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First Second Coming
In 2027 the deity known as NTG – short for New Testament God – retires after more than two thousand years of minding the store for his employer, Milky Way Galaxy, Inc. The new god, a planetary turnaround specialist, must decide whether Earth’s dominant species should or should not be included in his plan to bring the planet back into full compliance with Milky Way Galaxy, Inc.’s planetary operation standards.
Earth’s new God introduces himself to humanity by unexpectedly appearing on the Ram Forrester Hour talk show. Ram, an atheist, and co-host Brendali Santamaria, a devout Catholic, are stunned. God's interview, beamed worldwide, shocks and infuriates viewers. They learn that a sixty-day conference will take place in Los Angeles to determine whether humans are capable of helping him implement his planetary turnaround plan. All those attending must do to earn mankind a coveted spot in this God’s good graces is eliminate religious violence forever, without his heavenly help. Failure means extinction.
God designates Ram and Bren as the conference’s only authorized media reporters. This assignment, fraught with peril, ignites their romance. Not only must the harried couple attend the conference meetings by day and do their show at night, they must also outwit a group of religious fanatics bent on killing them. When conflicts within the conference intensify, it’s up to Ram and Bren to do whatever it takes to protect their budding romance and assure mankind’s survival.
Earth’s new God introduces himself to humanity by unexpectedly appearing on the Ram Forrester Hour talk show. Ram, an atheist, and co-host Brendali Santamaria, a devout Catholic, are stunned. God's interview, beamed worldwide, shocks and infuriates viewers. They learn that a sixty-day conference will take place in Los Angeles to determine whether humans are capable of helping him implement his planetary turnaround plan. All those attending must do to earn mankind a coveted spot in this God’s good graces is eliminate religious violence forever, without his heavenly help. Failure means extinction.
God designates Ram and Bren as the conference’s only authorized media reporters. This assignment, fraught with peril, ignites their romance. Not only must the harried couple attend the conference meetings by day and do their show at night, they must also outwit a group of religious fanatics bent on killing them. When conflicts within the conference intensify, it’s up to Ram and Bren to do whatever it takes to protect their budding romance and assure mankind’s survival.
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First published August 1, 2020
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About the author
Jeff Pollak
1 book149 followersJeff Pollak, the author of First Second Coming and sequels to come, was raised in the Riverdale section of the Bronx by a single mom. After graduating from college in Buffalo, Jeff headed to Los Angeles for law school and spent his entire legal career in and around civil litigation. Now retired, writing fiction is Jeff's new passion.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
July 25, 2020
What would you do if you witnessed God's return to Earth? How would you react if He told you that everything you believed, regardless of religion, wasn't exactly the truth? Well, if the people depicted in the not-so-distant future world created by Jeff Pollak are anything to go by, His appearance would either polarize humans or bring us closer together.
When the new God comes to Earth to issue his edict, He makes use of Ram and Brendali and their local talk show. What does He want? For starters, He gives the world 60 days to end religious violence. It's a lofty and worthwhile goal. To see an end to terrorism, persecution, and ignorance would be a true blessing and this entire book outlines the trials and tribulations of making this wish into a reality.
Amidst kidnappings, murder attempts, the mystery surrounding a terror group, and a ton of drama, Ram and Brendali find the time to fall in love. The author depicted their love as something organic and beautiful. They found joy even in the middle of utter chaos and continued to prove why they were blessed by the new God. These two went above and beyond to fulfill their duties and despite the constant demands and times they risked their lives, there were no regrets.
What caught me as hysterical in this story was the fact that Ram was an atheist. Can you imagine what it was like for him to be confronted with proof that their was an almighty being? And yet, this man handled everything with his usual grace and charm. I adored Ram!
I don't know what this God will expect next from the world, but I for one am sticking around to find out. First Second Coming was a book that challenged beliefs and questioned historical truths and I'm excited to see what comes next.
When the new God comes to Earth to issue his edict, He makes use of Ram and Brendali and their local talk show. What does He want? For starters, He gives the world 60 days to end religious violence. It's a lofty and worthwhile goal. To see an end to terrorism, persecution, and ignorance would be a true blessing and this entire book outlines the trials and tribulations of making this wish into a reality.
Amidst kidnappings, murder attempts, the mystery surrounding a terror group, and a ton of drama, Ram and Brendali find the time to fall in love. The author depicted their love as something organic and beautiful. They found joy even in the middle of utter chaos and continued to prove why they were blessed by the new God. These two went above and beyond to fulfill their duties and despite the constant demands and times they risked their lives, there were no regrets.
What caught me as hysterical in this story was the fact that Ram was an atheist. Can you imagine what it was like for him to be confronted with proof that their was an almighty being? And yet, this man handled everything with his usual grace and charm. I adored Ram!
I don't know what this God will expect next from the world, but I for one am sticking around to find out. First Second Coming was a book that challenged beliefs and questioned historical truths and I'm excited to see what comes next.
May 10, 2021
Rating: 4.5/5.0
"First Second Coming" captivates from the start, with a fascinating premise that never lets go!
Read full review in the 2021 May issue of InD'tale Magazine.
"First Second Coming" captivates from the start, with a fascinating premise that never lets go!
Read full review in the 2021 May issue of InD'tale Magazine.
January 6, 2022
I have four editorial reviews to pass along, in the order I received them:
First, a five-star review from Literary Titan Magazine, which also awarded a "Gold Award" to First Second Coming:
"In the First Second Coming God retires after more than 2000 years of taking care of the Earth for Milky Way Galaxy, Inc. The new God must decide whether Earth’s dominant species should or should not be included in his plan to bring the planet back into compliance with the planetary operational standards of Milky Way Galaxy, Inc. The new God introduces himself on a talk show. Co-hosts of the show, Ram Forrester and Brendali Santamaria, are nominated to attend a conference by the new God. Brendali, who is Catholic, and Ram, who is an atheist, are both shocked to learn of a sixty-day conference in Los Angeles to determine if human beings are capable of helping God implement his planetary turnaround plan. This is the start of Ram and Brendali’s romance and their thrilling adventure to save humankind.
