Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

Missing Peace is a work of fiction in the personal drama, religious and emotive sub-genres of writing, and was penned by author N. K. Holt. Taking us deep into the hearts and minds of its protagonists, this bittersweet tale speaks of the power of overcoming grief, facing terror head-on, and trying to keep the faith when everything around is collapsing. The protagonist is Janey McKay, who receives a mysterious rosary from her brother John, serving in Iraq. What follows is a plot with sharp, painful twists, but an everlasting thread of hope that Janey can find peace as time goes on.

Author N. K. Holt has crafted a powerfully emotive story that will be sure to please fans of uplifting personal drama, but also those who want to see real struggle and deep hardship in their dramas. The narrative voice gives us a close insight into Janey as a character, and the speech and thought presentation is well crafted as we sit on her shoulder and feel every heartbreaking moment of her personal journey. The plot of the novel really centers around the characters and their emotions, but the wider terror plot does produce some very poignant and exciting action moments to ramp up the tension. What results is an accomplished novel with plenty of highs and lows, and excellent realistic dialogue which keeps the characters and their feelings grounded. Overall, I would highly recommend Missing Peace to all drama fans, especially those who believe in hope, faith, and family.

Reviewed by Jack Magnus for Readers' Favorite

The Tree of Knowledge is a psychological thriller written by Daniel G. Miller. Professor Albert Puddles lived an orderly, quiet life. His serene and logical universe was only marred by the opening day of class each semester. For some reason, the stage fright he experienced in those first few moments facing those new faces was as relentless as it was incomprehensible. His choice of a woolen suit and his resulting overheated state contributed to the feeling of being out of control. When his graduate assistant, Ying, asked to speak with him outside during his class, Albert was reluctant to lose any control over his carefully planned performance. When he heard that the police were investigating a murder and thought he “might know something about it,” Albert's nimble mind began churning: how could he ever be involved? Maybe they really meant another professor?

Daniel G. Miller’s The Tree of Knowledge is a stunningly accomplished debut novel. Reading the blurb convinced me to give this book a try, and I’m so glad I did. The storyline is plausible and frighteningly on point in today’s world. Miller’s cast of characters is one of fully dimensional, living beings who kept me enthralled as I followed their efforts to cope with an amoral, brilliant, and relentless adversary. I love how this story is so much a coming of age tale for the 34-year-old professor whom adversity deals a series of stunning blows, while also freeing him to experience so much more of life than he had ever realized existed. Watching Albert Puddles come of age, face his fears and become a full-fledged human being is a high point you really don’t want to miss. Seeing how he gets there alone is well worth the price of this book and the time you put into reading it.

But there’s so much more going on here. There’s romance, mystery, math, logic, and adventure all wrapped up in a thriller that had me happily reading until I hit the last page. I can’t help but wonder and hope that Mr. Miller will decide to give these characters a sequel to work with. It would be a shame not to see them again. The Tree of Knowledge is an awesome, fast-paced, and beautifully written debut novel that demonstrates the promise of a talented author. It’s most highly recommended.

Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

Prophet by author Suzanne Leonhard is a work of fiction in the thriller and post-apocalyptic sub-genres. Forming the second novel in The Goliath Code series, this novel takes place after the previous adventure, in which protagonist Micah Abrams was transformed from his old cruel ways by the newfound connection with Sera Donner and the mission to find her twin brother David. Determined in his new mission to spread the word of hope and healing in a wasted world, it is only when Micah is separated from Sera that he begins a new spiral into doubt. So begins a new trial of a prophet in training in a dark world with suspense, terror, and thrills.

Author Suzanne Leonhard has done a superb amount of worldbuilding to frame this story and ground it in a solid conceptual base as our characters struggle through a barren and lawless land. The complexities of the previous plot continue as we enter Micah’s point of view and witness his emotive and psychological struggle with his duty to God and adherence to God’s teachings despite the ruin of the world around him. The story combines a dedication to deep character development with effective dialogue that feels highly realistic of the time and place and offers a truly cinematic atmosphere of the wastelands of the world, giving a visual and visceral reading experience. Overall, Prophet is a highly readable novel with fascinating Christian themes set realistically in a dangerous new post-apocalyptic world. A recommended read.

