Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

Bob Cratchit's Christmas Carol: The Untold Miracle of Charles Dickens's Classic is a work of fiction in the historical subgenre. It is suitable for the general reading audience and was penned by author Leonard Szymczak. As the title suggests, the author takes on what is arguably the most famous work of Christmas literature of all time, but turns the lens onto secondary character Bob Cratchit instead. As Bob is visited by the same three spirits who visit Scrooge on Christmas Eve, we discover that he too has choices in his past that he needs to reconcile, and an uncertain future that he must attempt to resolve for his family’s sake. What results is a heartfelt and fascinating new perspective on the Dickensian Christmas concept.

Author Leonard Szymczak presents a superbly resonant, intelligent, and charming addition to the Dickens classic, and one which celebrates the original style and atmosphere of Dickens himself, but also seeks to convey more complex messages about the nature of true happiness. Where Dickens tells a relatively simplistic tale about greed and self-centeredness, Szymczak explored missed opportunities, mistakes, and errors of judgment that can lead even a fundamentally good man down a dark road to despair. I found myself particularly enraptured by Cratchit’s exploration of his present situation, and I marvel that the author could pack so much emotional complexity into such a concise holiday read. Overall, I would not hesitate to recommend Bob Cratchit's Christmas Carol this holiday season for readers who still adore the masterful atmospheric storytelling of the classics, but are looking for something with a deeper meaning and impressive original ideas in the story development.

Reviewed by Joseph C. Posner for Readers' Favorite

Tragedy has many layers. In this gripping thriller by Therese Heckenkamp, the reader is thrust into the tragedy experienced by Mae after the loss of her daughter, Melody. Compounding Mae’s trauma is the suspenseful chain of events in Sleep Deprived. Mae encounters a child kidnapper named John, who coerces her into looking after a snatched baby girl. Mae dramatically escapes with the baby - whom she cares for, but the event equally rubs salt in the fresh wounds of her own loss - only to find herself becoming a primary criminal suspect, and vilified by the community. Can Mae be rescued not only from her physical circumstances but also from her mental agony?

Therese Heckenkamp possesses a consummate writing style. In Sleep Deprived, not only does the narrative unfold in a captivating manner, but the reader also appreciates the thoughtfulness with which it has been written. It is said that there are not many things more devoted than a mother’s heart, and Heckenkamp articulates this with considerate subtlety. The reader is confronted with the immediate reckoning that, despite the dramatic plot, the far more important factor to be conveyed is the tenacity of Mae’s heart and the plethora of emotions that any mother can experience – having lost a child or not. The allegorical and real necessity of rest is skillfully interwoven as a reminder to heed God’s wisdom and accept the support of those He has placed in our lives, lest we find ourselves capitulating to layers of tragedy. An outstanding novel.

Reviewed by Edith Wairimu for Readers' Favorite

Sabal Palms and the Southern Squall by Terry Overton is an uplifting novel about four friends whose bond develops as they help each other through tragic times. Elaine is an aspiring writer who hopes to publish more of her writing even though her friends, Mary and Bonnie, do not believe in her work. As a storm approaches their coastal town which lies along the Texas coast, they all gather in Mary’s home together with their friend, Adriana, the newest member of the group. While they wait for the storm to pass, they recount their best and worst experiences. The category three tropical storm leaves overwhelming destruction in its wake. The friends once again turn to each other for strength and support. Elaine’s writing reaches others whose lives are changed through her faith-inspiring devotionals.

The splendid characterization of the characters in Sabal Palms and the Southern Squall and its heartening themes, which include hope and healing, make the novel an outstanding piece of Christian fiction. I felt as though I knew the four friends as I read through the book. I also loved their humorous conversations, their individual eccentric characters, and their close bond. I also liked how Elaine’s faith touched the lives of so many and instilled hope that healing is possible. Other encouraging themes are also skilfully explored as the friends help each other recover and move forward from the storm’s destruction. Sabal Palms and the Southern Squall by Terry Overton is a heart-warming read about friendship and faith’s life-changing ability. It includes lovely, authentic characters and hope-filled scenes.

Reviewed by Lisa McCombs for Readers' Favorite

When Aidan gets curious enough about his dad, he begins looking for answers. Why his mother feels she cannot tell him about the man Aidan never met is beyond him. She is ready with excuses that it’s too soon and Aidan is too young. Grace isn’t ready to talk about the death of the one great love of her life. She is worn down with her son’s insistence and the undeniable evidence of her husband’s past in the form of court records and letters to and about the late, great Shawn Stevens. As Aidan begins to know his father during one long, emotional afternoon in the attic with his mother, he learns to value forgiveness and, more importantly, the necessity of taking advantage of opportunities at hand.

