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Reaper
Reaper, by J.R Lightfoot, follows Duke Jaml of Erdine, also known as the Reaper, as he fights in a war against demons. Jaml was sent by God to eradicate a hoard of demons, often called the Fallen, who are trying to take over the world. He understands the importance of his mission, and Jaml’s training by the angels is meant to prepare him for a dangerous world, where he must succeed as the great warrior, facing the King of the demons, Lucifer, with the help of Kem, who works alongside him to defeat the devil’s servants.
This action-packed story includes a religious theme, solid character development, and intense emotional depth. The author offers a unique twist on a common good-versus-evil storyline with intriguing character names and how quickly they reveal their alliances. It’s also a vivid and explicit story that isn’t afraid to dive into intense, intimate, descriptive scenes, piquing my curiosity for the story’s subsequent development or unexpected turn.
While this book may seem a bit intense for some readers, I enjoyed the narration’s expressive and sometimes shocking nature, which I found refreshing and daring. J.R. Lightfoot does not shy away from giving readers a clear picture of battles and the hunt for demons. While trying to stop the Apocalypse and prevent the foretold book of Revelations from coming true, Jaml will quickly become a reader favorite as he embarks on his monumental journey.
Reaper is an excellent book for readers who are fans of science-fiction and fantasy stories, focusing on well-defined heroes and villains and intense battle scenes. While this book is written as a Christian action and adventure novel, readers of all genres are in for an entertaining read.
Pages: 384 | ASIN :B0B4PCXFT5
Icarus Never Flew ‘Round Here
Icarus Never Flew ‘Round Here is a literary fiction novel that follows the story of Dale Samuel, a lonely rancher who has isolated himself in Oregon’s High Desert. Dale’s only companion is his wife Janice and their farm animals. Isolation from the world has made Dale question the complexities of life as he often finds himself wondering how little he knows about existence. Dale talks to the horizon as if it contains all the answers that he seeks so desperately, the main one being as to whether he and his wife are just as cursed as the rest of mankind, or if they’re special. The mysteries of the universe, and his own curiosity, have a huge effect on Dale’s life as the story unfolds.
Icarus Never Flew ’round here by Matt Edwards is a thought-provoking novel that follows a contemplative protagonist on an intellectually invigorating journey. The novel slowly builds up the characters, giving you plenty of time to immerse yourself in the world. Before I knew it, I was engrossed and captivated by the character. Dale Samuel is a character that is relatable but still compelling. He is a lonely rancher who questions even the slightest details of existence, which I feel a lot of readers will be able to relate to. Readers will find themselves wondering the same things as readers realize how little they know of the universe and existence; and that philosophical meandering is intriguing. The author has written a novel that is bound to pique reader’s curiosity and leave them thinking about things long after they put the book down.
The southern accent of the characters was a nice touch and served to make the characters feel authentic and also gives readers a feel for the Oregon High Desert. Dale’s evident fascination and connection with the everlasting horizon is a beautiful aspect of the story. I really enjoyed the descriptions in this book as it painted a vivid visual of a beautiful place. Dale’s connection to nature really elevates the descriptions and makes the backdrop almost ethereal. At first, the extent of Dale’s curiosity is acceptable and seems normal for someone who is completely isolated. However, as time passes, we see that his curiosity begins to get threatening and maddening until eventually, it takes over his senses.
Icarus Never Flew ‘Round Here is a reflective coming-of-age novel that explores questions about life in an impassioned and potent way. If you’re looking for a meditative novel with a unique voice, then this is a book that will keep you thinking well after you put the book down.
Pages: 160 | ASIN: B0BG8Q9JKG
Judgement Is Inevitable
The Nephilim Project follows a demon who exposes a demonic plan to impregnate the daughters of men to spawn the Nephilim. What was the inspiration for the setup to your story?
Jesus Christ said he would return when the days on earth will be like those Noah experienced. The giant Nephilim ruled the earth when Noah was building the ark. Could demons once again produce the Nephilim, and would it be a precursor for Jesus’ second coming? If I answered my own question, I would say probable not, but we need to take notice of another marker of the days of Noah. God said he destroyed mankind with a flood because the hearts of men were continually evil. Today we see the rise of evil in our lands and we should be watching for Jesus’ imminent return.
