I confess, I didn't finish this book. I began reading it when I got it, put it aside, and completely forgot about it. I recently began reading it again and it's just not grabbing my attention. The writing itself isn't that good, the dialogue is dull and unrealistic, and it feels like a thinly-disguised sermon about the nature of good and evil. I give it two stars rather than one, though, because I realize that part of my problem is that it is (or appears to be) a sequel and I might be more willing to try to finish it if I hadn't dropped into the middle of a story with no familiar background.

I found this story's description more intriguing, than I did the actual story. I stopped reading it after a few chapters.

keeps the reader's attention, easy to follow and keeps you wanting more!

This book was gripping from the start. The characters were fleshed out enough to believe they could be real. Read in a day

I received this from NetGalley and the publisher for an honest review.
This is the third book in a series. A very interesting historical/archaeological thriller with overtones of religiosity. Evil is on the rise and it's up to Cloe and her group along with a special seven people to stop it from destroying the world. I found it interesting, a little long with a surprise ending.

“7” eBook was published in 2017 and was written by Van R. Mayhall Jr. (https://vrmayhalljr.wordpress.com). This is Mr. Mayhall’s third publication and the third book in his “Cloe Lejeune” series.

I categorize this novel as ‘PG’ because it contains scenes of Violence. The story is set mostly in the middle east and around the Mediterranean. The primary character is Dr. Clotile “Cloe” Lejeune.

Lejeune is associated with LSU and is in the New Orleans area working on piecing together and interpreting writing on ancient scrolls obtained in the second volume of the series. The world seems to be coming apart at the seems with more violence and disorder every day. Lejeune, along with her son US Army Captain J.E. Lejeune and Monsignor Albert Roques, are called to Rome by the Pope.

As the world turns to chaos around her, she, and her team, must fight the manifestation of evil that is trying to destroy the Catholic Church and humanity. The fear is that evil is re-emerging after 1000 years and the End of Times as described in the Book of Revelations is upon us.

A group of people from all over the world, of different ages and backgrounds are drawn to New Orleans to join with Lejeune in the fight. These 7 have been touched by an angel and are the “good” God has sent to combat the rise of evil.

This was an interesting read of 6 hours for the 329 page Religious Thriller. I liked the characters and the plot, but they seemed weak and watered down to me. I’m not sure what the cover art has to do with the story. To me it was a poor choice. I give this novel a 3.5 (rounded up to a 4) out of 5.

Further book reviews I have written can be accessed at https://johnpurvis.wordpress.com/blog/.

My book reviews are also published on Goodreads (https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/31181778-john-purvis).

This novel is based on the end of time as told in Revalations in the Bible. There are several clues that you will read and may help you figure out what will happen. The novel was written so well that I could not stop reading. There re enough flashbacks tht it helped m to understand the characters.

I must admit though that I wish I had read the previous two books in this series. I enjoyed the book.

In Van R. Mayhall Jr.’s book, 7, language expert Cloe Lejune is translating an ancient language when she realizes she must warn the Pope that the world is facing cataclysmic destruction. Meanwhile, a message is delivered to seven random people whose only link is a common destination—New Orleans. Will the world succumb to evil unleashed? Or will Cloe and the seven strangers be able to stop it?

7 is the third book in a line of fast-paced thrillers. Mayhall Jr. infuses the novel with supernatural elements where the past meets future, making a unique plot. Events are taken from the biblical book of Revelation and the characters’ actions are determined by forces beyond their control, providing a riveting read for most.

However, this plot-driven story leaves the characters under-developed and the dialogue unrealistic. In addition, the interpretation of Revelation, extra-biblical sources, and the elevation of a man to divinity is troubling. If one is interested in one author’s interpretation on the last days, 7 is an intriguing look, however, the theology implied should be taken lightly.

I was given a free copy from the publisher in exchange for my honest review

I thought this book was well researched and written. It was an exciting and fast paced read. I have read similar biblical based fiction before and this one is one of the better ones. There were some interesting twist and turned that kept it a page turner.

Predictable and Disappointing.
The final words in this third novel, by lawyer turned author, Van R Mayhall Jnr, in the series based on the exploits of Cloe Lejeune are "it's not over." A pity because I really think it's time to pull the plug on this series of books. Okay I have not read the earlier books in the series and from what I can gather from the synopsis provided of Judas the Apostle that might be quite a good and imaginative read. That cannot be said of "7". That I managed to finish the book says more for my grit and determination to cross the finishing line than from any thrill provided by the novel itself. The characters are two-dimensional, the plot predictable and the narrative grating (as opposed to flowing). Enough said. I appreciate the effort and research which the author clearly put into writing this book but felt that much of it flew over the head of a Free Presbyterian Scot. I believe the author might actually be better writing a non-Fiction work as some of his research is worthy of being available to the public in written form. Perhaps not in a fictional novel though. Sorry, but the novel "7" just did not work at all for me. But there again, that's only my opinion. The problem is that I would not recommend that other readers read this novel as I'm sure they would come to the same conclusion as me.

