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 Grant Leishman for Readers' Favorite

The Devil and Dayna Dalton: A Bulwark Anthology (Book 9) is a short novella from the pen of author Brit Lunden. Dayna Dalton is known as what we might colloquially call “trailer trash”. She grew up in Bulwark, Georgia and like her mother had gained an unfair (in her case) reputation as the town slut. From an early age, Dayna had designs on the gorgeous Clay Finnes but all through high school, Clay seemed impervious to her charms, placing her fairly and squarely in the “friend zone” or the “sister zone”. Unable to achieve her ambitions of a life with Clay, Dayna managed to escape the incestuous small-town atmosphere of Bulwark and attend Georgetown University on a full scholarship where she studied journalism. Just as Dayna’s career was beginning to take off, she loyally returned to Bulwark to take care of her mother who suffered a cancer scare. Now a reporter on the local Bulwark newspaper, she is still drawn to Clay Finnes, now the town’s sheriff but also now married, with a child. Realizing she can never have Clay, Dayna runs through a coterie of men, never quite finding the love and care she craves, until strange things begin to happen in Bulwark.

I’m not a big fan of novellas, as I like the characters to develop and grow over the length of a novel. However, for The Devil and Dayna Dalton, I’m prepared to make an exception. Author Brit Lunden has given us a complex character in Dayna Dalton who, having run the gamut of the worst in relationships, is ready, willing and able to give herself utterly and totally to the man who steals her heart… and what a man he is! The paranormal feel to the novella coupled with the author’s vivid and breathtaking descriptions of the people and the environment of Bulwark was a true bonus to this story. The story flows and, yes, I was a little annoyed when it ended so quickly but Lunden has given me a thirst and desire to read more of her work and indeed more about this fascinating female lead she has created. I loved the way she so accurately portrayed the dynamic between the public and private persona of Dayna Dalton. Written off virtually from the day she was born, Dayna has the spirit and the intelligence to rise above people’s perceptions of who she is and, most importantly, not care what people think of her. This is a thoroughly enjoyable read and one I can highly recommend, especially if you love strong, female leads as I do and the paranormal touch doesn’t hurt at all.

Reviewed by Michael Gardner for Readers' Favorite

Samantha A. Cole is a writer after my own heart. Scattered Moments In Time brings together a collection of short stories and novellas that can only be described as diverse in subject, but all arguably fit within the scope of contemporary fiction. They shift from heart-warming to heartbreaking in a few pages, from uplifting to soulful in the next. The title sums up the collection well as each story gives us a poignant snapshot of different moments in time at different stages of life from many different points of view... young, old, even that of a dog. It’s particularly refreshing to read a collection that isn’t bound together by a ‘theme’ other than that the stories are all written by the same author. It gives each story much greater authenticity, a feeling that they’re written from the heart rather than written to fit a brief.

Overall, I wouldn’t say Scattered Moments In Time has a weak link, which can be the case in collections with such diversity. I suspect every reader will pick their favorite stories though. For me, I particularly enjoyed The Lost Man which gives us a stream of consciousness story with barely any dialogue that is engaging from the first word to the last. Likewise, I Am, the only verse in the collection, proves you don’t need a lot of words to tell a powerful story, even in generalized terms. If you haven’t read anything by Samantha A. Cole, this collection is the ideal introduction to her scope and style. It’s a polished, smooth, and satisfying read.

Reviewed by Asher Syed for Readers' Favorite

Spider Season by Billy Hanson is a compilation of short stories and (surprise!) three screenplays. Hanson delivers each piece accompanied by a cover-style illustration and, with the screenplays, a personal note on how they came about. Ten tales of horror in total, all narrated independently and uniquely with strong and authentic voices, spirited along by extraordinarily well-developed characters that flesh out these short stories with a verve that some full-length novels don't capture as well. From the fantasy realm of Nylah's Magic to the board rooms and trains of modern-day Paris in Paris with the Lights Turned Low, Hanson unveils a short story series that is as thrilling as it is engrossing.

