Reviewed by Viga Boland for Readers' Favorite

James Hanna made a point of reminding me that I awarded his book, The Ping-Pong Champion of Chinatown, 5 stars, so I decided to tackle Fact Check and More Probing Tales. Would I enjoy it as much and rate it as highly? Well, after losing myself in the musings and actions of the thoroughly engaging and colorful characters who people these “twenty-two aberrant” stories, the answer is a loud yes! Though sometimes challenging, what an entertaining read this was, and a happy distraction from the disheartening horror of the daily news. As an ex-pat Aussie, I laughed out loud identifying with Hanna as he was attacked by those bush flies determined to get into his eyes and mouth. But shortly thereafter, I was revolted by his description of cows, stuck in a filthy bog hole, being eaten alive by wild pigs. Later, in Indiana, I was captivated by the amusing ramblings of simple Toby Dawes, who doesn’t ask much of himself: he just wants to marry a prostitute who “popped his cherry”. Oh, the length to which he goes to make his desire a reality!

Through Hanna, I met several fascinating prostitutes, a pimp who considered himself a savior - see if you disagree after you read why - and the unforgettable Finian McFaddle who is outsmarted by an outsmarter. So funny! Then, every so often, Hanna shares his exchanges with his wife, Mary, who likes to ask him questions he has trouble answering just to bring him back to earth between his literary forays. She considers him a “literary snob”. How’s that for spousal support? Hanna’s ability to bring characters to life on the page is extraordinary. He is a brilliant raconteur and skilled writer despite what his wife and reviewers think, as indicated in his opening tale about Mason Trout who writes “for the literati”. Through Mason, I wonder if I learned what Hanna thinks of reviewers: “Reviewers are only failed writers. Do you think they’d be wasting time writing reviews if they were able to write books themselves?” Hmmm. Thanks a lot, James Hanna! If I didn’t enjoy Fact Check and More Probing Tales as much as I did, I’d be tempted to change my 5-star rating. Bah…whatever!

Reviewed by Kathy Golden for Readers' Favorite

Shoot the Horses First by Leah Angstman is a well-written and engaging collection of short stories. The stories vary in length and the subjects covered, but each is filled with rich imagination, and it was wonderful to read about characters so vividly portrayed, emotionally, mentally, and subtly, in certain aspects. I was glad to see the drawings of the horses right at the beginning of each story. Images and drawings in collections like these are one of the things I appreciate most. I especially like that different stories were introduced with varying parts of the horses. This particular feature indicated the individuality of each story and that the reader should expect something new and different and possibly unexpected as they embarked on and entered into each new drama.

In Leah Angstman’s Shoot the Horses First, the most captivating aspects of these stories are the meticulous attention to detail and how a reader is drawn into a given story so that they would never want that story to end. Yet, end it does and, depending on the story's nature and its emotional impact, the reader might be inclined to laugh, cry, contemplate, or wish that things might have turned out differently. Yet, I don’t think that anyone reading this collection could finish it without feeling that they have been privileged to know what it’s like to enter into the short-story world of a master storyteller. Thank you, Leah Angstman, for giving us such a compelling collection.

Reviewed by Rabia Tanveer for Readers' Favorite

L. Ron Hubbard Presents Writers of the Future Volume 38 is an anthology of award-winning sci-fi and fantasy short stories. It consists of 16 science fiction short stories, several beautiful illustrations, and a total of four helpful articles about writing stories. The anthology features some of the best absurd yet inspiring fantasy and science fiction, where each story tells a different tale of life, love, determination, responsibility, and the future. My favorite was The Squid is My Brother by Mike Jack Stoumbos, which features Michaela Kessler from Neptune as she struggles through the horrors of human middle school. The Mystical Farrago, The Daddy Box, The Island on the Lake, and Agatha’s Monster are all my favorites, to be honest.

