Reviewed by Marta Tandori for Readers' Favorite

JD Ward is a former farm boy and a former army combat tracker who has some very unique talents. It’s those talents, and a raw determination fueled by the death of his father when he was eleven, that give him the impetus to uproot his wife, Lucy, and their two young children, Karley and Jaxon, in order to move to St. Jude, Ohio, a rough inner city within the city of Cincinnati proper. As a new recruit to the St. Jude Police Force, JD is already making a name for himself and is the apple of his chief’s eye – so much so that Chief Rush promotes him to the lofty heights of detective after JD’s apprehension of a local gang member. However, the course of his life changes dramatically several nights later when JD comes upon two biker gang members attacking a young woman during a sweep of the inner city streets during his midnight shift. High on PCP-laced meth, the two savages attack JD and he is forced to use every ounce of his combat training and strength to kill his attackers before they kill him and the young woman.

Unfortunately, it isn’t until his chief is called in that JD learns the identities of his two assailants; one is Chuck Wholf and the other is his cousin, Lee Maddox. Both are the youngest offspring of the Wholf and Maddox clans, the founding fathers of The Dixie Wholfpack, a brutal motorcycle gang that is the enforcement arm of a nasty organization dealing in drugs, prostitution and guns. Knowing that retaliation by the gang would be both imminent and brutal, JD’s chief and the older colleague on the scene come up with the idea to dress the crime scene with the mark of “the White Wolf”, a lone vigilante, which will hopefully keep the victim, JD, and both of their families safe.

Becoming the Wolf by R.H. Neil is one of those vigilante justice thrillers that makes you want to strap on your Glock and go and hunt down the bad guys! Intense, emotional and passionate, there’s much to like about Becoming the Wolf. Neil has a good grasp of the story line and manages to keep it on track, all the while making it a compelling read. The violence is necessary to the story line, but it’s not so over the top that it alienates its readers. The use of Cincinnati’s long-forgotten underground was also a nice touch, as were the historical references to the speakeasies from the days of Prohibition. A reader cannot help but root for JD as he systematically takes out his enemies. The fact that one of them happens to use a vicious cougar called Freya to finish off his adversaries while another thinks nothing of cold-bloodedly wielding his Louisville Slugger to kill an enemy just serves to underscore Neil’s imagination and determination to make his story stand head and shoulders above others in the vigilante thriller genre.

Reviewed by Mamta Madhavan for Readers' Favorite

Traffick Stop: An American Assassin's Story (Paladine Political Thriller Series Book 3) by Kenneth Eade is a fast and thought-provoking action-packed thriller that revolves around a retired CIA agent, Robert Garcia, who speaks about the thirsty, wild, hungry, and selfish creature that lurks deep within the libido of each of us. Also known as the Paladine, Robert Garcia was a terminator – a fine-tuned killing machine, the product of intensive training and many years of death-dealing assignments. In this story, readers get to see Garcia wanting to retire from his job as an assassin, but instead he gets pulled into the world of ISIS and Syria. The story deals with human trafficking, terrorism, espionage, and assassination, and makes it a compelling and challenging read.

The plot has many twists and turns that make it fast paced, and the characters are real, relatable, and tangible to readers. Robert Garcia’s character is interesting as he reveals the cruel and vicious side of the world to readers. Garcia comes out of retirement to help Ayisha find her sister who disappeared on a humanitarian mission to Syria. This angle helps readers understand the problem of human and sex trafficking that the world faces. The story is intense and fascinating and keeps readers glued to the very end with its gripping plot, complexity, brutality, twists and turns, suspense, and action. The author handles a relevant topic with expertise and mastery. This book can stand on its own and readers will understand the story without having read the first two books of the series.

Reviewed by Susan Sewell for Readers' Favorite

A covert operation in a religious compound becomes a nightmare for a former FBI agent in the thrilling suspense novel Wired Rogue (A Paradise Crime Novel) by Toby Neal. FBI Special Agent Sophie Ang has created a computer program named DAVID that is significant in solving cases. When an important case Sophie is working on is pulled because her superior doesn't think they have enough evidence to pursue it, she is upset. Now the FBI has shut DAVID down and has confiscated her personal computers and programs. DAVID was her one link to finding Ghost, the enigmatic vigilante that she is paradoxically intrigued with and has been chasing. She leaves the FBI and joins a security agency in the private sector. Her first assignment is removing two children from a religious commune and returning them to their mother. The extraction was tricky and didn't go as smoothly as planned, leaving Sophie and her partner with minor injuries and her new boss unhappy. However when new information surfaces about possible murders relating to other members of the cult, Sophie goes undercover as a potential recruit. When her cover is blown, Sophie barely escapes alive. Now someone is relentlessly stalking her and endeavoring to eliminate her. Who can she turn to for help and at the same time stay hidden? Without DAVID can Ghost help her or is she all alone in her fight for justice and her right to live?