Spider Season is absolutely exceptional. I've been on a bit of a short story kick but have mostly avoided the horror genre, thankful, however, that I picked up this collection by Billy Hanson. The first thing that is evident when beginning to read is that Hanson is experienced in the craft of (short) storytelling. Light Sleeper and, especially, The Clearing are excellent heart-leaping points into the compilation, and it only gets even better from there. Foreboding and a heightened blood pressure build at a rapid but skillfully steadied rate, until the moment any number of antagonists—physical, spiritual, psychological, or all three—get their jump in. I feel like Hanson has so perfected his art that, honestly, I'm not certain my health could manage tales that were longer. One can only hold their breath in fear for so long... Highly recommended.

Reviewed by Jack Magnus for Readers' Favorite

Sheriff Clay Finnes wasn’t sure what was happening in the normally sleepy community of Bulwark, Georgia. Outside of town, a foul-smelling green lake had appeared seemingly overnight and covered the road near J.B. Stratton’s cabin. Travelers in a Ford Fusion had attempted to drive through it, and the car now sat stuck in the green water’s deepest area. The husband and his wife were currently sheltering in J.B.’s cabin. He had received a nasty and copiously bleeding head wound, but the sheriff was somewhat more concerned at the appearance of the man’s wife. Her face was blanched and contorted by fear. She was able to calm down enough to inform Clay that they were from Atlanta. Then she gazed at a photograph on the mantel and stated that the woman in the picture was the witch who stole her children. J.B. didn’t know what to say to that. She had pointed to a picture of his wife, and she had been dead for five years now.

Brit Lunden’s dark paranormal fantasy novel, Bulwark: A Bulwark Anthology, is a taut and suspenseful story that combines elements of the horror, fantasy, and fairy tale genres. Lunden’s characters are well defined and credible, and the tension that plays out between Clay, his estranged wife, and the sultry and aggressive reporter, Dayna, adds dimension to the underlying story. I loved learning the history behind the mysterious Linden Lane house and the Bavmorda family. Lunden’s plot is suitably twisty and dark, and her story is very well told indeed. Bulwark: A Bulwark Anthology is most highly recommended.

Reviewed by Trudi LoPreto for Readers' Favorite

I just had a delightful trip down Memory Lane as I read the eleven stories of Duck and Cover by Rich Elliott. I did not grow up in the small town of Milford, Illinois, but in the larger and more citified Bronx, New York; this did not in any way detract from any of the enjoyment though. I could relate to so many of the stories and each one brought a smile to my face. I too had a wonderful English teacher who made learning fun and encouraged each of us to do the best we could. While I was a die-hard New York Yankee fan, I could feel the excitement and the desire for that one special White Sox baseball card. And, of course, who could ever forget the first time we heard the Beatles and instantly fell in love with their long hair and new sounds. Curling up under our little wooden desks was always scary but exciting too. There is so much in each of these stories, making them a special time.

Duck and Cover is a lighthearted look at childhood during those wonderful 1950s and '60s that will never come again. Author Rich Elliott is an excellent storyteller with a flair for the good old days. I do not think it will matter where you lived, how you grew up, or even how old or young you are - Duck and Cover is a book about growing from childhood into adulthood; with good, bad, scary, funny, happy and sad events. Readers of all ages should read Duck and Cover.

Reviewed by Lorraine Cobcroft for Readers' Favorite

Five stories. Five amazing and enlightening stories about various means of suppression of women. These stories are told in the first person by women who have been forced into marriage as children, raped, or had their bodies mutilated by procedures that are customary in some cultures. Sad stories, beautifully told. The first letter of a relevant quotation at the start of each story spells the word 'woman'. V.P. Evans says he had doubts, "as an unknown writer" about his ability to "slip into the diversity and complexity of a woman’s world". He need not have feared. This is an author with an impressive depth of perception and great empathy. He clearly researched his topics thoroughly. His descriptions were original and vivid. Some of the prose was magnificently poetic, and a joy to read over and over, just for the music the words made.

