This review was submitted by Tannia E. Ortiz-Lopés
Night Prayer from the Office of the Dead is author Brother Bernard Seif's newest release of the Brother Francis O'Neil's mystery series. In this book, the author will take the main character to China on a dangerous and life-threatening quest.
Brother Francis is a clinical psychologist, a doctor of Chinese medicine, and a committed Salesian monk. He has dedicated most of his life to studying the Salesian Order's founders, St. Francis de Sales and St. Jane de Chantal.
Brother Francis' enthusiastic research and his skills as a historian will take him away from the quiet of his monastery in Pennsylvania to visit a friend's relative on a remote village in China. There, he will receive some mysterious ancient parchments which have been passed down from generation to generation. He is fascinated by their content and by the legend of doom surrounding them.
Some of the previous keepers of the parchments had met a deadly fate. Will Brother Francis be able to solve the mysterious hunting accidents that befell them without putting his own life at risk?
Although this is the sixth installment on this series, I did not have any problems following the story or understanding the character'spredicaments. The author did a wonderful job disclosing relevant information without affecting the flow of the narration.
The captivating cover illustration transported me to the sixteenth century. Illuminated by a single candle, a religious man sits deep in concentration at a library desk, writing a letter with a quill pen. For me, the image raised interest about the significant relationship between the writer and the recipient of such letter. The expectations of an enigmatic tale and its resolution were fulfilled.
I recommend this book to historical fiction readers looking for a short, condense, and intriguing story.
Reviewed by: Tannia E. Ortiz-Lopés, author of The Window To My Soul; My Walk With Jesus (2004 Tate Publishing;). El Espejo de mi Alma (2011 WinePress) .
Other photography website: http://www.zazzle.com/teolpuertorico
The Window to my Soul; My Walk With Jesus
By Tannia E. Ortiz-Lopés
*A BOOK OF MEDITATIVE DEVOTIONS AND FREE-STYLE INSPIRATIONAL POETRY, *
Voted “2006 Best Poetry Book” by www.christianstoryteller.com
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.
The book can be purchased directly from the publisher at www.tatepublishing.com and at all major online stores.
About the Author:
Tannia E. Ortiz-Lopés is an author, a book reviewer, a song-writer, and interviewer by profession, a mother by choice, and a wife by the covenant of marriage. She was born in Guayama, Puerto Rico and currently lives in Germany with her husband and two sons.
For more information about the author, visit her at: timewithtannia.tripod.com, www.myspace.com/tanniaortizlopes and www.shoutlife.com/tanniaortizlopes
Title: In-Sight
Author: Gerard D. Webster
Reviewed by Tannia E. Ortiz-Lopes, publisher of ''Time with Tannia'' (http://timewithtannia.tripod.com/)
The award winning action-drama novel, In-Sight, written by author Gerard D. Webster, stands out among other Catholic books in this genre.
The book begins with Carrie Hope's dad's last words to her before dying in the hospital: ''I love you as my own.'' Carrie's parents were killed by a drunk driver when she was a freshman at Florida State University (FSU). This event leaves Carrie alone and with no known relatives. When she turns 21, opportunity comes knocking at her door- she lands a Summer internship job in TV journalism in England. She needs to apply for a passport and is unable to find a copy of her birth certificate. She contacts Mr.Tom Eddington, the family lawyer, and asks for his assistance. Her meeting with Mr. Eddington reveals some shocking family secrets that find Carrie ill-prepared and send her in a life of busyness and internal turmoil.
Meanwhile, syndicated column writer, Ward McNulty, is enjoying the fame and the power of his political commentary column, Inside Story. His credibility and insight change the lives of those people he writes about. Ward has been very outspoken and supportive of State Senator Chet Garner in his column. This relationship, however, will proof itself shallow and manipulative as the story unfolds.
Carrie Hope buries her past and continues working on TV journalism. Her hard work earned her the position of co-host at the news program, Channel Five at Five. She and Ward McNulty meet at the studio as she interviews him for the news series,'Local People Makes Good.' Some time after this interview, Carrie and Ward start dating and end up with Carrie's moving in with Ward. At first, their relationship is full of lust and passion, but these slowly disappear as they get more and more involve in their careers.
Democrat State Senator Chet Garner will stop at nothing to gain the necessary votes to the US Congress, including, but not limited, to defamation of his competitor and all of those who stand on his way. He has been supportive of the ''North Beach'' development project to take place in Timuqua Island because he sees it is beneficial for Florida and also for the residents of the island.
Some of the residents are suspicious about the ''North Beach Project'' and they decide to hire real state lawyer, Bob Rohrback, to represent them in court. When Bob starts requesting papers from the City Council and taking some legal actions, this sets the wheel on as a set of unfortunate events starts affecting those obstructing and delaying the project. One of those victims is Ward McNulty, who refuses to use his column to defame former defense lawyer, Bob Rohrback. Ward suffers a car accident that leaves him blind for some time. Soon after his sight is restored, he discovered he has an in-sight into people's souls. This so discovered ''gift'' terrifies him and he doesn't know how to deal with it. But with the help of his dad, he learns to use his gift to better himself and help others in need.
