Reviewed by Romuald Dzemo for Readers' Favorite

Gaelan’s War is the first book in the Gaelan Kelly series by Thaddeus McGrath, an opening that is powerful and full of promise, a novel with strong supernatural hints. Gaelan Kelly is a broken man. He is haunted by the horrors of war. He is still having nightmares inspired by the gory experience of war, and while he still struggles with his inner demons, he is irresistibly pulled into a battle he never saw coming. Humanity is threatened by a ruthless, unforgivable enemy and Gaelan is the last hope of protecting it. But can a broken man like him still have enough fight left in him to protect humanity from a fatal menace?

The author starts the story on a strong note, allowing readers to get a feel for the characters while introducing an element of the setting. The prose is beautiful and filled with vivid images: ‘Sam Carver had just finished another unsuccessful day of hunting in the Northern Virginia woods. “Goddamn deer scent isn’t worth a shit this year,” he mumbled under his breath.’ I particularly enjoyed how the author brings life to the writing, spreading smells, exotic sights and images throughout the narrative. The story has a powerful conflict and it starts with the hunter at the opening of the narrative, morphing into a phenomenal conflict involving the very existence of the human species. Gaelan’s War is tightly written, ingeniously plotted, and featuring a multi-faceted conflict that moves the story to unexpected places. I loved the gorgeous prose, the exciting characters, and the strong plot points.

Reviewed by Arya Fomonyuy for Readers' Favorite

What about Barnum? by Joss Landry is the first book in the Binary Bounty series, and an exciting blend of fantasy and sci-fi, a story of love, crime, and family. And there is more! Millicent “Millie” Brewer has learned to keep her distance from men who are tall and attractive after her divorce. But when the handsome, irresistible Barnum rescues her five-year-old son from drowning, she experiences strange feelings about him. When two murders occur in their hotel, Millie knows she could be in trouble when law enforcement officers ask for her passport.

Away from her mother, in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, can her mother, a reputable criminal attorney help her? In the stark darkness of the night, Barnum fetches Millie and her son and gets them away on his yacht. Now, things escalate when Barnum sweeps Millie off her feet and kisses her in what feels like a gentle, yet passionately consuming fire. As their worlds collide, and as their passions become stronger, Millie has to find out who Barnum really is, because the things that happen around him don’t make him seem human?

Joss Landry has the gift of teasing readers, of arousing the most repressed and hidden emotions in them, and then sending them on a ride that makes them look at the stars and wonder if they were not among the characters and part of the enticing story. Her characters are rock solid, well imagined, and there is no way the reader won’t feel like they are just next door. What about Barnum? has a strong and swiftly paced plot, believable and exciting characters, and a conflict that readers quickly invest in to find out how it plays out. An enjoyable read, indeed!

Reviewed by Rabia Tanveer for Readers' Favorite

Before I begin with the review of Shadow Play: A Dark Fantasy Novel - The Fae Games Volume 1 by Jill Ramsower, let me just comment and praise the cover of this novel. I have to admit that the cover lured me in and made me pick this novel more than anything else. That being said, the story and the way it was written are terrific, and I loved the way the author captured my attention and kept it. I loved Becca and how level headed she was, even when things were not going her way, and how she fought the oppression head on.

This is the story of Rebecca Peterson, a young woman who finally has the chance to follow her dreams and leave her old life behind. She grabs the opportunity with both hands and travels all the way to Ireland to achieve what she always wanted. However, reality comes crashing down when she realizes that some strange and terrifying creatures are descending to earth and devouring humans. Only Becca can see these creatures and understand what is happening around her. She gives a sigh of relief when she meets two guys who are also able to see them; however, she is not sure if she can trust either of them or if she should even trust them. Can Becca do something to stop these strange creatures? Can she trust anyone in this chaos?

