Rabbi Small has left the synagogue, but he’s not done with sleuthing, in this “engaging” mystery from the New York Times–bestselling author (New York Newsday).
Edgar Award–Winning Author
Rabbi David Small has dealt with temple politics for three decades. He has also been involved in more than a handful of murder investigations. Now, he is ready to retire from his synagogue in the cozy Boston suburb of Barnard’s Crossing. For years, his secret desire has been to permanently take up teaching. When he finally leaves the synagogue to pursue that dream, life at a university proves more dangerous than he thought.
Late at night, a notoriously ambitious college professor dies in a car wreck. The academic had been drinking heavily, but evidence suggests that the crash might not have been an accident. The local police are stumped. They enlist the only detective they know. His astute eye and quick mind come from a higher power: Rabbi Small.
The Relationship Contract: A Second Chance Romantic Comedy Marcella Steele (To Barcelona with Love Trilogy, #2) Publication date: February 10th 2026 Genres: Adult, Comedy, Contemporary, Romance
One crazy love experiment. A daring adventure. 60 days to pass the test.
Once upon a time… Sofia Drake doesn’t believe in happily-ever-after anymore—especially with a man fourteen years younger. But the gorgeous and charismatic Ryan Hunter refuses to give her up. He makes an unconventional proposal: sixty days to prove their love could overcome any obstacle. It’s an offer she can’t refuse.
The catch? His job takes him to London. No problem. Sofia throws the rule book in the trash, upends her life, and sets off for the adventure of a lifetime with Ryan—prepared to risk everything for a second chance at happiness.
Touring London, Sofia feels like she’s stepping into the life her twenty-something self dreamed of, but while her world opens up to new possibilities, freedom brings more questions than answers. Ryan hopes that dazzling her with trips to Dubai and the Maldives will convince her to stay. His mother tries to make sure she doesn’t.
Just as Sofia’s confidence in herself and the relationship blossoms, Ryan’s old girlfriend surfaces with a plot twist that threatens to rewrite their entire future.
The question isn’t whether their love is strong enough. It’s whether they’re brave enough to renegotiate the contract and face what neither of them saw coming.
Love is like free-falling off a cliff. You never know where you might land.
Perfect for fans of Nora Goes Off Script, by Annabel Monaghan, and Part of Your World by Abby Jimenez. A witty, second chance romance with the London charm of Jojo Moyes.
“A few weeks, I’m not sure yet.” Me—the ultimate planner—winging it? “It’s sort of open-ended. I think I’ll be in Europe for two months, traveling to various places.” I hesitated, because how could I explain I was choosing to spend my severance package on this trip to Europe instead of job hunting—that I was hurling myself into a new life, a new relationship, without a clue about the direction this would lead?
She tilted her head with curiosity. “Business or pleasure?”
I barked out a laugh. “Definitely pleasure. I’m joining my boyfriend.” The word still felt foreign on my tongue. After years spent in romantic exile, being part of a couple seemed surreal. “Ryan works in London part-time—his main office is in San Francisco, where we met. So, I’m basically following him across an ocean.” I shook my head. This was coming out all wrong. “Not that I’m desperate or anything. I mean, I lost my job, but the timing worked out perfectly because Ryan suggested I come live with him. Well, travel together, since he moves around constantly. We’re returning to Barcelona at some point because that city holds special meaning for us—” I cut myself off, cheeks burning. Apparently, my anxiety had me spiraling out of control, transforming me from an articulate professional into a babbling teenager who just discovered her first crush.
Her eyebrows shot up while her forehead remained suspiciously smooth. “Ryan? That wouldn’t be Ryan Hunter, would it?” Her voice climbed several octaves.
“Yes… do you know him?” Something cold twisted in my stomach.
“Know him? Um. Not personally, but he’s one of our frequent flyers.” The way she scrutinized me made every hair on my neck stand at attention. “He’s your boyfriend?”
I nodded, shrinking into my luxurious seat like a deflating balloon.
This time her smile looked painted on, her tone as artificially sweet as high-fructose corn syrup. “If you need anything else, just let me know.” Watching her slim figure trail through the aisle of the cabin, I wondered if I was projecting or if the twist in my gut was justified. Anyone who knew Ryan might take one look at me and wonder, Really? Him… and her? I had questioned that myself when we first met. Despite his unwavering attention, I wasn’t sure if I would ever get past the age difference when someone like Elaine was sizing me up.