Utoneious is an intriguing character. What were some driving ideals behind your character’s development?
Utoneious is a fallen angel, a demon if you will and he tells of his exploits in Heaven and on earth. He is perplexed and troubled over this gnawing question: Why does God give men multiple chances to change their evil ways and angels suffered God’s wrath for just one evil choice? Should Utonious be pitied, should the unrepentant human be pitied? Upon realizing both men and demons share the same fate, Utoneious begins to regret the choices he made and wants to make amends not knowing salvation is based on faith rather than works.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
My first book was criticized for being too “preachy”. In this book I set out thinking; If I presented the Gospel through the voice of a demonic, no one could say it was too preachy and for years I thought that showing the Gospel in this way was the purpose of my book. Just recently, I realized the major theme of the book is not the Gospel, but rather, God’s judgement is inevitable, and it will be tragic for those who refuse to repent and believe in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
At this time, I don’t have any plans. I wrote my first book after being shunned from a Christian Church and that took a year. Writing “The Nephilim Project” took me two years. If a third book followed suit, such an endeavor would take three years to accomplish. I guess I should get started on the Nephilims’ sequel before I get any older.
P.S. I have an idea on how Utonious could escape the demon prison Tartarus.
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of shadows encompassing the earth. In this darkness evil seeks obscurity. With effort it can be perceived by the human mind and those groping in the dark can be enlightened by a demon’s tale. Deep in the bowels of earth, wasting away in a prison called Tatarus, a demon named Utoneious remembers the days of Heaven and gives testimony of what it’s like to be Satan’s slave. He exposes a demonic plan to, once again, impregnate the daughters of men and from this union the Nephilim, as in the days of Noah, will be spawned. The devil plans to use these giants in a most insidious way, and as the overseer of the Nephilim Project, Utoneious is well aware of what lust for flesh can bring.
This fallen angel’s evil knew no bounds. Legends of old were targeted and Utoneious played his role to perfection. He brought the ruin of Nimrod at the tower of Babble and Pharaohs of Egypt knew his curses before they were buried in their pyramid tombs. All of mankind suffered Utoneious’ lies until one day something tempered his ways. Perhaps he tired of his deeds when he watched the Church put men, from the order of the Knights Templar, to the torch or he may have changed because of his love for a woman. Did this fallen angel try to redeem himself or was his rebellion against Satan a ruse. Whatever the case may be, his story begins before death was ever known and leads down a doomed path where his destiny is intricately interwoven with a relic of Satan’s design.
Life and death, Heaven or Hell—what is the truth? If an answer could be found in a story, there would be no beginning to such a tale as there could be no end. Nevertheless, many have tried to tell it. Know this and be forewarned: chronicles from the damned are a tragedy, telling lies meant to deceive the race of men to join an unholy alliance, sharing with Satan an antipathy toward God.
The Nephilim Project
The Nephilim Project: A Demon’s Chronicle is an intriguing historical/biblical fiction novel that focuses on demonic attempts to corrupt mankind throughout the ages. Starting at creation, we follow a servant of Satan, named Utoneious, as he records the events of early Old Testament figures like Noah and Moses, or more accurately, their less-famous family members who succumb to demonic temptation in one way or another. Over the course of Utoneious’s chronicles we are introduced to the Nephilim, creatures begotten by the mating of a demon and a human woman. The story eventually moves on to events of the New Testament, and then the Knights Templar of the Crusades.
The Nephilim Project is a visionary novel. The attitude of Utoneious is of someone who has a job to do, as opposed to someone hellbent on being evil for evil’s sake. As he observes mankind he also takes part in bureaucratic meetings with other demons, who are aptly described in horrific and beastly ways, but also have a certain diplomacy to them. The juxtaposition of the business-as-usual demonic conversations overlayed with something like the death of Christ is jarring, but amusing and entertaining.