This is an incredible novel that I simply devoured. It is fast paced and beautifully developed. I thoroughly enjoyed the story, the characters and overall flow. There was no flaw that I could find and I simply laid back and relaxed while reading this action-packed novel. In fact, I can see this novel becoming a movie because it has the potential to attract a lot of fans. The character development was amazing and believable and I enjoyed the tension between Becca, Ronan and Lochlan. I can’t wait for the next novel in the series. I wish I could give it more than 5 stars! Simply brilliant.

Reviewed by Romuald Dzemo for Readers' Favorite

Twenty-five-year-old Robert has a hard time keeping his job at Best Buy, Portland, Oregon, and he hasn’t changed his job role since he started with the company — staying as a repair agent and working in the back room, removing various forms of malware from computers — because of his lack of people skills. He is not just good at talking to people. Even when his friend, David, visits, Robert has to think if David is welcome or not and brings out his timer, ready to unceremoniously send his friend away when their time is up. In The Seventh Guard: Destiny Expires, a man who seems to live on the edge of reality, without fully getting involved, decides to write a harmless program and install it on 100 of the computers he’s repaired. This is just the beginning of a path fraught with danger and a powerful adversary that will make Robert question everything he’s ever believed in, a journey that will test him beyond limits.

Francis Halpin’s story is one of an unusual character following a message that takes him on an adventure filled with danger. This is a compelling tale with one of the best characters I have read in science fiction. The author creates a profile of the protagonist, a man who is very intelligent, but who feels more connected with the computers he works with than with his girlfriend, Jennifer, who strangely seems to cherish his “sharp sense of humor.” The writing is beautiful, the humor filling the pages, and the suspense skillfully designed to keep the reader’s attention from one engaging page to the next. From the very first page, one notices something strange about the protagonist — a loner, but one who is extremely gifted. The elegant prose grabs your attention from the first page, thanks to its fluidity. Robert is a character you can’t ignore. He is unique and seems not to care about it. He is a risk taker who creates a sense of excitement in readers who watch him doing what he knows best. The Seventh Guard: Destiny Expires is utterly entertaining, one of the few books with an irresistible narrative voice and a strong setting.

Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

Storm Called is a work of paranormal intrigue, drama and romance penned by author Susan Copperfield. A Royal States novel, this is the earliest work of the chronology and features characters from the rest of the series, but can easily be read as a standalone book. Our central hero is Patrick Laycal, who lives in the Royal States of America where a magical caste system is enforced by those who have power and privilege. Pat is able to sense the emotions of horses, although his usual job is simply to wash dishes and dream of being a chef. But everything goes awry when Pat encounters a princess who is determined to call him into action, whether he wants to or not.

Jessica and Pat are interesting heroes providing larger than life experiences in this high flying paranormal romance with a fabulous magical twist. One thing I particularly enjoyed was how Texan the whole situation still was, from the barbecues to the horses and the attitudes of the characters. With the magical society laid over the old ways of America, the reading experience becomes lavish and exciting on every page, even in its smallest details. Author Susan Copperfield does a wonderful job of layering the romantic moments with other plot elements to present an amusing and exciting story line with plenty to discover, and the characters were easy to root for, and endearing despite their flaws. Overall I’d certainly recommend Storm Called to PNR fans who are looking for something exciting and original as their next read.

Reviewed by Liz Konkel for Readers' Favorite

Invasion by Roxanne Bland revolves around three different individuals: the alpha of a werewolf pack, Parker, Seattle's vampire master, Kurt, and mage Garrett. After failing at a tryst to stop Seattle's riots, the three start experiencing potentially damaging side effects when their auras start merging together. When Garrett wakes up covered in blood, she turns to her old mentor, Feodor, for guidance. Meanwhile, Kurt is experiencing a serious drain in his powers which, if discovered, could send others to challenge him. Parker struggles to mend his broken heart and a sudden thirst for blood when his love, Shen'zae Melera, returns to earth with the shocking news that her enemy, Mag Beloc, has followed her and will stop at nothing to get her back, even if it destroys the world. Despite tension and jealousy, the four are forced to work together to stop Beloc before it's too late.

