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)

Reviewed by Christian Sia for Readers' Favorite

Weapons of Remorse by Chevron Ross features Hank Phillips, an ex-Marine who comes back home as the pride of the nation, decorated with a Medal of Honor. While everyone sees him as a hero, he carries a heavy burden of guilt and struggles to reconnect with his God. Hank works for Armed and Ready, one of the most powerful rights organizations in the country, but one night is about to sink him into an even greater misery of conscience with a confrontation with LaRonda Cage, a respectable police officer. Meanwhile, the grandson of an influential businessman has been kidnapped and the only trace left is a mysterious ransom note. David Tischner wants to find and bring home his grandson but his desperation to find Andy pits him against his best friend, Vern Saginaw, who is the CEO of Armed and Ready.

Weapons of Remorse by Chevron Ross is a thriller with strong social and political themes, a story that explores the conundrum of gun violence and its consequences. Gun violence is a reality that has been at the center of both political and social discussions across the country. The conflict is developed at multiple levels. From the internal conflict that happens in Hank Phillips' mind, it moves to physical confrontation and escalates into a struggle for a new social and political consciousness. Weapons of Remorse is cleverly plotted and skillfully written, featuring richly developed characters and prose that is crisp and precise. Chevron Ross's novel is exciting and thought-provoking, a real page-turner.

Reviewed by Rabia Tanveer for Readers' Favorite

Scattering the Ashes by Paul Russell Semendinger is the story of a young man who had to go on a quest that would change his life forever. Sam Holmes was a 28-year-old school teacher who was living a contented life. All he wanted was to train for the New York City Marathon and try something new. However, his plans changed when his father passed away and left a special quest for Sam. To gain his inheritance, he must travel to specific places and spread the ashes wherever his father wanted. With his summer plans ruined, Sam had nothing else to do but to fulfill his father’s wishes. But what started as a journey to gain his inheritance turned out to be a journey to change his life. He met someone special, he gained a better perspective of life and finally understood what it means to be happy.

Oh, the way Sam grew in this story and how he developed into a mature man right in front of my eyes! I loved his development and his journey to find depth inside him. I got to visit Sam’s memories of his father as he went through it all, as he traveled far and away to complete the quest. I got to experience his growth first hand and understand why his father wanted him to go through all this. The narrative was perfectly paced and incredibly rich with details. Sam’s voice proved to be exactly what the reader needed to immerse themselves in the narrative and feel each part of the story resonate inside their heart. Scattering the Ashes was just as self-reflective as it was entertaining. I enjoyed the descriptions of the places where Sam went, I enjoyed the way the story flowed and I loved the way Sam over thought everything (that was common and human of him!). Scattering the Ashes by Paul Russell Semendinger was phenomenal.

Reviewed by Trudi LoPreto for Readers' Favorite

The Jealous Son by Michele Chynoweth begins in the Navajo Nation as Eliza’s father, unhappy with her behavior, bans her from her home forever, along with her friend Alex. They suddenly are forced to live in a new world that they know little about and have only each other to lean on. They soon find themselves in love, married, and expecting a child. Cameron is their first son and next comes son number two, Austin. The boys share a happy childhood living a somewhat normal family life. As the boys become teenagers, and young men, Austin lives a charmed life, getting everything he wants and more as everything goes his way. Cameron, on the other hand, has to struggle for the things he wants and often he doesn’t succeed. After many disappointments, Cameron comes to blame Austin and believes the only way he will get love from his parents and the things he desires so badly is to get rid of Austin.

I felt as though I was on an emotional roller coaster as I read The Jealous Son. My emotions went from happy to sad to angry to surprised to inspired in a matter of a few pages. The story is mainly told via Eliza, wife of Alex and mother to Cameron and Austin, in a very real and heartfelt way. The Jealous Son is clearly taken right out of the Bible and transformed into a contemporary story of what if Cain and Abel were alive today. Eliza tells the story with all the joy and pain of a mother wanting only the best for her sons in a way that only a mother can feel. Michele Chynoweth has written a book that will quickly become a classic in the inspirational fiction genre. This is without a doubt a book one should not pass up.

