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Footnail #1

Genesis Awakens

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An Action Adventure Fantasy with Historical Elements

#1 Amazon Best Seller - Oct 2023 - Women's Christian Fiction#1 Amazon Best Seller - May 2023 - Christian Historical Fiction2022 Firebird Book Award Action/Adventure2022 Bookfest Awards 1st Christian - Fantasy2022 Bookfest Awards 1st Christian - Action & Adventure


She’s just found the most powerful relic in history – and she’ll need all the help she can get to protect it.

Reeling from the death of her grandfather, young and ordinary Gen returns home from University to mourn. But it’s very odd that her family doesn’t seem to be grieving, and that no one will tell her the truth behind his death. When an accidental brush against a nail in his workshop suddenly floods her with visions of an ancient time, Gen learns that she’s not so ordinary.

As it happens, the nail she touched was one of three that were used in the crucifixion 2,000 years ago. It has been anointed with a supernatural gift. And in turn, has unveiled Gen’s magical abilities... and her true destiny.

She’s not alone, but she’s in mortal danger.

Because a group of condemned souls has sinister plans to unite the nails, and their path of damnation leads right to Gen.

Will she be able to harness her true powers in time?

Or, is history about to be rewritten – with apocalyptic consequences?

It’s up to one woman to recover the lost nails of the crucifix and restore ultimate good in this action/adventure fantasy with historical roots.

This is the first installment in the FOOTNAIL series.

“An action-packed fantasy that hooks you in from the first page and leaves you craving more.” Pikasho Deka, Readers Favorite

★★★★★ "FROM THE MOMENT I READ THE FIRST PAGE, I COULDN'T STOP UNTIL I REACHED THE LAST PAGE. I finished the book in one sitting. The authors did a good job with the narration of the book. It was also a short read which made me yearn for more. I commend the writers for using different stylistic devices like humor and suspense to make the book interesting. These were among the things that I liked in the book." - June for OnlineBookClub

★★★★★ "The first book of the Footnail Series surely left a good impression, as it is WELL WRITTEN AND EASILY READ. The description of environments and situations make the reader travel side by side with the protagonists, making the reading experience even more vivid and consuming." - Angela for OnlineBookClub

2022 Hollywood BookFest Award Spiritual/Religious

2022 Readers Favorite Christian - Fantasy/Sci-Fi

266 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 23, 2022

615 people are currently reading
2315 people want to read

About the author

A.K. Howard

5 books20 followers

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5 stars
268 (44%)
4 stars
191 (31%)
3 stars
100 (16%)
2 stars
31 (5%)
1 star
18 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
Profile Image for Heather Mellard.
13 reviews
June 17, 2023
Brilliant

I will give this book a 000 stars if that were possibility! I love how well the story was paced I cared about the characters I love the genius of the different Bible verses woven through the story it was absolutely perfection.
200 reviews1 follower
July 20, 2023
fantastic read

the story is definitely not boring, it moves quickly and keeps the reader saying just one more chapter, than I'll stop reading for a while...
Profile Image for Luminita LaFlash.
Author 1 book38 followers
April 13, 2024
A bridge between two worlds

The book Genesis Awakens (Footnail,#1) is exciting. I love the pace of the story, which is unexpected and powerful. I would recommend it to young adults and adults. I love the mix of fantasy and stories from the Bible. The twist of the story makes it a must-read for those who enjoy great books.
Profile Image for Dina Rae.
Author 17 books176 followers
November 22, 2023
interesting action

I liked the story about Jesus’s nails and the history behind Constantine. The author was very creative and entertaining. I recommend this book to action and Christianity readers.
21 reviews1 follower
August 24, 2023
Great book

I haven’t ever read this author but was pleasantly surprised and impressed. I enjoyed the Biblical quotations and how they were written into the story. I’ll be looking for more from this author.
Profile Image for Samantha .
32 reviews2 followers
August 24, 2022
A mix of Merlin, Indiana Jones, Tomb Raider Adventure and a Dan Brown adventure!

This story is an explosive, action, adventure story based on christianity but with elements of magic and romance. There is suspense and mystery which unfolds as the author introduces you to all the characters. It was an ambitious story but I think the ploy was unique and it started of very exciting. I did feel that half way through the pace slowed but the ending was explosive and exciting and left it ready for the next instalment.

