Customer Comments

Daniel Friedmann’s Roadmap to the End of Days is a thought-provoking analysis of the end of times and the Messianic Era, controversial and misunderstood subjects. Mr. Friedmann dares his readers to consider his arguments with an open mind and confront their own mix of scientific and religious core values. The book begins with the story of a small boy who comes home from Sunday school and retells to his dad the story of the Exodus and parting of the Red Sea. He describes Moses as a strong wrestler who God sent behind the enemy lines with a team of engineers. His mission was to rescue his people and lead them out of Egypt. Awestruck, the dad asked: “Is that really what the teacher taught you? The boy replied, “No, Dad. But if I told you the story the way the teacher did, you'd never believe it!” Mr. Friedmann uses this allegory to prepare readers as he presents his arguments in a simple and understandable way. The book keeps the author's familiar rhetorical style. Each of its 10 well-developed and interesting chapters starts with an introduction to its topic, concludes with a summary of the collected data and their interpretation, and leaves the reader wondering: “Where will it lead me?” Friedmann skillfully reconciles and explains the Apocalyptic prophesies based on physics, history, the holy Bible, and the Torah (including its books of commentary), and he clarifies humanity's key role in its outcome. To help readers understand how God and humans differ in measuring time, he utilizes Einstein's theory of special relativity. I highly recommend the reader take the time to explore the extra documentation provided in the appendixes, glossary, and endnotes as it facilitates the understanding of this challenging topic. To put his message in context., the author offers the following disclaimer on page 69: “The sources are clear: no one can know the exact form of future events, or their timing.” However, by recognizing the signs, we can prepare ourselves for fulfillment of the prophesies and reduce casualties. In sum, as the author observes on page 85: “The purpose of our existence is to bring both ourselves and the world back to its original state of spiritual sensitivity to create a dwelling place for the Divine Presence in this world” When the author contacted me to endorse and review this book, I did not hesitate. Having reviewed his previous book, The Broken Gift, I knew about his earnest style and had no doubt he would provide food for thought in another high quality and well-documented masterpiece. The book exceeded my expectations, captivated me through the journey, and enlightened me regarding this fascinating topic. I highly recommend this book to readers who dare to examine new possibilities and are able to examine them closely without personal bias.

The Shark Rider is the second book in the Tristan Hunt and the Sea Guardians series, by marine scientist and author Dr. Ellen Prager. The Shark Rider begins with Tristan attending a school field trip to learn how to prevent trash from polluting the beach. During that expedition, he saves a shark on distress and proceed to showoff his secret skills; unbeknownst to him, someone takes a picture, loads it online, and it goes viral. In light of Tristan’s careless acts during the school year, all training sessions are done after the park is closed. One afternoon, after training, Tristan and his friends went swimming and heard numerous complaints from sea creatures about abnormalities and mysterious deaths near Virgin Gorda Island in the Caribbean. They reported the news to Coach Fred, who organized an exploratory excursion. What is the cause of the mysterious death? Join Tristan Hunt and the Sea Guardians in another exciting adventure! Keeping with the concept of The Shark Whisperer, Dr. Prager continues to travel with her readers to amazing above and underwater places while describing their unique flora and fauna. She also educates about the importance of respecting sea life and their habitats and creates awareness of the impact our actions have on the environment. I highly recommend this book to teens, young adults, families, and youth educators. Warning: At the end of the book, the author includes a sneak preview of the next book, Stingray City. Another must read!

East and Eight is the second installment of the Lore Trilogy by the young and ingenious author, C.T. Douglas. The first book, A Pirate's Charm, introduced the main characters and set the stage for this page-turner, pirate adventure. The story begins in 1780 in the island of Barbados where gemseeker Molly Bishops is pursued by members of the dangerous vampire cult, The Black Coats. After escaping her would-be captors, she forms an alliance with the infamous Captain Thomas Crowe, who allows Molly to join his pirate crew. During their voyages, she begins to understand Crowe's unusual crew, the prophetic riddles of an old fortuneteller, and her essential role in the fulfillment of those prophecies. East and Eight presages and continues the epic. The narrative begins in Barbados in 1775, with young Thomas a crewman for the ruthless pirate Captain Lapuente, notorious for buying and keeping werewolves captive and controlling them with magic. Even as a young pirate, Thomas was a free spirit and a witty entrepreneur. He helps Oi'alli, the chieftess of the Oi'tan tribe, to recover the stolen Uyl Talisman from Capt. Lapuente. As a result of this successful recovery, Thomas regains his freedom and Oi'alli allows him to keep the powerful talisman for five years. Once freed, Thomas takes over Capt. Lapuentes's ship and crew and installs himself as captain. He develops a reputation as a tough, fair, and slick business man. When Oi'alli comes to collect the talisman from Thomas, he refuses to give it back as previously agreed. After an intense argument, she curses Thomas with a Doppelganger demon whose actions eventually force Thomas to travel to the island of Wallachia to be exorcised by a Helvetti priest. Before traveling to Wallachia, Thomas and Molly make a short stop in England. There, Molly's repressed powers as a sorceress are fully unleashed when she is engaged in a fiery fight for her life. Those newly discovered faculties will be essential for the salvation of Thomas and the success of their mission. During their journey to seek the assistance of the Helvetti priest, Thomas meets Geoffrey Mylus, a magi scribe whose knowledge and understanding of magic will be extremely beneficial to Thomas and those traveling with him in confronting some future ordeals. At this point, Geoffrey is formally introduced as the trilogy narrator. As the story unfolds, Thomas and Molly must form alliances with former adversaries to defeat a treacherous foe known as the Eight, a mysterious group persecuting the vampire and werewolf cults in the name of preserving humanity. The author skillfully shares key information about some of the Eight members, their locations, and hints at other suspected members. Will the Eight be able to reach their goal of global power? Will the cults be able to survive their power and political influence on the world of humans? East and Eight exceeded my expectations. Once again the author binds together new characters, situations, and places in a spider web of suspense and unpredictable revelations that kept me spellbound until the resolution of all conflicts. Join Capt. Crowe, Molly, Geoffrey, and the others on this cliffhanger of an adventure! I highly recommend this saga for teens, older readers, and for anybody who enjoys a fascinating tale with all the elements of a NY Bestseller converted into a blockbuster movie!

The Ravine, by Robert Pascuzzi, is a novel of evil, hope, and the afterlife, inspired by a true story. Tony and Danny Turner enjoyed many years of fame and glory as their high school football team's best players. Their dream of becoming professionals was crushed when they were not drafted. After graduation, stardom faded and they had to settle for a boring and tedious low-paying job at a local store. The Turner brothers' attitude of entitlement took them down a criminal path leading toward the road to perdition. When one of their burglaries went wrong, they were caught and sentenced to several years in jail. Feeling ashamed, the family relocated to another city where the brothers' dad started a sporting goods business. After their release from prison, the brothers worked for their father. Once their dad retired, Tony, the older one, took over the running of the family store and became a successful businessman. The Turner brothers integrated back into society, started families of their own, and became responsible citizens. However, Danny always felt like he was an underdog growing in the shadow of his brother. His dark side started creeping back to the point of no return. One spring morning Danny's wife and older son were murdered at their home, leaving the entire neighborhood, close friends, and family in total shock. As the story unfolds, the reader must keep an open mind to understand the root of the problem as it is gradually revealed by the homicide detective and a devout, spirited pastor helping the families cope with the tragedy. The Ravine is a thought-provoking, page-turning crime story with characters and situations inspired by true events. It shows how the destructive power of evil, if left unattended, could lead to tragedy. On the other hand, it also shows how, for those who invoke His mercy, faith and trust in God's redemptive love defeats the power of evil and prevent eternal damnation. I highly recommend this inspirational, life-changing story to readers who think they would like homicide novels entangled with unusual spiritual experiences. The end of the book will leave them wondering, Is that really possible?