The rest of the book goes back and forth between those in favor and those opposed to the project. Ward McNulty and Carrie Hope find themselves caught in the middle of the struggle and fighting in opposite sides. Lives will be turned up side down and others will be destroyed, while a handful of brave ones will find justice as the truth sets them free.
This is a tale of betrayal, faith, power, recovery, redemption, trust, and justice for all. I enjoyed the way the author weaved into the story the benefits of a regular confession, the AA Program for alcohol addiction, family relationship, and law. All these elements are tastefully discussed through the story without making the readers uncomfortable with some of these sensitive topics. The word of Jesus: ''Let your eyes be opened'' will take a whole new meaning after the reader finishes reading this book.
I recommend this book to those readers looking for a Catholic action drama fiction story with a cutting edge that doesn't jeopardize their beliefs and convictions. This book was awarded 2nd place in the 2009 Creative Arts Council Book Awards.
Tannia E. Ortiz-Lopés- "The Window to My Soul: My Walk with Jesus"
http://timewithtannia.tripod.com/
http://www.myspace.com/tanniaortizlopes
http://www.shoutlife.com/tanniaortizlopes
Title: Crown of the World Knight of the Temple
Author: Nathan Sadasivan
Reviewed by Tannia E. Ortiz-Lopes, publisher of ''Time with Tannia'' (
http://timewithtannia.tripod.com/)
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.
BIO LINES:
Tannia E. Ortiz-Lopés author of The Window To My Soul, My Walk With Jesus (2004 Tate Publishing ISBN 0975393359.) El Espejo de mi Alma (2009 Pleasant Word) Visit the author at:
http://timewithtannia.tripod.com/,
www.myspace.com/tanniaortizlopes, and
www.shoutlife.com/tanniaortizlopes
Title: Sin and Vengeance
Author: CJ West
Reviewed by Tannia E. Ortiz-Lopés author of The Window To My Soul, My Walk With Jesus(2004 Tate Publishing ISBN 0975393359.) Visit the author at: http://timewithtannia.tripod.com/, www.myspace.com/tanniaortizlopes, and www.shoutlife.com/tanniaortizlopes
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!
Title: The Third Floor Window
Author: Colleen Spiro
Reviewed by Tannia E. Ortiz-Lopes (
timewithtannia.tripod.com)
The Third Floor Window is the author's memoir of a lost childhood and a stolen innocence caused by many years of sexual abuse. From an early age, both the author and her sister were sexually abused by their father. The story is well written and brings hope to others who are struggling with similar situations.
The book is divided in different topics. On each section, Ms. Spiro opens the door of her memories and tells the story of a child who lived in fear and to this date is still searching for that fatherly love she never had. The book is written as a personal journal and in it she shares her adult's insecurities, victories, and constant determination to fully heal those open wounds and scars of her soul.
The book cover shows a picture of a faceless child looking outside a window with a white dove flying above her head. That faceless child represents all the children who are still victims of this horrific crime today. The dove represents the Holy Spirit bringing comfort and hope to those children looking for a way out and don't know where to go or who to trust.
I recommend this book to victims, survivors, counselors, families and friends, and religious leaders helping with the healing and self-worthiness process of these injured souls, whether they are still children or an adult.
A World Away by T.J. Smith
Reviewed by Tannia E. Ortiz-Lopes
Publisher of ''Time with Tannia'' (http://timewithtannia.tripod.com/)
A World Away is author T.J. Smith's first book of the Dan Clay's leap of faith saga to save his missing older brother, William, from an evil parallel world.
The book cover shows a gloomy castle standing on the top of a mountain surrounded by creepy trees and a bewitched full moon saying to uninvited visitors: beware, beware, beware...!
Dan Clay is a high school senior who looks like a nerd. He is smart, shy, wears glasses, and his non-athletic body makes him the perfect target for the two known school bullies, Sur and Malice.
When Dan finds his science project trashed all over the school's gym floor, all his dreams of obtaining a scholarship are crushed. He storms out of the gym and wanders around town trying to cool-off his rage. Dan is so absorbed in his thoughts that he, unknowingly, enters the forbidden and mythical Eldritch Forest. It's dark and suddenly Dan realizes he is lost. All of the childhood stories he had heard about demons and mythical beasts among the trees and rocks of the forest start to become real to him. He trembles of fear. He then sits on a fallen tree, looks around and sees a large oak tree. It seems familiar to him, so he walks over to the tree and touches it. Upon touching the tree, his hand penetrates the tree's surface. Curiosity takes the best of him and he places his hand deeper into the tree, when suddenly he hears a loud noise behind him. He gets scared and his glasses fall on the floor. Dan bends down to pick them up when he is pushed into the tree by an invisible force.
