Reviewed By Tammy Ruggles for Readers' Favorite

Wolf Code: A Sheltering Wilderness by Chandler Brett is a gripping work of multi-layered science fiction. The plot involves a journey of the hunter versus the hunted, and the lives of wolves and woods. The novel opens with rich descriptions of the setting, which sets the stage for danger confronting a wolf pack. Their alpha disappears, and a new male and female have to take over and guide the rest of the pack through the threat and into safety. This is the wolves' story. The human story starts with a quiet creator of video games named Donovan, and a Cherokee who stands for animal rights. Don recovered from a childhood dog attack, but the effects still linger, and video games become his solace. When the chance to work for a video game company that designs werewolf hunting games presents itself, he is conflicted because he has met Tsula, who urges him to understand wolves in a new way. Thus he becomes more protective of them, and this new attitude is brought on by adventures in the wild. Don arrives at a crossroads in his life, and his decision could have lasting effects on the wolf pack and his own psyche.

Besides this fresh, original plot, Brett gives you relationships, the great outdoors, suspense, and animal rights issues. This author weaves an intriguing tale with compelling characters and important themes to ponder. The descriptions are visceral, the scenes are strongly drawn, pulling you into this world, entertaining animal and nature lovers alike. I really like the inside view of wolves and the Cherokee culture. I especially like the relationship between Don and Tsula because it feels realistic and natural. The situations they face are intriguing, and you really don't know what to expect. If you like character-driven novels with good story and character arcs, Wolf Code: A Sheltering Wilderness by Chandler Brett is the perfect reading choice.

Reviewed By Emily-Jane Hills Orford for Readers' Favorite

From the time he was a puppy, Chance demonstrated an exemplary ability to understand and communicate with humans. Not many dogs, even those well trained, have such an intense connection of comprehension. Chance was born to be a hero. He began his training as a guide dog and excelled at everything except getting in and out of cars. Something about vehicles frightened him. It was a challenge he had to overcome. And he did. Good thing, since braving the scary, noisy beast of metal would one day make him every inch the hero he already was.

Jennifer Shenefield’s novel, Chance in a Lifetime, is a compassionate, heartwarming story about a very intelligent guide dog. Trained to be a human’s set of eyes, Chance excels at all he’s tasked to do, from sorting the laundry to finding lost dolls. His goal is to keep his humans happy and safe. His reward is a powerful feeling of belonging, a feeling of being loved. And he is. The story is told in the first-person from Chance’s point of view. It begins with Chance as a young puppy and progresses through his training, his first human, and the sorrow of loss before he is connected with another human, this time a young boy, Ethan.

The character of the dog is well developed and the reader truly senses Chance’s emotions at every stage of his life. The human characters are also well developed and believable. The author uses the dog’s power of perception to provide a detailed description of each setting, so the reader feels completely involved with the unfolding narrative. There is a lot of love in this story and a lot of learning for Chance, his humans, and the readers who follow his story. A lovely story from beginning to end. The reader will laugh and cry and cheer Chance along. Very uplifting.

Reviewed By Peggy Jo Wipf for Readers' Favorite

Cold Snap: A Novel by Codi Schneider is told in a suspenseful manner by a cat. Bijou isn't just any cat; she's a cat with a long history of courageous Viking ancestors. Her human, Spencer, runs Fox Burrow Pet Inn, where she boards animals in her home. Bijou's assistant is a Pomeranian dog named Skunk. She is flighty and easily distracted, which irritates Bijou at times. Spencer's newest arrivals include Eddy Line, who is opening a bakery, Hamlet the potbelly pig, and Fennec, a scared puppy. The adventures are whimsical as Bijou's pride, loyalty, and knowledge are put to the test. Her greatest challenge comes when Eddy is threatened, and someone dognaps a guest at the Fox Burrow Pet Inn. Bijou has to call on her inner Viking to help the humans find the culprits. Will it be enough?

I found Codi Schneider to be a creative writer with compassionate insight into feline thinking. Cold Snap is a steady stream of humor, suspense, and amazing antics of Bijou the Viking cat. This novel is refreshing as you never know what Bijou will do next or what other animal she will enlist as her accomplice. The author keeps you entertained with the drama animals come up with while the humans fall in love, start a business, and solve a crime. This novel was a delight to read, and I enjoyed the trivial information the author wove into the story. I had never heard of river surfing until reading this book and enjoyed reading more about this. I highly recommend this story to animal lovers.

Reviewed By Emily-Jane Hills Orford for Readers' Favorite

They love us unconditionally and we love them back, but who loves whom more? That’s a difficult question to answer, considering dogs have a much shorter lifespan than humans and their unexpected (it’s always unexpected) and definitely unwanted sudden departures from life leave a big hole in their human’s heart. No dog lover (dog owner) is prepared for the inevitable and it hits us like a heartless tornado – straight through the heart. Even those who never cry, sob uncontrollably when their beloved dog passes away. I know I have. But, they leave behind such wonderful memories, some funny, some sad, definitely thought-provoking, and we wonder how we ever lived before they entered our lives.

