Chanticleer Book Reviews

Tag: Christian Fiction

  • INCARNATE: The Third Entity by Russell Marcum Jr. – Crime Thrillers, Christian Fiction, Philosophical

    Incarnate: The Third Entity by Russell Marcum Jr. merges the suspense of a crime thriller with the weighty themes of Christian theology. This crafts a unique narrative that explores second-chances, faith, and divine purpose.

    The story follows Jake McCallum, a deputy sheriff from Western Virginia whose life unravels after a series of devastating blows. Wrongfully charged with a false and trumped up accusation of mail fraud then abandoned by his closest friends, Jake faces the loss of his career, his fiancée, and his freedom. At rock bottom in prison, while waiting for death, Jake experiences a profound spiritual awakening. This reversal is galvanized by Eli, a chaplain whose faith and guidance inspire Jake to embrace Christianity. Beyond that, Jake redefines his life in pursuit of a divine quest to find and protect the incarnate Holy Ghost, a child prophesied to bring salvation to the world.

    Marcum Jr.’s novel stands out for its bold concept.

    Jake’s transformation from a broken man to a determined protector echoes biblical trials like those faced in the story of Job. His character arc solidifies as he navigates spiritual challenges and physical dangers. The stakes are immense, with plot lines involving corrupt officials, assassination attempts, and Jake’s ultimate hope and search for a divine sign. The novel’s combination of a modern-day thriller coupled with theological explorations creates an ambitious narrative. Readers who resonate with the book’s Christian themes will likely find the message deeply affirming.

    Fans of spiritual fiction will appreciate the philosophical depth of Incarnate: The Third Entity.

    The novel asks big questions about faith, redemption, and the presence of God in everyday life. Jake’s quest to protect a young boy that he believes to be the incarnate Holy Ghost provides a fresh take on Christian storytelling, blending the tension of a thriller with the reflective tone of a morality tale. Those intrigued by stories of spiritual awakening intertwined with suspense will find much to enjoy here. 

    Ultimately, Incarnate: The Third Entity is a thought-provoking story with an impressive conceptual foundation.

    For readers drawn to the overlap of spiritual discovery and suspense, Russell Marcum Jr’s novel delivers a unique journey of redemption, sacrifice, and divine purpose. This is a story for those ready to reflect on the complexities of faith and fate while enjoying the twists and turns of a high-stakes thriller.

    For readers seeking a novel that weaves high-stakes action with deep spiritual reflection, this story offers an intriguing and thought-provoking journey.

  • A PORTION OF MALICE by Lloyd Jeffries – Paranormal, Christian Thriller, Action, Suspense

     

    God visits a punishment of immortality on three men in Lloyd Jeffries’ A Portion of Malice, the first in the Ages of Malice series. The leader of these immortals, Cain the first murderer, seeks to even the scales by taking all of God’s children away from Him.

    In the modern day, Emery, a renowned journalist fallen on personal tragedy, was planning suicide before the immortal Roman Longinus found him. Longinus brings him to meet Thaddeus Drake, a man with the uncanny ability to make peace between warring nations. Drake reveals himself to be the biblical Cain and offers Emery all the money and luxury he could ever need if he simply tells Cain’s story. Emery agrees, and upon seeing the terrible mark on Cain’s hand, can’t deny the truth of his immortality.

    Cain and Longinus introduce Emery to their fellow immortal, Igneus. While Emery learns more about these strange men and how Jesus rejected Cain’s begging for forgiveness, earning his eternal rage, he becomes pulled into their far-reaching conspiracy. Cain and his companions long ago formed the secret organization X’Chasei, and over two millennia have become the undisputed masters of the world. However, Cain is not content with this power alone, and as he begins to enact the prophecies of Revelations, Emery realizes how dangerous these people truly are.

    The plots of X’Chasei catch Emery in a whirlwind of power, implication, and scripture.

    While Cain holds a deep hatred for God, he also understands Him far better than anyone else could; he has walked with God, has heard His voice, and knows the true extent of His word. John the Apostle was also made immortal, given a sacred task by Jesus, and in retribution, Cain exiled him to Patmos and stole a record of divine visions given to John. Cain remains a mysterious figure throughout the story, keeping Emery guessing as to his true plans, and whether there could be any way to stop him.

