Reviewed By Romuald Dzemo for Readers' Favorite

Love Is the Answer, God Is the Cure: A True Story of Abuse, Betrayal and Unconditional Love by Aimee Cabo Nikolov is the mesmerizing and riveting story of the author who, as a young girl, stood up against sexual, physical, and emotional abuse, together with her sisters. Aimee had been deeply abused and when she decided to go to the authorities, it is a decision that put the secrets of her family in the public spotlight. Follow her story as she finds true love and healing.

This memoir is a dramatic tale of courage and inspiration to those women who have suffered the pain of sexual abuse in silence. It communicates the message that victims can stand up against those who have hurt them. The narrative is moving, with disturbing scenes so poignantly captured that they make the reader's heart break. For instance, after she has been abused, her mother finds her crying in the bathroom. Here is how she describes the incident: ‘“Why are you crying when you go to the bathroom?” she asked, in a clinical voice. She was trying to figure out if I was sick. Little did she know that she was looking for sickness in the wrong person.”

Aimee Cabo Nikolov's writing is fluid and the author develops themes of love, family, relationship with God, and healing in a brilliant manner. Love Is the Answer, God Is the Cure: A True Story of Abuse, Betrayal and Unconditional Love is a deeply moving, inspiring story, told with unusual candor.

Reviewed By Ankita Shukla for Readers' Favorite

At first glance, My Promise by Noah Bolinder appears to be another romantic story; however, that presumption changes very quickly. Fiona Grace Kelly lived in Philadelphia, fell in love with a boy there, and found herself happy in every possible way. But when her boyfriend dumped her suddenly, she found it impossible to move on. So, when an envelope appeared in her life almost magically with a very direct message to join a college in Canada, she chose to follow the path against all practical reason. The college turned out to be everything she had imagined it to be and more. Everything seemed almost perfect on the surface, but she could not comprehend how several strange packages and/or things were appearing in her apartment every now and then. On top of this, there was one very mysterious course that she had enrolled for in college. There was no curriculum defined for this course and the students were made to sign an agreement that they would not miss any class ever. To add to the mystery, they would need to address their teacher as the professor, since he did not give a name.

The class that remains the focal point of the rest of the plot is so intriguing that it demands a reader's undivided attention. This is not a casual reading book. The philosophy is deep and thought-provoking. The discussion of Disney movies along with other popular movies is a clever trick by the author to hold the reader's interest and still keep the whole subject matter cohesive. I have watched Disney movies -- Cinderella, Snow White, Sleeping Beauty -- so many times that I've lost count. However, after reading the perceptive and in-depth analysis by the author, I would love to watch these again with a whole new outlook.

This book pushes readers to see beyond what's in front of them; to open their eyes and really see. It encourages readers not to let the negativity of the world kill their goodness. Although at times the philosophy part actually got very deep for me, I thoroughly enjoyed the elaborate study of some of the most famous art works. My Promise by Noah Bolinder is a perfect amalgamation of philosophy and romantic fiction. The biblical study is quite profound and educational without being boring. I would recommend this to readers who enjoy fiction that imparts valuable wisdom in a plot packed with suspense.

Reviewed By Divine Zape for Readers' Favorite

Two Face the World: Marry in Haste... by Sarah Stuart is a suspenseful romance with strong psychological hints, a second entry in a gripping romance series. I first read Three Against the World and was literally hypnotized by the author’s exploration of the emotional depth of the characters, but in this new novel, she takes the stakes higher. Richard and Maria are a new couple and while they have every reason to be happy, both are haunted by their past, both caught in a powerful, disturbing dilemma — face the truth of their past and risk their marriage or keep their secrets from each other and live in constant fear. But when their lives and property are attacked, they make the decision to uncover the person behind the attacks.

Sarah Stuart spins a tale that will resonate with readers. The characters are genuinely flawed and their humanity is deftly handled. The author has the gift of infusing the narrative with realism, making readers feel as though they are confronted with a story that unfolds before their gaze. The narrative starts with a powerful premise and deals with a problem that readers encounter in real life. The question that begs for an answer is: What do we do with our past when we get married? The strong narrative voice combines with the crisp prose to create a reading experience that is enjoyable. The prose is atmospheric, the plot intriguing and the characters skillfully developed with psychological and emotional depth. Apart from her gift of storytelling, Sarah Stuart creates the kind of conflict that defines the dynamics of the story and keeps the reader utterly engaged. Two Face the World: Marry in Haste... is another excellent read for fans of contemporary romance.

