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.