Reviewed by Keith Mbuya for Readers' Favorite

It is 1676. The colonists in America are caught up in a raging war against Native Americans under a formidable chief dubbed King Philip. After a cattle raid in the small town of Hatfield, Massachusetts Bay Colony, by Algonquian natives, the war council ordered an attack on the natives, believing it was one of King Philip’s attacks on colonist territories. However, the raid by the Algonquian natives may not have had anything to do with the chief. And it was bad enough that the natives' camp being attacked had more children and women than warriors. It is not long before the natives retaliate, attacking Hatfield and taking with them colonists' wives and children. Colonist Benjamin Waite, a skilled military scout, one of the few who had been against the prior attack on the natives, is left in despair as among the many missing is his pregnant wife and three kids. Can he save his family and the other colonists from their looming tragic fate at the hands of the natives before it is too late? Find out in Laura C. Rader’s Hatfield 1677.

Lovers of historical novels will not take their eyes off this enthralling book until they have read it from cover to cover. Running the story on a multi-perspective timeline, Laura C. Rader weaves an intriguing and riveting tale of war, love, friendship, resilience, secrets, adventure, drama, action, and so much more. Paying great attention to detail, alongside evocative depictions, Rader colorfully brings the scenes to life. It felt like I was back in the late seventeenth century in Massachusetts, experiencing the colonists’ and natives’ distinct cultures and lifestyles. The purposeful and nuanced conversations insightfully captured the social and political dynamics between the natives and the colonists. Ironically, the colonists felt justified in attacking the natives because they were invading their territories when, in the first place, they were the ones who had invaded the natives’ land. Rader uses sentiment in the narration, allowing me to experience the cast’s emotions. This made it easy to connect with them.

Reviewed by Pikasho Deka for Readers' Favorite

A Tiny Piece of Blue is a historical drama by Charlotte Whitney. The story is set during the Great Depression in rural Michigan in 1934. After a fire burns down their decrepit home, thirteen-year-old Silstice "Silly" Trayson suddenly becomes homeless, leading her to seek shelter with an elderly couple, Vernon and Edna Goetz, much to the chagrin of the frugal Vernon. Edna introduces Silly to her 4-H sewing group, but Vernon is adamant that Silly would have to pay for her stay in their home. Meanwhile, Silly's sister Alberta also has her share of trouble while staying at a friend's house. When Edna tragically passes away, Vernon unexpectedly has to care for both sisters as Silly participates in the Calhoun County Fair. Meanwhile, Silly's younger brothers fall into the clutches of a child trafficking ring.

A Tiny Piece of Blue is a story about finding hope amid adversity. This heartwarming tale beautifully shows how people can always strive to better themselves despite their circumstances. Vernon's character is the perfect embodiment of that. For about the first half of the book, he is presented as a cranky old man who wants to be left alone. Slowly, he develops a strong bond with the Trayson sisters and helps them and their brothers in their time of need. Author Charlotte Whitney has crafted some truly layered characters who are complex and realistic. The narrative is heartfelt, with a plot that keeps you invested until the end. You want to know what's next in store for the Trayson siblings and Vernon. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it!

Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

Chariots in the Sky by Larry A. Freeland is a war novel that plunges readers right into the airborne chaos of the Vietnam War with unflinching realism and emotional clarity. We're with Captain Taylor St. James and his Huey helicopter crew, as the novel chronicles high-risk missions into places like the deadly A Shau Valley and Lam Son 719. What emerges is way more than a war story; a tribute to courage, brotherhood, and the quiet endurance required to survive under constant threat. The novel does not shy away from the brutality of combat, but also shines in the moments between battles: the tensions within the unit, the burden of leadership, and the fragility of hope.