"First Second Coming has a fascinating premise that builds up in effortless fashion. I absolutely adored reading about Brendali and Ram and seeing how their relationship evolves. Even though they had different beliefs, they were able to put aside their differences and work together. Jeff Pollak does a fantastic job of creating characters that are both unique and relatable. This combination gives us a relationship that is engrossing and believable. While I had some preconceived notions that this was going to be a religious romance book, those notions were quickly dashed as this is much more of a thrilling romantic fantasy that is used as a vehicle to explore faith and humanity. The story provides a sixty day deadline which works to its advantage because the story is propelled forward from that point on. It takes a talented writer to create characters you care about in a plot that makes sense while going at breakneck speed. First Second Coming is a captivating adventure novel that touches on some deep themes while never forgetting to entertain readers with a bit of romance and a touch of humor along the way."
Second, a four-star review from Indies Today:
"First Second Coming is a farcical fantasy novel that ponders whether or not humanity can ever truly put aside religious divisions enough to achieve peace. A cantankerous and uncouth being, known as NTG, is being forced into retirement from his job as God of Earth. NTG is rendezvousing with his fresh-faced and ambitious replacement at an intergalactic transit center, complete with a cloud-thread couch and a moonrock side table. The new guy has his hands full with a violence-filled Earth and the rampant overuse of its natural resources. So the new God gives the people of Earth an ultimatum. If they can’t stop the violence, they will face complete annihilation.
"An original concept indeed, Jeff Pollak manages to ruffle the feathers of more than a few religious groups in this quirky fantasy novel. With a world so attached to technology and eager to follow any celebrity, it’s only a little ironic that God chooses to communicate with people via a TV show. However, the tongue in cheek humor subsides as the story focuses primarily on Bren and Ram, the TV anchors, as they try to guide humanity on a path to religious tolerance and manage to find true love along the way. What actually happens is a whole lot of violent attacks as people defend their cherished beliefs with a terroristic fervor. Humanity certainly proves themselves worthy of wrath as threats, ambushes and gunshots abound in this wry novel. Religion turns into politics while the fate of mankind rests in the hands of a couple of journalists. Innovative, irreverent and ultimately thought-provoking, First Second Coming is a slightly futuristic romance/fantasy imbued with a sense of wit and wonder."
Third, InD'Tale magazine has given First Second Coming a 4.5 star review and a "Crowned Heart of Excellence" designation:
"TV personality Ram Forrester wants Brendali Santamaria to be his co-host in a new program. Having both survived brushes with violence, they are ready for this fresh start. But on the first airing of the show, God makes an appearance. This New God lays down an ultimatum: humankind has sixty days to establish religious tolerance among all religions or risk extinction as a species. Ram and Brendali are chosen to host the convocation and report on its progress. As religious leaders gather, it is a race against the clock to achieve the New God's demands. At the same time, Ram and Brendali become the targets of religious fanatics. Will the two live long enough to enjoy falling in love, or will they cease to exist along with everyone they hold dear?
"First Second Coming captivates from the start, with a fascinating premise that never lets go! The year is 2027, nearly present day, when the New God takes over duties. While religions and their tenets are woven throughout the story, the author deftly navigates through these to craft a suspenseful tale with a touch of romance. The author uses a first-person point of view for both Ram and Brendali, which can be confusing to keep track of unless you purposely read the chapter titles. Ram, an atheist, and Brendali, a devout Catholic, make for an unlikely combination as God's chosen ones to organize the convocation, yet their determination to hold the various religious leaders' feet to the fire will have readers rooting for them. "First Second Coming" packs a powerful punch for a debut novel and sets the stage for an exciting new series!"
Fourth, this 5-star review comes from ReadersFavorite.com:
First Second Coming is intended for the general reading audience with some very mild adult references. Written as Book One of the New God Series, we find ourselves in a not too distant future where the God humanity thought they knew has retired, and a new specialist is now in charge, and intent on making some changes. A pair of media reporters find themselves charged with the task of covering a 60-day conference where humanity must put its case forward to the new God as to why they should not be made extinct.
Author Jeff Pollak has crafted an absolutely fascinating work of speculative fiction that blends real-life attitudes and ideas about religion with his totally original concept really well. Central protagonists Ram and Bren are a great foil for the action to revolve around as they grow from hapless, ordinary humans caught in the crossfire into dependable, wily figures who can overcome pretty much anything, provided that they have one another’s support. The romance element provided some great light relief against some of the more serious discussions in the novel, and I also found the dialogue wonderfully laced with wry humor and subtle asides that kept me smiling. As the conclusion looms, the different levels of the plot come together to form a highly intelligent and poignant conclusion. I would definitely recommend First Second Coming to readers seeking something original and thought-provoking for their next read.
First, a five-star review from Literary Titan Magazine, which also awarded a "Gold Award" to First Second Coming:
"In the First Second Coming God retires after more than 2000 years of taking care of the Earth for Milky Way Galaxy, Inc. The new God must decide whether Earth’s dominant species should or should not be included in his plan to bring the planet back into compliance with the planetary operational standards of Milky Way Galaxy, Inc. The new God introduces himself on a talk show. Co-hosts of the show, Ram Forrester and Brendali Santamaria, are nominated to attend a conference by the new God. Brendali, who is Catholic, and Ram, who is an atheist, are both shocked to learn of a sixty-day conference in Los Angeles to determine if human beings are capable of helping God implement his planetary turnaround plan. This is the start of Ram and Brendali’s romance and their thrilling adventure to save humankind.
"First Second Coming has a fascinating premise that builds up in effortless fashion. I absolutely adored reading about Brendali and Ram and seeing how their relationship evolves. Even though they had different beliefs, they were able to put aside their differences and work together. Jeff Pollak does a fantastic job of creating characters that are both unique and relatable. This combination gives us a relationship that is engrossing and believable. While I had some preconceived notions that this was going to be a religious romance book, those notions were quickly dashed as this is much more of a thrilling romantic fantasy that is used as a vehicle to explore faith and humanity. The story provides a sixty day deadline which works to its advantage because the story is propelled forward from that point on. It takes a talented writer to create characters you care about in a plot that makes sense while going at breakneck speed. First Second Coming is a captivating adventure novel that touches on some deep themes while never forgetting to entertain readers with a bit of romance and a touch of humor along the way."
