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AFTERNOON REBECCA by Mike J. Kizman
Genre: Romance/Romantasy
Mike J. Kizman’s Afternoon Rebecca is a sweet and faith-forward romantic novel that brings together two people in search of connection. Set in a fictional Central Indiana county, this story gracefully blends the innocence of modern Christian dating with the heartfelt narratives of a small-town community.
At the heart of the novel are Jeff Linn and Rebecca Firkins—two flawed but endearing characters brought together by the Church Chat Christian Dating app. Jeff, unlucky in love and socially awkward despite his good looks, lives a quiet life with his parrot, Sparrow. Rebecca, still nursing the wounds of a failed relationship, is encouraged by her vibrant roommate Max to step out of her comfort zone. When the app gives them only a 67% match, it’s not an obvious start—but both decide to meet for an upscale dinner anyway, setting the stage for a refreshing take on first-date storytelling.
The narrative unfolds gently, almost in real time, as readers experience Jeff and Rebecca’s awkward charm, sincere conversation, and subtle emotional shifts. Kizman adds an inventive twist by including the perspectives of the restaurant staff, whose brief yet meaningful stories form a mix of background lives that highlight the interconnectedness of strangers.
What stands out is the book’s understated humor and its grounding in faith. There’s no flashiness here—just honest, ordinary people hoping to find something extraordinary. Themes of vulnerability, redemption, and spiritual alignment are embedded throughout, giving the novel a moral core without being heavy-handed.
While the plot leans toward simplicity and some readers may crave more dramatic tension or complex development, Afternoon Rebecca succeeds in what it sets out to do: offer a wholesome, engaging tale of modern love through a Christian lens. It’s a quiet kind of romance—more about shared values and emotional honesty than grand gestures—and all the more meaningful for it.
Afternoon Rebecca is a gentle reminder that sometimes the best love stories begin with a leap of faith and a simple Tuesday dinner.
THE THIRD ACT by Kathleen Brehony
Genre: Contemporary Fiction / Women’s Fiction
Kathleen Brehony’s The Third Act arrives not with fanfare but with quiet conviction—like an old friend at your door, finally ready to share a long-held story. And what a story it is: layered, lived-in, and luminous with emotional truth.
This isn’t your typical tale of second chances. It’s a third act—explicitly and unapologetically so. With the precision of a psychologist and the tenderness of a poet, Brehony dives into the emotional complexity of life in one’s sixties. Aging isn’t a backdrop here; it’s the very landscape where the novel unfolds.
What impressed me most is Brehony’s command of voice. The novel alternates between two protagonists—Shannon O'Connell and Elizabeth Matthews—both rendered with startling realism. Their perspectives don’t just narrate the story; they build it, brick by emotional brick. Each chapter feels like the next piece of a conversation paused years ago. It’s intimate, confessional, and at times uncomfortably honest.
Shannon is the first voice we meet. She arrives not with a bang, but with the quiet weight of accumulating loss: a long-term relationship ends, her mother fades into dementia, and her closest friend dies of cancer. Yet Brehony resists melodrama. Shannon’s grief is etched in small, sharp details—a cold mug of tea, a saved voicemail, the silence after laughter.
Then comes Elizabeth, and the emotional pitch shifts. Her life is a balancing act between self-protection and vulnerability, between the legacy of a high-powered career and the uncertainty of reconnecting with Shannon. Her chapters don’t just complement Shannon’s—they counterbalance them. If Shannon is memory and ache, Elizabeth is tension and possibility.
The novel’s structure—alternating chapters, Shannon on the odds, Elizabeth on the evens—gives the story a quiet rhythm, like call and response. And what emerges is not just a rekindled romance, but a reflection on how we forgive, remember, and dare to feel again.
It’s rare to find a novel that allows its characters to age without apology, to desire without shame, and to grow without drama. The Third Act does all three. Brehony avoids neat endings and sentimentality, instead offering characters who are flawed, evolving, and deeply human.
Above all, The Third Act reminds us that reinvention isn’t just for the young. Every season holds the promise of a new beginning—if we’re brave enough to embrace it. The novel earns its title with grace, offering a final act that feels like a true beginning.
NAKED ULTRA by Craig Ohlau
Genre: Adventure Nonfiction / Memoir / Humor / Inspirational
If you’ve ever wondered what might happen when two first-time authors say “yes” to both a book launch and a grueling ultramarathon in the same breath, Craig Ohlau’s Naked Ultra has the answer—and it’s a riotous, heartfelt, and surprisingly moving ride.
This compact narrative punches far above its weight. What begins as a quirky road trip quickly morphs into a soul-searching endurance saga, driven by Ohlau’s crisp, clever prose and an uncanny ability to balance absurdity with introspection. His voice is both self-aware and sincere, inviting readers to laugh at the madness while quietly reflecting on what drives us to push beyond comfort zones.
The watercolor illustrations scattered throughout are more than decorative—they serve as emotional landmarks, grounding the narrative in moments of quiet beauty and stark struggle. Chapters like Breaking Point and The Final Descent immerse readers in the brutal honesty of physical and psychological fatigue, while episodes such as The Gospel According to Brisket offer an irresistible helping of Texas flavor and levity.
What sets this story apart is its genuine heart. Ohlau doesn’t write heroes—he writes humans. Flawed, funny, determined humans who chase big dreams, stumble spectacularly, and come out stronger (and sweatier) on the other side. It’s a celebration of grit, friendship, and the unpredictable poetry of saying “why not?” when everyone else would say “you’re crazy.”
At just over 150 short pages, Naked Ultra is a one-sitting kind of book. For readers who love adventure with a side of vulnerability—and for anyone who’s ever dared to do something utterly ridiculous in the name of passion—this book is a must.