Personally, it has the potential to be made into a film but I feel it would have to be edited in the middle and more focus given, this was the reason I gave it three stars and not four. I liked the main characters but think the author's could have brought them out better. They did a fanatic job on bringing the history out but not getting to go really deeper into them, showing the vulnerabilities. There was nothing about the characters that stayed with me once the book was read.

The story was based on Jesus' death and although biblical events and history, it also focused on mystery. You don't have to be religious to read it and it has been done sensitive enough not to offend but to keep the readers interest and challenge the mythical mystery surrounding powers of items surround Jesus' death. If you are looking for something a bit different and unique then this is for you.

I was given this book to read by Voracious Readers in return for my honest review.
428 reviews3 followers
June 24, 2024
This was a frustrating read for me, as overall I enjoyed this story. I appreciated the pace of the story, as it moved along, and didn’t getting detracted by unnecessity plot. Yet, this is supposed to be a Christian story, with Christian characters, but there is limited Christian acts or actions, as Gen and her grandfather, we come to learn is Merlin, are supposed to be fighting evil, but there is no prayer for protection or gradience. Instead, let’s have a vision and talk to Jesus!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Really!!!!!! O, we have a bible full of lines marked to assist us fulfil the prophecy???????????

Yeah, maybe with my rational mind, I think about things to much, but how can people fight against evil, without the tools of spiritual warfare? There is no holy water, blessed mentals etc Maybe, a catholic shouldn’t read this book, I don’t know???

Anyway, I love all the history, weaved into the story, and who doesn’t like a Merlin story, coming to learn he has been an immoral, fighting evil overtime, and does really cool magic!

So, is Mark, the modern version of Prince Charming?

Yeah, this book really frustrated me, I could go on about it, but I won’t. But, there is so many questions about her parents, and other things in this story, that don't up to me.

Can, I read the 2nd book, in this series?
Profile Image for Suzi.
71 reviews
April 8, 2024
I won this free book via a Goodreads giveaway. I probably wouldn't have read it otherwise.
1.5 stars
This book needs some serious editing. It started out strong but very quickly went downhill and got worse until the terrible "cliffhanger" ending. I wouldn't really call this a religious book. I mean, sure, there are Bible references thrown in, but they really don't offer much to the storyline and seemed random and unnecessary. And this book definitely isn't a romance. Supernatural action would be more appropriate, since it features Merlin doing magic. The character development is seriously lacking. The dialogue and action sequences are pretty one-note... you could scan through most of the novel and not really miss anything important. And there isn't much description about the environment or even the characters or locations, which is disappointing, since this is also supposed to be historical fiction.
But... if the author can go back to the drawing board and take note from world-creators like Tolkien, Neil Gaiman, and George R.R. Martin, this book series could turn into something interesting. But all references to "Footnail" in this book need to GO. Nobody needs imagery of athlete's foot or ingrown toenails when reading this.
265 reviews8 followers
October 21, 2024
“But we need the nails. We will remain vagabonds for eternity.” Such was the cry of the evil ones.

Queen Helena, mother of Emperor Constantine began the conflict with her discovery—the nails of Christ’s crucifixion. For generations, humans have guarded these power-filled relics to the day of the final battle.

The wicked soldiers at the foot of the cross in this story are not redeemed; they are cursed to dark immortality until those relics free them. Another stuck in time stands in the way of these evil beings, protecting the generations of nail bearers: Myrddin, better known to us as Merlin. God has different purposes for these power-filled relics than releasing a few evil beings.

Our story winks into life as Genesis, the young woman who currently has a crucial nail, steps into this battle and discovers powers she never believed possible. Alongside her is the military-trained guardian, Mark, bringing elements of sword and gunfights to the story, as well as military tactics. Of course, there’s a hint of romance developing.

