Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

Tiger Drive is a contemporary family drama novel penned by author Teri Case. Written for adults due to its complex themes, language, and content, the story focuses with a deep and insightful perspective on the Sloan family, residents of the titular address at which the novel is set. Mother Janice is sick of managing her dysfunctional family and drunken husband and still harbors the dreams of her youth. As her daughter Carrie plans a college escape, husband Harry takes a step too far and the whole family ends up under investigation. As the dirt flies, everyone’s dreams seem on the verge of collapse, but there’s a small glimmer of hope that they can prevail.

Fans of family sagas, shifting perspectives and powerful literary fiction are certain to adore this dramatic but highly realistic work by author Teri Case. The connection and commitment to character development stand at the center of this immense wealth of interpersonal knowledge and deep-set family traumas, characterized perfectly in the dialogue style and intimate narrative techniques used. We sit on the shoulders of the family members to glimpse deep into their relationships and alternate ideas about one another, finding pathos and sympathy in some ways and frustration and heartache in others. Janice takes center stage as the action and the mystery elements heat up but, all in all, there’s a well-rounded message with a true emotional rollercoaster right to the end. Overall, Tiger Drive is a superb modern drama work that comes highly recommended indeed.

Reviewed by Samantha March for Readers' Favorite

Degrees of Love by Lisa Slabach is her debut novel, but I would have never guessed that. I was immediately hooked by the story, and I couldn’t stop swiping frantically at my Kindle to see how the story unfolded. We follow Susan Sinclair, a wife, mother, and also career-driven businesswoman who is determined to bring her kids up right, fit in with her Silicon Valley neighbors, and climb the corporate ladder. While I do not have children yet, I immediately could relate to Susan. Through the entire story in each choice Susan makes, I was right there with her, understanding, feeling hurt for her, wanting her to succeed in the end. There are, of course, moments where I felt she was making the wrong decision, but I never felt judgmental towards her, often times more sad or heartbroken for her.

The ending actually made me sit back and think. I couldn’t just move on to the next book. I went back through my Kindle to reread some of the passages. This is a novel that had me talking to my girlfriends about it, going through the scenarios of Susan’s life, asking each other what we would do. The ending physically hurt me to read how Susan’s story had played out, and how much I truly wanted happiness for her. I highly recommend this women’s fiction novel and I encourage readers to order this book in anticipation of the release date. Degrees of Love by Lisa Slabach is going to be quite the 'buzzed about' novel going into 2018, I can feel it.

Reviewed by Jack Magnus for Readers' Favorite

Murder at Broadcast Park is a murder mystery/thriller written by Bill Evans. John was getting used to his position at the station as the assignment editor. It always did seem rather odd to him that he, the new kid who had just finished college, would have such a major hand in deciding what would be covered as local news each day. His daily routine started with him opening up the station. He would turn on the lights in the studio to give the room a chance to warm up before the AM newscast and then get to work on determining the day’s assignments for the reporters. And that was exactly what was on his mind as he began to open up the station on the morning when he found Steve Johnson’s body. Johnson was the Santa Barbara station’s most popular news anchor, and had been so for over ten years now. John found his body in the oddest of positions. He was sitting at the news desk with a rope around his neck. The young man eased Johnson down onto the ground on the off-chance that the man might be resuscitated, but soon realized that it was way too late for him. News Director Barry Burke took early morning phone calls in his stride -- it was expected in the news business, but his assignment editor’s call took him completely by surprise. Their local TV news station had suddenly become the news, and it would take everyone’s resourcefulness and skill to stay on top of it.

Bill Evans’ murder mystery, Murder at Broadcast Park, is an exciting and fast-paced thriller that follows the investigations of the police and the station’s investigative journalists’ attempts to solve the mystery of the deaths of two station employees found in different locations on the same morning. Evans’ own 45-year career in broadcast journalism gives this well-written and suspenseful debut novel a strong feel of authenticity. The author quickly had me immersed in the personal and professional lives of John, his boss, Barry, the Station Manager, Lisa and Stewart Simpson, the station’s owner and her long-term friend and lover. Evans also incorporates a police procedural aspect to the plot with his inclusion of the Santa Barbara police detectives who work cooperatively with Barry and his journalists. Murder at Broadcast Park is a fine blend of mystery and dark thriller, with elements of horror that work perfectly to keep the suspense honed to a sharp edge, and it’s most highly recommended.

Reviewed by Melinda Hills for Readers' Favorite

It had been a long time since college, but Bobby Wade travels to Cedar Key to take care of business that he should have handled years ago in The Promise of Cedar Key by Rick Robinson. Playing catch-up is difficult though, especially when it involves self-examination and coming to terms with events outside of one’s control. As days go by in this peaceful little town, Bobby comes to some realizations with the help of a unique lawyer and his wife, as well as a few other townspeople. Surprise revelations challenge Bobby’s outlook and bring about intense soul searching, an interesting concept for a writer who has become complacent. With newfound insights, Bobby tries to make decisions about what he wants from the future and may make some changes now that he feels there is something worth his attention.

