Reviewed by Anne Boling for Readers' Favorite

S. Thomas Bailey transports readers back to the time of the French and Indian War. It was a fascinating time in history. Our tale begins near Black Creek where Maggie Murray lived in the family’s small cabin. Alone Maggie ran the farm. Her husband had enlisted in the Virginia Provincial Militia leaving her unprotected. Maggie knew how to “use a rifle and skin a deer,” but the hardship of the farm work and raising their children alone was starting to show on the once beautiful woman. Maggie was the best female shot in the area and put her talent to use when a Huron raiding party aided by the French attacked the cabin. The Murray cabin was not the only one attacked that day. The savages burned the cabins and took settlers prisoner.

I was unable to put this book down once I had started it. Bailey has captured the essence of the era in his account. Maggie, Joshua and One Ear are characters with great depth that march off the pages of this book into the hearts of the readers. The savagery of the Huron was something I had heard of but in this book I all but experienced it. The Huron’s not only conquered but humiliated and destroyed the men. Some of the women would be sold into slavery. We often forget that our nation was formed during a time of great violence. Brave men and women lead the way for the forming of a new nation. It cost many their lives. There is a lot more to this book than I have been able to touch on in a short summary. There is the mission of the militia, the English “proper” way to fight, and the desperation of a husband to find his beloved wife.

Bailey is an incredible writer and his long hours of research are evident. I could easily see this plot on the silver screen. I grew up watching Hawkeye, Daniel Boone and Davy Crocket. It is wonderful to read a high quality work of fiction about our country’s turbulent history. Mr. Bailey do not keep me waiting too long for the next installment of the Murrays.

Reviewed by Anne Boling for Readers' Favorite

"Promised Valley War" transports readers back in time to a much earlier era. In this series we meet two prehistoric tribes at war for a beautiful fertile valley. Both tribes claimed the land as their own stating that their gods promised it to them. Previously a farmer saved the king's life, but the king refused to allow the prince to marry the farmer’s daughter leading to the young people rebelling against what they felt was an unjust decision. The peasant farmers hated the rulers and respected the prince and his fidelity. Once again war breaks out between the Farmers and Hunters.

This is book two in what promises to be a four book series. I highly recommend reading these books in order. I have not read book 1 and felt I would have had a better appreciation of the plot if I had. The description of the valley was impressive; it felt peaceful and almost holy. The struggle of the young people against the king and counselor reminded me a bit of "Romeo and Juliet" or the Hatfields and McCoys. The author slowly leads the reader into the upcoming war. The reader can see it sneaking up on the land with no way of warning the inhabitants. I came to care for the people; they came to life on the pages of this book.

The plot was multidimensional and will have the readers comparing the dynamics of today’s world with the world of the farmers and hunters. This is a great tale, one to which the author lent his own unique perspective. I consider this book highbrow and classic with the use of symbolism and folktales. This is a series you won’t want to miss.

Reviewed by Rita Vetsch for Readers' Favorite

"Dark Mind", an Emily Stone Novel is a mystery-thriller story written by Jennifer Chase. Emily Stone and Rick Lopez are police detectives madly in love and on vacation in Hawaii when they stumble upon a sex ring operation and learn that Cassie Thompson, a 9 year old girl, has been abducted and is being held by her grizzly captors. Emily and Rick must use their intuition and keen detective skills to locate Cassie and save her before she becomes enslaved in a child sex ring. In Kauai, a ritualistic murderer, Keo, abducts young women and drugs them to begin his sadistic sacrifice to the gods. The thrill of the chase keeps him focused with an increasing hunger for his next kill. With a monster stalking the island, and the body count rising, Emily and Rick cut their vacation short and turn their attention to hunt serial killers, pedophiles and child abductors.

Jennifer Chase does not disappoint in this remarkable mystery murder novel. The plot is well thought out and the chapters flow nicely from one subject to the next. The descriptive words and the use of imagery immerses the reader directly into the story among serial killers and evil perpetrators. The tension build-up blew me away as I could not put down this novel because I was so entwined in the mystery and suspense. I felt as if I was right by Emily and Rick’s sides as they put the puzzle pieces together in tracking down a sadistic serial killer. This book had me on the edge of my seat in fear and contains many twists and turns that I had not seen coming. I absolutely love a great mystery murder novel and could easily see this novel turned into a television series or motion picture movie. I highly recommend this book for all avid mystery readers and am greatly looking forward to the next novel written by Jennifer Chase.

