Tag: Islam

How The Bible Led Me Home by Brandon Estes

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“Special thanks is due to HALOMARI, whose exceptional skills in editing and proofreading have been crucial in refining this manuscript. Her meticulous eye for detail and commitment to excellence have significantly elevated the quality of this work.” See more testimonials.

Summary: What if everything I believed about the Bible wasn’t the full truth?

I was born and raised in the heart of the Bible Belt, a man of deep conviction in Christianity. From raising Beefmaster cattle with my grandpa to working in the oilfield, my faith was unwavering. I lived a life rooted in scripture, never questioning what I had been taught. But when I began to truly study the Bible—not just read it, but analyze it—I discovered contradictions, historical inconsistencies, and missing links that shook the very foundation of my beliefs.

What started as an attempt to strengthen my faith became an unstoppable journey of truth-seeking. From the depths of biblical history to the complexities of theology, I dove headfirst into scripture, uncovering hidden realities that many choose to overlook. My relentless pursuit led me beyond doctrine, beyond tradition, and toward something undeniable—The Final Testament.

This book is more than just my story; it is a challenge to every seeker of truth. If you’ve ever wrestled with blind faith, questioned the doctrines you were raised with, or yearned for a deeper understanding of God, How the Bible Led Me Home will shake your soul and inspire you to follow the truth—wherever it may lead.

Dare to question. Dare to seek.

Editor’s Notes – HALOMARI

Brandon once posted a TikTok sharing how he was led to Islam. Around that same time, I was also in the process of reverting, and my husband happened to send me the video. In it, Brandon recounted a story about his pastor, who once told the Sunday congregation never to pray like Muslims—that Christians should never “humiliate” themselves by falling on their faces in prostration, even though that was exactly how Jesus himself prayed.

When I heard this, it struck a deep chord with me and helped solidify my own beliefs—especially as a pastor’s daughter. It perfectly captured what I had been feeling about my faith, the church, and Christ. So when Brandon later reached out for feedback on his manuscript, I jumped at the chance. My husband is always encouraging me to write something similar—to use the Bible in a way that Christians can understand, to explain why I reverted. I was so grateful to be part of Brandon’s editing process. His work resonates deeply with reverts to Islam, especially those of us who grew up in the South.

I encouraged him to turn it into a memoir one day, and I truly hope he does—because the personal moments woven throughout are so emotionally powerful and relatable. For now, the book focuses on analyzing biblical contradictions and answering the questions that Christianity could never quite resolve for those of us seeking clarity. If he does turn it into a memoir, I hope I get another chance to be part of his editing journey.

I highly recommend this book to Christians who feel like something is missing—those who are searching, questioning, and looking for something more. Brandon makes it clear that he isn’t trying to make you abandon Christ or turn away from God—just the opposite. His goal is to bring you even closer, by addressing the questions that Christianity often struggles to answer with reason and consistency.

Thank you, Brandon, for your kind testimonial and for letting me be part of something so meaningful.

Get your copy here! Meet Brandon on Instagram & X

To: My Younger Self

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I sit across from her, my younger self, in a small coffee shop near the train tracks downtown. Outside, leaves flutter, crunching under the boots of passerbys. It’s our favorite season–fall.

She’s crouched over, arms drawn in, already uncomfortable in her own skin. She wears tight jeans and an oversized sweater, her brown hair falling over her shoulders. I sit straight in hijab, wrapped in a loose, flowing dress—the confident version of herself we never imagined.

She is full of dreams, searching for adventure, unaware of Islam. A pastor’s daughter, artistic, always on the lookout for her prince. I know what’s coming—the rebellion, the longing, the ache for something more.

The table rattles with a passing train and I wonder if telling her about the Quran will change her, or if she will turn away in her young age. Will her journey still lead her to my husband? Or will the hardships ahead shape her path as they once shaped mine?

She watches me with curious eyes.

“Wait for him,” I say. “Don’t be fooled by others. Trust Allah’s timing.”

She asks more about my husband. Of course, it’s all she thinks about–finding him. If she only knew how perfect he was…

“He’s my truth-teller,” I say, smiling. “Righteous, protective, and real. He’s everything–my soul.”

I tell her about Palestine, about our struggles, about the weight of truth while the world is asleep. She needs to know now, so she can see through the lies she is being taught–the ones that will lead to regret, to rage.

Islam is the only way to find peace in a world of illusions. It holds the answers she is desperate for.

I hand her the Quran.

“Everything you’re searching for is already written. So read,” I say. “You’ll love this life more than anything you have every known. Nothing and no one is worth losing it over.”

Flower Child by Atiyah Brinkley

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“Speaking of friends, I gained a new one a few months ago when I met my editor, HALOMARI. Not only was she my editor, but she became my companion. I love you for the sake of Allah, and may Allah allow your skills to flourish, Ameen. She was my therapist for writing, and what I loved the most about working with her was that she didn’t change my book, but instead, she enhanced it in exquisite ways. I’ll always be grateful for you guiding me through the pages of this book.”