Second, a four-star review from Indies Today:
"First Second Coming is a farcical fantasy novel that ponders whether or not humanity can ever truly put aside religious divisions enough to achieve peace. A cantankerous and uncouth being, known as NTG, is being forced into retirement from his job as God of Earth. NTG is rendezvousing with his fresh-faced and ambitious replacement at an intergalactic transit center, complete with a cloud-thread couch and a moonrock side table. The new guy has his hands full with a violence-filled Earth and the rampant overuse of its natural resources. So the new God gives the people of Earth an ultimatum. If they can’t stop the violence, they will face complete annihilation.
"An original concept indeed, Jeff Pollak manages to ruffle the feathers of more than a few religious groups in this quirky fantasy novel. With a world so attached to technology and eager to follow any celebrity, it’s only a little ironic that God chooses to communicate with people via a TV show. However, the tongue in cheek humor subsides as the story focuses primarily on Bren and Ram, the TV anchors, as they try to guide humanity on a path to religious tolerance and manage to find true love along the way. What actually happens is a whole lot of violent attacks as people defend their cherished beliefs with a terroristic fervor. Humanity certainly proves themselves worthy of wrath as threats, ambushes and gunshots abound in this wry novel. Religion turns into politics while the fate of mankind rests in the hands of a couple of journalists. Innovative, irreverent and ultimately thought-provoking, First Second Coming is a slightly futuristic romance/fantasy imbued with a sense of wit and wonder."
Third, InD'Tale magazine has given First Second Coming a 4.5 star review and a "Crowned Heart of Excellence" designation:
"TV personality Ram Forrester wants Brendali Santamaria to be his co-host in a new program. Having both survived brushes with violence, they are ready for this fresh start. But on the first airing of the show, God makes an appearance. This New God lays down an ultimatum: humankind has sixty days to establish religious tolerance among all religions or risk extinction as a species. Ram and Brendali are chosen to host the convocation and report on its progress. As religious leaders gather, it is a race against the clock to achieve the New God's demands. At the same time, Ram and Brendali become the targets of religious fanatics. Will the two live long enough to enjoy falling in love, or will they cease to exist along with everyone they hold dear?
"First Second Coming captivates from the start, with a fascinating premise that never lets go! The year is 2027, nearly present day, when the New God takes over duties. While religions and their tenets are woven throughout the story, the author deftly navigates through these to craft a suspenseful tale with a touch of romance. The author uses a first-person point of view for both Ram and Brendali, which can be confusing to keep track of unless you purposely read the chapter titles. Ram, an atheist, and Brendali, a devout Catholic, make for an unlikely combination as God's chosen ones to organize the convocation, yet their determination to hold the various religious leaders' feet to the fire will have readers rooting for them. "First Second Coming" packs a powerful punch for a debut novel and sets the stage for an exciting new series!"
Fourth, this 5-star review comes from ReadersFavorite.com:
First Second Coming is intended for the general reading audience with some very mild adult references. Written as Book One of the New God Series, we find ourselves in a not too distant future where the God humanity thought they knew has retired, and a new specialist is now in charge, and intent on making some changes. A pair of media reporters find themselves charged with the task of covering a 60-day conference where humanity must put its case forward to the new God as to why they should not be made extinct.
Author Jeff Pollak has crafted an absolutely fascinating work of speculative fiction that blends real-life attitudes and ideas about religion with his totally original concept really well. Central protagonists Ram and Bren are a great foil for the action to revolve around as they grow from hapless, ordinary humans caught in the crossfire into dependable, wily figures who can overcome pretty much anything, provided that they have one another’s support. The romance element provided some great light relief against some of the more serious discussions in the novel, and I also found the dialogue wonderfully laced with wry humor and subtle asides that kept me smiling. As the conclusion looms, the different levels of the plot come together to form a highly intelligent and poignant conclusion. I would definitely recommend First Second Coming to readers seeking something original and thought-provoking for their next read.
October 12, 2020
There were elements of fantasy along with the supernatural aspect of a new god. What I found most interesting is the pairing of two different races both with a different view of religion. I did not find the "New God" to be overwhelming a part of the story and overshadowed the two characters that take center stage for this installment. Bre and Ram have very opposing views but seem to share a working relationship that turns into more. There was much depending on two individuals that were nothing more than mere mortals living in the new time and the possible changing of the guards and judgement of the Earth and its inhabitants.
I found the writing to be well thought out and at times made you think and explore your own thoughts on some portions of the story. Then there were the other suspenseful parts of the story (not overwhelming). I could see some of this story playing out in our world today, but not see it at the same time. The imagination of someone to nail the many viewpoints was on the nail-head.
The lure of the context was enough to get me to open. The intermixing of reality, religion, supernatural, romance, suspense altogether kept me moving from page-to-page and chapter-to-chapter. Bren and Ram have me wanting to see more of the next installments in this New God series from debut author Jeff Pollak.
I found the writing to be well thought out and at times made you think and explore your own thoughts on some portions of the story. Then there were the other suspenseful parts of the story (not overwhelming). I could see some of this story playing out in our world today, but not see it at the same time. The imagination of someone to nail the many viewpoints was on the nail-head.
The lure of the context was enough to get me to open. The intermixing of reality, religion, supernatural, romance, suspense altogether kept me moving from page-to-page and chapter-to-chapter. Bren and Ram have me wanting to see more of the next installments in this New God series from debut author Jeff Pollak.
August 6, 2020
Recap: A new God appears to journalists Brendali and Ram on their new talk show and utters an ultimatum.
Review: This book is part thriller, part romance, part religious ideology and part futuristic. A review book from THE Book Club, I thought from the intro blurb this would be humorous - my mistake, it's a very serious, very well researched opinion novel on the world's religious difficulties. There's a lot here to digest, the romance adding lighter notes and the thriller parts heightening the tension.
