Reviewed By Anne-Marie Reynolds for Readers' Favorite

McDowell by William H. Coles is the story of Dr. Hiram McDowell. A celebrated surgeon, Dr. McDowell is single-minded in getting what he wants. His climb to the top is not without casualties and is not without some questionable practices. Cold and calculating, there is no denying his brilliance but when tragedy strikes, his world comes tumbling down. Grief and anger put him on a criminal path that will see his life of privilege and wealth all but destroyed. Can Hiram rebuild his life? On the run, Hiram embarks on a journey that will change the very core of him, change the way he lives, but is it enough to rebuild life as he knew it or will he become a different man? This could be Dr. McDowell’s one chance at redemption but will he take it?

McDowell by William H. Coles is a brilliantly written masterpiece of literary fiction. A story that could so easily be true, riveting to read. The emotion pours off almost every page and you can feel it; you can feel the sadness, the humor, the anger at the main character to start with. In the beginning, you really do not like Dr. McDowell and his fall from grace will make you happy but that is the turning point of this story. From there on, the action really picks up the pace and takes you on a journey you will never forget. This book is for everybody. It is full of lessons on life and attitude. We can all learn something here and every reader will take away something different from this book. The characterization is excellent and William H. Coles has created a main protagonist that you absolutely hate from the start but grow to love. Be prepared for an intense read; there is so much going on but every single word is relevant.

Reviewed By Jessica Barbosa for Readers' Favorite

Patricia Leavy’s Shooting Stars centers around the love story of Tess and Jack. Tess Lee is a famous novelist who has won a slew of awards and has donated millions to public libraries and raised tens of millions more. One fateful night, she meets a man named Jack, who intervenes on her behalf when a stranger becomes too persistent in flirting with her. Jack Miller joined the military out of high school; Special Forces. Now he is a federal agent with the bureau, working in counterterrorism. His life changes when he meets Tess on that fateful night. Two seemingly different people brought together by happenstance, forming a bond that could last lifetimes. Like a puzzle, their broken pieces fit together. Join these two and their amazing friends as they embark on the journey of love, life, and the complications of their past and how it affects their present and future.

Shooting Stars is a story of trauma, healing, friendship, and love with a nice serving of domesticity to soothe the heart. Each of our characters goes through their own struggles and does their best to overcome their past. Patricia Leavy has managed to weave a love story that naturally develops and grips the heart. Love changes people to be a better version of themselves; it is protective, gentle, and can come in many forms: friendship or romance. The story unfolds in a gripping manner: Jack and Tess’ story starts sweetly and they each fall deeper for the other as days pass but both cannot escape their pasts completely. They help each other, support each other, and their friends are there for them too. These two are the main center points of the story and they have a beautiful relationship. Jack and Tess fit together in a way that most people envy but they have their struggles too and the story showcases their struggles as challenges that make their bonds with each other and the people around them stronger. Overall, Shooting Stars is a sweet story with lessons of love and healing that will reach the hearts of its readers.

Reviewed By Fiona Ingram for Readers' Favorite

The Walk of the Wandering Man by Ric Szabo is an epic story of humanity that starts 5000 years ago in the harsh environment of Central Europe. The story begins with the intertwining of the fates of a young boy called Konli and a young man, Vratu, a Mesolithic hunter, brought together by tragedy. When Vratu is sent on his rite of passage, to walk with the Earth Spirit, he has no idea what the gods have in store for him, and how his quest will bring him manhood, pain, suffering, joy, and ultimately love. He knows treachery and killing, finds his conscience and learns compassion, and discovers a moral certainty to do what is right. Who is the mysterious boy with the strange tattoo and the intriguing necklace? Why has Vratu been chosen to protect him?

Fans of Jean Auel’s Clan of the Cave Bear series will absolutely love this book. The plot is complex in that it encompasses the lives and deeds of a number of characters and their clans. The reader embarks on a journey with Vratu that informs as it entertains. The age of the hunter-gatherer was ending as the farmers began to assert their right to land. Clashes and killings, and some degree of xenophobia were inevitable as the fight over resources raged. Alliances are formed, then broken, then remade in an intricate story line. The reader who enjoys prehistory and its detail will be impressed, as I was, at the meticulous research done to bring the epoch to life. The author writes in a lyrical style that is appropriate for the genre, slightly archaic but most pleasing to read. A modern author voice would not have worked, and Szabo gets it just right.

I enjoyed the descriptions which are vivid and immersive; indeed, readers find themselves thrust right into the action, be it fighting to survive the elements or in the midst of battle. The story takes the reader back in time most amazingly. One wonders how early man managed to survive, how they learned to create tools, to make clothing, shelter, medicines, all the things that the modern reader wouldn’t give a second thought. Social constructs and mores, traditions, customs, and laws are explained by seamlessly integrating them into the plot. The themes of spirituality and worship, and the place of nature in an emerging society’s ethos are clear. The story unfolds at a leisurely pace, although the prologue starts with action and mystery, and death. This is an epic adventure and one that belongs not only to Vratu, but to the communities he encounters and the people he calls his friends and companions. A thought-provoking, instructive, and extremely enjoyable read.