7
Van R. Mayhall Jr.

First of all this is a story of Good vs Evil. The background for the main character is the Catholic Church. It could have used other beliefs but Catholic has been the setting for the other 2 books and the history of Christianity is based on this religion. Keep in mind that the author has written a Fiction story and does not have to get all the little details of actuall places right.

This is a very good work of fiction with enough real facts to give the reader the shivers. This third installment is 4 years after the "The Last Secarius" (not in real time) and Cloe LeJeune is working on translating the pieces left to her by the Dicarii.
At the same time 7 strangers are approached by a very large man and handed a card. They all are compelled to travel to New Orleans, Louisiana. Several of them meet on the way and travel together.

Now the action starts and it is almost like today. Rioting, burning, destruction of property and vicious attacks on innocent people. Disease in spreading everywhere and the death toll rising. The pale horse of Revelation has arrived and the horrific battle between good and evil has started.

I really liked it. The back and forth from the 7 people to Cloe and her son just makes reading more realistic and adds to the desperation of all involved. Action filled with well written characters with a promise of more to come.
Like the "DaVinci Code" This series would be great on the big screen.

I received this copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

Move over Indiana Jones. Non-stop action where nail biting excitement and evil abound, Cloe, JE and company are in the fight of their lives. Seven strangers and a very brave dog are drawn to New Orleans without understanding why, or for what reason they have been brought together. They must first puzzle out the why, and then figure out the how. When confronted by a group of determined thugs, they realize they must solve the puzzle quickly in order to survive.

This book grabbed me from the beginning. It is well written, the characters are well developed and interesting, and the plot is compelling, frightening, and believable in the current culture of terrorism. Based on the Book of Revelations end of days these willing warriors are faced with incomprehensible dangers. If you love heroes battling insurmountable odds this is the book to read.

My problem wit this book is the focus on saving the world with Christian religion. Limits the readership to those who believe only one way. Perhaps will sell in christina bookstores.

Sometimes I wind up in the third book or more of a series, and didn't know it. This is such a case. I liked the characters, and loved the ​biblical ties. As the Bible said, an evil has returned. Dr. LeJeune has been working some some amazing scrolls that were conversations between Jesus and the Disciples. Topping that off, someone is summoning people from all over the world to New Orleans. They have cards numbered one to seven. Is that the "seven deadly sins" or something far greater? I LOVE that this a good Christian thriller. I now need more books by this author.

My copy came from Net Galley. My thoughts and opinions are my own. This review is left of my own free volition.

I wasn't expecting to like this book and I didn't, I loved it!

This seems to be the second book. I did not read the first one, so at times it did feel as if I missed a bit of the history. But this can be read as a standalone.

I was blown away by this book. It read like a hybrid of Stephen King's "The Stand" and Dan Brown's Robert Langdon books. It literally kept me glued to the pages. But I have to admit to a bit of dissapointment. The title of the book is "7", so one would assume that the 7 would be the main characters of the book. Not so. Dr Cloe Lejeune and her team were. The 7 were mostly relegated to the sidelines when things were heating up, and a lot of time was spent on how they got together and wondering as to the purpuse of them being together. In my opinion this book could have been extended and the book fleshed out in order for the 7 to play a more pivotal role.

Other than that small gripe, this was an excellent book. I would recommend it to anyone who loves apocalytic books as well as Dan Brown fans. Maybe even to "The Stand" fans.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with the opportunity to read and review this book.

An interesting spin on the apocalypse and a new group of saviors to fight off evil most high. It was smooth reading and moderately paced but felt thin. I doubt I would have picked it to read if it wasn't a free read. Full Disclosure: I was allowed to read a copy of this book for free as a member of NetGalley in exchange for my unbiased review. The opinions I have expressed are my own and I was not influenced to give a positive review.

I got this book as a galley with the understanding that I would read and review it.

When I got the book, I didn't know what to expect. The premise is interesting and the action scenes are decent, but overall I struggled to get into this book. It's a Christian thriller, which I have no problem with. However, the author tends to lay it on pretty thick and the religiosity throughout the book gets distracting. The characters are often one-dimensional and the dialogue is stilted. Also, the twists and the mole's identity were blatantly obvious in advance.

I do get tired of series and most are written because of laziness I think but even if you have not read the previous two books in the series some interspersed flash backs will carry you thru

To me the second half moved even faster. Don't get put off by the "Biblical-based" comments either; "based" holds many definitions! Still end of the world types will enjoy the read

What a compelling book, based on the end times as tolled in Revelations but in such away that every chapter is unpredictable. There are clues to keep you on your toes and is close to the book of Revelations but not so close that there aren't surprises on the way for those with strong views or understanding of the Biblical accout, it is a story and not a study book. I do recommend this book in my view it is well worth buying
I did receive the book free from Net Galley for a honest review.