This is a great collection that features a little bit of everything. The stories touch upon different themes of science fiction and fantasy. I love how the anthology gives us a different author with each story and makes it possible for us to enjoy different narrative styles in one collection. It's hard for me to choose which story is the best, but The Squid is My Brother, and The Daddy Box are two that stand out to me the most. The illustrations are wonderful and add more life to the stories. There is something for everyone, especially for picky readers like me who like certain types of science fiction and not others. One piece of advice is to take your time, savor each story, and you will love it and this collection to bits.

Reviewed by Doreen Chombu for Readers' Favorite

How far will you go to be with the one you love? Vengefully Yours by J Rose Black is a collection of dark and suspenseful romance stories with heroes ready to risk it all for the ones they love. Each tale presents a new cast and plot. Angel of La Seine is a story about a former police officer captivated by a woman during a job with the mob. In the Dead of the Night introduces an assassin who falls in love with his victim's daughter, and Behind the Eight Ball and Stark Homecoming are second-chance stories. The Nightmare is a tale about Dr. Watson’s daughter and one of Sherlock Holmes’ enemies, and finally, A Fool to Hold You is a steamy revenge romance. Get yourself a copy of this book to enjoy these captivating stories.

Vengefully Yours has romance, suspense, mystery, and more. I liked the classic possessive and dark male leads and the fearless women they love. Each couple had great chemistry, and their stories were memorable. J Rose Black maintains consistent suspense throughout the book and keeps the reader glued to the story with intriguing characters and fantastic plot twists. When you think the story is going in one direction, it takes a U-turn. Some have flashbacks, but the author seamlessly distinguishes past and present scenes. I also loved that the stories were from different eras; this gave each tale a unique vibe and setting. I recommend this book to lovers of dark-themed romance novels. Vengefully Yours is a great book to add to your collection.

Reviewed by Asher Syed for Readers' Favorite

Children of War is a collection of short stories written by fourteen different authors as “an anthology to support the children of Ukraine”. Each author has contributed one original piece of work and all connect through the common theme of war, with a specialized emphasis on the impact war has on children. The genres of the stories vary and range from the fantasy story Jonah by C. Borden, in which a young man lost everyone he cared for in a violent, horrific slaughter and finds his body collapsing while his mind belatedly processes the trauma, to The War Legacy by Nandita Pant Joshi, a work of literary fiction that revolves around a war widow named Sarah who finds that she is pregnant on the same day she learns of her husband's death. This is the story of their relationship and an uncertain future with love and hope that she is unable to comprehend.

As someone who was born and raised in a third-world country, a country that is younger than my own father, and who had no understanding of life where violence was not a constant daily threat, I was particularly touched when I saw Children of War and read the intent behind it. Trauma is real, it is absolutely terrible, and the effects it has even when a child has grown and is two decades removed are always there. It haunts. Through the Eyes of a Child by Pam Floyd was the story that resonated most with me. Any child survivor of war will connect to the pain and confusion of Daniela, has at least one childhood friend like Misha, who lost a piece of her body as an innocent bystander, and jumps at a slammed door when it thumps like a bomb. All the stories are written to a high standard and are distinctive in their own voices. All the proceeds go to charities that support impacted children and I cannot imagine a more worthy cause. Very highly recommended.

Reviewed by Jon Michael Miller for Readers' Favorite

The Doctor’s Dilemma: Short Stories by Daly Walker is a magnificent collection of stories about the vicissitudes of life and death as seen through the eyes of various physicians. Readers of the best works of literature will cherish these pieces. Mr. Walker is among the finest of writers, creating beauty out of the direst of circumstances. Keats wrote, “Beauty is truth; truth beauty….” Mr. Walker writes this wisdom. He realizes it is beauty that allows us to cherish life. His stories are about life-and-death medical conflicts and the salvation that love provides. Take for instance, the opening story of the collection where an old man is visited late in the night by a sheriff concerned about his welfare. They talk about old age, nature, and art as the old man recalls his wife and their sharing of nature’s beauties. The deputy describes him as “independence, longevity and grit.”