Reviewed By Rabia Tanveer for Readers' Favorite

Never Among Equals: A Novel by Fazle Chowdhury is the story of Firoze as he navigates life regardless of whatever curveball it throws at him. Set in 1913, Firoze Hazari is a Bengali man who finishes his education at Oxford University and decides to live on his terms instead of going back home to marry the woman his parents expect him to. Getting his flat in the heart of London and accepting a job that he loves proves to be the easiest decision of his life. However, fate truly challenges him when he loses his job and Firoze decides to join the British Army. From learning to live on the edge and embracing the unpredictable nature of war, Firoze knows that this is just the tip of the iceberg. With the Great War looming over him like death, Firoze takes on a mission that might just as well be suicide. Can he survive? Or will it be the end of the road for him?

There is a smoothness with which the narrative flows and allows the reader to just get lost in the story. Fazle Chowdhury introduces Firoze most subtly and effortlessly, two adjectives that perfectly describe Firoze. He is that kind of protagonist that seamlessly blends with the plot and adds cohesiveness to the story. He is not charismatic but he is reliable. He is a normal man who has strong opinions and is very determined (not very different from the people we know in real life). I love that there is never a dull moment in the story. Never Among Equals keeps moving forward without a hitch and comes to an end at the perfect moment. It is a must-read, very entertaining novel.

Reviewed By Trudi LoPreto for Readers' Favorite

In Overland by Ramcy Diek, Skyla is a young woman working in her father’s insurance agency. She has a happy family life, a boyfriend, and life is good. Until that rainy Thanksgiving eve when she is kidnapped. Rikkerson, the kidnapper, took Skyla to his shack in the woods and expected her to become a mother to his three young children. The police, private detectives, and friends and family search frantically for Skyla. She uses all of the strength and determination she has in taking care of the children, trying to do nothing to cause Rikkerson to go into one of his angry, scary fits, and trying to figure out a way to get out of the shack, through the woods and back home.

I loved reading Overland! The suspense never ended and kept me intrigued from page one until the final words. Overland is a must-read for all fans who enjoy suspense, crime thrillers, and a little bit of romance thrown in for good measure. It's a story that will keep you up way into the night. Skyla’s character is well defined as is Rikkerson's. Ramcy Diek is a talented author who has written a top-notch story. There is reality, fiction, family love, fear, and more. The three young children have no education and have no idea what is beyond their shack in the woods, but quickly learn to love and trust Skyla and the bond they form will bring tears and joy to your heart. Overland is one of the best books I have read in a very long time and I highly recommend it to all.

Reviewed By K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

The Poseidon Network is a work of fiction in the historical, emotional drama, and espionage sub-genres, and was penned by author Kathryn Gauci. Set during the Second World War, this engrossing and atmospheric drama tells the tale of Special Operations Executive Larry Hadley who arrives in occupied Greece in 1943. As the Second World War engulfs Europe, Larry must work with the titular Poseidon Network to bring the conflict to an end, but the deeper he gets into this new world, the more complex and entangling it becomes. What results is a dangerous thriller novel with plenty of twists, traitors, and treason in the mix.

Author Kathryn Gauci has crafted a lavish and detailed novel that leaves no stone unturned as it delivers a fully immersive historical espionage experience. The settings are less typical for a Second World War novel, showcasing the Mediterranean and its surroundings with gorgeous descriptions and a classic feel that evokes images of 40s cinema and glamour. There is also a gritty realism in the spine of the tale, which increases with the tension as the stakes get higher for the agents involved. Larry is an exceedingly well developed central protagonist, one who grows and shifts with the story into a man you really want to root for and investigate alongside. The final essential element to the tale is the plot, and this is the true highlight which delivers in spades, with some very unexpected and exciting conclusions. Overall, I would highly recommend The Poseidon Network to fans of wartime mysteries and spy thrillers that tick every box for maximum engagement.

Reviewed By Lit Amri for Readers' Favorite

In The Poe Consequence by Keith Steinbaum, 35-year-old Warren Palmer received an ominous reading from a psychic in an unknown street of New Orleans. Back in Los Angeles, he and his son, Seth, find themselves at the wrong place and the wrong time when they get caught up in a shooting between two notorious gangs. Warren’s attempt to save Seth resulted in his own death. Rather than moving on to the light, his soul gives in to anger and unfinished business on earth. He has a new purpose－seek out the gang members and kill them. The first to die will be the one who shot him.

