Reviewed by Courtnee Turner Hoyle for Readers' Favorite

Light Through a Rusty Roof by Roy Terry is a story about a miraculous conversion. Reverend Michael Peters is stuck in a congregation that meets all of society's markers for greatness and a family that seems fine from the outside but is withering on the inside. After a trip to the hospital, a “gray” man, John Dough, approaches Reverend Peters and asks him to follow him on a journey. The reverend reluctantly agrees, and he experiences periods of doubt and acceptance as he meets a diverse group of colorful characters who have a similar message of love and hope for the future to share with him. As he begins to understand and believe in the focus of the group, known as the “Others”, he sees many people in his community achieve their own enlightenment and make choices about their future in the mildly futuristic world.

Roy Terry has painted a picture of a revolution of love, and his characters realistically choose their sides of the divide it creates. Some of the characters in the story seemed to take a step back from Jesus, especially John Dough, but the experiences embody Jesus’s mantra when the religious figure asked his disciples to drop everything and follow him. Among the other parallels to Jesus and his disciples, I noticed that Dough changed Michael’s name to “Pete”, much in the same way Jesus changed Simon’s name to “Peter” when he joined him. The book moves along at a medium pace, with periods of reflection to indicate the main character’s spiritual and emotional growth. I’d recommend Light Through a Rusty Roof to readers who enjoy stories about spiritual awakening and new beginnings.

Reviewed by Trevor Otieno for Readers' Favorite

The Wise Man: A Novel by Michele Chynoweth is based on an Old Testament story that has been modernized while retaining its principles. Michele Chynoweth opens a window into the world of wise people, allowing readers to trace the origins of many of their own stories. She recounts the well-known story of King Solomon being given an exceptional gift by God: a perceptive, cunning, and insightful intellect. Finn has a lot of insight at first, but his egotistical goals lead him away from his intended path as a judge. In the same way that Solomon’s temple was destroyed by his haughtiness, he sees his inheritance ruined. He finds his way to atonement through the wreckage of his mistakes. Current events are included while describing the highs and lows in love, politics, and the daily life of President Mitchell and his son Finley.

Michele Chynoweth has great inventiveness, which I loved. Amazing character depth can be found here. You are drawn into the story by the detailed language employed. The plot is intriguing and unexpected. It’s an enjoyable book that modernizes Solomon’s life, from which we can learn a great deal. The amount of study that Chynoweth put into creating this work captivated and astonished me. The plot is an exciting rollercoaster journey that enchants you and leaves you wanting more. Chynoweth has taken care to pay attention to the fundamentals of flawless writing, including the use of proper grammar, punctuation, and minimal mistakes. Everyone should read The Wise Man as a gentle warning that arrogance is always followed by ruin.

Reviewed by Jennifer Ibiam for Readers' Favorite

How far would a hurt person go to exact revenge? As high school students, identical twins Jack and Erick loved each other so much. They were stellar students and basketball stars, but Erick was the stronger one and got a harder push while Jack got all the pampering. Things changed after the state championship when something happened between the duo and their father, Coach Zak. Erick married Addie, the girl his brother loved, while her sister, Rachel, loved Jack but couldn’t get his attention. Eric and Addie finally had a baby after many years of trying. However, tragedy struck a day after the new baby’s baptism. Someone kidnapped her and everybody in the love triangle had motives. Who took baby Elizabeth? Read Stolen Blessing by Jim Sano for the details.

Stolen Blessing by Jim Sano was a novel that had me waiting to exhale. It had me hooked from the first page until the very end. If you love mystery, suspense, and detective stories, this book will appeal to you. However, prepare to be shocked because things are never as they seem. I enjoyed reading this novel and the flawless editing enhanced my pleasurable experience. The unpredictable storyline, brilliant plot, and dialogue were superb. I also give extra points for the character development because the core characters were class acts. Our dear Father Tom, Angelo, and Detective Brooks had me laughing a lot. Sibling rivalry is a thing, but when fueled by the parents, it could brew disastrous consequences. Also, the importance of honest communication cannot be over-emphasized. When in doubt, ask questions with an open mind. I was baffled at the way a person’s mind worked, but the end was satisfactory. Please, write more, Jim!