Reviewed by Karen Pirnot for Readers' Favorite

Nova Melia has created a fascinating cast of characters in her adventure novel entitled "Duckegg". The lead character is a confused teen who lacks direction and role models. He, his younger brother Billy, and sister Lucy live in poverty in a small New England town, which also appears to lack motivation and direction.

The plot thickens when a local school teacher begins to suspect foul play when a local company is suspected of cruelty to animals during research experimentation. As the plot develops, there is considerable conflict between good and evil, bullies and the bullied, and the intellectual and the not-so-smart citizens of the town.

Primarily, the story concerns a coming of age theme in which young Duckegg begins to think beyond the confines of his own mind to a broader social interest. He develops a friendship with the protester teacher and he learns far more about life itself than he ever expected to gain from his hit-and-miss educational experience.

The characters are fascinating and the reader will find ample opportunity to identify and sympathize with more than one of the well-developed personalities. This is a good read for anyone wanting to challenge defined personality boundaries.

Reviewed by Brenda Ballard for Readers' Favorite

No Greater Freedom is a page turning thriller set in Africa. From South Africa to Kenya, unscrupulous characters involved in gun running and animal poaching are intertwined and cross paths with the good guys who are investigating their goings on via land and water. Add unexpected romance to the pot, and you have drama and suspense. The author draws the reader into each plot line and incorporates the plight of the African dealing with government corruption, their hopes and dreams, the lows that people will stoop to in the name of money and power, and the highs of being in love.

Tom Edwards is a very talented wordsmith. No Greater Freedom is captivating; you will not be able to put it down as there is just no stopping point until the last word on the last page. Mr. Edwards writes of the lengths people go to for money and power, the sacrifices they will make in the name of love and the people of a land that has a history of war and famine. This story is believable and easy to fall into. The description of the landscapes, the scenes and characters are so vivid and real that the reader will find themselves easily able to visualize each page's words right down to the clink of a beer glass being set upon the ship's bar or the thud of the body as it finds its final fate...

Reviewed by Dr. Karen Hutchins Pirnot for Readers' Favorite

Local Tribes by Thomas Hansen Hichenbottom has a surfer on the cover, and this might discourage some potential readers from opening the cover. That would be a mistake. As the story begins, Santa Cruz native, Marco D'Giorgio, finds himself graduated from high school without any direction and somewhat lost because of the recent death of his father. His parents had a poor marriage, and Marco's mother took to alcohol to assuage her restless feelings. As if that were not enough, Marco then receives a draft notice. It is 1966 and the Viet Nam war is unpopular and a source of negative feelings in the community at large. Marco's father was a Navy veteran, and although Marco values the contributions of his father and other such veterans, he has fears of mutilation and death which are incomprehensible to someone his age.

Marco has just split with his girlfriend, someone who would generally be in a position to offer comfort and support. He turns to his buddy Jeremy and other surfer friends who feel unappreciated by the traditional "jocks" in the area. While there to help Marco emotionally, the friends can do little to assist Marco with his dilemma concerning the draft. He has already missed his draft physical, and now the Feds are after him. Marco is helped by his Uncle Joe and a mysterious person who brings him food and comforting messages while he attempts to hide from the Feds. When Jeremy and Marco then find themselves alone and afraid, they are both confronted with their worst fears.

This is a hard-hitting, often bitter and wild coming-of-age book in which a confused, angry and tortured youth must make decisions and bear the consequences of those decisions. At first, I found myself being angry at Marco's immaturity and indecision, and then, because of the lovely scripting and character development by the author, I found myself relating to the Marco character and wanting to help facilitate his growth to adulthood. This is seemingly a story about a surfer, and yet, it is far more than that. In the end, it is a story about chance, circumstance, emotional development and having to answer to the realities of life.

Reviewed by Samantha F. for Readers' Favorite

This book was really two parts of the same whole: first, the Nazi occupation of a small French village; second, the program where high ranking German men procreate and the facility in which "fit" women give birth to the "master race." This book largely follows the life of a young French girl, a resistance fighter who winds up carrying the child of the German soldier who occupies her village and her home. The story is amazing, unique, and well told. The perspectives are fresh and multiple. I was inspired to read more about lesser-known German WW2 programs.

I have many good things to say about this book; in fact, I have nothing negative to say. I would recommend this book to others and have already loaned it out. There was enough drama, fear, realism, fact, and humanity to make this a book that you HAD to finish and couldn't put down. And if you are at all interested in WW2 or history, this is a fun and interesting read. It is very well researched and thoroughly enjoyable.

