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THRONES Books 1-3 are Now Available!

It is finally happening!

Freshly updated editions of Secret of the Lost King and Sword of the Broken Son, books 1 and 2 in the Thrones series have both released, as well as the brand new, never released before book 3: Skin of the Dragon Lord! The next book is finally here, and I can’t wait for you to read it!

I re-read these books for the first time in a few years over the past couple months, and I have to say, it was so exciting to re-experience them almost as if it was the first time. I love a good plot twist, and there’s one in Skin of the Dragon Lord I had completely forgotten! When I came to it, I actually gasped out loud!

For those new to the world of Jack, Molly, and Ellie, Thrones is an epic fantasy series perfect for middle grade readers who love action, adventure, and the thrill of discovery.

In Secret of the Lost King, Jack and Molly must rescue Jack’s little sister, Ellie, from the evil emperor Morogh, who has discovered a secret: Jack, Molly, and Ellie know something—something they’ve actually forgotten! And if Morogh can get the secret from them, then he can rule the kingdom of Tanniyn forever unopposed. Along the way, Jack receives help from mysterious visions of a man named Gideon, who is facing his own battles and must find the courage to remember who he truly is.

Sword of the Broken Son continues the story from book one, taking Molly on an adventure along with the Prince of Trevan, all to save the kingdom from an army bent on the destruction of Tanniyn. If Molly fails, then Tanniyn will fall. But if she succeeds in her quest, old friends will become enemies, ancient evils will emerge, and Molly will find herself stuck in a world without hope.

In the latest installment of Thrones, Skin of the Dragon Lord, Ellie must seek out the enigmatic Dragon Lord and enlist their assistance in preventing a catastrophic event that will irreversibly reshape the face of the known world. Throughout her journey, Ellie is unexpectedly reunited with individuals she never imagined crossing paths with again, forcing her to grapple with the question of whether someone can truly be redeemed.

The books are all available now in paperback on Amazon.com. Click the links below to pick them up today!

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Spooky Christian YA and Middle Grade Fiction!

I love a good spooky story. In fact, some of my favorite parts in the Thrones series are when Jack, Molly, and Ellie come face to face with the incredible creatures throughout the kingdom of Tanniyn. However, so many scary books don’t end on a note of hope. I believe hope is an important part of the Christian life. Jesus brings us hope!

One time, I asked a group of kids to define hope. One of the kids said, “Hope is kind of like when you are in a problem, but then hope takes you out of your problem…”

In the pause, another kid added: “…and into the heart of God.”

Hope does that: it help us to see there is a God who loves us, is with us, and will never leave us.

So on that note of hope, I want to recommend some spooky Christian YA and Middle Grade books that do end in hope. These fiction books are for a range of ages from around the 9-10 year old age up to the upper end of YA readers. Check out my recommends below!

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So I Have a YouTube Channel Now…

As I prepare for Thrones 1-3 to release any day now, I have posted my first video on my new YouTube Channel: @shaunstevensonbooks! I had the chance to speak at a Preteen Retreat in Arkansas and while there, I was able to do some work on Thrones, so I decided to show you what my cabin looked like as well as share my Fall Reads, Releases, and Ramblings!

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THRONES Books 1-3 Releasing October 2023!

It’s finally here! Yes, books one to three of Thrones are coming October 2023! I couldn’t be more excited for you to re-experience books 1 & 2 of one of my favorite series, and I absolutely cannot wait for you to experience book 3: Skin of the Dragon Lord! That book has been five years in the making, and now it’s finally right around the corner!

So what have I been up to over the past few years? Well, I’ve still been writing, but I took a detour to finish my Masters of Divinity degree. That took a lot of my time from writing, but now that I’ve graduated, I’m hard at work creating new Worlds of stories for you to enjoy!

If you haven’t read the Thrones series before, you’ll want to check out books one and two: Secret of the Lost King and Sword of the Broken Son. Each one of these books has meant so much to me, and to the many of you who have read them! I often receive emails asking me about what’s next, and now it’s finally here in Skin of the Dragon Lord. This is the longest book yet, and I think the most exciting of all three!

In Secret of the Lost King, Jack and Molly must rescue Ellie from the clutches of the evil Morogh, ruler of the Kingdom of Tanniyn. In order to save Ellie and dethrone Morogh, they’re going to have to find the Lost King of Tanniyn and discover the secret he has been hiding all this time.

In Sword of the Broken Son, a few years have passed, and Molly, Jack, and Ellie soon find themselves fighting for the sake of the Kingdom when a threat from the North invades. They’ll have to turn to old friends and enemies in order to find a way to defeat the growing evil right under the castle stones.

In Skin of the Dragon Lord, Ellie embarks on a quest to discover the identity of the Dragon Lord, who may hold the key to stopping a cataclysmic event threatening the very existence of everything Jack, Molly, and Ellie have worked so hard to preserve. However, no one could have guessed the plans of an old enemy who will stop for nothing to destroy them all.