Most of the stories are seen from the viewpoint of aging and of nostalgic visions of the romantic past, especially the transcendent joy of earthly love. There’s a retired volunteer doctor with a lesion on his cheek, all bandaged, as he helps a younger woman deal with a breast amputation, even a suggestion of love between them in the future. Then there’s the horror of an army doctor in Afghanistan, the reunion of two lovers in Hong Kong during Vietnam; a young man’s life-changing discovery of his lineage during his wistful visit to the family home; the dilemma of a physician during the pandemic of whether to resuscitate a possibly terminal patient; a couple languishing over the possibility of the wife’s cancer returning. These are plot examples, but oh … the writing. Walker’s character and setting descriptions are exquisite, and the structure of his stories sheer perfection, knowing exactly where to end, leaving the reader a bit breathless and pondering the future, exactly what Keats intimated by his famous words. Life’s vicissitudes can be tragic but we are saved by its beauty. If you love art at its finest, do not miss The Doctor’s Dilemma: Short Stories by Daly Walker.

Reviewed by Vincent Dublado for Readers' Favorite

Cycles of the Phoenix: The Whole Interlaced Souls Series by C.A. Nicholas is an anthology of surrealistic tales divided into three parts, written from the point of view of characters that reflect their inner struggles and test their mental and emotional states. Book 1, Sanity’s War contains seven tales about characters fighting monsters that are representative of an individual’s inner demons. It touches on issues like depression, sexual abuse, and PTSD. Book 2, Strange is a set of novellas with a theme running in the similar vein of people fighting against demons that take control over them and push them to commit suicide. Book 3, Kaya, Where Have You Gone? is a novella that centers on two schoolgirls, one of which has experienced sexual abuse at the hands of a relative.

Surreal. This is how I would describe C.A. Nicholas’s work. His narrative is inquisitive and exploratory as far as themes of mental and emotional struggles come into play. His characters appear helpless, yet they exhaust all means to fight and set themselves on missions of renewal—and they either win or fail. But what they discover is familiar, enlightening, and often strange. Nicholas may well be a surrealist writer who understands the disturbing dynamics of mental breakdowns and abuse and how this warps our lives. His plot and characterization present a hyper-reality that questions the border between normal and abnormal elements. His critical method in addressing sensitive social issues fuses actual representations with mythical and symbolic elements that give you a better understanding of what is being conveyed. The common ground in his metaphorical play is a magnified scrutiny of reality and brilliant social commentary. Moving in its poetic grace, this anthology deserves your attention.

Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

Tales of Novia, Book 1 is an anthology of fiction in the fantasy subgenre and serves as the opening installment of the Tales of Novia series. It is suitable for the general reading audience and was penned by author Jessica Cage. The book is a collection of interconnected stories which go together to tell the story of Remy’s ill-fated attempt to fight back against the vampires in her homeland and the vampires' decision to keep her for her fairy blood. The fallout from the brief conflict and its resolution has the potential to forever alter the fabric of Novia and change the lives of its residents.

Immediately upon finishing my read-through of this anthology, I was impressed by how the tapestry-like storytelling had come together to paint a picture of an entire realm and its residents. Author Jessica Cage has created a living and breathing world that grows and evolves with each story in the collection, skilfully ensuring that whilst each story stands tall on its own, the mosaic that they form is a beautiful depiction of a complex and nuanced world that truly reacts to the actions characters take within it. The lore and world-building were particularly sublime, and Novia felt like a fresh concept in the fantasy genre thanks to the author's brilliant attention to detail and sublime prose. Overall, Tales of Novia promises to be an exciting series that I can’t wait to get stuck into, with engaging characters and an outstanding narrative technique that sets it apart from other works within the genre.