Review: This book is part thriller, part romance, part religious ideology and part futuristic. A review book from THE Book Club, I thought from the intro blurb this would be humorous - my mistake, it's a very serious, very well researched opinion novel on the world's religious difficulties. There's a lot here to digest, the romance adding lighter notes and the thriller parts heightening the tension.
July 19, 2020
Strong writing and and truly unusual themes kept me engaged in this debut novel by Jeff Pollak. Pollak writes in a wry, conversational style as he tells the story of a new God, taking the place of the one we all grew up with, who is old, tired, and, let's face it, not doing the best of jobs. Our new spiritual leader chooses Ram and Brendali, two journalists, to help him launch his reign. Hijinks ensue, including running from gun thugs, as the relationship between the two...grows? A very good read indeed.
July 30, 2020
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I admit to approaching it with some trepidation having read the blurb. Yes it’s fiction, but it could so easily happen any time any place. They say a prophet is never recognised in his own town. Imagine if that was God himself turning up..... would we be any different? The characters are well rounded and the story flows well. There is a good cross section of people and faiths here and well researched. With so much worry about global warming and extinction of species in life, I wonder, is this art imitating life?
A well written novel. Look forward to reading any future books.
A well written novel. Look forward to reading any future books.
May 3, 2021
I hosted an excerpt spotlight for First Second Coming with Silver Dagger Book Tours back in October, and when I read the excerpt I was sent for my blog post, I knew I had to read the rest of the book. Jeff Pollak was gracious enough to grant me a review copy, and I'm so sorry it has taken me so long to get to it.
God exists, but he just retired, and his replacement needs to decide whether or not humanity is worth saving. A hard reset on Earth would be easiest after all, but he wants to give us all a chance. Solve the religious divide, and he'll help fix the rest of the world's major issues. Do this one thing and he'll be a good god and step in after. But how is the new god supposed to get the word out? TV, of course! Ram Forrester and his new co-host Brendali Santamaria get the surprise of their life when a member of the crew interrupts their premier broadcast to prove to the world (he's hijacked the airways and this is now broadcasting worldwide) that he is, in fact, God.
Naturally, this doesn't go smoothly. Murders, kidnappings, terror attacks, etc. It doesn't go well! Can humanity actually solve something as big as global religious divide (in 60 days, no less) and save ourselves?
I love the premise, and I love the way this big issue of solving religious divide plays out. There certainly aren't any dull moments in this book! I think Ram and Brendali have very interesting, opposite but complementary backstories that make them oddly perfect as the hosts and faces of this event and I enjoyed watching them work through their own personal feelings about God and his ultimatum.
I didn't quite feel the romance between Ram and Brendali, though. They go from strangers to coworkers to lovers really fast, but I didn't see the queues that their feelings were changing. They changed and we were told about it. I didn't feel like we experienced it.
Also, minor editorial nitpick, but I've been mumbling to myself at the end of every chapter that closes with a Brendali Tweet "that's not how hashtags work!" As soon as you have a space or any punctuation mark, the hashtag is over. For example, one of Brandli's tweets is closed with "#Pray for good news #to health!" The hashtags in this sentiment that would be clickable and searchable on Twitter are literally the words "pray" and "to." What she would need to have done to make this work would be to type #PrayForGoodNews #ToHealth (mixed case not necessary but helps readability in this case.)
Overall I thought this was a great story with a lot of action, a lot of heart, and some good messages. It's speculative and can be very thought-provoking, but if you just want it to be a fun story you can easily turn off your critical brain and just enjoy the ride as well. Read this if you're into speculative fiction and want something a little different!
God exists, but he just retired, and his replacement needs to decide whether or not humanity is worth saving. A hard reset on Earth would be easiest after all, but he wants to give us all a chance. Solve the religious divide, and he'll help fix the rest of the world's major issues. Do this one thing and he'll be a good god and step in after. But how is the new god supposed to get the word out? TV, of course! Ram Forrester and his new co-host Brendali Santamaria get the surprise of their life when a member of the crew interrupts their premier broadcast to prove to the world (he's hijacked the airways and this is now broadcasting worldwide) that he is, in fact, God.
Naturally, this doesn't go smoothly. Murders, kidnappings, terror attacks, etc. It doesn't go well! Can humanity actually solve something as big as global religious divide (in 60 days, no less) and save ourselves?
I love the premise, and I love the way this big issue of solving religious divide plays out. There certainly aren't any dull moments in this book! I think Ram and Brendali have very interesting, opposite but complementary backstories that make them oddly perfect as the hosts and faces of this event and I enjoyed watching them work through their own personal feelings about God and his ultimatum.
I didn't quite feel the romance between Ram and Brendali, though. They go from strangers to coworkers to lovers really fast, but I didn't see the queues that their feelings were changing. They changed and we were told about it. I didn't feel like we experienced it.
Also, minor editorial nitpick, but I've been mumbling to myself at the end of every chapter that closes with a Brendali Tweet "that's not how hashtags work!" As soon as you have a space or any punctuation mark, the hashtag is over. For example, one of Brandli's tweets is closed with "#Pray for good news #to health!" The hashtags in this sentiment that would be clickable and searchable on Twitter are literally the words "pray" and "to." What she would need to have done to make this work would be to type #PrayForGoodNews #ToHealth (mixed case not necessary but helps readability in this case.)
Overall I thought this was a great story with a lot of action, a lot of heart, and some good messages. It's speculative and can be very thought-provoking, but if you just want it to be a fun story you can easily turn off your critical brain and just enjoy the ride as well. Read this if you're into speculative fiction and want something a little different!
August 17, 2020
What happens when God walks away, tired of quarreling, unrepentant Earth? The Milky Way Galaxy, Inc. sends in New God, of course!
New God has no intention of picking up where the New Testament God left off. Mankind is destined for destruction unless they prove themselves worthy of mercy and they only get one chance. A selected group of religious leaders and laity must come together and solve their differences and make peace to end worldwide religious violence. Or it’s the end of the world… literally. The kicker… they only get sixty days!
