🌹 To Love a Beast by Karen Witemeyer – A Beauty and the Beast Retelling with Heart

Karen Witemeyer’s To Love a Beast is a charming Western retelling of Beauty and the Beast that blends romance, humor, and faith into a heartfelt story.

Set in Texas, the story follows Everett Griffin, a man living in isolation after being scarred by both physical injury and emotional wounds. When a spirited young woman named Callista Rosenfeld unexpectedly enters his life, everything begins to change.

What starts as a reluctant arrangement slowly grows into something deeper, as both characters are forced to confront their pasts and learn to trust again.

Unlike some retellings, this one clearly reflects Beauty and the Beast. You can easily see the inspiration, but it still feels fresh and original.

This story carries meaningful messages about:

• forgiveness

• self-worth

• seeing others the way God sees them

The spiritual elements are woven naturally into the characters’ journeys without feeling forced.

At times, the pacing can feel a bit slow, especially in the middle. Some parts focus heavily on internal thoughts rather than action, which may not appeal to every reader.

To Love a Beast is a sweet, faith-filled story that highlights the beauty of transformation—not just outwardly, but inwardly.

It’s a gentle reminder that:

True love sees beyond appearances and chooses grace.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4/5)

Yes—especially if you enjoy:

• Christian fiction

• slow-burn romance

• fairy tale retellings

A post to the saved and unsaved

This is a post for everyone, whether you already know Jesus or you don’t know Him yet.

Life moves quickly, and it’s easy to get caught up in everyday things, but eternity is real. The Bible teaches there are only two paths: life with God or separation from Him. Because of Jesus we can have eternal life. Read John 3:16.

Jesus came, died for our sins, and rose again so we could be forgiven and have eternal life. That gift is available to anyone, but it’s more than just saying you believe. It’s a real relationship with Him that changes your heart, your desires, and the way you live.

For those who don’t know Him yet, He is ready to receive you with open arms. Why are you waiting? Nothing in this world is worth missing eternity with Him.

And for those who do know Him, keep growing in Him. Seek Him daily, stay in His Word, and let your life reflect Him. Don’t become comfortable or stagnant, draw closer to Him and let Him continue to change you.

I’m sharing this because I care. Eternity matters, and I want us all to be together in Heaven.

With love and prayers,  

Breana

✨ If the Boot Fits – Not Your Typical Cinderella Story

At first glance, If the Boot Fits by Karen Witemeyer sounds like it would be a Cinderella story. However, there isn’t a mean stepmother or cruel stepsisters.
The only elements that resemble Cinderella are the ball and the lost “slipper” (or boot, in this case).
So far, the story doesn’t really feel like a Cinderella retelling—and honestly, that’s part of why it has been a bit disappointing for me.
It leans more toward a slow-paced Western with small bits of action.
Right now, the pacing feels slow, and it’s been a little hard to stay interested. I was expecting something more engaging or more clearly connected to the Cinderella theme, but it hasn’t really felt that way yet.
There are some good ideas—like themes of truth and forgiveness—but so far, it just hasn’t drawn me in.
I actually skipped to the end of the book. I couldn't finish it because I found it very boring. But others might enjoy this book. 

⛪️Revival God's Way by Leonard Ravenhill

This book is truly powerful—one that doesn’t just inspire, but deeply convicts and calls you higher.

Leonard Ravenhill speaks with a boldness that is hard to ignore. He reminds us that what many call “revival” today often falls short of what God intends. Too often, we settle for our way of revival—something organized, scheduled, and carefully planned. It becomes a series of meetings built on human effort, filled with hype, focused on numbers, and driven by emotion. Yet in the middle of it all, one crucial thing is often missing: the genuine invitation for the Holy Ghost to move. And without Him, there may be excitement in the moment, but there is little to no lasting change.

Ravenhill contrasts this with what true revival looks like—God’s way.

