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 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 Lisa McCombs for Readers' Favorite

Surrogacy. It’s a hot topic in our world, opening a multitude of attached debates. The laws vary from state to state. The stigma stains every incident differently. When Maggie finds herself drowning in bills and unfulfilled as the unmarried mother of infant Wyatt, she is introduced to the idea of profiting as a surrogate to Chip and Donovan, a gay couple on the other side of the country. After giving birth to fraternal twins, Maggie and her family will reap the benefits of a sizeable payoff. Maggie can now afford a coveted college degree. She and Nick can get married. Wyatt’s future will be financially secure. Maggie is prepared to hand over the babies. As a result of artificial insemination, they are not her sons. Or are they?

He Gets That From Me by Jacqueline Friedland is a moving story that evokes a multitude of debatable emotions: LBGTQ rights, religious views on adoption, adoption legalities, and plain out human decency. Author Friedland tackles this controversial story with a passion that will resonate with readers for days after the final page is turned. Realistic narration dually told from the viewpoints of Maggie and Donovan adds an additional and necessary caveat to the flow of the plot. I like that this format balances character emotions, although it occasionally requires the reader to confirm the point of view. An impressive amount of author research is evident as Jacqueline Friedland exhibits knowledge of surrogacy laws and fascinating gestational facts. I didn’t know where to place my sympathy while reading He Gets That From Me: the children, the biological parents, or the adopting parents.

Reviewed by Lex Allen for Readers' Favorite

"Jacob Martin’s life is not going well. His marriage is falling apart, his job is on the border of legal and illegal, and he’s living in what could generously be described as a dump. Now Dad, whose memory and mental faculties aren’t exactly what they once were, has decided to drive across the country for a visit. Forced into an unplanned road trip, Jacob finds love, enlightenment, and ultimately himself along the way. "

I left the synopsis portion of this review just as the author wrote it. That could be labeled borderline plagiarism perhaps, but certainly no more so than Jacob’s clients in his school paper writing business. I’m a big fan of commercial/genre fiction. Most of my literary fiction reads were required and read during English Lit classes. Dad by Bob Seay is clearly literary, with just enough commercialism to straddle the borders and make the read popular for lovers of both. Seay’s writing style is comfortable, witty, and fitting for his characters, all of whom are believable, likable, and/or as empathetic as any I’ve met in fiction. Dad and Jacob are especially well defined and carry the main storyline. Not to be marginalized, however, are the supporting characters that fill their roles perfectly, especially Jacob’s brother, sister, and spouses that include Jacob’s estranged wife, Brooke, and, last but not least, the exceptional “Beast.”

In his second novel, Bob Seay has crafted a story about a family that is at once poignant and wryly humorous with unforgettable characters and several memorable concepts concerning family relationships, dealing with a parent suffering dementia/Alzheimer's, love, and the simple things in life that mean so much. I can’t emphasize or praise this novel and Bob Seay’s writing style enough, but I’ll give it a go—it would not surprise me to read Bob Seay’s name on a Nobel Literature prize in the near future.

Reviewed by Barbara Oliverio for Readers' Favorite

The lives of three intergenerational women entwine in the seaside village of Cape May in The Sound of Wings by Suzanne Simonetti. Superficially, these three seem to lack any association, but as the story unfolds, we uncover their relationships. Quirky Goldie has spent her seven decades as a talented potter whose works are in demand by tourists and locals alike. Buried in her past, however, is a marriage, and the one joy remaining from that time is her love for beautiful Monarch butterflies. Writer Jocelyn is in a custody battle with the father of her son, which contributes to a crippling writer's block. Yet, she is buoyed up by her steadfast new husband. She is sustained by reading a journal she discovers belonging to her husband's mother. Stunningly beautiful yet insecure, twenty-something Krystal has qualms about whether her mega-millionaire husband truly loves her for herself, and others wrongly judge her as a stereotypical trophy wife.

The premise of The Sound of Wings is intriguing, and the narrative that ties the three together evolves agreeably. I was genuinely interested in the characters and felt their emotions as the story unfolded. As the background to every character was revealed, and as their interconnection became apparent, the story advanced toward a satisfying conclusion. Suzanne Simonetti effectively captures each woman's voice, and I found myself rooting for them in their growth and self-acceptance. The metaphor of the sound and shimmer of butterflies, both abstract and concrete, is apt in each of their journeys.

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.

