Reviewed By Lesley Jones for Readers' Favorite

In When the Haboob Sings by Nejoud Al-Yagout, Dunya Khair had always noticed the cultural injustices around her but never dared to question them. When her conscience can take it no longer, she dares to speak out for the rights of women and others in a strict, patriarchal society. When her article is published, Dunya finds herself the subject of death threats and derision. Overnight her article sparks controversy and she suddenly finds herself in a cockroach-infested prison cell and denounced publicly by her family. Dunya's article draws attention from around the world and when she is released from prison, Dunya believes she must continue to fight all the injustices around her and tackle subjects that many are afraid to confront. Dunya finds herself in the midst of a scandalous witch hunt; many want to silence her, while others support her from behind closed doors. Dunya's steadfast belief that she must follow her truth and speak out continues but sometimes questioning the status quo has serious consequences.

The subject matter of this incredible story is quite relevant in today's society, where many people are persecuted for addressing cultural and religious practices. Dunya is a wonderful character with such a strong resolve but slowly her mental frailty emerges. The main message I gained, however, is that sometimes it cannot be left to one person to speak out while others agree in the shadows; sometimes you have to spread the risk about for change to occur. The descriptive narrative and behavior of characters that live under strict cultural and religious laws were relayed so realistically, and although many citizens of the West understand the difficulty of speaking out, very few experience the implications of having differing views when it could result in imprisonment or death. The entire plot is filled with shocking twists and revelations, especially the explosive ending. This is such a powerful story that the image of Dunya and her fight for the truth and justice is one that will stay with me for a very long time.

Reviewed By Viga Boland for Readers' Favorite

Every so often, a book comes along that blows you away with its uniqueness. For me, Reprobation by Catherine Fearns is one of those books. It’s so different, so intense, and so “heady” for lack of a better word, that I can only say if you decide to read it, you better make sure you have have a large vocabulary, because Fearns certainly has. You might also need to be reasonably well-educated and interested in genetic experimentation. It would also help if you occasionally find yourself wondering about life and death within a religious context and if, indeed, you even believe in God. If all that sounds like you, then go ahead and challenge yourself by reading Reprobation.

You see, Reprobation is a challenge, not just for the reader, but for the protagonist, Sister Helen Hope, a Calvinist nun who believes in God, and Detective Darren Swift who doesn’t. When a man is found crucified on a beach with a strange symbol on his body, in the Liverpool area of England where churches of every denomination abound, thoughts give rise to a Satanic murder. But finding the killer or killers is difficult and when suspicion falls on a religious genetic scientist who cannot be found, the search becomes increasingly complicated, especially when a young woman is found with her abdominal innards removed. Yes, the details are gory.

How Sister Helen Hope is drawn into solving the mystery with the help of Mikko, lead singer of a Norwegian death metal band, is for readers to find out. Far be it for me to spoil your fun. When the mystery is solved, surprises abound, and not just about the identity of the perps, but what happens to Sister Helen’s faith and belief in God along the way. The woman who confidently teaches eschatology (look it up or read the book!) isn’t the same person by the time the story ends. Neither is Mikko nor Detective Darren Swift. What on earth happened in Reprobation?

Readers might need patience to read this novel, which is actually a bit of a psychological thriller. As I said above, the wording is erudite and the concepts are heady. As much as they contribute to understanding the Calvinist view of life and death, the use of lengthy biblical passages by the Deaconess and others slows the pace, as do the very detailed descriptions of the settings. But if this sounds like your kind of read, don’t hesitate to add this to your Thanksgiving bucket list. Why Thanksgiving? You’ll be thankful Reprobation is, after all, only fiction.

Reviewed By Saifunnissa Hassam for Readers' Favorite

Lex Allen's thriller Eloah: No Hell is Book 2 of a trilogy and continues the suspense, action, and intrigue of book 1, Eloah: No Heaven. Eloah, a human from a parallel universe, has caused great confusion and fear. Worldwide religious and political leaders struggle to understand Eloah's claims and mission. The Elohim have vastly advanced science and technology, and a psychic evolution that allows them to travel at will through space and to communicate through telepathy. The characters of Elizabeth, Kate, and Jack play central roles in Eloah's mission. Elizabeth Washburn learns she has psychic abilities like the Elohim. Kate Barrow acquires psychic abilities when she is transformed into an Elohim. Jack Schmidt accepts Eloah's psychic abilities but remains skeptical of Eloah's religious claims and mission on Earth. The pace and action pick up as Eloah plans to speak in Jerusalem. Eloah: No Hell ends on a riveting cliffhanger.