Rick Robinson creates a clear and interesting look at coming of middle age in The Promise of Cedar Key. Not everyone grows up as an adolescent or young adult – or at least comes to a full understanding of the path to contentment - and Robinson provides plenty of psychological background for a main character struggling to get his life back on track. The support of the other characters is realistic and offers options for Bobby to accept or decline, just as in everyday life. The vivid descriptions of the setting put you in the story and provide the ideal background for the emotional break needed for psychological growth to take place. Great story, well written and deeply moving. The Promise of Cedar Key presents a wonderful springboard for you to begin your own tour of self-discovery while enjoying a deep and satisfying read.

Reviewed by Mamta Madhavan for Readers' Favorite

Tears Before Exaltation by Fidelis O. Mkparu revolves around Ben Ava, a medical student who is struggling to make ends meet and pay for medical school since the death of both his parents. It is during these hard times that he receives a letter saying he is the recipient of the Tennessee Medical Scholarship. Ben is overjoyed and he gets ready to go to Memphis. Though he finds financial stability, his girlfriend, Deborah, dumps him. He runs into Brenda there, who had been his friend and lab partner. He realizes that Brenda is not the person he knew before; she is on a destructive path of behavior, but Ben is unable to break away from her. They are like two unstable medical students in a challenging relationship. It is around the same time that he strikes up a friendship with Rita, a beautiful nurse, and this invites the wrath of his supervisor, who is also attracted to her. It is now a question of survival for Ben as he finds himself in a financial mess. Will Ben fight back? Will he be able to get his position back in the hospital? Will he be able to save Brenda?

The story is a gripping psychological thriller that will take readers through many twists and turns and keep them glued to the story till the very end. The author manages to keep the tempo of the plot through Ben's trials, his emotional conflicts, and courage. Ben and Brenda's interaction, Rita and Ben's relationship, and his other relationships at the hospital with the working staff have been woven together to make this a compelling read. The descriptive narration take readers right into the happenings in Ben's life, along with him. The story has intrigue, suspense, courage, love, and friendship that will captivate readers. It is a story of Ben’s honesty, his courage, and his loyalty and that is what makes this book appealing to readers.

Reviewed by Lesley Jones for Readers' Favorite

In Flaherty's Crossing by Kaylin McFarren, Kate, a successful painter, is summoned to the deathbed of her father, Collin, who has only days to live. While Kate struggles to forgive him for the death of her beloved mother, Collin makes a startling confession. Meanwhile, Kate's husband, Drew, realising his loveless marriage has come to an end, decides he must leave home before Kate returns. Drew arrives at his friend's house to spend the night, only to find his friend's sister and ex-lover there. On her way home, Kate’s car is involved in an accident, resulting in a life-changing meeting with a man in a diner. The man is not all that he seems, and a shocking discovery has Kate running for her life, and hoping for a second chance to make her marriage work. Can Kate finally learn to forgive everyone she feels has wronged her? Will she finally find out the events surrounding her mother's death?

Flaherty's Crossing by Kaylin McFarren is a story filled with tension and suspense. There are some fantastic twists to the story which were cleverly entwined into the plot and subplots. The character of Kate was very realistic. She was a strong female protagonist but with a soft emotional side too. Her relationship with her father was quite heartwarming and authentic. The dialogue was uniquely written to suit each well-created character. The ending gave me chills as it was completely unexpected. The author has a real talent for building a scene which you can easily visualise. This is the perfect book for anyone who loves a suspense novel, and is one of the best I have read.

Reviewed by Kathryn Bennett for Readers' Favorite

Children of Eden by Michael Beeney takes us into the world of Harry Lester from London. Harry, like many others, took part in visiting unregulated infertility clinics when he was a medical student. Harry easily donated his genetic material to allow couples who were infertile to seek help. Twenty years after his donation period, Harry has given in to his wanderlust and is a doctor on a cruise ship. This allows him to work, but also travel as much as his heart desires. Harry's lifestyle is luxurious, carefree and fun. Twenty-year-old Jason Brown was born to a mother who desperately wanted him. He was the product of one of those unregulated infertility clinics, his father only ever known as a donor to him. That is until he becomes obsessed with finding out who his father is, and the drive to find this knowledge leads him on a journey around the world.

I have to admit to being a person who has occasionally thought about what children who were conceived by sperm donation felt like when they were older. Diving into this story gave me a little taste of what that might be like, Jason is utterly determined to find out more about his father and I have to admire his ambition. Of course the story is not as straight up as one man trying to find his father. There has to be, after all, a woman involved too, and when you have people who don't know one of their parents and a man who doesn't know where his sperm was used, you can walk into some sticky situations.