The Importance of Now by Paul Schumacher is filled with lyrical language and metaphoric magic: “Teenagers hoping to be older, parents wishing they were younger.” “I envisioned her kneeling on the floor, throwing things over her shoulders to find those pink slippers, deep in the bowels of her closet, way back by the skeletons.” Paul Schumacher gifts the reader with lessons on the human psyche and inspires us to be the best version of ourselves. Reading as an adult, I appreciate the hindsight of the story’s theme. I believe reading as a teenager, though, offers valuable content to the young reader. Told in dual periods, Paul Schumacher successfully maintains a tightly woven tale. Heartbreaking and beautifully written, The Importance of Now is a must for any book collection.

Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

Both Sides of the Border is a work of realistic fiction penned by author Terry Overton. The work is suitable for the general reading audience and contains non-graphic references to drugs and violence. Written with a strong sense of faith and Christianity, this touching and often heart-breaking journey follows events on either side of the U.S./Mexico border as three young people try to flee from danger in Honduras and start a new life in the States. Dolores, Ernesto, and Emilio Sanchez fight for their survival in dubious partnerships, dangerous weather, and damning political difficulties. At the same time, newly graduated Ph.D. student Eva Jordan travels down into Mexico from the other side of the border to see firsthand the difficulties survivors and immigrants face.

Author Terry Overton brings to light many heartfelt and genuine pleas from the voiceless thousands trying to find freedom and peace in this world. Although the book is Christian in its morality and showcases characters who are bound tightly to their faith, you don’t have to be a religious reader to empathize with the desperation, hardship, and emotion of every harrowing moment of the Sanchez family’s journey. Having two women at the center of the action brings this emotional resonance home with even more power, and I especially felt for Dolores and the burdens she had to bear at the tender age of twenty. I thought the dialogue and cultural references were masterfully and sensitively penned to give the tale more personality and realism. Overall, I would not hesitate to recommend Both Sides of the Border to any reader of contemporary drama who appreciates fine writing and souls laid bare.

Reviewed by Vincent Dublado for Readers' Favorite

Death is always an unwelcome presence, especially in the home. Once he knocks, it could leave an open wound that festers and makes everyone vulnerable. Such is the story of We Go On by Regina Walker. The first installment in her Then Comes Hope trilogy, this story is about when one family untimely loses its oldest son. That leaves three members: Josh, Liz, and their youngest son Tyler. They try to settle and adjust to the rhythms of a new life in the absence of Colby. But grief is a house guest that often overextends its visit, especially when everything is saturated by the presence of the one who passed away. And in Colby’s wake, he leaves a pretty mare named Dusty, and her upkeep may well become the tool that leads the family’s deteriorating relationship and faith in God on a path to healing. The surviving son watches it all unfold before his eyes as he tries to make sense of his own pain.

The novel’s core circles around the complexities of love and faith. There is no doubt that Josh, Liz, and Tyler still love one another, but the grief that clouds the family relationship causes this love to become inarticulate and, at times, distant. The love between the parents is still there, but it is taken for granted. Regina Walker has written a profound study on that untalked-about issue that besets families faced with a tragic event. We Go On is a brilliant emotional standoff that grows in intensity over every chapter. What I admire most about the story is the way the characters are developed and the changes they go through. We Go On transcends drama. It is a solid reflection of people undergoing an existential crisis, and it shows them relying upon their own human faculties to learn, change, and grow. Such work deserves an audience, and you should not miss out on reading this tale.

Reviewed by Natalie Soine for Readers' Favorite

Divine Return by Jeff Walton tells the story of two friends: Dan Lucas, a former employee of US Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS), and Professor Ben Chernick, who died of a heart attack but came back to life after a Near-Death Experience (NDE). Ben describes the NDE that he survived and his journey to heaven through hell. Ben feels compelled to share his experience and the word of God and decides to do so with the help of Dan and Pastor Tim Williams of Radiant Love Church. Pastor Tim is slowly losing the members of his congregation as they stop going to church and Ben offers to help bring them back. Ben also reconnects with a past love, Nicole, and discovers that they have a son, Keith, who was adopted by Nicole’s aunt and uncle, a wealthy surgeon Dr. Schmidt. Keith has gone missing and Ben asks Dan for assistance. Dan discovers that Keith was Jewish and abused by his German parents who were born into The Order of the Illumined Wise Men. It is up to Dan and Ben to find and rescue Keith, but they are up against an unseen force.

Divine Return is a suspenseful story, well researched, and well presented. The interesting variety of characters are clearly defined including those which are spiritual or from a different realm. The scenes, places, and events are vividly described, including those that no person would ever wish to visit and those that many of us hope to reside in. The story is smooth flowing and quick to read with an index and acknowledgments for reference. Divine Return by Jeff Walton was a thoroughly enjoyable read that I would recommend to all adults.

Reviewed by Tammy Ruggles for Readers' Favorite

Paint Me Fearless (The Shady Gully Series Book 1) by Hallie Lee is an emotionally engaging contemporary Christian novel about female friendship. On the outside, Desi, the new girl at school, and Robin, her not-so-popular lookalike, forge an unlikely friendship that carries them through high school and beyond. Raised differently--Robin in a strict religious home; Desi in a non-religious one--they find common ground amidst the challenges of coming of age in a small-town high school, as well as some hard family issues. But can their friendship survive the secrets, lies, and revelations that threaten it now that they're adults?