The Prodigals is the second installment of the trilogy Giants in the Land, by award-winning author Clark Burbidge. In the first book, The Way of Things, humans and giants had been living together harmoniously for many generations. Then, one morning, the humans were shocked to discover that the giants had disappeared and chaos reigned. Thomas, a farmer and an outstanding hunter, accepts the challenge of searching for the giants. During his journey he overcomes difficulties by using his skills and he trusts God to help him reach his final destination. At the end of the story, Thomas dies of old age and is buried in the Land of the Giants, as an honor for his extraordinary work. The saga continues with The Prodigals. The author does not disappoint his readers and brings forth another engaging, page-turner adventure. The story begins with Thomas awakening in the Land of the Giants. Because of his character, wisdom to discern the heart of men, and his ability to judge the immediate needs of others, he is promoted to the honored position of Forest Ward. Meanwhile in his old village, Tommy, the son of Thomas's daughter Hope, is going through a phase of adolescent rebellion and growing pains. Although he is respectful and obedient to his parents, he dislikes farming and neglects his duties. However, he is an excellent hunter just like his uncle Samuel and his grandfather. One day while Tommy is in the forest daydreaming at the top of his favorite tree, the village is attacked by a group of ruffians. His dad and uncle Samuel get injured trying to protect their families. While climbing down the tree, Tommy, too, is injured and is unable to assist his helpless younger sister Rose, who is taken captive by the attackers. After the ruffians leave the village, headed to the town of Westhall with Rose and some spoils, Tommy is helped by Marcus, a slave boy who escaped from the leader of the invaders. Feeling guilty for the series of unfortunate events his escape caused to the village and its people, Marcus offers to help rescue Rose. News of this event reaches the Land of the Giants. The Giants had heard stories about the state of decadency in Westhall, an evil- centered, modest-sized town facing the Great Western range in the eastern lands, where slave trade is a normal affair. The giants send Thomas Forest Ward and Earthwatcher to investigate and to proceed according to the Way of Things. Upon arriving, Thomas Forest Ward assesses the situation and decides to create a rescue team comprised of himself, Earthwatcher, Tommy, and Marcus. During their journey, they will encounter groups of captives being taken to Westhall to be sold as slaves to the higher bidder. Among those captives is the giant Herdshepherd, who lost his purpose in life, and Samantha, a strong-willed, spirited woman who is destined for great things. As the saga unfolds, Thomas Forest Ward, Earthwatcher, Tommy, Marcus, Herdshepherd, and Samantha will keep the reader involved in their rescue mission and their individual development. At the end of the story, those who thought of others most have evolved to become wiser, leaders. The surprising and unexpected end will leave the reader wondering about the odds of Thomas accomplishing his most challenging mission. But so as not to leave the reader at the edge of his seat, the author includes a sneak peek of the final installment, The Cavern of Promise. The Prodigals is a story of courage, hope, mercy, and redemption. I highly recommend it to adolescents, young adults, and to those working with them. And to those who, quoting the giant Forestmaster: “... have the gift to see in others their ability to become something more and the compassion to care for them to help them achieve it… who can find the giant within and bring it to the surface.”

The Shark Whisperer is the first book in the Tristan Hunt and the Sea Guardians series by marine scientist and author Dr. Ellen Prager. Although a work of fiction, the story contains elements of the author’s scientific knowledge and job experience as well as descriptions of fascinating places where she has worked or visited. The story begins with Tristan and his family’s visit to the Sarasota Aquarium in Florida.” As he leans over the shark pool's railing trying to get a better look, he falls into the water. At first Tristan is in shock and afraid of becoming the sharks' next meal, but he soon notices the animals are not trying to attack or hurt him, and are instead playing with him. Tristan feels so at ease that he even swims with the sharks before being abruptly pulled out of the pool. After this experience, Tristan becomes obsessed with sharks. Two weeks later Tristan and other gifted teens attend the Summer Sea Camp at the Florida Keys Sea Park, where teenagers learn about sea life, and learn how to handle sea creatures. Additionally, campers sharpen their newly discovered aquatic skills in among other things, camouflage, underwater night vision, ability to swim in tight spaces, echolocation, and communication with sharks, dolphins, birds, and other sea creatures. A few weeks into the camp session, the administrators receive numerous complaints about fishing practices that threaten the local shark population. A group of older and experienced teens are sent to investigate but they are captured by the perpetrators. Tristan, his friends, the camp administrators, and the sea creatures join forces in a daring life-threatening rescue operation that will change their lives forever. An important scene from the rescue mission is depicted on the book’s cover. The author will take Tristan, his friends, and the reader into an exhilarating, dramatic, and captivating underwater adventure as engaging as a Jules Verne classic but with a sprinkling of the Dr. Dolittle, Harry Potter, X-Men, and Percy Jackson stories. The Shark Whisperer is more than just a great story. It teaches teens about teamwork, discipline, leadership, self esteem, motivation, and the consequences of one's actions, not to mention the importance of protecting our environment. For that reason, I highly recommend this book, not just to its target audience of teens, but also to young adults, families, and youth educators.

