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.

Reviewed by Heather Stockard for Readers' Favorite

Elizabeth: Obstinate, Headstrong Girl by Tessa Dare, Joana Starnes, Amy D'Orazio, et al. is a collection of short stories that retell, in part, Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. Written by ten different authors, the stories place Elizabeth Bennet and her friends and family in various time periods, including Austen’s own, and in various circumstances. Each story presents a different take on Elizabeth and Darcy’s romance. Some authors place them in modern times and places, while others leave them in Regency England. Elizabeth is, in one story, a stage actress in the 1930s, and in another, a waitress working her way through college in modern Oklahoma. The stories set in Regency England often explore alternate paths Elizabeth and Darcy’s courtship could have taken.

This anthology comes from the pens of ten established and talented romance authors, many of whom have published Austen-related works before. The stories are all beautifully written. Each one feels true to the time in which it is set. The language and speech patterns all feel authentic and natural, which can be a difficult thing to accomplish. In all the stories, both Lizzie and Darcy are, for the most part, well-drawn and realistic. The supporting cast of Jane, Bingley, Collins, the Bennet family, Georgiana, etc. are used well too. It isn’t Jane Austen and hardcore Austen fans might not appreciate some of the liberties that were taken with the personalities and time periods, but less picky readers will appreciate and enjoy Elizabeth: Obstinate, Headstrong Girl for what it is: a fun and interesting collection of stories that take a different look at characters we all know and love.

Reviewed by Asher Syed for Readers' Favorite

Ekleipsis: How far would you go to obey your instincts? by Tamel Wino is a compilation of short stories in the horror genre, each reading independently. Wino provides five stories in total, all character-driven and each terrifying in its own way. The Other Son walks us through the seemingly mundane life of a man turning fifty who is shocked as he walks into his own home. Closing Costs places a sexy realtor between a husband and wife client with delicious detail. When in Doubt has a soldier bringing his work home and into another man's kitchen. The Has-Been is about a coach whose vices weigh heavily on his liver and also something quite heavy in his trunk, and All In gives a Mr. Stone the gamble of a lifetime.

Tamel Wino is able to shock with the opening story, The Other Son, with a twist that comes almost out of nowhere after the lead really just meanders through his day. I found myself trying to figure out where it might go and had an incredibly emotional reaction to its conclusion. Is that good or bad? Is that the intent? From a literary standpoint, it is exactly as it should be. But where the first story of the anthology is a slow, creaky climb to the top of the roller coaster, the following four are a stomach-in-throat thrill ride that begins straight off the curve. My favorite was All In on account of it feeling wonderfully tense with descriptions of a woman named Molly that were incredible. Can I say electrifying? I'm going to say electrifying. The horror shelf is an ambitious place for a debut author to start but if Ekleipsis is where Wino has set the bar, I am excited to see what comes next.

Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

T Is for Time Travel: A collection of timely short stories is a work of fiction in the science fiction, action, and time travel adventure sub-genres, and was penned by author Stanlei Bellan. The work is intended for the general reading audience and contains a collection of ten stories around the theme of time, history, and sci-fi and fantasy concepts. Short and sharp with strong concepts and memorable characters, these stories are ideal as coffee break readers, but also delve into some really interesting ideas that will leave you thinking long after you’ve finished with them. What results is a highly engaging collection that readers are likely to return to and want to relive again.

Author Stanlei Bellan has crafted a cohesive and beautifully styled work of fiction that works wonderfully as a showcase to introduce new readers to this author. I felt that each story was its own masterpiece in character work, delivering beautiful sketches of unique personalities strewn across time. A particular favorite of mine was Grida from ‘Time To Light’, who had a gritty realism that beautifully juxtaposed the ethereal goings-on of the story. ‘Better Luck Next Time’ was also a standout for me, which delivers intense pacing, very dynamic dialogue, and a harrowing atmosphere from start to finish. I am confident that whatever your taste, you’ll find a favorite in this varied and consistently high-quality collection of works. Overall, I would highly recommend T Is for Time Travel to fans of accessible short stories, impactful science fiction, and fantasy, and of course, time travel fiction enthusiasts everywhere.

Reviewed by Ruffina Oserio for Readers' Favorite

Body Language: Short Stories by Marylee MacDonald is a collection of satisfying short stories, each leaving the reader feeling as though they have just consumed a well-baked cookie. The stories are gorgeous and depict a wide range of characters as they follow their natural instincts. These are stories to be read with the heart and not the mind. The collection starts with the story of John and Sally. John has fancied Sally since they were young, but circumstances never allowed him to marry her. Both grew up and married. Then suddenly, Sally shows up at John’s place and makes an unusual request. The characters and the stories in this collection include a bartender struggling to keep sober, a composer dealing with loss, and many others.

The beauty in these stories is in the language, the humorous descriptions, and the realism that runs through each of them. They are short and loaded with those elements that entice the reader. The narrative voice is strong, absorbing, and the author’s handling of points of view is just superb. The humor fills every page, and most often, it is as situational as it is verbal. Like the terrific descriptions such as John capturing the sensation he had when he first saw Sally: “Seeing her all-American good looks, my knees began to cave.” It is a feeling that is so akin to our experience of love at first sight that every reader can relate to it. Marylee MacDonald is one of those authors who have mastered the art of the short story and who understand the elements that create excitement when readers pick up such stories. There is a world to explore in those stories, humanity to touch in each of them, and an emotional ride that fills the reader with a rare sense of familiar experience.

Reviewed by Jamie Michele for Readers' Favorite

Dewdrops by Dan Flanigan is a compilation of two short stories and a short-fiction style novella. Each of the three works is independent and read as stand-alones but the themes that weave through the trio do tie in similarities. Some Cold War Blues follows Jack, a child with parents who are indifferent at best, his coping mechanisms, and a clique of local bullies called “the Hoodies” who are hell-bent on stealing the small joys forged in difficult circumstances from Jack and his friends. Dewdrops provides a series of vignettes as a counselor named Ray holds sessions with inpatient addicts in a rehab facility. As the patient experiences transcend the walls of Ray's safe space, a realistic picture of addiction forms. Finally, On The Last Frontier brings together a community in the face of ham-fisted government interference with the potential to destroy an Alaskan populace already teetering on the edge.

Dan Flanigan is a master of description, writing with vivid imagery and style in Dewdrops. The two short stories were definitely my favorite, laced with sarcasm and perfect depictions of two groups in different countries who both face wintery and oppressive forces in entirely different ways, with a generational divide that closes in as bullying rears its head. The characters in Dewdrops are terrifyingly authentic. Flanigan provides a peek into the lives of ordinary, troubled people in circumstances and environments that do little to strengthen their positions even when their resolve is steady. I love stories that feel as though they are rooted in a credible foundation. Flanigan delivers in every way.