One of my favorite aspects of these books in the opportunity to explore a story from Scripture as Jack, Molly, and Ellie discover them for the first time. They see how God has been at work in history, and even up to their present day.

So if you’re ready to dive back in to the world of Tanniyn in Thrones, now is the time! Your perfect Fall Fantasy Read is here! See you soon!

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BOOK REVIEW: Faith and Science with Dr. Fizzlebop by Brock Eastman

As a Pastor to Kids, I am often asked one question that has always been tough to answer: “Do you know of a good devotional book our family could go through?” I’ve recommended some in the past, but kind of cringed at the artwork or the blocky way the text was laid out inside the devotional book. Then I heard about Faith and Science with Dr. Fizzlebop: 52 fizztastically fun experiments and devotions for families. Now I absolutely know which devotional book I will be recommending to families: this one!

Brock Eastman has put together 52 devotions that include a Scripture passage, devotional, discussion questions, prayer prompts, and a science experiment. Each science experiment connects with the Bible story in organic and fun ways, and kids will find it easy to see the truth of God’s Word through their experiments in God’s World! Every science experiment has detailed instructions, pictures, and material lists so you’ll know exactly how to lead your family each time. The supplies aren’t super hard to find outside of online shopping or the local grocery or dollar store. The entire book is laid out in Genesis to Revelation order, which helps kids keep the flow of the story as they go along.

The artwork throughout the book is also incredible! The entire book is full color and lays flat when open so that way you don’t have to try to keep a finger on the page while you conduct your science experiments and then talk about God’s Word and World together afterward. Kids will definitely love the fun art style, and the pages are easy to read too, so your kids could read out loud even while parents and guardians listen. The book is structured more for a family to do together, not so much for a child to do on their own.

There are also five bonus devotions built around holidays with some fun and festive experiments tagging along!

This book would also work great for Children’s Pastors wanting to add an object lesson to a particular Bible story they are teaching. The experiments are all extremely visual, and there are links in the book to videos of how to do each experiment in case you get a little stuck.

Overall, this is one of the absolute best devotional books I’ve seen I think ever. It is definitely on my Top Recommended List for families looking to add a devotional practice to their spiritual formation at home.

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BOOK REVIEW: Patrick and the Fire: A Legend About Saint Patrick by Cornelia Mary Bilinsky

Patrick and the Fire: A Legend about Sai by Cornelia Mary Bilinsky

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


In searching for books about the life of Saint Patrick, I spotted the cover art for Patrick and the Fire: A Legend about Saint Patrick and was instantly intrigued. When it comes to picture books, I am always equally looking at the story as well as the art that accompanies it. Here, the art and story combine to be a quick but rather compelling vignette from the life of Saint Patrick.

The story is a short one from the many legends about Saint Patrick, but is told in an engaging way that draws you in from the beginning. However, the illustrations elevate the story beyond the words on the page. At times, the art reminded me of old Disney animation stills from The Black Cauldron era as well as newer art from films like Brave. The characters are well realized and drawn with expression that at the same time evokes mystery as well as a sense of history.

This is definitely a Catholic book, and contains a prayer to Saint Patrick at the beginning. Readers from Protestant or Evangelical households might want to preview this section beforehand. At the end of the book is a brief biographical sketch of Saint Patrick’s life, which dives into more possibly historic details than the fictionalized account in the rest of the book.

However, I will say this book tackles complex theological themes such as salvation and the Trinity, and presents both in a way that young children will be able to grasp. These definitions and explorations of theology transcend both Catholic and Protestant views for a more universal Christian presentation that either Catholic or Protestant readers can enjoy and use to further discussions with their children about the work of God.

If you’re looking for a fun, quick read on the life of Saint Patrick that contains excellent illustrations, Patrick and the Fire is certainly a book to add to your picture book library!

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BOOK REVIEW: Called to the Fire by Chet Bush

Called to the Fire: A Witness for God in Mississippi; The Story of Dr. Charles Johnson by Chet Bush

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


There are only a handful of books that can say they caught my attention enough to be read in one sitting. Called to the Fire, the story of Dr. Charles Johnson, by Chet Bush is one of them. From the mesmerizing first chapter to the heartbreaking, yet hopeful, ending, I simply could not turn the pages fast enough. Even before I dive into the rest of my thoughts on this book, this is certainly a must read.

Dr. Charles Johnson is a pastor in the Church of the Nazarene who found himself embroiled in a civil rights murder trial as a witness for the prosecution in 1967. The Mississippi Burning Trial has been the subject of film, documentaries, and other books, but this is the book that takes on the biography of Dr. Johnson, one of the pivotal figures in the small towns of Mississippi where racism and the Ku Klux Klan reigned supreme in the 1960s. From Dr. Johnson’s work in educating African Americans to his dynamite preaching, God called Dr. Johnson to the fire so he could be a beacon of hope in the storm.