I felt that author Steve O’Dell’s writing is a bit esoteric at times, but the story is still fascinating. The humans of the story are often driven by a loyalty or faith in God, but are corrupted through demonic interference, usually through an ancient relic. The demons themselves assail mankind with temptation rather than brute force more often than not, making their influence more subtle as man falls to greed, war, and other vices.
This is a spellbinding Christian fiction novel. I enjoyed the unique and fascinating mythology of this world and reveled in it’s creativity. Readers who enjoy historical fiction with a supernatural element, especially history centering on the time of the Crusades, will really enjoy The Nephilim Project.
Pages: 389 | ASIN: B01N2WJ4I9
FastFlight 540
FastFlight 540, is an adventure-filled young adult fantasy novel by M. M. Mesldorf. Right from the get-go, readers are plunged into action as the protagonist, Anslie, makes quick work of stealing her friend’s identity to escape the seemingly horrible orphanage where she lives. While she thinks she has gotten away from the oppressive walls of Whippoorwill Children’s Home, she has instead traded one prison for another with Nocturnan Home. Soon, a being will come bursting into Anslie’s life. And that being is none other than Xander Benjamin Bump.
The chapters are written in a straightforward manner, and they flow smoothly together. When Anslie dreams, readers read the chapters from her perspective thoroughly, while the rest of the book is generally told in the third person. The shifts between are seamless, making it easy to follow along. There isn’t a break in the action in this novel; there is always something happening, someone coming, someone going, and adventure at every turn. It makes for a bit of a dizzying ride. Anslie carries on with the false identity she stole from the real Tucker Sullivan, and we watch her meager beginnings grow and blossom into something more.
In the beginning, Anslie is alone. She has nothing and is nothing. We see this in her solitude in the attic, her pitiful friendship with her own shadow, and her brief but lonely interactions with Mrs. Simpler. However, what begins as a painful existence begins to shift and reshape as her interactions with others accelerate. First Xander, then Hobbs, and soon all manner of companion joins Anslie on her quest to play the Garden Game against the Nighthawks. Throughout the book, I wasn’t sure if these other children were real: I was confident they were manifestations of her extreme loneliness and solitude.
If you are looking for a fun book that is difficult to put down, you must pick up a copy of FastFlight 540 by M. M. Mesldorf. It’s a whirlwind in all the right ways as it takes you for a ride through Anslie’s youth with Xander to the happily ever after. But is it truly the end? The final words of the last chapter leave room for a potential sequel, but we’ll have to wait like patient children to see what comes next.
Pages: 284 | ASIN : B0B7LLG2GP
The Answer to Immortality
Eve of Awakening follows a woman who is successful in her life but has a near-death experience and rediscovers her faith in God causing her to question everything she has believed. What was the inspiration for the setup to your story?
I was about 23 years old and super busy earning my master’s degree and working full time. I was exercising at the gym, so I could hurry home and do homework when I asked to myself, “Does everyone try to live so many lives in one?” That is when the thought, “Life Plethoricity,” came to mind: Trying to live the productiveness of multiple lives in a single life. The only way to do this is to get rid of valuable things that many hold dear — relationships, faith, rest and enjoyment. The interesting fact about this book is that I wrote it in 2005 — before social media, smart phones, online shopping/shipping and working remotely. I had to create these ideas in my book, which is why they have different names. However, now so much of what I speculated has come to fruition.
Eve is a perfect citizen in her world, until she embraces her lost faith, causing her life to spiral in a new direction. What were some driving ideals behind your character’s development?