It needs to be said this read is not about religion or is pious or preachy. It’s about flawed humans so locked into a belief system, they bastardize it and become inflexible.
Of course, there is push-back. Some leaders take an angry, uncompromising stance, and learn New God has no problem sending down his wrath.
Young professionals, Ram Forrester, an atheist, and Brendali Santamaria, a devout Catholic, are brought together through Divine Intervention and serve as New God’s official representatives. They each have troubled and painful pasts and don’t understand why they were chosen but they go along with it because who says no to God?
While Ram and Brendali work to facilitate a positive outcome for the conference, they also have to work at staying alive as several attempts are made on their lives by the National Institute for Teaching Western Inspirational Theology. That’s right… NITWIT! HA!
NITWIT is a group of religious fanatics who believe carrying out NTG’s word includes kidnapping, murder, and bombs.
AHEM!
Leaders forge ahead to hammer out details and there are many stumbling blocks with some serious, unbending holdouts.
Ram and Brendali develop feelings for each other and romance follows. Though cute at first, for me, it was the weakest part of the story. There were parts where their relationship felt forced, and Brendali’s flareups were annoying. Hot Latin temper? For me, it was more like a teenage temper tantrum.
First Second Coming is a thought-provoking read. Why do we believe what we believe? How solid is our faith? We may worship different from others, but why do we believe that makes us better?
Download this one today and watch religious leaders of the world find we’re all more alike than we care to admit.
Enjoy!
New God has no intention of picking up where the New Testament God left off. Mankind is destined for destruction unless they prove themselves worthy of mercy and they only get one chance. A selected group of religious leaders and laity must come together and solve their differences and make peace to end worldwide religious violence. Or it’s the end of the world… literally. The kicker… they only get sixty days!
It needs to be said this read is not about religion or is pious or preachy. It’s about flawed humans so locked into a belief system, they bastardize it and become inflexible.
Of course, there is push-back. Some leaders take an angry, uncompromising stance, and learn New God has no problem sending down his wrath.
Young professionals, Ram Forrester, an atheist, and Brendali Santamaria, a devout Catholic, are brought together through Divine Intervention and serve as New God’s official representatives. They each have troubled and painful pasts and don’t understand why they were chosen but they go along with it because who says no to God?
While Ram and Brendali work to facilitate a positive outcome for the conference, they also have to work at staying alive as several attempts are made on their lives by the National Institute for Teaching Western Inspirational Theology. That’s right… NITWIT! HA!
NITWIT is a group of religious fanatics who believe carrying out NTG’s word includes kidnapping, murder, and bombs.
AHEM!
Leaders forge ahead to hammer out details and there are many stumbling blocks with some serious, unbending holdouts.
Ram and Brendali develop feelings for each other and romance follows. Though cute at first, for me, it was the weakest part of the story. There were parts where their relationship felt forced, and Brendali’s flareups were annoying. Hot Latin temper? For me, it was more like a teenage temper tantrum.
First Second Coming is a thought-provoking read. Why do we believe what we believe? How solid is our faith? We may worship different from others, but why do we believe that makes us better?
Download this one today and watch religious leaders of the world find we’re all more alike than we care to admit.
Enjoy!
May 29, 2021
Where to start? This is a very unusual book.
What do you get when you cross sci-fi /fantasy as in “Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy”, with a budding romance, ambitious philosophical yearnings, theological history, Mexican drug cartels, murder, money laundering, and last but not least, an earthly visitation by God?
It all begins on a intergalactic moon station with our introduction to God, an ambitious but sarcastic new Milky-Way-Galaxy Inc. recruit who will take over for the retiring New Testament God, who has reigned over Earth for the past two thousand years. Without giving all the intricacies of this very clever plot away, let me just say that these opening scenes were my absolute favorite in the book. Hilarious, witty, and incredibly original, I can’t imagine a more compelling start to this story.
The pace and mayhem that follows is everything you might expect from the intro above. God may act in mysterious ways, but in this novel, he makes his earthly expectations crystal clear. Working through two selected humans mandated to see His ask through, we meet Ram and Brendali, two young T.V hosts, who must broker world compliance to the divine ask through command of video, social media, and other communications with key delegates as God’s plan for earth unfolds.
Other wonderful characters include Griff, the FBI agent, who claims to be “downright humorless” (that’s why, he says, he joined the FBI) and a whole cast of players representing religious leaders from every major faith and religious sect across the globe.
With considerable skill, the author manages complex and controversial religious and theological questions deftly, working a good deal of interesting religious history and scholarly insights into the story that expands to include themes such as:
- Just how far apart, really, are the worlds major religions (eg. Muslim vs Judaism vs Catholicism)
- Can an organized religion serve both a national agenda and one’s personal conscience.
- Is a unified view, endorsing tolerance for diversity across all faiths even a moderately realistic goal?
(Don’t let the heavy questions scare you off - the book itself reads mostly like a romp, or crime caper, with dashes of humor and many unexpected other-worldly side jaunts. )
A big thank you to the author for a review copy of this book, in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts provided are my own.
What do you get when you cross sci-fi /fantasy as in “Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy”, with a budding romance, ambitious philosophical yearnings, theological history, Mexican drug cartels, murder, money laundering, and last but not least, an earthly visitation by God?
It all begins on a intergalactic moon station with our introduction to God, an ambitious but sarcastic new Milky-Way-Galaxy Inc. recruit who will take over for the retiring New Testament God, who has reigned over Earth for the past two thousand years. Without giving all the intricacies of this very clever plot away, let me just say that these opening scenes were my absolute favorite in the book. Hilarious, witty, and incredibly original, I can’t imagine a more compelling start to this story.
The pace and mayhem that follows is everything you might expect from the intro above. God may act in mysterious ways, but in this novel, he makes his earthly expectations crystal clear. Working through two selected humans mandated to see His ask through, we meet Ram and Brendali, two young T.V hosts, who must broker world compliance to the divine ask through command of video, social media, and other communications with key delegates as God’s plan for earth unfolds.
Other wonderful characters include Griff, the FBI agent, who claims to be “downright humorless” (that’s why, he says, he joined the FBI) and a whole cast of players representing religious leaders from every major faith and religious sect across the globe.