The Last Ark, penned by author Jack Sky, is a twelve-book apocalyptic series based on the Third Secret revealed by the Virgin Mary to the children at Fatima. The books are available as individual volumes or in three omnibus editions, each one containing four books. This review is for books I-IV. The first book, The Vision, begins with a disturbing vision that comes to Marian Pope Petrus Romanus in the form of a dream. Once awake, he prays fervently for guidance. Through the protection and intersession of the Virgin Mary, he and his trusted team get the skilled workers and the funds they need to organize and build the refugee camps known collectively as “Mary's Ark” or, in short, “The Marks.” While Pope Petrus Romanus and his crew are preparing to protect the refugees, an Anti John the Baptist called The General is working on a more sinister project. The General’s job is to pave the way for the Antichrist. He and his team of Exterminans, vicious demons disguised as humans, are supervising the construction of the Drozdov underground cities to protect the world’s ruling elite and their allies and for the stockpiling of nuclear missiles --- all with the goal of causing a global catastrophe that would lead to the reign of the Antichrist. As part of the “Plan” they are charged with implementing, they will assign a demon to each human subject so that the people could easily be enslaved for the benefit of the ruling class. The saga continues with True Devotions, where the forces of evil continue to make arrangements for the fulfillment of prophecies by implementing a new world order with its man-made religion and doctrines. Meanwhile the Catholic Marians are rushing to establish the Marks worldwide before the appointed Blackout day as revealed to Pope Petrus Romanus. In the third book, The Blackout, chaos reigns everywhere in the aftermath of nuclear-missile explosions. The Marks and the Drozdov underground cities are fully operational, and their leaders are receiving the survivors as planned. Worldwide, electronic devices are non-functional, except in Russia, the Operations Center for the Plan. After the blackout, Russia arises as the world's savior with a ruling body comprised of the General with his six subordinate Exterminans, Russians militia, six Chinese oligarchs, and American and European elite. As part of the Plan, Vatican City is fully annihilated while the Cardinals are in a secret conclave to replace Pope Petrus Romanus, who was accused of misconduct. After the proceedings against Pope Petrus are over, he and a trusted group of Cardinals leave the room. At a small chapel, they elect Pope Petrus II. After the election, they go to the Mark located outside Rome to wait for refugees. At a top of a mountain from which he could see Vatican City, Petrus I performs an exorcism. Afterward, he and his loyal and fervent group die as martyrs. That scene is based on the Third Secret revealed to the children of Fatima. The omnibus edition concludes with The Consecration, in which the properly elected Pope Petrus II must fulfill Mary’s wish to consecrate Russia to her Immaculate Heart. In order to succeed, the Marian Catholics will have to face the General and his evil forces, whose goal is to enslave the human race and prevent that consecration. However, the General himself is confronted with a series of unfortunate events that makes him reconsider his strategy --- they come about because now both Heaven and Hell are at war on Earth! Shortly before concluding the story, the author will give the readers a glimpse of Hell, the orchestrated hierarchy and dominion of Heaven and Hell, and, as its culmination, the release of the Beast as prophesied in the Book of Revelations. When I decide to review a book with theology and apocalyptic theme, I do some research to verify and discern truth from fiction. Although I am not an expert on theology, based on my research, I found the core basis for the story to be in agreement with the teachings of the Catholic Church. The author uses Pope Petrus I to relate what happened to Sister Lucia when she was ordered to reveal the Third Secret of Fatima and how the Church reacted to the message. The story is captivating and full of Catholicism. Readers who are not Catholic but who enjoy this kind of book need to have an open mind in order to understand the story and its message. Names and numbers are chosen for their meaning and relevance to the story. For example: Pope Petrus refers to Saint Peter, the first pope, who was appointed by Jesus himself. The first four books of the series entail topics of interest today as well as reliable historical facts and events. I found only two main issues that took some credibility away and made the story, at times, hard to follow. First, the use of military jargon was not always properly or immediately explained. Second, I found the explanation of quantum theology for children of ages 10 through 12 too complex for that age group. That discussion was extremely hard to follow. This book could have highly benefited from a glossary to explain all the jargon and abbreviations. I highly recommend Jack Sky's apocalyptic series, The Last Ark, as an improved version of the Christian series, The Left Behind.

The Broken Gift, by Daniel Friedmann, is a thought-provoking book in which the author skillfully reconciles the scientific and religious accounts about the origin of humans. The reader who begins the journey with Friedmann will need an open mind and must be willing to walk with the author through the entire process of creation, evolution, discovery, and understanding. The book, which is divided in 12 well-developed and interesting chapters, starts with an introduction to the topic, concludes with a summary of the collected data and its interpretation, and leaves the reader wondering: “Where to from here?” The basis for Friedmann's arguments comes from the holy Bible, the Torah, including its books of interpretation, and scientific data from such disciplines as anthropology, sociology, geology, and history. I must admit that the quotes from the Jewish mystics created an immense curiosity within me, as they explain in more depth the book of Genesis. When I was asked to review this work, my first thought was, “Is this just another one of those books?” However, as I read more about Mr. Friedmann's theory and analyzed his “time conversion formula,” my view changed from skeptical to one of admiration. Although some readers might think of this book as a work of fiction and enormous creativity, Mr. Friedmann’s arguments provide food for thought; the reader should examine them closely without personal bias before deciding to accept or reject his theory. Do humans and monkeys have a common ancestor? What makes humans unique in comparison with other mammals and primates? The answers to these controversial questions and other interesting discoveries can be found, if you dare, by reading The Broken Gift.

Frozen Footprints, penned by Therese Heckenkamp, is a page-turner Catholic thriller for teens 16 and older. After the death of their father, eighteen-year-old twins Max and Charlene Perigard have been living with their stepmother and stepsister under the protection of their tyrannical, oil-tycoon grandfather, Maxwell Goodwyne Perigard I. Max is totally discontented with his grandfather's demeanor and decides to confront him. After a heated argument, Max disappears. The next day, Mr. Perigard receives a ransom note demanding two million dollars, in unmarked bills, to be delivered to the Whitecap Mountain Ski Resort lodge, where Max frequently goes skiing. Mr. Perigard is convinced this is a scam by Max and refuses to pay the ransom. However, Charlene's instincts as Max's twin and an brusque telephone conversation with the kidnapper convince her that Max is in real danger. Unable to accept her grandfather's indifference regarding the kidnapper's demands, she decides to investigate. Her findings will bring extremely painful consequences to the twins. Heckenkamp is a good story teller who keeps the reader engaged throughout the narrative with the exception of some overdramatic and questionable scenes that challenge the laws of physics and biology. The bizarre captivity chapters include one mild satanic cult ceremony and two brief but graphic torture scenes. As the story unfolds, the twins' beliefs will be tested. At the end of the story, however, the author presentsthe reader with an unexpected twist of fate and it is proved that God is always in control. My favorite two characters were Abner Morrow and Max Perigard. I liked Abner because he was the best-developed character in the book. He was a skillful hunter. A perfect villain: extremely wicked and sarcastic, who liked to inflict pain on others. He represents the stray sheep who have bitterly left the flock and were ensnared by Satan's deceitful schemes. He preyed on and manipulated his younger brother, Clay, who was weak and insecure. Max, on the other hand, was clever, humorous, and extremely protective of his twin sister. He plays the role of the knight in shinning armor defending his beloved one. I recommend Frozen Footprints to older teens and adults who fancy reading Catholic thrillers. Parental discretion is advised as this book is not suitable for young readers.

Giants in the Land is the first installment of the series, The Way of Things, penned by award-winning author Clark Burbidge. In Burbidge’s imagined world, humans and giants have been living together harmoniously for many generations. Then, one morning, everyone was shocked to discover that the giants had disappeared and there chaos reigned. The mayor called a meeting and proposed to send a search team to find the giants and bring them back. Although the idea was well received, the call for volunteers went unanswered. Only Thomas, a quiet and brave young man stepped forward and accepted the challenge. He was cheered by the townspeople as tears rolled down his wife's cheeks while holding their two years old daughter, Hope. Thomas was a farmer and an outstanding hunter. He was agile, strong, watchful, and had a keen eye. He began the quest for the giants following their footsteps through the end of town. Beyond that point, only wilderness and uncertainty awaited him. At times during his expedition, Thomas would be thirsty, hungry, and discouraged. In addition, his faith would be tested by life-threatening situations. Although his progress was slow, he stayed focused, strengthened by his faith and memories from home. Searching for the giants proved to be a life-changing experience for Thomas, whose selflessness allowed him to endure the path to wisdom and understanding of The Way of Things. Giants in the Land is a story full of symbolism and Christian values. The author uses Thomas to demonstrate God's Divine Mercy to a servant in need. In doing so, he has created a great role model for adolescents and young adults trying to find their place in society and/or encountering difficult situations in their lives. One of the best pieces of advice in the book was spoken by Thomas's dad: ““It is in becoming something more, that we please God.” The end of the book will leave the reader wondering about Thomas's future and eagerly awaiting for the next book. I recommend this book to adolescents, young adults, and to those working with them, as many valuable lessons could be learned and applied to dealing with the ordeals of today's youth. Although it is a work of fiction, I will dare to say the character of Thomas and the story were inspired by real events.

