Rivers
Houseal
Barber

for the love of new stories,
old ways, and ageless truth

Here's to stories begun with a hope,
worked out with fear and trembling,
and finished with a hallelujah.

The Thing Is

Short Stories of Things & the People They Encounter

Like people, some stories are shorter than others.

Here are five such petite stories, the perfect length for an afternoon read. Each of them is a jaunt in noticing things—be it a typewriter, a medieval church bell, a grandfather clock, a fiddle, or a potato. Noticing things in the world God made always comes with consequences of some sort; and thanks be to God, levity is often part of the deal.

Hidden in the Hymns

The Church has a rich history of music and hymns. But many mainstream congregations have thrown out the older hymns. Why? Archaic. Antiquated. Obsolete.

But these old hymns are full of Scripture and rich insights that are not outdated. In order to help children see why the old hymns are worth holding on to, Hidden in the Hymns paraphrases eighty classic hymns into words that a middle-grader can understand.

Of Nature and Kings

A Fantasy tale of boring towns, snow that comes on schedule every year, and old leather books that may not be as fictional as some people assume. There is a story concerning the world of Londane that never should have been told, but it was—and Lacter Tibbak heard it.

And it’s a good thing he did.

“Now there are also many other things that Jesus did.
Were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself
could not contain the books that would be written.”
— John 21:25 (ESV)

We can't write any more of what Christ did on earth, but we can write about the life He left for us.

“I am in love with her work. Can't wait to see what she does next….She is a natural-born storyteller.”

Deb W.

“I had the pleasure of reading Of Nature and Kings shortly after its completion. I really enjoyed it! I was very impressed with the artistic workmanship....It blends together the beautiful values of family and faith. Be prepared: It will throw you for a roller coaster ride of emotions—one minute you’re laughing, the next minute you’re crying. If you’re a lover of fantasy, I definitely recommend this book. Actually, if you’re a lover of good books, you NEED to read this book!"

Megan W.homeschool graduate

“Whether you're a teen wanting a good read, a parent looking for a book for a child, or just someone in search of a new fantasy world, I suggest you look no further than Of Nature and Kings. Houseal has combined the best of both worlds, creating the captivating, enchanting world of Londane while still relating everything back to the One who created it all."

Kencey C.homeschool graduate

“Of Nature and Kings is a great fictional tale....a good mixture of excitement and mystery, along with a good sense of humor. I would easily compare this to Chronicles of Narnia or Lord of the Rings....I recommend this book to anyone looking for a good and easy read. I am looking forward to what Rivers Houseal is going to write next."

Ben S.homeschool graduate

“Rivers has a marvelous imagination and creative mind, and Of Nature and Kings will take you on a great adventure! Her writing style is captivating! The characters, suspense, and deeper meaning make it well worth the read. Hopefully this is the first of a long list of stories by this truly gifted author."

Deborah H.

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Rivers Houseal Barber

for the love of new stories, old ways, and ageless truth

Here's to stories begun with a hope, worked out with fear and trembling, and finished with a hallelujah.