The plot is layered and complicated, following Parker, Kurt, and Garrett's individual journeys dealing with their side effects, while also blending in Melera in space and a potential alien invasion. Roxanne Bland flawlessly weaves each thread together, building upon each one and bringing them together into one succinct story. The world is gritty and the core characters are forced into hiding, pretending to be human, for in this society any supernatural being is executed upon proof of what they are. They constantly live in fear of being discovered, but they're also dealing with supernatural politics. If Kurt shows weakness, he can be challenged and killed, with his position going to the winner.

Though they're powerful supernatural beings, Bland makes them realistic, emotional, and allows for you to form a real connection with them. They have so much at stake, due to their auras blending together, that it's easy to understand what they're feeling. This makes them a bit unpredictable because they're willing to do whatever they can to protect themselves. This makes them a little dangerous, but also sympathetic. They're all wonderfully flawed, but there's something good about each of them that makes them redeeming. The tension between them makes for an endearing plot, especially since they're literally connected to each other, and forced to rely on people they're not particularly fond of at the moment. Garrett lied to Kurt and Parker about the tryst, while Kurt also betrayed Parker, and then it's topped off with a dose of jealousy, making for a fun read. Invasion is a marvelous blend of science fiction action, magic, a gritty society, and romance.

Reviewed by Grant Leishman for Readers' Favorite

Magic has almost disappeared from our world, due to the influence of first the industrial revolution, and then the technological revolution, but unknown to most of us mere mortals, magic creatures - werewolves, shifters, vampires, witches, and Fae - still live amongst us. Eleanor Morgan is a Fae Princess whose task it is to open the gates and allow magic back into our world, to try to restore the balance to earth, destroyed by humanity’s relentless drive for power and technology. Assisted by her mate, a werewolf called Isaac, a witch called Florence, and a rather gorgeous, ancient vampire by the name of Raj, Eleanor must fight off those determined to stop her opening the magic portals. In The Waning Moon by Amy Cissell, Eleanor will attempt to open two more of these portals. As each gate to the magic world is opened, more and more of man’s technology will die, leaving humanity struggling for survival in a world without electricity, communication and the comforts of the modern day life.

I’m not a regular reader of fantasy, werewolves, and magic, but Amy Cissell’s The Waning Moon certainly captured my attention. I found the humour and gentle sarcasm of the characters right up my alley. By writing this in the first person, through Eleanor’s eyes, the author has given us entry into her mind, her thinking and her turmoil about the task she is entrusted with. I found this totally refreshing and exciting. For me, the best character had to be the thousand-year-old vampire, Raj. His constant innuendo and double-entendre kept Eleanor on her toes and me, as a reader, totally engaged with the story. The Waning Moon is the second in the Eleanor Morgan series and I think I can pay Cissell no greater compliment than to say reading this book inspires me to read the first book in the series and to continue with the entire series, as it is completed. This is a winner and one of the best in its genre that I’ve read of late.

Reviewed by Lit Amri for Readers' Favorite

A botched stakeout led to the death of Amy Bree’s partner and her dismissal from the FBI in Bloodline (The CULL, Book 1) by Eric J. Gates, a supernatural thriller about vampires that are different from the classic ones that we know. A serial killer known as the Blood Sucker has killed more than a dozen people, painting the walls of their homes with their own blood. Amy thought she was out of the game for good until a Vatican priest hired her and reinstated her as a Homeland Security agent to continue her hunt for the infamous killer. Meanwhile, nurse Anka Syzmanski can’t ignore her fear of Doctor Heinrich Neumann, despite his gentle manner towards the staff and the patients. There’s something about him that reminds her of the old tales from her native Poland about demons who preyed on people in isolated villages.

