Reviewed by Maureen Dangarembizi for Readers' Favorite

When Founders Leave by Randall Jarmon is a contemporary political thriller with Christian undertones. It is also the conclusion of the Riley/Blue Dog book series. When the Riley brothers are interrupted in their New Zealand vacation by a would-be assassin, they realize their vendetta with The Movement is far from over. Valkyrie may work for The Movement but she has a personal ax to grind with Blue Dog and the Rileys. The Rileys recognize the danger as trouble follows them to the States. Things come to a head when multiple attacks lead to a clash that will leave both sides changed forever. This book ties together all the strings connecting previous black-ops against The Movement.

This is my first novel in the Riley/Blue Dog series and I must say I was vastly impressed by the fast-paced action sequences in When Founders Leave. Randall Jarmon cuts to the core of human nature and displays the things that make people who they are. You really feel the spirit of patriotism in this story. Most of the lead characters are well into their dotage but that doesn’t stop them from jumping into dangerous situations. I had to keep reminding myself that these were not young men and women. I would like to have lived a fulfilled life with little regret like some of these characters. The gospel is preached by a funny coffee-toting, beach-loving pastor and it was quite educational. The author doesn’t cut corners here and I think that is what makes this book so special. It is very touching when a stone-cold killer turns over a new leaf. I hope there will be more books about the firebrand younger generation.

Reviewed by Les Wiggill for Readers' Favorite

Run Anyway: From the Boston Bombing to the Mountains of Guatemala by Lance Svendsen is a fast-paced story about his marathon running career. It started with a decision to become a runner while listening to his dad give his brother’s eulogy in April 2012. Both his dad and his Uncle Roy had run the New York City Marathon in 1988 and Roy had been a serious runner for most of his life and an inspiration to many young people, including Lance. Six months after Roy passed away, Lance was registered to run the New York City Marathon and had decided to raise money for charity in his uncle’s memory with this first marathon. However, the marathon scheduled for October 2012 was canceled due to Hurricane Sandy and the devastation it caused in the state of New Jersey. Lance, as a youth pastor, was very actively involved in helping the victims of the hurricane, but he had his heart set on running the NYC Marathon. It was in the midst of this situation that news came through about the marathon being canceled. He immediately started thinking about whether he could run his own personal marathon in New York, to fulfill his commitment to raising money for charity in Roy’s honor. He knew that there must be thousands of disappointed runners out there who had committed to raising money for their charities, who just like him would like to complete what they had started. Lance created a page on social media to see who else ‘out there’ might be keen to run an unofficial marathon in NYC. The positive responses he received convinced Lance and his buddies to organize the ‘Run Anyway’ marathon through Central Park. From this ‘Run Anyway’ movement developed a group of people who were committed to raising money for charity by organizing marathons and other running events, including a 500-mile relay event to support the Gold Star Family charity, which looks after families of US military men and women who had died in service to their country.

Who would have thought anyone could write a ‘page-turner’ book about running, but Lance Svendsen has achieved exactly that! He is an inspiring young man who decided to run for causes bigger than himself. Run Anyway is a fast-paced story about his marathon running career, starting off with him and his friends organizing the ‘Run Anyway’ marathon in NYC. It turned out to be a massive success and gave the ‘Run Anyway’ movement incredible publicity because journalists from all over the country interviewed Lance before and after the race! As if all that wasn’t exciting enough, Lance and his buddies had entered the Boston Marathon in April 2013, which on the day became known as the Boston Marathon bombing. Lance had just completed the marathon when the bombs went off and he witnessed some of the horrors, seeing bomb victims being carried to waiting ambulances and the panic that ensued. The story does not end there but takes the reader on a journey through many other races, step by step to each finishing line. Lance describes his missionary visits to Guatemala, and his daily runs in the magnificent mountains there, sometimes running for pleasure while training, and on other occasions, fetching sick children from remote rural villages in the mountains to get them to a hospital where they could receive treatment. Lance has written an engaging book, with running as the central theme, but beautifully interwoven with human relationships, geography, history, and his faith in Almighty God. This is a must-read. I loved the book.

Reviewed by Vincent Dublado for Readers' Favorite

Kitty Arceneaux has a realistic, God-centered view of marriage. In Ruth Ready, she shares her insights on how God designed marriage as a union--how it adds value and enriches the lives of spouses. The book is a no-nonsense response to women who expect too much from marriage instead of appreciating that God designed matrimony to provide spiritual intimacy, understanding, and the ability to put Christ at the center of the union. Arceneaux creatively uses the metaphor of the biblical story of Ruth and Boaz as a meditative example of a healthy and complementary union between husband and wife. She draws on her combined experience and observation as a licensed minister and being happily married for 17 years by applying God’s principles to her marriage and as a doer of the Word.

From irritating habits, unrealistic expectations, and other weighty concerns that women fail to solve together with their spouses, Arceneaux does not offer a magical solution that would brush off domestic issues in marriage quickly. She is aware that love can fly away easily during tough times. She suggests that if we marry using the model of God’s love and commit to our partner, we are likely to survive any potentially marriage-ending situation. Ruth Ready presents case studies of vows in crisis, checklists for premarital counseling, and a sensible rationale for women as to why their destined partner will never be perfect. Women in waiting can particularly benefit from this book. After all, many newlyweds who vow to stick together call it quits the next day, month or year. This book calls us to operate in the thought that we should welcome God into our union for He intends to make our marriages last.