There are many ways to remember our beloved dogs, the most vibrant members of a household, of a family. For writers, the most soothing catharsis is to write about them. That’s what Peter Bogyo has done. His book, A Dog’s Life: A Collection of Humorous Tributes Celebrating Man’s Best Friend, is a collection of touching and humorous stories about his own dogs and those who enjoyed full and rich lives with the author’s friends. Each tribute begins like an obituary, naming the dog, how old he/she was (if known) and how he/she died. Then it turns into a charming story that fully describes the dog, from his/her looks to his/her character and unique traits. Photos of the dogs are also included. This book, which outlines both man’s and woman’s best friends, is a fitting tribute to so many dogs. Told with love and compassion, these stories will have dog lovers laughing and crying, probably both at the same time. There’s nothing like a good story to remember a good furry friend.

Reviewed By Lesley Jones for Readers' Favorite

In a dark kingdom ruled by a merciless leader, King Roar, and his fierce, bloodthirsty felines, the five animal kingdoms live in fear and battle to survive. In General Jack and the Battle of the Five Kingdoms by David Bush, when a young ten-year-old boy named Jack arrives from another land, he shows the animals that if they came together as one, they could easily defeat King Roar. Together, Jack and Miaow, the modest head of the cats, plan their deadly mission; to defeat the seemingly undefeatable. As the war against their enemy comes ever closer, can they truly unite the animal kingdom and bring about their freedom? Jack and Miaow realize that they have only one chance at victory and if they do not succeed they will be finished forever. But little do they realize that their friendship will last an eternity and change the animal kingdom completely.

On the surface, General Jack and the Battle of the Five Kingdoms by David Bush seems like an exciting adventure story and the friendship between a young boy and a timid tabby cat, but the plot is multi-layered and has so many life lessons entwined throughout. Jack, who becomes General Jack, teaches the animal kingdom that by coming together and using their unique talents, they are a force to be reckoned with. Anything can be achieved, even the seemingly impossible if you believe it to be so. The build-up to the battle scenes was amazing and filled with brilliant tension, especially when General Jack and King Roar come face to face. The friendship between Jack and Miaow was one of the finest relationships I have read in a long time and there are some quite heartbreaking scenes between them. The plot encompasses not only life lessons but also political and social topics too. The storyline reminded me a lot of Animal Farm. The author has created a most wonderful story with strong and realistic characters that you genuinely care about. The ending is spectacular and reminds us that life goes on and why it is important to leave your mark for future generations.

Reviewed By Emily-Jane Hills Orford for Readers' Favorite

From the time he was a puppy, Chance demonstrated an exemplary ability to understand and communicate with humans. Not many dogs, even those well trained, have such an intense connection of comprehension. Chance was born to be a hero. He began his training as a guide dog and excelled at everything except getting in and out of cars. Something about vehicles frightened him. It was a challenge he had to overcome. And he did. Good thing, since braving the scary, noisy beast of metal would one day make him every inch the hero he already was.

Jennifer Shenefield’s novel, Chance in a Lifetime, is a compassionate, heartwarming story about a very intelligent guide dog. Trained to be a human’s set of eyes, Chance excels at all he’s tasked to do, from sorting the laundry to finding lost dolls. His goal is to keep his humans happy and safe. His reward is a powerful feeling of belonging, a feeling of being loved. And he is. The story is told in the first-person from Chance’s point of view. It begins with Chance as a young puppy and progresses through his training, his first human, and the sorrow of loss before he is connected with another human, this time a young boy, Ethan.

The character of the dog is well developed and the reader truly senses Chance’s emotions at every stage of his life. The human characters are also well developed and believable. The author uses the dog’s power of perception to provide a detailed description of each setting, so the reader feels completely involved with the unfolding narrative. There is a lot of love in this story and a lot of learning for Chance, his humans, and the readers who follow his story. A lovely story from beginning to end. The reader will laugh and cry and cheer Chance along. Very uplifting.

Reviewed By Lit Amri for Readers' Favorite

“An overwhelming stench of pungent hunters tickles his soggy nostrils, as all hope of evading capture withers away. And the last thing the panda sees before he’s plunged in a sack of darkness, is bedraggled white fur, a wide-open frothing mouth, and eyeballs red as the devil. Heaven will have to wait.” In The City That Barks And Roars by J.T. Bird, Detective Frank Penguin’s former partner, Lucas Panda, is missing. Then, three beavers mysteriously disappear. With the help of a new detective in town, Chico Monkey, the duo searches for clues while solving other crimes in the neighborhood. Something’s going down for sure, and the Kingdom Police Force is racing against time to solve the cases and save the victims.