I’m looking forward to reading the next book in author team Howard Haugom and Akorede Adekoya’s creative series of good versus evil.
1,161 reviews26 followers
March 15, 2024
This is a new author for me and a new series that I want to continue reading. This is a combination of Christian literature and fantasy. This book covers the importance of the 3 nails used to hang Jesus to the cross. The importance of the footnail is explained and how the nailbearer is important. Gen is a young woman who returns to her hometown of Dundurn for her grandfathers funeral. As she grieves his death she also relishes the things in his workshop. Her she discovers a nail in an anvil and it has the power to transport her into the past. It also brings a mysterious man into her life, who says her grandfather hired him to protect her. Then things get weirder when several men with strange powers try to take her. The next surprise is that her grandfather is still alive and is actually Merlin. With the help of Merlin and Mark, Gen learns more about the nail and its power. She also learns the hard way what it means to be the Nailbearer and its importance to the world and Christianity. Cant wait to read more of this story.
Profile Image for Gabriela Marie.
2 reviews
May 4, 2025
I very much enjoyed this book! It has a good mix of fantasy, reality, Christian themes/Scripture, and good character relationships. It’s a fast pace read which I also like. However most of the book felt like exposition. I kept waiting for there to be a goal the characters needed to accomplish or a journey they needed to go on… etc and that never happened. While you could argue that it wraps up well, the book felt a lot like the first half of a book, not a first book in a series. I will keep reading but I think this book could have included more and people would still read it because it is indeed very good!
14 reviews
December 11, 2023
I was pleasantly surprised by this writer’s unique story telling and how he somehow managed to make a credible connection between magic and Christianity. As a Christian, I generally stick with strictly Christian related books and would normally shy away from anything related to magic. Having no prior knowledge of this book or writer, I was surprised at how he made the characters so alive as if I were watching a movie in my mind. Well done!
Profile Image for Beverly Duckworth.
203 reviews1 follower
May 1, 2024
Review of Genesis Awakens: An Action Adventure Fantasy with Historical Elements

I won this book from Goodreads after reading I am to review. The book is very fast-paced and interesting. The chapters alternate the past and the present. This one family was the keeper of the nails that were used to crucifixion.
22 reviews
March 27, 2025
Riveting

This book sat in my library on kindle for a bit of time before I finally read it. Once I began reading it, I had to read all of it. If you like mystery and fantasy mixed with historical facts and biblical accounts, you’ll enjoy this book and like me possibly want to know what happens next.
Profile Image for Gillian Ransome.
2 reviews
December 21, 2022
Original

Thoughtful novel , enjoyable and interesting , will read next book ,
I mostly enjoy books which don't contain to much graphic unnecessary Violence
which seems a trend at the moment.
Profile Image for Mark Lawes.
27 reviews1 follower
April 17, 2023
(DNF)
Sorry got 30% through and started lose interest in reading, have read too many good books recently and this one just wasn’t cutting it for me. Thigh my low score is not representative of what the majority think so must be a good book regardless of my DNF.
26 reviews
August 19, 2023
What a mess!

Merlin the magician helps various reincarnations of people from Roman times fight the bad guys who crucified Jesus and keep them from getting their evil hands on the nails used in the crucifixion which they need to kill themselves. Got that?
Profile Image for gj indieBRAG.
1,793 reviews96 followers
April 24, 2024
We are proud to announce that GENESIS AWAKENS (Footnail #1) by Howard Haugom & Akorede Adekoya has been honored with the B.R.A.G. Medallion (Book Readers Appreciation Group). It now joins the very select award-winning, reader-recommended books at indieBRAG.
5 reviews
August 9, 2022
Great read

I really enjoyed this book. I'm not a religious person but enjoyed it anyway.something different.
It will make a good film
22 reviews
December 3, 2022
Wonderful

Could not put it down.
Page turner.
Look forward to reading the next book in series.
I feel God's light.
215 reviews4 followers
January 16, 2023
Good book!
I liked this story. Well thought out and written. A little odd how the heroes are together but I hope that gets explained. Well worth your time and money to pick this book up!
13 reviews
May 3, 2023
Full of unexpected twists and turns

I enjoyed this book. There was no down time, no dull moments. The characters were engaging. I look forward to starting the next one.
19 reviews
July 12, 2023
great action

Grabs u right from the beginning & doesn’t let go. Action, history, religion & fantasy all rolled into one to make an exceptionally cohesive tale
1 review
January 1, 2024
Wonderfully engaging

Fantastic story! Unexpectedly gripping. Start to finish well laid out. I thoroughly enjoyed walking alongside the characters as they grew in real time.
Profile Image for Josh Cozzoni.
21 reviews
January 23, 2024
I really liked the message of this book, personally though I feel like it was written for a younger audience. Overall pretty good.
Profile Image for Debbie Zagarit.
83 reviews1 follower
February 5, 2024
Genesis

How does the crucifixion affect a young girls life ? How can history bring the nail barer be protected ? Great action. You really get swept along with this one
2 reviews
May 9, 2024
Great book

Very captivating. I enjoyed seeing evil defeated. I can't wait to read the next in this series. Very good read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews

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