Reviewed by Mamta Madhavan for Readers' Favorite

Dismantling Injustice: A Disorderly Parable of the Song of Solomon by April Love-Fordham is an engaging and fascinating book that makes the voices of everyday characters audible. It reveals how the threads of racism that plagued Congressman Caleb Morgan, the main character in the book in his early years, still continue to exist in America. The author brilliantly and seamlessly weaves together the story of Caleb Morgan along with the story from the Song of Solomon. This will make readers look at the scriptures from a modern perspective and is a good combination of biblical studies, Christian ethics, and spiritual development. The author's words reiterate the power and presence of God and speak about the one tool that can heal everyone; God's love.

Dismantling Injustice by April Love-Fordham has a lot to offer readers in terms of stories and instructions that will draw them closer to God. This is the story of everyday people and shows the spiritual truths found in the Song of Solomon. The spiritual discipline will help readers open up to God and experience a complete relationship with God. Caleb's words will also make readers think about their own spirituality and assess their relationship with God. This modern-day story with biblical commentary is a good way for readers to understand the Scriptures and Bible stories in an interesting and different way. The book is not only about good messages but also about encouraging readers to ponder their connection with God. The instructions of spiritual practice at the end of every section are helpful to draw readers closer to God.

Reviewed by Grace Masso for Readers' Favorite

Rough Way to the High Way by Kelly Mack McCoy is an inspirational novel that explores the workings of God’s grace in the ordinary and troubled life of a former pastor as he deals with an unbearable loss. After the murder of his wife, Georgia, Mack’s life as a pastor is upended, so he sells everything and buys a new Peterbilt truck. He leaves behind everything, even disconnecting from most people he has known in life, and sets out on the road trucking — a profession he enjoyed decades ago. Along the highway, as he leaves his town of Pampa behind and compelled by an inner voice, he picks a hitchhiker just where a sign says: Do Not Pickup Hitchhikers. Along the way, he encounters different characters, both good and bad, runs into trouble with police officers, deals with smugglers and a killer. While he has left behind his vocation and hometown, God has not left him as He provides tools for a new mission and opens Mack’s eyes to new ways of serving Him.

I loved this novel and the author’s unique gift for writing characters that are interesting and real. From the waitress Barb to the cops, Pipe Cleaner, and Round Face, to Agent Red Face, Mr. Tobacco, Rocky, Blondie, and Dr. Hashim, the author creates characters with a strong role in the story. They are humanly relatable and fleshed out. The quirkiness in the naming of characters is an element of the story that I liked. The story is filled with twists and turns, and the author develops plot points that are unexpected. Barb is one of my favorite characters; she is self-effacing, yet interesting in the way she opens Mack’s eyes to the real world. Rough Way to the High Way is cleverly plotted and written in exceptionally good prose. The story is filled with insightful moments and drama while offering strong spiritual lessons.

Reviewed by Ruffina Oserio for Readers' Favorite

The Dream by Deborah Arlene begins with a dream, the kind of nightmare from which the victim wakes up disoriented and drenched in sweat. But Seth Siracke's nightmare isn’t an occasional kind of dream. It has become something that disturbs his sleep, nags at the edges of his mind while he is awake, and sucks away at his energy. What makes things difficult is that he is losing interest in life and giving in to despair. His girlfriend, Katy, is worried about his dream, but even her resolve to not talk about it won’t free Seth from its grip. There is only one way to stop the dreams: find out the truth and why the dreams leave him no moment’s respite. So, Seth sets out on a spiritual odyssey, an inner journey that links him with an elderly man and a story linked to the horrors of abortion.

Deborah Arlene writes with compassion about a topic that few people feel comfortable discussing, compelling readers to appreciate the beauty and sacredness of every life. The consequences of abortion are painful, despite how much our egoistic culture tries to downplay it, and it is painful for everyone involved. The Dream explores this kind of pain and unveils the face of a loving God who makes healing and acceptance possible for His creatures. Deborah Arlene’s writing is thoughtful and filled with religious insights, a story that explores love, abortion, healing, and hope. It has a strong appeal to readers who enjoy stories that are inspiring and that involve the power of God’s love operating in the depths of human brokenness. The prose is beautiful; the narrative voice strong and compassionate, and the plot so intelligently imagined and skillfully written that the reader feels as though the story was taking place in their own lives. The Dream is a must-read for any reader who wants to understand the value of every life.

Reviewed by Patricia Reding for Readers' Favorite

Every person has his own reason to look for answers. It could be age, illness, injury, or disease of oneself or a loved one, or it could even be a worldwide pandemic. In any case, most people are incentivized at one time or another to look for a work such as The Coming Glory: Hope Now for Life After Death by Paul W. Swets. In The Coming Glory, Swets addresses the issues of grief and of how suffering can be lessened or at least better understood if a person has an understanding of what comes after this life that we know. Swets’s goal is to comfort those in the last stages of their own lives, or who are dealing with loved ones soon to journey beyond. He begins with a note to the reader, providing a summary of what is to come: “Death is not the end of the story,” he says. Then Swets walks readers through what they can do to prepare themselves spiritually for their departure. He emphasizes that God hears His people, and he encourages the reader to keep his faith to the end.