So many people think that Christians are “brainwashed” and that faith is a sign of a lack of intelligence or a sign of weakness. However, in my mind, I would want to know what happens after my body dies. My spirit and soul aren’t aging, so where will they go when my heart stops beating? This to me isn’t a sign of ignorance; rather, it is a rational awareness for anyone who thinks beyond this world and current moment. Eve has a near death experiences, and realizes that death steals all her hard earned productivity, and she gets angry. Why should she produce so much when she can’t take any of it with her when her heart stops? To me, she is the one who is highly intelligent in thinking beyond this life as she gains an awareness of how fleeting it is. That is why she won’t rest until she finds the answer to immortality, which she finds in Christ.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
One of the most important themes that I wanted to explore was how imperfect people have a relationship with a perfect God. How does that look? What does the process of maturing in Christ feel like? How does the Holy Spirit relate to us once we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior? My characters are far from perfect. And they are each on different walks of faith, wearing a unique anointing for their specific design. One of my utmost desires in life, besides being loved, is to have meaning and purpose. My goal in writing Eve of Awakening and in writing all five books of the Onoma Series is to show how each character has a purpose that is invaluable to God’s greater plan and how they accomplish that purpose even when they make mistakes and many times fall short.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
So far, there are four published books in the series each named after a major character: Eve of Awakening, Bear into Redemption, Mark within Salvation and Hunt for Understanding. The final book, Straight unto Forever, is a prequel novella that occurs about 15 years before Eve of Awakening. I am currently finishing up this book, and it should be published Fall of this year.
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Website
Literary Titan Gold Book Award August 2022
The Literary Titan Book Awards are awarded to books that have astounded and amazed us with unique writing styles, vivid worlds, complex characters, and original ideas. These books deserve extraordinary praise and we are proud to acknowledge the hard work, dedication, and writing talent of these brilliant authors.
Gold Award Recipients
Visit the Literary Titan Book Awards page to see award information.
Sharing the Truth and Love
Solitude of Light follows a brother that has dedicated himself to God’s will as he tries to save his atheist brothers’ soul and fix the broken relationships they have. What was the inspiration for the setup to your story?
The conflict between Tomás and Francisco was already a theme in the first two books in my “Beyond Cascadia” series (“Echoes Through Distant Glass” and “Eclipse Rising”). As I got to know these two characters better, I found that Francisco’s self-centered, antisocial behavior had painted him into a very nasty, confined corner, psychologically-speaking. I was curious if he would stay in that dark place forever, or if he could be enticed closer to the light. When Tomás advanced on his own spiritual journey, he became the perfect foil to test Francisco. That’s when I had the idea for a stand-alone story that was virtually independent from the rest of the series.
Tomás has made dramatic changes in his life and wants to follow the path God has directed him to. What were some driving ideals behind your character’s development?
Tomás has an innate, natural sincerity and hunger for truth and love—two things that were scarce in his childhood. After following a few dead-ends and suffering more heartbreak, he finally finds peace and solace in God. He is zealous about sharing the truth and love he’s discovered with the one person he knows needs it the most—his arrogant, estranged brother.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
The importance of admitting when you are wrong and have hurt people is one theme. The set-up between the two brothers also became an opportunity to explore some of the darker ramifications of the idea of self-sacrifice. Another is that sermons ultimately don’t touch people the way examples and actions do. However, I feel the most important theme is that love in action is much more demanding–but can be more rewarding–than mere words on paper.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
The next book in the series is entitled “Harshest Dawn. The action in this new novel takes place right after the conclusion of “Eclipse Rising”, and includes events only vaguely hinted at in book three. Unlike “Solitude Of Light”, which is sort of a psychological side-quest, “Harshest Dawn” returns to the more political-action, thriller type story. It’s still very character-driven, though. I hope to have it published by the end of 2022 or early 2023. I’d be delighted if readers followed me on Goodreads, Amazon, Twitter or my website to get updates!
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Website
Yet living within the sacred confines of a seminary is harder than he expected; soon, he’s challenged to learn new skills while navigating both minor jealousies and global politics—all while making friends and maturing as a person.
But will his virtues of patience and humility help him when he is ultimately put to the test?
Because when he finds himself at the very ends of the earth, he must confront his exiled brother Francisco and force him to face the twisted and deadly shadows of their shared past…and he may not survive the encounter.
This stand-alone entry in the Beyond Cascadia near-future saga is a unique, intense and intimate journey through tangled human relationships, exploring how—and if—remorse and forgiveness can ever be enough to conquer the darkest heart.
LITERARY TITAN 