Lex Allen's thriller Eloah: No Hell turned into a fascinating and very enjoyable read. I loved the way Allen threads the themes of religion, spirituality, good and evil into the story through strong characters, intense and edgy settings and dialogues. I loved the imaginative and vivid way in which Elizabeth and Kate use their psychic and telepathic abilities for time travel to the past, to the time when Jesus was crucified, and Jack's life at that time. The meeting between Pope John Paul III and Eloah is compelling, as the Pope struggles within himself, questioning the truth of Eloah’s knowledge of Jesus and the origins of the Church. Allen shows vividly and forcefully the depths of avarice and corruptibility through two very evil, malevolent and manipulative characters, greedy for power and wealth, and intent on killing Eloah. I am looking forward to reading the conclusion in Eloah: No Religion!

Reviewed By Romuald Dzemo for Readers' Favorite

The Ancient Order (Bud Hutchins Supernatural Thrillers Book 0) by JB Michaels is a story with strong supernatural underpinnings, a tale that explores the birth of a powerful order, The Order of St. Michael, designed to fight the forces of darkness. The Roman Empire is experiencing the most challenging and dark period in her history when some of her finest warriors are being mysteriously slaughtered. The highly skilled and battle-tested centurion, Magnus, is sent to Roman Britain to investigate the murders. He is not aware of what awaits him as he sets off on this mission with a warrior woman by his side. Does he have enough fight in him to face the dark powers, the powerful clans, and the innumerable enemies on his path?

This is a stellar work, packed with action, tightly plotted and executed in a way that the reader is gripped from the opening pages to keep on reading nonstop. The author has a unique gift for plot and crafts scenes that are focused, keeping the story balanced, and leading readers into exciting places with the setting. The characters are well developed and they will recall to readers elements of a civilization that has always intrigued historians. JB Michaels builds the tension from the very beginning of the novel and keeps it strong and growing from page to page. The Ancient Order is deft and well balanced. I found it to be engrossing and utterly riveting, a novel with an irresistible appeal for fans of historical fiction and intriguing and action-packed thrillers.

Reviewed By Rabia Tanveer for Readers' Favorite

Reveal: Among Us Trilogy by Anne-Rae Vasquez is the third book in this science fiction/fantasy series. It all began with Cristal and Harry trying to find out what was really happening in the world and trying to find their missing parents at the same time. However, with time, these two people realize that things are far more complicated than they first anticipated. There are far more dangerous and competent players in this treacherous game and there is not much they can do about finding the Truth, unless they are ready to take a drastic risk. With the Beast and the false Messiah right in the middle of this fight, how can a man and a woman save humanity before the actual Messiah comes? Is there really a Messiah waiting to help them or are they on their own?

It was a little confusing at first, but that is not the story’s flaw or the author’s fault. As I had not read the previous two novels in the series, I had to take some time catching up with the characters and to find out what was happening in the story. But once I caught up, there was no stopping me. I have never connected with characters this fast, especially in a series like this where I read the last novel first. I absolutely enjoyed Cristal and Harry, how they became a team and took charge of the situation. I absolutely loved the fact that they were both a team and not a man leading the woman or vice versa. No one was standing on the sidelines waiting for the other person to take an action because both of them were the go-getters and doers. The flow of the story was great, the narration was engaging and the overall development was amazing as well. I really enjoyed it! A very entertaining read.

Reviewed By Viga Boland for Readers' Favorite

Ever read a book and thought, “That is so me! Wish I had written it…or had the guts to write it!” That’s the effect Dodging Satan by Kathleen Zamboni McCormick had on me. From the bright and colourful eye-catching cover to the very last word, McCormick had me riveted as she put words to thoughts that have perplexed me from my earliest days of attending Catholic schools. Kathleen Zamboni McCormick reminded me of practices and pastimes long forgotten, but with which I immediately identified as soon as she brought them up.

If you were raised by Catholic parents and attended Catholic schools, do you remember collecting holy cards Accumulating special indulgences? Praying on rosary beads made in China? Cherishing that first missal acquired through green stamps? Staring at a glowing luminescent plastic crucifix beside your bed or on the wall? Worrying about Satan visiting you at night once you were alone in bed? Wearing a scapula and preparing yourself to become a nun? And last but not least, those horrid and feared Diocesan Exams that you knew you’d fail no matter how hard you studied your Bible! And then, somehow strangely as you matured, you began questioning everything that was being drummed into your head by those fearsome nuns in their black habits: how could a virgin give birth? How did Mary bathe Jesus and did she spank him when he was naughty? After all, he was the son of God! And why was Eve and not Adam ultimately to blame for the downfall of mankind? Was it really all about biting an apple?

It’s questions and ruminations like these that make Dodging Satan by Kathleen Zamboni McCormick one of the most fascinating, enjoyable and memorable books I’ve ever read. But at the same time, and no doubt intended by McCormick, Dodging Satan is disturbing. Even those not raised Catholic, but steeped in the many other religions and their teachings, will pause to consider what years of religious brainwashing can do to our thinking. Some become too afraid to question, so they accept what they’ve been taught on faith alone. Others, unlike Kathleen Zamboni McCormick, question but don’t dare voice their opinions: doing so might mean ostracism or permanent banning.