This riveting, action-packed suspense novel is an exciting story involving undercover operatives and renegade spiritualists. The stimulating pace of the storyline, with the thrilling intrigue of espionage and covert ops, keeps the reader spellbound until the unexpected finale. The vigilante aspect of Ghost and his mysterious identity is a compelling subplot which enhances the cloak and dagger feel of the book and keeps the reader guessing. The gripping plot, the dynamic story, and the captivating characters make this book an outstanding read. I highly recommend it to those who love suspense novels containing action and strategic subterfuge. Some of the fight scenes are a little graphic and are more suitable for those over sixteen. Even though this is one book in a series, it is a great stand alone. This is a fabulous series, and I am looking forward to reading the next book!

Reviewed by Hilary Hawkes for Readers' Favorite

Drachen by Brendan le Grange is an exciting and fast paced thriller of a story. Brett is on the trail to find the treasure from the ancient wreck of the Drachen, but is pursued by Sam, Roman, and Patrick. Piecing together mysterious clues from different sources, the four dash across Northern Europe in an attempt to locate and find answers and the target before Finnish hit man Kalev and his men, who follow orders from the mad Hiko, can thwart them. The trail takes them through dangerous tunnels and deep waters, and they miraculously and skilfully dodge bullets, manage car chases and escape capture. Meanwhile police investigator Matthys has clues and leads to follow up himself as he perseveres in his pursuit of tracking down and stopping psychopath Hiko and his terrifying vengeful plans.

Drachen is an exhilarating and exciting story. Packed with intrigue and action, it is a wonderful mixture of the mystical, the mystery of ancient legend, modern day villains and a thriller. I loved the ‘flashbacks’ to times of old offering explanations for the origins of the treasures. Brendan le Grange is a brilliant writer who knows how to create a really gripping story. The first chapter hooked me in from the start, and I really couldn’t put the book down. The intricate plot moves at a good pace, taking the reader on a roller-coaster of a journey through thrills, dangers, near disasters, and awesome discoveries. In the end, it all comes to a satisfying and believable end. The characters are excellent – well developed, very believable, and I was rooting for Brett from the start. The motivations for their actions make sense – from the crazy Hiko and his dangerous psychopathic ways to Brett and her determination to finish what she has started, and Sam the ex-soldier wanting to conclude something his grandfather had not been able to. An enjoyable thriller. Recommended.

Reviewed by Romuald Dzemo for Readers' Favorite

ZAP Agent Mathis by C.R. Daems is a wonderful read, a detective novel with strong plot points and countless surprises for readers. Kate Mathis is an intelligent kind of girl who can do just about anything, but who is never certain of what she would like to do. When she answers an ad to join a team to fight against terrorism, she isn’t quite sure of what lies ahead; little does she know about the dangers she’ll have to face. But she is already in, and there is no turning back. Soon she is caught up in a dangerous world where terrorists thrive and where life is infinitely fragile. Joining the team to fight against the bad guys and to save the lives of innocent people might have been a decision Kate took on the spur of the moment, but it seems she was just made for this kind of work.

C.R. Daems is a genius when it comes to creating extraordinary characters that are very believable. Kate Mathis is the kind of protagonist readers will love to see stick around in a series. I hope that ZAP Agent Mathis is a stunning opening to a gripping series that will entertain readers for a very long time. The writing is engaging and the plot is laced with many “wow” moments. The action is intense and electrifying. I was hooked from the very first page of the story and I liked the way the protagonist is portrayed from the beginning. It is hard to think that she could go through the training successfully, but the author allows this character to develop into an icon for the likes of me. This is a book I will recommend for its powerful plot and great writing. You’ll be thrilled as you turn the pages.

Reviewed by Sara Frazier for Readers' Favorite

White Jade by Alex Lukeman is a thriller featuring Nick Carter, a former Recon Marine, now working for the PROJECT, a covert counter-terrorism unit. Selena Connor is a beautiful linguist specializing in oriental and ancient languages. When her wealthy uncle, a close friend of the President, is murdered by someone searching for a book said to contain the secret to immortality, Nick is teamed up with Selena to recover the book. They are pursued by a Chinese General, who wants the book at any cost. Nick and Selena manage to locate the book, despite several attempts on their lives, and discover that one of the ingredients for the immortality elixir can be used to build nuclear weapons. Realizing the Chinese not only want the book, but want to start a war, they and a small PROJECT team race to find the location of the elixir before the terrorists do.

I really enjoyed the complexities of this book. It is a thrill ride for sure! The plot of White Jade is fast moving and intense as the main characters race across the country and overseas, trying to stay one step ahead of the enemy. The hero of the book is well-developed with an interesting back story. The romance between Nick and Selena was nicely developed as they fight their attraction to one another in the midst of danger. The ending was satisfying, and made me want to keep reading about the characters. I'm definitely hooked and I look forward to the rest of the PROJECT series by Alex Lukeman.