“HALOMARI did her thing with my edits. I’m in love with them! She understood the assignment and more. She’s an outstanding editor. I highly recommend her. Alhamdulillah.” See more testimonials.

Summary: After losing her father, Aleena’s faith in Islam is tested by depression, bullying, and a boy she never expected to fall for.

Aleena is depressed. Her father is gone, her family has moved on from his death without her, and her freshman year of high school is about to start. Trapped in a spiral of deteriorating mental health and bad habits, Aleena begins to lose the joys she has left—baking and gardening.

When she meets Zayn, a kind-hearted boy who believes she can overcome her pain, Aleena realizes it’s okay to ask for help. But relentless bullying at school threatens to unwind her progress and deepens her despair.

Can Aleena embrace her imperfections to learn that being unapologetically Muslim is a source of strength to heal herself?

Flower Child is a heartwarming coming-of-age story that challenges young Muslim girls to accept their flaws, be strong, and understand their religion.

Review: Okay, okay, I’m biased—I’m the editor of Flower Child. But you should read it and decide for yourself just how much you love it. I was blessed to help bring this story to life and couldn’t be prouder of Atiyah for all her hard work. We need more stories that celebrate halal friendships and love—books that stay true to Islam while empowering young girls to navigate bullying, loss, and romance with strength and faith. Flower Child does exactly that.

I love seeing Muslim sisters already connecting with Aleena, seeing themselves in her struggles. Atiyah wrote this book for them—for our younger selves and for every girl searching for her place in this world.

Working on this book was precious to me, especially the deep developmental edits—rewriting full scenes and chapters to bring the story to life. While some scenes I loved didn’t make it into the final version (and will, hopefully, be in the next book), what remains is still a powerful, heartfelt story that I believe in.

Atiyah added a brilliant touch to the “haraam police” concept, turning it into something positive. She teaches sisters how to speak the truth without watering down Islam for approval. I can’t wait to see how readers respond to these powerful messages.

I poured so much into this book, and like any editor, I always wish for just one more round of edits! But I’m still so proud of the final result and give it five stars. I hope you love it as much as we do.

Get your copy HERE and experience Aleena’s journey for yourself!
Meet Atiyah on Instagram.

Thank you, Atiyah, for your wonderful testimonial.

The Dig Up By I Farah

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Rating: 4/5 stars
Summary: Mulki is a dedicated Ph.D. candidate and aspiring archeologist, whose deepest ambition is to honor her late father’s legacy by uncovering and sharing the richness of Somali culture through her work. Pious, traditional, and focused on her academic pursuits, Mulki has no immediate plans for marriage–until fate has other ideas.

Enter Bashe, a confident and successful investment banker who appears to have it all, except when it comes to matters of the heart. When circumstances lead him to seek Mulki’s hand, he finds himself unexpectedly drawn to her in ways he couldn’t predict. For a man accustomed to navigating financial markets, Bashe is caught off guard by the intensity of his feelings for Mulki.

Review: The Dig Up is a charming romance novel brimming with cultural richness, family tension, and the complexities of love. Set against the vibrant backdrop of Somali culture in Toronto, the story follows Mulki and Bashe, whose unexpected love blossoms in the midst of personal growth and cultural expectations. Mulki’s character, with her passion for archaeology, adds a refreshing layer to the narrative, blending her academic aspirations with her romantic journey.

The novel shines in its portrayal of dramatic family and relationship dynamics, bringing depth and relatability to the story. The tension between Mulki’s professional dreams and her budding relationship with Bashe keeps the reader engaged. However, much of the story focuses on Bashe’s perspective and emotional struggles, and this sometimes overshadows Mulki’s voice. I found myself wanting more insight into her feelings, particularly toward Bashe, until her emotions became clearer near the book’s conclusion.

One area where the book could improve is in its depiction of Somali culture. While cultural aspects and language are present, adding more sensory details would have made it more vivid and immersive. Additionally, the subplot involving Doctor Cornwell, Mulki’s missing teacher, felt underdeveloped. The mystery surrounding him was introduced abruptly in the opening chapter of info-dump and then largely forgotten until it resurfaced near the end.

Bashe’s character undergoes significant development (almost too quickly), especially in comparison to Omar, a more straightforward “player” character. I was glad to see him reject the faux life he thought he wanted and accept the true love he actually needed. The author addresses the concept of romance thoughtfully, navigating Bashe’s past and his journey with Mulki with care. Despite their relationship feeling rushed at times, the emotional roller coaster between the characters was gripping and led to a satisfying conclusion.

While The Dig Up could benefit from further editing, especially in terms of proofreading and balancing character perspectives, its engaging storyline, strong cultural elements, and emotional depth kept me turning the pages. I look forward to seeing the author’s growth in future works, as the potential here is undeniable.

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