What caused the young, very devout, God-loving Bridget in Dodging Satan to finally decide to get rid of all her holy cards and to abandon her plans to become a nun? It was seeing how those all-important ten commandments were not being followed by the adults in her home and extended families. It was seeing super-drunken fathers beating up their wives and cheating on their spouses, but never missing Sunday Mass. It was witnessing favorite aunts being ridiculed and mentally abused by supposedly loving family members. It was looking forward to family Christmas dinners that were far from a celebration of life. By the time Bridget grew into a woman, she could only conclude one thing: it was, and still is, near impossible for a woman to come out on top in a man’s world: surely even the Bible was written by men to keep women underfoot. Why else are women still so far away from being equal to men?

Yes, there is a strong element of feminism running throughout Dodging Satan, but the seriousness of the real themes is tempered by humour. As Bridget, Kathleen Zamboni McCormick narrates what she witnesses through a young girl’s voice, and marvellously captures the confusion she feels because of the conflict between what she’s being taught and what she sees in the world beyond the classroom. Dodging Satan will shake up and shock some readers, while it simultaneously earns praise from those with open minds who dare to think beyond what they were taught. I am one of those and have the greatest admiration and respect for both this author and her book, a book I wish I had written!

Reviewed By Divine Zape for Readers' Favorite

What was Jesus’ early life like — the missing years of his life as a child? The Transmigrant by Kristi Saare Duarte provides an interesting narrative about the life of Yeshua, starting from AD I in Capernaum, Galilee. Jesus’ sense of the neighbor, his attention to the needs of others and his propensity to serve come across in the narrative as a natural gift. Readers are introduced to a young Yeshua who is awake to the spiritual realities of his people, hungry for an encounter with the Messiah. The reader follows the story of a man in search of his destiny, a man buoyed up by the love of God. But he will suffer the worst form of rejection when he tries to communicate his intimate experience with God, and will be thrown out of the temple. It seems his days are doomed and he’ll spend his entire life as a laborer, consumed by a dream he cannot attain, that of becoming a Rabbi — a teacher. But an encounter with a Buddhist pilgrim will open his eyes and set him on a new course, that of embracing his dream and destiny.

The Transmigrant is a beautiful story, deeply touching and very inspirational. Kristi Saare Duarte creates a compelling portrait of Jesus and allows readers to experience the depths of his humanity. His spiritual heritage and that of his family come out clearly in this narrative. Readers will meet Jesus’ siblings and understand the dynamics of life within a Jewish family. The story is beautifully told and the author creates vivid images of the early life of Jesus and his passage through other cities like Damascus. It is also interesting to note that the Rabbi always talked about the coming of the Messiah and Jesus would listen with rapt attention, hoping to see the Messiah. The use of irony in this narrative is brilliant and readers will enjoy the sense of humor that gives more life to the story. The story is filled with vivid descriptions and emotionally charged passages; the author fills the senses of readers with sounds, sights, and smells, just as in this line: “On top of a wooden pulpit at the front, flickering oil lamps danced in the breeze and the scent of incense filled the snug meeting room with magic.” This is a story that will transport readers to endearing spiritual climates.

Reviewed By Marta Tandori for Readers' Favorite

Betrayal of Justice, the taut new legal thriller by Mark M. Bello, is positively chilling in its political acuity. Ronald John, the newly-elected President of the United States and poster boy of white Christians the country over, is about to put into action his campaign rhetoric by deporting all illegals and putting up walls to keep all those unwanted out. In general, he’s about to inflict his bigotry and Islamophobia on the masses, all in the name of bringing back a “pure America”. Keith Blackwell, a white supremacist and grandson of a former Ku Klux Klansman, wholeheartedly supports the President’s agenda and gleefully launches his own clandestine attacks on two unsuspecting Muslim women, before bombing a local mosque with a Molotov cocktail. Arya Khan, a young American woman, watches in fear as all Muslims suddenly come under fire. Seeing seemingly little action by the police department, she decides to take matters into her own hands – only to soon find herself standing over the body of a dead white supremacist, holding the ‘smoking gun’, so to speak. Formally charged and jailed, and with the President actively seeking to deport her immigrant parents, Arya must put her trust in the hands of trial attorney, Zachary Blake…

Few will argue that Betrayal of Justice is art imitating life. However, what really gives this story its substance is the author’s ability to tell it from different points of view. We, as readers, are intimately in the mindset of the characters and, in essence, we learn what makes each character tick, their prejudices and even their frailties. It’s a complex story and Bello would be doing it an injustice if he only presented a one-dimensional viewpoint. There are also a great many moving parts to the story yet the author manages to keep each one going in such a way that the events, as they unfold, compel us to keep reading further. Betrayal of Justice also presents a series of characters from different walks of life. Who they are and what their special skill sets are serve to enhance the story. Although Bello pulls it off with seemingly no effort, it takes skill and research to create key members of a special task force and make every aspect of their jobs sound credible. With solid characterization, crisp dialogue and plenty of action, Bello manages to find the right balance between these three key elements.