Steinbaum’s deft integration of Edgar Allan Poe’s The Tell-Tale Heart as a core element, along with his other short stories in the premise, gives The Poe Consequence a slightly different kind of intriguing factor. The well-paced plot is substantiated with heavy subjects of gang crime, depression, racial hatred, alcoholism, family obligations and many more. Between an angry soul causing death and panic among the gang members, and an alcoholic who tries to honor his family responsibility, my focus was much more on the young Seth, and how he finds guidance and regains hope through a compassionate mentor. The prose is straightforward, and the narrative is clear cut overall, despite some awkward parts of the dialogue. All in all, The Poe Consequence is a solid combination of supernatural, crime drama, and a dose of Edgar Allan Poe’s mysticism.

Reviewed By Rabia Tanveer for Readers' Favorite

Appearances by Sondra Helene is a family drama where our protagonist is caught between a rock and a hard place. Samantha had everything she could wish for. She had a wonderful life with her husband, a happy home and she loved her sister. While her husband Richard loved Samantha with all his heart, he merely tolerated her family. However, he despised her sister Elizabeth and the two just couldn’t stand each other. That put a strain on Samantha and Richard’s relationship but they were powering through it when something terrible happened. Elizabeth was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer and Samantha had no idea what to do. She wanted to be there for her sister and appease her husband at the same time. Before she knew it, she had to make a very tough decision: choose to remain with her husband or help her sister get through that hard time. What will Samantha do?

Appearances by Sondra Helene is a very heavy story to read. Samantha’s journey was hard and filled with pain. She wanted to be truly happy with her husband and enjoy her family, but that didn’t seem to be in the cards for her. She was surprisingly very perceptive; she kept her mental health in check and made sure she was present for her sister. The connection between Elizabeth and Samantha was beautiful. Samantha stuck by her side through the hardest and the easiest times of Elizabeth’s journey. The treatments were painful to read; however, they made the story even more realistic. The narrative was smooth, it was empowering and it was emotional. I was holding back tears at some points and smiling at the same time. It was bittersweet but it was worth it. I felt like I was sitting beside Samantha and Elizabeth during each hospital visit and went through everything with them. This emotionally-charged drama was worth every emotion I went through while reading it.

Reviewed By Astrid Iustulin for Readers' Favorite

What would you choose between a quiet private life and a public life that can be very rewarding but also risky? I think that we have asked ourselves this question at least once in our lives. Richard Robbins asks his readers the same question in his novel, Panicles. This amazing book tells the story of the Murnanes, a wealthy family with serious political ambitions, and of the Wax family, which finds prosperity thanks to an unexpected legacy. Scandals and questionable political actions surround the characters. Good ideas turn out to have negative consequences, while morally reprehensible actions can have positive results. What is the price to pay?

Panicles is a novel that invites reflection with its subtle and significant meaning. The characters have serious decisions to make, and often they are not blameless. Robbins does not openly condemn disputable deeds, but he rather aims at showing how difficult it is to make the right choices. He does not prevent further discussion by giving a definitive answer, but he presents the facts and lets the reader decide what is good and what is not. Panicles is not just about politics, however. Family is also an important topic, and Robbins develops this theme with remarkable skill. In a delightful scene at the beginning, Little Emily, the Murnanes’ daughter, cries because the flowers are dead. This scene comes to the reader's mind later when she explains what Panicles are, and her explanation adds a deeper meaning to the story. Connections, effects, and a great storyline make Panicles a remarkable novel from many points of view.

Reviewed By Jamie Michele for Readers' Favorite

Faithful Valor by Isabella is a military suspense romance that follows Colonel Nicole (Nic) Caldwell and the life she is attempting to rebuild after deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, the latter of which left her scarred both physically and mentally. The book is narrated through three points of view: Nic, her former comrade CeCe, and Nic's wife Claire. Set in Monterey, California where Nic and Claire live with their daughter Grace, Nic is adapting to life after her trauma in the hopes of teaching. On Nic's advice, Cece relocates from Los Angeles to Monterey to work as a university cop—at the same school where Claire is a student—in the hopes of taking her daughter, Melita, out of the gang-infested environment she's growing up in. On a trip to a local mini-mart, Nic has a violent encounter with two Marines that live on the nearby base. The confrontation kicks off a series of events that explode when one of the PFCs sets out for revenge against Nic, determined to take from her what he believes was taken from him: everything.

I don't even know where to start, to be honest. Faithful Valor is an excellent book that deftly balances multiple themes with an intriguing plot and subplots. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, suicide, rehabilitation, family issues, romance...it's all there, wrapped up in a tension-filled LGBTQ page-turner. A standout for me was the fact that this book featured three strong female protagonists and exactly zero men coming to the rescue. The relationship between Nic and Claire has all of the right swoon components and relationship goals we look for in a romance, with a layered understanding of Nic's health. All three have unique voices, written crisply by Isabella with the skilled hand of a seasoned author. The climax is explosive and vivid with the scenery coming to life, catapulting our wounded warrior from the darkness of PTSD, so severe that it causes blackouts, into the light.