Reviewed by Barbara Harper for Readers' Favorite

The Near-Death Experience of Justin Parks by R.A. Williams is a story about a young man in his early twenties, who suffers the tragic and senseless loss of his fiancée, Kayla, on New Year’s Eve, one week before their wedding day. Justin then decides to take matters into his own hands by becoming a police officer with the intention of ridding society of criminals and preventing future harm. This decision also backfires as Justin ends up shooting an innocent man. He then blames God for the tragic events and misfortunes that seem to plague his life, and for three years he aimlessly drifts along feeling worthless, his mind clouded in darkness. Fortunately, Justin has the unconditional love and support of his mother, an uncle who offers him a job at his apartment complex, and his best and only friend Lance. One cold winter's day, a sullen and unfriendly Justin knocks on a tenant’s door to demand payment of outstanding rent. This culminates in an act of violence, and Justin lands up submerged in icy water, with a head injury. When he awakens almost a week later with his memory fuzzy, he is informed that he has a head injury and had been submerged in icy water for fifteen minutes without oxygen before being resuscitated. Later while resting in his hospital bed, Justin sees a bright light. Frightened, he dismisses the experience, believing it to be a result of his head injury. Then a chain of events occurs that leads Justin to new places and new faces. Has his near-death experience been a random event, and is his life the sum total of numerous coincidences? Or could this be Jesus’s way of showing Justin that God works in mysterious ways his wonders to perform?

The Near-Death Experience of Justin Parks by R.A. Williams is an inspirational story. Justin thinks that his life is worthless as a loving God would have prevented all the pain and suffering that he has endured. I think that the author makes Justin relatable as I too have felt the heavy burden of misfortune and longed for God to reveal his presence, to light the way, and show me the path that I should follow. Justin is searching for answers and trying to find solutions instead of trusting and having faith in God. So, God uses drastic measures to grab Justin’s attention. One of those measures is allowing Justin to be hit on the head and have a near-death experience. When he wakes up, God continues to reveal Himself in what appears to be random events and situations. In the story, there is a recurring theme of three. The three years Justin suffers from depression, three individuals offer Justin unconditional love and support, and in the Christian doctrine of the Trinity, God is defined as being three distinct persons in one Godhead, namely God the Father, God the Son (Jesus Christ) and God the Holy Spirit. After three years of walking in darkness, Justin has a near-death experience that illuminates his life. Readers who enjoy Christian fiction will enjoy reading this insightful and thought-provoking book.

Reviewed by Maria Victoria Beltran for Readers' Favorite

Ancient of Genes: Prehistoric Resurrection or Genetic Warfare? by Dan Gallagher is a mesmerizing and provocative spiritual and scientific thriller. The story unravels at Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts, where Dr. Wentz and his brightest student, Kevin Harrigan, have been conducting a secret genetics project on Fossil Gene Redemption for the last three years. The University Board found out about the experiment, and both of them are dismissed. A press statement is subsequently released announcing that all findings, data, and specimens involved have been destroyed. On the other hand, Bart Lloyd has developed a tomographic sensor that can locate fossils dating back to the Pleistocene era. Harrigan and Lloyd are summoned by Iraqi Minister Ismail Mon to a meeting with a proposition that they work together on a project in the endangered species preserve at Megiddo, Israel. Will this extraordinary project significantly improve the human species or will it be used as a genetic weapon to destroy the human race?

Dan Gallagher’s Ancient of Genes: Prehistoric Resurrection or Genetic Warfare? grips the reader from start to finish because it is soundly believable. Extraordinarily well-researched and vividly written, it connects innovative science and thought-provoking moral principles. Gallagher gives his readers a glimpse of prehistoric times with a storyline that is action-packed and fast-paced. Highlighting the critical issues confronting the world today, Ancient of Genes is highly relatable. With extraordinary characters and a very entertaining plot, this mind-blowing science fiction thriller will stay with you long after you read its last page. Highly recommended!

