Reviewed by Jessyca Garcia for Readers' Favorite

It is hard to remember that Leaving Montana by Thomas Whaley is a work of fiction. The family problems and secrets that Whaley writes about are very common, but very rarely are they spoken about. Whaley writes about Benjamin Sean Quinn’s life and how he grew up in a household filled with drama and secrets. Leaving Montana is a book that captures the reader’s interest right away just because Whaley’s main character, Benjamin Sean Quinn, is so lovable from the start. Benjamin is a 40-year-old gay male who has two adopted children with his partner. Benjamin travels to Billings, Montana, to face secrets from the past. During his journey he reflects on his parents' marriage and how everything came to be.

My favorite thing about this book was the way Whaley explained how Benjamin’s parents, Carmella and Sean, came to be. He gave each character in his book a different personality. I honestly was not sure how to feel about Carmella and Sean. I went from rooting for each of them to hating them, then back to rooting for them. Towards the end of the book, I was sure of only one thing, and that was that I wanted to give Benjamin a huge hug and adopt him. The issues that occurred in Benjamin’s family are common, but they are not often written about or explained through each character’s own perspective. Whaley writing the story this way makes the reader understand the situations more. You may not agree with the situation that is occurring in the book, but you understand why it happened.

I was able to figure out the secrets before the book ended, but I really enjoyed this book and hope to read more of Whaley’s work. I recommend this book to anyone who does not have enough drama in their own family.

Reviewed by Jessyca Garcia for Readers' Favorite

I absolutely loved Conflicting Webs by Darlene Quinn. Conflicting Webs, which happens to be a stand-alone story, is the fifth addition to Quinn’s Web series. The Web series contains four other books. This is the first book I have read in the Web series so I was happy that Quinn fills the reader in on some of the things from the other books. This book focuses on the wedding of April Toddman and Kyle Clark. It also revolves around a custody battle for Lindsay Levin. There is also a lot more that happens, but I will not spoil it. This story is filled with just the right amount of drama and everything that occurs is believable. The characters are mostly lovable and all of them are unique.

Conflicting Webs contains a large cast of characters. At first, I felt there were too many characters to focus on, but when I continued reading I appreciated that Quinn tells each character’s side of the story and point of view. Every character has a reason for being in this book. I also like how every one of Quinn’s characters, no matter how bad they are, all have a little good in them. I liked the character of April Toddman because she is a strong female who always tries to do the right thing. I hated Howard Levin, but so did everyone else in the book. Nora Levin is a saint for putting up with him and not hiring a hit man. Lindsay Levin is the character my heart went out to the most. She is surrounded by love but no one can really take care of her.

Overall, I really loved Conflicting Webs. It reminded me of the television show Brothers and Sisters in that everyone is related or their paths cross in some way. I liked that Quinn wrote about Survivor’s Guilt. It helped me to realize that people in my own life are suffering from it. I will be looking into reading the rest of the Web series as well as Quinn’s other books. I recommend this book for anyone who enjoys drama and family stories.

Reviewed by Jack Magnus for Readers' Favorite

A Perfectly Good Crime: A Kate Bradley Mystery is an investigative sleuth mystery written by Dete Meserve. Someone is robbing the ultra-rich of Los Angeles, and investigative journalist Kate Bradley needs to figure out who and why. They seem to know exactly what to take and limit themselves to luxury items that can easily be replaced. The mansions the robbers have hit are opulent in the extreme, and the owners are billionaires. Kate’s father, Senator Bradley, is worried about Kate’s investigation as some of the owners Kate’s asking tough questions of are his financial backers as well as being his friends. Channel 11’s major advertiser has threatened to cut off their income stream if Kate continues to cover what’s become known as the Robin Hood story. Kate’s determined, however, to identify the mastermind who’s been able to enter mansions with their state of the art security systems still in place.

Dete Meserve's investigative sleuth mystery, A Perfectly Good Crime: A Kate Bradley Mystery, is fast-paced and thought-provoking. The author highlights the social problem of income inequality in her contrasts between the privileged lifestyles of the owners of the lavish mansions that have been victimized and the lives and hardships of the Angelenos living not that far away in the poorer parts of LA, and she does so in a way that’s neither preachy nor didactic. I found myself wondering why so many police personnel were assigned to investigate that first burglary when the average homeowner gets little or no response after a robbery; and found the rising tide of resentment against the uber wealthy victims to be a natural or understandable response, even while acknowledging the wrongness of theft. As with the plot, Kate is a complicated character. She’s in the shadow of her Senator father who raised her, and is in love with a fireman who will not leave LA when she’s offered a major career move in NYC. Does she give up on her dreams or her man?

This is a compelling story that keeps the reader guessing as Kate tries to solve the mystery of the thefts, keep the peace with her father, and make a decision on the NYC offer. She also has to reconcile her grudging admiration for Robin Hood with her instinctive sense of justice. Meserve gives the reader a lot to think about in A Perfectly Good Crime and she does so in a taut, well-plotted story that reads beautifully. I quickly became engrossed in the plot and found Kate Bradley to be a character I’d like to read more about. A Perfectly Good Crime is most highly recommended.