Reviewed by Pikasho Deka for Readers' Favorite

The Stories of Our Lives is a collection of short stories written by Brandy Isadora. "Bundle & Save" is about a lonely retired high school chemistry teacher who finds unexpected comfort in a unique laundromat. "Cloudburst" follows a couple of young friends as they struggle to survive in a post-apocalyptic dystopian society. In "Holy Water", a new employee at a call center is forced to compromise his integrity in order to make a sale in a hostile work environment. "Around The Fur" provides a glimpse into the headspace of a rockstar who feels trapped underneath his fame and environment. In "The Lovetts", an elderly couple tries to live vicariously by spying on their young neighbors. After going on a date with a transhuman, a career-driven woman questions her preconceived notions about what makes a "Real Man".

Author Brandy Isadora tells eighteen slice-of-life stories set in different environments, featuring people from all walks of life, to create a captivating collection that entertains you from start to finish. Each tale follows a seemingly ordinary person finding themselves in situations which impact their lives in ways they could never foresee. Every story feels unique and has something different to say. There is a sense of realism to the narrative, and it makes the characters easy to relate to. There is also an abundance of charm and humor sprinkled between the pages with more dramatic moments. Although I enjoyed them all, something about "Cloudburst" and "Holy Water" felt particularly appealing to me. If you love to read short stories, I highly recommend The Stories of Our Lives.

Reviewed by Viga Boland for Readers' Favorite

“Everybody has a story” is a well-worn phrase. But how many of us, as we go about our busy lives, ever stop to think about the home life of that disabled boy carrying out groceries or rounding up the emptied shopping carts around the parking lot? Or what would we find if we could read the mind and heart of that circus side-show attraction, the tiny female dwarf in the cute polka-dot dress? Or how does the trucker, who kindly stops to help a near lifeless girl on the highway, feel when his good Samaritan gesture turns his life upside-down? These are just a handful of many everyday people whose stories would never be told if it wasn’t for writers like William H. Coles.

The Illustrated Short Fiction of William H. Coles: 2000-2016 is a magnificent collection of 31 short stories of varying lengths, two graphic novels, and one of his most popular novellas, Sister Carrie. And as we move from one story to another, the lives, hearts and souls of ordinary people like us are told in Coles’ straightforward, uncluttered style, where what people say and do to each other is more gripping and unforgettable than the most intricate plots ever written. What’s it like to be raised Amish and then dare to fall in love with someone outside the community? What’s it like to have to deliver a eulogy for those you can barely tolerate when their families are grieving the loss of their loved one? And who will give a stillborn child, seen as and thought of as a “thing,” some kind of burial? Stories such as these will keep us glued to The Illustrated Short Fiction of William H. Coles: 2000-2016.

“Award-winning short stories of characters facing moral decisions that stretch their lives to mirror who they are and what they might become” is how this book has been described on Coles' website, “Story in Literary Fiction.” That sums The Illustrated Short Fiction of William H. Coles: 2000-2016 perfectly. As a reader, Coles’ collection has reminded me of why and how literary fiction differs from popular fiction. It’s a reminder of why, as students in the sixties, we studied writers like Charles Dickens, Gustave Flaubert and Emily Bronte: plot mattered but character mattered more. But on a personal note, as a writer, for me The Illustrated Short Fiction of William H. Coles: 2000-2016 has opened a whole new world of possibilities. I can no longer look at the drunk passed out in a doorway downtown, or listen to the irritated voice of a customer service advisor, or watch a now disfigured young woman with the voice of an angel on America’s Got Talent who was one of only two who survived a horrific plane crash without wanting to know their story. Better yet, I am inspired to write such stories one day, and can only hope to do so as beautifully as William H. Coles has written these. I have read many books on how to write, but I’ve learned much more about writing by reading The Illustrated Short Fiction of William H. Coles: 2000-2016. Thank you, William H. Coles, for your inspiring and motivating stories that have touched this writer/reviewer so deeply.