Reviewed By Sefina Hawke for Readers' Favorite

Broken Butterfly by Cindy Patterson is the second book in the Christian romance Paradise Novel series. This is a book that would appeal most to a mixed audience of young adults and adults who enjoy clean romance stories. Twenty-two-year-old Mallory Scott has lost all trust in humanity after having to flee to a women’s shelter from an abusive relationship. Yet, trust may be the thing she needs most in her life as she is forced to rely on the kindness of others to help her escape her abuser after he finds her. Her escape lands her in Paradise, Pennsylvania where she meets Eric Matthews. Eric Matthews has a good job and a pretty girlfriend, but he lacks the will to live the life he wants; a chance encounter with Mallory might just be enough to get him interested in truly enjoying life. Will Mallory be able to open her heart, share her past, and trust that Eric truly wants her?

Broken Butterfly by Cindy Patterson is a well written romance novel with highly developed characters that felt just like real people. This is not one of those Prince Charming novels with love at first sight, but instead the story of a woman fleeing from abuse, and learning to live and love once again. I loved the character interaction between Mallory and Eric as it was easy to imagine the attraction between the two of them. I felt like I truly understood Mallory's fear that Eric was too good for her, and how it caused her to want to avoid potential hurt in the future by staying away. Yet, more than that, I admired her eventual decision to overcome her fears and face the possibility of future rejection in order to get back to truly living and enjoying her life. Overall, I greatly enjoyed this romance novel and I really hope the author decides to continue this series!

Reviewed By Divine Zape for Readers' Favorite

The Girl with the Pendant Pearl surprised me. Yes, I first thought I’d be seeing an imitation of Stieg Larsson’s The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, but I found a pearl, a treasure, an original piece in the romance and mystery genres. Maria Valentino is a culinary graduate with a past she’d love to hide from everyone, more so now that she’s madly in love with the attractive chef in the French Quarter, Roman Robideaux. But the past seems to follow people wherever they go and Maria’s comes in the form of her rapist. When she thinks she can move on and enjoy a serene, beautiful relationship, there comes the rapist, right in the very street she and her lover are just so used to. Can things be the way she’d dreamed they’d be?

If you’re looking for an interesting story with compelling and well-developed characters, then The Girl with the Pendant Pearl is one that will grab your attention all the way. James Pumpelly’s writing is impeccable, laced with axioms and powerful images that inject life into the story. The descriptions are vivid, and the expressions so warm and poetic that readers can read with the heart. The story features a powerful conflict centered on crime, love, and one woman’s struggle to come to grips with her past while hanging desperately onto a relationship that could mean the world to her. The drama moves on with great intensity and readers get excited about the outcome, which is satisfactory. James Pumpelly is a master storyteller with the rare ability to integrate powerful elements of characterization with a moving plot set in a very beautiful cultural milieu.

Reviewed By Arya Fomonyuy for Readers' Favorite

Garden of No Escape by Charles Bailey is a great novel with meaningful symbolic undertones. It’s packed with action and features interesting and likeable characters. The setting is in the future, around 2082, and the problems humanity faces – like the war between the Christian Alliance the Islamic Caliphate, terrorist attacks, the domestic political power struggle and the global economic collapse. All have increased to staggering proportions. After serving ten years fighting against Fedayeen warriors in Algeria, Sergeant Alejandro O'Malley returns home, but what awaits him is nastier than anything he could have imagined. Washington, D.C., is in the grip of a merciless form of disorder – firing squad executions, terrorist bombings, and a lot more. O'Malley doesn’t want to be near any part of the chaos, so he plans to flee with his lover, but can they?

This is a very entertaining novel with gorgeous descriptions. The chaos that runs through the story fuels the conflict, offering readers a warning of what the world could be headed toward should ideological, political, and religious grievances continue to escalate. The novel’s narrative voice is arresting and it comes through the beautiful writing as crisp and confident. Garden of No Escape has great descriptive passages, a complex plot, and characters that readers would want to wake up with.

Reviewed By Deborah Stone for Readers' Favorite

Barely Above Water by Gail Pallotta has a powerful and heart wrenching message that we all need to hear. Suzie has something wrong with her, but no one seems to know what. Without a diagnosis, she is perceived, by some, to be lazy and complaining. No medical doctor has been able to help, so Suzie takes a giant leap of faith and trusts God to lead her. She moves to Florida to see an alternative medicine doctor that once helped her mother's friend. With no job, she relies on God and her savings while she looks for work. She ends up taking a summer-only job coaching a make-shift swim team with inexperienced swimmers. Although temporary, it will keep her going through the summer while she looks for other opportunities to support herself and pay for her treatments. Suzie meets Matt, the Park and Recreation Director and her new boss. When more than a work relationship begins to develop, Suzie feels she must tell Matt about her illness. Will he stand by her or walk away? Is telling him a risk that Suzie is willing to take?