Author Michael Beeney has written a fast paced, unique, and enjoyable book. You have mystery, intrigue, a little bit of a criminal element, and romance as well. This book is a page turner that truly does give the reader a little bit of everything. If you are looking for your next read that might make you gasp out loud at some of the situations that pop up, this is going to be one that you will enjoy a great deal.

Reviewed by Melinda Hills for Readers' Favorite

Like so many ‘small town’ young people, Natalie Ogier left her home on the beautiful island of Guernsey for university and stayed in London to experience life in the big city in Echoes of Time by Anne Allen. After surviving an abusive relationship, though, Natalie moves back to Guernsey where she purchases a beautiful new home, built on the site of an old farmhouse which had been destroyed by fire over 20 years earlier. Near her parents and best friend, and far from the former boyfriend, Natalie expects to relax and enjoy life. That is, at least, until she is disturbed by visions, horrific dreams, and even some active paranormal events. Natalie seems to be tied into the past with the original owners of the farm, who happen to have been her neighbor’s grandparents – or she is losing her mind? As Natalie develops a relationship with her neighbor, Stuart, the past invades more frequently. When Stuart’s mother arrives to visit and enters the property where she had grown up, the events take on even more sinister overtones. The spirit that tells Natalie to ‘Go away!’ is definitely violent, but when Tabby sees her parents for herself, Natalie finally accepts that she needs help outside the normal channels. The only question is how to set the past right and have these spirits move on.

Superbly written, Echoes of Time is captivating, exciting, sad, bittersweet and yet hopeful and full of happiness. Anne Allen lovingly depicts the place and people of Guernsey and seamlessly combines the past and present, telling almost parallel stories that come to a joint resolution. Even the cover art lends to the dual time setting that is the basis for the overall narrative. This is perfect as a stand-alone story even though it is actually the fifth in The Guernsey Novels. It is quite easy to read without any reference to the previous volumes. For history, romance, paranormal action and just plain great reading, Echoes of Time is a wonderful book.

Reviewed by Patricia Day for Readers' Favorite

Meet Bridgette Connor. When luck is being issued, she must feel as if she is the last person in line receiving the good stuff. As her life plummets from bad to worse, she throws up her hands in total despair, and runs. Her heart is broken. Her dreams are shattered. She cannot take any more. Driving along a strange road, her life takes a further battering when her car rolls into a ditch. This moment is a pivotal one. After dragging herself from the wreckage of her car, she painfully makes her way to the only business showing lights in the small town. Despite the place being closed, the owner, Alexis Parker, opens up and so begins a whole new chapter in Bridgette’s life. She experiences not only a place of rest, but also a soul renewal, love, and family. A flicker of hope is kindled in her broken spirit into a glorious fire of realization that everything she has run away from can be healed right in this small town, if she is willing to stay.

Last Things by Betta Ferrendelli is a truly engrossing book. Once in a while you read a book that captivates your imagination, and your heart. This is one of those treasures. It is so engaging that I could not put it down. The characters are so real you can almost feel them beside you. Bridgette receives far more than she can give. Her pregnancy and her broken relationship become shadows of the past as she contemplates, and shares in, a life beyond her wildest dreams. A five star read, because it deserves it. The formatting, story and characters are superb. Wonderful story.

Reviewed by Susan Sewell for Readers' Favorite

Brought To Our Senses by Kathleen H Wheeler is a poignantly depicted fiction novel about the agony and trials of a family as they witness the decline of their mother as she ages. Jessica, Teri, and Elizabeth have begun noticing that their mother, Janice, is starting to exhibit uncharacteristic and bizarre behavior. Janice has started forgetting appointments, has no interest in her favorite daughter's newborn baby, and is remembering events that had never occurred. The sisters are alarmed, but their older brother, Tom, who lives over a thousand miles away, isn't too concerned. In his mind, his mother is depressed from the death of her close friend and boss of over twenty years, and ultimately the loss of her job. Plus, she is just getting older. The siblings have always clashed and have never experienced peaceful relationships, but when their mother's extreme conduct leaves her lost and confused in a police station many miles away, they unite. Despite their turbulent and less than satisfactory history, they must pull together and find a way to help their belligerent and wayward parent. This is their journey.

Brought To Our Senses by Kathleen H Wheeler is a heartrending women's fiction novel that portrays the tragic effects of Alzheimer's disease. The story displays an eye-opening and frighteningly realistic account of the chaos and grief that accompany this dreaded malady. I love that Janice's history is woven throughout the book, allowing the reader to know and understand each of the characters, lending insight into the family's incivility and bickering. Janice's journey through life, from her birth until her death, is the underlying mold that forms the story. Although the degenerative disease is the core of the book, it is a moving story about strength and determination in the face of adversity. I admired the way the author presented such a painful subject and applaud her ability to make it authentic. I recommend it to those who love an inspiring women's fiction novel with the stark element of reality.