With his book, A Piece of Silver, award-winning author Clark Rich Burbidge shares with his readers a new account of Jesus' life. The story is narrated from the point of view of Daniel, an orphaned street boy in Bethlehem who witnesses Jesus' birth. Daniel felt this baby was special and wanted to give him a gift. Not having anything of value, he offers Jesus his only possession, a silver ring given to Daniel by his mother before her death. Years later, Jesus and Daniel meet again under very different circumstances. This shocking and surprising re-encounter will have life changing consequences for Daniel. From the moment I held the book in my hands, the book cover captivated me. It depicted a busy street market in Bethlehem and a child looking cautiously and attentively at a shepherd passing by with his flock. The expression of the boy's face and the scenery set the stage for this simple, but profound story of hope, redemption, and love. The skillful hand of the illustrator and the author's engaging narrative, invited me to accompany Daniel in the recounting of his life. A Piece of Silver, is for families and kids of all ages. In addition to the story's powerful message, the author rewards the reader with a copy of the silver ring. I highly recommend it to young readers and families who enjoy picture books that tell great stories entwined with Christian values.

Life Entwined with Lily's is the last installment in the Lily Trilogy penned by experienced fiction author and journalist Sherry Boas. In the first book, Until Lily, Ms. Boas introduces the reader to the trilogy's main character, Lily Eagan, born with Down syndrome. After her mother Jennifer dies, Lily and her siblings are cared for by Beverly Greeley, Jennifer’s only sister. Narrated from Aunt Bev’s point of view, we learn how the lives of the Eagan children and the Greeleys are changed forever. In the second book, Wherever Lily Goes, Lily is living at a group home in Seattle mourning the death of Aunt Bev. Her sister Terry lives in Minnesota with her husband Jake Lovely and their three daughters: Laura, Katie, and Beth, an extremely disturbed and troublesome teenager. Through Terry's narrative, we learn about the Lovelys’ relocation to Seattle to give Lily a family and a home. Terry also recounts Lily's dilemmas, developmental issues, and unique family dynamics, including Lily's special bond with her dad, Pablo. In Life Entwined with Lily's, the trilogy’s masterpiece, we get to know a more grown-up Lily, a young woman who dreams of marriage and motherhood. On her way to visit her dad in California, Lily meets Frank Stillwell and it’s love at first sight. Lily and Frank get married and live in a guest house in the Lovely's backyard. As the story unfolds, the reader will rejoice at Lily's marriage and be pleasantly surprised at the excellent mothering skills. But Lily's life will have its share of trials too. The book is narrated by Beth, whose style is a sweet and sour mix of deep concern toward others and a search for self-worthiness. With this character, the author brings to our attention some of the issues facing adolescents: peer pressure, drug and alcohol abuse, sexual promiscuity, and abortion. It also explores how wrong decisions and actions can affect a teen’s self-esteem. After reading the trilogy, Beth became my favorite character. The author discloses Beth's darkest secret, haunting remorse, and how her tormented soul finally found peace. She emerges as a strong and notably caring young woman. Writing a trilogy is an enormous amount of work and a great challenge for an author. It requires a skillful hand to maintain each character's uniqueness throughout the story. Ms. Boas takes it a step further with the Lily Trilogy, the chronological story of Lily and her significant influence on others. She writes from three completely different points of view without distorting her characters’ idiosyncrasies. Although they were written as part of a trilogy, each book could be read individually. However, to fully appreciate Lily's transformation, the trilogy should be read in its entirety. I highly recommend the Lily Trilogy to readers who delight themselves in fiction based on real-life events and Catholic values. It not only tells a good story, but it could also bring hope to people dealing with a shameful past by demonstrating that all wounds are healed through God's redeeming love.

Wherever Lily Goes is the second installment in the Lily Trilogy, penned by experienced journalist and fiction author Sherry Boas. In the first book, Until Lily, Ms. Boas introduces the reader to the trilogy's main character, Lily Eagan, born out of wedlock with Down syndrome. She and her two adopted siblings, brother Jimmy and sister Terry, are sent to live with Aunt Bev and Uncle Jack Greeley after the death of their mother Jennifer. Narrated from Aunt Bev’s point of view, we learn how the Eagan children’s and the Greeley’s lives are changed forever. In Wherever Lily Goes, Lily is living at a group home in Seattle mourning the death of Aunt Bev. Her sister Terry is married to Jake Lovely and lives in Minnesota with their three daughters: Laura, Katie, and Beth, an extremely disturbed, troublesome teenager. One night during dinner Terry expresses her concern about Lily, and Jake suggests that the family relocate to Seattle hoping to solve two family issues: Lily's loneliness and Beth's self-destructive behavior and bad companions. The Lovely family gets a new beginning, and both Beth's relationship with her family and her academic performance improve. Lily moves in with them and has a positive effect on the family--- to the extent of inspiring Terry and Jake to pursue having another baby. As the story unfolds, the reader will enjoy the development of a tender and deep relationship between Lily and her Mexican dad, who she met after Aunt Bev's death. My admiration for the author's storytelling skills continues to grow. In Until Lily, Aunt Bev's tone changes from antipathy to unconditional love toward Lily. In the sequel, Terry's humane narration speaks about Lily's dilemmas, developmental issues, and unique family dynamics. This book will keep the reader engaged and motivated to get to know Lily better and learn about the life-changing effects she has on others. I highly recommend this book to readers looking for an inspirational story on how to cope with the many challenges associated with raising a family while dealing with the needs of a loved one who has Down syndrome.

Until Lily is the first installment of the Lily Trilogy, penned by professional journalist and fiction author Sherry Boas. Apostates Beverly and Jack Greeley enjoy their childless, healthy, and wealthy life. Bev's sister, Jennifer Eagan, is a devout Catholic, hard-working, single mom with three kids; Jimmy and Terry, who were adopted, and Lily, born out of wedlock with Down Syndrome. After Jen loses her battle to cancer, her children go to live with Uncle Jack and Aunt Bev, their court appointed legal guardians. Jack, however, finds the new and burdensome responsibility of caring for the children to be unbearable and abandons the family. Nevertheless, as the story unfolds, Bev's attitude toward Lily changes completely as she discovers that caring for her “daughter” was the most rewarding experience of her life! Although at first I thought to write only one review highlighting the best of the trilogy, I decided to focus on each book's uniqueness based on the situations and thematic surrounding Lily. While reading the trilogy, I was amazed at the author's competence to narrate Lily's story from three completely different points of view without losing each character's individuality and emphasizing pivoting events related to their interaction with Lily. Until Lily tells Lily's story from Aunt Bev's point of view, from unfit and resentful aunt to appreciative and thankful „mother.“ Suffering from advanced Parkinson, she reflects upon her life before Lily and how different her senior years could have been if it wasn't for Lily's humanitarian personality. The reader will witness Lily's transformation from a small, strong-willed child to a grown, loving and compassionate woman caring for her mother. I highly recommend this book to parents dealing with the challenges of raising children with Down Syndrome and to those considering ending a pregnancy as they question their ability to take on such a huge responsibility. The first installment creates awareness about Down Syndrome and shows the blessing of caring for these children. Warning: You will need several boxes of tissues to carry you through the entire trilogy!

