Kimber: Yo, Mom! What’s this ‘week’ stuff? Is that like wan Beef Bourguignon? Limp leg of lamb? Flimsy filet mignon?

Mom: No, Kimster. It’s w-e-e-k. As in, seven days.

Kimber: Great. Got it. What’s ‘seven days’?

Insert Mom eye roll here.

Kimber: Silly Mom. She’s probably ruminating on my beautimous brilliance and munificent magnificence. Or she wants to tell you about a brand new historical fiction thingy we just read. It’s like, Totally Pawsome! You know this is true because I say so. Got that, Cupcake?

Well. The book is Two Weeks Till Sunday. By indie author Caleb Backholm. Take it away, Momster! (That’s not a typo. In case you’re wonderin’, Cookie.)

Two Weeks Till Sunday

The High-Stakes Drama and Message of Jesus’ Final Days 

By Caleb Backholm (March 2025)

Genre: Historical Fiction

Pages: 168

Via: Just Got Lucky

Note: We received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

 

It starts with a loan from the temple treasury to a poor widow named Esther. It ends on a hill outside first century Jerusalem on the darkest day in history. It’s about the most daring rescue mission of all time. A guerrilla raid behind enemy lines. The countdown to the most momentous event in human history.

Step Into…

While you’re counting down, step into the culture, customs, language, traditions, geography, politics and peril of first century Israel in this highly engaging and uber readable new novel. Walk where Jesus and His disciples walked and trace the final two weeks of the life of “the prophet from Nazareth.” Along the way you can almost feel the campfires. Smell the donkeys. Taste the dates. See the fig trees. Hear sisters Mary and Martha grieving their dead brother as you view those days through the eyes of those who loved, misunderstood, or opposed the mission of Jesus Christ. Meanwhile, the books asks:

• What was that mission?
• Who was that man? Was he trying to show us a different way to live with each other, or was he about to pull off the greatest coup in history?
• How did those around Jesus respond when he opposed their plans and dreams?
• What was Judas thinking?
• And why would Jesus curse a perfectly good tree?

“Still, you have to admit,” Reuben said, “with Jesus’ power, something is going to happen. Nothing is going to stop him, whatever he wants to do.”

Don’t Miss

There’s also “This cup… and the bread…” “… as I have loved you.” Let’s remember together. Remember why. The pit. “I must rescue them.” Time to finish the race. “Give it to me.” … To as many as received him. “It doesn’t end like this.” A lonely hill beyond the city walls. “Father, forgive them…” An “invisible tidal wave.” Martha. The Marys. Time for Death to die. And The Stone.

 “God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.”

Insightful, Inspirational

We read Two Weeks cover-to-cover in one day. Briskly paced and brimming with perspicacity, it’s inspirational and faith-flavored without being preachy. Propelled by sturdy writing and a solid plot, Two Weeks expertly conveys the whirlpool of emotions and reactions swirling around “the prophet from Nazareth of Galilee.” These include expectation and excitement. Anxiety and trepidation. Rage. Paranoia. Envy. Hope. Confusion. This is especially well done vis-à-vis Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem on a donkey. The contrast between the response of Caiphas and the Pharisees and Sadducees to Jesus’ arrival and the response of the people to same is as sharp as a Roman gladius.

“Janus had no way of knowing what was yet to come. No way of knowing what Sunday would bring, how Sunday would change the world and that today was two weeks till Sunday.”

Rich and Robust

Rich descriptions of the people, customs, and perspectives of the time pepper pages like chiles in salsa. So do spirited interactions with Jesus and His disciples. Imagery is used to good effect throughout. An example is the image of fleeing darkness at Calvary.  It’s subtle but packs a punch. Love it! We also loved the way Backholm weaves Old Testament personalities into the events at Calvary. Masterful!

“I have always known you, Janus.”

Characterizations are robust. They almost stand up and walk right off the page. And full-bodied characterizations aren’t limited to major characters. The list includes minor characters like Elsig the temple money changer. Lame Eli. A treed tax collector. Gaius the centurion. Mrs. Pontius Pilate. Benaiah the revolutionary and thief. Many more. Love it again!

Prodigious & Pulse

Additionally, the breadth and depth of research evident throughout these pages is obvious and prodigious. So is the author’s familiarity with the biblical narrative and other primary source material. (The Kimster: We kinda hate the cover art. But let’s not get picky here, okay?)

“Even in the grave, the darkness persists, for the darkness is earned, and the wages are permanent…”

And Chapters 18 and 19? If you’re not on your feet at this point, better check your pulse.

Vivacious, Vibrant

Told in pellucid prose that’s vivacious and vibrant while remaining true to the biblical text, Two Weeks will have you on the edge of your seat from the get-go, even if you already know what happens next. (Kimber: If you don’t know what happens next or it’s a little hazy, then you might want to buckle up, Buttercup. Cuz the narrative speeds down the track like Secretariat rocketing around the final turn of the Belmont Stakes.)

Packed

Marinated in mercy and drenched in grace, Two Weeks Till Sunday is packed with power and pathos. In fact, you’ll want to stand up and cheer as the clarion call of Victory rings loud and clear through the final pages. You may also want to grab a hankie. Or two. And fall on your knees for a Triumph too deep for words.

Oceans and Galaxies

Yea, verily. Oceans of ink have been spilled and glittering galaxies of words have been spun about the final days of Jesus of Nazareth. It’s not a new subject. But there’s something in Backholm’s telling of the old, old story that’s as fresh as spring sunshine. As effervescent as champagne bubbles. As promising as a new dawn. Thus, Two Weeks represents a towering achievement, especially for a debut novel. Selah.

Our New Fave

Finally, one of us – the one who’s older than dirt – has read like, a bazillion books on the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ (Hi, Mom). Two Weeks Till Sunday is her new favorite. Right up there with Ben Hur (Wallace), The Robe (Douglas), and He Chose the Nails (Lucado). And the movie Risen.

ANY Time!

So if you’re looking for something new and refreshing for Easter – or any time – check out Two Weeks Till Sunday. In case you haven’t figured it out, we like, Totally Loved It. You will, too. Even more than a steaming, robust plate of Beef Bourguignon.

Our Rating: A very rare 5.0+

Appears about as often as Hailey’s Comet. Just sayin’ – Love, Kimmi.