Real revival is not manufactured; it is born in prayer. It is not sustained by emotion but marked by deep, sincere repentance. It is not about crowds or popularity, but about the undeniable presence of God moving among His people. When revival comes God’s way, lives are not just touched—they are transformed. Hearts are broken over sin, souls are drawn back to holiness, and there is a renewed hunger for righteousness.

This kind of revival cannot be scheduled or controlled. It requires humility, surrender, and a willingness to seek God beyond comfort and routine. It calls for believers to return to the secret place, to cry out, and to truly desire God—not just His blessings.

Reading this challenges me to examine my own heart. Do I want something that looks like revival, or do I truly want God to move in a way that changes everything?

I don’t want revival shaped by human hands—I want revival that comes from Heaven.

I want revival God’s way… how about you?

Swapping time spent scrolling to reading

Recently, I made a decision to be more intentional with how I spend my time. Instead of scrolling endlessly on social media, I’ve started using that time to read books on my phone through the Hoopla app. Hoopla is a really convenient app that connects to your local library and allows you to borrow ebooks (and more) for free using your library card, which has made it so easy to get back into reading regularly.

I just finished a novel by Karen Witemeyer, and I truly enjoyed it. The story is a retelling of Beauty and the Beast, but with its own unique twists and setting that made it feel fresh and engaging. One of the things I especially appreciate about Karen Witemeyer is that she’s a Christian author, so her stories naturally include themes of faith, God’s love, and spiritual growth.

That aspect really stood out to me in this book. It wasn’t just a good story, it also had meaningful moments that pointed back to God, which made the reading experience even more enjoyable and uplifting for me. If you love the story of Beauty and the Beast, I think you'll love this story. Try it out. See if you like it.

I give it a 8 out of 10. I liked it, but there was some things that could have been better.

River's Short Stories: River's Surprise Birthday Party

 It's River's birthday today!

Breana's mom bought
Breana had a tiger puppet stuffed animal
from Cranker Barrel 21 years ago when Breana was five.
Since then, Breana has written dozens of River stories and published four storybooks on Amazon.
Wish River a happy birthday by subscribing to River and Me Ministries. 

And you can also wish him a happy birthday by buying a book on Amazon. Just go to Amazon and search Breana Pope. Then find a River and Me book you would like to have. Thank you so much for supporting River and Me Ministries! God bless. Or as River would say:
"Keep smiling and keep shining God's Love!"

Here's a little story I put together in honor of River's Birthday.

River's Surprise Birthday Party

It was a warm, sunny day in the jungle, and River the Tiger was enjoying a peaceful stroll along the familiar paths he loved so much. Today felt like any other day—except, there was something different in the air. He couldn't quite put his paw on it, but he shrugged it off, figuring it was just the breeze rustling the leaves.

Meanwhile, Gail was busy at her house, putting the final touches on a special surprise for River. She had spent days planning a birthday party and had invited all of River’s friends—Alisha the tiger, Monkey, and Wolfy. And Gail's friends- Little Robin and Little Lori. The house was decorated from top to bottom with bright banners, colorful balloons, and a huge sign that read, "Happy Birthday, River!"

Everyone had arrived early, hiding behind furniture, under tables, and behind curtains, eager to surprise their favorite tiger friend. Monkey, of course, had a hard time staying still, giggling and bouncing around in excitement. The snacks were laid out, the cake was in place, and everyone was ready for the big moment.

As River padded closer to Gail’s house, he noticed that all the windows were shut, which was unusual for such a lovely day. “That’s odd,” he thought, but being the curious tiger he was, River decided to investigate.

He stepped up to the door, and as soon as he pushed it open— **“SURPRISE!”** —The entire room was filled with cheers.

“Happy Birthday, River!” everyone shouted, jumping out from their hiding spots.

River froze, wide-eyed and stunned. For a moment, he couldn’t believe what he was seeing. The room was filled with all of his friends, smiling and cheering just for him. Gail, Alisha, Monkey, and Wolfy were all there, beaming with excitement. The walls were covered in decorations, and right in the middle of the room was a huge cake shaped like a jungle.

