Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

More Than Halfway There is a work of fiction focused on small-town drama and character-led story arcs, and was penned by author David Hartshorn. The central drama is based around Jake Taylor, who abandons a successful law practice to return to Jackson Meadows, New Hampshire, where he once grew up. Returning to the past in his current lonely state is bad enough for Jake’s psyche, but when complications arise with old friends, old flames, and a demented father who now lives in a nursing home, it seems Jake will never get his life back on track. However, maybe a small-town visit is just what he needs to get some real perspective, however happy or sad those are.

Heart-warming and superbly poignant in the writing, author David Hartshorn has created a literary styled slice of life that speaks volumes about the human condition. Central to the emotional powerhouse of the piece is the character work and devotion to the development of Jake, who is relatable in his conflicts, and the heartaches that he has carried from the big city back to the small world of his roots. Despite these serious themes and emotive truths, the novel is also layered with intelligent and subtle humor that keeps you smiling throughout, bringing the many simplicities and complexities of life into stark and humorous contrast. Jake’s story is well told and well settled, but beyond that, there is an even bigger message for readers to absorb. Overall, More Than Halfway There is a highly recommend and thoughtful work of fiction.

Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

Reasons for Waking is a work of fiction in the Southern fiction, family saga, and interpersonal drama subgenres. It is best suited to the general adult reading audience and was penned by author Karen Foster. In this heartfelt tale about family dynamics, secrets, hurting, and healing, we discover how life has turned out for Philip, a reclusive man with a lot of pain in his past. He’s brought back into family life by a young woman touched by the same tragedy that sent Philip off on a lonely road, and together they begin to unpick the complex web of misunderstandings, assumptions, secrets and lies that have led to a difficult and prolonged silence.

Author Karen Foster has crafted a truly unique family drama like nothing else I’ve read this year, and one which has a poignant message about openness, communication, and the danger of not speaking up when you really should. One of the features that most impressed me in this emotionally intelligent work was its commitment to character, as every figure in the family and those close acquaintances around them all seemed totally realized with their own personality, dialogue style, attitudes, and values. The layers of realism surrounding the estranged Philip make the impact all the more enjoyable when he’s able to dig deep and break down some of the walls he’s built for himself. Combining this with the hardships, struggles, and tearjerking moments of pure emotion, Foster delivers a stellar drama in Reasons for Waking that is both highly recommended and not to be missed.

Reviewed by Viga Boland for Readers' Favorite

When asked his name, the frightened young boy who has just shot his mama replies: “Earl, honey.” The officer sniggers, except the response isn’t funny. Nor is Earl being sassy. He is simply slow after being brain-damaged by his abusive father years before. It’s episodes like this that will have readers coming to love the young protagonist of Earl, Honey by D.S. Getson. Based on information in Getson’s family history, the author has penned an unforgettable historical novel that I found impossible to put down. Getson is an author who does more than create an engaging plot: her characters are so realistic that readers feel every emotion, especially Earl’s. He’s a lonely, often confused, and scared child, eager to learn and please his elders, and devoted to his younger sister, Lucy. His bond with Lucy and his desire to be with her when life separates them drive the plot.

Equally impressive about D.S. Getson’s writing are her settings and dialogue: both are in keeping with country farm folk and the gentry of the 1920s. No anachronisms here! Likewise, Getson perfectly captures the attitudes of the various classes of society, and many of those, while realistic, are heartbreaking. But there’s one other thing that Getson does that is rare: Earl’s story, and who he becomes is a sustained metaphor. Getson prefaces each of the three sections of Earl, Honey with a description of 3 plants and how they grow to maturity: chickweed, sourwood, and American holly. Those processes parallel Earl’s development, making this novel a stunning coming-of-age story. In this respect, Getson’s Earl, Honey is a classic that deserves your attention. It would make a wonderful movie too. This is brilliant writing and highly recommended reading.

