Reviewed by Mamta Madhavan for Readers' Favorite

The Soul Retrieval: A Novel by Ann W. Jarvie is an uplifting and touching story of love, loss, redemption, and healing. The story is set in the 1950s and revolves around Henrietta Clayborn, who is living with her family in New Mexico's Medichero Indian Reservation in the doctor's cottage. She is hiding a secret from everyone; her family and her physician husband, Jeff, who is working in a hospital there. She is tortured by the fact she is hiding this secret from her family. It's at that juncture she meets a medicine man, Joe Loco, who understands her dilemma. Henrietta starts confiding in him. Will Joe be able to help Henrietta?

The story is complex and has many dimensions to it which makes it intense and profound. The story is beautiful and it takes readers between South Carolina and New Mexico. The narration is descriptive, making it very palpable and visual to readers. The spiritual journey undertaken by Joe and Henrietta is soulful and captivating, and it transcends the usual human boundaries. All the characters are well sketched, making their individual personalities stand out. There is much richness in the plot, which will open up many discussions in the minds of readers.

It's a well researched book that will help readers understand more about the wounded souls that live on earth and also about healing from loss, pain and trauma that one undergoes in their personal lives. The book is a combination of many emotions that makes it an interesting read. An excellent love story that has many dimensions to it. I enjoyed it thoroughly because there is a lot in the story to think about and understand.

Reviewed by Mamta Madhavan for Readers' Favorite

Trusting the Currents by Lynnda Pollio is an uplifting story about the spiritual journey of self-discovery, faith, forgiveness and courage of the author, and inspires readers to rise above the insecurities and obstacles in their lives and face the fear of darkness and uncertainty head on. The book teaches readers acceptance and also to learn from their experiences in life and make positive changes in their lives. The presence of a mother and her love during ups and downs in life runs through the book. The book is inspirational and encourages readers to look inward and effect the positive transformation that makes life more meaningful.

The narrator's spiritual awakening, her falling in love, her stepfather and cousin Jenny form an integral part of the story that speaks to readers about the author's transformation. The author teaches readers to trust their own hearts and open their eyes to their surroundings. The book also helps to bring inner peace and happiness and it also touches readers in many ways. Many readers will be able to relate to the author's experiences and this book will sow the seeds of hope in their souls. The writing style is powerful, expressive, exquisite and descriptive. All the characters are memorable and will remain in readers' heart for a long time. This timeless story of love, courage and spiritual transformation is definitely worth reading and also owning in one's personal collection.

Reviewed by Bil Howard for Readers' Favorite

Putting out fires, literally, wasn’t exactly what Grace Harkins had in mind for her first summer after retiring from teaching school, but that is exactly what happens in Fresh Start Summer by Beverly Nault. Her friend, Maggie Elmsley, informed her before movie production hit town that Cherryvale would never be the same again. As a rash of fires began to break out on Maggie’s property, the teen actress attempts suicide and movie star Jeff Field is searching for a way to have his daughter back in his life, Cherryvale really is in for some serious changes. Though Grace has a long list of ways that she wants to spend her retirement, she is drawn to taking care of others before she starts in on her own objectives. As Grace subtly works her way into the lives of the two actors, the town rallies around Maggie and her home for rescued animals. But there is something sinister going on. Is it merely coincidence that things start happening when the movie production hits town? Will Cherryvale indeed be dramatically changed?

As simple and quiet as Fresh Start Summer is, it is impossible to put it down. Beverly Nault draws the reader into the story of Cherryvale in a very subtle and emotional way. Each character is easy to relate to and the reader becomes concerned for how things turn out for them. The gentle message of Christian love and grace penetrates through every incident in one form or another. There is no blaring trumpet call, but a very recognizable difference in the thoughts and actions of a town where people really do care about each other. Inspiring, heartwarming and profound, Fresh Start Summer is a picture of how true Christians face adversity together and heal the pain that comes along with it.

Reviewed by Jack Magnus for Readers' Favorite

To Hold The Sun is an inspirational self-help novel written by Chas Watkins. The narrator is an investigative journalist who has been going through hard times professionally. His carefully laid plans of becoming a prominent journalist have not come to pass, and he'd been wondering how the bills would get paid if some commissions didn't come through soon. He's elated to be called into his editor's office and offered an assignment. The editor, long interested in self-help seminars and conferences, had met Paul Haletine, the subject of the assignment, at a conference. His theories and practices intrigued the editor and so the assignment was created. There would be no remuneration, something which causes the narrator to initially refuse the job, until he learns that Haletine lives on Roatan, an island in the Caribbean famous for its scuba diving.

