Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

The Four Myths is a work of fiction in the thriller, action, and suspense subgenres, and was penned by Robert Reisler. Written for the general adult reading audience, the work contains some moderate expletives but no extensively graphic content. A journal from the year 2048 sparks the fascinating action in this apocalyptic tale. When archaeologist Jack Johanssen and night watchman Randy Haverstamp happen upon this prophetic item, details of the end of the world come to light. It all seems bleak until the prophecies begin to come true, and a path lies ahead that might be the only way to stop this future from becoming a reality.

Author Robert Reisler has crafted a superb thriller. The edge-of-your-seat sense of suspense is one of the most impressive features of this book, and I loved the structure of the plot, where certain elements are revealed to add new intrigues, just as you think you know what’s really going on. It makes for an unpredictable read and leaves tons of room for the author’s clever innovations to surprise readers at every turn. I also enjoyed Jack and Randy as central figures, neither of whom were the typical action-man presentation in apocalyptic thriller novels. Their skill sets and unique personalities really shone through in the dialogue and decisions they had to make. Overall, I would highly recommend The Four Myths to fans of Stephen King-style thriller fiction and stories which pack in plenty of plot with a fast pace and exciting characters.

Reviewed by Alma Boucher for Readers' Favorite

The Walk-On is an outstanding novel by Richard Podkowski. Although Mike "The Steelman" Stalowski rules the football field, he is beginning to spiral out of control. Mike played football despite suffering from severe pain and an injury for years. Mike turned to alcohol and painkillers to dull his suffering, both physical and emotional. Estranged from his wife, he unexpectedly meets Kim Richardson while still in the professional sports world. Kim saw Mike for who he was, a kind-hearted Chicagoan who had never lost sight of his humble beginnings. Mike embarks on a life-altering path as a result of significant game losses, painkillers, and excessive alcohol consumption. He was able to work through the pain and come to self-forgiveness through a path led by his mentor, a priest.

The Walk-On is a story of the lengths a player will go to in order to keep playing the game they love. The suffering they will endure, the treatments they will endure, and how the game will change their lives. The story is a page-turner, and Richard Podkowski had my attention from the start. It was easy to follow the game action, even for someone with limited football understanding. The characters were brilliantly developed and easy to relate to. I could feel Mike’s anguish and anger as he struggled with his troubles with alcohol and drugs. Mike’s fall from grace was traumatic, but he was given a chance for redemption. The story was beautifully written, and the chapters flowed into each other. It was much more than I expected and will stay with me for a while.

Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

In Search of My Heart is a work of fiction in the historical fiction, interpersonal drama, and religious writing genres. It is best suited to the general adult reading audience. Penned by author Carol Amon McGehe, this intriguing and compelling drama follows Miriam, a young woman in first-century Israel, raised in a strict religious family. Despite her curiosity and desire for adventure, Miriam's life is upended by tragedy and disillusionment. As she grapples with her shattered beliefs, she encounters biblical figures and joins women traveling with Jesus. This journey challenges her faith, confronting her doubts and trials. The novel weaves Miriam's personal struggles with historical and scriptural narratives, offering readers insight into first-century Jewish life and the impact of Jesus' ministry.

Author Carol Amon McGehe utilizes empathy and spiritual knowledge to craft a deeply moving story set in the ancient past. Miriam's journey from a sheltered life to confronting profound personal and spiritual challenges resonated on many levels, not least in her struggles with loss, disillusionment, and faith. This quest for meaning and connection is told with vivid, emotive language and a narrative that clings closely to her with insightful speech and thought presentation. The historical and cultural backdrop enriched the story with its wealth of detail and vivid descriptions, providing a visceral portrayal of daily life during Jesus' time. Miriam's encounters with biblical figures and her evolving relationship with Jesus were both enlightening and poignant, illustrating the transformative power of faith that transcends the historical setting to offer these same enlightenments in the modern day. Overall, In Search of My Heart is a compelling and introspective read that I would certainly recommend.

Reviewed by Grant Leishman for Readers' Favorite

Petra: An Unbroken Legacy by Lisa L. Dorsey is a deep dive back to the time just after the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Saul, after his conversion on the road to Damascus, goes from being a persecutor of Jesus’ followers to one of his most adamant and vocal supporters. Following Pentecost, Saul (now known as Paul) is commanded by God to spread the word in Arabia. After traveling to Petra, he is greatly encouraged to discover there is fertile ground amongst the Arabs for the message of Jesus’ salvation. It is a risky time though to be a Christian and Saul is banished by the local king for preaching the teachings of the followers of Jesus. From Damascus, Saul writes to his fellow Christians in Arabia, giving them hope, encouragement, and strength. Two millennia later Kasim Ma’an is following his family’s unbroken tradition of Christianity. He is convinced Paul’s letters are still waiting to be found, buried somewhere near Petra, in Jordan, the site of his family’s estate. Kasim enlists the help of a woman he fell madly in love with twenty years earlier when they were both students at an archaeological dig. Professor Issa Stevens is insecure and lonely having lost her husband three years earlier. The opportunity to join a major archaeological expedition in Jordan may be a chance to restart her life after her husband’s death but danger and intrigue await her, not to mention her long-lost love Kasim Ma’an.