The Soul Reader is the long-awaited sequel of the award winning book, In-Sight, from extraordinary Catholic author Gerard Webster. In the first book, Mr. Webster introduces three main characters: Ward McNulty, a prominent syndicated political columnist; Carrie Hope, an outstanding reporter and news anchor; and Chet Garner, Democrat State Senator and aspiring Congressman. Ward and Carrie agreed to help Senator Garner to gather support for the development of the North Beach Project, a luxurious beach resort in Timuqua Island. As the story unfolds, however, their affiliation with Senator Garner would emperils both their lives and careers. In the climax of the book, Ward experiences a tragic car accident after which he is shocked to discover his new In-Sight ability. In The Soul Reader, Carrie Hope signs a contract with a major publishing house to write a book about the untold truth behind the “North Beach Project.”She contacts Ward and asks for his assistance. At first, he is extremely reluctant due to the potential danger of this multifarious investigation. However after some soul searching, he agrees to help her. Mr. Webster takes Carrie, Ward, and the reader on an intriguing international manhunt in search of clues regarding a series of unfortunate events associated with some investors of the North Beach Project. The investigation leads them to Mr. David Schoenhauer, a powerful and resourceful German investor and the extremely dangerous hit man Culebra, known for his ability to kill quickly, cleanly, and unnoticed. Culebra has valuable information that could compromise now-Congressman Garner, Mr. Schoenhauer, and other worldwide investors. As a reviewer, I enjoy reading sequels. And I appraise them with a more critical eye. I expect a more elaborated story, better developed characters, and unexpected twists and turns leading to a climatic end. Mr. Webster exceeded my expectations. Even readers who have not read the first installment, In-Sight, will be able to follow the story and understand each character's motives and actions. The end gives reassurance that everything is possible for those who believe and trust the Master's plan. I highly recommend this book to mystery readers searching for a suspense story intertwined with trust, love, forgiveness, Catholicism's teachings, and expiation.

The trilogy, Hiding the Stranger, by Joan L. Kelly is a very entertaining action story for teens, weaved with moral and family values. Katie Rivers' discovery of an unconscious and wounded teenager at their family farm will take the Rivers family into a web of crime, kidnapping, and identity crisis. “Sam,” as Katie named the stranger, is suffering from amnesia due to a head injury and needs medical attention. However, his visit to the Emergency Room with the Rivers' kids might have given some clues about his whereabout to those desperately looking for him. As the adventure continues, “Sam” starts to remember part of his past. However, he is unable to identify the men who are following him and who inspire so much fear on him. The Rivers family will find themselves in the middle of a thriller adventure that will take them from their quiet neighborhood in Hickory Valley to the conclusion of the story at the historic Illinois Union Station. Who are those strange people in town looking for Sam? Are they truly detectives hired by “Sam's” family to find him? Are they the bad guys? What is his real name? Why is he so afraid? Join Sam and the Rivers family to find the answers to these questions. As a mother of a teen and a reviewer, whenever I receive a YA book for review, I share it with my son. After we both have read it, we exchange our impressions of it. I could tell if a book is good and if the author has reached his or her intended audience by the way my son reacts to the book. When the plot and the characters are well written and developed, my son will not let go of the book until he is done with it. This was my son's reaction to this book. He read it in two days because school workload didn't allow him to read it on one day, like I did. We both enjoyed very much the way the author wrote an engaging story without the use of vulgar language - -even by the bad guys. I felt the religion content was moderate and atone with the story. Something that stood up for me on this story is the interaction of the Rivers family members and how they deal with each other. This dynamic could be used as a model to follow, since modern society has forgotten about crucial family values, such as caring, obedience, and respect, just to mention a few. I highly recommend Hiding the Stranger to families and teens looking for a great action trilogy.

With his book, A Knight's Quest, A Journey into Manhood, author Mark Creech shares with his readers an engaging tale incorporating moral and religious principles. By identifying with the main character as he confronts ordeals and predicaments, modern-day young adults will see that the pursuit of righteousness could lead to happiness and wisdom. The book begins with Squire Judan's realization that the menial tasks he had performed for Sir Marlin had a purpose-- to build his character in preparation of his joining the Knights of the Realm, Defenders of the Faith. As Judan kneels in front of the king to become Sir Judan, he learns that he must prove himself worthy by going on a quest. The next day Judan is summoned to the castle and the king explains the quest and its risks, the biggest of all being Acuza, fierce dragon and enemy of the king. Judan must collect seven "magnificent jewels" missing from the royal crown. He receives seven sacred scrolls, each one containing instructions for finding a stone. As is tradition, before sending a knight on a quest, the king inspects Judan's suit of armour and gives him a hand-made sword to assist in accomplishing his mission. The quest is more difficult than Judan anticipated. He would be tempted and misled by agents of Acuza and at times weakened by physical exhaustion. However, whenever in despair, Judan, gathers his strength by remembering the king's parting words: “A noble man makes noble plans, and by noble deeds, he stands.” Will Judan be able to complete his quest despite the challenges ahead of him? Will he be able to defeat Acuza? Join Judan on A Knight's Quest, A Journey into Manhood as he goes to far away lands to fulfill his destiny and obtain a place of honor in the king's court. A highly recommended epic story with character-building lessons and life-changing situations suitable for teens and young adults.

What would you do if one day you discovered that for most of your life, you had been manipulated by an ambitious and unscrupulous person? That is the dilemma for Chris Landry, one of the three main characters in Roy McConnell's thriller, Mind Walker. With this book, the author explores mind control and its devastating consequences on those who are unaware of the power that a Mind Walker have over their lives and the world. The books begins with a heated argument between the other two main characters, Tara Ostermann and her authoritarian father, Wolf --- the experienced mind walker. They argue about Tara's stubborn refusal to carry on 400 years of family legacy controlling others for their benefits. Fearing for her life, Tara is secretly planning to run away. But that night, after waking up terrified and sweating from a vivid dream, she is kidnapped from her room. The next morning Tara's mother, Una, discovers that her daughter is missing, and pleads with her husband to call the police. Wolf refuses to get the police involved to avoid bringing attention to himself and his family. Wolf calls Chris Landry, Tara's personal bodyguard, and puts him in charge of the investigation. During a confidential conversation with George, the family driver and Wolf secretly assigned Tara's bodyguard, he is assassinated and the assassin also tries to kill Chris. While running and looking for refuge, Chris steals one of Wolf's cars and escapes at high speed crashing through the entrance gates. He must rely on his CIA knowledge, training, and former contacts to find and rescue Tara, while trying to stay alive and out of the reach of Wolf Ostermann. Meanwhile Tara has regained consciousness and is trying to understand what happened to her. During her captivity Tara has the same vivid dream with that familiar female voice. But this time “the voice” identifies herself and explains to Tara her abilities and teach her how to use them. From the moment that Chris escapes the Ostermann's fortress the pace of the story intensifies and, the reader will find himself or herself running with him in a non-stop thriller from British Columbia to the Caribbean Islands. All involved in this rescue mission must endure the constant attacks of Mr. Ostermann's pack of wolves closing on their prey, Chris. I found the storyline to be original, thought-provoking, and very attuned with the day we are living where greed rules and compassion is considered a sign of weakness. Since I review mostly Christian books, I was warned by the author about its adult content. Despite his warning, I decided to read and review the book since its description sounded extremely interesting to me. I was not disappointed! I was captured from page one. The storyline was an exhilarating and intriguing thriller with elements of science fiction and some adult content. I recommend this book to readers who enjoy a good thriller with a fresh idea and don't mind some graphic scenes.