With considerable skill, the author manages complex and controversial religious and theological questions deftly, working a good deal of interesting religious history and scholarly insights into the story that expands to include themes such as:
- Just how far apart, really, are the worlds major religions (eg. Muslim vs Judaism vs Catholicism)
- Can an organized religion serve both a national agenda and one’s personal conscience.
- Is a unified view, endorsing tolerance for diversity across all faiths even a moderately realistic goal?
(Don’t let the heavy questions scare you off - the book itself reads mostly like a romp, or crime caper, with dashes of humor and many unexpected other-worldly side jaunts. )
A big thank you to the author for a review copy of this book, in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts provided are my own.
July 9, 2021
Well, coming from a muli-cultural upbringing myself. I really could relate to the spiritual aspect of this book. The book started off very humorous and grabs your attention from the start. The author did a splendid job of making you feel like you were on this face paced journey with Ram and Brendali. They are young professionals. Ram Forrester is an atheist, and Brendali Santamaria, is a devout Catholic and they are brought together through intervention and serve as the New God’s Official representative. The old God has retired due to quarreling and unrepentant humans. So the New God has no intention of picking up where the New testament God left off. Unless us sinful humans prove ourselves worthy of mercy then mankind is doomed forever, and where the thrill comes in, is we only get one chance, ONE! A goup of selected religious leaders must come toghether and solve their differences and make peace and end wars due to religous violence. But the problem is, the differences have been going on for centuries, and Ram and Brendali only get sixty days to do it! During the midst of it all, Ram and Brendali develop feelings for each other and the romance follows. Being a romance author myself, this brought a cute aspect to the plot and a little softness in the harsh reality of the world we live in.
Even though this book is not about religion, I do appreciate that side of the book, since as I mentioned, growing up I would hear my father talk about such things. My dad is Lebanese and my mom is american, so as readers in the United States, I would presume it will open our eyes to new thoughts and ideas. Such as, just how different are the major religions of the world (Muslim vs. Judaism vs Christianity) Why do we believe what we believe? We may worship differently from others, but why do we believe that makes us better?
First Second Coming is a thought-provoking read. Cleverly written, and the author does a fantastic job of encapsulating you in the world he created, making it a captivating page turner to the very last page!
Even though this book is not about religion, I do appreciate that side of the book, since as I mentioned, growing up I would hear my father talk about such things. My dad is Lebanese and my mom is american, so as readers in the United States, I would presume it will open our eyes to new thoughts and ideas. Such as, just how different are the major religions of the world (Muslim vs. Judaism vs Christianity) Why do we believe what we believe? We may worship differently from others, but why do we believe that makes us better?
First Second Coming is a thought-provoking read. Cleverly written, and the author does a fantastic job of encapsulating you in the world he created, making it a captivating page turner to the very last page!
July 1, 2022
First Second Coming is a fiction novel set in the future – 2027, in Los Angeles, California. Two main plots running at the same time, keeping the reader in suspense around the main characters, two talk show hosts, Ram and his “angel” Brendali, and the new God, who appears on their show causing havoc among the disbelievers.
The supporting characters were also very interesting, as there was much to learn about the religious aspect each represented and were depicted with such great depth, bringing them to life, highlighting how the difference in religious belief can destroy or bring peace. The peaceful scenes evoking quite an emotion.
Ram and Brendali, who develop a romantic relationship, are put in charge of the 60-day convention to bring religious leaders together, while trying to escape death multiple times throughout. The new God gives an ultimatum to save humanity by solving the issue of religious violence. Will they make it or will there be extinction? And yes, this is a fictional story, but is it?
The favor of God, was sprinkled throughout the novel, bringing a sense of mercy, hope and gentleness… however, His wrath, if disobeyed was not to be ignored. A perfect balance to keep one in line. The concept of this novel can lead the reader to entertain the possibility of a real-life event.
Many subtleties throughout the novel show how Pollak really immersed deeply into a higher level of consciousness while creating this masterpiece - handbook on world peace, if you will. FSC’s scenes carrying profound meaning will leave the mind of the reader stirring in a space of existentialism long after the novel has been read.
First Second Coming was entirely entertaining and a deep read and was beautifully developed and written with dynamic characters and great world-building.
Asides from author Jeff Pollak’s writing talent, I feel he is on to something on a bigger scale as well.
Patiently waiting for Pollak to grace the world with more of his novels.
The supporting characters were also very interesting, as there was much to learn about the religious aspect each represented and were depicted with such great depth, bringing them to life, highlighting how the difference in religious belief can destroy or bring peace. The peaceful scenes evoking quite an emotion.
Ram and Brendali, who develop a romantic relationship, are put in charge of the 60-day convention to bring religious leaders together, while trying to escape death multiple times throughout. The new God gives an ultimatum to save humanity by solving the issue of religious violence. Will they make it or will there be extinction? And yes, this is a fictional story, but is it?
The favor of God, was sprinkled throughout the novel, bringing a sense of mercy, hope and gentleness… however, His wrath, if disobeyed was not to be ignored. A perfect balance to keep one in line. The concept of this novel can lead the reader to entertain the possibility of a real-life event.
Many subtleties throughout the novel show how Pollak really immersed deeply into a higher level of consciousness while creating this masterpiece - handbook on world peace, if you will. FSC’s scenes carrying profound meaning will leave the mind of the reader stirring in a space of existentialism long after the novel has been read.
First Second Coming was entirely entertaining and a deep read and was beautifully developed and written with dynamic characters and great world-building.
Asides from author Jeff Pollak’s writing talent, I feel he is on to something on a bigger scale as well.
Patiently waiting for Pollak to grace the world with more of his novels.
September 16, 2021
The God of Earth who claims himself to be NTG ( The New Testament God ) retires after 2000 + years of Services . He retired because of the impenitent human beings . A new god makes appearance and take over the duties . The New God introduces himself on the talk show . The story also features two young professionals Ram forrester , an atheist and Brandali Santamaria , a Catholic . They both serve as co host and representative of the new god . And were given 60 days to eliminate the violence . If the wars won’t end the humankind will come to extinction . Ran and Brandali encounters many hardship .Amidst of this , Ram and Brandali both develop feelings for each other . It was quite interesting to read about them .
