Category: Religion & Spirituality – Fiction

“The Merchant from Sepharad” by James Hutson-Wiley

March 31, 2023

“The Merchant from Sepharad” is the third book in James Hutson-Wiley’s “Sugar Merchant” series. Joshua ben Elazar is a young man determined to prove to his father that he can both forge his own path and be successful as a merchant and make him proud.  Achieving his goals, however, will not be easy. Joshua, as a Jew, faces religious persecution and discrimination from both Christians and Muslims. Subject to extraneous taxes, restrictions on where he can stay in a city, and targeted by those wishing to make examples of the “infidels,” Joshua’s journey is a constant myriad of curveballs that not only threaten to derail his future, but at worst, his very survival.  … More “The Merchant from Sepharad” by James Hutson-Wiley

“Margaret Anne: Child of the West Wind” by Ronan James Cassidy

January 20, 2023

“Margaret Anne: Child of the West Wind” is a taut rendition by Ronan James Cassidy that artfully mirrors 19th-century America. It’s the year 1859, and America is on the brink of the brutal Civil War. On a cold hibernal night on February 24th, in the woods of the Carolina midlands, Margaret Anne was born in a hidden cabin. As an illegitimate daughter to a Haitian woman, Miss Jeanne, and a wealthy plantation owner, Mr. Edward Calhoun, Margaret was determined to survive against all odds. … More “Margaret Anne: Child of the West Wind” by Ronan James Cassidy

“A Portion of Malice” by Lloyd Jeffries

January 12, 2023

“A Portion of Malice” is the first book in the newest thrilling series known as “Ages of Malice,” and the debut novel from Lloyd Jeffries, that will likely keep you on the edge of your seat, or at least antsy as you sit comfortably in your favorite reading spot. Set between Biblical and modern times, the story begins with the reader being drawn in by mysterious happenings expected to be found in later pages. “A Portion of Malice” would be categorized in the Christian fiction genre, still, the reader will find similarities in artistic styles to that of author Dan Brown and American film director, Quentin Tarantino – while not initially seeming to go together, they surprisingly work. … More “A Portion of Malice” by Lloyd Jeffries

“Darkheart: A Novel of Judas Iscariot” by Jeanne Blanchet

January 6, 2023

“Darkheart: A Novel of Judas Iscariot” by Jeanne Blanchet reimagines the life of Judas, disciple and betrayer of Jesus Christ.

As a young boy, Judas Iscariot was known as a troublemaker who often embarrassed his father. After meeting an enigmatic young boy about his own age, Yeshua, Judas becomes passionate about being a religious father, and convinces his father to help him begin formal studies. While these dreams were ultimately waylaid by tragedy and hardship, Judas once again encounters the young Yeshua while he is living with his aunt and uncle. Over the following years, the blood brothers grow from boys to young men, and venture out into the world on their own paths. Once again, however, Judas would be brought back into the circle of his boyhood best friend, becoming a disciple of a man who was becoming known throughout the land as the foretold Messiah come to Earth. Temptation and psychological distress remain dangerous forces for a humble, meager man like Judas, however, and soon he will discover that sometimes the ones we love the most are also the ones we hurt the most. … More “Darkheart: A Novel of Judas Iscariot” by Jeanne Blanchet

“Alaskan Escape” by Maryann Landers

December 15, 2022

Bill and Grace are not your average suburban parents. They didn’t stop at the traditional 2.3 children, having 5 kids instead. They also don’t go to high-rise offices or retail stores for their workday. No, they act in the movies with trained wild animals. Their log cabin home features a garden of rocks painted with a beloved Bible verse. Societal norms are not a part of this family’s structure. So, I knew going into this read that this unique family was going to take me on an unusual adventure.

Loosely based on actual events, I became fascinated by Bill, Grace, and their children as they left their former careers and their home to jump into the insanity of Alaskan commercial fishing. If my husband started a conversation with “I’ve always wanted to be an Alaskan fisherman…” let’s just say the conversation would have turned out differently than that of Bill and Grace. … More “Alaskan Escape” by Maryann Landers

“The Betrayal” by Doug Dorsey

November 18, 2022

“The Betrayal” is a blistering novel by award-winning author Doug Dorsey in the Christian Sci-fi and fantasy genre. As a trilogy opener in the “Blue Lotus Project”, the story is set in a devastated world that has experienced large-scale and violent events such as earthquakes and fires reducing a huge part of the habitable land to two continents, North and South America. … More “The Betrayal” by Doug Dorsey

“Seeking Tranquility” by Amy Schisler

November 9, 2022

“Seeking Tranquility” is the story of hope in the face of adversity, of finding rare minerals amid commonality, of good versus evil. Christy and Molly are sisters, learning how to navigate life now that their parents passed unexpectedly. Christy is an attractive and attentive twenty-four-year-old who had her whole life to live but chose the only option she knew – to end everything and take care of her preteen sister, Molly. The two moved from the D.C. area to an island where their parents had a home; Christy is living reminiscent of a single mom – working two jobs and having zero down time for herself. Molly, on the other hand, makes life more interesting, and at times stressful, when her above-average intellectual abilities comes to light. … More “Seeking Tranquility” by Amy Schisler

“The Gift of Gracie” by Amy Heyman

November 7, 2022

“The Gift of Gracie,” by Amy Heyman is the story of Gracie Hubbard, who, at three years old, fell off the swing playing with her brother in the backyard. Unfortunately, Gracie landed on her head, sustaining a serious head injury that left her mentally altered thereafter. Her family often referred to her as simple-minded and they were extremely protective of her. Even to the point of stifling her at times, but nothing was going to stop Gracie from wanting to experience new things while she was growing up. … More “The Gift of Gracie” by Amy Heyman

“A Saint for Any Season” by D.M. Langdon

August 25, 2022

D.M. Langdon is the author of seven books, all containing words of spiritual wisdom. She is a spiritualist medium and psychic who gets all her information from the spirit world. Her belief is that she is just a scribe and a vessel for sharing wisdom.

Her book “A Saint for Any Season” is centered around the life of a saint who shares what his faith has taught him. … More “A Saint for Any Season” by D.M. Langdon

“Kenosis” by Matt McCracken

August 24, 2022

“Kenosis” by Matt McCracken delves into the thorny subjects of faith and religion. Centered on the life and trials of an Episcopal reverend, it explores an unusual friendship between a man of the cloth and a convicted felon who is doing time. In each other, they find a connection that transcends the disparities between the stations in their lives, and Reverend Amos Richardson is touched and forever changed by his interaction with Jess. … More “Kenosis” by Matt McCracken