Gail Pallotta introduces us to a world with options when it comes to taking care of our bodies. She speaks with authority on the subject because she understands it first hand. Gail Pallotta's characters are real and convincing because they come from a place of understanding. Gail's love story is fragile and tender, but with an inner strength that comes from trust and faith in God. Gail Pallotta's story is inspiring and resonates with hope when all hope seems to be gone. A lovely story with well defined and well developed characters, and a story line with factual information that will help, or at least educate, readers.

Reviewed By Sefina Hawke for Readers' Favorite

Defender: A Scottish American Fairy Tale by Mr. Travis Logan Salisbury and Ms. Janet Claire Smyth is a fictional terrorist thriller novel that would appeal most to an audience made up of adults who enjoy thriller fiction with a focus on terrorism. Defender follows Kate Greenwood and agent Gareth Dru McFadyn. Kate Greenwood is a college professor who finds a battered Gareth Dru McFadyn on the side of the road. This one discovery leads to a partnership between the two as they come to discover their compatibility amidst the terror and fear caused by Klaus Vogle.

Move over Bluebloods, 24, Blacklist, and Criminal Minds and make room for Defender! Defender is a well-written and well-researched novel that is very difficult to put into just one genre as it is a mix of genres. I personally found the plot line and the characters to be well developed. Kate Greenwood was my favorite character. It is hard not to like a woman who is willing to help someone stranded and injured on the side of the road without a clue of who he is. I really enjoyed Kate’s interactions with Gareth and I enjoyed watching their relationship develop and evolve over the course of the book. I also really liked the fact that the authors are donating 10% of the proceeds to ovarian cancer research and patient malpractice advocacy. Overall, I greatly enjoyed reading about Kate Greenwood and Agent Gareth Dru McFadyn and I hope the authors decided to write a follow up novel.

Reviewed By Deborah Stone for Readers' Favorite

In Christmas Stray by Rachelle Ayala, Gabe and Juliette Martin head off to a cabin in the woods to spend Christmas together. A time to be alone and find out if their strained marriage can be salvaged. Christmas Eve the year before, their six-year-old son, Jeremiah, died of leukemia and Juliette has been lost in her grief ever since. She had prayed to God for a miracle, but Jeremiah still died. Their time at the cabin would give Juliette and Gabe a chance to reconnect, if it's not too late. They find a stray puppy and his companion, a young boy, during a snow storm. Gabe and Juliette take them both inside the warm cabin and, as they wait out the severe storm, Patrick and the puppy may just be the Christmas miracle that Juliette has prayed for. How will she deal with turning Patrick back over to his own family when the storm passes?

Rachelle Ayala's characters are well thought out and the emotions of grief and loss are well defined. As Gabe and Juliette still mourn the loss of their only child, this strange boy appears to fill that void, if only temporarily. Juliette struggles to open her heart to feel love again for her husband and this temporary family. Rachelle Ayala's unexpected ending is both touching and delightful, and puts a smile on your face while it warms your heart. God is gracious and merciful and we see the evidence of that in Gabe and Juliette's unexpected and unusual Christmas miracle. This is a delightful story with a heartwarming and tender ending. I enjoyed reading it and plan to read more of this author's work.

Reviewed By Brenda Casto for Readers' Favorite

Aundy, by Shanna Hatfield, takes readers back to 1899 and introduces us to twenty-one-year-old Aundy Thorsen. Aundy's life in Chicago hasn't been the same since the death of her beloved fiance, Gunther. She longs for a change so when she reads an ad in the paper from Erik Erikson, a farmer from Pendleton, Oregon, stating that he is looking for a mail order bride, Aundy decides this might be what she is looking for. After corresponding with him, she travels west. She is married right off the train, but an accident occurs that leaves her a widow within days of becoming a wife. When she learns that Erik has left his ranch to her, she decides to stay even though she knows nothing about running the ranch. The Nash family lives next door and are more than willing to take Aundy under their wing. Soon, though, feelings start to spark between Aundy and Garrett; but Aundy is convinced that she is bad luck where men are concerned so can Garrett change her mind?

Aundy is a story that pulled me in and kept me reading because it was like a breath of fresh air where mail order bride stories are concerned. Sure there is romance, but there is also humor, as well as mystery and suspense that surrounded the goings-on at the ranch. Aundy was such a strong character, full of pluck, but with a kind heart, that helped those less fortunate than herself. It was so easy to become invested in her life and want the best for her. The author's attention to detail brings not only the setting but the characters to life as well, but it was the plot twists that kept me glued to the pages of this one. I couldn't help but wonder whether Aundy's ranch would be a success, whether she would open her heart to love again, and wonder who was trying to scare her off the ranch! Fans of good clean historical romance that is rich in detail will certainly enjoy Aundy, but anyone looking for a sweet mail order bride tale filled with a few twists will be pleased as well. Truly one of the best mail order bride adventures that I have had the pleasure of reading.