Reviewed by Bernadette Longu for Readers' Favorite

Waterbury Winter by Linda Stewart Henley takes place from 2008 through 2009 in a town called Waterbury, approximately an hour's drive from New York in Connecticut, New England. The main character is Barnaby Brown with his parrot Popsicle - a Green Amazon Parrot - who is his best friend and even goes with him to the watering hole O'Malley's. Other characters that cross Barnaby’s path are Sean who owns and runs the watering hole which Barnaby frequents. Then there is Sal, his boss at the hardware store. Barnaby has been on a downward spiral since his wife’s death, the loss of his teaching job, and having to move back in with his parents. He is an excellent artist but because he is always drinking, he has not painted since his parents passed. Barnaby also seems to think by moving to California and getting away from the cold winters of Waterbury, he would be better off. Certain things happen that cause him to rethink his life, life choices, what he is doing to himself, and allow him to start following his dream and getting back to painting. This is one of the few books I have read that has caught my attention from the start to the end and makes a person think.

The plot of Waterbury Winter by Linda Stewart Henley is very well laid out and takes you on a journey from the first line to the last. It does go on some side paths but eventually meanders back to the main route. Each character is important to Barnaby Brown on his journey to finding himself, being true to himself, and getting back to his painting. The pace is not too fast; it is like a lovely meander through a beautiful garden. The theme has been well written and gives the reader food for thought about life in general and what is available for the reader personally going forward. The action is more like interactions between all the main characters in the story as well as some sub-characters, so it keeps everything going forward and becomes a page-turner. I found I could not put it down until I had reached the end. It makes you think about how you are handling your life and if you are stagnating because you are too afraid to take a chance. I enjoyed reading this book from the first page to the last and found the ending the best, due to the fact that I had started rooting early for the main characters.

Reviewed by Viga Boland for Readers' Favorite

When I reflect on Moss by Joe Pace, three words come to mind immediately: deep, unique, and extraordinary. All three adjectives apply to Pace’s characters, plot, themes, and style...in fact, everything about this novel. Quite honestly, I cannot get this exquisite literary novel out of my thoughts, and here's why. The style is primarily reflective narrative. In many novels, that approach slows down the pace of the plot. But Oscar Kendall, the narrator, is such a conflicting blend of emotions that, like a Venus flytrap, he grabs a reader’s psyche and won’t let go. The same applies to May: she fascinates both Oscar and the reader. What is it with her? Why does she behave as she does? And then there are the almost strange members of May’s family. Each character is unique; their motivations and actions are complex. But it is how all these characters’ lives intersect that gives readers a plot so extraordinary that few of us see the twists coming our way. When they do, Moss becomes unforgettable.

But Moss’s intense impact on the reader goes beyond its plot, characters, and style. Overshadowing everything in Oscar’s life is his father, Isaiah Moss, a famous author Oscar knows very little about until he inherits his father’s cabin and his old typewriter. Through letters that Isaiah has written to his estranged son, and through May’s experience, readers so thoroughly feel the devastating effects that war has on those called to fight that we are beyond moved. Pace’s ability to capture the emotional and physical suffering is unique: it cuts deeply into readers’ minds and hearts and holds us captive long after the story has ended. As a would-be writer, I felt compelled to make notes on some of the insights Isaiah Moss offered on writing, e.g. “My writing teachers were my eyes and ears and my imagination…ears are more important to writers than eyes or hands.” Moss is a deep and unique novel, and Joe Pace, like the fictional Isaiah Moss, is one extraordinary writer.

Reviewed by Grant Leishman for Readers' Favorite

The King’s Sword: The First Novel of the Metzlingen Saga by Rebekah Simmers is a delightful journey back to 15th-century Europe, where small kingdoms and principalities were the way of the European continent. Matthias is a soldier, pure and simple, after having first been sold to the crown and then pledging himself in service to King Girault of Ewigsburg. After one particularly harrowing battle, in which his prince was killed, Matthias is tasked with a mission for his king; to travel to the far Kingdom of Leuceria and to plight the king’s troth to the beautiful princess Avelina. Avelina has lived a life of prestige and honor, as the rightful heir of the Leucerian throne since the death of her father and mother, so many years earlier. The Regent Niro, who has effectively ruled Leuceria since her parents' death at his hands, has no intention of giving up the throne to the young princess. The simplest solution for Niro is to get rid of Avelina, be it through death or a foreign marriage. Matthias finds himself riding into a hotbed of intrigue and political backstabbing as he seeks to fulfill his quest; a quest that includes a dangerous and hazardous journey through the mountains back to Ewigsburg and safety, all the while pursued by Niro’s vengeful and vicious son’s men, hell-bent on killing Matthias, the princess and Matthias’ band of soldierly brothers.