In her book, Treasures in Clay Vessels, author Angela T. Pisaturo brings to the historical romance reader, a profound story of acceptance, discoveries, and healing. The book cover shows an image of a woman looking from the distance at breaking waves on a beach near a lighthouse. This is a depiction of one key scene of the story that will take the main character in a series of real life voyages with an unforeseen end. The book begins with the main character, Nellie Parker and her family having dinner with the entertaining and very creative aunt Nellie. Young Nellie's life abruptly changes after this night when her entire family dies on a car accident. She is devastated by the loss of her family but comforted by her aunt Nellie who takes her niece under her care. But this happiness is short-lived. After the sudden death of her beloved aunt, Nellie finds herself in and out of the orphanage and several foster families. While living with one of the foster families, Nellie has an argument with one of the daughters who angrily takes away Nellie's hot cup of tea from her hands and intentionally throws it on her face. This incident leaves Nellie emotionally wounded and scarred for life. Nevertheless, opportunity arrives when Nellie turns twenty-one and inherits some money from her father that allows her to fulfill a childhood dream. She buys a bus ticket and moves away from her painful past and starts anew at Old Port, Portland. There she buys a property at Commercial Street, opens Aunt Nellie's Antique Boutique and takes residence on the cozy apartment on top of it. Everything is going well for Nellie, until the day when renowned biblical archaeologist, Henry J. Lewiston arrives at Old Port with his colored trawler, My Sweet Lilly and moves into the apartment across from Nellie's antique shop. Mrs. Tanner, the town's bakery owner and main gossip, does not waste any time and informs Mr. Lewiston of Nellie's single status. Embarrassed, Nellie leaves the group of curious women that had gathered around Mr. Lewiston and returns to the refuge of her antique shop. As the story unfolds, the seductive Mrs. Jenna Avery, owner of Widow Avery's Antique Emporium lures Mr. Lewiston and they start dating. Nellie is secretly jealous of Mrs. Avery since she has started to daydream about a possible romantic relationship with him. However, Nellie's painful past and scarred face makes her extremely uncomfortable around him. But God has a way to heal us all. He puts these two wounded souls together on the road to redemption. During one of their sailing trips, Mr. Lewiston takes Nellie to his favorite lighthouse. There, amid the rocks, Nellie finds an ancient clay vessel. This discovery will have a pivotal effect in their friendship as they will be traveling together to Jerusalem to find Treasures in Clay Vessels. I highly recommend this page-turner of a book to historical romance readers looking for a unique, conservative, and engaging story where love conquers all and faith bring peace to those who believe in miracles.

In his book, End of the Line, author Mike Manno shares with the reader an entertaining detective story involving a bank embezzlement, drugs, a marriage annulment, organized crime, a child, and an unexpected motive to kill. The book begins with a news report about the death of banker RJ Butler. According to the article, the body of Mr. RJ Butler was found by a bus driver at the End of the Line. The Lakeview Police Department Special Investigations Unit and the Attorney General Office join forces to solve this case. Detective Jerome Leonard Stankowski, who prefers to be called Stan, is partnered with the brilliant and demanding Deputy Attorney General, Mr. Parker Noble. Although Stan dislikes working with Parker, he admires his cleverness and his ability to gather and discern information to solve cases without a reasonable doubt. The investigation begins with the usual homicide routine: reading reports, looking for a motive and interviewing witnesses, relatives of the victim, and other potential suspects. Mr. RJ Butler was a remarkable employee – until he had been accused of embezzlement and was forced to resign. He had been married twice. His greedy and resentful first wife, Ann, stripped Mr. Butler of most of his belongings and assets during their bitter divorce. Together they have a son, Robbie, who was Mr. Butler's sole heir. His second wife, Linda, has a drug addiction problem. She was going through rehab and counseling when Mr. Butler was murdered. Both Mrs. Butlers are interrogated by Detective Stankowski and by Deputy Attorney General, Mr. Parker Noble in order to asses their potential suspect status, and to try to find a motive that links them to the murder. As the investigation progresses, persistent newspaper reporter, Frances Jean Coyle, also known as Buffy, becomes part of the investigating team. This trio must trust each others' abilities and intuition to solve the case and apprehend the killer. Their difference in personalities, charisma, and research styles make the investigation process both provoking and interesting. I recommend this book to readers of detective stories looking to be amused – and shocked – at the unexpected and twisted end.

In his book, The Search for Saint Valeria, author William L. Biersach brings to the reader a creative mystery hunt for lost-and-found ancient relics where Fr. Baptist and his sidekick gardener, Mr. Feeney, find themselves searching for the dead among the living. The book cover shows a young woman sitting near an open window praying silently while there is a silhouette approaching her room outside her house. These elements are part of the scheme of the Knights Tumblar, along with other unexpected collaborators and perpetrators, to return a valuable relic to the rightful owner. The story begins with the first encounter of Fr. Baptist, Mr. Feeney and Burglary officer, Sybil Wexler, regarding recent robberies of antique shops that are selling discarded Catholic accouterments to collectors, such as tabernacles, altar bells, and vestments, among other items of interest. Known for his keen ability to solve unusual cases, Ms. Wexler comes to Fr. Baptist looking for answers and to have a better understanding of the value of the relics, their authenticity, and possible motive for the robberies. These robberies, however, seem to coincide with Cardinal Fulbright's order to transfer the relic of Saint Valeria from the cathedral's high altar to an unidentified niche within the lower alcove in the mausoleum at New Golgotha Cemetery. Meanwhile, Cardinal Fulbright Murkenstein's cup and other reliquaries are stolen from his private collection located in his office. He calls Fr. Baptist to help him locate and return this precious chalice to him, as the Cardinal does not trust Ms. Wexler to do this job. During the remaining of the story, Fr. Baptist and Mr. Feeney's parallel investigation with Ms. Wexler and her insolent partner causes some friction among them and creates suspicious, as the number of robberies in various antiques shops' in the area continue to escalate with no clue of the identities of the perpetrators, and the motives remain a mystery to them all. Nevertheless, Fr. Baptist's web of connections in all levels of society from his former cop days give him a cutting edge advantage over the unexperienced Ms. Wexler. Fr. Baptist contacts Ernie, who gets him in touch with “Some Guy” in his efforts to find the ultimate buyer. This will take Fr. Baptist and Mr. Feeney to the underground world, where only the bold and the brave dare to go alone to far away dark places, hoping to find the missing link to all the unpredictable circumstances surrounding this case. At the end of the book, Fr. Baptist is fathom at the role of the Knight Tumblar, Arthur's narcoleptic sister, Beth, and other respectable figures in the Church, who were collaborating to find the relic of their beloved Saint Valeria and return it to its rightful place of rest. One of the elements that make Mr. Biersach's stories so entertaining, intriguing, and fascinating is his ability to weave together elements from his previous books into the current story. Everything is a continuation in some form or another of a previous case solved by Fr. Baptist and Mr. Feeney. On this particular story the reader will be delighted by the new and unexpected state of affairs between Millie, the cook, and Monsignor Havermeyer. I highly recommend this book to readers looking for an avid detective relic hunt and who think they are capable to solve the case as the clues are presented through Fr. Baptist's insights and analytical mind, Mr. Feeney gardener's tips, and Ms. Wexler's inept methods of investigation. The clever and astonishing end would leave the reader wondering, 'is this possible'?