Reviewed by Tracy A. Fischer for Readers' Favorite

In a wonderful offering by author Lucinda E. Clarke, Amie: An African Adventure is a book that is sure to be enjoyed by many. Follow the story of Amie, a young Englishwoman who was living a fairly typical life. She'd stayed in her home town, was close to family and friends that she'd known her whole life, and lived a life she pretty much expected. But when her husband tells her that they will soon be moving to Africa, where he is being sent for work, her stable life is turned topsy-turvy. An African Adventure is certainly an appropriate subtitle for this book, because that is exactly what Amie finds, filled with action, intrigue, adventure, danger, and even a time of being lost. Amie: An African Adventure has something for everyone!

I very much enjoyed this book. Author Lucinda E. Clarke has done a fantastic job in creating characters that her readers will truly connect with, relate to and care about. She has done a wonderful job in scene settings, and readers may look up from the story and find themselves surprised to be in their familiar environments instead of on a hot and dusty road in Africa. I am pleased to recommend Amie: An African Adventure to any reader who enjoys an adventurous tale. I was delighted to see that author Lucinda E. Clarke already has a second book about Amie available, and will be certain to read that one just as soon as I can. If it's anything like the first installment, it will be a great read!

Reviewed by Emily White for Readers' Favorite

Rory D Nelson wrote an epic and unique fantasy in The Brotherhood of Merlin which chronicles the adventures of the Knights of the Round Table. It is a continuation of the saga of Merlin, a wizard that many readers will be familiar with. As a boy, Merlin was locked away in a terrible prison. But now he is in charge of a handful of fellow men who think like him and want the same goals as he does. The Brotherhood of Merlin starts five hundred years after King Arthur’s death. King Jason is the new ruler and he is a bloodthirsty tyrant that wants to take over neighboring villages for the valuable mineral rights. When King Jason swoops down on the villages to pillage, plunder, and destroy, Merlin and his brethren might just be their only hope of salvation. Merlin has the magic of premonition and telepathy on his side. The villagers can only hope that Merlin’s magic is as powerful as it was 500 years before.

The Brotherhood of Merlin is the true definition of an epic fantasy and will please readers who enjoy worlds like this, full of fighting, danger, magic, and secrecy. Rory D Nelson created a beautiful world by taking a character that we all love and know and making him into something different and exciting. This is a unique story because it puts Merlin in a different situation and shows what he is capable of doing. I liked the way Nelson gave us something familiar, but put his own unique twist on it.

Reviewed by Marilla Mulwane for Readers' Favorite

The Gay Detective: Nick and Norm in Chicago by Kenneth D. Michaels manages to do what most mysteries can't do. It manages to do what most LGBT books can't do. It entertains. Somehow, these two different genres come together to create an enjoyable masterpiece. The Gay Detective will bring together lovers of both genres and bring in readers that didn't know they liked either one.

The Gay Detective is about, well, a gay detective named Nick who is also a talk show host that interviews famous gay people. When a murderer begins to destroy everything that Nick loves and believes in, he must pull himself together and face his enemy or be destroyed. With the help of his new partner and a host of other interesting sidekicks, Nick will face hate, anger, grief, and revenge with himself and his enemy.

Kenneth D. Michaels has some awesome writing skills. The book is about a gay detective, but the morals and thought provoking moments can be universal for anyone. Despite being a book with a gay lead, the story is not campy. It doesn't rely on predictable gay personality traits and uses them for humor. Nick is very real. That's doesn't mean there isn't any humor. There are many humorous moments; they just aren't crass.

The story also manages to be great for teaching readers to deal with grief. How the author managed to fit so much helpful information into a story that is also a page-turner is beyond me. And it is a page-turner for sure. At times the story is creepy and nerve wracking, and the reveal isn't obvious or easy to figure out until near the end. Kenneth D. Michaels needs to keep Nick and Norm together for at least a few more books.

Reviewed by Anne-Marie Reynolds for Readers' Favorite

Wrinkled Heartbeats: A Novel by Temple Emmet Williams is a thrilling read. Captain George McKlane is a war hero. He recently lost his wife Agnes, and his son is trying to persuade him to sell up. George calls in Martha Krumble, a real estate broker, and Anthony Silburg, owner of a real estate agency, to price his home. Silburg isn’t who he seems to be though, and before George knows it he is deep in a sticky web of lies, money laundering and the deadliest of secrets, including a very painful method of making someone disappear in the Everglades. When he gets an offer on his house, he doesn’t realize that the offer includes ending his life and there is only one person who can save him – the person who has been hired to kill him. Will the military connection come through or will McKlane’s final battle be the last one?

Wrinkled Heartbeats: A Novel by Temple Emmet Williams is a true thriller from start to finish. It moves at a steady pace but it always moves forward. Flashbacks to the war provide lots of background information, which really beefs the story up and makes it easier to understand. I was a bit nonplussed by the way the book was written in the present tense to start with, but it soon became clear that this is the only way this book could have been written. It pushes you right into the thick of it and really makes you feel as though it’s happening right then as you read it. The plot was exceptional and the character development was second to none. As you read, you learn more and more about the characters and about how they all fit into the finale. I promise that anyone who reads this is not going to be disappointed in the slightest. Fantastic book, I really enjoyed it.