I am an immense fan of medieval historical literature and The King’s Sword fits this bill for me as a reader spectacularly. Author Rebekah Simmers has created a tale redolent of the very best of knightly stories of honor, political intrigue, romance, and love. The author’s vibrant and rich descriptive prose brings the environment of medieval Europe to life. Matthias and Avelina’s journey through the mountains is beautifully crafted and one can picture the towering peaks, waterfalls, and hidden dangers as the pair make their way back to Ewigsburg. The two principal characters are wonderfully supported by a cast that is easily identifiable and relatable. What I particularly loved was the author’s ability to use her characters to ask and question some of the big issues of life; self-determination, purpose, the nature and power of love, the importance of doing what is right rather than what is expedient, and perhaps most importantly, being true to oneself. The balance the author achieves between the action of the story and the development of the characters, their emotions, their dreams, their deep-rooted fears, and their self-doubts is remarkable. At no time does one want to take a break from this story; it keeps dragging you forward relentlessly to its ultimate conclusion. I can highly recommend this book and look forward to more tales of Avelina, Matthias, and Metzlingen as this story is just the first in a planned series.

Reviewed by Edith Wairimu for Readers' Favorite

Friendship Matters by Rona D. Drinkard follows the lives of three friends, all at different places in life and each facing different circumstances. After losing her husband, Euniqé was set on raising her son alone. She meets a man that she is unexpectedly attracted to. Still, she is cautious about the new relationship. Her best friend, Saisha, struggles to hide her unhealthy relationships from Euniqé, a psychologist who always sees through Saisha’s explanations. Their friend Kandace is in a picture-perfect marriage on the surface. Though her husband indulges her, her material possessions do not fulfill her innermost needs. She is unsure that sacrificing her dreams to be a stay-at-home mother is what she wants. Her patience toward her unfaithful husband is wearing thin.

The main characters in Friendship Matters are realistic, and each has a distinctive personality. Saisha is the sassy one of the three, while Euniqé is over-protective of her friends and often offers unsolicited advice. Kandace is a talented singer and is always available for a meet-up. The dialogue between the friends is entertaining and often hilarious. There are also some captivating, dramatic scenes in the novel. In the story, each character grows. They learn to confront the fears that have held them back and allow themselves to move forward. Their separate lives also contain life lessons about being honest with oneself, letting go of the past, and working toward achieving personal dreams. Friendship Matters by Rona D. Drinkard is a funny, profound novel about three friends who share a close bond.

Reviewed by Keith Mbuya for Readers' Favorite

In his office at Pocono Prep School, Pennsylvania, Mr. Griffin, the dean, collapses in the most unanticipated series of events. Once whisked to the hospital, Mr. Griffin was declared to have suffered a stroke. Mrs. Levering, being the only one in the dean’s office at the time of the event, was tasked with conveying the old man’s last words to his family before he became unconscious. “Piccolo and Goodman” were Mr. Griffin’s last words. Sandy Piccolo, the son of a mafia boss, was an accomplished and successful lawyer. Sandy, Goodman, and Laura, Sandy’s wife, had all attended the school while Mr. Griffin worked there. Goodman had left Pennsylvania and went incognito; it all had something to do with Sandy and Laura. What exactly did Sandy and Laura do to Goodman? Given their history, why would Mr. Griffin ask to see two of his former students who apparently were on the worst terms? Will Sandy Piccolo find Goodman? Find out more in Jeff Arch's Attachments.