In her latest release, Gaea, author Robina Williams joins the latest trend and goes green. The book begins with a man dragging and kicking the body of a woman inside a ditch. Gaea, the Earth goddess, is unconscious, weak, and in severe distress due to men's constant brutal abuse and disrespect regarding nature's cycles and equilibrium. The animals of the forest are in awe at the scene unfolding in front of their eyes. Quant comes into the scene disguised as Leo. He observes Gaea's condition and decides to help her. Together they go for a walk to the friary. During their walk Gaea complaints bitterly to Quant about men's selfish and reckless behavior and the suffering of her plants and animals. She also shares with Quant her idea of “how to teach men a lesson” they won't forget. Men must be stopped or better still get rid off once and for all!!!!! After all, the world was a better place before the Almighty created His beloved creatures, humans. Quant listens to Gaea and tells her he shares her concerns for nature, too. However, he will show to her that not all men are reckless and disrespectful, and that some do care about nature and are doing their best to makes amends for the mistakes of the entire human race. Their visit to the friary was a refreshing experience for Gaea. Gaea and Quant go to heaven where she has a meeting with the Almighty. There she continues her bitterly protest against humans. She states her case and requests permission to avenge her animals and nature. She wants humans wiped out of the entire planet! God reminds her that vengeance belongs to Him alone and he will not allow her or any of her family members to interfere with His plans for humanity. However, He grants her some lead way to teach men a lesson without causing too much damage. Meanwhile, at the friary, Father Polycarp (Poly), the new guardian, announces his planned “green campaign” for the friary to the other brothers after one of their meals. This idea of having a garden with their homegrown fruits, vegetables, and some flower beds, at first, is not well received by the brothers. Most of them grumble, but are reminded by Fr. Polycarp of their vow of obedience. They all complied and adhered to Poly's guidelines for their “green campaign.” However, once they started to enjoy the fruit of their labor, the fuss is replaced with joy and gratitude. During the rest of the story the reader will be taken to worlds known to humans only through tales, legends and myths. Or are they truly hidden from humans? The author's creativity shows an image of heaven never seen before. A place where saints have dragon pets that keep them busy and alert; Saints and other departed ones using their talents to fulfill the tasks assigned to them by their Creator, and Saints telling tales of their experiences as guardian angels and humans' silliness. But not all places are pleasant like heaven. Gaea and Quant will be traveling to deep and frightening places where the condemned souls are constantly tortured with no way out, except upon the termination of their sentences. However, those places are inhabited also by some of Gaea's beloved family members. Together with Quant she travels from one pantheon to the next gathering allies and developing a plan that will satisfy her desires to take care of men and stay within the boundaries established by the Almighty. During their traveling Quant accompanied Gaea in his angelic form, a Seraph. Everywhere they go, Quant is looked at with suspicious eyes by the others. They know who he is and are wondering: why is he traveling with Gaea? How much authority do they really have on the scheme? Will Quant be influencing their decisions or maneuvers? All these questions will be answered as the reader travels along with Gaea and Quant through mysterious places and meet Gaea's family. The end of the book is a celebration of victory and a waking call to humanity. I applaud the clever way in which the author incorporates today's concerns for the environment and weaves them into a story with elements from the world we know and the forces governing it, which are beyond our human understanding and comprehension. Gaea is different from the two previous books in the Quant series. This one is an entertaining and innovative story that creates awareness of how our human behaviors affect other life forms sharing the planet with us. If we all do our part and measure up to the task, maybe we will receive an invitation to join the celebration at the end of the book. Reviewed by the author of The Window To My Soul; My Walk with Jesus (ISBN 0975393359)

Sin and Vengeance is the first book in the Randy Black series, written by ingenious storyteller, CJ West. In this first book, the author skillfully mixes elements of wine making, seduction, intrigue, spying, wealth, and murder to drag the thrill-seeking reader into the masterfully orchestrated revenge of Randy Black. The book begins with Deirdre Deudon, Randy Black, and Charlie Marston's lusty encounter at an old house at Rue de Beauchene in France. Things get out of control when Deirdre's husband, Henri, unexpectedly shows up and sees his wife engaged with two young men! Blinded by rage while trying to defend his wife's honor, but unable to defeat the perpetrators, he ends up dead. This event marks the beginning of Randy and Charlie's perilous friendship. Running away from the French police, Randy and Charlie return to Westport, Massachusetts. Charlie goes to manage the family winery, while Randy continues his reckless lifestyle. Randy and Charlie run into a series of unfortunate and life-threatening events, which leads Charlie to reconsider his association with Randy. The warning words of his parents were always echoing in his mind. Meanwhile, Charlie's dad, Mr. Charles Marston, is receiving anonymous letters from a blackmailer living in Westport who knows about a dark business secret which, if tipped the press and publicly exposed, could ruin his business and destroy his family. The rest of the book takes the reader on a roller coaster ride pivoted by Randy Black's unscrupulous driving force to destroy those who robed him from his childhood and of his family inheritance. In addition to following Randy Black, the reader will be engaged with Lieutenant Laroche's investigation of Henri Deudon's death, Charles Marston's blackmail ordeal, and Deirdre Deudon's desires to ease her guilty conscience by avenging her murdered husband, Henri. I admired the way the author developed the characters and surrounding situations according to each one of their unique personalities. From page one the reader gets involved in the drama and becomes another one of Randy Black's manipulated puppets. The reader becomes Randy's shadow. He is the bad boy who you know is dangerous, but you are unable to part from him. You simply go for the adrenaline rush that comes with his company and his lifestyle. This character is so well developed that toward the end of the book you will have ill feelings toward him and will want to help the others find his hideout and bring him to justice. However, not everything about Randy Black is what it appears to be. Author CJ West's twists and turns during the entire story keeps you wondering about the motives and true identities of some key characters until the last chapters. Just when I thought I had it all figured out, Mr. West pulled an unexpected end that left me in shock and totally speechless. This book has all the elements to become a Hollywood blockbuster. In 2008 the owner of a screenwriting company saw its potential and optioned it for a film. I highly recommend this book to all thrill-seeker readers and to others daring to walk a mile in the wild side from the safety of their homes. Bravo, Mr. West! Reviewed by the author of The Window to my Soul; My Walk with Jesus.

A Demon Awaits is the second book in the Randy Black series written by ingenious storyteller, CJ West. At the end of the first book, Sin and Vengeance, Randy Black found himself getting a spoonful of his own medicine as Murphy's Law once again proved itself trustworthy, ''Anything that can go wrong, will go wrong.'' Things could have not gone worse for Randy, whose role changed suddenly and unexpectedly from hunter to prey with blood thirsty predators chasing him. Neither Randy nor the reader will be prepared for the outcome. In this sequel, author CJ West mixes conspiracy, surveillance, power and manipulation of knowledge, fanaticism, and corruption in all levels of government to fold in the reader into the threshold of Randy Black's new dilemmas. The reader must decide to unmask the villains or to put on a masquerade as not to stand out in the crowd. The book begins with an inside look at the events that caused Randy Black to be at the ICU in New Bedford Hospital in Westport, Massachusetts, with a cop guarding his room. He is a skillful and dangerous murderer who suffered numerous fractures and lays unconscious in bed with half of his body covered in plaster, his left arm suspended by two twisted cables, and his right arm cuffed to his bed. When Randy awakes, he is clueless about the length of time he has been in the ICU. While at the hospital, he will meet a series of characters who will play key roles during the rest of the story. First he meets Detective Al Ruiz, a Westport Internal Affairs (IA) officer who is investigating the officer's alleged brutality and excessive force during Randy's arrest. Then comes Reverend Simmons, Pastor of the First Congregational Church in Westport. Reverend Simmons will be a cornerstone for Randy's new spiritual beginnings and understanding of his daily terrifying and vivid nightmares. Cassie Corcoran, a young and ambitious journalist for The Standard Times, is the first one from the media to get free access to Randy's room. However, during their brief conversation, he discovers that Cassie is unprepared to write his story and sends her away to do her homework with the promise of an exclusive when she returns. Cassie's research will bring her to a new level of field journalism which might include risking her life for the sake of covering and writing the biggest story of her career. But to her, the prestige of this exclusive story is worth every risk! We all know that a murder case story could not be completed if the perpetrator and accused murderer is not represented by the best defense attorney in town. Author CJ West won't disappoint his readers. On the contrary, he introduces the reputable, successful, and unbeatable defense attorney, Tom Gold. The reader will get a glimpse of Tom's method and procedures before he visits Randy at the ICU. His visit finds Randy ill-prepared to react to Tom Gold's knowledge of his case. At first, Randy is suspicious, but then he agrees to let Tom represent him in court. He knows deep inside that this witty lawyer might be the only one capable of getting him out of all his legal ordeals. As the story unfolds and all the new key characters and their associates show their true colors, Randy will be forced to choose sides. This decision, however, might come at a high price and will turn into lack of freedom for him knowing too much and not being able to trust those who are supposed to protect him. When Randy Black's urges for Sin and Vengeance have been consumed and only A Demon Awaits for him at the afterlife, which road would he take? The one leading to freedom and redemption, or the one leading to eternal condemnation? To know the answer to these life or death questions, you must take a leap of faith and venture yourself to walk a mile with Randy Black. Reviewed by the author of The Window to my Soul; My Walk with Jesus.

