Praise for
The Breath of God
“There is nothing better than reading a novel that exceeds expectation. The Breath of God is a spectacular thriller that spans the world, history, and the limits of imagination; an epic adventure that left me yearning for more.”
Richard Doetsch,
Author of The Thieves of Darkness and The 13th Hour
“Jeffrey Small explodes on the writing scene with his first novel “The Breath of God” and this book has Best Seller written all over it!
The Breath of God is a riveting novel that grips the reader from the first chapter and does not let go until the last paragraph. Fans of the Celestine Prophecy (James Redfield), and Conversations with God (Neale Donald Walsch) will place The Breath of God right alongside these books in their library!”
“This meticulously researched, thought-provoking masterpiece is filled with high adventure and intrigue. Based on an actual document from 1887 claiming to have seen controversial religious texts, Small’s stunning debut reveals the impact of such a find.”
RT Rating: 4 1/2 stars TOP PICK!
RT Book Reviews
“Jeffrey Small, a Harvard/Yale/Oxford-educated speaker on religion and spirituality, makes an impressive literary debut with a thriller that explores where Jesus went between the ages of twelve and twenty-nine. Small begins with a real fragment of history from 1887, when a Russian journalist discovered something in the Himalayas that might have solved the mystery of those lost years. In The Breath of God, an Emory scholar sets out to separate historical fact from religious legend. Small’s themes, such as the common ground of the world’s religions, are timely.”
Atlanta Magazine
“The Breath of God is a spellbinding novel, full of suspense as well as the thrills of a lifetime. Very hard to put down. It also brings religion to the forefront of the reader's mind, no matter what faith he or she follows, raising questions that have not been asked before, as well as bringing other parts of the world into the living room. Not to be missed. Excellent reading.”
“This was a page turner! From the very first sentence to very last word this book kept me captivated. It's a combination of religious/mystery/historical/modern day thriller and I found it to be just about unputdownable... The descriptions of place are so well written I almost felt like I was actually there. The thriller aspect had me racing through the pages to find out what was going to happen next. Overall this was a fascinating tale of what can lurk behind blind faith and what is possible if you open your mind.”
“What did Jesus do between the ages of 12 and 29? That is the question at the center of this debut suspense novel, which explores the universality among all religions. As with many contemporary thrillers revolving around a spiritual quest, the novel contains chases, murder, and romance.
Verdict: This tale is for fans of Dan Brown's thrillers as well as readers who enjoy visionary fiction. With an academic background in world religions, Small is also the author of God as the Ground of Being: Tillich and Buddhism in Dialogue.”
A fast-paced adventure with a deep backdrop of religious scholarship.
“In his first novel, Small...puts an interesting spin on the age-old secret that could undermine Christianity.”
Publishers Weekly
“Jeffrey Small has a winner right out of the gate. I wasn’t quite sure what to expect when I picked this book for review. I do like suspense stories. But, what I liked about this book was that it’s not only a great story but also stimulates the mind. You come away with a clearer understanding of the different beliefs and religious practices of the four largest religions in our world. And to top it off, there is quite a surprise at the end.
Small’s background in religious studies really shows in his work. His research, travels, and personal experiences definitely enhance the book. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves a good suspense/mystery novel. I couldn’t put it down till I finished it. It won’t disappoint you. I can’t wait to see what he writes next.”
“The Breath of God, the debut thriller by Jeffrey Small, is sure to create controversy while exploring the plausibility of an ancient legend that could tie the world’s religions to each other. Although fiction, Mr. Small paints a colorful and realistic depiction of India that reflects the multi-faceted environment of daily existence in that country.
A must read for those that love suspense and mystery; also for those who wish to expand their knowledge of the world’s religions, check out this novel.”
Universal Learning Series Radio
“First-time novelist Jeffrey Small has created a thrilling adventure tale that spans cultures and religious traditions while also exploring fundamental spiritual truths. I was intrigued by the unique proposition that lies at the heart of the plot and captivated by the characters that keep the story moving. If you enjoy reading a fast moving mystery with the added bonus of a challenging investigation of religious beliefs then this is the book for you.”