Set in the 1950s, in a world inhabited by anthropomorphic animals, The City That Barks And Roars is an engaging, funny, and dark detective noir about a subversive beast fable. The intriguing world-building has a sense of familiarity that can be easily visualized in readers’ minds. There’s a good balance between a riveting plot and funny moments where the seedy inner workings of our society become aphotic parodies. J.T. Bird creates a number of interesting anthropomorphized characters from a no-nonsense vulture who’s a Police Chief to a tough female wolf detective named Yuriko, who’s one of my favorites. Despite their differences, the grumpy Frank Penguin and the optimistic Chico Monkey work well together. Each character, main and secondary, complements each other well and efficiently delivers the well-developed storyline that has more surprises than I expected. A blend of a good narrative and thought-provoking elements, this is an entertaining read.

Reviewed By Christian Sia for Readers' Favorite

The Cat Who Ate His Tail by Jacqueline Simon Gunn is a heartwarming and unusual story of love that will thrill cat lovers. Sneakers is a cat, a big one, “think tiger cubbish." He has had his fair share of suffering and has known the worse form of loneliness. His memories of abandonment leave him frustrated and utterly unwanted. Abandoned by his former owner, he finds himself - through unusual circumstances - in the home of a human “who studied and listened to other humans,” a psychologist who struggles in her relationship. In this book, the cat shares the woman's anxiety, her fears and how she deals with emotional pain. Sneakers describes the love life of the psychologist and makes stunning observations in a story that eventually leads to love and healing and a twist that is intriguing.

That this story is told by a cat is one of the things that augment the humor and make it a great read. The author gets into the mind of the protagonist, an animal, and explores the levels of pain he experiences. His memories aren't the best and it is interesting how vividly the narrator shares these memories: "The box reminded me of when I was held captive in a cage for many moons as a kitten, which always invited the memories of my early abandonment and the loss of my biological mother. As if that wasn’t enough to exacerbate my anxiety, every time she put me in that box, something bad happened to me." The story evokes a deep sense of pathos and compels the reader to look at the protagonist with sympathy. Jacqueline Simon Gunn's use of anthropomorphism is very deft and it allows the reader to connect with the cat. The Cat Who Ate His Tail is skillfully plotted and written in beautiful prose. Filled with humor, the story is engaging and has the potential to change the way we look and treat animals. A gorgeous treat for fans of cats and domestic animals.

Reviewed By Christian Sia for Readers' Favorite

A World Without Color: A True Story of the Last Three Days with My Cat by Bernard Jan is a quick read, a novel that is emotionally rich and told in the second person, like when you write a letter to someone, addressing them directly. It is an intimate story that explores the last days of the narrator with his beloved companion, Marcel the cat. In this novel, the author presents Marcel as ill and not in the best of moods and, in streams of consciousness, moves on to share powerful memories from trying to communicate his compassion and pain to Marcel, to the promise that they will meet again one day.

It is a wonderful story for fans of animals, especially cat lovers. Reading about the desolation and the loneliness of the narrator, the reader understands the place that Marcel occupied in his life as a companion. It is told in an endearing voice, which places the cat on the same level as the human being because it has become a great part of the life of the narrator. The story is filled with strong imagery. A World Without Color: A True Story of the Last Three Days with My Cat is a compelling story that demonstrates how a pet can make such a difference in someone’s life. It is a story that explores themes of loss and grief and that celebrates a connection with a cat, a connection that brought meaning to the life of the narrator. It will bring tears in your eyes. Written in language that is beautiful and capturing emotions that are raw, Bernard Jan’s novel invites the reader to look at pets from a completely different perspective.

Reviewed By Melinda Hills for Readers' Favorite

While listed as fiction due to the incorporation of a story line involving fictional characters, Alika: Odyssey of a Navy Dolphin by Donald E. Auten reads more like a non-fiction account of animal training and the use of marine mammals in war-time maneuvers. Beginning with the rescue of the baby dolphin by a teenage girl in Florida, and his eventual admission to the Navy Marine Mammal Program, this story not only details the amazing ability of these mammals, but also the special mental focus and sensitivity required for a person to successfully interact with animals.

The focus then switches to a horse farm in Wyoming where Brent Harris is introduced. Brent has a special way with all animals, and his ability, along with instruction and oversight from his father’s master horse trainer, allows him to successfully train a horse another rancher was ready to put down for being too dangerous. Wanting something more out of life after visiting family in California where Brent is introduced to the sea and the intelligence of dolphins, he enlists in the Navy. A great amount of detail is included regarding Brent’s training for and activity as a Special Warfare Combatant Craft Crewman. Brent hears about the Navy Marine Mammal Program and switches specialties, and the majority of the book is then devoted to his work there and eventual deployment for active duty in the Middle East.

Dialogue and the interaction of the crew members with one another as well as with their dolphins make this story easy to follow and more enjoyable to read than a simple non-fiction account of the activities related in the text. With the added love interest when Brent meets Katie, the girl who saved Alika, there is even more of an emotional pull to add appeal and excitement. Well written and extremely informative, Alika: Odyssey of a Navy Dolphin covers a tremendous amount of information, but following Brent and his relationship with the orphaned dolphin ties it all together and keeps you engaged. Donald E. Auten has certainly researched all the material in the book extensively and provided a wonderful story that will make you laugh, cry and experience the wonder of these amazing mammals – dolphins.