Reviewed by Rabia Tanveer for Readers' Favorite

The Twitter Gospels by David H Parish is a realistic Christian novel that takes readers on an invigorating journey of questions and discovery. The story follows Paolo Venticinque, an expert in the psychology of religious fanaticism and a Jesuit high school teacher. His regular life was disrupted when the Vatican dispatched him to Jerusalem to interview men who believed they were Jesus Christ. The men were kept in a mental facility, but that was not the only task Paolo had. He also had to vet a Twitter account claiming to be the returned Messiah. Paolo had to discover the identity of the person behind the Twitter account who was challenging the Vatican’s authority. All his leads came from the men in the mental institute; Paolo was left questioning everything. Was Jesus Christ really back and operating a Twitter account? Or was it some religious fanatic playing with the minds of religious Christians?

Beautifully written with crisp imagery and vivid descriptions, The Twitter Gospels by author David H. Parish was everything I wished for and more. The story is a religious thriller with a fascinating plot and an even more interesting protagonist. I loved Paolo and his open mind. While he was religious, he didn’t let his beliefs get in the way of his investigation. He kept an open mind to the best of his abilities. I loved his interactions with his mother, Leonella. Viterbo was a great sounding board for Paolo, and the two worked well together. The story was a whole religious/cultural experience that I was not expecting. Parish blends religious intrigue with the fast-paced world of social media. We see the power of faith and the challenges it faces in the modern age. The tweets themselves, advocating for a more inclusive church, become a central mystery, sparking both fear and fascination within the Vatican. A fantastic story, and I highly recommend it.

Reviewed by Nino Lobiladze for Readers' Favorite

One early September morning, Meg Reynolds was heading to a medical appointment after a night shift at the plant. Meg hit a little girl named Jessie Carter at a crosswalk near an elementary school with her car. Meg didn't have a phone with her and couldn't call 911. Instead, she put the seemingly unconscious child in her car to take her to the nearest emergency room. Meg couldn't find Jessie's pulse. She made the questionable decision at the entrance of the hospital. Since then, sixty-one-year-old Meg has done everything to escape the dire consequences of her choice, despite Jessie's devastated parents and Meg's own family falling apart. But Sheriff Tom Braxton and the Highland Ridge Police Department's Captain Carl Winchester are in hot pursuit of the suspect in the affair that shocked the community. Will self-indulgence suffice, or will divine Providence show Meg the right way? Justice for Jessie by Brenda C. Poulos is a breathtaking read for fans of Christian suspense, crime drama, and psychological thrillers.

Justice for Jessie pulled me in from the first page. It is a character-driven story narrated from different perspectives. Brenda C. Poulos did a tremendous job of crafting the characters. Meg is in the center of the narrative. Brenda skillfully describes different traits of her personality and lets us decide whether Meg is right or wrong in her choices. Meg's character is relatable. I could easily comprehend the mental anguish of the person who faced so many challenges. Thoroughly exploring Meg's character, Brenda even touches on the dramatic events in her childhood. The plotline is logical and offers many unpredictable twists and turns. Although the author allows us to see through the characters' intentions, she manages to create a very tight intrigue. The author explained the legal procedures in simple terms. The main themes of the book are guilt, responsibility, and forgiveness. Brenda asks how far we can go in our self-justification and what it really takes to forgive ourselves and those who have wronged us. Justice for Jessie sends out a powerful message of hope to everyone lost and carrying the horrible burden of guilt.

Reviewed by Pikasho Deka for Readers' Favorite

Immerse yourself in a gripping sleuth murder mystery with Lacey's Star by Kay DiBianca. Airplane pilot Cassie Deakin travels to her Uncle Charlie's farm in Tabor County with Deputy Frank White. She finds her uncle on the verge of death after an encounter with two nefarious strangers. Cassie and Frank soon begin to investigate what prompted the attack on Uncle Charlie's life, only to discover links with Charlie's old friend from Vietnam, Sinclair Alderson, whose eight-year-old sister, Lacey, died under mysterious circumstances forty years ago in 1970. The search for Sinclair takes them through three different counties. But following the clues, Cassie and Frank eventually find themselves entangled in an even more insidious conspiracy whose perpetrator seems to be hiding in plain sight. Now, Cassie must be wary before she confronts a dangerous murderer.