Reviewed by Joy Hannabass for Readers' Favorite

Based on the cover and title, Sixty-Five Roses by R. A. Williams is nothing like I thought it would be. It is not a bouquet of 65 roses, but a deep, heartbreaking story of a four-year-old little girl, and so much more, woven into the pages of this book. Just out of college, private investigator Amari Johnston is working with her retired homicide detective dad on the hunt for a scrap of fabric believed to be part of a coat worn by Jesus while here on earth. Amari will not give up hope for Kathleen to be healed. She is determined to track down the healing cloth. But someone else is just as determined that no one will ever find this valuable and sacred scrap of material.

Sixty-Five Roses by R. A. Williams is a very good story, one that I did not want to put down. The nail-biting suspense is so intense at times that I had to wonder if Amari and her dad would ever find this piece of cloth in time to heal sweet little Kathleen. Though it's pretty predictable what will happen, the journey to the final ending takes readers on a whirlwind ride that you will remember long after you finish the book. While I don't think something like this could ever happen, I think it is a wonderful and clever storyline to read for hours of entertainment and enjoyment. I highly recommend Sixty-Five Roses by R. A. Williams. It's book three in a series but I had no problems reading this one as a standalone.

Reviewed by Lex Allen for Readers' Favorite

The Pope's Butcher by Joseph C. Gioconda is a thrilling work of fiction inspired by true historical figures and events in the 15th century. The story is not only a hair-raising work of suspense and espionage but an astonishing account of religion and the occult at the beginning of the Inquisition in Germany. Abandoned as a child and raised by the Church, young Sebastian works tirelessly in his pursuit of priesthood. Father Heinrich Institoris, the infamous Grand Inquisitor (a historical figure), recruits the naïve Sebastian, just a few months prior to his ordination, for a mission to travel across Europe compiling information concerning witchcraft; in particular, to find a book/documents that contain all the knowledge and spells of witchcraft and demonology. Sebastian sees this mission as an opportunity of a lifetime and eagerly drops everything to carry out the mission of The Grand Inquisitor himself. What he discovers and how his revelations affect the future of the Inquisition are brought forward with some of the best interweaving of fiction and fact I've ever read.

Joseph C. Gioconda is adept at keeping readers on their toes as he weaves a fictional story through historically documented events. His characters, historical and fictional, come to life under his skillful wordsmithing to provide a sense of reality that often falls by the wayside in fictional works of this nature. In The Pope's Butcher, alternative history, action/adventure, mystery, horror, and romance fill the perfect circle of this enthralling story. His research, as evidenced by the glossary and bibliography at the end of the book, is phenomenal and seamlessly worked into the background of the escalating adventures of Sebastian. The Pope's Butcher is top-notch writing, the best book I've read this year, and I'm looking forward to Joseph C. Gioconda's second novel, Salem's Ropes.

Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

Acts of Hope is a work of fiction in the historical, interpersonal drama, religious theme, and emotive fiction sub-genres, and was penned by author Martin Elsant. Written as Part 2 of The Inquisition Trilogy, this work is the sequel to Acts of Faith. Working as a self-contained story, the novel also furthers the exploration of the fallout and effects of the Portuguese Inquisition as protagonist Maria Lopes meets a new band of people on different sides of the religious divide when she tries to reclaim her Jewish heritage. So begins a quest not only to understand herself, but to learn who to trust, and how to understand others along the way.

Having enjoyed Acts of Faith immensely, I was pleased to return to the sixteenth-century world which author Martin Elsant has created, and discover more about the Inquisition through the events of this novel. True to form, one of the things which hit me right from the off was the immersive atmosphere of this diverse world of different religions and cultures, and the tension in this second novel was amped up to boiling point throughout as we discover the suffering and sacrifices of many people of the time. I enjoyed the inclusion of the ensemble cast very much, showcasing different personalities and beliefs through some truly excellent dialogue techniques and narrative prowess. This makes for a work that packs an even larger emotional punch than its predecessor, and I would therefore highly recommend Acts of Hope to fans of the first book and those who enjoy intense and immersive world history in general.