When Ryan and I were alone, it was just too good to waste time worrying about how the world viewed me. In his eyes, I was perfect. He didn’t notice the saggy bits or dimpled skin. According to my best friend, Madison, I had a figure most women would kill for and could pass for a forty-year-old on a good day. Most days were not that good, but I’d made peace with the crows feet and that little belly pooch that refused to disappear. After all, at one time it was a baby bump, then a beach ball. I’d earned that lump.
Still, a thought niggled its way into my brain. There was something suspicious about Elaine’s reaction to me. Call it women’s intuition, but somehow, I just knew. Had she hoped to snag him for herself? I couldn’t blame her; Ryan was the very definition of tall, dark, and handsome. His image should appear on a Pinterest board titled: Hot Guys with Dark Curly Hair and Piercing Blue Eyes. How many flight attendants and restaurant hostesses had set their sights on him?
Author Bio:
Marcella Steele is an American author/screenwriter who now writes with her laptop precariously balanced on a café table in Barcelona, but can sometimes be found dreaming up stories on a terrace in Bali or on a balcony in Paris. Marcella champions the radical idea that women over forty are just getting started and her contemporary romance/women’s fiction novels celebrate love, passion, and self-discovery at any age. With her passion for travel, she delights in bringing the reader along to discover the magic of faraway places. When she’s not writing, she’s planning her next adventure or practicing her spins on a salsa dance floor.
When she was only 15, Kaylene Winter wrote her first rocker romance novel starring a fictionalized version of herself, her friends and their gorgeous rocker boyfriends. After living her own rockstar life as a band manager, music promoter and mover and shaker in Seattle during the early 1990’s, Kaylene became a digital media legal strategist helping bring movies, television and music online. Throughout her busy career, Kaylene lost herself in romance novels across all genres inspiring her to realize her life-long dream to be a published author. She lives in Seattle with her amazing husband and dog. She loves to travel, throw lavish dinner parties and support charitable causes supporting arts and animals.
On a trip to the Holy Land, Rabbi Small is drawn into a deadly conflict between religious extremists in the New York Times–bestselling series. Retired millionaire Barney Berkowitz, from the small Massachusetts town of Barnard’s Crossing, invites Rabbi David Small to come to Israel and bar mitzvah him, as Berkowitz never went through the ceremony in his youth. On what should be a joyous occasion—and an all-expenses-paid trip to the Holy Land—the rabbi discovers danger lurking in every corner and a conspiracy that threatens to destroy the state of Israel.
An innocent American has been murdered and when the sleuthing rabbi begins his investigation, he finds the death may have been part of an international conspiracy fueled by religious radicals and an arms-smuggling scheme. Anyone, from a liberal Jewish-American professor to a young religious fundamentalist, could be a suspect—and the rabbi must rely on his Talmudic logic and daring chutzpah to untangle the mystery and prevent an even more deadly attack.
Becoming the Man You Were Created to Be Instead of Who the World Says You Are
AN INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER!
From a bestselling author and pastor, a straight-talk, no-nonsense guide to becoming the man God calls you to be.
We’ve all seen the headlines. Masculinity is in crisis. Men are lost. What’s the matter with men? We are confused about what masculinity is and what roles men play in our culture.
Manhood, says Joby Martin, is harder than ever because we have forgotten what true masculinity looks like. Real, Biblical manhood is not about driving big trucks, having the biggest guns, or hunting the biggest buck. (Though he’s a big fan of all of those, truth be told.) True men of God surrender themselves before the cross, serve and lead their families, put on the full armor of God, and stand guard against the lies that threaten to tear our churches and our culture apart.
In this book, Pastor Joby walks through what the Bible means when it says, ‘be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong, and let all that you do be done in love’ (1 Corinthians 16:13). He guides readers through what scripture says about who men are, how they should act, and what it means to be a man in today’s culture, and he asks tough questions about how God calls men to respond.
Stand Firm and Act Like Men is a call for men to rediscover Biblical manhood in their churches and cities, and to love, serve, and support their families and one another.