Reviewed by Romuald Dzemo for Readers' Favorite

When Mountains Sing (The Mosaic Collection) is the first book in the My Father's House series by Stacy Monson, an emotionally rich and inspiring story that follows a woman’s journey to uncover her real identity. Thanks to a health crisis, the secret about her family is unveiled and Mikayla Gordon sets out to discover the truth about her real identity. She goes in search of her biological father and wants to know if her heart condition is genetic or not. Her journey leads her to an encounter with Dawson, a rugged man who runs the Colorado Outdoor Youth Camp. She finds acceptance and begins to learn deeper lessons about God from nature, friendship, and love. She is drawn to Dawson, but does he have the same feelings for her?

This is a story of love and faith, and I loved the author’s take on the many ways that God reveals Himself to questing souls. The protagonist is a woman who has been accepted into a family and who has grown up not knowing the truth about who she really is. Her reaction when she learns the truth is very normal, and I felt bad that she has to move away from a family that seems to love her deeply and that cares about her. The author’s descriptions of the Rocky Mountains, the features of nature, and the characters are gorgeous and filled with beautiful imagery. The plot is well-written, starting with a strong premise. The protagonist’s journey towards union with God, her experience of love, and her relationship with nature — and the dog called Lula — are elements that enrich the plot. When Mountains Sing (The Mosaic Collection) is a riveting story with memorable characters and deep religious insights.

Reviewed by Trudi LoPreto for Readers' Favorite

Declan Quinn is the main character in The Consigliere, a mafia lawyer trying to escape his life of crime. The story goes back and forth between the past and the present and his hopes for the future. Declan had a hard and troubled childhood, a sad and difficult life, and is attempting to right the wrongs and live happily ever after. We follow Declan on his journey, laughing and crying right beside him. His married life is in trouble; he is on the road to forming a close relationship with his son, Andrew; he is mourning his lost daughter; trying everything he can in searching for the sister he has not seen in many years and making plans to visit Ireland and his grandfather. This is all happening while his mafia boss is hunting him down, wanting to kill him for leaving the “business”.

I really enjoyed reading The Consigliere by Donna Masotto, and while it was about the mafia and inspired by The Godfather, it is so much more than that. I felt love, bravery, absolution, pity, fear, mercy and more as I traveled along with Declan, his family, his friends and his enemies. Each page was an exciting adventure that pulled me right into the story. Donna Masotto was truly inspired and took that inspiration to a brand new high. This was so much more than just another book about the mafia – it was the story of a boy making bad decisions and the effect it had on the man for his entire life. The Consigliere is well written with characters that you want to get to know better and a plot that never stops being good. I highly recommend The Consigliere be read at your earliest convenience.

Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

Song of the Tree Frogs is a work of harrowing realistic fiction with Christian themes, and was written by author J.W. Kitson. This family drama follows two connected families after a secret and a terrible murder force them to connect with one another in the aftermath. Phillip feels an overwhelming guilt and searches for forgiveness from his younger brother Michael, who was tormented for years by their father Tony. Tony has evidence from a long time ago that Michael may actually be someone else’s son, a man named Samuel, and Tony’s rage-fuelled actions bring Samuel back into the lives of both Phillip and Michael as the story becomes one of recovery, forgiveness and a new loving life.

J.W. Kitson has created an emotional triumph in Song of the Tree Frogs, which speaks a lot for the best qualities of the human condition, especially kindness and a sense of duty and service to others. Although these themes are brought about by its Christian morality, I believe that anyone of any faith can enjoy the heroism of Samuel and his wife, as well as the journey of exploration and acceptance that the boys go through after the grim events of the early section of the book. Although it is harrowing and there is much suffering in the tale, the scenes are delicately depicted and not gratuitous in nature, making this an accessible book for anyone who has suffered at the hands of another’s rage. Overall, I’d highly recommend Song of the Tree Frogs for fans of heart-wrenching family drama and tales of hope through adversity.