Lacey's Star is one of those whodunnit stories where you're constantly second-guessing yourself and still fail to guess the killer right until the end. Author Kay DiBianca has crafted a delicious murder mystery tale that any sleuth lover will devour with relish. The narrative hooks you in from the very first page, and it's a non-stop thrill ride from there. Apart from the intricate plotting, the characters keep your eyes glued to the pages. Each character is well-developed, with multiple layers to their personality, exhibiting actions and motives that make sense to the reader. Cassie and Frank have palpable chemistry, and you can't help wishing they end up together. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and urge whodunnit readers and crime fiction enthusiasts not to miss out on this one!

Reviewed by Alma Boucher for Readers' Favorite

R.A. Williams' Cradle of Life is based on a true story. Dr. Paul Eisen had shown that unguided evolution is impossible, and he was now waiting for validation of his hypothesis from an unbiased laboratory. Dr. Eisen used to live next door to Nathan Buchanan, who was now earning a Ph.D. in biomolecular engineering. Paul and Nathan became friends over time, and he invited Nathan to be the first to peer-review the details of his discovery. Paul had made plans to meet with Nathan over dinner to discuss his findings, but Paul never showed up. Paul was the target of a murder attempt, but Nathan was also the target of one while hiking with Julia. Julia's mother, Amari, wanted Julia and Nathan to be protected, so she set out to solve the attempted murders.

The phrase “In the beginning, there was nothing. And then nothing became everything, all by itself” in Cradle of Life had me intrigued. R.A. Williams went into great detail about evolution based on faith and evolution based on scientific facts. I found the blend of fact and fiction in the book to be so intriguing that I was unable to put it down. The plot flowed fast and with a sense of intensity, fusing romance, facts, and moral quandaries. The characters all had endearing and authentic personalities. While some of the story's characters and events are made up, others were inspired by real-life occurrences. My favorite character was Julia because she bravely faced peril. This is such a well-written story that I will remember it for a very long time.

Reviewed by Jennifer Ibiam for Readers' Favorite

Erica and Magnus Winthrop were a wealthy Caribbean couple who also ran the only mega-church in Barracuda Cove. They were the epitome of influence, class, and godliness. What could go wrong? Unfortunately, behind the curated exterior lay dark secrets. Erica was a perpetual victim of abuse by Magnus, who immersed himself in greed, self-absorption, and all the crimes and social vices one could imagine. He also accused Erica of dating a boy half her age whom she doted on as a son. Erica wanted a divorce before she lost her life, but Magnus would not see her walk from the stellar reputation and wealth he supposedly built on the island. Who would believe she lived with a demon? Will Erica escape the marriage with her life? Married to the Devil by H. H. Fowler has the details.

Wow! Married to the Devil by H. H. Fowler is a lot to unpack! I would recommend this novel to everyone, especially Christians who idolize their spiritual leaders. No one is infallible, and a lot happens behind closed doors. The author wrote this unique story with such depth that I self-reflected through every chapter. The characters were authentic, and the dialog was so profound. Erica languished in a nest of vipers, and Magnus could tutor the Devil on wickedness. However, did Erica groom Dean? Perhaps. The author portrays Dean as an easy-going 'people person' in this story, but I felt differently. He came across as a passive-aggressive, self-serving, manipulative opportunist, hiding behind a laid-back and sweet persona. Lily is in my prayers. Tavian was my favorite character, and I want him to feature more in the second book. As for Netty, people with friends like her don’t need enemies. May the snares of enemies never catch us. Great work with the cliffhanger. Give us book two soon.

Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

To See God is a work of fiction in the religion, spirituality, and interpersonal drama subgenres, and it forms the third novel in the Forgiveness and Faith book series. Penned by Bruce J. Berger, the work is best suited to the general adult reading audience. Following the events of the previous two works, this deeply atmospheric and emotive novel returns us to the Covo family as their paths once more intertwine with that of the enigmatic nun Sister Theodora. A vision from God spurs the Greek Orthodox nun on to convey an important message to the Orthodox Jewish family, one which will test everything each of them knows about family and faith.

Author Bruce J. Berger has woven an intricate family saga among the pages of history, and this latest novel takes the dynamics, connections, and values of both sides of the story and offers a rich tapestry for readers from all walks of life. One of the features that I especially enjoyed about this in-depth read was its commitment to character portrayal, particularly of the utterly devout, inquisitive, and firm Sister Theodora. Through her eyes and the close, personal narration of the author, we’re offered a unique exploration of religion and our relationship to God as both Christianity and Judaism interpret it, culminating in a fascinating resolution and storyline for young Jackie Covo that was both satisfying and deeply poignant. Overall, To See God is certainly a recommended read for fans of the existing series, but it can also be enjoyed as a fantastic standalone novel about faith, humanity, and family.

Reviewed by Grant Leishman for Readers' Favorite

Every Saint a Sinner by Pearl Solas is a bittersweet story that defies and sometimes horrifies the imagination and yet captures the reader in its overall themes of love and forgiveness. When lawyer Veronica Matthews’ twelve-year-old son is raped by a Catholic priest at his exclusive school, she begins a crusade not just against Paul Pena, the priest, but against the very institution itself and the leaders who had for years tacitly endorsed their cleric’s behavior by refusing to act and covering up the abuse. In many cases, priests were just disciplined and then moved to another parish where their deviant behaviors could continue. Although Pena is sentenced to a long prison term he still maintains his arrogance and belief that the many sexual encounters he had forced were, in fact, consensual. Conversely, Father Frank Muncy has hidden a deep, dark secret for most of his life: he is sexually attracted to children. Determined to overcome this attraction and serve the Lord, he deliberately avoided all contact with children and concentrated on areas of service helping adults, especially those suffering from depression. He is a beloved priest but when he is convicted of possessing child pornography, he also is sentenced to prison. Paul Pena and Frank Muncy will both meet their destinies in incarceration but it will be a very different journey for them.

Every Saint a Sinner is a powerful and at times harrowing read but its overall theme shines through and overshadows the darkness and the sordidness of the narrative. Pearl Solas has beautifully woven together a story of competing realities that challenge the mind and make readers think deeply. Although the subject matter of the story can be disturbing, the realities of sexual abuse within the church are well known and this author, through her crusading character of Veronica Matthews, is prepared to meet them head-on. It is important to understand that this is not a book about religion but one in which the church is used as a background to discuss what most of us would consider the most heinous crime of all - that of child abuse. What the author does extraordinarily well is to show the readers that there is the ability for redemption in even the seemingly most awful acts and that forgiveness ultimately has little to do with assuaging the perpetrator’s guilt but much more to do with mitigating the victim’s pain. I particularly enjoyed the debate about Father Muncy qualifying for approval and praise given his honest and stated predilection for sexual contact with children. I also appreciated that the author used the opportunity of this narrative to clearly outline and explain the different types of pedophilia and the underlying motivations of people who undertake these activities. This made the understanding of the psyche of these deviant characters clearer. This is a powerful piece of prose, although difficult to read at times, but one that leaves the reader uplifted and positive, which for me, is an indication of a well-written story and one that I can highly recommend.