Author Larry A. Freeland, himself a Vietnam veteran, has a strong sense of authority and compassion that elevates this novel above standard military fiction and makes it into something where you can really put yourself in the place of those experiencing conflict. There's something very raw and impactful about the visceral writing style, yet it never feels gratuitous or too shocking in any way. His prose captures both the technical precision of flight and the raw emotion of men facing impossible decisions. I found myself deeply invested in the crew’s fates, and the scenes in the air are some of the most gripping I have read. Freeland understands not only the tactics of war but the emotional weight it leaves behind. Overall, Chariots in the Sky is an essential, unforgettable novel about sacrifice, camaraderie, and the cost of duty in one of America’s most complex wars.

Reviewed by P. Rosenthal for Readers' Favorite

Sink the Rising Sun by Jon C. Gabriel follows the journey of a twenty-five-year-old inexperienced naval officer named Benjamin Holt. During the chaos and destruction of World War II, he is given command of an aging submarine, newer crewmen, and outdated equipment. Their mission is to disrupt and destroy the supply lines of the Imperial Japanese Navy. Stationed in Albany, Australia, Holt navigates the waters of the Pacific as he and his crew search for the enemy in defense of the United States. “When danger struck, he got weirdly calm and analytical.” Thus, his command leaves little room for unavoidable politics and even less for thoughts of a doomed romance. Then again, it is best to act lest you be acted upon.

In times of war, it can be challenging to make a moral choice when every option feels wrong. In Sink the Rising Sun, Jon C. Gabriel introduces readers to military hero Benjamin Holt in this compelling war story. Readers will quickly become invested in the lives of Holt's crew and fellow officers. Gabriel does not hold back on authenticity; his vivid descriptions of life aboard a wartime submarine immerse readers in the heart of the action. This fast-paced page-turner is filled with philosophical insights, vernacular expressions, and bits of unexpected humor. Veterans, history buffs, and romance fans will not want to miss this book. Sink the Rising Sun is Gabriel’s debut novel, and as luck would have it, he promises, “There’s more to come.”

Reviewed by Makeda Cummings for Readers' Favorite

Between the Clouds and the River by Dave Mason tells the moving story of two characters whose lives are connected by the aftermath of World War II. Bernhardt Lang is a German officer forced to confront the brutal realities of war. His journey gradually shifts from the battlefield to his attempt to live a civilian life many years after the war. On the other hand, Joseph Holliman is a twelve-year-old boy struggling to cope with abandonment by his mother and an abusive father. Young Joseph is a constant victim of his father’s cruelty and bitterness. Intriguingly, he develops an impactful friendship with Frank Gardner, the man whose shed he deliberately burned down. Bernhardt and Joseph go on a lifelong journey, searching for their identities. This book details their breathtaking story!

Between the Clouds and the River is a masterful demonstration of storytelling by Dave Mason. I love how the author converges Bernhardt's and Joseph's stories. Bernhardt's journey commences in 1943, while Joseph's story begins in 1965. Although Bernhardt and Joseph vary in age, life experiences, and timeline, they are both trapped in life events that they desperately try to escape. Thus begin their captivating journeys of self-discovery and perseverance. Mason's vivid writing style beautifully reinforces their profound story arcs. From the beginning of the tale, I could easily visualize the various layers of Bernhardt's and Joseph's lives. I felt their anxieties, loss, and tribulations. I connected with these characters immediately and was drawn into every significant event that transpired throughout their lives. Their fight for identity and survival will leave a lasting emotional imprint on each reader. I sincerely hope that all fans of historical fiction will read this heartwarming book.

Reviewed by Keith Mbuya for Readers' Favorite

It was 1933 and a powerful campaign to expand the Third Reich’s superiority had taken Germany by storm. Fifteen-year-old Christa’s life is about to take a sharp turn, but she does not know it yet. Coming from a progressive German family, Christa’s family openly disagreed with some of the Fuhrer’s views, especially those that promoted antisemitism. They were wise enough to keep their doubts and skepticism behind the walls of their home, except for Christa’s brother Jurgen. He lands himself in trouble while defending a Jewish friend, and is shipped off to Rugen Island, where his family is barred from any contact with him. While visiting an old friend with her grandmother, Christa meets Paul, a Jewish boy she falls head over heels for at first sight. In the middle of all the tension and chaos driven by the antisemitic wave sweeping the country, does their young love stand a chance to blossom? Find out in Paulette Mahurin’s Two Necklaces.