Steve Floyd,
CEO August House Books
“In this gripping tale—played out against an intriguing international setting—East meets West, mystery meets romance, the human spirit meets the divine spirit and the reader meets a novelist of the first caliber.”
The Honorable Raymond Seitz,
Former US Ambassador to Great Britain
“What fun, for the heart and for the soul! In this compelling thriller, Jeffrey Small treks through a fascinating nineteenth century legend—or is it a hoax, or is it a healthy exercise in our broadening spiritual awareness? In this delightful book, Small also explores the popular distinction between religion as exploitation and religion as mysticism. Enjoy it!”
The Very Reverend Samuel G. Candler,
Dean of the Cathedral of St. Philip
“In Dan Brown-esque fashion, Jeffrey Small has crafted a thriller based on historical research, scholarship, and his own creative gift. The book is for those who are not afraid to think or ask the question “What if?” It engages the reader on many levels with a tension between action and ideas; it offers pleasurable escape but also food for thought. Small is right on target with characters we love and those we love to hate, a taut narrative that spans 2000 years and transports the reader halfway around the world, abundant sensory detail that invites us to smell, taste, hear and feel what the characters are experiencing, and a heart-stopping pace that won’t let you relax. A very impressive debut that solidly hits the mark!”
Kathy McClelland,
Director of Libraries,
The Westminster Schools
“From the very first pages, The Breath of God will draw you in! Jeffrey Small's masterful storytelling will take you from Himalayan monasteries to the American Bible Belt in a heart pounding adventure filled with twists, turns and shocking revaluations that will rock the foundation of traditional Christianity. This gripping roller coaster of a novel will keep you guessing until the very end. If you liked The Da Vinci Code, you will love this book.”
Darren Main,
Author of Yoga and the Path of the Urban Mystic
“The Breath of God, the debut thriller by Jeffrey Small, is sure to create controversy while exploring the plausibility of an ancient legend that could tie the world’s religions to each other. Although fiction, Mr. Small paints a colorful and realistic depiction of India that reflects the multi-faceted environment of daily existence in that country. Mr. Small also weaves a suspenseful journey for protagonist Grant Matthews that keeps the reader coming back for more. The most intriguing aspects of the book, in my opinion, are the parallels drawn among the major world religions and how such religions connect despite their many differences. A must read for those that love suspense and mystery; also for those who wish to expand their knowledge of the world’s religions, check out this novel.”
Kenneth A. Cutshaw
Former Honorary Consul of India
"Adding to his impressive scholarship work on world religions, Jeffrey Small distinguishes himself as a great story teller in his first novel, The Breath of God. Small brings the reader on a page turning adventure, as Grant Matthew’s goes east in search of the ancient mystery of Issa. This story of mystery and intrigue leads the reader down a fascinating path toward uncovering the origins of the world’s major religions. The history, the legend, the suspense and the story of The Breath of God will keep the reader on the edge of his seat from start to finish.”
Rev. Lang Lowrey,
President of The General Theological Seminary
“Jeffrey Small skillfully maneuvers this spectacular historical mystery between the Indian subcontinent and the American south, where Evangelicals go to war against a scholar’s tantalizing discovery. You’ll be fascinated by the stunning connections between the world’s faiths that Small unveils against today’s background of savage religious hostilities.”
Parul Hinzen,
ArtsCriticATL.com
“Wow. That's all. Wow. There's not another word that I can use to describe my thoughts after reading this book. I was in complete shock when I was done reading this novel. It's certainly one that is different from any I've read lately. Jeffrey Small's talent shines brightly through this work of riveting fiction, as he pulled me in, shuffled me through the pages of this interesting journey, and set me down somewhere in the middle of it all...The suspense that Small weaves into the story is incredible. It's a book that had me on the edge of my seat many times through out, and the characters really blended well in their roles. I read this book in less than a day, as I sat there unable to put this book down for anything. It truly, truly captivates the reader with a whirlwind of emotion, thought provoking material, and amazing research. I highly recommend this fantastic read to everyone out there. Whether you're looking for suspense, emotional, thought provoking or historical, this has it all. It's 4 star praises will earn it's way to readers every where, and I am highly anxious for another amazing book like this from this new to me author!”