The Knight of the Temple is the debut novel of The Crown of the World trilogy written by young author Nathan Sadasivan. The book cover shows Christ's crown of thorns above a battle scene where the main character, Godfrey de Montferrat, a bold and brave Temple Knight, is engaged on a battle. The author takes the reader into a tale of Christendom with emphasis on Godfrey's dilemmas about faith, loyalty, love, war, and his purposes in life. The book begins with Godfrey de Montferrat and his companion, Jacques de Maille, riding their horses through the desert of Egypt searching for a Frankish camp. Due to the intense heat of the sun, both horsemen are extremely tired, thirsty, and have had hardly any sleep. They find an oasis where they refresh themselves and their horses can drink water to replenish their energy. Not far from them, Yusef, an arab leader well-known for his battle and commanding skills, and his warriors discovered the hoofprints of the Temple Knight's horses. Yusef, allows Malik to go and investigate the matter and report back to him. Malik, a young warrior thirsty for Frankish's blood and with battle fever, reports his findings to Yusef and suggests a surprise attack on the knights. But things don't go as smooth as Malik expects. The knights fight back but get separated during the battle. This separation leaves Godfrey defending his life fiercely against Malik's violent attacks. The outcome of his encounter with Malik marks the beginning of Godfrey's personal quest to find the answer to his many questions. The encounter with Yusef and his warriors at the desert is just the beginning of the many clashes between the Saracen (Muslims) and the Frankish Knights. The author will take the reader to a world of betrayal, espionage, love, prayer, and political power struggles, where the most ambitious and wicked one of them all will stop at nothing to reach his goal. I admire the author's attention to details. With the skills of a masterful painter, he portrays the battle scenes and enfold the reader into a mystical tale of a world already forgotten, and a time where not everything is was what is seems to be. At the end of the book Godfrey finds himself in front of the Tabernacle demanding to know:Why??? The answer to his question will open up the road of healing for his broken spirit and will leave the reader contemplating on its meaning, too. I highly recommend this book to readers who enjoy books about Christendom and are willing to follow Godfrey de Montferrat and his companions through this trilogy. Reviewed by the author of The Window to my Soul; My Walk with Jesus

BOOK ENDORSEMENTS DAVE DOLPHIN, DIRECTOR OF BOOK PRODUCTION ++The Window to My Soul is a book of inspirational free-style poetry written in refreshingly personal language. Author Tannia E. Ortiz-Lop?s?who decided to share her real name after her book was published?shares her beautiful and positive walk with Jesus. She also explores the Old Testament book of Job reflecting upon his character and challenges." +++++ RITA TATE, FOUNDER & SENIOR EDITOR ++?The Window To My Soul is more than a book of inspirational free-style poetry. The author writes of God?s love in refreshingly personal language. Here are insights from the teaching of Jesus whose words turned conventional thinking upside-down and brought hope and new life to a troubled world. Included also are reflections on the character and challenges of Job, that patriarch of the Old Testament who inspires us to persevere; even when we want to ask, ?Why, is this happening to me?? ?There are words of wisdom, portraits of power and promise, and hidden truths to be discovered. Let your spirit peer through ?The Window to My Soul? to see the heart, the faith, and the joyous expressions of these poems written to inspire, encourage, and bless.? +++++ GLEN, AUTHOR?S ?SISTER? ++ "The Window to My Soul-My Walk with Jesus will touch-not just your heart-but also your soul. I admire the way the author shares her faith, her thoughts, and the discovery of her deepest fears with the reader. This is a book for those who would like to take a closer look at their relationship with Jesus- and find ways to walk closer to Him.? +++++ FR. BILL, AUTHOR?S SPIRITUAL DIRECTOR ++ ?In the ordinary, we find the extraordinary. This text is an extremely personal meditation on the manifestations of Jesus during the life of a wife, mother, and devout Christian. It is an inspiring text for anyone who, in the midst of the business of daily life, searches for the Christ. ?Quo vadis??? +++++ AUTHOR?S HUSBAND ++ ?When she started to search for her self and her soul, it was also us her family, who began to find her? This book from the heart of an exceptional woman reveals some stations of her spiritual journey and provides a key to the miracle of her spiritual growth, that we, as her family feel blessed to witness every day.?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Tannia E. Ortiz-Lop?s was born in Guayama, Puerto Rico and currently lives in Germany with her husband and two sons. The idea for this book came to life in May 2003, while the author participated in a silent spiritual retreat. During that time, she accepted Jesus?s invitation to work with Him and for Him. The result of that heavenly-earthly teamwork is her first book, ?The Window to My Soul, My Walk with Jesus?. The book is the author?s profession of her love for Jesus and of thanks to God for the many gifts and talents that He has given her. It also expresses her deep gratitude for God's sending His only begotten Son to die for her sins and allowing her and many more to find peace in Christ and an open door back to heaven. It is a total surrender to the teachings and guidance of the Holy Spirit during the study of the Scriptures. These poems and reflections are the author's way of pouring out her heart and soul while meditating on God's Word and the marvelous daily miracles in her life.

?2006 Best Poetry Book Award by christianstoryteller.com? This is a book of inspirational free-style poetry written in refreshingly personal language. After the book was published, I, realized (while talking with my poetry?s mentor, Rosarito) that anyone could claim to be the author of my book. I prayed about it and asked God for guidance and clarity of mind regarding my authorship dilemma. The next morning, I woke up with one idea on mind, ?I must tell the world about my name. I should claim the authorship of my book.? I could not let the ?light? inside be cover with a cup, it must shine bright for others to see! With this book, I am allowing the readers to open ?The window to my soul?. The book is the story of my ?spiritual growth and walk with Jesus?. It is a book written with a lot of passion and gratitude to Jesus for not giving up on me. This is my way to tell God ? ??thank you for my gifts and talents of writing? ??thank you for trusting in me to share your Word with others? ??thank you for letting me show you that I could be a good steward of your message of truth? ??thank you for helping me to help others to know you, to love you, and trust in you like I do. This is a book for those who would like to take a closer look at their relationship with Jesus- and find ways to walk closer to Him.