    Longinus and Igneus serve Cain’s plot, though both Emery and the reader only get to see the final, disconnected steps of it. This story becomes a mystery of biblical proportions, with disparate plotlines winding together for the climax.

    Even as he orchestrates murder and revolts to get his way, Cain remains a sympathetic character. His companions share that humanity, making a fascinating cast of villains.

    For millennia, Cain wandered the Earth as a vagabond, unable to settle in any one place, with the guilt of his brother’s death hanging around his neck. Even so, he sought forgiveness from the son of God. When he’s rebuked, the reader sees the extent of his despair, his suffering, and even some truth to his claim that “God prefers blood.” His fury mingles with a deep longing, a loneliness that defines him. While, two thousand years later, he rejects the idea of God’s forgiveness, he desperately wishes to make amends to his brother Abel.

    While Longinus enjoys his place of power over the mortals of this world, he cows to Cain, showing a hint of vulnerability even as he kills for the sake of X’Chasei. However, Igneus is the only one of them who truly connects with Emery. Smaller and prone to fear, Igneus has spent his eternity dwelling on the cruelty he’s surrounded by and finds a kindred spirit in this mortal man brought into their circle.

    Author Lloyd Jeffries offers beautiful and painful descriptions of both the modern world and biblical times.

    The characters’ emotions become palpable, and they speak to each other with weight behind their words. The climax could have delivered more completely on the themes of Cain’s story, but A Portion of Malice holds a strong tension that will keep readers excited to follow all of these people – mortal and immortal – to the next part of this imaginative series.

  • The SEARCH (ACROSS the GREAT DIVIDE, Book II) by Michael L. Ross – Christian Historical Fiction, Western Romances, Multicultural Romance

    The SEARCH (ACROSS the GREAT DIVIDE, Book II) by Michael L. Ross – Christian Historical Fiction, Western Romances, Multicultural Romance

    The Search (Across the Great Divide: Book II) by Michael L. Ross brings to life the history and events of the Westward Expansion in a post-Civil War US. In this sequel to The Clouds of War (Book I), we once again follow Will Crump, now a young Confederate Veteran, a POW survivor, and a sufferer from what must be PTSD. With the war over, nightmares and tension with the family disrupt his life and plans to marry his pre-war sweetheart. He wants to get away from civilization, build a little cabin in the mountains, and live in peace. 

    Will strikes out on his horse Dusty and soon picks up a stray dog he names Lightening. Both animals play essential roles in Will’s survival throughout his journey, and readers will worry for and root for them as much as for Will as they face the wild west head-on. 

    Early on, Will witnesses a native woman trying to escape two native men who seem to be holding her captive. When he realizes her life is in jeopardy, Will jumps into action and puts his sharpshooting skills to work. At this point, Will struggles to control his incapacitating panic amidst the flashbacks brought on by firing his rifle. He rescues the young woman, Dove, and they travel together. 

    The last thing Will finds is peace, and he begins to think that coming west might have been a mistake. Nevertheless, he and Dove reach Fort Laramie, where Will grows to respect and even love a native woman. Nevertheless, he has made a vow to return her to her people, and he will not rest until he has done so.

    There are a host of characters surrounding Will, many of whom come directly from history. Through extensive research into the events of the time, Ross has developed a plot and narrative that is believable and entertaining. History comes alive with his expert storytelling prowess, and he does not shy away from incorporating the brutal attitudes of the US government and its citizens toward Indigenous peoples.  

    Ross remains true to his story, and the result is a read that will not disappoint. This book can easily be read as a stand-alone book but might inspire readers to go back and read Book I and anticipate Book III’s release. For fans of Ross and stories set around the Civil War-era, or those new to the historical fiction of the Westward Expansion, this novel informs and entertains in a fast-paced, page-turner that is stunning in its descriptions and satisfying to the very end. 

    Ross uses one character, Gabe, as a sympathetic lens to expose the subtle differences between the tribes and that of the whites that overrun native hunting lands. Gabe serves as a go-between for Will in his pursuit of returning Dove to her father and in negotiations for the couple’s marriage. 

    Within the context of the settlers’ infringement on the migratory nature of indigenous people, the story unfolds. The Indigenous peoples’ very way of life is threatened and pressed to acts of desperation, leaving readers to wonder if Will and Dove’s story will ever come to fruition.