Petra is a riveting read. Although this book is listed as Christian historical fiction, do not let the category put you off. Although author Lisa L. Dorsey’s obvious faith does shine through this story, it is still a rollicking adventure split across two millennia that will keep you relentlessly turning pages. With a nod to Indiana Jones, this tale of earth-shattering historical revelations will satisfy any action adventure reader as well as those steeped in the idea of biblical conspiracy theories and hidden scrolls. I particularly enjoyed the character of Issa who was forced to confront her insecurities and doubts about her abilities to overcome the challenges she faced in a strange culture and land. The romantic side softens the narrative and is genuinely sweet and endearing. The literary device of telling the story from two time perspectives was inspired and served to give the book a feeling of authority and genuineness. I enjoyed the tales of Saul as he went from being one of the persecutors of Jesus’ followers to eventually becoming one of the greatest champions of the Christian faith. The setting of the bulk of the story in Petra, with its amazing structures and its almost mythical qualities helped to cement the feeling that you were reading history rather than fiction. This is an excellent read, whatever your beliefs, and I highly recommend it.

Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

The Sower of Black Field by Katherine Koch is a historical fiction novel set during the final days of Nazi Germany. The story follows Fr. Viktor Koch, an American priest of German heritage, who is deeply conflicted as he tries to guide his parishioners through the horrors of the Third Reich. Struggling with his own self-doubt, Viktor must protect his flock from the brutal Nazi regime while wrestling with the moral implications of their actions. As American liberators uncover a mass grave near their village, Viktor faces an ultimatum that forces him to confront the true cost of survival and humanity.

Author Katherine Koch expertly captures the moral complexity of living under a tyrannical regime, making the reader empathize with characters in impossible situations as we meet Viktor and his congregation during a horrifying period in history. The vivid and historically accurate depiction of Nazi Germany sent chills up and down my spine all too often during this tale, bringing to life the struggles and fears of ordinary people in highly relatable ways, thanks to the close attention to detail in every physical and psychological reaction in the narrative. The character development is exceptional across the board, with a host of realistic figures and authentic period dialogue and attitudes, but most particularly in portraying Viktor’s internal conflict and the transformation he attempts of those around him. The novel’s exploration of faith, guilt, and redemption is powerful and thought-provoking as an underlying theme, and this builds into a bigger picture with a pace that leaves room for moments of deep contemplation, but always flows into the next twist with confidence and impact. Overall, I would not hesitate to recommend The Sower of Black Field to fans of realistic historical fiction.

Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

The Vacant Seat is a work of fiction in the romantic suspense, espionage, and mystery subgenres. It is best suited to the general adult reading audience and was penned by author C.J. Toca. In this highly engaging work filled with conspiracy, long-buried secrets, historical mysteries, and contemporary puzzles, we follow protagonist Stefania DiMaggio, a Brazilian journalist seeking a career-shifting scoop. Her first assignment seems dull and harmless and is made all the more annoying by the tag-along hobbyist duke, Thomas Houghton. But as the pair begin to unpick what seems like a simple story, the body counts in their wake rise, and a huge conspiracy begins to glimmer beneath the surface they’re digging into.

Author C.J. Toca has developed a sensational work of mystery, suspense, and intrigue in this multi-layered novel. I was most impressed by the way the chapter structure and storytelling were crafted to take us to different destinations with the wider ensemble cast and shift the different perspectives so that we get a fully formed story where we can piece a lot of clues together for ourselves. Stefania and Thomas make an interesting central pairing for the tale as neither of them is totally clean-cut in their own secrets, intentions, and goals, and their burgeoning romance is laced with just as much tension as the wider plot. Toca ensures that there’s plenty of emotional narrative skill to keep us deeply invested in these relatable leads, but the bigger-picture plot is never lost, and new twists and challenges pop up all the time to keep things exciting. Overall, I would certainly recommend The Vacant Seat to fans of accomplished, suspenseful dramas everywhere.

Reviewed by Astrid Iustulin for Readers' Favorite

Have you ever wondered about the lives of strangers you meet by chance during your day? What are their problems, their hopes, their fears? I have always been curious because each of them has something interesting to tell. In Devon Dial's book, Never a Mere Mortal, each chapter tells the story of a character and ends with an encounter that begins another story. Never a Mere Mortal is a book that will lead readers to discover many different lives and values. It is a chance to tackle a wide variety of topics by exploring our daily reality.