Editorial Reviews
Review
“So there I was…”, the words that open this book, are probably my favorite words to come out of Joby’s mouth, because I know that what follows will be hilarious, insightful, and then he’ll somehow turn it around on me to make it deeply convicting. For a long time God has given Pastor Joby an incredible rapport with men. I’m glad to see him put that wisdom and challenge into a book. In an age when ‘manhood’ is one of the most confusing terms in our lexicon, Joby lays out a clear and compelling vision. They say men don’t read nearly as many books as women. I’m betting this one will be the exception. I predict you’ll read it and then give it to your sons and all your friends.”―J.D. Greear, Pastor, The Summit Church, Author, Everyday Revolutionary: How to Transcend the Culture War and Transform the World
“Every preacher needs a preacher, and I decided Pastor Joby Martin would be ‘my preacher’ years ago, not just because he is one of the best Bible teachers alive, but because he is a good man. And you are about to read what I believe might be his life message. Reality is undefeated: where men fulfill their callings everything flourishes, and where men do not everything burns. This is the best possible outlay of God’s calling for men to STAND FIRM, AND ACT LIKE MEN.”―Josh Howerton
“Where men embody the kind of masculinity Joby has mined from the scriptures here, humanity flourishes. Humanity descends into chaos, where males take cues from the world or softer, less biblical ideals. Joby has done an excellent job laying the groundwork for what it means to ‘act like men.’ He isn’t shaming or disparaging. He simply calls men to embrace and step into what God has given them, their unique strength for.”―Matt Chandler, Lead Pastor of The Village Church
“It’s obvious that God is doing something in the hearts of men today. There is a stirring and a returning to Jesus and the church across our nation. But with so much change in the church, what will they return to? In Stand Firm and Act Like Men, Joby paints a clear, passionate, and compelling vision to become the kinds of men we need in this hour. Both biblical and practical, this will equip men to follow Jesus well today.”―Jon Tyson, church.nyc, formingmen.com
“Joby challenges men to lead with courage, humility, and faith. This book doesn’t just call you out — it calls you up: for your family, your team, and the world. For that, I’m truly grateful.”―Tim Tebow, Author, Speaker, Founder of the Tim Tebow Foundation
“We live in a time when there is nothing but confusion about what it means to be a man. Joby in his new book Stand Firm and Act Like Men answers this question with biblical clarity, conviction and Gospel centered courage. This is not another cultural ideal – it is a reclamation of Biblical manhood that leads with humility, strength, and love. It’s timely, bold, and desperately needed.”―Dr. Mac Brunson, Pastor Valleydale Church
“Dazed and confused” was the name of a 1993 coming-of-age comedic film, but it also describes too many believers today regarding biblical manhood. God’s Word is the answer when confusion reigns, and my friend Joby Martin offers sage biblical wisdom for men (and women) in this book. Grounded in Scripture and aware of the extremes of our day (like overly passive/overly aggressive), Joby roots the strength of manhood in the gospel and the pursuit of being increasingly like Jesus. The clarity needed in a confused world can be found here.”―Ed Stetzer, dean, Talbot School of Theology
“Culture can’t decide what it wants from men. The same society that can’t even define what a woman is has the audacity to call masculinity ‘toxic’ one minute and then complain that men aren’t stepping up the next. Meanwhile, much of the modern church has told men—implicitly or explicitly—that to be a ‘good Christian,’ they need to act more like women. The result? Countless men who are disciplined, responsible, and willing to lead are left wondering what a man even is—and how to become one. In Stand Firm and Act Like Men, Joby cuts through the noise. He doesn’t rely on cultural fads, macho stereotypes, or ‘Red Pill’ ideology. Instead, he takes us straight to the Word of God. This book is a clear, unapologetic, and biblical vision of manhood. And here’s the truth: you can’t become what you don’t understand. Joby helps men understand—truly and deeply—what God designed them to be.”―Kyle Thompson, Founder, Undaunted.Life, Host, The Daily Blade
“I’ve been in ministry since 1987 and I can’t remember a time when the church and our nation needed tough and tender men of God more than right now. Thank God for this book! Joby writes like he preaches; with compassion, conviction and clarity. He embodies the message of this book in his everyday life as a man who stands firm on the gospel and the word of God. As “masculinity” has been distorted, weaponized and attacked in this generation, I pray that God will use “Stand Firm & Act Like Men” to renew a rich theology of manhood and revive a passion in the hearts of men to love, lead and serve their families, the church, our nation, and the Lord Jesus Christ.”―Dr. Clayton King, Evangelist, Teaching Pastor, Biltmore Church & Newspring Church, Author of Reborn, Stronger & Overcome
