— odds, ends, and things worth your time —
Top Shelf
Great work deserves an audience — even when it isn't mine.
Every so often I come across an author, a tool, or a site I genuinely think you'd like — history-related or not. This is where I keep them. Everything here earned its place because I recommend it myself, not because anyone paid for the spot. These sites are independent of Never Just a Footnote, but if something here catches your eye, I'd call that a win.
A note on honesty: any affiliate or partner links will be marked as such. Everything else here is just something I genuinely think is worth your time.
Worth Sharing -
WHY I RECOMMEND IT
Not everything on this shelf has to be history, and Jennifer Kropf is a great example. She writes clean, family-friendly fantasy with real heart. The first book in her Winter Souls Series, A Soul as Cold as Frost, became a #1 bestseller in Christian Fantasy, and she wrote it to encourage parents to read to their kids each night leading up to Christmas. I love that. She writes stories meant to be shared, the kind that bring families together around a book, and that’s a mission I can get behind.
BEST FOR
Readers who love clean, family-friendly fantasy, whether that’s whimsical Christmas stories with a message of faith, lighthearted fantasy rom-coms, or fairytale retellings with a battle between light and dark. It’s a great fit for families and teens looking for books they can enjoy together.
WHY I RECOMMEND IT
If you like a story that keeps you up past bedtime, Jamie Lee Grey is the author. She writes fast-paced, clean, faith-based thrillers set in a world where everything has gone wrong: war on American soil, terror attacks, and believers on the run in the Alaskan and Montana wilderness. Her characters face impossible choices, and their faith isn’t a backdrop. I’m as much a character-driven reader as I am a writer, and Jamie Lee Grey builds characters you come to love. By the end of the first book, you’ll care what happens to them, and you’ll want the next book to find out. It’s what they hold on to when everything else is gone. With more than twenty books across four series, there’s plenty to dive into. If you start with The Bear, the first book in her Mystery Babylon series, don’t be surprised if you’re ordering the next one before you finish.
BEST FOR
Adult readers and older teens who love clean Christian suspense, end-times fiction, and survival stories - the kind of edge-of-your-seat thriller you can hand to a friend without worrying about what’s inside.
WHY I RECOMMEND IT
If you've spent any time around me, you know I'm passionate about helping kids fall in love with American history. That's why I was so excited to discover J.E. Ribbey's books. They're doing exactly what I hope more authors will do—telling compelling stories that make history feel real while encouraging young readers to explore our nation's past. We need more people creating this kind of work, and I believe they're well worth supporting.
BEST FOR
Anyone who loves American history and wants to pass that love on to the next generation.
WHY I RECOMMEND IT
Not everything on this shelf is about history. Some of it is about hope. Tiffany Faith is a Christian singer-songwriter whose music points straight back to where she says all the glory belongs. Her songs are honest, well-crafted, and full of the kind of faith that holds up in real life, not just on Sunday morning. She’s an independent artist doing this the hard way, one single at a time, and that’s exactly the kind of creator I want to cheer for. Give her a listen. I think you’ll be glad you did.
BEST FOR
Anyone looking for thoughtful contemporary Christian music and anyone who loves supporting independent artists early in their journey.
WHY I RECOMMEND IT
If you’re looking for stories that entertain while teaching something meaningful, Adventures in Odyssey is hard to beat. With more than 1,000 episodes, it combines adventure, imagination, humor, and faith-filled lessons in stories kids and families can enjoy together. I especially appreciate how it uses storytelling to make ideas stick—whether the subject is faith, character, or even history.
BEST FOR
Families with kids who love adventure, storytelling, and learning. It’s especially good for parents and homeschoolers looking for wholesome, engaging entertainment that can spark conversations, encourage faith, and make learning more memorable.
More coming soon — including fellow authors, tools & resources, and anything else worth passing along.