I love being intrigued. I love being entertained. Reading Jeff Arch’s Attachments left me thoroughly pleased and yearning for more. His sentence structures are complex, comprising of long and twisted sentences yet very comprehensible. Jeff Arch gives aggressively intelligible depictions of his ideas. I loved how picturesque the story was. The characters in Attachments are exciting, amazing, and fun. They are portrayed lucidly and in the boldest way. This, coupled with the witty and intellectual conversations some of the characters had, made me feel like I could not get enough of them, especially Sandy, Laura, and Carmine, Sandy’s father. Jeff Arch undoubtedly has a strong command of all aspects of writing. The sarcasm, the irony, the humor, and the casualness with which he uses them in the story is just epic. I found myself laughing most of the time while reading. He also uses a lot of sentiment in his words. I could feel the pain, joy, longing, disappointment, resentment, loathing, love and so many more emotions in the book. The plot is amazing. I loved this book.

Reviewed by Risah Salazar for Readers' Favorite

Michael Guillebeau's Don of the Q is an adaptation of Miguel de Cervantes's Don Quixote. The classic Spanish satire is made contemporary, reflecting the world's most important issues for modern-day readers. Don, a twenty-two-year-old American guy, finds himself manning Quick Stop's counter, Q for short, without knowing what happened to him before that moment of "awakening". He first befriends Sancha, another Q staff who is half-Black, half-Mexican, and then a few more people outside of the Q. Together, they plan to take on America, one comical mission at a time.

With a bunch of misfits helping each other and becoming heroes in their own way, Don of the Q is a much-needed book in these times. It's relevant, diverse, feminist, and LGBTQ-friendly. Reimagining Sancho Panza as a female person of color in this adaptation makes all the difference. Don's illusions and shallow personality are now balanced with Sancha's more realistic views and background as a minority. The book is a good combination of inspiring humor and mystery. The chapter headings, like the chapter themselves, are short and catchy. The characters and the story are realistic, relatable, and angsty. The group's adventures are entertaining and beneath all the social commentary the message is compelling. Don of the Q by Michael Guillebeau teaches about kindness and how simple yet significant it can be. A person doesn't need much to be kind; one can start small, whenever and wherever. In this quick and unputdownable read, the American Quixote and his friends touch hearts while being witty.

Reviewed by Vincent Dublado for Readers' Favorite

Marriage, loss, and separation are well-defined in Peter A. Friedrichs’ And the Stars Kept Watch. Something precious has been building in the life of an ordinary family, but it all deteriorates after an unexpected tragedy. It becomes the moving personal story of grieving, anger, blame, and denial. Everything seems to be going well for financial adviser Nathan Osgood. His wife Catherine has a thriving practice as a bankruptcy attorney, and they are blessed with two wonderful little sons, Jacob and Joe. The story opens with Nathan taking his boys on a make-believe treasure hunt adventure on an ATV that Catherine gave him as a birthday present. Despite strapping the kids in with elaborate harnesses for their safety, tragedy still strikes when they cross a frozen pond that collapses. Nathan survives but not the children. Jacob's and Joe’s deaths become the trigger that will shatter Nathan’s life, as Catherine blames him for the deaths of their sons and they separate. Nathan tries to cope by attending therapy. But the worst is yet to come as deputies arrest him and he is indicted on two counts of manslaughter.

And the Stars Kept Watch captures the vicious specter of grief, how a happy couple’s marriage starts to decay with the loss of people they love. Peter A. Friedrichs has written a powerful domestic drama, and it is easy to visualize an adaptation of this work exploring the truth about family, death, and relationship. It would be challenging to see if Nathan and Catherine could emerge from this ordeal in the end, if Nathan could find inner peace, and if Catherine could find a different purpose. You will either feel sympathy for Nathan or not, but it is better if you try to see it from both his and Catherine’s perspectives to better weigh the message. And the Stars Kept Watch contains notable anger, but there is also compassion and the prospect of moving on. If you enjoy stories like Ordinary People and Marriage Story, this book is highly recommended.