Reviewed by Ioana Marza for Readers' Favorite

When Susanna Quiner went out of the Ohio house she shared with her four sisters in order to feed the pig one morning, she did not imagine she might not see them for a very long time, or even forever. Thieving Forest by Martha Conway follows Susanna’s determined search for her sisters after she witnesses their abduction by Native Americans. During this journey, Susanna learns to work hard and do things she would have never imagined, and most of all she learns how much she loves her sisters and how she would stop at nothing to find them. The journey is life-changing for all the Quiners, and some discover very surprising things about themselves and the sacrifices and the life choices they ultimately make. The experience either destroys the life of some or gives a clear path in life to others.

Thieving Forest is a well written novel, very rich in historical details of how life in 1806 must have been. Martha Conway vividly describes a time when a human life was valued less than a horse’s and when people - regardless of race - were traded across America like cattle. It is evident the extent of the research Conway did into the geography of Ohio, the swamps, the food, the diseases that people were battling with, and most of all, the customs of the Native Americans at a time when some of them were dealing with/living in the same settlements as white people, while most of them followed their old tribal ways. Besides being a historical novel, Thieving Forest is a compelling mystery which I read breathlessly, keen to find out what happens next. It also made me think about the precariousness of what we value in life, the same as the Quiners did once with a completely different perspective. The depths of the issues considered, the wealth of historical detail, the realistic descriptions of the never ending forests and the creatures living there, and the actual story line all combine to make Thieving Forest a great read. I have nothing but good things to say about Thieving Forest. I really enjoyed reading it and it is a pleasure to occasionally find such a great book. I highly recommend it.

Reviewed by Tracy Slowiak for Readers' Favorite

Sweeping. Beautiful. Striking. I could go on, but one word descriptions of a book, especially one as wonderful as The Notorious Dream of Jesús Lázaro, would not suffice. This masterful work by author Terence Clarke follows the titular artist, Jesús Lázaro, on his journey to complete his master work, murals that he feels called to complete on the exterior of the Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Assumption in San Francisco. The Archbishop that oversees the Cathedral, Ruben Mullins, and the Pope himself, refuse to allow Jesús his desire. But when a miraculous and painful sign from God is visited upon the Archbishop himself, he realizes that he must allow the murals to be painted, however unconventional they may be. The decision leads to chaos in the streets of San Francisco, concern from the echelons of the Vatican, and perhaps attention from God Himself.

Sometimes, as a reviewer, one feels that they may not be able to do a book justice in the short amount of time one has to write a review. This is one of those times. Terence Clarke’s novel, The Notorious Dream of Jesús Lázaro, follows an artist in the creation of his life’s masterpiece. Mr. Clarke, in writing this saga, has completed his own literary masterpiece. I simply cannot recommend this book more highly. It would appeal to any lover of fiction, the art world, or simply great writing. I loved, loved, loved this book and I cannot wait to read more of Terence Clarke’s work.

Reviewed by Mamta Madhavan for Readers' Favorite

Blue Sun, Yellow Sky by Jamie Jo Hoang is a heart rending novel about artist Audrey Johnson who has been diagnosed with Retinitis Pigmentosa and will soon be blind. She decides to go on a trip around the world with her old friend Jeff. Being a painter, this trip is very important to her and she tries to recreate the images of each place many times in front of her eyes. As her sight slowly deteriorates with each passing day, she realizes that she has not lost everything. This magnificent journey with the author not only takes readers to different countries, but also tells readers more about Retinitis Pigmentosa and its effect.

The author's story is human and it takes readers through myriad emotions, ranging from self pity to acceptance and finally to adjusting and adapting to reality. The author's positive attitude towards life is uplifting and the book also teaches readers about Retinitis Pigmentosa. A romantic angle between the two friends also run subtly through the plot. The book has many dimensions to it and that makes it a compelling read. The author's journey to many lands and her journey into blindness capture life and loss nicely.

The journey to different countries makes Audrey strong and enables her to handle her life with more grace and dignity. The book also captures the sights, sounds and essence of each country and the author makes this very visual by her descriptions. The story is unique and the author creates characters and incidents that are plausible. A beautiful story of hope and acceptance.

Reviewed by Maria Victoria Beltran for Readers' Favorite

Illusion Of An Ending by award winning author Danielle Soucy Mills gives us a glimpse of life after death, not as we always have imagined it. Jimmy, a young man with a promising life ahead of him, dies in a motorcycle accident. As his family grieves, his soul tries to find a way to communicate with them, especially his mother, Patricia. Meanwhile, Llorena, a teenage girl who has the ability to communicate with spirits, is suddenly uprooted from her family home. Her mother tells her that they are moving back to her hometown because she has to take care of her mother. Llorena is shocked because she was not aware that her grandmother, who shares her gift, is still around. What follows is a story that deals with spirituality, metaphysics and love.

