski

Genre: Contemporary Christian Fiction

Release date: October 21, 2024

“Be ye kind” is a simple command, so why is it so hard for people to follow?

When the Lord opened the door for Denise’s husband, Topher, to Pastor the beleaguered Rhodes Baptist Church, she agreed to return to their hometown. Opening a bakery, supporting Topher in his ministry, and volunteering at Sylvie’s school aren’t nearly as challenging as trying to dismantle the harmful teachings that have taken over the church. Ideas masquerading as ‘biblical truth’ and ‘traditional Christianity’ resulted in spiritual bullying and a dwindling congregation. Denise is determined to help Topher guide the church toward the love and kindness of Christ.

Sixteen-year-old Sylvie is angry at being ripped away from the only home she’s known—and from her church, friends, and boyfriend, Owen. She pretends that moving to Rhodes is an adventure and admits she’s looking forward to attending a “real” school and making new friends. She’ll help her parents with their church and work at her mom’s bakery, but this isn’t the life Sylvie wants. Everything is different now, and it isn’t fair.

Sometimes, it feels like the bullies are winning.

Click here to get your copy!

Contemporary Christian Fiction is a favorite genre of mine. The Necessity of Kindness by Marbeth Skwarczynski, which is Book 7 in the Rose Collection series. I recently had the opportunity to read this book, the first of the books in this series that I have read.

WOW, this book really started strong and it kept me intrigued throughout the book. I finished the book in only 4hrs as it really had a great storyline. The story is focused on a Family which consists of Dad Topher, Mom Denise and teenage daughter Sylvie. They have relocated back to the hometown that Topher and Denise grew up in as Topher accepted a Pastoral position at Rhodes Baptist Church. The excitement to return home and make changes in their Family dynamics and life is evident. Denise will be opening a Bakery and Sylvie attending the Christian School her parents attended. The excitement is short lived when upon beginning the Pastoral position, Denise is stunned by the betrayal and lies within the Church. Sylvie is also experiencing issues at School and makes her unhappy with the move and new life. I felt that I was a news article and not a book, as many of the Situations in this book are happening in so many Churches and Christian Schools across America today. The author really touched on some Sensitive "real life" topics in wonderful approach. I was extremely impressed by the way this author wrote about this topic in a Fiction BOOK! I HIGHLY recommend this book for anyone interested in real life Church events in a Fictional book. FANTASTIC BOOK!

Though born on the east coast, I spent most of my life in the American Southwest, eventually settling in California where my husband and I raised two sons. Later we welcomed two fantastic daughters-in-law and four grandchildren into our family. After teaching history and literature for eighteen years, I resigned to write full-time. That new career move was paired with a physical move to beautiful Nevada, where I continue to write happily.

My preferred genre is Christian contemporary fiction. I keep my characters grounded in the real world and the real problems that Bible believers face today. While they grow, learn, and find possible solutions to their issues, my characters must also deal with the detritus of the past. Living well today doesn’t mean that yesterday is erased. I write what I know, either first-hand or through close observation, injecting the joy, happiness, and humor that comes with spiritual freedom and love.

More from Marbeth

No one warns you that some bullies grow up to be—bullies.

But some people go from victim to victorious. They stand up for others, leading them away from preferences used to bully others into submission and toward the freedom of God’s love.