I appreciated how Swets took biblical verses I know well and put them in the context of preparing for an end to this life and for the glory to come. It is always encouraging to be reminded that it is never too late to go to God, to ask for His help and forgiveness, and to rest in His word. Swets covers topics like what happens after death, how to get ready for Christ’s return, what bodily resurrection means, how to face God’s judgment, and how to find present comfort. At the end of each chapter, he poses a series of questions designed to get the reader to think about faith and life. It seems Swets’s questions could be used and meditated upon during a personal devotional, but they could also be used to prompt larger study or support group discussions. This work is sure to be helpful to many, as Swets provides information in a personal way without confrontation or judgment. If you or someone you know is looking at end of life issues, I recommend you pick up a copy of The Coming Glory.

Reviewed by Vincent Dublado for Readers' Favorite

Kitty Arceneaux has a realistic, God-centered view of marriage. In Ruth Ready, she shares her insights on how God designed marriage as a union--how it adds value and enriches the lives of spouses. The book is a no-nonsense response to women who expect too much from marriage instead of appreciating that God designed matrimony to provide spiritual intimacy, understanding, and the ability to put Christ at the center of the union. Arceneaux creatively uses the metaphor of the biblical story of Ruth and Boaz as a meditative example of a healthy and complementary union between husband and wife. She draws on her combined experience and observation as a licensed minister and being happily married for 17 years by applying God’s principles to her marriage and as a doer of the Word.

From irritating habits, unrealistic expectations, and other weighty concerns that women fail to solve together with their spouses, Arceneaux does not offer a magical solution that would brush off domestic issues in marriage quickly. She is aware that love can fly away easily during tough times. She suggests that if we marry using the model of God’s love and commit to our partner, we are likely to survive any potentially marriage-ending situation. Ruth Ready presents case studies of vows in crisis, checklists for premarital counseling, and a sensible rationale for women as to why their destined partner will never be perfect. Women in waiting can particularly benefit from this book. After all, many newlyweds who vow to stick together call it quits the next day, month or year. This book calls us to operate in the thought that we should welcome God into our union for He intends to make our marriages last.

Reviewed by Ruffina Oserio for Readers' Favorite

Mojave Rift by J.W. Gilbert is the first book in the ArcPoint series, a tightly written novel that blends fantasy with science fiction to create an engrossing read. Arcon belongs to a forsaken tribe hidden deep in the Acacia forest. His tribe keeps to themselves and doesn’t want to venture beyond the treacherous rift that has offered them protection. No outsiders visit their tribe, thanks to Ranger Dan who guards access to the tribe. Arcon loves his people, but his gaze is directed outside the tribe. Since he secretly contacted Elaina, he’s harbored an irresistible longing to see her, and he is ready to defy any laws and face any obstacle to see her again. But can he survive the place called Mojave?

If there is one thing that gives this novel its strength and depth, it is the handling of character. I also enjoyed the way the setting is written—the reader is left feeling as though the Rift is another character in the novel because it constitutes a powerful element that drives the conflict, the one thing that stands between the protagonist and his happiness. I love to see motivation well written into characters and J.W. Gilbert gives the protagonist one. Apart from Arcon’s strong curiosity, there is a link he has established with the outside world, a link he will do anything to strengthen. The story has many layers when it comes to meaning and interpretation and the adventure of the protagonist signals the break from monotony to innovative thinking. Mojave Rift is fast-paced, deftly plotted and skillfully written.

Reviewed by Astrid Iustulin for Readers' Favorite

In her inspiring book, King Here, Trish Porter Topmiller tells the story of her father, Charles “Chuck” King, from his early life to his meeting with Jesus during his last years. A successful man who started his career in real estate development, King later lost a considerable part of his money and became addicted to pain pills. Topmiller recalls the most significant events of his life, telling both amusing stories and sad events. If reading that King was always late makes you smile, the passages where he and his daughter have to deal with the loss of their loved ones will remind you of how harsh life can be. However, in the end, God is there, waiting for you, and Chuck King’s life can be a way to reflect on God’s plan.

King Here conveys a message that we need to hear more often nowadays. Indeed, it is never too late to meet Jesus, and even though God’s aim is not always clear, He has a plan. Topmiller explains this thought with such delicacy and liveliness that it is a pleasure to read her words. She makes her father’s story relevant to readers who have not known him. He becomes a familiar figure thanks to the many anecdotes and events Topmiller shares. I especially like the “Chuckisms” (Chuck King’s inspirational quotes) Topmiller uses at the beginning of many chapters. They reveal the wit and insight of their creator. Moreover, the author’s spontaneity and honesty make you value her account and reflections even more. On the whole, I consider King Here a delightful read in which Topmiller made her point gracefully.