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.

Reviewed by Trudi LoPreto for Readers' Favorite

Groucho is a beautiful carriage horse. Along with Jacqueline, his owner and driver, they live a fairly good life. Jacqueline and Groucho both have stubborn personalities but together they form a magnificent pair. After a long day of giving tourist rides around Montreal each day, they return to their stable which is owned by Doyle O’Shaughnessy. Doyle is an old man who lives and works in the stable, taking care of the five horses that live there and knowing very little about the world around him. Doyle and Jacqueline form a strong friendship and together they help each other get through the good and bad days. When Jacqueline has a heart attack and Groucho brings her home, life will never again be the same for Doyle.

It is left up to Doyle to love, care for and become Groucho's new caretaker. Doyle misses Jacqueline terribly each and every day and uses Groucho as her replacement. He spends many hours in the stall, talking to the horse and making sure he is well fed with his favorite treats of sugar and apples, along with getting enough exercise. Louise, Jaqueline's daughter, slowly forms a bond with Doyle and realizes that he has a special place in her heart. As the story continues Groucho becomes a hero; the stable is in danger of being closed down and Louise tries to help Doyle as her mother did.

Horse is a beautifully sad story of a horse named Groucho and the people who loved him. I cried a lot while reading Horse but I also smiled just as much. This is a touching story of a very special horse and the people who loved him. It is also the story of a lonely man and the people who rally around him. Leon Berger wrote this book with love, compassion, friendship and took it to a level of excellence. Horse is a book that can be enjoyed by horse lovers and people lovers alike. It is a strong, emotional read that was good from page one until the ending that I didn’t expect. Please do not pass up reading Horse; you will not be disappointed.

Reviewed by Mamta Madhavan for Readers' Favorite

Look For Me Under the Rainbow: A Novella by Bernard Jan is a beautiful story that speaks about the importance of protecting the treasures of planet Earth and thereby saving the environment. Danny, a harp seal pup, looked at the vast expanse of water stretching out endlessly between the giant icebergs. His mother told him he was too small to go swimming and Danny understood that it was dangerous for baby seals in the water. His mother told the story of the Big Seal and about the Big Land where there were more seals. She also told him about the multi-colored rainbow that appeared after icy rain and how it disappeared. She told Danny to be careful of the dangers lurking around them. Will Danny run into the most dangerous of them all, Man, and see the ice become red?

Set against the backdrop of glaciers, ice, and seals, the book introduces readers to the Rainbow Warriors, an environmentalist group whose mission to save animals takes them to Greenland, the land of snow and ice. The book will make readers respect animals and help them realize how important it is to live with animals in peace. Helen, through her work with the Rainbow Warriors, exposes the cruelty and brutality of the humans who try to kill these seals. It is a beautiful story that will tug at the hearts of all readers who love animals and who want to protect them and the environment. Danny's character is memorable and he will leave a mark in the hearts of readers long after they finish the book. Helen's love and compassion for animals are palpable and many readers will be able to connect with her feelings and love towards animals. The book also captures the beauty of Mother Nature in many ways, inspiring readers with a longing to protect the planet.

Reviewed by Jack Magnus for Readers' Favorite

The Dog Thief and Other Stories is a collection of literary fiction stories written by Jill Kearney. Kearney writes about people living in impoverished and remote parts of Washington State, and the animals who form, in many cases, their reason for living and their connection with the rest of the world. She has been involved in animal rescue as well as worked as an in-home care provider, both of which gave her insights and anecdotes that fuel her stories. In The Dog Thief, Donald was the last surviving member of his family. His mother had been an unpleasant and vicious woman who alienated everyone who had the misfortune to meet her. Her two children, Donald and his sister, were dragged along behind her as they grew from terrified toddlers to reclusive teens grown soft from lives spent indoors. Blacksnake, their neighbor, had wholeheartedly despised the old witch. The daughter, who had actually attempted to be neighborly and took good care of her dogs, was a different story, but her passing meant those dogs were at the mercy of Donald, whose care of his own dogs left something sorely wanting. Elizabeth, another neighbor, had taken a not terribly welcome interest in helping Blacksnake care for his collection of cats. She heard the story of the sister’s dogs and decided it was something she had to look into.

Jill Kearney’s collection of short literary fiction stories, The Dog Thief and Other Stories, is a beautifully written and enthralling look at relationships between dogs and their human companions that survive even the harshest of economic conditions. Some of these stories are a bit dark and apt to be a bit on the depressing side, but I especially appreciated the way the author creates her tales, peopling them with characters who are unforgettable and dogs who seem to shine even in the darkest of situations. My favorite tale in the collection would have to be the title story. Kearney’s characters feel so real and the interactions between Blacksnake, Elizabeth, the animal control officer and the rescue worker are intricately and elegantly woven. Dogs do often seem to suffer from contact with humans, and Kearney’s collection highlights the need for low-cost neuter/spay, especially in economically disadvantaged areas. Her dog rescuers? They’re heavenly, and the animals all seem to know it. The Dog Thief and Other Stories is highly recommended.

Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

In the Doghouse: A Couple’s Breakup from Their Dog’s Point of View is a quirky and unusual work of women’s fiction penned by author Teri Case. This refreshing and surprisingly wonderful romance novel features Skip as its main character: a rescued dog seeking love and purpose in life. Skip loves his owners John and Lucy very much, so when John walks out and Skip feels that it’s his fault, he does everything he can to help Lucy heal her broken heart. With the help of some quirky friends and new alliances, Skip builds a new pack as a support system as he and Lucy deal with losing John.

With switching perspectives between the enigmatic Skip and his owner Lucy, this is a real surprise of a novel that will hook you in when you give it a chance. Author Teri Case treads the fine line between the sublime and the ridiculous, giving us a truly alternative look at family ties and relationships, but also keeping the narration credible and grounded in real, deep emotional reasoning. The novel is largely light and fun, with Skip getting into new tangles as he tries to make things better, but the plot is woven masterfully to build to a new, deeper meaning and a genuinely moving conclusion to the emotional arc. I would highly recommend In the Doghouse: A Couple’s Breakup from Their Dog’s Point of View to readers who enjoy both romances and light women’s fiction: a must-read that will sink you into a unique reading experience.

Reviewed by Lesley Jones for Readers' Favorite

In Taking On Lucinda by Frank Martorana, in the fall of 1982, Chief Merrill Stephenson discovers Aaron Whitmore has been shot. As he investigates the death of his mentor, a group of animal activists called FOAM descend on Jefferson to protest against the use of animals at a cosmetic research centre. When Merrill’s brother, town vet Kent’s animal patients begin to disappear, the focus turns to FOAM and their leader Aubrey. Then events take a sinister turn, including arson and an underworld of horrific animal cruelty. Kent and Aubrey’s relationship turns from enemies to partners as they track down the criminals behind the atrocities. Time is running out and Aubrey risks her life for the cause she believes in.

The author has created a superb suspense novel. Each character had an important role to play in the plot and were all believable and excellently created. The dialogue was authentic to the characters and it brought them to life. I especially loved the relationship between Kent and Aubrey, and how it developed through the story. May-May was a fantastic villain. There were many twists and turns throughout the plot, and the build up towards the ending was gripping and exciting. The plot moved forward constantly and the conflicts were perfectly spread out. There were scenes of violence towards animals, but they were totally needed for the plot. I would love to read more from this author; the way he can set a scene and build tension is superb. Highly recommended to anyone who loves a suspense thriller or whodunit novel.