Lovers of historical novels anchored in a compelling backstory of love and romance will not be able to stop reading Paulette Mahurin’s Two Necklaces. With evocative depictions, Mahurin brings 1930s Germany to full color on the pages, uniquely capturing the mood and setting of that era. All this alongside the well-nuanced accounts allowed me to experience what it was like to live through Hitler’s reign both as a German and a Jew. It was a tight cycle of tension, spying, blackmail, persecution, torture, and untold agony. Mahurin brings out the cast’s intricate emotions, juxtaposing their complex traits. This made it easy to connect with them. The pain and suffering some of the families were subjected to was harrowing. I could only imagine what it must have felt like to have your loved ones grabbed by the Gestapo and have no power at all to save them from their terrifying fate. There is suspense, drama, adventure, and so much more in this novel.

Reviewed by Romuald Dzemo for Readers' Favorite

Talmadge Farm by Leo Daughtry immerses readers in rural Southern life in the mid-20th century, offering a vivid portrait of its settings and characters. The Talmadge family is a fixture in the Eastern North Carolina community, and the story opens with their annual dove hunt. Beginning in September 1957, the narrative unfolds against the backdrop of Talmadge Farm—a sprawling estate encompassing hundreds of acres of tobacco fields and the imposing Talmadge mansion. Gordon Talmadge is a typical Southern patriarch obsessed with maintaining his family's legacy and fortune through the bank he controls. He cares very little about the welfare of the sharecroppers on his farm, especially the Sanders family, highlighting the stark contrasts between their privileged existence and the struggles of those bound to the land. The tension grows at different levels and escalates between Gordon and the Sanders family when Junior, Gordon’s son, attacks Ella Sanders. The fallout has dire ramifications.

Leo Daughtry has crafted a character-driven narrative with a solid historical setting. The characters are finely drawn, and watching them evolve through multiple conflicts is interesting. Gordon Talmadge is an ambitious man with domestic issues and hints at an underlying strain in his marriage with Claire, creating suspense. The dynamics between the Talmadges and the Sanders family, notably when sharecropping is at play, highlight the social and racial tensions and the disparity in their social standings, exacerbating misunderstandings and conflicts. Daughtry deftly illustrates the South's racial and class tensions, revealing how the social fabric frays when underlying injustices surface. The characters are not black-and-white caricatures but flawed individuals who react to their circumstances with varying degrees of morality. Talmadge Farm is an engaging tale that transports readers into an intriguing historical moment and place.

Reviewed by Rich Follett for Readers' Favorite

Boy With Wings by Mark Mustian is a magical, highly imaginative tour de force featuring, as its title suggests, a boy whose unusual birthmark gradually turns into a set of functional wings as he approaches adulthood. As Johnny Cruel drifts through the Depression-Era deep South, he encounters the full diapason of life in all its human absurdity, including baseless hatred, rampant ignorance, depravity, usury, violence, and even unexpected kindness. As he struggles to find identity, acceptance, and a way to fit into a world of self-described freaks, Johnny’s journey of self-discovery leads him to revelations that will resonate deeply with readers attempting to embrace and accept their own idiosyncrasies and differences. Mustian’s Johnny Cruel is a modern-day Everyman—a sojourner set apart by burning self-doubt and questions that only real-world experience can answer. His quest for identity is an aching reflection of the human condition in an increasingly complicated world.

The list of possible markers for which Johnny’s quest serves as an allegory is virtually endless: any reader with a self-perception of being outside the norms of society (or has known/loved such a person) will no doubt feel intimately connected to Johnny’s struggle, told in Mark Mustian’s staccato, yet magically real and detailed storyteller’s voice. The narrative is presented in chapters spoken by featured characters in succession, revealing widely differing thoughts, feelings, and perspectives. It is virtually un-put-downable, with each chapter adding depth and richness to the artfully woven tapestry of Johnny’s extraordinary life. Boy With Wings is a boldly original and unexpectedly profound novel that will leave readers thinking about life, growth, and identity long after they have turned the final page.