Do you think Humans will come together and live peacefully ?
If not ? What will be the action taken by New God ? Will it result to mankind extinction ?
Read out this intriguing narrative to know what the story has to offer all of us . You will be definitely served more than you are expecting .
The narration made me feel like I was visualising the scenes right in front of my eyes . Jeff has introduced us to a very interesting concept , a perfectly weaven story taking in account the religious divide and revolving the story around it .
This book is a page Turner and it kept me hooked till end . The world he has created is so powerful , his prestigious efforts are quite appreciated . I am eagerly waiting to dive straight in the next book in the series .
Do you think Humans will come together and live peacefully ?
If not ? What will be the action taken by New God ? Will it result to mankind extinction ?
Read out this intriguing narrative to know what the story has to offer all of us . You will be definitely served more than you are expecting .
The narration made me feel like I was visualising the scenes right in front of my eyes . Jeff has introduced us to a very interesting concept , a perfectly weaven story taking in account the religious divide and revolving the story around it .
This book is a page Turner and it kept me hooked till end . The world he has created is so powerful , his prestigious efforts are quite appreciated . I am eagerly waiting to dive straight in the next book in the series .
October 5, 2021
It’s an outstanding debut book by the author Jeff and it was hard to believe that it’s his debut book.
This is the first book of the New God Series and it revolves around the God of Earth who claims himself to be The New Testament God, NTG who retires after more than two thousand years.
The New God appears later. Earth's new God introduces himself to humanity by unexpectedly appearing on the Ram Forrester Hour talk show. Ram, an atheist, and co-host Brendali Santamaria, a devout Catholic, are stunned. God interview, beamed worldwide, shocks and infuriates viewers. They learn that a sixty-day conference will take place in Los Angeles to determine whether humans are capable of helping him implement his planetary turnaround plan. All mankind must do to earn a coveted spot in this God's good graces is eliminate religious violence forever, without his heavenly help. Failure means extinction.
The story slightly moves towards the romance genre which is my favourite chapter of the book.
Will humans ever live peacefully without wars? What will New God do ?
This is a very unique storyline and Jeff has woven it beautifully. The title and the cover are beautiful. The language is simple and easy to understand. Mixed emotions of romance, action, fantasy and adventure.
A definite read for everyone !! Go and order your copy now.
This is the first book of the New God Series and it revolves around the God of Earth who claims himself to be The New Testament God, NTG who retires after more than two thousand years.
The New God appears later. Earth's new God introduces himself to humanity by unexpectedly appearing on the Ram Forrester Hour talk show. Ram, an atheist, and co-host Brendali Santamaria, a devout Catholic, are stunned. God interview, beamed worldwide, shocks and infuriates viewers. They learn that a sixty-day conference will take place in Los Angeles to determine whether humans are capable of helping him implement his planetary turnaround plan. All mankind must do to earn a coveted spot in this God's good graces is eliminate religious violence forever, without his heavenly help. Failure means extinction.
The story slightly moves towards the romance genre which is my favourite chapter of the book.
Will humans ever live peacefully without wars? What will New God do ?
This is a very unique storyline and Jeff has woven it beautifully. The title and the cover are beautiful. The language is simple and easy to understand. Mixed emotions of romance, action, fantasy and adventure.
A definite read for everyone !! Go and order your copy now.
October 11, 2020
A very engaging tale spanning the genres of fantasy, magical realism, and romance. The author has a deep knowledge of the world’s religions and tenets and uses this understanding to further the plot.
The year is 2027, a chance encounter on a plane between our protagonists Ram and Brendali produces a spark of attraction that soon flames into something more. After evading narco killers, Ram hires Brendali as his co-anchor on a local L.A. TV station. Their first guest, dressed as a security guard, announces he is God and proves this through miracles. On air, he demands a convocation of all religions, sects, and philosophies take place to “restore the world to an acceptable level.” God gives mankind sixty days to produce harmony or, if not, mankind will immediately become extinct. He puts Ram and Brendali in charge. With a rogue evangelical group attempting to kill them and religions unwilling to compromise, Ram and Brendali face overwhelming obstacles and a ticking clock.
The year is 2027, a chance encounter on a plane between our protagonists Ram and Brendali produces a spark of attraction that soon flames into something more. After evading narco killers, Ram hires Brendali as his co-anchor on a local L.A. TV station. Their first guest, dressed as a security guard, announces he is God and proves this through miracles. On air, he demands a convocation of all religions, sects, and philosophies take place to “restore the world to an acceptable level.” God gives mankind sixty days to produce harmony or, if not, mankind will immediately become extinct. He puts Ram and Brendali in charge. With a rogue evangelical group attempting to kill them and religions unwilling to compromise, Ram and Brendali face overwhelming obstacles and a ticking clock.
September 14, 2020
Get ready to be ensnared. There is a lot to understand and get caught up on when joining a world such as this one, but luckily Pollak does a great job of being descriptive enough to allow his reader to imagine the world.
I loved the quick moving storyline from start to finish. The author takes us on a thrilling ride that is steady throughout. It didn’t have points that lagged and I loved that aspect.
Beneath the story’s fantastic trappings are incredibly real people who undergo an intense journey for survival while also finding and navigating love.
This is only Book One in a new series and it is a fantastic start, I can’t wait to see where Jeff Pollak takes his characters next.
I loved the quick moving storyline from start to finish. The author takes us on a thrilling ride that is steady throughout. It didn’t have points that lagged and I loved that aspect.
Beneath the story’s fantastic trappings are incredibly real people who undergo an intense journey for survival while also finding and navigating love.
This is only Book One in a new series and it is a fantastic start, I can’t wait to see where Jeff Pollak takes his characters next.