I applaud Gates for the well thought out premise, plot, and the way he made his vampires unique, deftly using the classic theme to make the series stand out from other bloodsucker stories. The writing style complements the swift pacing, and there are plenty of action filled and suspenseful moments. Solid characterization gives the characters enough depth and believable traits. The intelligent but somewhat complicated Amy Bree is easy to root for. That said, I’m more fond of the brilliant and much wiser ex-spy ‘Mrs.’ Katie Lindon. These two make an impressive team and through their investigation we get to know the Blood Sucker clue by clue, which also reveals the hidden layers of Cancelli and Neumann. When the POV shifts to the elusive serial killer, we learn more about his persona, strength, and particularly his flaws. Some of the small characters also have a firm place in their roles when it comes to piecing together the evidence. Several aspects of the plot are slightly predictable, but in essence Bloodline is gripping, fun, and kept me intrigued from start to finish.

Reviewed by Lex Allen for Readers' Favorite

In the Royal States of America, magic rules all, but life—and love—always finds a way. Summer Cassidy, a pre-doctorate archaeologist determined to achieve that objective at all costs, is forced to sell a priceless Aztec necklace at the Texas Charity Auction to raise money for further exploration of a temple in Mexico. Here she meets Bachelor #103, a man who finds her description of human sacrifice charming rather than appalling. He buys her necklace for millions; she buys his company for a quarter. One coffee date, a dinner, and a curse later, Summer is thrown into a deadly adventure where magic, cinnabar, gods, and ghosts control her destiny as she struggles to solve a mysterious curse that could give her everything she’d dreamed of or cost her life.

In The Captive King, one of three stand-alone novels in the Royal States Series, Susan Copperfield has delivered a romantic fantasy tale of unequaled suspense, adventure, mystery and imagination. In a future world, that followed a revolution, the United States has been divided into individual kingdoms. The populations of these kingdoms consist of royals, elites, regular folks and a group of talents—those who can manipulate the elements, foretell events or determine a person’s truthfulness, among other things. Summer is an earth weaver, prized at archaeological sites for her ability to move, reshape, or excavate dirt and stone with her mind and hands. She discovers the jade necklace, the crux of the story, which she sells at auction and kicks off the events for the rest of the story.

The Captive King is among the most compelling, imaginative and dynamic stories in this genre that I’ve read in a long time. Summer and Bachelor #103, aka Landon, provide a constant series of the most facetious, sarcastic, and alternatively loving and allegorical dialogue I’ve ever read. Their story is fast paced, the characters beautifully and perfectly portrayed. The mystery and the magical elements of the story are mesmerizing and unforgettable. I’ve become a fan of Susan Copperfield and this series... it’s irresistible.

Reviewed by Caitlin Lyle Farley for Readers' Favorite

Edward Berman is sent to investigate the scene of a horrific murder in Central Park. He discovers a beautiful cane among the homeless victim’s possessions and then the man’s decapitated head whispers to Eddie that he’s been summoned. That is how Eddie is drawn into a world of ancient magic and powerful wizards who must rally their strength to fight against a great evil that has returned to the world. This entity is responsible for the murders in the park, which forces Eddie to walk a fine line as he investigates the murders as a mundane cop and trains beneath his wizard mentor in preparation to fight the evil being.

The Wizards of Central Park West by Arjay Lewis presents an interesting alternate history that touches on a variety of myths and legends spanning multiple cultures. The most unique element is the origins of the various magical staffs used by the wizards. The narrative sparkles with ironic humour that delighted me, turning what could’ve been a heavy book into something fun and enjoyable instead. I thought the police aspect of the story was a little too much like the stereotypical characters and conflicts portrayed in crime series. Although The Wizards of Central Park West is a long book, the pacing is good and the story so engaging that the pages fly. I never felt like I was reading a big book. There were several occasions where I was certain I’d figured out the antagonist’s identity, but the denouement proved all my theories wrong. The climax of The Wizards of Central Park West is thrilling.