Atheist Dr. Jonathan Dunraven meets Jesus in a most nightmarish way. But Jonathan goes on to discover that the holy man is actually a wisecracking, miracle-making joker with a chilling dark side. Then there’s that peculiar one-legged crow constantly perched on his shoulder…or is it really a crow?
Even though Jesus lovingly warns Dr. Dunraven about the impending apocalypse, the good doctor doesn’t see “the invisible monster” coming until it’s too late.
OUT NOW! Dead Air Vol 2 of The Dead Series in Kindle, paperback, and hardback! Audiobook read by the author. https://a.co/d/76KU54N
OUT NOW! The Boneyard: Short Fictions of the Morbid and Macabre Vol 2 of short horror collection The Boneyard Series. https://a.co/d/gnGHpMP
OUT NOW! The Boneyard: Short Fictions of the Morbid and Macabre Vol 1 of short horror collection The Boneyard Series. Keep an eye out for Vol 2 in the coming weeks! https://a.co/d/2i8iwB9
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Jonathan has an exciting lineup of new horror titles in progress. To stay updated on his latest horror offerings, be sure to follow him on his Amazon author page and Goodreads. Jonathan writes dark fiction and hangs around the local cemetery more often than is healthy, whether in his homeland of Limerick, Ireland or his second home in Toledo, Spain. He will be in the mountains if he isn't at the cemetery. Jonathan holds a BA in Literature.
So let me just say that Jonathan Dunne is a fantastic writer. I’ve read several of his books now and whether it’s religion or horror, this author had got mad range with his writing abilities. Now it’s no secret that my Preternatural trilogy uses quite a bit of religious principles and puts theatrical, modern spins on them. I’m not a religious person by any means, but I’m very spiritual. And I’ve had a very unique relationship with God, and experienced some truly life-altering events that strengthened my own faith. So I’m always intrigued by a premise like this. Now Dunne did this same thing, but in a much simpler way. Our main character, Jonathan, is a writer (Coincidence?) and has made his livelihood off disproving all aspects of God and religion. Then he has a near family tragedy and Jesus appears, taking him, and the rest of the world, on a spiritual journey, even confronting the pope. His messages are simple, but powerful, and he just wants people to care for each other and themselves, appreciating the world as a gift, all to possibly avoid the apocalypse. I really enjoyed Jesus’ conversations with our main character. That was the highlight for me. Imagine having Jesus come to you, telling you to forget everything you knew about God and religion, and gives you a full blown training seminar. And he’s funny and reasonable and is just someone you could talk to forever. The concept is mind blowing. But I really had fun with this entire story. The book may feel like it drags a bit in the first third, but this one is a thinker, so take your time with it. And for anyone with very strong religious beliefs, you may or may not enjoy this story.
I had the honor of providing the author feedback as part of the editing process, so I was able to read this book before publication. I can't recommend this book enough, especially in the situation that we all find ourselves entwined in today.
It's hard to write a review that doesn't give away any spoilers, but I will do my best. Dunne has created a cast of characters that you will guaranteed love, root for, hate and flat out want to punch in the face. All of these emotions went through me as I read this story; something that few authors are able to do in their writing.
This story takes the situations we all find ourselves in today and provides a point of origin, along with a deep message that Jesus is able to share. We find ourselves divided (in the United States for sure), worshiping idols of greed and power, all of which, Jesus never stood for. Dunne does a masterful job of creating a flawed protagonist, Dr. Dunraven at odds with the very thesis of his PhD, Jesus. In this relationship between the two, he guides the reader through salvation, forgiveness and the true meaning of what Jesus stands for, all in the realm of the our climate today.
An enlightening, hysterically funny at times, blood pressure raising to any parent, educational, philosophical, hopeful and overall amazing story that I hope you will enjoy as I did.
***disclaimer*** I was given an ARC and provided feedback as part of the editing process. This has not influenced my review.
Jonathan Dunne has a unique ability to take something familiar and craft a beautiful story around it. He’s done it again with Finding Jesus. You’ll be hooked right away.
What I love most about Jonathan’s books is his vocabulary. His use of language surprises me each time I read one of his books. He then uses these words to write truly comedic scenes where I am literally laughing out loud. Who would have thought Jesus would have a dark sense of humor? How can extremely tense situations be funny? This is what Jonathan does because he understands the power of words. Another fun aspect of a Jonathan Dunne book is his use of pop culture references. In Finding Jesus, “Mother” is a whole new level of creepy!
The main character, Jon, is an excellent, trustworthy main character. The reader is as incredulous as he is. The worst possible thing happens to the good doctor, then the best possible thing happens, which turns out to be the worst possible thing ever. Jon’s rollercoaster journey introduces us to other interesting characters along the way.
Finding Jesus comes across as an artistic outlet for the author. In the same way an artist captures a pivotal life moment with paint or clay, or a musician portrays an experience through notes and lyrics, so does this author through a book. The world is collectively experiencing a pandemic. Dunne has taken this concept, examined it, and created an imaginative tale that provides the who, what, when, why, and how. It’s an uncomfortable look at how man exists today and how we are judged.
If you haven’t read any books by this author, this is the one to read first. It’s one of his best! (Of course, I’m pretty sure I’ve said that about the others too.)
Full disclosure, I won a copy of the Kindle edition of this book in a Goodreads giveaway.
Spoilers - this book is a work of Apocalyptic fiction writing in 2019-2020. The blurb doesn't mention the Apocalypse, and the nature of the coming apocalypse is not revealed until midway through the book, so I consider it a spoiler. Reading this book in 2021 it's early fairly early on where things are going, and that didn't hinder my enjoyment of the read. Some readers would find the work blasphemous.
I was expecting something much lighter, given the blurb mentioned above. There is definitely humor in the book, (and tension and drama), but it's not a comic work. There's plenty of tension from the beginning (the fate of a missing child takes up the first section). The characters are believable and relatable.
It's a fairly quick and easy read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
While the title may seem a little misleading, this book is absolutely amazing. Telling the story of the return of Jesus, and not the typical Jesus that most would identify with, this book is the story of a man named Jonathan Dunneraven, whom accidentally ends up befriending Jesus, a man he has spent years discrediting as even being real. Listening to what the man has to say, Jonathan is taken on an intense journey, that signifies the beginning of the end....
I was seriously enjoying the dark comedy vibe of the first several books I read by this author so this book was not what I would have chosen the writer to write. It was interesting... I found it a little preachy. Looking forward the writer seems to change to writing horror, right in time for Halloween!
This was an amusing book. There were many parts I did not agree with -- particularly Jesus saying not to pray, because he doesn't listen anyway. I mean, I know it seems that way, but prayer is a staple that Christians are not going to give up anytime soon. I liked how Jesus was kind of a prankster in a playful way. I didn't like the Mother Nature being God part. And I didn't like that there is no life after death -- I mean, Jesus Himself is visiting, so at least he had life after death. But these are just petty things that I disagreed with. I enjoyed Jesus' reaction to the Pope. There was a lot of good stuff in this book and a lot of things to think about -- a lot of truths I think. Basically the book was an entertaining and fun read, and I do recommend it.