River’s heart filled with joy. “You all did this... for me?”

“Of course we did!” Gail said, walking up to him with a huge smile. “We wanted to make sure your birthday was unforgettable.”

Monkey somersaulted across the room, unable to contain his excitement. “Yeah! We’ve been waiting all day to surprise you!”

Wolfy wagged his tail, howling happily, “Now it’s time to party!”

River was so overwhelmed with happiness that his tail started moving back and forth. “This is amazing! I don’t even know what to say.”

“You don’t have to say anything,” Gail said, placing a birthday hat on River’s head. “Just enjoy yourself!”

And that’s exactly what River did. They played games, like pin the tail on the tiger, and they danced to River's favorite music. They laughed, ate cake, and even sang a special birthday song that Gail had made up just for River. Every moment was filled with love, laughter, and the warmth of friendship.

As the sun set and the party came to a close, River looked around at all his friends. He realized that this surprise wasn’t just about the balloons or the cake—it was about how much his friends cared for him.

“This has been the best birthday ever,” River said, smiling contentedly. “I’m so blessed to have all of you in my life.”

Gail and the others gathered around for a big group hug, and together they all shouted, “Happy Birthday, River!”

And as River stood there, surrounded by his friends, he knew that this day would be one he’d remember forever.

That night, when River said his bedtime prayers, he thanked God for each one of his special friends. He truly felt blessed.

River fell asleep with a heart full of joy, knowing he would never forget this perfect day.

The Cross and The Switchblade by David Wilkerson

 The Cross and the Switchblade by David Wilkerson is a true story about faith, obedience to God, and how the message of Jesus can transform even the hardest lives.

1. The Beginning of the Call

David Wilkerson was a small-town Pentecostal preacher in Pennsylvania in the late 1950s. One day, he saw a Life magazine article about seven teenage gang members on trial for murder in New York City. When he saw their faces, he felt that God was calling him to go help them. 

Even though he had never worked with gangs before, he believed God wanted him to go to New York and preach the Gospel to them.

2. First Attempts in New York

Wilkerson traveled to New York and tried to speak to the boys in court, but the judge removed him, and the media mocked him.

Instead of quitting, he kept returning to New York and began meeting teenagers involved in gangs, drugs, and violence. He realized that many of them were angry, lonely, and hopeless. 

3. Working With Street Gangs

Wilkerson started preaching in the streets and visiting gang members personally.

He met Nicky Cruz, the violent leader of the Mau Maus gang. Nicky hated Wilkerson and even threatened to kill him.

Wilkerson responded with love and told him something famous:

“You could cut me into a thousand pieces and lay them in the street, and every piece would still love you.”

This shocked Nicky because he had never experienced real love before.

4. Conversions and Changed Lives

Through prayer, preaching, and revival meetings, many gang members began to change.

Eventually:

• Nicky Cruz accepted Christ
• Several gang members left violence and drugs
• Many found new purpose and hope through faith

Nicky later became a Christian preacher himself. 

5. Teen Challenge Ministry

To help addicted and troubled youth long-term, Wilkerson started Teen Challenge, a Christian rehabilitation program.

The program focused on:

• Faith in Jesus
• Prayer and Bible teaching
• Community support
• Freedom from drugs and crime

Teen Challenge later spread around the world. 

Main message of the book:

The power of the Gospel and God’s love can transform anyone—even people deeply involved in crime, gangs, or addiction.

Key themes

• Obeying God’s calling even when it seems impossible
• The power of love and forgiveness
• Redemption through Jesus Christ
• Hope for people trapped in violence and addiction

I listened to this book on Hoopla: Hoopla is a digital service that lets you borrow movies, TV shows, music, audiobooks, eBooks, and comics, all with your library card. You can stream or download right from your phone, tablet, or computer.

I love this app.