Reviewed by Steve Leshin for Readers' Favorite

In the Shadow of the Pyrenees: The Freedom Trail to Spain by Kathryn Gauci takes place in the early years of the war in the Donezan region in southwestern France. The Nazis begin their conquest of Europe and the quiet life for the rural residents of Mont-Saint-Jean, in the Ariege region bordering the Pyrenees, is about to change for the worse. A local schoolteacher, Armand Joubert, is recruited by Dr. Theo Berdu, a childhood friend, to help him. The good doctor is secretly helping Jews, communists, Allied soldiers, and escapees to flee from the Nazis or at least to hide from certain capture and death by execution on the road or in concentration camps. Gauci introduces us to life for the residents of this region of southern France bordering Spain.

Through her well-crafted characters, some based on real-life heroes, we are drawn in to care for these people. Despite the real and present danger when the Nazi and Vichy collaborators take over the small village where most of the story takes place, we want to know more about what happens to each one. In the Shadow of the Pyrenees by Kathryn Gauci is an extraordinary tale of bravery, love, and sacrifice heightened by the historical backdrop of World War II. Using first-person eyewitness accounts by some major characters to describe key events, the author keeps the reader focused on how extraordinary events affect the actions and motivations of ordinary people. You care about Justine, the daughter of Armand, who risks her life to help the many seeking escape through an arduous and dangerous route through the Pyrenees to avoid Nazi troops. The writing is crisp and clear and keeps the reader engaged. In the Shadow of the Pyrenees is historical fiction at its best.

Reviewed by Grant Leishman for Readers' Favorite

Daughters of Green Mountain Gap by Teri M Brown is a moving, multi-generational story of three rural North Carolina women at the end of the nineteenth century. Maggie McCoury is a healing woman, known as a Granny Woman, and is much sought after around Green Mountain Gap for her knowledge of plants and medicinal herbs. She has garnered much of her healing knowledge by listening to and learning from the local Cherokee medicine man. Although the God-fearing townsfolk dislike and distrust the Cherokee, they do appreciate Maggie’s ability to cure ailments. Maggie’s daughter Carrie Ann, though, is less enamored with her mother’s abilities and secretly blames her mother for being unable to save her father when he was sick. She has studied to be a nurse and is determined to bring science and “real” medicine to Green Mountain Gap. Carrie Ann’s daughter Josie Mae, however, believes in her grandmother’s power and wants to be just like her. The three women have to negotiate their fragile relationships and the constant reality of sickness and death from unknown and dangerous contagions in this era between science and faith.

Daughters of Green Mountain Gap is a fantastic and illuminating read of a seminal period of history as science and faith intersected and often clashed. Author Teri M Brown has created three utterly engaging characters; strong, independent, and fiercely loyal women who are not afraid to speak their minds and stick to their convictions. I particularly enjoyed the constant emotional tension between Maggie and Carrie Ann as well as that between Carrie Ann and Josie Mae. I appreciated the irony that whilst the people of Green Mountain Gap were happy to embrace the cures and medicine Maggie provided, they still had an intense fear and distrust of the Cherokee people from whom she had learned much of her trade. I also liked that the doctor, Daniel, was so open to Maggie’s healing and could see the gift that she had, whereas her daughter was too blinded by her anger and belief in modernity to see what was glaringly obvious to others. The concept of balance resonated with me when they discussed the fact that both modern medicines and some herbal remedies had two sides to them, both a negative (poisonous side) and a positive (healing side). Perhaps the biggest takeaway from this wonderful story is the importance of belief and attitude in the healing process, not only for the patient but for those who administer the medicine and the patient’s loved ones. This is a wonderful read that I thoroughly enjoyed.