Never a Mere Mortal is a book that struck me by the depth of the stories Dial tells. Although many of them are about everyday life and problems that each of us can have, Dial's sensitivity makes them special. I liked how the lives of the various characters interweave, even if only for a moment, and that these encounters reveal new events and new characters. If you think that the stories of Never a Mere Mortal start with facts that we usually ignore in our lives, you can understand why I am fascinated by this book. Never has a book emphasized this particular aspect as clearly as Never a Mere Mortal. Here all the characters have the relevance they deserve. I believe this is the real magic of Never a Mere Mortal. I recommend it to readers who are fascinated by the complexity of everyday life and appreciate the experiences of every single person.

Reviewed by Essien Asian for Readers' Favorite

A top-secret mission to capture a mysterious individual leads some of America's finest operatives into the mountains of the Middle East. What these soldiers do not realize is that their target is no ordinary individual, but a survivor from an ancient time long before modern warfare. He is also one whose very presence must be concealed at all costs for fear of the chaos that would ensue if any information concerning this operation came to light. Unfortunately, they are not the only ones interested in the discovery of a lifetime and their shadowy adversaries are prepared to go the extra mile to possess Subject Alpha. Expect the unexpected in Michael Ferguson's The Genesis 6 Project but be certain that Tamir-Benob will not go down without a fight.

Introducing a colossus from biblical legend into a modern-era action storyline replete with tactical weaponry was never going to be an easy feat so my curiosity was piqued once I started reading. I can confidently say Michael Ferguson pulled it off exquisitely with The Genesis 6 Project. His characters are impressively well thought out and the depth of the research that went into them is obvious. You almost feel a certain degree of affinity with Tamir-Benob when you consider the circumstances that led to his predicament and the various references to critical sections of biblical lore make you wonder if there may be more to this enthralling story than meets the eye. This is a notch above the rest when it comes to action stories. Ferguson shows his dexterity with this impressive novel and proves that he is one to watch out for in the future.

Reviewed by Lex Allen for Readers' Favorite

"Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Emery Merrick presses a pistol to his temple. Then there's a knock at the door." Welcome to Emery's cabalistic world where immortals reign and biblical mythology is rewritten. Billionaire Thaddeus Drake's secret society works to fulfill biblical prophecy and sacrifice the Earth to a bloodthirsty god. Longinus, ostensibly and historically, is a Roman soldier who pierced the side of Jesus on the cross but is far more deadly and immortal here. In A Portion of Malice by Lloyd Jeffries, nothing and no one is what or who they seem.

Similarities to the horror in many of Stephen King's novels and the spiritual/religious undertones of the plot lines in Dan Brown's Angels and Demons are clear. But readers familiar with Dante's Inferno, and his journey through the nine circles of Hell, will also recognize the poetic justice and a strong emotional "feel" as they travel with Emery Merrick through this fantastic world where nothing is as it seems. Biblical history forms a baseline from which Lloyd Jeffries redefines and simultaneously shocks the reader with a 'who is really who and why is he doing' ... but, I thought... wait a minute—what the—sense of wonderfully enticing imbalance and surprise. Notwithstanding the apparent comparisons to King, Brown, and yes, even Dante, Lloyd Jeffries' A Portion of Malice is a must-read, not only for the overall storyline but also perhaps because of the fascinating characters and imaginative "rewrite" of biblical mythology and history masterfully written. Currently the first book, it appears there will be a sequel to A Portion of Malice and that calls for a rousing Hallelujah!

Reviewed by Pikasho Deka for Readers' Favorite

Based on real-life events, Where the Lilacs Bloom Once Again is the story of the trials and tribulations of a Jewish family during World War II in Romania. Author Roni Rosenthal delves into her family history by following the life of Friddie Stoleru, a young rebellious Jewish woman living in Bucharest, Romania, in the 1930s, who audaciously refused to marry the young man her parents had selected for her. Friddie travels to the town of Eforie Nord, where she meets a charismatic perfumer named Freddy. Soon, she succumbs to his charms and marries him while carrying his child. However, after his sudden disappearance, Friddie's life turns upside down as she is charged with treason and spends the next decade in prison and forced labor camps. During that time, her Uncle David and his family perish in the massacre of Iași.

Showcasing the horrors suffered by Jewish families during World War II, Where the Lilacs Bloom Once Again is one of those stories that tend to get lost in the annals of history. Roni Rosenthal gives an unflinching account of the lives of her family members during a time in Europe when discrimination and the persecution of Jewish people were at their peak in the first half of the 20th century. The struggle for survival is something everyone, as humans, should be able to relate to, and this is what the narrative focuses on the most. Friddie's continued resilience against appalling atrocities makes her an inspiring figure, and readers are bound to sympathize with her plight. A gem of a book for history buffs.