Reviewed by Divine Zape for Readers' Favorite

Escape from Behruz by Judy Meadows is a quick read, a contemporary romance with a unique setting in the Middle East. This is a love story set in difficult times and challenging social and political climates. Olivia and her child, Jamal, are in great danger and Rashid is there to help them escape the violence in Behruz. Follow the trio as they undertake a difficult trek across the mountains. Two souls who once felt connected to each other; now that they are so close, can that attraction be rekindled and can friendship grow into intimacy? Can Olivia conquer her fears and tell Rashid the truth about Jamal, and does Rashid have the courage to risk his heart again?

This is a sweet romance, a story more of the heart than one that is action-driven. The title may make one feel as though they’d be reading about an escape journey with an elaborate and sophisticated plot, but what they will encounter is two ordinary and well-developed characters with strong backgrounds. Navigating the labyrinths and the landscapes of their hearts is interesting. I enjoyed the fact that the love between Rashid and Olivia grows with time and readers can understand how they nurture it. The writing is real and it takes place in a beautiful setting, capturing great images from the landscape and powerful social and political moments.

I enjoyed the portrait of the nomadic life. The writing might not be stellar, but it is engaging, infused with insightful moments and images that are cinematic. Escape from Behruz by Judy Meadows transports the reader into the inner workings of the hearts of the characters, allowing the reader to feel their fears and anxieties, their hopes and secret longings, a journey that culminates in a satisfying denouement. Overall, it is a great read.

Reviewed by Patricia Bell for Readers' Favorite

The Color of Truth (The Chain of Lakes Book 3) by Stacy Monson is a heartwarming story about Marti, a young adult who has had an extraordinarily bad life. Having a father in jail and a drunk for a mother, Marti has felt anything but loved. Her sister, Katie, who is still a minor and has been placed in foster care, is developmentally challenged and Marti carries that burden on her shoulders as well. Unknowingly, Marti allowed a very bad man (a drug dealer) to come into her life. A decision that will put her and her sister in danger. And then there’s Sam, who has suffered much himself. After a tragic event at the youth center and his pregnant wife walking out on him, Sam struggles with his own issues of guilt and self-worth.

The Color of Truth is a truly encouraging story of God’s love and grace. Stacy Monson has created beautiful characters that speak to the heart. I couldn’t help but love and feel for Marti and Sam. I enjoyed the way God worked in Marti’s life to give her the self-confidence she needed to realize just how capable she was. I felt a strong connection to Marti. Her lack of self-worth and feelings of inadequacy touched me on a whole new level. This is the third book in The Chain of Lake series and, although I haven’t read the first two, I had no problem following the story. The Color of Truth is easily a stand-alone book. I look forward to reading the first two in the series. Applause to Stacy Monson for creating a beautiful story.

Reviewed by Mamta Madhavan for Readers' Favorite

Destiny By Design: Michelli Family Ties by Sherry Crandell is an engaging love story where Trish Cooper meets someone who takes her back to her past, which she had closed and left a long time ago. She goes with her friend Tabitha to meet the latter's new boss and family, and Diego Michelli's startling green eyes and stubborn jaw line make Trish wonder what the man really is like behind his good looks. Trish is still hesitant to get close to Diego after her past experience, but will Diego be able to make her forget her past, and overcome her fears to draw her close to him? Will Trish be able to trust Diego?

I found the story entertaining with its well sketched characters. The main characters are real and convincing and will help readers connect with them on many levels. I liked the portrayal of Diego Michelli; rakish, roguish, attractive, and with a dangerous streak. Trish is likeable and relatable on a personal level. The scenes and descriptions are vivid and all the characters and moments come alive. Though the story has twists and turns, it will inspire and motivate readers to see how someone can change his life for the love of a woman. The author's fluid writing style makes it fast paced, and pulls readers into the Michelli family. All the twists, turns, secrets, and lies in the story keep readers glued to the book till the very last page.