Whether we agree with the motivations of the different characters, or whether we hate or love them is not the point. Betrayal of Justice is intended to open our eyes and our minds to the hate and prejudices that lurk in our own backyards. Utterly timely and superbly crafted, this second installment in the Zachary Blake Betrayal legal series is a must-read for legal junkies and political aficionados alike.

Reviewed By Susan Sewell for Readers' Favorite

Espionage, religion, and love collide in the thrilling novel, The Eagle and the Child) The Child Trilogy Book 1 by S. Khubiar. Dr. Phillip Sherrod is an up and coming orthopedic surgeon, with a reputation for his indiscretions. After a year of treating the enigmatic Dr. Shahla Markow for a shoulder injury, he discovers there is far more to her than her government job with the Federal Bureau of Prisons and he is intrigued. When Shahla is stabbed by a prisoner and requests Phillip as her surgeon, his interest takes a more serious turn. Her government job has another layer, and he realizes Shahla is a trained killer; still, her paradoxical life fascinates Phillip even more. He finally convinces her to marry him, but the complexity of their relationship intensifies when Phillip learns she practices and follows the laws of Judaism. Because he loves her, Phillip endeavors to understand and incorporate Shahla's religion into his life, yet the incongruity between her beliefs and her work continues to perplex him. Shahla's history is still a mystery to him, and one evening when she has visitors from her past who attempt to intimidate him, Phillip becomes very upset. Shahla won't explain their presence, and Phillip loses control; he oversteps his moral and physical boundaries. Two days later, without explanation, Shahla disappears. Has he driven Shahla away or has Shahla's past caught up with her?

The Eagle and the Child by S. Khubiar is a scintillating tale about a woman operative's struggles to have an ordinary life, despite her race, religion, and career. In combining Shahla's and Phillip's dissimilar cultures, the story realistically portrays the extreme difficulties existing in combining two diverse backgrounds. Shahla views her place in her home and society in the traditions of her Persian parents, which vary significantly in contrast to Phillip's Protestant upbringing. The polarity of their formative years brings an element of intensity to the plot and an unexpected development in the storyline. This is an enlightening story confronting the issues of hate and prejudice from the viewpoint of those who are the victims of intolerance. Intrigue and subterfuge are the principal elements woven throughout the book, laced with fast-paced action and electrifying fight scenes. These exciting aspects keep the reader mesmerized and entertained until the final page. It is a suspenseful story centered around international government conflicts and building to an exhilarating climax. This riveting novel terminates on an emotional cliffhanger, leaving the reader anxiously awaiting the sequel. This is a brilliant beginning to a saga that reminds me of a modern version of the "Zion Chronicles" by Brock and Bodie Thoene. Discretion is advised as there are bouts of violence, mild sex scenes, and a few mature words.

Reviewed By Caitlin Lyle Farley for Readers' Favorite

Jaw-dropping plot twists combine with thoughtful themes to produce an unforgettable read in Ted Neill’s debut novel, City on a Hill. Religious war turned the world to nuclear dust and desert. The remnants of humanity live in the walled cities of Lysander and Fortinbras. Religion is illegal, a form of insanity, and the root of division and discord. Lindsey and Sabrina have been friends since Sabrina beat up a girl bullying Lindsey on the playground. Now women, Lindsey hopes to study art while Sabrina pursues a career in law enforcement. As part of a routine investigation, Sabrina and her supervisor discover religious pendants in a workshop. Following their only surviving suspect leads Sabrina to an abandoned warehouse filled with cultists, Lindsey among them. Torn between her best friend and her duty, Sabrina is forced onto a path where terrible secrets will shake the foundations of everything she knows.

City on a Hill is a fast-paced read that tackles potentially volatile subject matter in a manner that’s both thoughtful and impartial. While the themes provide much for the reader to contemplate in terms of both religious and atheist zealotry, there’s also plenty of exciting action scenes. This provides a good balance to the narrative. The relationship between Lindsey and Sabrina is as complex as you’d expect from two people with such differing personalities. I loved that Neill kept a tight focus on Lindsey and Sabrina’s friendship, even though there were various opportunities to develop romance between these women and the men in their lives. The plot twists in City on a Hill caught me off guard more than once. Just when you think you understand the bigger picture, Ted Neill peels back the layers to reveal shocking facts that force the reader to reexamine everything.