Danielle Soucy Mills’ novel Illusion Of An Ending is a gripping story about a young man who is gone too soon, a grieving mother, and a young girl with extraordinary abilities; three people who suddenly find themselves connected to each another. Life after death is a mystery that is intriguing for all of us because we all have friends and relatives who are already dead and, inevitably, all of us will die. So this is a theme that will attract the attention of readers and the book certainly does not disappoint. Written from various characters' perspectives, it is like getting into the skin of the main protagonists. I think one of the biggest achievements of this book is that it gives us a picture of life after death that makes dying easier to accept. Highly recommended!

Reviewed by Lisa Jones for Readers' Favorite

An Absent Mind by Eric Rill is a moving story about a man diagnosed with Alzheimer's. Saul was in his early seventies when this terrible illness struck. It was obvious that throughout his life he had been a larger than life kind of character and suddenly that would all change. His struggle through the middle stages to the end are written in this very moving novel. The story also examines the family and their relationships with each other.

Eric Rill has delivered a very powerful yet touching novel. It centers on Alzheimer's and the way in which the disease progresses. Having had some personal experience with this, the author then felt the need to write about it and I am so glad he did. He told his story in a unique way. Throughout the story, the point of view changes between people. Sometimes it was the patient Saul's point of view, then it would be from his wife's perspective. Other times it was from the son or daughter's point of view. There were a couple of references to the doctor's view, which I found important as it gave a more clinical outlook. The whole story from start to finish touched my heart and at the same time I found out a great deal about the disease that I did not know. I learned how the body begins to shut down completely and in the end something as simple as swallowing would not be possible.

Eric Rill explains at the end of his novel how he worked closely with a clinical doctor so that he could give the most honest opinion of the different stages of the disease. This was very helpful to me as a reader and I am sure it will be helpful to other readers. My eyes have truly been opened as I never fully comprehended what actually happens. I have the utmost respect for the author for writing this beautiful book and I am glad he did. What a moving story that has truly touched my heart.

Reviewed by Jack Magnus for Readers' Favorite

When we first meet Hannah, she is fighting traffic on her way to her grandmother's funeral. She is bringing her grandmother's embalmed canary, which, according to family legend, alerted her grandfather to toxic fumes in the coal mine her grandmother owned. Hannah is dreading the family gathering and thinks her mother sees the funeral as a kind of bonding experience. Hannah adored her funny, adventurous father and used to fly with him in the family plane. She was crushed when he died in a plane accident, leaving her, her brother and sister in the care of their alcoholic mother. Now that they are all grown, visits with the family tend to turn into dramas leading to subsequent texts, phone calls and emails, but Hannah hasn't figured out how to distance herself from it all. Her love life is also not terribly exciting. After a disastrous marriage, she is now in a rather dull and predictable relationship with a man who doesn't have what it takes to make her pulses sing. When Hannah's car breaks down on the way to the funeral, everything gets turned upside down, but in what could be the best possible way.

I was probably about 20 or 30 pages into "Wild Nights" when I realized that this could turn out to be a really outstanding book - and it just got better from there. Hannah is brash, funny and wise all at once, and her relationships with her friends are a hoot. The family scenes also play true to life, both the tragic and the comic, which are not always kept separate. While the timeline of "Wild Nights' is about a year, Hannah's life is eventful, and the reader is brought along when she travels to Hawaii on Christmas vacation and then to India where she works with her mentor and friend, Margaret. The descriptions of both places will have any reader lazily drifting on warm, Hawaiian waves, and walking the crowded, dusty streets of India. I spent all day yesterday wrapped up in "Wild Nights" and reluctantly finished the last page late last night, Hannah and Jon and the rest of the characters peopling this work still alive and fresh in my mind. This is an extraordinary work.

Reviewed by Bernadette Ventrillos for Readers' Favorite

“Eating through the Earth” by Karen Pirnot is a book for all women. She has taken the attributes of several of her precious friends and combined them to create some of the most memorable characters you will ever meet. Every reader will catch a glimpse of their self somewhere in these characters. Stelby’s life had revolved around her husband and children; after he passed away life went on in much the same fashion until one of her daughters gave her a gift certificate to a spa. That was a life changing day. Stelby returned home with a renewed spirit; after all those years she had discovered her niche. She and several other women turn her basement into a meeting place. They discovered there was little they could not do, from finishing dry wall to patching concrete. They found something that had been hidden in the basement; it was never meant to be found. The women bloomed as their friendship strengthened.

“Eating through the Earth” by Dr. Karen Pirnot will touch the hearts of many. This is a book on the importance of knowing your own self-worth; it is a book about friendship. Stelby was my favorite character; she was awakened by a trip to the spa, such a simple event and yet an important one. Once Stelby got something in her mind, there was no stopping her. No project was too big. Cheryl wanted someone to love her and someone to love. Clarice felt guilt and went through life trying to be perfect. The other characters too have equally important attributes. When they worked together they were unstoppable.