The conclusion was also a nice wrap up of events and life stories, all characters that we had known and wondered about. It was sad, but fitting; the memorial was touching and did make this reader tear up.

Reviewed by Lit Amri for Readers' Favorite

The elves were once exceptional beings; their very existence brought indescribable joy and beauty to the world. However, men in the east use sorcery from carved Runes and unleash terrible forces that are slowly destroying the earth and the once immortal elves. Efkin, a young elf lord, embarks on a quest to find a horn with the power to break the Runes before his kind and all hope disappear for good. The Sylvan Horn is the first installment of The Sylvan Chord series by Robert Redinger.

To start with, a praise to Carol Phillips for the beautiful cover art. It certainly captures the story and the ethos of what a good, classic fantasy cover should look like. The Sylvan Horn’s world-building encompasses familiar ground. Even so, it has all the necessary elements that fantasy enthusiasts always enjoy: ethereal beings, sorcery, sword clashing actions, heroes, and most important of all, a noble quest to save the world. It even has light humor, which I think is a bonus. Author Robert Redinger is highly adroit with his prose which propels a well-thought plot. The protagonist, Efkin, is given more than enough room to grow throughout the story, adding vital depth to his character.

Efkin has his group of friends who are equally fascinating. I find the Elders and the druid intriguing as well, which leads to the only issue; I desire more elaboration for some characters and some aspects of the story from this highly accomplished fantasy novel. Nevertheless, I believe Mr. Redinger saves them up for Book Two, and I absolutely look forward to it.

Reviewed by Anne Boiling for Readers' Favorite

In "A Savage Retribution", Frank Savage accidentally shot an innocent man. He was tracking a notorious villain. Unbeknownst to Frank, the man had taken a hostage. Blaming himself for the death of an innocent man, Frank turns in his gun. When he meets a young couple running for their lives, he comes to their defense.

"A Savage Retribution" is the story of corrupt law in the old west. This is not a John Wayne type western, but it is excellent reading. I consider this an action adventure. Intrigue, corruption, romance, villains, and gun fire fill the pages of this novel. This book may create a whole new crop of western fans.

Reviewed by Anne Boiling for Readers' Favorite

Weapons of Mass Destruction and Diabolical Plots Abound!

Mexican Madness is just that... Madness in a world held together by a very light-weight fishing line. It all starts with an innocent tuna fishing trip with good friends. The tuna are plentiful and hefty; then one of the guys catches the ' big one". The catch is so amazing that O.R.C.A., a world-wide agency contracted to combat drug trafficking and Eco-terrorism, becomes involved, at the request of the President.

The story explodes when O.R.C.A. uncovers the plot behind the 'big one' caught on that fateful day, along with the involvement of the Russian Mafia, the Chinese Triad, Mexican despots, and South American drug cartels. Enmeshed in all this is a very slick substance we call oil, also known as "Black Gold".

O.R.C.A.`s directors, particularly Reef, Nici, and Alexis, are tenacious bloodhounds that let nothing ,short of a bullet, stop them from unraveling this jigsaw puzzle. This is truly a story, within a story, within a story with so many twists and turns. From time to time the trail becomes quite faint but the TEAM never falters.

In the end, justice prevails, all plots are unmasked, the good guys win and the bad guys pay big time for their diabolical schemes and their threats to use weapons of mass destruction. I won`t give the plot away but i will say this much, with two questions. What is the worst thing you can think of? My thought was the end of the world. How about you? Now, what is the second worst thing you can think of? My thought was..., no, I can`t mention that.

This is Andrew Rafkin`s third Madness novel. I have had the honor to read and review all three. I hope there will be many more in the future. He has the uncanny ability to engage the reader in a complex, heart-stopping, action-packed novel that would make a fantastic first-rate flick.

The O.R.C.A. team, he has fleshed out here, are all very caring and dedicated to a fault. Even though some of the members become romantically involved, this never inhibits their mission. The team concept is very strong here, as well as, super vital.

Andy Rafkin`s writing style is unique and his word usage is, perhaps, slightly above that of the average reader ,but the words do flow smoothly, making the convoluted story-line easier to follow than I originally thought it would be. Mr. Rafkin pays a lot of attention to details and that`s what makes his novels stand out. I tend to be the same way; i don`t want to miss anything. I couldn`t even find one misspelled word, and that`s very unusual. I want to thank him (and his editor) for doing a super job. I am definitely looking forward to his next 'Madness' novel and I highly recommend Mexican Madness to any action aficionado.