Chas Watkins' inspirational novel is a marvelous story that may also change your life. The reader gets to absorb the narrator's explorations into Haletine's philosophy, and, somehow, learning third-hand as it were through the narrator's experience and responses makes the lessons that much more profound and impressive. I found myself considering each exercise and meditation as Paul coaches his visitor and I feel empowered to make some of those same changes. I also loved reading about Roatan and the accompanying pictures make the island's beauty come to life. I love swimming and snorkeling and will be seeing those clear waters and broad sandy beaches in my mind for some time to come. To Hold the Sun is a beautifully written and stirring inspirational novel, and I highly recommend it.

Reviewed by Michelle Robertson for Readers' Favorite

Seth Jacobs grew up in a modest Jewish family that was one of many families to emigrate from Germany during the Nazi regime to the United States. Working hard to establish a successful life as entrepreneurs, Seth Jacob's mother and father opened up a deli underneath their small apartment. Seth wasn't spoiled with gifts and lavish things, but rather morals, education, and hard work. Seth began helping his father in the deli at a young age and soon found a passion for the culinary arts. Seth worked very hard, saving almost every penny he had to allow himself the privilege of paying for college himself, along with some help from his parents, a part time job, and an academic scholarship to Harvard University. Seth soon found himself enrolled in college, but falling in love with a beautiful Italian girl, Maria. Seth and Maria worked hard to pursue Seth's dream of becoming a restaurant owner and businessman, and soon their efforts and hard work paid off. Seth Jacobs was living the high life as a most successful entrepreneur. Seth had everything he could ever want. A beautiful wife, three children, and a multimillion-dollar business in the restaurant industry. He was living well. Seth did what he could to treat everyone with kindness and respect, but was it enough in the eyes of God? As the biblical quote goes, "The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away." Job 1:21. Read this modern day version of the biblical book of Job, and find out what happens to Seth Jacobs.

The Faithful One by Michele Chynoweth is an inspirational fictitious book based on a book of the Bible, Job. The book introduces readers to a modern day version of the Bible story of Job, which is often misunderstood because of its time period, and wording. The story plot, context, characters, and overall layout of the book itself are all simple and elegant. Readers wanting to gain more knowledge and understanding of the book of Job would do well reading this book. Readers who don't know the Biblical story will find, by reading this book, a story of rags to riches, and vice-versa. The book contains concepts of self-doubt, kindness, Catholic religion, Jewish religion, God, self-doubt, self-pity, anxiety, wealth, poverty and some others. This is a modern-day book filled with riches, mystery, scandal, and miracles.

Author Michele Chynoweth write in a clear and concise way to help readers comprehend the message behind the biblical story. There is not a dull moment throughout this book. It is filled with so many different emotions, leaving a reader angry, sad, joyful, fearful and not wanting to put it down.

Reviewed by Mamta Madhavan for Readers' Favorite

A Miracle for Micah is a biblical story. Young Reuben is burdened with problems in life and he feels weary. He wishes that his miserable life is over. He plans to end his life by jumping into the Sea of Galilee. But he is saved by a bearded priest. The priest narrates to Reuben the story of Micah, who is rescued by Jesus after finding himself in similar circumstances. He tells Reuben that Micah is disabled too but still he is uplifted from the crisis.

The story is spiritual. It introduces the child into the world of spirituality with instances where they are in trouble and God sends his messengers to save them. It makes them aware of the daily problems that unfold in front of their eyes and how a solution is found with the help of some unknown source which cannot be seen. I like the story Miracle for Micah mainly because through the story of Micah, children are told there is a higher force above us who loves us and takes care of us. And that is Jesus. The child is told that the messengers of Jesus are everywhere around us. It is said in a way that is understandable for a child. At a time when most people have forgotten to acknowledge the presence of God, this book comes as an inspiration and guide. It is also an assurance that God will be there to help during times of need.

Reviewed by Karen Pirnot for Readers' Favorite

Every so often, there are books that grab you at the beginning and hold you spellbound to the finish. The Legacy Letters by Carew Papritz is such a novel. A man and a woman have a misunderstanding and the man goes his separate way, uninformed about the pregnancy of the woman, his wife. He finds out he has a fatal illness and elects to isolate himself in order to find some meaning to his life. He finds out about his wife's pregnancy and chooses to remain in isolation, trying to delineate what he wishes to pass down to his children. The wife and twin children have no idea what has happened to the man and they go about their lives until the twins' tenth birthday, when a letter arrives informing the wife that her husband is dead and there are letters left for the children to read.

The Legacy Letters is a story of frustration, keenness of mind, and regrets common to everyday people. The soul-searching by the dying man is endearing and the reader learns gradually about a complex and learned man who chooses to face death alone rather than in the comfort of his family. Author Papritz skillfully crafts the letters so that they become the life of the man as a legacy to his twin children. He confesses he would rather live than die. He talks to his children about character and commitment, and how a marriage works and how a marriage dies. The language is folksy and believable and readers will relate to the feelings of the dying man. Love and appreciation of nature, as well as respect for humankind, leap from the pages so that each reader will ponder his or her own belief systems while wondering how anyone would choose to be alone at the moment of death. A powerful and poignant read for all.