Dan is confused and after hearing more noises in the forest, he decides to rush back home. He is more amazed and puzzled after he sees his family celebrating William's 18th birthday. Dan quickly analyzes all the events and concludes that the ''tree'' plays a key role in his ordeals.
During the first three chapters of the book, Dan is gathering information about his brother, the town's history, and the history of the Eldritch Forest's legend. The author uses Sam White, an old lunatic homeless man, to share with Dan information about Eldritch Forest and the ''world beyond the oak tree''.
Dan secretly plans to go back to the forest to rescue William. He decides to seize the opportunity while he prepares to attend an after graduation survival camp. The day of the departure, Dan walks to town with his friend and next door neighbor, Jimmy. At the meeting place, after he registers with the bus driver to go to camp, Dan takes advantage of everybody's distraction and walks to Eldritch Forest. Jimmy notices Dan walking away with his bag. He grabs his bag and follows Dan closely. Cindy, a classmate and friend of them, also notices their odd behavior and not wanting to go to survival camp either, follows them from a saved distance. After sharing enough information about Eldritch Forest with Dan, Sam is suspicious and also has a hunch that Dan might venture to return to the other world to save his missing brother, William. On the day of departure to survival camp, Sam keep a close eye on Dan.
Dan goes through the oak tree into the other world and as he is recovering from the experience, suddenly and unexpected falling from the tree come Jimmy, Cindy, and Sam. Dan has no choice but to let his friends stay and join him in his quest. There in the ''other world'' Sam calls Dr. Mark O'Brien, an old friend of his.
The remainder of the book takes the reader back and forth between both worlds. While Dan and his companions dare to go further and further into the forest, the parents in the other world are devastated about their children sudden and unexpected disappearance.
My hat goes off to this author, whose imagination and creativity will keep the reader engaged in this God forsaken world as Dan and his companions encounter tree nymphs, purple frogs with teeth and very long tongues, a carnivores grass, mean looking moles, a huge snail, a giant spider, a three headed Siberian Tiger, trolls, in addition to other prehistoric and mythological creatures.
This Young Adult (YA) fiction story is entertaining for middle schoolers, as they will be able to identify themselves with the dilemmas, predicaments, and personalities of the characters. The book, however, is not suitable for younger children as they might get scared by some of the situations.
Will Dan and his companions ever reach the castle where he believes his brother William is trapped? Will they survive all the tribulations of their journey? For the answers to these and other questions, join Dan, Jimmy, Cindy, and Sam as they travel into the unknown in ''A World Away.''
Tannia E. Ortiz-Lopés author of The Window To My Soul, My Walk With Jesus
(2004 Tate Publishing ISBN 0975393359.) The book could be purchased directly from the publisher at www.tatepublishing.com and at all major online stores.
The author review books for www.catholicfiction.net Visit the author at: http://timewithtannia.tripod.com/, www.myspace.com/tanniaortizlopes, and www.shoutlife.com/tanniaortizlopes
Copyrighted, February, 2009 – Tannia E. Ortiz-Lopes – All Rights Reserved
The Sacred Bones by Michael Byrnes
Reviewed by Tannia E. Ortiz-Lopes, publisher of Time with Tannia (timewithtannia.tripod.com)On his debut novel, The Sacred Bones, author Michael Byrnes brings us a fascinating mix of myths, legends, and themes of today in a controversial story full of intrigue, conspiracy, murder, modern technology and religion- the perfect combination for a breath taking story.
The book starts with the story of the Knights of the Temple and their duties regarding the Church and its secrets. The story then moves forward and the suspense starts in Jerusalem's present time. A relic is stolen from beneath The Temple Mount leaving behind death, destruction, and confusion. Both Muslims and Jews are blaming each other for this incident and both start their own investigation. The Israelites authorities bring in antiques expert, Graham Barton, to help with the identification of the stolen relic and its commercial value, whereas the Palestinians bring in political mediador, Razak bin Ahmed bin al-Tahini, to conduct the investigation and to reduce tension among the radical Islamic groups ready to take action for the desecration of their El-Aqsa Mosque.
Meanwhile, in Vatican city, American geneticist Charlotte Hennesey, Italian anthropologist Giovanni Bersie, and Father Patrick Donovan work together to analyze and identify the human remains inside an ancient Jewish burial box – an ossuary.
This book is a roller coaster of emotions as all these characters find themselves inside a spider web of conspiracy, murder, potential war, cover up of evidence, and zealous actions to protect an ancient secret. Will the truth set them free? Or will the truth cause their death?
I highly recommend this book to readers looking for a fiction book tastefully written, while merging difficult topics with the eloquence of an experienced storyteller. I can see this book finding its way to the big screen and becoming a major motion picture.
Bravo Mr. Byrnes!
Tannia E. Ortiz-Lopés author of The Window To My Soul, My Walk With Jesus
(2004 Tate Publishing ISBN 0975393359.) The book could be purchased directly from the publisher at www.tatepublishing.com and at all major online stores.