Reviewed by Trudi LoPreto for Readers' Favorite

Sadie is the main star of The Song of Sadie Sparrow by Kitty Foth-Regner, but she is not alone; she shares her days with Meg and Elise and the other residents. Jamie is a preacher who comes regularly to talk with the ladies and to offer them Bible classes and the chance to have a better relationship with God. Sadie quickly accepts God and truly believes that she will get to spend eternity with Him and see all of her loved ones again. Elise spends lots of time at The Hickories because her grandfather Papi is a resident and she has always been a believer, even though she has some questions that need answering. Meg does not believe and is unwilling to listen, learn or consider giving her life to Jesus or perhaps she does in the end (one can only hope so). The three ladies form a tight bond despite their ages and differences of opinion, and readers are blessed to share in their everyday life at the nursing home.

What a wonderful story is told in The Song of Sadie Sparrow. It was impossible not to love this dear sweet lady who is in the twilight of her life living at The Hickories, a high end nursing home. The Song of Sadie Sparrow can and should be read by believers and non-believers as it is a heartwarming, sweet story. I enjoyed the discussions on different verses of the Bible, but did not find it to be too preachy as is sometimes the case in this type of book. I cried when Sadie was taken home and felt as though I had lost a true friend. I cannot say enough good about The Song of Sadie Sparrow and I highly recommend it to all readers.

Reviewed by Anne Boiling for Readers' Favorite

Unconventional begins with the question, “Have you adopted the unconventional yet?” There are times when we must think outside the box. There are times when we must follow our dreams even though they seem impractical. James Frost dreams of being a writer. His manuscript is over 400 pages but he still doubts whether it is good enough.

Frost works for his father’s janitorial service to support himself while he writes his fantasy novel. He finally gets the courage to submit the manuscript to publishers only to receive rejection letters in return. His self-esteem was already low, and the letters make it even lower. Leah believes in James and encourages him. She also introduces him to Jesus Christ. At that point we see the change that comes over James.

Once we know that we are important to God, that He first loved us and He will never leave us, we feel differently about ourselves. This book captivated me from the first page and successfully held my attention to the last page. I found this book very entertaining, but more important is the message. This book has a strong Christian tone without being preachy. The author reminds us that we are not to be labeled. James kept reminding himself that he was not his job. This is such an encouraging book. I highly recommend it.

Reviewed by Donna Gielow McFarland for Readers' Favorite

The Rogue by Lee W. Brainard has a fascinating plot. It’s 2018 when astronomer Irina Kirilenko detects an extremely large comet out beyond Neptune. It’s not yet visible to telescopes, but the comet’s trajectory shows that it will come dangerously close to Mars in 2024. The powers that be in Washington are afraid of mass panic, so they devise an alternate explanation for the data and squelch all talk about the comet. They forbid government agencies from studying that sector of the solar system and they “take into custody” anyone who dares talk about it or even anyone who spouts apocalyptic theories, sending them to very nice, but isolated internment camps. Irina realizes her days are numbered, so she secretly sends her data to former classmate Ariele Serrafe, who confirms her findings and brings upon herself the wrath of the FBI.

The Rogue reads like a great thriller, but with a premise that feels a little too close to home. Brainard spends a lot of time explaining the science behind his premise and the science geek in me ate it up! The whole story is plausible and I found myself wondering what if… There are Christian elements in The Rogue although so far religion plays a very small part in the story. There are lots of references to real events that happened in the past and I found myself drawn to the internet to find out what truth there might be in Brainard’s interpretations. The Rogue ends at a logical stopping point, but it is a cliff-hanger and I was disappointed there wasn’t more. Guess I’ll have to read the sequel. Recommended to readers of Christian fiction and readers who enjoy a good thriller. And if you’re a science geek like me, you’re going to love it even more!