Multiple times while reading I teared up, and the events of one of the final chapters broke me. I won’t spoil it here, but it was perhaps one of the most powerful moments I have read in any biography ever. The ability of this man of God to stand up even when threatened to continue to do what God had called him to do is inspiring.

The book is not a long read, and there are photographs of key events and places from the narrative. There are also copious notes in the endnotes that point to more sources and information not only about the Mississippi Burning Trial, but also about Dr. Johnson’s life.

We need more stories like this one. We need to remember the heroes of the past and today, and to remember that sometimes we are called into the fire. The purposes and reasons of the calling may not always be apparent, but looking back we will see what God has done in the wake. Pick up a copy of Called to the Fire. This one is a must read.

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BOOK REVIEW: Valentine’s Day by Joyce K. Kessel

Valentine’s Day by Joyce K. Kessel

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Some have said, “Don’t judge a book by the cover,” and I would say, “Valentine’s Day by Joyce Kessel is one of those books.” The cover for this book is pretty dated at this point, and reminded me of old books from the 1980’s I would check out from the library as a kid. However, while the cover doesn’t do much to inspire the imagination, the story and black and white illustrations with red highlights raise this book above others.

This book is perhaps the most robust and yet succinct retellings of the history of Valentine’s Day I have found yet. The story also doesn’t hide the origins of the holiday regarding Pope Gelasius I’s appropriating the Feast of Juno and recreating it as “St. Valentine’s Day” in honor of one or all of the three St. Valentine’s we know of from history. The book tells a few stories about the various Valentines, each one labeled as a “legend.” The book then goes on to explain the traditions of the holiday and how it has translated to modern times.

This book is longer than some other picture books for kids on Valentine’s Day. It also has some potentially not great ideas that young readers might pick up without some conversation from parents. There is discussion later in the book of “penny dreadfuls,” valentine cards sent during the late 1800’s that were meant to be insulting. A parent might want to read that section ahead of time and decide whether they want to talk about that section or not. It would be a good opportunity to have a discussion with your kid about the words we use towards others and how we can encourage others rather than tear them down.

The illustrations range from fun in a 1920’s throwback way to highly dated in a 1980’s children’s book way. Throughout, red is sprinkled into the black and white drawings, which is an interesting detail.

If you find this one at a local library, it’s worth a checkout and a read, especially if you have a child interested in the history across the span of 2,700 years of Valentine’s Day.

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BOOK REVIEW: Valentine’s Day Is… by Gail Gibbons

Valentine’s Day Is by Gail Gibbons

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Having read a few picture books on Valentine’s Day, I found Gail Gibbons’ Valentine’s Day Is… to be a fun, well-illustrated book that contained information I have not seen in other books on the holiday.

Each page is set up with the phrase: “Valentine’s Day Is…” and is finished with things like “candy,” “love,” or “hearts.” The pages then go on to explain very simply and succinctly various traditions and symbols related to Valentine’s Day, including Saint Valentine and ancient Roman practices of putting names in an urn and drawing them, similar to today’s valentine cards and valentine mailboxes so many kids make.

Those looking for historical information on Saint Valentine will find only a copy of pages on him here, which are very sparse in actual information. At the end of the book there is a great DIY Valentine project that is simple and fun as well.

The illustrations are bright, vibrant, and have a bit of a 1900’s throwback vibe in some places that made them especially charming. Kids will love searching the pictures for all the hearts throughout the book and hidden away in each picture in fun ways.

If you’re looking for a fun read on Valentine’s Day, this is a book that would be a great library checkout, but perhaps not one to purchase.

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BOOK REVIEW: Valentine’s Day by Ann Heinrichs

Valentine’s Day by Ann Heinrichs

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


Ann Heinrichs’ Valentine’s Day picture book is an overview of the holiday for young readers. This book covers more of the traditions and symbols behind the holiday rather than any specific history of how the day came to be. There is a short “chapter” here on Saint Valentine as well as the Roman festival Lupercalia on February 15th, but both comprise about five pages total with a quick brush through history.

One particular feature of this picture book is the numerous poems and quotes from literature throughout the ages. From anonymous poems to Shakespeare to Plato, there are plenty of fascinating snippets from poems that will give kids an introduction to literature talking about Valentine’s Day as well as love in general.

The illustrations here are fine, but they aren’t exactly thrilling, interesting, or exciting. Many of the illustrations seem rather typical for this kind of non-fiction children’s book and none of the pictures really stand out.

There are also some activities for kids in the back of the book, including recipes, DIY crafts, and some suggestions for ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day.

If you’re looking for an overview book of the holiday, this book is fine, but there are certainly more fascinating books out there on Valentine’s Day. If you’re looking for more information on Saint Valentine, this is not the book to go to.