This is the kind of book that takes you on a journey with the characters from high school to adulthood, showing all the growth and change in between. The character development by Lee is exceptional. She really knows her characters and shows their dynamics, and allows them to tell their own story. The pacing of this novel is pitch-perfect. You glide through the scenes and events effortlessly, even though the characters face some daunting obstacles on the way. This author is as fearless as her characters, taking you into territories that some writers shy away from. You will connect with Robin in high school, and Desi and the others, and by the time you reach adulthood with them, you are fully invested and as impacted as they are when things get dicey. I like that the characters have some flaws, some quirks, insecurities, and fixations. They feel like real people. I like the study of friendship and how it behaves over time. I wish I could divulge some golden nuggets, but that's for you to discover when you read this book. Paint Me Fearless (The Shady Gully Series Book 1) by Hallie Lee is a standout novel for contemporary women from all walks of life.

Reviewed by Tammy Ruggles for Readers' Favorite

I Never Knew You, by award-winning author Patrick Higgins, is a compelling and provocative work of Christian fiction set against the backdrop of faith, mega churches, humble churches, underground churches, and the true nature of Jesus Christ from a Biblical standpoint. Whatever stripe of Christian you are, or even if you aren't Christian or religious at all, this novel can stir thoughts and ideas abut what you believe the Bible really says, and Christ really teaches. This could easily have been a non-fiction guide or a Bible study, but is so much more compelling and illustrative when wrapped in an intriguing fictional novel. The interesting plot centers around Charmaine, member of prosperity-preaching megachurch, The Blessed and Highly Favored Full Gospel Church. She had the perfect life in all the ways that were important to her worldview and brand of faith, until Mark Lau, a visiting pastor from China, brought messages that caused an upheaval in her church and was ousted. Unsettled, Charmaine goes to China with Meredith, her best friend, and sees a big difference between her glam church and their humble underground one, especially the messages that were preached, but were from the same Bible. How could such a disconnect be? Even the two best friends, Charmaine and Meredith, were divided. Charmaine's interest was piqued, while Meredith wanted no part of it and returned to the States. Pastors from the megachurch went on a mission to "save" Charmaine from being "brainwashed" by Lau, not realizing that the prosperity gospel they lived by was the real false teaching.

Quite a plot, and an intriguing one for Christians and church critics alike. Higgins exerts his talent in all the right places. He builds an edgy premise, lets the characters play it out, and offers truths for the characters and his readers alike. This novel will definitely have you asking questions about faith, church, and what true Christianity is all about, but it is a thoroughly entertaining work of suspense, with a riveting ending. The media is full of bad actors from Christianity. But are they really followers of Christ, or are they followers of Mammon? Christ says you can't follow both; you have to choose Mammon or Him. Christ exposed false teachings when He walked the earth, and warned the world and His followers about them. Suffice to say, I Never Knew You by Patrick Higgins could be a much-needed caution light at the intersection of your faith journey.

Reviewed by Cheryl E. Rodriguez for Readers' Favorite

Judy Kelly pens a story of self-discovery in her novel Blessings and Curses. Olivia did it; she’s ready to graduate from the seminary. Even though she is thrilled, a dark cloud hovers over her excitement. Olivia has decided not to become a priest after all. She knows this decision will disappoint Father Wilson and, most of all, her parents. Yet, deep inside, Olivia carries a heavy burden, a dreadful feeling, a curse lurking in the shadows of her mind. If only she could remember. Olivia struggles with darkened memories, dimmed remembrances of life before she was adopted. All she knows is she isn’t priest material, she is tainted. Olivia meets with Father Wilson and tells him her decision. He is understanding but wants her to continue being a prayer team leader. He gives her the assignment to pray with a death row inmate nearing his time of execution. Fr. Wilson suggests that praying with the prisoner might possibly help her find herself and direction. Olivia feels completely unqualified but takes on the task. God indeed has a plan. The next two weeks uncover what has been hidden deep inside Olivia all her life.

Blessings and Curses by Judy Kelly is much more than a story; it is a journey into an elusive past. In the opening chapters, I felt slightly confused by the mysterious narrative hook. Honestly, I was baited by curiosity only, not really hooked. However, as the chapters unfolded, the vagueness gradually dissipated, revealing what was hidden deep inside each character. The cast of characters is woven together by the past. The conflict results when the present exposes what is hidden within them, and they are forced to face it. Each has a choice; to believe or deny the truth. The characters are real and relatable; they tug at each other while tugging at the reader’s heartstrings. Blessings and Curses reveals the effect of childhood trauma, proving that what we don’t understand, we reject and, in this case, we bury. For the young heroine, her childhood is veiled, but when the curtain is ripped aside, she discovers a transforming beauty, blessings, and freedom residing within the fear and ugliness. Judy Kelly vividly reminds us to let go of the past and choose to live life to the fullest. “I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. So choose life in order that you may live.” (Deuteronomy 30:19)