March 31, 2021
What a great concept! The Old Testament God was too easy on humanity. Our unchecked bad decisions--especially all the religions fighting each other--have brought Earth to the brink of destruction. Two journalists are chosen by the New God (a planetary turn-around specialist) to oversee and report on a worldwide convocation that includes a representative of each religion. If they fail to end the holy wars and discrimination, humankind is doomed. Can the reporters' budding romance survive domestic terrorist attacks, an earthquake, a firebombing, kidnapping, feuding clerics, AND the Pope's heart attack to achieve peace on Earth?
August 2, 2020
Loved this debut novel by Jeff Pollak. A fascinating concept with the perfect blend of action, romance and philosophy. The central question is: will humans choose to set aside their ultimately petty squabbles and live peacefully together, working to solve the world's problems side by side, or will the Planet Turnaround Specialist, otherwise known as the New God, have to take the ultimate action to ensure the planet's survival, even if that means human extinction? This book will grab you and refuse to let you go until the very last page. Can't wait to see what comes next!
December 5, 2020
i really liked this book. honestly i could see this happening sooner rather then later. do i agree with everything said in the book, no, but i agree with the over all message of the book and the fact that we need to do this now without divine intervention. i really liked how down to earth this book was honestly. yes there were things that im like ok this is a little wonky but i mean this is God he is talking about and honestly he can do anything hed like with us right? a very original take on this subject and very entertaining from the go.
December 26, 2022
Curious after reading the blurb, it didn’t take long before I got pulled in. I always enjoy romance mixed in with strong dialogue, great research, a fast flow, and strong writing. Jeff Pollak created an interesting and unique story about a new God presenting himself with an almost impossible demand: To bring religious leaders together in sixty days. Ram and Brendali, two journalists, are put in charge, communicating through angel-radio and with the occasional help of the new God. Mixed in are kidnappings, murder, and extreme religion.
Although this is not a religious story, it has a lot of religion weaved in. I can tell Pollak has extensive knowledge of multiple religions. Well done, Jeff. I can recommend your novel to anyone and look forward to a sequel.
Although this is not a religious story, it has a lot of religion weaved in. I can tell Pollak has extensive knowledge of multiple religions. Well done, Jeff. I can recommend your novel to anyone and look forward to a sequel.
July 29, 2020
Thank you netgalley and Acorn publishing for providing this arc copy in exchange for an honest review.
I really settled down to read this book. It took me a bit of time to really get hooked but overall it was a really nice read.
The author was certainly able mix suspense, romance, and theology to produce a good book filled with unique adventure. I was really happy that i got the chance to read this book.
I really settled down to read this book. It took me a bit of time to really get hooked but overall it was a really nice read.
The author was certainly able mix suspense, romance, and theology to produce a good book filled with unique adventure. I was really happy that i got the chance to read this book.
August 11, 2020
This is an absolutely phenomenal read. I love how the entire story progressed and played out, it hooked me from the very first page! Normally, anything dealing with religion turns me off in an instant, but with the themes of tolerance and acceptance that ran through the entire story it turned into an interesting, entertaining, and altogether fantastic story. I loved it, thank you for a great new to me author and new favorite book!
August 28, 2020
This was such an easy book to get into. I couldn't put it down. It swept me in and kept me there until the end.
Perfectly written as the characters to come alive on the pages. Add to that writing that just flows and it makes for a effortless read.
There were just enough twists and turns in the plot to keep me on the edge of my seat.
It has everything, Romance, mystery and just everyday life!
Perfectly written as the characters to come alive on the pages. Add to that writing that just flows and it makes for a effortless read.
There were just enough twists and turns in the plot to keep me on the edge of my seat.
It has everything, Romance, mystery and just everyday life!
August 28, 2020
Wow what a book that will make you think and suck you in.
The story itself was well done and kept me hanging on the entire book. This was heightened by descriptions that were distinct and a plot that was well paced. The cherry on the top was that the characters were charismatic and drew the reader in.
Solid Plot and Fabulous Writing. A Great Novel for those interested in anything Supernatural. I really enjoyed this book.
The story itself was well done and kept me hanging on the entire book. This was heightened by descriptions that were distinct and a plot that was well paced. The cherry on the top was that the characters were charismatic and drew the reader in.
Solid Plot and Fabulous Writing. A Great Novel for those interested in anything Supernatural. I really enjoyed this book.
September 10, 2020
A good fantasy, romance, adventure tale. Our hero and heroine are recruited, upon arrival of the New God (yes, the Old God retires), to help unit Earth's people, regardless of their religion, to eliminate violence. The pace is fast, because all world religions must gather together, work together, and create an acceptable "peace" plan within 60 days. The alternative is simple: mankind will become immediately extinct.
July 29, 2020
What a cool and surprising premise! I truly enjoyed this book, it was such an interesting read and really delves into how people would react if a new god did suddenly appear. The character development of the two leads was very compelling, and the heart-pounding struggles they went through was very engaging and exciting. I definitely recommend this book!
August 31, 2020
So very good. Well-written, great story, amazing character development, and vivid world around them.
From the beginning, this story is so captivating and gripping. The author really manages to just pull you in until you feel you are right there in the story.
There are many elements in this book from Suspense and Romance to a Supernatural undertone that is unique and fun.
From the beginning, this story is so captivating and gripping. The author really manages to just pull you in until you feel you are right there in the story.
There are many elements in this book from Suspense and Romance to a Supernatural undertone that is unique and fun.
September 3, 2020
This supernatural suspense and romance novel hooks you from the first page. The story is original, and writing superb. The creativity of the story line will leave you thinking about it months after you finish reading the last page. I highly recommend First Second Coming, an ingenious and exceptional novel!
August 1, 2020
Wow! What an outstanding debut novel! Jeff mixes a wide genre to create this intriguing novel. Plenty of romance, action and some theology to keep things lively! Not a mix I’ve seen before but in the ratio he writes=perfect!
A fab read looking forward to the next book!
A fab read looking forward to the next book!
June 12, 2023
I loved this premise and it's execution! Not only was it a love story but there were also elements of mystery, suspense, and science fiction.
I won this in a free giveaway but would most certainly be revisiting it.
I won this in a free giveaway but would most certainly be revisiting it.
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