“I grew up in church. I have been married for over 25 years. I am the proud dad of 4 kids. It’s tempting to act like I have things figured out, but thankfully this book cuts right through that and reminds me what it truly means to be a man. Joby is funny, practical and biblical.”―Brian Mosley, President, RightNow Media
“If you’re a guy like me, trying to figure out how to follow Jesus, lead your family well, and not get lost in what the world says a man’s supposed to be, this book is exactly what you need. Joby Martin has been one of the biggest influences in my life when it comes to understanding what real, godly manhood looks like. He doesn’t sugarcoat anything. He shoots it straight, backs it with the Bible, and points everything back to Jesus. That’s what you’ll get in Stand Firm and Act Like Men, a solid, no-fluff guide to stepping up as the man God’s called you to be. This book will challenge you, encourage you, and probably kick you in the teeth a little, but in the best kind of way. It’ll make you look in the mirror, lay down your pride, and finally man up enough to admit that Jesus, not your talent, toughness, or titles, is what your family and your future really need. If you’re serious about leading strong and leaving a legacy worth following, do yourself a favor and read this. I can guarantee you if we as men will read this book, take it to heart, and chase after Jesus with everything in us, we can change the world one legacy at a time!”―Drew Parker, Country music singer and songwriter
“My friend Joby Martin is one of the great Kingdom leaders of our generation. He is also one of the greatest men I know, not because he leads one of the largest and fastest-growing churches in America or because he is an accomplished author with many accolades. He is one of the greatest men I know because of who he is. Joby is a real man—a man of integrity, tenacity, and humility. He is a man of honor. I can think of no one more qualified to write this much-needed book. The fabric of civilization is families; as the fathers go, so goes the family. While society sees men as a problem, God sees men as the solution. We need a revival of biblical masculinity in America. This book has the power to spark that revival in men, and it’s one that every man should read.”―Phil Hopper, Author and Lead Pastor of Abundant Life Church
“This book is one page after another of motivational wisdom. It reminds me of a creed that my spiritual grandfather displayed into his 80s when his body was winding down after a hard fought life: ‘This life ain’t about playing it safe or staying clean. It’s about charging hard, getting scarred up for the Kingdom, and sliding into heaven worn out, mud on your face, blood on your knuckles, and fire in your bones—shouting, ‘Holy S**t, Lord—what a ride!’ My friend Joby has written a book that calls out the best in me and other men. We all need it!”―Brian Tome, founder of Crossroads Church and Mancamp
“I am so thankful for Joby Martin’s new book Stand Firm and Act Like Men! With his characteristic loving directness, engaging humor, personal illustrations, and theological precision – Joby calls us up to biblical manhood. This is a book you will not only want to read and re-read, but one you will want to get into the hands of the men around you. I know I will!”―Dr. Bruce Frank, Lead Pastor of Biltmore Church in Western North Carolina and speaker on radio program, The Vertical Life
“Once again, Joby Martin has hit the mark. In a world where genuine biblical manhood has been obscured by goofy narcissistic definitions by some and canceled as toxic by others, Joby clears out the fog and points to reality that for too long has been hidden in plain sight.”―Larry Osborne, Pastor and Author, North Coast Church, CA
“Joby’s new book is truly a gift to us guys, and the potential impact reaches our spouse, kids, friends and co-workers as well. It’s filled with wit and wisdom providing an honest, clear and biblical picture of what true manhood looks like. Stand Firm and Act Like Men is an enjoyable read that packs a punch. A needed punch that is challenging and yet encouraging. Job’s new book offers a Kingdom perspective in a practical manner. You will love this book!”―Dan Reiland, Author, Leadership Coach, Husband, Dad and Grandfather
“In a world quick to declare masculinity in crisis, Pastor Joby Martin offers a powerful, biblically grounded antidote. Stand Firm and Act Like Men cuts through the confusion, revealing that true manhood isn’t about cultural stereotypes, but about surrendering to God, leading with love, and standing firm in faith. Through a clear and compelling walk through 1 Corinthians 16:13, he guides readers to understand who men are called to be, how they should act, and what it truly means to live as a man of God in today’s complex world. This book is an essential guide for any man seeking to understand and embody the strength, purpose, and calling God intends.”―Léonce B. Crump Jr, Author, Renovate and The Resilience Factor, Founder, United Church
“Joby Martin is a passionate pastor and compelling communicator who challenges men to think deeply, live boldly, and follow Jesus with courage. His voice is needed, and his heart for men as well as the next generation is clear in these pages.”―Doug Fields, Pastor, Author, & Co-Founder of Download Youth Ministry
Book Reviews by the Reluctant Retiree 