The stunning cover design warns you: this is not light reading. The stories will most likely make you angry. The writing is evocative. The author compels you to walk for a while in the shoes of someone who suffered due to unspeakable wrongs, and you feel the pain. But if you appreciate writers who take you into other worlds and make you truly experience and understand the life challenges faced by others... if you appreciate writers whose writing 'nudges the world a little', driving reflection and possibly - hopefully - motivating some readers, somewhere, to take action to make the world a better place - this is a must-read.

The preface ends with the words: "Millions of voices sunk behind closed doors, far away or next-doors. But still, in a whirl of violation of their rights, every single one of those women shares a common feature: a heart with boundless strength. This book belongs to them." V.P. Evans has given abused women a voice - a voice that can be heard clearly and that speaks right from the depths of their hearts. That's a remarkable feat for a male writer. It's a short read: less than 60 pages. But I'll read it again, and maybe again. And I'll certainly look for more of V.P. Evans' writings. I love his work! This was just magnificent writing, and the professional formatting and cover design more than did it justice.

Reviewed by Tracy Young for Readers' Favorite

Crueler and More Unusual by Erik Dean is an anthology of stories about the judicial system and how it may develop in the future. Dummy is a chilling tale of how, despite the barrage of information available, there are still people who think it is okay to drink and drive. Robert Holman is such a person and he has consistently offended and chose to ignore the warnings. Many people believe that the punishment should fit the crime. Dummy is a tale of what happens when that belief is adhered to. Early Release is the story of a young man who has been caught up in the justice system but is given the chance to gain his freedom with the Early Release program. His victim’s family have a limited amount of time to exact their punishment, but Kelvin receives help from a most unlikely source.

Public Pool is a story about the crime of passion and greed. Business partners who have overcome many obstacles to make their business successful are halted by a final twist in their relationship. This classic tale is cleverly told with a jaw-dropping finale! Broken Justice is a chilling look into what could happen if the courts were dehumanized. All manners of crimes are dealt with by technology, and justice is meted out swiftly and brutally. What happens though when Mother Nature has taken center stage and threatens to disrupt the system? Can justice compete with Nature or will it be found wanting?

I loved this book! Erik Dean is a storyteller of the highest caliber and I was gripped by Crueler and More Unusual. His vision of a judicial system of the future is especially terrifying as it is so plausible. The subject of capital punishment is a contentious one, whatever your beliefs, and the subject is handled perfectly. I cannot wait to check out Erik Dean's other titles and will highly recommend this book to friends. This is a great read and would look amazing on screen! Watch out for those twists; they will leave you open mouthed!

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 Romuald Dzemo for Readers' Favorite

Going Gone by Abraham Lopez is a unique novel, a single story with deep layers. A tragedy strikes, the assassination of one man in the Middle East, and the lives of different people go spiraling out of control. Readers encounter a CIA agent, the military, and a host of other characters, including seemingly ordinary people, as they struggle to reconnect the dots and get an understanding of events in a world spiraling out of control. But who is behind the assassination? The killing of Saiid will rouse the most powerful and resourceful anti-Western groups in the Persian Gulf region. And who is responsible for this tragedy? Can the retired CIA director, now living with a terminal condition, fathom it out?

Abraham Lopez has a style that is unique and the narrative features very insightful and compelling passages, great political, cultural, and social commentaries that readers will find interesting. The story is intelligently plotted and purpose-driven, showing readers how one reckless act of murder can affect the world and international politics. The author has a great sense of setting and the international setting of this novel comes out brilliantly, with strong cultural and political elements seamlessly woven into the fabric of the tale.

Characters are well handled and readers will enjoy following some of them, each crafted with a solid background and relationships that allow readers to see them in their society and clearly in the story. The theme of terrorism and espionage is well developed alongside murder, which is at the center of the narrative. There are exciting dialogues sprinkled throughout the book and they are so intelligently crafted. One of the insightful moments I have pondered on is: ‘“How do you catch a jewel thief?” a mentor of his had once asked him. Before he could attempt a guess, the mentor had answered with a smirk, “You hire a better jewel thief.”’ If you’re looking for crime with compelling characters and a twist, then Going Gone will offer a lot of entertainment. Abraham Lopez has a gift for character and plot.