Captivating and thrilling

"Once again Goodwin created a great read. The twists and turns in every direction keeping the flow of the story intriguing."

Rhonda Umphrey
Review for "The Angelic Gene" via Amazon US

Sandra Tibbetts thoughts of the Elijah Hael series.

On "Elijah Hael - The Last Judgement - A Thoughtful story

"Rated Elijah Hael and the Last Judgement 5 stars because it is thoughtfully composed and a really different kind of fiction. Glad I found Goodwin's books"

On "Elijah Hael - The Genetic Code" - Steve Goodwin really surprised me

"I will recommend this book to my family & friends. It is a good book on Christian living and a super new interpretation of angels."

On "The Angelic Gene" - Great easy read

"Though fiction it was a thoughtful look at angels. I would recommend this book to anyone . Made me happy & sad at the same time."

Sandra R. Tibbetts, via Amazon U.S.

Thanks Sandra, appreciate the feedback.  Glad you enjoyed all three.

A Creative Novel Shining a Light on the Spiritual Realm

"The Angelic Gene imagines a cadre of angels who long ago volunteered to enter the human race and create offspring who would carry their angelic genes for the good of humanity. Unfortunately, dark forces of the underworld became aware of this line of gifted and spiritually attuned humans. The dark forces, one evil persona in particular, began tracking them and killing them off. One person remains carrying the angelic gene, and she is unaware of her angelic pedigree. It will be up to her and a troupe of highly trained monks to destroy the evil forces that have been raised to end the angelic gene.

The narrative occurs in late 19th Century Great Britain and involves one of the most infamous killers of history who serves his dark master by murder.

Goodwin's The Angelic Gene is a prequel to two previously published books in the series. It is an intriguing set of characters and plot to want to follow. Since this is the first that I have read, reading the other two appeals to me. Readers who have read the other books in the series may better appreciate getting the back story of Sophia and learning how she has developed and matured. It seems that Goodwin assumed some prior knowledge among readers and didn't fully elaborate on characters and plot in a way he would have if this was the first book written in the series.

The story moves along at a steady pace except for a few areas that seemed to bog down and could have been trimmed. This could have been better developed to give readers a better feel for the historical, cultural and geographic settings of the book.

Goodwin inserts some discussions of Christianity into the story. These subjects are relevant to the story and characters. Some of the spiritual interactions are Biblical and some involve imaginative creativity by the author.

A few times the author seems to write some historical inconsistencies that interrupt the development and flow of the book's setting. For example, he has a baptism scene in which the two teen girls are baptized in a pond or river. Both girls spent their childhoods in a Roman Catholic orphanage and attended Mass at a Catholic Church. There is practically no way they would not have been baptized as infants in such a setting.

Other than a few inconsistencies like that, the book is enjoyable and broaches myriad topics of the spiritual realm. It also pulls on the heartstrings more than once. The characters are appealing -- who wouldn't love a monk who is like a ninja warrior? The Angelic Gene carrier begins the battle she will apparently continue through the series of fighting the shadows that have entered our world from the underworld."

- C. Stephans - via Amazon US

Best book I have read since Steve Goodwin's last one

"I enjoyed The Angelic Gene very much, the story line was very catching I did not want to put it down, i really like the way Steve Goodwin writes it's very easy to lose your self in his writing, can't wait for his next book, or better still the movie version would be wonderful."

Irene Dyer, via Amazon US

C.M. Sinned review of "The Angelic Gene"

"I've read the first two books in the series and enjoyed them immensely! The 3rd offering in the series wasn't a let down either! It jumps the gate and starts down the hill like a steamroller chasing an avalanche! The story is fast paced and contains very miniscule lulls in the activity. Mr. Goodwin's character development and writing style continues to grow in depth and scope as he brings "The world of Elijah Hael" to life and furthers the series. I particularly enjoy how the author conveys spirituality throughout his books without coming across as "preachy." I look forward to the next installment from Mr. Goodwin!"

C.M. Sinned reivew of "The Angelic Gene" - via Amazon US

"This Here Blog" review for "The Angelic Gene"

An orphanage is the only home Sophia has ever known. The sisters that run it, the orphans, and her "sister" Anne are the only family she has. When she is forced to leave, and face someone that is trying to kill her, she has no idea why. Steve Goodwin weaves her story in The Angelic Gene.

Sophia has to learn about herself, but she also has to learn to trust people that want to help her. She maintains a strong trust in God, even when she doesn't understand His ways. Being caught in a struggle to protect herself, her family, and the world in general forces her to mature quickly.

There are several spiritual themes in the book, besides the obvious nuns and monks. Putting the needs of others before your own is prominent, and faith is spoken of freely by the characters.

I am wary when reading a book by an author I haven't heard of. I don't know whether I will like the book, or will have wasted my time. In this case, it was the former. The Angelic Gene kept my attention throughout the story, and I didn't get lost from a bunch of different plot points. Though two sides of the story unfolded simultaneously, both came together in the end, with a twist here and there.

Via Amazon US and "This Here Blog Random, maybe useful, thoughts."

Miki's Hope review of "The Angelic Gene"

"What a strange and uttering entertaining tale this is. This is so far out of the realm of books I normally read that I was surprised that I got caught up. It definitely has a religious bent, ultimate good vs ultimate evil and all the shades in-between. This is the third book in the Elijah Hael Series. I did not read the first two but this can definitely be read as a stand alone with no problem. The journey through life that Sophia is destined to follow is not an easy one but the light follows her and her traveling companions until the very end and then beyond. I believe that teens would enjoy this book as well as their parents."  

A review from Miki's Hope for The Angelic Gene, also appears on Amazon US and Goodreads.