Reviewed by Rabia Tanveer for Readers' Favorite

David Lighthouse used to be an investigative reporter once upon a time, but something changed everything for him. Six years ago, his fiancée was brutally murdered and he was the prime suspect. Now he is living peacefully as an assistant pastor in Florida, hoping to live a life that will be free from bloodshed and accusation. However, his old wounds are resurrected when a young parishioner is murdered. His urge to investigate makes a reappearance and soon he realizes that things are far more complicated than what they seem. This murder might be linked to the murder of his fiancée and there seems to be something that connects to his father’s past. The enemy seems to be something far too dangerous and far too sinister to be human. What can David do to protect his name and the people he cares about?

The Oldest Enemy by Michael J Webb is a paranormal thriller that dishes up some pretty amazing action. Saying that I loved this novel would be an understatement. I read this in one go, stayed up way too late (was a little jumpy, to be honest) and I loved every second of it. David is the perfect protagonist for this story. He is determined, reliable, thirsty for answers and not afraid to take steps to get them. His back story is a great setup for the plot; it got me interested and soon I was too invested in the story to even consider backing out. The pace was fast, the flow was great and the character development was just impressive. There is nothing that I would want the author to change about this novel; even the scary parts gave me an adrenaline rush to keep reading on and wanting more.

Reviewed by Rabia Tanveer for Readers' Favorite

The Will to Die: A Novel of Suspense by Joe Pulizzi is the story of a man who returns home after his father dies, only to make a horrifying discovery. Will Pollitt only wants to concentrate on his marketing company and watch it thrive. However, his plans change when he learns his father has suddenly passed away. Will and his sister are baffled by this sudden death and wait for the autopsy to find out what happened to their father. However, the circumstances surrounding their father’s death, the autopsy, and the deaths of other people in the area intrigue Will. Can he find out what happened to his father? Why are his father’s friends dying as well? What is happening in Sandusky, Ohio?

Engaging, fast-paced, and incredibly well-put-together, The Will to Die has everything that a suspense enthusiast wants in a novel. Joe Pulizzi writes a captivating story with a compelling background. Sandusky, Ohio is the perfect setting for the story and the author does a good job of making sure the descriptions are vivid enough to suck the reader into the plot. It is at once believable and entertaining, a combination that you don’t often find in suspense novels. I loved the search for the truth, the suspense, and the mystery behind the deaths. The author leaves little clues in the narrative for readers to find; it increases the interest and enhances the overall story as well. This is a novel that will be enjoyed by readers who enjoy suspense.

Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

The Hidden Saboteur is a work of fiction in the Christian psychological thriller subgenre and was penned by author Charles Besondy. In the first novel in the Clay Austin series, we meet our protagonist Clay when he is at the pinnacle of his career as a founding partner in a marketing agency. Despite his numerous successes and great prospects for the future, Clay is besieged by doubts, fears, and demonic nightmares that are determined to see him crumble. His loyal assistant Sheryl hears the voice of God, asking her to protect Clay and deliver him, and so begins an incredible journey to claim Clay’s soul: either for the light side of Heaven or the darkness of Hell itself.

Author Charles Besondy has crafted a truly compelling read which takes the psychological side of matters of the soul very seriously. Although there is an outright and suitably epic battle between God and the Devil, the story is very much about one man and his internal struggles with darkness and light, which makes the thriller element of the plot all the more realistic and genuinely terrifying in places. One of the things which I particularly admired about the novel is the work that went into character development, not just of Clay but of those around him. I had a special fondness for Sheryl and her (at times) fruitless struggles to help Clay see everything that he's got going for him. Overall, The Hidden Saboteur is a powerful book about battling against hidden iniquity and negativity and is a highly recommended read for Christian thriller fans everywhere.

Reviewed by Foluso Falaye for Readers' Favorite

Troy Forge heads for North Korea on a secret mission that tests his faith and teaches him some valuable lessons. After being stabbed and almost killed at the prison he worked at, Troy knows he must forgive his attacker even though he finds it hard to do. His mission involves a number of interesting characters, both planned and unplanned: Ho Kichun is a secret link to the Christian Underground Church, Dmitri bodyguards a contraband smuggler that wants Troy dead, Laura Zisk is on the run for a hit and run, and Abdul Aziz is an assassin who is sent to kill Ho Kichun. Fury in the Storm: Where Christians Dare, D.I. Telbat's first book of The Leeward Set, depicts how God works in mysterious ways.

Picture pirate ships, raging storms, fistfights, and shootouts. Fury in the Storm is what you will get if you could inject a book with adrenaline. It got my heart racing with excitement from the very first page. Where Christians Dare is recommended to readers that are interested in narratives about sea battles, manhunts, rebellion, redemption, and Christianity; there is no explicit content that could limit the audience. The suspense is thrilling. D.I. Telbat kept me guessing with every subtle, well-timed revelation. One important message is embedded in the fast-paced action: God is bigger than even the wildest storms. Prepare for some heated conversations, hard-to-forget characters, and crystal-clear descriptions. I can't wait to lay hands on the other books in The Leeward Set.

