The Fourth Vow

by Richard T. Dolezal

It was a chance discovery, but now the Catholic Church has irrefutable proof that the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is executing a decades-long strategy to destroy Christianity in America. Pope John Paul II retains famed trial lawyer Carson Elliott to confront the ACLU. The ACLU responds by having Elliott killed. And so it begins. Three years later, a tactical nuclear explosion vaporizes four hundred people at a holiday ACLU fundraiser in San Francisco. The private war escalates between those who want to keep America a Christian nation and those who do not. Hanging in the balance is the future of America. When the president orders his attorney general, Tom Owens, to spearhead the investigation of the explosion, Tom asks his good friend Blake Elliott to assist him. As soon as Blake is involved, dead bodies pile up and casualties mount as the investigation takes bizarre and dangerous twists and turns, reaching all the way to the Supreme Court. The Fourth Vow inventively imagines a world where people of faith and conviction strive to take back their country from a wicked infection of incremental evil. Written with precision and passion, this book will hold up a mirror to current events, stir the emotions, and excite readers all the way to its riveting conclusion.

422 pages, Paperback

Published January 31, 2017

Reviews

[Jeanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

First of all I would like to thank Goodreads Giveaways and author Richard Dolezal for the signed copy of "The Fourth Vow". This is an unbiased review. The novel opens with a horrendous bombing and from that point on never stops being immensely exciting. This adventure thriller is well-written and suspenseful. It's almost too real considering the divisive climate in our country at the present time. The brief chapters make this novel easy to read and the book itself is very tactile with a cover that draws your attention. The storyline is intensely interesting and the historical references accurate. At the end of Chapter 28 all I could think was "Wow"! I literally could not put this book down! If you're looking for a gripping novel with interesting characters, international intrigue, fast-moving action and multiple secrets this is the one you'll want to pick up. You can't miss with this one. I look forward to another thriller by Richard Dolezal in the near future.

[Kathleen (Kat) Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

In light of world events, it seems that authors have such a great wealth to draw from to entertain readers. Speculation is always present and evil can always be found in the unlikeliest of places. Those entities that have their roots ground in providing assistance at some point in time, now find that their greed has no boundaries or accountability, especially for those sitting at the top of the food chain. In Richard T. Dolezal's novel, The Fourth Vow, you combine the elements of intrigue, religious freedom, along with the growing threat from the ACLU and the Vatican. For those that love Don Brown's novel's this will be one for you to pick up.

The novel opens with a horrific bombing of an ACLU fundraising event that mocks Christians and pushes the liberal agenda as far left as possible. While innocents are lost as well as big time Hollywood celebrities and local government officials in San Francisco, it seems as if the government can't put their finger on how it happened. Believing it was some sort of terrorist threat using a nuclear device, even though radiation amounts are almost untraceable, a team of investigators tries to uncover who is responsible. While the body counts continue to rise with no possible connections, the team is at odds on where to go and who might be responsible.

Those that follow the Fourth Vow, among the Catholic Church particularly are those that have committed to doing whatever the Pope himself asks without question. A vow that certain Jesuits who have attained stature within their order are allowed to take. Those that take the vow are considered the Pope's men, loyal to the Vicar of Christ on earth. Wherever the Ope would send them, they would go immediately. Whatever he asked of them, they would do faithfully and without question. So it begs to ask the question, who is responsible? Is it the Vatican attempting to covering their footprints or is it someone who is looking to take back restore order within the world again in regards to true moral and absolute truth?

I received The Fourth Vow by Richard T. Dolezal compliments of the Cadence Group. I have to warn you that this does contain profanity and thus the reason for my rating. For those of you that love fast moving action, all across the globe while trying to figure out just who is responsible, then this is definitely a book for you. It definitely makes one wonder just how far some entities will reach in the name of their own self serving type of justice in the world. This could truly be something ripped from our own headlines in the very near future if not happening now. I give this novel a solid 4 out of 4 stars.

[Kyle Robertson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book starts off with a bang and the action never lets up. The writing style and subject matter echoes shades of Dan Brown. The basic premise of the book is this: The ACLU has tried to undermine and attack the values and beliefs of foundational groups in the US, namely religious and military organizations, as well as destroying moral values. To combat this, the ACLU is under attack by the Catholic Church, and the American government tries diligently to sort out the bodies and maintain control of the situation.

The investigation contains many twists, turns, and brick walls. Little clues are picked up along the way as the investigators desperately try to fit the puzzle pieces together. All the while, the body count continues to rise on both sides. The tension ratchets up as the scope begins to narrow, leading all the way to the Supreme Court.