Reviewed by Stephen Fisher for Readers' Favorite

No Pit So Deep: The Cody Musket Story is a fast paced historical fiction novel, but with real events that inspired James N. Miller. The story begins with Cody, while on his way to an awards dinner, being pulled over by a police officer, who just happens to be the brother of the banquet's honoree, and Cody's ex-team mate. Just as Cody is signing an autograph for the officer's son, the officer is shot in a drive-by incident. Cody removes his shirt to try to stop the bleeding. When more officers arrive on the scene, they see Cody standing over his body. Quickly deciding to shoot first and ask questions later, they gun Cody down. When the news reaches his home, his wife, Brandi, is frantic and beside herself while trying to gather up their offspring on her way to the hospital.

James N. Miller hits it out of the ballpark with an awesome job of moving this story along at a breakneck pace that is loaded with action, suspense, and drama. Mr. Miller cleverly uses the media to insert the characters' all-American histories and accomplishments, as the family scrambles amidst the chaos while en route to the hospital bedside of the Musket family patriarch. No Pit So Deep has all the ingredients and then some to make this a multi-media success. Cody "Babe" Musket was a medal of honor winning U.S.M.C. Navy Seal, before becoming a major league baseball MVP infielder. Even though the battlefield had changed, our hero was still haunted for years by combat nightmares. No Pit So Deep is masterfully written with characters, and situations that are well developed, and very real. Wow! Great story!

Reviewed by Daria White for Readers' Favorite

Forever Mine by Aimee Martin tells the story of Blake Thompson and Kellina McDonald. Blake’s past has left him heartbroken, and a former abusive marriage has Kellina wanting a better life for her and her young daughter, Gracie. While Kellina trusts God to keep her and her daughter safe, Blake wants nothing to do with God. He has his reasons and he’s so closed off that Kellina decides to reach out to help him. What’s the problem? Blake doesn’t want help. He doesn’t want to change. Most importantly, he doesn’t want to open his heart to anyone. The problem is that his willpower is no match for the determined Kellina. Even when he meets her daughter, he’s immediately taken with little Gracie, who brings the headstrong cowboy to his knees. Literally. As Blake gets to know Kellina and her daughter, he discovers he does want something more. The question is, does he have the courage to do it? Also, is Kellina ready for a man like Blake? She’s suffering from a past too.

I have one word for Aimee Martin’s Forever Mine; awesome! This book needs to be turned into a movie. Seriously. It literally has everything in it from faith to suspense, and everything else in between. I could not put it down once I started reading. I loved the character development of both Kellina and Blake. We start out with them both guarded, with the author beautifully writing their journey towards each other. Blake's vulnerabilities, in my opinion, are the most heart wrenching. I could tell he truly wanted to be free from his past, and Kellina is there to help him through it. He knows he can’t do it alone, so he has to come to terms with God. Overall, both Kellina and Blake see what God is doing. They realize that He’s bringing them together, but it’s up to them to make the final choice. On the other hand, someone else in the mix doesn’t want these two together. This twist in the story had me even more on edge and wondering what was going to happen next. I truly loved this story and I think others will too. Again, awesome!

Reviewed by Romuald Dzemo for Readers' Favorite

Begin Again by Crystal Walton is Book Two in the Home in You series, a beautifully written Christian romance. I love romance that is built on characters who are broken somehow, people whose pain allows them to connect genuinely with others. Crystal Walton has created such characters in Drew Anderson and Ti Russo. Ti has spent her entire life running away from the nightmare that has been her childhood. Every time she thinks she can face it, she finds herself on the run. Now, one phone call has reminded her of the nightmare and she looks for a way to shake it off, a distraction, and so she is running again, but little does she know that she is running not from something this time, but into someone.

Drew has suffered a painful loss and has spent the last nine years struggling to keep the shop going, a family business that is threatened from all sides. Paying his bills and taking care of his daughter’s medical needs are topmost things on his mind. Then comes Ti and everything changes. Can Ti limit the adventure to a simple distraction that will take her mind off the nightmare and is Drew ready to love and lose again?

Crystal Walton’s writing seduced me and had me enthralled. The prose is excellent and her narrative voice so powerful and clear that it will have readers hooked throughout the entire ride. I enjoyed the way she weaves intensely emotional episodes into the story. I was transported into the inner workings of the hearts of the characters and I could feel their thrills and pain. Begin Again features well-sculpted characters who are emotionally rich, human, and highly relatable. This is a character-driven story that will have you entertained, reminding you of some of the finest emotions you have experienced.