Reviewed by Foluso Falaye for Readers' Favorite

It's the apocalypse! Ash clouds and earthquakes are wreaking havoc everywhere, with people left homeless and resorting to the survival of the fittest for their basic needs. Sixteen-year-old Sera Donner and her crippled twin brother are caught in this horrible mess and have to fight against terrorist groups with the help of the other surviving victims. The Europa Humanitarian Aid promises to help, but they will soon learn of the costly price they ask for in return. As they search for answers, a religious group springs up with claims that Sera finds ridiculous. Even her crush, Micah Abrams, seems to have lost his mind with his religious talk. Could there be some truth in their claims? In The Goliath Code: A Post Apocalyptic Thriller (Book One) by Suzanne Leonhard, the battle for survival has only just begun.

Sometimes I imagine what it would be like if civilization crumbled and people had to survive by any means necessary. Suzanne Leonhard does justice to the apocalyptic and survival-of-the-fittest plot by portraying a desperate and terrifying scenario. It felt so real. I found myself wishing I could tell the protagonist what would help her survive better before I recalled that it's just a story. Be aware that it contains a few curse words and several violent scenes (mostly killings by gunshots). The Goliath Code is fast-paced, suspenseful, and spine-chilling. It would be a fantastic option for readers that love an adventurous end-of-the-world or rapture narrative with some key Christian teachings. I loved every thrilling moment of it.

Reviewed by Christian Sia for Readers' Favorite

Based on the popular Christian myth of the fallen angels, The Quest to Overthrow Heaven by Bolko Zimmer is an inspirational Christian story that transports readers to the very beginning of time. The world is inhabited by heavenly beings — seraphim, cherubim, and a multitude of angels. Compelled by an insatiable quest for power and vanity, the cherub prince, Lucifer, conspires with a third of the angels to overthrow the Supreme Spirit. These fallen angels will be a source of terror and unimaginable evil that will befall humankind. When Michael and many other angels are sent to watch over humanity, they are met with war from the prince of darkness and many of them die because they were never armed in the first place. Follow Michael and the few survivors as they escape, aided by the Supreme Spirit, and witness the final battle to determine the rightful ruler of heaven.

Bolko Zimmer succeeds in giving life to the myth that has been at the heart of Christian teachings, exploring the primordial battle between good and evil with brilliance and a lot of creativity and genius. The spiritual atmosphere of the novel is strong and readers are, indeed, transported to a spiritual realm to witness the birth of evil and the triumph of good. The writing in The Quest to Overthrow Heaven is beautiful and loaded with vivid descriptions. The exquisite character of the setting, the gorgeous writing, the three-dimensional nature of the characters, and the phenomenal conflict are elements of Bolko Zimmer’s book that I enjoyed. The themes of creation, loyalty, the battle between good versus evil, and power are beautifully explored in this narrative. The story also has powerful lessons for readers and one of the central lessons is that truth and good always triumph over evil.

Reviewed by Romuald Dzemo for Readers' Favorite

Virtuality by Harry Wegley is a compelling thriller with strong technological themes and an interesting romance to spice it up. Vince van Gordon has just inherited a controlling interest in the high-tech company called Virtuality. Once a struggling author, he has a new responsibility. His dying brother has cautioned that he shouldn’t sell his share of the business, advising him to seek the help of Jessica Jamison, the beautiful and intelligent woman that Vince left behind seven years ago. Virtuality has created a mysterious product that the US Army classifies as Top Secret and if it falls into the wrong hands, a lot could be at stake. But is Vince ready to travel to Seattle to face the girl he once hurt deeply? And when someone tries to kill Vince and Jess, they must not only find out who it is, but stay alive to protect a secret that can ruin millions of lives.

Harry Wegley’s novel had me gripped from the very beginning. The narrative is emotionally intense, and this is obvious even from the first page, with well-crafted scenes and dialogues that allow characters to evolve through the story. The conflict is strong and it affects characters in interesting ways. Vince needs a woman he once abandoned to protect a company. Jess has a very strong personality, coming across as focused and driven. I enjoyed the way her background is explored. Putting the two characters together is ideal to add a level of complexity to the plot and keep the tension high. The novel is well written, with timely paragraph breaks, a lot of drama, and the kind of suspense that makes the reading experience an enjoyable one.