Reviewed by Kayleigh Perumal for Readers' Favorite

In The Underground Book Readers: The Secret Society by Terry Overton, the year is roughly 2031, and a military organization called the World Force has taken over the United States of America. Deep in the countryside of what used to be Virginia, a group of parentless teenagers bands together to survive their hostile environment; books, schools, and churches have been banned, burned, or abolished. Kahn, Jairus, Asher, and Casey have been meeting secretly in a camouflaged cavern for several years. There, among the stalagmites and stalactites, they eat, hold church services and, most importantly, read the books they managed to locate. One day, a girl follows Kahn back to the cavern after he collects his food rations. Having determined she is harmless, he allows her to see their clandestine collection of books. Will the others accept Leena into their society, and will Kahn, Jairus, and Asher manage to evade the World Force work camp?

Through the day-to-day lives of the five main characters, Terry Overton has managed to create a dystopian universe that is vivid and rich in detail; readers are plunged into the teenagers’ reality of the new world order. Overton conforms to the convention by introducing a totalitarian society divided and burdened by inequality. A unique feature of The Underground Book Readers is that it is told from the youngsters' perspectives, who are likely to lead the rebellion. Readers who enjoy mystery, adventure, and perseverance in the face of challenging odds will enjoy this tale.

Reviewed by Anne-Marie Reynolds for Readers' Favorite

In The Unhiding of Elijah Campbell by Kelly Flanagan, Elijah Campbell had it all – a great career as a writer and his faith, although his wife had left him. A recurring nightmare from his childhood could see him lose everything and he heads back to Bradford’s Ferry, his hometown, to get some answers. There, he faces people who can help him understand why his wife left and what his nightmare means. But there is more to this than meets the eye and Elijah is faced with having to make a tough decision to save himself and his marriage – continue hiding his past or unhide himself. What will Elijah do? What happened to him in the past to make him hide his true self from everyone? One thing is for sure; whatever decision he makes, nothing will ever be the same for Elijah Campbell again.

Kelly Flanagan is a psychologist with several non-fiction books under his belt. The Unhiding of Elijah Campbell is his first novel and, in my opinion, he has hit it out of the park. This story has elements of terror as Elijah faces his past and is full of twists and turns that leave you spinning. It’s more than just a novel; Kelly has used his experience as a psychologist to bring us a story of relationships, growth, transformation, and the importance of talking. Every page contains something that any one of us can relate to and his characters are entirely believable and likable. It’s a journey through the dark, one man’s story of why he was hiding from the light and his struggle to get out of the dark. This story will have you re-evaluating your own life and it will stay with you for a long time after you’ve finished reading it.

Reviewed by Jennie More for Readers' Favorite

When Secrets Come to Light by George R. Hopkins is an enthralling crime mystery where a retired detective, Tom Cavanaugh, goes on an investigation to uncover the secrets of his childhood friends. The reunion of the grammar school gang, who went by the name of the Terrifying Tullingers, notorious for their school and neighborhood pranks, included Harry Connelly, Brian Mannis, Lee Nuttal, Jason Carter, Jackie McCall, and Tom Cavanaugh himself. These six remaining Terrifying Tullingers met up for the first time in years at the wake of their friend, Larry McCrudden, and decided to get together monthly for a game of cards to reconnect and hopefully rekindle their friendship. After attending the second card game at Harry's house, Jason mentions that he knows the secrets of the remaining six Terrible Tullingers. Tom Cavanaugh, who can't control his detective instincts, goes on a mission to uncover these secrets, which unfolds tragically.

When Secrets Come to Light by George R. Hopkins is about life's journey and how our decisions impact the direction of our lives. The author touches on spirituality and the consequences of our choices and actions. He develops the characters intricately. Each is unique and flawed, but memorable. Each clue led to a new secret uncovered by Tom Cavanaugh, who confronts his own painful secret in the process. I could relate to each character by either seeing traits of myself or someone I know in them, usually an older aunt or uncle. I didn't want to put this book down as I was captivated. The book is beautifully written with fascinating, quick-witted, and comical characters that keep you entertained and intrigued to the end. It is simultaneously light-hearted and profound.