Reviewed by Deborah Lloyd for Readers' Favorite

Nicky Covo was an adolescent when he fought the Germans in his homeland of Greece. He had one especially close call when a German soldier aimed a grenade at him. The German died but Nicky was not harmed; it was as if a protective shield materialized. Nicky was Jewish and he believed his parents and siblings died at Auschwitz. Fast forward to 1990, when Nicky, now a psychiatrist in New York City, received a mysterious letter, questioning if a nun in a monastery could possibly be his sister. Nicky no longer considered himself Jewish, as he no longer believed in God. Although Nicky had doubts about having a living sibling, he decided to explore the possibility.

In The Flight of the Veil, crafted by Bruce J. Berger, a compelling story unfolds. This book is informative and thought-provoking in many ways. Nicky had never dealt with his guilt over killing people during the war, nor his belief that he had survived while all his family had died. Over forty years later, his guilt was exacerbated by the death of his wife and his relationships with his children were somewhat distant and complicated. A new relationship with a woman he had known decades earlier affected him in unexpected ways. The challenges to Nicky’s faith, or lack thereof, are also quite intriguing. Although there seem to be numerous storylines, the skillful writing of this author interweaves each of these themes seamlessly. Author Bruce J. Berger has penned an unforgettable novel in The Flight of the Veil. It is truly an exceptional book!

Reviewed by Grant Leishman for Readers' Favorite

The Tormenting Beauty of Empathy by Richard Robbins is a heart-warming, somewhat traumatic journey into the world of spirituality and the human condition. Hana was just a 5-year-old when she watched, in horror, as her parents were murdered by the Guatemalan Army when their village was suspected of harboring rebels against the regime. Running for her life, Hana made it to a nearby town where she was taken into the hearts of the locals and raised as one of their own, learning and displaying immense talent and artistic ability in the local craft of embroidery. When the army returned again to wreak havoc, Hana and her childhood friend, Deisi, decided to make the dangerous and exciting journey across Guatemala, through Mexico, and hopefully to freedom in the U.S. Upon arriving in Texas, Hana is horrified to discover she is pregnant and is sent to the small town of Indiantown in Florida to have her baby daughter in a community of Mayan refugees who take care of one another. Hana’s daughter, Josefa, soon begins to display a powerful spiritual and empathetic nature that endears her to and attracts the interest of the local Mayan spiritual leaders in Indiantown. When Josefa appears to have performed a “miracle”, her fame and notoriety go viral and suddenly Josefa is the center of worldwide attention and finds herself bringing her simple message of love and understanding to an ever-increasing audience desperate for true spirituality.

I was deeply touched by The Tormenting Beauty of Empathy. Author Richard Robbins presents a compelling case for more empathy in this world through his wonderful characters of Hana and Josefa. Hana’s childhood trauma was powerful enough to have broken many women but she was able to put it all behind her and move on in an increasingly violent environment, to create a simple, yet immensely satisfying life for herself and her daughter. The character’s muteness after the trauma served as a constant reminder of the pain and suffering she had experienced, plus it allowed the author to explore the aspects of communication between humans that transcends the spoken word. For me, this was what lifted the story above others in the genre. The descriptive passages especially in the first part of the book were redolent with the beauty and the horror of Hana’s home country of Guatemala. As a reader, I felt instantly transported to the lush Guatemalan rainforests and their immense diversity of flora and fauna. The overarching theme of the narrative is that of love, redemption, and, of course, empathy, and the story absolutely reinforces those qualities through the life of both Hana and Josepha. I particularly was drawn to the concept of the universality of spirituality and that salvation lies not in the hands of any or all religions but actually inside ourselves. This is a beautiful, touching, and redeeming tale that I can highly recommend to everyone. When as a reader you feel better inside for having read a book, you know the author has achieved his or her goal. This is such a book.