The Bulls of Bashan by Jodi Lea Stewart

 THE BULLS OF BASHAN

By Jodi Lea Stewart

Historical Fiction; Mystery Action and Adventure, Quest Fiction 

Publisher: Progressive Phoenix Rising

Publication Date: June 17, 2025

SYNOPSIS

In a diner on the edge of a dusty Texas border town, a young waitress's life takes an unexpected turn when she is swept into a high-stakes adventure. Recruited by a charismatic former World War II Army major, a glamorous New York socialite, and a charming daredevil who effortlessly flies planes and rides bulls, she embarks on a shadowy mission that promises both wealth and danger.

 This unlikely team will plunge into the heart of the perilous Amazon rainforest, navigate the depths of the world’s most treacherous canyon, brave the open seas, and traverse the ruins of postwar Europe. Their quest? To retrieve a set of mysterious keys while evading a relentless pursuer who seems to be one step ahead at every turn. Who is this enigmatic figure stalking them, and what sinister agenda does he have planned in Budapest?

As they race against time, each member of the team must confront his or her own demons and hidden truths. With the fate of their mission hanging in the balance, they inch closer to the elusive head of operations—the only one who can unlock the secrets of The Bulls of Bashan. 

Prepare for a suspenseful journey filled with danger, intrigue, and self-discovery, a globetrotting historical thriller with evocative international settings, strong female arcs, and cross-generational themes. 

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jodi Lea Stewart is a multi-award-winning fiction author who believes in and writes about the triumph of the human spirit despite adversity through grit, humor, and stubborn tenacity. Her lifetime friendships with all nationalities, different social stratas, cowpunchers, the Southern gentry, the California crazies (she was once one, too … well, sort of, LOL!), not to mention outliers, allow Jodi      to write comfortably about, oh … practically anything. 

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REVIEW

Sometimes a story sweeps you away so completely, you almost forget where you are. The Bulls of Bashan did that for me. What begins with a Texas diner manager in 1953 grows into a globe-spanning adventure full of danger, intrigue, and discovery—and by the end, I felt like I’d traveled right alongside Savannah, the heroine whose journey is as much about finding herself as it is about unraveling a mystery.

What I loved most here is the character work. Savannah’s voice is plainspoken, funny, and brimming with hidden courage. She starts off thinking she knows exactly what her life is going to be,  then strangers walk into her diner, and suddenly everything is turned upside down. Stewart captures that restless yearning perfectly, like when Savannah admits: “Even a ripe peach has sense enough to blush when it’s ready to leave the tree. Not I.” It’s that mix of self-awareness and vulnerability that made me root for her from page one.

Shifrah, her glamorous companion, is another standout. On the surface, she’s sophistication personified, with her tailored clothes, cigarettes, and endless style. But as the pages turn,we see her cracks. She is a young woman carrying far more regret and grief than she lets on. Her friendship with Savannah—sometimes prickly, sometimes tender—felt wonderfully real. Their conversations often sparkle, but the moments of honesty hit even harder. At one point, Savannah reassures her, “One misstep on a ladder doesn’t mean you can’t climb one for the rest of your life.” I underlined that one—it’s the kind of wisdom that resonates.

Then there’s Reno, the cowboy whose charm hides surprising depth, and Malone, the leader whose steady hand makes you feel both safe and wary at the same time. Together, the four of them form a dynamic that kept me turning pages late into the night.

What sets this book apart isn’t just the globe-trotting settings (though they’re breathtaking and often terrifying), but the way the external adventures mirror the internal ones. Facing jaguars in the Amazon, storms at sea, or secrets buried in Europe’s ruins—each danger sharpens Savannah’s courage and strips away what no longer fits. By the end, she’s not just surviving; she’s become someone entirely new.

The Bulls of Bashan is bold, cinematic, and beautifully written. It’s a story about identity, loyalty, and daring to step into the unknown even when it feels terrifying. If you’re craving a book that mixes heart-thumping adventure with characters who linger long after the last page, this one belongs on your shelf.

To learn more about the book, look for #LSLLTheBullsofBashan on your preferred social media platform.

 

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