This story definitely leans to the right, so I'm sure many groups and individuals will take offense to it due to controversial subject matter. No matter which side you find yourself on the fact is that this is a well written and entertaining book. Although it does reflect the current social climate and headlines, in the end it is still a work of fiction. Enjoy it for what it is - a well written, thoroughly researched, and suspenseful political thriller.

I recommend this book to fans of political thrillers and suspense. I received this as a free ARC from CreateSpace on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Marty626 · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Fourth Vow was gripping and entertaining! The author did an excellent job of showcasing the political and ideological underpinnings of the dangerous entities (ACLU) that are destroying the core of what made America great. This book is a must read and should be a call to action.

[David McClendon, Sr · Rating 5 out of 5]

We were sent a review copy of The Fourth Vow for the purpose of writing a review. First of all, we need to tell you upfront that this book contains a handful of profane words. It does not have any explicit descriptions of sex.

The Fourth Vow by Richard R. Dolezal is a very fast-paced book. In fact, all of the action, with the exception of back story, takes place during the advent season of one year.

This book is chock full of murder. There are all sorts of twists and turns throughout this book. One has to keep wondering who is going to die next, and why?

We feel that, profane words aside, The Fourth Vow is a great book. It is exciting and extremely interesting. It seems that all of the main characters have lost someone special in their lives and are forced to keep on anyway.

We give The Fourth Vow all five stars. We think you will, too.

[Claire Barfell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won this book on Goodreads Giveaways. If you like mystery, action, conspiracy, etc., you will love this book. The main theme is goodness fighting evil, however, the way it is achieved is very unusual. I can associate this book in the family of books by Dan Brown. The story involves the Catholic Church, the AFL-CIO and it even includes the Supreme Court and high government officials. The main lesson is you can't trust anyone. It is easy reading with short chapters.

[Liquid Frost · Rating 3 out of 5]

Conspiracy! ACLU vs Catholic Church. Murder, deceit, and more.

The blurb sounded like an interesting story. But be warned, this tale doesn't just lean Right...it is heavily planted on the Far Right. Personally, I'm more of a Centrist/Libertarian, so I cackled at the political/religious punches and diatribes. But, I also have a warped sense of humor.

The reason why this is a solid three-star read for me has nothing to do with the politics, though. The story really is interesting, but there is some heavy-handed narrative throughout. I'd prefer more action and less character revealing the story. Also, I really didn't connect with all the key players.

I found Dolezal's editing to be pretty good, but I didn't need a lesson on the three branches of the United States government or the Vatican. The book took some effort to plow through as it 'reads slow'. The last 50 or so pages wrap up everything and I think thinning the ramp-up would make this a quicker read.

My Lefty friends would probably not finish this one. The author's views are pretty transparent. But, I did almost laugh out loud at the slam on Anderson Cooper (implied).

Publisher/Author provided paperback ARC.

[Brandon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book a lot. I really like the right-wing or conservative overtures in it. I feel like that if you take away the fictional elements in it about a bomb blowing up an ACLU gala, this book is very realistic about today's political world.

I like how I could pick up on some major figures in the world today for inspiration( outside of Bill O'Reilly, Pope John Paul the II, Pope Benedict, CNN, etc. being named by their real names). I picked up on Ruth Bader Ginsburg being used as an inspiration for Ruth Bergman, who was an ACLU card-carrying member who was willing to commit multiple murders of Catholic figures to allow the ACLU to destroy Christianity completely. Towards the end of the book with a minor character being listed as gay and on a network nobody watches and the son of a woman with a famous name, I picked up on Anderson Cooper as a reference since he is gay, works for CNN(which is not watched by anybody who has a half a brain in their heads), and is the son of Gloria Vanderbilt.

Just a good read I would recommend to anyone who is Christian and anti-ACLU.

I won this wonderful book as part of the Goodreads Giveaways program.

[Judy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Four hundred supporters and their leadership of the ACLU are vaporized from a nuclear explosion at a fundraiser in San Francisco. Interesting premise in which to start a book and a rather scary one considering the climate in today's world. This is a political story, well written and full of twists and turns. It moved a little slow at the beginning but the pace improves as you read on, the best nearing the end. I enjoyed the book. I received the book for free through Goodreads First reads.

[Joanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received my copy of this novel from Goodreads for my unbiased review. The story pits the ACLU against the Catholic Church. There is no "good-guy" here. Both factions are guilty of many deaths for their cause. The story is fast-paced and well written. I give it 4 stars.

[Melba · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book, and it was full of intrigue the whole way through. It would make a wonderful movie, in my opinion, and I know I will read this one again.

[Jamie]

Interesting story. The chapters are short but that helps the reader to keep track of the shifting perspectives and story lines. I definitely didn't expect the ending.

I received this book free through a Goodreads Giveaway.