
About the Book
Book: Sermons from a Soapbox, Messages of Hope and Encouragement
Author: Ladonna Shanks
Genre: Devotional, based on personal experience; Memoir; Adult Nonfiction; “Life Lesson Essays”
Release Date: April 8, 2025
“What is God like?
Does He even exist, other than as a figment of the imagination?
Or is He real, a part of daily life and our world?
In Sermons from a Soapbox, Ladonna Shanks shares her personal spiritual journey of more than seventy-five years. “I cannot write what I have not experienced,” serves as the base of her easy-to-read, anecdotal essays. The short “sermons” challenge the reader to think, question, search, and consider living where God is . . . in the spiritual, long-term, instead of humankind’s physical, short-term.
About the Author
Ladonna Shanks was born and raised in Oregon’s lush Willamette Valley. During her several decades of life, she has been an entrepreneur, a small business owner, and, most recently, a writer. Her first book, Tidbits and Pearls, A Book of Essays on Living Everyday Life with God was published in 2019. Ladonna’s family, including five grandgirls, and her commitment to God serve as her priorities.

More from Ladonna
The desire and passion to share God’s quest for friendship with humankind has driven me to write of my personal experiences with Him. “I cannot write what I have not experienced” is my mantra.
The easy-to-read anecdotal essays make up both of my books: Tidbits and Pearls, A Book of Essays on Living Everyday Life with God and my newly published Sermons from a Soapbox, Messages of Hope and Encouragement. (My editor calls them “Life’s Lessons Essays.)
I never preach, but I share my life. My desire is to challenge the reader to consider life in the long-term, eternal instead of the short-term, physical. I want them to think.
I am open, honest, and transparent as I present my weaknesses, failures, and inadequacies in contrast to God’s faithfulness, care, and love.
Blog Stops
Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, November 13
Simple Harvest Reads, November 14 (Author Interview)
Texas Book-aholic, November 15
Artistic Nobody, November 16 (Author Interview)
Guild Master, November 17 (Author Interview)
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, November 17
The Sacred Line, November 18
Lots of Helpers, November 19
Fiction Book Lover, November 20 (Author Interview)
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, November 21
Vicky Sluiter, November 22 (Author Interview)
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, November 23
For the Love of Literature, November 24 (Author Interview)
Because I said So, November 24
Tell Tale Book Reviews, November 25 (Author Interview)
Girls in White Dresses, November 26
My Review
“May your mind and heart be pointed to God as you allow me to “preach” from my soapbox. If you have not considered it before, I encourage you to contemplate living in the eternal, spiritual reality, not just int he physical, material world. And may your spirit resonate with the truth of God’s love for humankind and His desire to be our friend.”
Have you ever wished that someone could come alongside and give you advice for life’s journey? Someone who has lived life and gathered wisdom? This author, who has had lots of life experiences, compiled some of the life lessons that she has learned into a book. As the title implies, she might get preachy at times, yet her words are uplifting. This is her account of her spiritual journey.
One great aspect of this book is that you do not have to read it chronologically to follow along. The chapters are only a few pages long, so they are the perfect read if you need some quick inspiration throughout your day. There is approximately sixty unnumbered chapters.
Three headings guide the selections: Intro to God 101, Life and the Living of It and Food for Thought. The author shares from Scripture and from her own personal experiences. Her goal is help you to live a meaningful life that includes following God.
I did get a copy of this book to review as I signed up to be a part of a book tour. All opinions are my own.
Sounds interesting
This looks like an exhilarating read. Thanks for sharing.
Sounds like a terrific read.
Sounds wonderful!
Sounds like an interesting book!