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 Christian Sia for Readers' Favorite

The Best People: A Tale of Trials and Errors by Marc Grossberg is a spellbinding thriller with exceptional characters. The first thing that gripped me and kept me turning the pages is the way the author uses the subplot to create suspense. The narrative builds on two distinct and compelling characters. Paddy Moran is a thirty-six-year-old former cop from Brooklyn, a street-smart and a newly licensed divorce lawyer hankering to create a great reputation in the courtroom. As the narrative begins, he is fired up after witnessing a great win in the courtroom. But after few successes, he faces a moment of choice and must determine if fame is everything about the legal game or if there could be more. Pilar Galt is a smart and beautiful single mother who has had her share of success and pain. Now her path intersects with Paddy. The outcome builds the climax that will have readers savoring every page.

Marc Grossberg has written a captivating story and it feels real as the reader navigates the emotions and the hearts of the characters. The characters are genuinely flawed and easy to identify with. Paddy’s quest for success as an attorney reflects the struggle that many people experience in order to get into the limelight but what is even more interesting about the narrative is how the author unveils the pitfalls in the path of the protagonist. The Best People: A Tale of Trials and Errors is written in beautiful prose, well-plotted, and balanced; a compelling story that invites the reader to reflect on their choices.

Reviewed by Christian Sia for Readers' Favorite

The Destiny is Book III of The Prophecy by Jerena Tobiasen, a historical tale featuring compelling characters and strong themes. The story begins with the birth of Miriam in post-war Amsterdam in 1952, and all that Mina Kota and her mother want is to protect the child and preserve her innocence. But as she grows up, she wants her grandmother, Punita, to teach her how to read tarot cards. The grandmother obliges. Miriam soon meets Hart Lange, born into a family of soldiers; a young man who has learned resilience and the value of loyalty from his family. Hart wants a child and Miriam sees a future with him, so she gives in. Mina has warned Hart never to leave Miriam idle but he quickly forgets. Too late, he remembers the warning when Miriam disappears with the child, Matthew. Can Hart find his wife and son?

This is a powerful tale that explores themes of war, love, family, parenting, and heartbreak. It features compelling characters. I particularly enjoyed the way the author writes the character of Miriam. Since her birth, there seem to be external circumstances from which the family wants to protect her. Keeping her innocent is all they want but the involvement with tarot cards spells doom. The Destiny is a twisty tale that is emotionally rich with sophisticated characters. The post-war setting is intelligently depicted and I loved how the author writes the backgrounds of the characters, which makes the reader feel as though they are interacting with real people. The writing is strong and the descriptions are arresting. The story is suspenseful with hints of mystery. I am a fan of Jerena Tobiasen’s gift for storytelling and character.

Reviewed by Viga Boland for Readers' Favorite

When I was in high school we had to read a short story titled The Most Dangerous Game. The premise of the story, which suggested that man was the most dangerous animal, is somewhat similar to that presented in The Circle by Stephen J. Galgon. Now, decades later, with a different plot and setting but an equally sinister subject, Calgon re-fired my imagination as I feared and panicked for the protagonist, Doug Goodwin. Doug has been unwillingly recruited into a deadly circle of wealthy people who have a unique and horrible way of keeping themselves amused: hunting down and killing other members of the group before one of them kills you. The opening chapter of The Circle grabs you immediately as you witness a wealthy father killed by a sniper’s bullet while he and his daughter enjoy lunch together in a fancy restaurant. Finding out just who the sniper is, why this man was targeted and how his daughter handled the tragedy won’t become clear till very much later in the story when the new, unwanted life Doug has fallen into intersects with that of the daughter. As he learns, once in, there’s no way out except death.

Can you imagine what it must be like living and watching for your potential killer around every corner, behind every bush, in every crowd of people? Terrifying is putting it mildly. Does Doug survive this most dangerous game and if so, how? Who can he turn to for help when disclosure endangers the lives of family and friends? Doug’s panic is real; keeping one's wits ever on alert is essential and a cool head and clear thinking are paramount. Only the best survive. For a first novel, Stephen J. Galgon checks all the boxes when it comes to creating and keeping the suspense at an all-time high. His characters are captivating. Well-rendered dialogue keeps the pace moving quickly to its logical and deadly conclusion. Readers connect emotionally and mentally with Doug Goodwin, even when the entire situation seems utterly bizarre, even unrealistic. But is it truly unrealistic? Read The Circle and decide for yourself. A real gripper with an intricate and refreshing twist on an old theme.